1.Mechanism of MEK/Ras/Raf/ERK Signaling Pathway Modulated by Mimenghua Prescription on Inflammatory Response in Dry Eye Animal Model
Shi TAN ; Pei LIU ; Yuan ZHONG ; Sainan TIAN ; Pengfei JIANG ; Genyan QIN ; Qinghua PENG ; Jun PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):211-221
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the effects and mechanism of Mimenghua prescription in modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Ras)/rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase (Raf)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory responses in a dry eye animal model. MethodsA total of 60 C57BL/6J mice (eight weeks old, half male and half female) were used in the experiment. Ten mice were randomly selected as the blank control group, while the remaining 50 were exposed to a controlled dry system and received instillation of 0.2% benzalkonium chloride (BAC) into the eyes for four weeks to establish a dry eye mouse model. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly divided into five groups: Model group, sodium hyaluronate group, and Mimenghua prescription groups with low dose (4.83 g·kg-1), medium dose (9.67 g·kg-1), and high dose (19.34 g·kg-1). The mice in the model group received an equal volume of normal saline via gavage for four weeks. The mice in the sodium hyaluronate group received instillation of sodium hyaluronate eye drops twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The tear secretion volume, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining were evaluated once every two weeks. After four weeks of administration, mice were euthanized, and their lacrimal gland tissues and corneas were harvested. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess histopathological morphology. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the contents and expressions of MEK, Ras, Raf, ERK, and interleukin (IL)-1β in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues of the mice in each group. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine mRNA expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK. ResultsThe Mimenghua prescription groups and the sodium hyaluronate group exhibited significantly increased tear secretion volume (P<0.05) and prolonged TBUT (P<0.05) after treatment. Ocular surface damage of mice was visibly recovered. Western blot results indicated that protein expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal gland and corneal tissues were significantly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription group with high dose (P<0.05). ELISA results showed that IL-1β levels were highest in the model group but significantly reduced in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups (P<0.05). Both ELISA and Real-time PCR results demonstrated that the expression levels of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues were significantly elevated in the model group (P<0.05), but markedly downregulated in the sodium hyaluronate group and Mimenghua prescription groups (P<0.05), suggesting that Mimenghua prescription can decrease the expressions of MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK in the lacrimal glands and corneal tissues. ConclusionMimenghua prescription can reduce inflammatory responses, increase tear secretion, prolong TBUT, and promote corneal recovery by inhibiting the MEK, Ras, Raf, and ERK signaling pathways in lacrimal gland and corneal tissues.
2.Effect and mechanism of CXCL8 on the paclitaxel sensitivity of cervical cancer cells
Hua ZHANG ; Ibibulla NURBIA ; Pengfei LU ; Chunli JIA ; Xuanxuan PEI ; Yongxing BAO
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;39(1):13-20
Objective The objective of this study was to explore the effect of knocking down CXCL8 on the efficacy of pacli-taxel chemotherapy in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and to investigate its potential mechanism of action.Methods The Hela cell model was used to specifically inhibit CXCL8 gene expression through lentivirus-mediated RNA interference(RNAi)technology.The optimal transfection conditions were HitransG P and a multiplicity of infection(MOI)of 100.The CCK-8 assay was used to screen the optimal intervention concentration of puromycin as 1.5μg/mL.The LV-CXCL8-RNAi(3 targets)and negative control lentivirus were transfected into cells under optimal transfection conditions and set up a blank control group.The qRT-PCR assay was used to select the sh-CXCL8-13 group lentivirus as the intervention sequence and virus for subsequent experiments.The experiments were divided into the blank control group,negative control group,sh-CXCL8 group,paclitaxel group,and sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group.The prolifer-ative activity and invasive ability of cervical cancer cells were assessed by CCK-8 and cell invasion assays.The expression of CXCL8,Bcl2,Bax,and β-actin were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the other four groups,the proliferative and invasive ability of Hela cells was significantly reduced in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group,and the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.01).The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of CXCL8,Bcl2,PIK3CB,and Akt1 genes was significantly re-duced,and the expression of Bax gene was significantly increased in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group.The difference between the groups was statistically significant(P<0.001).The results of Western blot showed that the expression of CXCL8,PIK3CB,and p-Akt1 proteins was reduced in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group(P<0.05).Conclusion Knocking down CXCL8 can reduce the prolif-erative and invasive capacity of Hela cells,possibly by affecting the PI3K/Akt pathway to affect the drug sensitivity of Hela cells to paclitaxel.
4.CXCL8 expression and its clinical significance in cervical cancer tissues
Hua ZHANG ; Ibibulla NURBIA ; Pengfei LU ; Chunli JIA ; Xuanxuan PEI ; Yongxing BAO
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(10):914-918,925
Objective To assess the expression of CXCL8 in cervical cancer and its association with clinicopathological features and therapeutic efficacy of patients.Methods Bioinformatic analysis was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases to compare CXCL8 expression between cervical cancer and normal tissues.R software(version 4.4.0)was used for data analysis,with the timeROC package applied to construct time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves for evalua-ting the prognostic predictive efficacy of CXCL8.The survival package with the survfit function was used to compare survival differences between CXCL8 high-and low-expression groups.Clinical data and tissue specimens were collected from 94 patients with cervical squa-mous cell cancer treated at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2017 and December 2021.Immu-nohistochemical staining was used to detect CXCL8 expression levels and analyze its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics,therapeutic efficacy,and prognosis.Results Bioinformatic analysis showed that CXCL8 was highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues than in normal tissues(P<0.05).Time-dependent ROC curves and survival analyses showed that patients with high CXCL8 expression had significantly shorter overall survival than those with low CXCL8 expression(P<0.001).Immunohistochemical results showed that CXCL8 expression in cervical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.000 1).Clinical correlation analy-sis revealed that CXCL8 expression levels were associated with treatment regimen(P<0.001)and short-term therapeutic efficacy(P=0.017).Compared to the low-expression group,the high-expression group showed a significantly lower therapeutic efficacy and shorter overall survival(P<0.05).Conclusion CXCL8 is highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues,and patients with high CXCL8 expression have poor prognosis.Thus,CXCL8 may be an effective target for assessing the prognosis and clinical treatment of cervical cancer.
5.CXCL8 expression and its clinical significance in cervical cancer tissues
Hua ZHANG ; Ibibulla NURBIA ; Pengfei LU ; Chunli JIA ; Xuanxuan PEI ; Yongxing BAO
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(10):914-918,925
Objective To assess the expression of CXCL8 in cervical cancer and its association with clinicopathological features and therapeutic efficacy of patients.Methods Bioinformatic analysis was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression databases to compare CXCL8 expression between cervical cancer and normal tissues.R software(version 4.4.0)was used for data analysis,with the timeROC package applied to construct time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves for evalua-ting the prognostic predictive efficacy of CXCL8.The survival package with the survfit function was used to compare survival differences between CXCL8 high-and low-expression groups.Clinical data and tissue specimens were collected from 94 patients with cervical squa-mous cell cancer treated at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 2017 and December 2021.Immu-nohistochemical staining was used to detect CXCL8 expression levels and analyze its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics,therapeutic efficacy,and prognosis.Results Bioinformatic analysis showed that CXCL8 was highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues than in normal tissues(P<0.05).Time-dependent ROC curves and survival analyses showed that patients with high CXCL8 expression had significantly shorter overall survival than those with low CXCL8 expression(P<0.001).Immunohistochemical results showed that CXCL8 expression in cervical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.000 1).Clinical correlation analy-sis revealed that CXCL8 expression levels were associated with treatment regimen(P<0.001)and short-term therapeutic efficacy(P=0.017).Compared to the low-expression group,the high-expression group showed a significantly lower therapeutic efficacy and shorter overall survival(P<0.05).Conclusion CXCL8 is highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues,and patients with high CXCL8 expression have poor prognosis.Thus,CXCL8 may be an effective target for assessing the prognosis and clinical treatment of cervical cancer.
6.Effect and mechanism of CXCL8 on the paclitaxel sensitivity of cervical cancer cells
Hua ZHANG ; Ibibulla NURBIA ; Pengfei LU ; Chunli JIA ; Xuanxuan PEI ; Yongxing BAO
Practical Oncology Journal 2025;39(1):13-20
Objective The objective of this study was to explore the effect of knocking down CXCL8 on the efficacy of pacli-taxel chemotherapy in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and to investigate its potential mechanism of action.Methods The Hela cell model was used to specifically inhibit CXCL8 gene expression through lentivirus-mediated RNA interference(RNAi)technology.The optimal transfection conditions were HitransG P and a multiplicity of infection(MOI)of 100.The CCK-8 assay was used to screen the optimal intervention concentration of puromycin as 1.5μg/mL.The LV-CXCL8-RNAi(3 targets)and negative control lentivirus were transfected into cells under optimal transfection conditions and set up a blank control group.The qRT-PCR assay was used to select the sh-CXCL8-13 group lentivirus as the intervention sequence and virus for subsequent experiments.The experiments were divided into the blank control group,negative control group,sh-CXCL8 group,paclitaxel group,and sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group.The prolifer-ative activity and invasive ability of cervical cancer cells were assessed by CCK-8 and cell invasion assays.The expression of CXCL8,Bcl2,Bax,and β-actin were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with the other four groups,the proliferative and invasive ability of Hela cells was significantly reduced in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group,and the difference was statistically sig-nificant(P<0.01).The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of CXCL8,Bcl2,PIK3CB,and Akt1 genes was significantly re-duced,and the expression of Bax gene was significantly increased in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group.The difference between the groups was statistically significant(P<0.001).The results of Western blot showed that the expression of CXCL8,PIK3CB,and p-Akt1 proteins was reduced in the sh-CXCL8+paclitaxel group(P<0.05).Conclusion Knocking down CXCL8 can reduce the prolif-erative and invasive capacity of Hela cells,possibly by affecting the PI3K/Akt pathway to affect the drug sensitivity of Hela cells to paclitaxel.
7.Expert Consensus on the Technical Process for Preoperative Three-Dimensional Planning of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Dual Fluoroscopic Imaging System(2024 Version)
Juan WANG ; Huiwu LI ; Pei YANG ; Li CAO ; Yunsu CHEN ; Eryou FENG ; Zhenpeng GUAN ; Wei HUANG ; Pengfei LEI ; Chunbao LI ; Pingyue LI ; Xiaoming LI ; Zhitao RAO ; Hua TIAN ; Peijian TONG ; Fei WANG ; Guangji WANG ; Liao WANG ; Wei WANG ; Yayi XIA ; Peng XU ; Qi YAO ; Tengbo YU ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Zongke ZHOU ; Kunzheng WANG ; Tsungyuan TSAI ; Zhiyong HOU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(6):1016-1025
Total hip arthroplasty(THA)is an effective treatment for elderly femoral neck fractures,mid-to late-stage femoral head necrosis,and end-stage hip osteoarthritis.However,serious complications such as aseptic loosening of the prosthesis,peripheral fractures,and dislocation of the prosthesis still exist following THA,which makes the selection of the appropriate hip prosthesis type and placement position before THA an important challenge for surgeons.Currently,the commonly used preoperative planning methods for THA mainly rely on static images from two-dimensional(2D)X-ray or three-dimensional(3D)computed tomography(CT),which fail to adequately consider the hip joint in weight-bearing as well as motion,lumbar-hip joint changes,and prosthetic impingement during motion.Recently,the dual fluoroscopic imaging system,as a new in-vivo,dynamic radiological imaging technology,provides comprehensive and accurate dynamic 3D data for THA preoperative planning.However,the technical process and expert consensus on preoperative 3D planning of THA using a dual fluoroscopic imaging system have not yet been established,which affects the promotion and application of this technology.In light of the above,national orthopaedic experts and related professional representatives discussed and proposed seven consensus issues,and the'expert recommendation rate'and'strong recommendation rate'were obtained through a questionnaire survey on the recommendations of the participating experts.This consensus aims to provide guidance and reference for the standardised application of preoperative 3D planning of THA using the dual fluoroscopic imaging system.
8.Effects of Runmu Xiaoyao Powder (润目逍遥散) for Dry Eyes Mice with Liver-Meridian Constraint-Heat Syndrome on miR-146a-5p and IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB Signalling Pathway in Cornea and Lacrimal Gland Tissue
Tingting LIU ; Yankun CHEN ; Pei LIU ; Pengfei JIANG ; Kang TAN ; Chunwei YAN ; Qinghua PENG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(18):1915-1924
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of the treatment of dry eye with liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome by Runmu Xiaoyao Powder (润目逍遥散) by miR-146a-5p and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1/tumour necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6/nuclear factor-κB (IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB) signalling pathway. MethodsEighty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, agonist group, inhibitor group, sodium hyaluronate group, and Runmu Xiaoyao Powder high-, medium-, and low-dose groups, with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, the mice of dry eye with liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome were modeled by using benzalkonium chloride solution eye drops combined with chronic pain stimulation. Beginning on the 30th day of modelling, mice in Runmu Xiaoyao Powder high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were given 29, 14.5, and 7.25 g/kg of Runmu Xiaoyao Powder respectively twice daily by gavage; mice in sodium hyaluronate group were given 5 μl of sodium hyaluronate drops twice daily; mice in the agonist group were given 2 nmol of agomir-146a-5p drops in each eye at a time, and those in the inhibitor group were given 5 nmol of antagomir-146a-5p drops in each eye, with every other day, 3 times per week; mice in the normal and model groups were gavaged with deionised water at 1 ml/(100 g·d). The intervention was continued for 14 days in each group, and mice in each group were examined for tear secretion, tear film rupture time, corneal fluorescein staining, and irritability scores on the day following the last intervention; HE staining was used to observe the pathological conditions of the cornea and lacrimal glands in each group; corneal and lacrimal gland inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), miR-146a-5p expression, were examined; matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression in cornea, IRAK1, TRAF6, nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) protein and mRNA expression in cornea and lacrimal gland, and phosphorylated nuclear factor κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) protein expression were detected. ResultsCompared with the normal group, mice in the model group showed reduced tear secretion, shorter tear film rupture time, higher irritability score (P<0.05), and pathological examination showed staining in the centre of the cornea, obvious corneal damage, increased volume of lacrimal gland follicular cells, disordered arrangement, a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased neovascularisation; corneal and lacrimal gland tissues showed elevated expression of IL-1β and TNF-α, decreased expression of miR -146a-5p, elevated expression of IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65 protein and IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65 mRNA, and elevated expression of MMP-3, MMP-9 protein in the cornea (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all of the above indexes were significantly improved in high-dose group of Runmu Xiaoyao Powder, while some indexes were improved in the sodium hyaluronate group and the middle- and low-dose Runmu Xiaoyao Powder groups (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, corneal and lacrimal IRAK1 and TRAF6 mRNA and IRAK1, TRAF6 and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression decreased in the agonist group; compared with the inhibitor group, IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB p65 mRNA and protein expression in the cornea and lacrimal gland in the Runmu Xiaoyao Powder groups decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionRunmu Xiaoyao Powder can negatively regulate the IRAK1/TRAF6/NF-κB signalling pathway in the cornea and lacrimal gland of mice with dry eye of liver-meridian constraint-heat syndrome by up-regulation of miR-146a-5p, so as to inhibit inflammatory response and reduce the damage of the ocular surface tissues, and the high doses group showed the best effect.
9.Expert Consensus on the Technical Process for Preoperative Three-Dimensional Planning of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Dual Fluoroscopic Imaging System(2024 Version)
Juan WANG ; Huiwu LI ; Pei YANG ; Li CAO ; Yunsu CHEN ; Eryou FENG ; Zhenpeng GUAN ; Wei HUANG ; Pengfei LEI ; Chunbao LI ; Pingyue LI ; Xiaoming LI ; Zhitao RAO ; Hua TIAN ; Peijian TONG ; Fei WANG ; Guangji WANG ; Liao WANG ; Wei WANG ; Yayi XIA ; Peng XU ; Qi YAO ; Tengbo YU ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Zongke ZHOU ; Kunzheng WANG ; Tsungyuan TSAI ; Zhiyong HOU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(6):1016-1025
Total hip arthroplasty(THA)is an effective treatment for elderly femoral neck fractures,mid-to late-stage femoral head necrosis,and end-stage hip osteoarthritis.However,serious complications such as aseptic loosening of the prosthesis,peripheral fractures,and dislocation of the prosthesis still exist following THA,which makes the selection of the appropriate hip prosthesis type and placement position before THA an important challenge for surgeons.Currently,the commonly used preoperative planning methods for THA mainly rely on static images from two-dimensional(2D)X-ray or three-dimensional(3D)computed tomography(CT),which fail to adequately consider the hip joint in weight-bearing as well as motion,lumbar-hip joint changes,and prosthetic impingement during motion.Recently,the dual fluoroscopic imaging system,as a new in-vivo,dynamic radiological imaging technology,provides comprehensive and accurate dynamic 3D data for THA preoperative planning.However,the technical process and expert consensus on preoperative 3D planning of THA using a dual fluoroscopic imaging system have not yet been established,which affects the promotion and application of this technology.In light of the above,national orthopaedic experts and related professional representatives discussed and proposed seven consensus issues,and the'expert recommendation rate'and'strong recommendation rate'were obtained through a questionnaire survey on the recommendations of the participating experts.This consensus aims to provide guidance and reference for the standardised application of preoperative 3D planning of THA using the dual fluoroscopic imaging system.
10.Effect of emergency heart failure units on readmission and mortality within 6 months after discharge in patients with acute heart failure
Pengfei WANG ; Yuanyuan PEI ; Fang'e SHI ; Jihong ZHU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2022;31(7):886-894
Objective:At present, emergency acute heart failure unit has been gradually carried out in China. This study is to analyze the impact of acute heart failure unit on the mortality and readmission rate of acute heart failure (AHF) within 6 months after discharge.Methods:Patients with AHF admitted to Emergency Department and Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital between December 2019 and December 2020, were prospectively collected. Patients with complicated malignant tumor, stage 4-5 chronic kidney disease, automatic discharge, and incomplete medical history were excluded. The baseline data, past medical history, admission condition, and auxiliary examination were collected. After discharge, the information of oral drugs, hospital readmission and death were collected through outpatient medical records in clinical data center or telephone consultation. Patients were divided into the emergency acute heart failure unit treatment group (emergency AHFU group), emergency routine treatment group (outside AHFU group) and cardiology treatment group according to the different treatment locations. SPSS 25.0 software was used for comparison between groups, and a P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. ResuIts:A total of 238 patients with AHF were enrolled, 28 patients died in hospital, and 210 patients were followed up. Four cases were excluded from malignant tumor during follow-up, and 6 cases were lost to follow-up. There were 40 cases in the emergency AHFU group, 67 cases in the outside AHFU group, and 93 cases in the cardiology treatment group. According to the prognosis, the patients were divided into the poor prognosis group ( n=83) and good prognosis group ( n=145). The age, sex, vital signs and cardiac function of patients in the emergency AHFU group were basically the same as those in the outside AHFU group at admission, and the proportion of patients in the emergency AHFU group using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation was higher (52.5% vs. 32.8%, P<0.05). The utilization rate of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor enkephalinase inhibitors, β-blockers, diuretics and other oral drugs was higher in the emergency AHFU group after discharge, and patients also had more regular follow-up (95% vs. 79.1%, P<0.05). The 6-month readmission rate (15.0% vs. 40.3%, P<0.05) and the 6-month readmission and mortality composite results of patients in the emergency AHFU group (17.5% vs. 43.3%, P<0.05) were significantly lower than those in the outside AHFU group. COX regression analysis showed that the readmission rate of patients in the emergency AHFU group was lower than that in the outside AHFU group ( OR=2.882, 95% CI:1.267~6.611, P=0.12). Compared with the cardiology treatment group, the AHFU group had higher systolic blood pressure, faster heart rate, NT-probNP level, higher proportion of NYHA grade Ⅳ and Killip grade Ⅲ cardiac function (all P<0.05). The proportion of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the AHFU group was significantly higher than that in the cardiology treatment group (52.5% vs. 30.1%, P<0.05). After discharge, there were no significant differences between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor enkephalinase inhibitors and β-blockers. There were also no significant differences in readmission and mortality rate 6 months after discharge. Binary logistics regression analysis found that the independent risk factors of AHF were routine emergency treatment, age, female sex, coronary heart disease, and BUN peak. Conclusions:The emergency acute heart failure unit is an independent protective factor for acute heart failure and reduced readmission rates within 6 months and readmission and mortality composite outcomes. Older age, female sex, coronary heart disease and elevated BUN peak are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of AHF, which should be identified and preventive measures should be taken early.

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