1.Mechanism of Action of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in the Treatment of Primary Myelofibrosis based on Bioinformatics and Molecular Dynamics
Jiayuan GUO ; Jile XIN ; Man ZHANG ; Mingxin LIU ; Jingwen LIU ; Yajing SU ; Huihui SHI ; Jue GUO ; Wenqing LIU ; Kailu WEI ; Yalin SONG ; Qiuling MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(21):2250-2258
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism implicated in the treatment of primary myelofibrosis (PMF) using Chinese medicinal herbs (CMH) by bioinformatics and molecular dynamics. MethodsData mining was performed to find the high-frequency CMH in treating PMF between the year of 1985 and 2024 by searching CNKI, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database (CCD), and China Academic Journal Database (CSPD). TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction and related reports were used to collect the main active ingredients of high-frequency CMH and their targets. The PMF datasets GSE44426 and GSE124281 were downloaded from GEO database, and R software was used for data normalization and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening. Key module hub genes were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis. The common intersection genes of active ingredient targets, DEGs and key module hub genes of CMH were selected, and the target network was generated using Cytoscape 3.9.2 software. The core target network was generated by topological analysis, while key pathways were selected by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and protein interaction relationships were obtained from the String database, so as to construct drug-ingredient-target network and protein interaction network (PPI) relationship diagrams. Discovery Studio 2020 software was used to perform molecular docking, and the GROMACS program was used to perform molecular dynamics simulation. ResultsA total of 21 prescriptions were collected involving 121 herbs. There were 9 herbs with a frequency ≥10 times, which were Danshen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis), Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Fuling (Poria) and Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) from high- to low-frequency. A total of 98 active ingredients and 1125 potential targets were obtained from 9 high-frequency CMH. GSE44426 and GSE124281 data sets screened out 24 gene samples, including 14 of the healthy control group and 10 of the PMF group, and identified 319 DEGs between the two groups, including 122 up-regulated genes and 197 down-regulated genes. WGCNA screened out 24 co-expression module genes and found that the five modules closely related to the onset of PMF were MEpink, MEdarkred, MEblack, MEgrey, and MEturquoise, involving 7112 key module hub genes. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that lipids and the atherosclerosis pathways were mainly involved in the mechanism of above high-frequency CMH in treating PMF, which included six hub protein targets: HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, SRC, MAPK1, IL1B and IL10. From the drug-ingredient-target network, seven active ingredients of CMH targeting at these six hub targets were found, including verbascoside, verbascos isoflavone, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin and pachymic acid. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses showed that the key CMH were Shudihuang, Huangqi, Baishao, Danshen, Gancao and Fuling, and among the seven active ingredients, calycosin had the highest binding affinity with HSP90AB1. ConclusionThe main CMH for the treatment of PMF may be Shudihuang, Huangqi, Baishao, Danshen, Gancao and Fuling, and the active ingredients include verbascoside, verbascos isoflavones, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, quercetin and pachymic acid. The relevant targets are HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, SRC, MAPK1, IL-10, and IL-1β, and the most critical pathways are lipid and atherosclerosis pathways.
2.Incidence and risk factors of deep vein thrombosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Xiaofei TANG ; Yonghong LI ; Qiuling DING ; Zhuo SUN ; Yang ZHANG ; Yumei WANG ; Meiyi TIAN ; Jian LIU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(2):279-283
Objective:To investigate the incidence and risk factors of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods:The clinical data of RA patients who were hospi-talized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Aerospace Center Hospital from May 2015 to September 2021 was retrospectively analyzed,including demographic characteristics,concomitant diseases,laboratory examinations(blood routine,biochemistry,coagulation,inflammatory markers,rheumatoid factor,antiphospholipid antibodies and lupus anticoagulant,etc.)and treatment regimens.The patients were compared according to the presence or absence of DVT,and the t test,Mann-Whitney U test or Chi-square test were applied to screen for relevant factors for DVT,followed by Logistic regres-sion analysis to determine risk factors for DVT in patients with RA.Results:The incidence of DVT in the RA patients was 9.6%(31/322);the median age of RA in DVT group was significantly older than that in non-DVT group[64(54,71)years vs.50(25,75)years,P<0.001];the level of disease activity score using 28 joints(DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)in DVT group was higher than that in non-DVT group[5.2(4.5,6.7)vs.4.5(4.5,5.0),P<0.001];the incidence of hypertension,chronic kidney disease,fracture or surgery history within 3 months,and varicose veins of the lower ex-tremities in DVT group was higher than that in non-DVT group(P<0.001).The levels of hemoglobin and albumin in DVT group were significantly lower than that in non-DVT group(P=0.009,P=0.004),while the D-dimer level and rheumatoid factor positive rate in DVT group were significantly higher than that in non-DVT group(P<0.001).The use rate of glucocorticoid in DVT group was higher than that in non-DVT group(P=0.009).Logistic regression analysis showed that the age(OR=1.093,P<0.001),chronic kidney disease(OR=7.955,P=0.005),fracture or surgery history with-in 3 months(OR=34.658,P=0.002),DAS28-ESR(OR=1.475,P=0.009),and the use of glu-cocorticoid(OR=5.916,P=0.003)were independent risk factors for DVT in RA patients.Conclu-sion:The incidence of DVT in hospitalized RA patients was significantly increased,in addition to tradi-tional factors,such as age and chronic kidney disease,increased DAS28-ESR level and the use of glu-cocorticoid were also independent risk factors for DVT.
3.Venetoclax combined with dose-reduced HAD as induction treatment for patients with de-novo acute myeloid leukemia
Zhangsong YAN ; Yang LI ; Bin ZHANG ; Jinsong HE ; Jiesi LI ; Shuning WEI ; Qi WANG ; Qiuling LI ; Kaiqi LIU ; Yingchang MI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(4):387-390
The efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with reduced dose HAD regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was investigated. From May 2022 to January 2023, a total of 25 patients with newly diagnosed AML were treated with venetoclax combined with reduced-dose HAD regimen as induction therapy. Accoding to the 2017 ELN recommendations, 13 (52.0%) in favoable, 3 (12.0%) in intemediate, and 9 (36.0%) in adverse. The ORR (CR rate+PR rate) was 88.0%, and the CR rate was 84.0%. By May 30, 2023, with a median follow-up of 9 months, 1 year overall survival, event-free survival, and relapse-free survival were 100%, 94.7%, and 94.7%, respectively. All patients received 1-5 cycles of consolidation therapy and two median cycles. Treatment with venetoclax and reduced dose of HAD regimen in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML was high effective and safe.
4.The application value of autophagy related molecular markers in placental tissue for predicting preeclampsia combined with fetal growth restriction in pregnant women
Tieping LI ; Li LI ; Lingli TANG ; Qiuling CHEN ; Manyun ZHANG ; Jun SHI ; Qiongjiao YANG ; Yabing TANG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(4):533-537
Objective:To analyze the application value of autophagy related molecular markers in placenta tissue in predicting fetal growth restriction in pregnant women with preeclampsia.Methods:A total of 46 pregnant women admitted to Changsha Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care from January 2021 to August 2023 were collected. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and they were divided into a normal delivery group (control group, 23 cases) and an observation group with preeclampsia combined with fetal growth restriction (observation group, 23 cases) based on pregnancy outcomes. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the occurrence of autophagic vesicles in trophoblast cells in the placental tissue of both groups; The expression of Beclin-1, LC3, and P62 in placental tissues of two groups was detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot.Results:The transmission electron microscopy results showed that the presence of autophagic vesicles could be observed in the placental trophoblast cells of both the control group and the observation group, but the number of autophagic vesicles in the trophoblast cells of the observation group was higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The immunohistochemical results showed that the colorimetric values of Beclin-1 and LC3 in the placental tissue sections of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (all P<0.001), while the colorimetric values of p62 were lower than those of the control group ( P<0.001). The qRT-PCR and Western blot results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.001), while the expression levels of p62 mRNA and protein were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.001). Conclusions:The autophagy activity of placental tissue trophoblasts in patients with preeclampsia combined with fetal growth restriction is enhanced, indicating a close correlation between elevated autophagy levels and the occurrence of preeclampsia combined with fetal growth restriction. Excessive autophagy may be involved in the occurrence of preeclampsia combined with fetal growth restriction.
5.Construction and evaluation of hyperkalemia risk prediction model in patients with chronic kidney disease
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(11):894-900
This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors of hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), established a risk assessment model, and validated it. It was a retrospective study. Data from 505 CKD patients who visited the Department of Nephrology at Linping First People's Hospital from June 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into a modeling set ( n=354) and a validation set ( n=151) in a 7∶3 ratio. The independent risk factors for hyperkalemia in CKD patients were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression, and a risk prediction model was constructed using multivariate Logistic regression. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to judge the fit degree of the prediction model, and the nomogram, the receiver operating characteristic curve, the calibration curve and clinical decision curve were drawn. The results showed that 155 out of 505 CKD patients developed hyperkalemia, with an incidence rate of 30.69%. Lasso regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum albumin, blood sodium, blood phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and risk score X (the value was based on the CKD hyperkalemia risk prediction model established in China in 2020) were the independent factors associated with hyperkalemia in CKD patients (all P<0.05). The analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve of the subjects showed that the area under the modeling set curve was 0.840 (95% CI 0.796-0.884), and the area under the validation set curve was 0.849 (95% CI 0.784-0.915). The calibration curve suggested good consistency between the predicted and actual results of the model, and the decision curve analysis suggested that the model could increase patient benefits. Finally, the authors drew a visual nomogram of the model. The authors believe that the column chart prediction model for hyperkalemia in CKD patients constructed based on the predictive variables selected by Lasso regression ha good predictive ability and is helpful for clinical medical personnel to detect and manage hyperkalemia early in CKD patients.
6.Non-enterotoxin-producing Bacteroides fragilis inhibits TNF-α-induced inflammatory response in colonic epithelial cells by down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway
Qiuyue HE ; Qiuling HUANG ; Jian MAO ; Yongshi ZHAO ; Yingxuan CHEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Yan DU
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(10):829-837
Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which non-enterotoxin-producing Bacteroides fragilis (NTBF) inhibits TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses in human normal colonic epithelial cells hcoEPIC, and explore new probiotic therapies for the prevention and treatment of colitis. Methods:The co-culture system of NTBF and hcoEPIC cells was established, and the adhesion and invasion ability of NTBF were detected, respectively. TNF-α was added to induce cellular inflammation after 4 h of co-culture of NTBF and hcoEPIC cells, and cell survival and apoptosis were detected by the CCK-8 assay and the AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI assay respectively after 24 h. Key proteins of the NF-κB signalling pathway in hcoEPIC cells in different treatment groups were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR, and the expression of downstream cytokines of this pathway incluing IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. The effect of NTBF intervention on dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis mice was assessed by in vivo animal experiments. Results:NTBF adhered to hcoEPIC cells, and was non-toxic to the cells. Compared with control group, NTBF treatment alone did not affect cell survival and apoptosis of hcoEPIC cells ( P>0.05), but significantly reduced cell damage and apoptosis induced by TNF-α ( P<0.05); Compared with the TNF-α treatment alone group, the expression levels of p-NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα protein as well as NF-κB and IκBα mRNA were significantly reduced ( P<0.05); the production of IL-1β and TNF-α in the cell supernatant was reduced and the release of IL-10 was increased ( P<0.05). Animal experiments demonstrated that NTBF was indeed effective in alleviating DSS-induced colitis in ulcerative colitis model mice, which was mainly manifested by inhibiting weight loss, lowering DAI scores, improving colonic shortening, and attenuating colonic pathological damage in colitis-induced mice. Conclusions:NTBF may inhibit TNF-α-induced inflammatory responses in colonic epithelial cells by down-regulating the NF-κB pathway.
7.Method exploration of telephone follow-up in clinical research
Xing WEI ; Qi ZHANG ; Xin GAO ; Wenwu LIU ; Yangjun LIU ; Wei DAI ; Peihong HU ; Yaqin WANG ; Jia LIAO ; Hongfan YU ; Ruoyan GONG ; Ding YANG ; Wei XU ; Yang PU ; Qingsong YU ; Yuanyuan YANG ; Qiuling SHI ; Qiang LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2023;30(09):1235-1239
Telephone follow-up is one of the important ways to follow up patients. High-quality follow-up can benefit both doctors and patients. However, clinical research-related follow-up is often faced with problems such as time-consuming, laborious and poor patient compliance. The authors belong to a team that has been committed to the study of patient-reported outcomes for a long time. The team has carried out long-term follow-up of symptoms, daily function and postoperative complications of more than 1 000 patients after lung cancer surgery, and accumulated certain experience. In this paper, the experience of telephone follow-up was summarized and discussed with relevant literatures from the aspects of clarifying the purpose of clinical research follow-up, understanding the needs of patients in follow-up, and using follow-up skills.
8.Risk factors for postoperative complications Clavien-Dindo classification≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery
Xiaoqing LIAO ; Zhang CHEN ; Wei DAI ; Xing WEI ; Yang3 PU ; Chao LIN ; Wenhong FENG ; Yuanqiang ZHANG ; Yunfei MU ; Rui ZHANG ; Shaohua XIE ; Xin WANG ; Qiuling SHI ; Qiang LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2023;30(08):1151-1157
Objective To investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications Clavien-Dindo classification≥grade Ⅱ after lung cancer surgery. Methods The patients who underwent lung cancer surgery in a multicenter observational study from November 2017 to January 2020 were included. The Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for complications≥ gradeⅡ. Results A total of 388 patients were enrolled, including 203 males and 185 females with a mean age of 56.14±10.36 years. The incidence of postoperative complications was 25.52% (99/388) after lung cancer surgery and the incidence of complications≥gradeⅡ was 20.10% (78/388). The five most common postoperative complications were pneumonia (6.96%), prolonged pulmonary air leak (>7 days, 5.67%), incision dehiscence (4.64%), arrhythmia (3.87%), and postoperative pleural effusion (3.35%). Multivariate analysis showed that open surgery [reference: uniportal thoracoscopic surgery, OR=2.18, 95%CI (1.01, 4.70), P=0.047], extended resection [reference: sublobar resection, OR=2.86, 95%CI (1.11, 7.19), P=0.030; reference: lobectomy, OR=2.20, 95%CI (1.10, 4.40), P=0.026] and operative time≥3 h [OR=2.07, 95%CI (1.12, 3.85), P=0.021] were independent risk factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery. Conclusion Surgical approach, extent of resection and operative time are independent influencing factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery.
9.Comparison of Quality of Life of the Patients Three Months after Uniportal and Multiportal Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.
Qi ZHANG ; Wei DAI ; Xing WEI ; Run XIANG ; Hang GU ; Peihong HU ; Mingxin LIU ; Wei CHEN ; Huaijun GONG ; Yong LIANG ; Shichao ZHANG ; Weixing PENG ; Qiuling SHI ; Qiang LI ; Nanbin YU
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2023;26(11):843-850
BACKGROUND:
The relationship between quality of life at three months after lung cancer surgery and different surgical approaches is remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the quality of life of patients three months after uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic lobectomy.
METHODS:
Data from patients who underwent lung surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital between April 2021 and October 2021 were collected. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer 29 (EORTC QLQ-LC29) were used to collect quality of life data of the patients. Potential confounding factors in the baseline data were included in a multivariate regression model for adjustment, and the quality of life of the two groups three months postoperatively was compared with traditional clinical outcomes.
RESULTS:
A total of 130 lung cancer patients were included, with 57 males (43.8%) and 73 females (56.2%), and an average age of (57.1±9.5) yr. In the baseline data of the two groups, there was a statistical difference in the number of chest drainage tubes placed (P<0.001). After adjustment with the regression model, at three months postoperatively, there were no significant differences in all symptoms and functional status scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). The multiportal group had longer surgery time (120.0 min vs 85.0 min, P=0.001), postoperative hospital stay (6.0 d vs 4.0 d, P=0.020), and a higher incidence of early ≥ grade 2 complications (39.0% vs 10.1%, P=0.011) compared to the uniportal group.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients undergoing uniportal and multiportal thoracoscopic lobectomy have similar quality of life at three months postoperatively. The uniportal group may have certain advantages in terms of traditional clinical outcome indicators such as operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and early postoperative complications.
Male
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Female
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms/surgery*
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Quality of Life
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Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/adverse effects*
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Pneumonectomy/adverse effects*
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Postoperative Complications/surgery*
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Retrospective Studies
10.Metabolic study of iron deposition based on magnetic resonance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Lei WANG ; Huanjia QU ; Wenjun YANG ; Jianping DING ; Junping SHI ; Qiuling ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2023;31(11):1204-1208
Objective:To explore the relationship between liver iron deposition and steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through MRI.Methods:163 cases of liver biopsy underwent MRI examination. R2* was used to measure liver iron content. Dixon-based proton density fat fraction (PDFF) was used to measure liver fat content. One-way ANOVA, r-correlation, ROC curve, and others were used to assess the relationship between clinical case data, serological indices, and imaging results in accordance with the pathological results of the liver biopsy.Results:R2* gradually increased as the pathological steatosis grade rose. The R2* that corresponded to no steatosis (< 5%), mild steatosis (14.95%±8.55%), moderate steatosis (46.30%±9.32%), and severe steatosis (73.86%±6.35%) were 27.56±4.40, 31.06±5.95, 38.06±4.80, and 48.10±5.55 ( P < 0.001), respectively. There was a positive correlation between R2* and liver steatosis content ( r= 0.769, P < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve and cut-off value were 0.88 and 31.77, respectively, and there was no distinct relationship with liver inflammation or fibrosis. Conclusion:R2* can quantitatively and non-invasively evaluate liver iron deposition in patients with NAFLD. A distinct relationship exists between liver steatosis and iron deposition, and iron deposition tends to increase as the steatosis aggravates.

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