1.Exploring Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula in Alleviating Immune Cell Exhaustion in Sepsis Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Rui CHEN ; Qiusha PAN ; Kaiqiang ZHONG ; Shuqi MA ; Wei HUANG ; Jiahua LAI ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Xiaotu XI ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):109-118
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula(YHJF) on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated, model, low-dose YHJF(4.1 g·kg-1), and high-dose YHJF(8.2 g·kg-1) groups. Except for the sham-operated group, a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses, while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention, the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded, and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention, and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and differential metabolites in the spleen, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), flow cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice(P0.05). Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling, with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells, an increase in the spleen index, and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.05). Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups, potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer(NK) cell-mediated positive immune regulation, cell killing, cytokine production, positive regulation of innate immune cells, and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis identified CD160, granzyme B(GZMB), and chemokine ligand 4(CCL4) as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention, and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI) anchor biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen, along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression, and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T(NKT) cells in the spleen(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen, a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group, CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased(P0.01), while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression(P0.01). ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160, and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula in Alleviating Immune Cell Exhaustion in Sepsis Based on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Rui CHEN ; Qiusha PAN ; Kaiqiang ZHONG ; Shuqi MA ; Wei HUANG ; Jiahua LAI ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Xiaotu XI ; Jun LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):109-118
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu formula(YHJF) on immune cell exhaustion in the spleen of septic mice and to explore and validate its potential intervention targets. MethodsMice were randomly divided into the sham-operated, model, low-dose YHJF(4.1 g·kg-1), and high-dose YHJF(8.2 g·kg-1) groups. Except for the sham-operated group, a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) procedure was performed to establish a mouse sepsis model. The treatment groups received oral administration of the corresponding doses, while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline. After the intervention, the 7-day survival rate of each group was recorded, and spleen samples were collected 72 h post-intervention, and the spleen index was calculated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was used to detect apoptosis in spleen cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to measure the levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-10 in the serum. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to screen for differentially expressed genes(DEGs) and differential metabolites in the spleen, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify key targets. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), flow cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence were used to verify the expressions of key genes and proteins. ResultsThe high-dose YHJF group significantly improved the 7-day survival rate of septic mice(P0.05). Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significant increase in apoptosis of spleen cells and a decrease in the spleen index at 72 h post-modeling, with markedly elevated peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group showed a reduction in apoptosis of spleen cells, an increase in the spleen index, and a significant decrease in peripheral serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels(P0.05). Spleen transcriptomics identified 255 DEGs between groups, potentially serving as intervention targets for YHJF. Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in biological processes such as natural killer(NK) cell-mediated positive immune regulation, cell killing, cytokine production, positive regulation of innate immune cells, and interferon production. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis identified CD160, granzyme B(GZMB), and chemokine ligand 4(CCL4) as key targets for YHJF in treating sepsis. Metabolomics identified 46 differential metabolites that were significantly reversed by YHJF intervention, and combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis identified 17 differential metabolites closely related to CD160. Pathway enrichment revealed that these metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI) anchor biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Verification results showed that, compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated CD160 mRNA expression level in the spleen, along with markedly decreased CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expression, and had a significant increase in CD160 expression on the surface of natural killer T(NKT) cells in the spleen(P0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose YHJF group had a significant decrease in CD160 mRNA expression in the spleen, a significant increase in CCL4 and GZMB mRNA expressions. Further flow cytometry and immunofluorescence revealed that compared with the sham-operated group, CD160 expression on the surface of splenic NKT cells in the model group was significantly increased(P0.01), while high-dose YHJF intervention significantly reduced CD160 expression(P0.01). ConclusionYHJF may alleviate NKT cell exhaustion in sepsis by downregulating the expression of the negative co-stimulatory molecule CD160, and this regulatory effect is closely related to fatty acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights and targets for further exploration of strengthening vital Qi and detoxifying strategy to improve immune cell exhaustion in acute deficiency syndrome of sepsis.
3.Expenditure trends and intergenerational substitution relationships of national negotiated drugs for non-small cell lung cancer in China
Shuqi ZONG ; Wei LI ; Yuxin XIAO ; Hao RUN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):1968-1974
OBJECTIVE To analyze the impact of intergenerational substitution effect of the drugs with the same indication on fund expenditures for national medical insurance for this indication in China, taking national medical insurance negotiated drugs for non-small cell lung cancer (hereinafter referred to as “NSCLC national negotiation drugs”) as an example. METHODS The sales amounts of 15 types of NSCLC national negotiated drugs in secondary and tertiary public hospitals across seven sample provinces from 2017 to 2023 were collected from the Pharmaceutical Drug Database of the China National Pharmaceutical Industry Information Center. A sliding t-test and Mann-Kendall trend test were used to evaluate the trends in sales amounts and DDDs. Taking epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-TKIs as examples, the generational substitution characteristics of these drugs were analyzed. RESULTS The change points of sales amounts and DDDs differed slightly across provinces; the change points of sales amount were mostly concentrated between the first quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of 2020, while those for DDDs were primarily concentrated in the first to second quarters of 2021. In five provinces, i.e. Beijing, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Shaanxi, sales amounts showed no significant upward trend after the breakpoints (P>0.05), whereas in Guangdong and Hubei, both sales amounts and DDDs continued to rise significantly following the breakpoints (P<0.05). Since 2020, the growth in sales amounts of EGFR-TKIs had slowed. After 2021, the sales amounts and DDDs of first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs declined, while third-generation EGFR-TKIs showed clear substitution effects. The sales amounts of ALK-TKIs continuedto grow. However, the sales amounts and DDDs of first-generation ALK-TKIs had declined year by year, with second-generation ALK-TKIs demonstrating a significant substitution effect on first-generation ones, while third-generation ALK-TKIs had not yet shown a clear substitution trend. CONCLUSIONS With the annual access to and renewal of drugs in national medical insurance negotiations, the overall expenditure trend for NSCLC negotiated drugs comes to a plateau. The intergenerational substitution relationships of drugs with the same indication achieve a relative balance in fund expenditures for negotiated drugs with the same indication. It is recommended that pharmaceutical companies carefully consider their research pipelines, and that medical insurance authorities, during the renewal management process, pay attention to the impact of drug substitution effects on the overall actual expenditure of medical insurance funds for that specific target or the same indication, and scientifically evaluate the extent of price reductions during contract renewals.
4.USP20 as a super-enhancer-regulated gene drives T-ALL progression via HIF1A deubiquitination.
Ling XU ; Zimu ZHANG ; Juanjuan YU ; Tongting JI ; Jia CHENG ; Xiaodong FEI ; Xinran CHU ; Yanfang TAO ; Yan XU ; Pengju YANG ; Wenyuan LIU ; Gen LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Fenli ZHANG ; Ying YANG ; Bi ZHOU ; Yumeng WU ; Zhongling WEI ; Yanling CHEN ; Jianwei WANG ; Di WU ; Xiaolu LI ; Yang YANG ; Guanghui QIAN ; Hongli YIN ; Shuiyan WU ; Shuqi ZHANG ; Dan LIU ; Jun-Jie FAN ; Lei SHI ; Xiaodong WANG ; Shaoyan HU ; Jun LU ; Jian PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4751-4771
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.
5.Research progress on roles and mechanisms of DNA hydroxymethylation in health effects induced by arsenic exposure
Jingjing WU ; Yang SONG ; Wei WU ; Shuqi LI ; Lijun WANG ; Shuo WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(3):335-341
Arsenic, a naturally occurring metal-like chemical element, is one of the 10 chemicals of major public concerns listed by the World Health Organization as harmful to the environment and human health. It can enter the human body through breathing, intaking food, drinking water, skin exposure, and other ways, and long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer of multiple organs and impaired function of multiple systems. Epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in arsenic-induced health effects, and research suggested that the carcinogenicity of arsenic may be associated with epigenetic changes. Previous studies focused on the effects of arsenic on DNA methylation modification. In recent years, research showed that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), an intermediate of active demethylation of DNA, can act as a sensitive epigenetic mark and play a crucial role as a "bridge" between arsenic exposure and health effects. Based on the latest research progress on the role of DNA hydroxymethylation in the health effects associated with arsenic exposure, this article briefly described the relationship between the health effects of arsenic exposure and DNA hydroxymethylation, summarized the possible mechanisms of DNA hydroxymethylation in the health effects associated with arsenic exposure, and provided a scientific basis for preventing and treating the health effects associated with arsenic exposure.
6.Effect of mirror therapy on upper extremity motor function and activities of daily living in stroke patients:a me-ta-analysis
Chen WEI ; Zixian WANG ; Shufan LI ; Peng WANG ; Shuqi JIA ; Ying TIAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(3):281-291
Objective To systematically review whether mirror therapy(MT)intervention can effectively improve upper extremity motor function and activities of daily living(ADL)in stroke patients;whether its improvement is affected by pa-tients'age and disease course;and whether MT's influencing factors,such as intervention period,time,and fre-quency,have a dosage effect on upper extremity motor function and ADL. Methods Seven databases were searched,including Embase,Web of Science,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Wanfang data,VIP and CNKI from establishment to April,2023,and randomized controlled trials of MT for upper extremity motor function and ADL in stroke patients were screened.Quality assessment was performed using Physiothera-py Evidence Database(PEDro).Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1,and network meta-analysis was performed using R software,reticulated meta-analysis tables and cumulative probability tables were drawn for ranked comparisons,and funnel plots were drawn to test for publication bias of the outcome indicators using Stata 17.0 software.GRADE was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for the outcome indicators. Results A total of 13 papers(532 patients)were included.The PEDro score ranged from 6 to 8.Most of the literature did not report the blinding completely or did not implement allocation concealment,which might have some limita-tions.MT could improve the scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(n = 466,MD = 6.05,95%CI 3.44~8.66,P<0.001),Barthel index(n = 230,MD = 9.95,95%CI 6.23~13.68,P<0.001)and Functional Inde-pendence Measure(n = 147,MD = 4.17,95%CI 2.61~5.72,P<0.001)in stroke patients.Network meta-analysis showed that MT was more effective in upper limb motor function intervention for stroke patients aged 40 to 59 years with a disease course less than three months;and an intervention period less than four weeks,single inter-vention time less than 30 minutes,intervention duration daily more than 30 minutes and intervention twice daily might optimize the effects on upper limb motor function. Conclusion MT is effective on upper limb motor function and ADL in stroke patients,and the effect on upper limb mo-tor function is affected by the age and disease course of the patients,as well as the period,time and frequency of intervention.
7.Effect of speech and language rehabilitation on children with intellectual and developmental disabilities:a system-atic review
Jing ZHOU ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Zhongbing DING ; Jianchao CHEN ; Xingxing WEI ; Shuqi LIN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(8):894-902
Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of speech and language therapies and educational interventions on chil-dren with intellectual and developmental disabilities(IDD). Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching relevant literature in PubMed,PsycINFO,ERIC,Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases,ranging from January,2018 to May,2024. Results A total of eight English articles were included,from six countries including the United States,France,Italy,Nor-way,Poland and New Zealand,involving 610 children with IDD,from journals about speech language pathology,Down syndrome research and speech language hearing research.The publication time was mainly from 2018 to 2023.The age of the subjects was two to twelve years,and the main health conditions included intellectual dis-ability,autism and Down syndrome.The intervention methods included routine speech therapy(individualized therapy and group therapy),augmentative and alternative communication(device-assisted and sign language and picture cards),family-involved language training programs(parent training and family interaction),computer-as-sisted language learning(language learning software and telehealth),and play-based interventions(interactive games and structured games);15 to 150 minutes a time,one to ten times a week,for ten to 144 weeks.The out-comes were reflected in five aspects:increasing the vocabulary in speaking;improving the language comprehen-sion,symbol recognition and vocabulary comprehension;improving both expressive and receptive language skills;improving participation in game diversity and game participation levels,communication,social interaction and interaction skills;and improving overall language and non-verbal communication skills. Conclusion Combining a variety of methods,such as individualized therapy,family participation,technologic assistance and interactive games,speech and language therapies and education are effective on spoken language production,language comprehension,speech production,social interaction and communication skills for children with IDD.
8.Comparative study on the prognosis of hepatolithiasis and hepatitis B virus-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Yeming ZHOU ; Wei JIANG ; Shuqi MAO ; Changjiang LU ; Jing HUANG ; Shengdong WU ; Chunnian WANG ; Caide LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(11):840-844
Objective:To compare the prognosis of patients with hepatolithiasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated ICC after radical resection.Methods:The clinicopathological and survival data of 69 patients with ICC undergoing radical resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from January 2012 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 40 males and 29 females, aged (62.9±10.2) years. Patients were divided into the stone group ( n=40, with hepatolithiasis) and HBV group ( n=29, with HBV). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis to analyze the effect of hepatolithiasis and HBV on the prognosis. Results:The median overall survival of ICC patients in the stone group was 16 months, and that in the HBV group was 27 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survivals of the stone group were 56.6%, 23.2%, and 10.3%, respectively, which were lower than those of the HBV group (72.0%, 50.7%, and 43.4%, respectively, χ2=5.95, P=0.015). The median recurrence-free survivals (RFS) of the stone group and the HBV group were 12 months and 23 months, respectively. The 1-year and 3-year RFS of the stone group were 49.2% and 18.1%, which were lower than those of the HBV group (65.0% and 39.8%, respectively, χ2=3.94, P=0.047). Univariate analysis showed that hepatolithiasis was assciated with prognosis ( χ2=5.95, P=0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hepatolithiasis and hepatitis B virus infection had no effect on the prognosis of ICC patients after surgery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to HBV infection, ICC patients with hepatolithiasis have a worse prognosis. Hepatolithiasis and HBV infection have no effect on the prognosis of ICC after radical resection.
9.Cerebral microbleeds and outcomes after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Shuqi WEI ; Weiwei ZHANG ; Chen LI ; Wenxuan QU ; Feng WANG ; Minjie LIU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2023;31(12):913-917
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are an imaging biomarker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Researches have shown that CMBs are a risk factor for hemorrhagic transformation and poor outcomes after reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This article reviews the relationship between CMBs and the outcomes of reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
10.Acute-on-chronic liver failure treated by split liver transplantation:a single-center experience on 9 cases
Wei JIANG ; Yuying SHAN ; Shuqi MAO ; Xi YU ; Shengdong WU ; Jiongze FANG ; Jing HUANG ; Changjiang LU ; Caide LU
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2023;38(6):423-428
Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of split liver transplantation (SLT) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:The clinical data of 9 ACLF patients receiving SLT in our center from Mar 2021 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.Results:The preoperative APASL ACLF Research consortium (AARC) score of the 9 ACLF patients was 8 points in 1 case, 9 points in 3 cases, 10 points in 3 cases, 11 points in 1 case and 12 points in 1 case, 7 cases were in AARC-ACLF grade 2, and 2 cases in grade 3.In-situ liver splitting was performed in 9 deceased donors, including 4 classical split cases, 5 full size split cases. Among these 9 ACLF patients, 2 received left half liver transplantation, 3 received right half liver transplantation, and 4 received extended right lobe liver transplantation. After transplantation, all 9 recipients were discharged fully recovered, 1 case developed Clavien grade Ⅳa complication and 2 cases developed Clavien grade Ⅲb complication.After SLT treatment the median postoperative hospital stay was 27 days, the 1-year survival rate was 100%, and the organ survival rate was 88.9%.Conclusion:Split liver transplantation is a safe and feasible treatment method for ACLF patients.

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