1.LSS deficiency ameliorates MASLD by downregulating NPC1L1 and activating the CD36/TLR4/JNK pathway
Zihan WANG ; Hongmei BAI ; Qingya HE ; Wenjing ZHOU ; Jian ZHONG ; Xiaoli JIANG ; Sumei ZHANG ; Shengquan ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):812-818
ObjectiveTo investigate whether intestinal deficiency of lanosterol synthase (LSS), a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, influences the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by regulating intestinal cholesterol absorption and immune response. MethodsLSS heterozygous knockout (LSS+/-) mice and wild-type (WT) controls were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) or regular chow (CHOW). The model was validated by genotyping. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by HE and oil red O staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of NPC1L1 and CD36 proteins in the intestine. Western blot analysis was performed to measure JNK phosphorylation and TLR4 protein levels in intestinal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was employed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-6. ResultsLSS+/- mice were successfully validated by genotyping and reduced intestinal LSS protein expression. HE and oil red O staining of liver sections showed that, compared with WT mice fed a CHOW diet, WT mice fed a HFD exhibited a marked increase in hepatic lipid vacuoles. In contrast, compared with HFD-fed WT mice, HFD-fed LSS+/- mice displayed significantly attenuated hepatic lipid deposition and reduced serum ALT levels (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, compared with WT mice, the expression of the cholesterol absorption protein NPC1L1 in the intestinal villi of LSS+/- mice was downregulated under both CHOW and HFD conditions (PHFD<0.001). Conversely, the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/- mice (PCHOW<0.05, PHFD<0.01). Western blot analysis demonstrated that, compared with WT mice, TLR4 protein expression in the intestines of LSS+/- mice significantly increased under both CHOW and HFD conditions (both P<0.05). JNK phosphorylation level was significantly elevated in LSS+/- mice under CHOW condition (both P<0.05). Under HFD condition, total JNK protein expression increased, but its phosphorylation level showed no significant change. qPCR analysis showed that, compared with WT mice, the mRNA levels of TLR4 (PCHOW<0.01, PHFD<0.000 1) and IL-6 (PCHOW<0.001, PHFD<0.01) were significantly upregulated in the intestines of LSS+/-mice. ConclusionLSS deficiency counteracts hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a synergistic reprogramming involving restricted intestinal cholesterol absorption, enhanced fatty acid utilization, and activation of immune pathways, suggesting intestinal LSS as a potential therapeutic target of MASLD.
2.Targeting AMPK related signaling pathways: A feasible approach for natural herbal medicines to intervene non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Yongqing CAI ; Lu FANG ; Fei CHEN ; Peiling ZHONG ; Xiangru ZHENG ; Haiyan XING ; Rongrong FAN ; Lie YUAN ; Wei PENG ; Xiaoli LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101052-101052
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposition of lipid in hepatocytes. If not intervened in time, NAFLD may develop into liver fibrosis or liver cancer, and ultimately threatening life. NAFLD has complicated etiology and pathogenesis, and there are no effective therapeutic means and specific drugs. Currently, insulin sensitizers, lipid-lowering agents and hepatoprotective agents are often used for clinical intervention, but these drugs have obvious side effects, and their effectiveness and safety need to be further confirmed. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in maintaining energy homeostasis. Activated AMPK can enhance lipid degradation, alleviate insulin resistance (IR), suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and regulate autophagy, thereby alleviating NAFLD. Natural herbal medicines have received extensive attention recently because of their regulatory effects on AMPK and low side effects. In this article, we reviewed the biologically active natural herbal medicines (such as natural herbal medicine formulas, extracts, polysaccharides, and monomers) that reported in recent years to treat NAFLD via regulating AMPK, which can serve as a foundation for subsequent development of candidate drugs for NAFLD.
3.Effects of macrophage migration inhibitory factor on survival,proliferation,and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells
Ting HUANG ; Xiaohan ZHENG ; Yuanji ZHONG ; Yanzhao WEI ; Xufang WEI ; Xudong CAO ; Xiaoli FENG ; Zhenqiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1380-1387
BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)is a pleiotropic cytokine,which is secreted in different types of stem cells and can regulate the proliferation,differentiation and migration of various types of stem cells.Our previous research has confirmed that human embryonic stem cells secrete MIF and that its concentration in the culture medium is relatively stable.However,whether MIF is involved in the survival,proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of MIF on survival,proliferation,and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. METHODS:(1)Human embryonic stem cells H9 were cultured.The growth curve of cells was detected and plotted by CCK-8 assay.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the level of MIF in the medium.(2)To determine the effects of exogenous MIF on the survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,different groups were established:the control group,which was cultured in stem cell medium without any modifications;the exogenous MIF group,which was treated with different concentrations(30,100,300 ng/mL)of MIF in the stem cell medium;the MIF inhibitor ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations(2,7,21 μmol/L)of ISO-1 in the stem cell medium;and the MIF+ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations of ISO-1 along with 100 ng/mL of MIF.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.(3)To further elucidate the effect of MIF gene on survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cell,the MIF knockout H9 cell line was constructed by CRISPR-Cas 9 technology to observe the lineage establishment.(4)To determine the effect of high concentrations of MIF on human embryonic stem cell differentiation,100 ng/mL MIF and 100 ng/mL of CXCR4 neutralizing antibody were separately added to the normal stem cell culture medium.The expression levels of self-renewal factors(KLF4,c-MYC,NANOG,OCT4,and SOX2)and differentiation transcription factors(FOXA2,OTX2)were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunofluorescence staining,and western blot analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The logarithmic growth phase of H9 cells was between 3-6 days.Under normal growth conditions,human embryonic stem cells secreted MIF at a concentration of approximately 20 ng/mL,independent of cell quantity.(2)Compared to the control group,the addition of different concentrations of MIF had no effect on the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells(P>0.05).ISO-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,with a stronger inhibition observed at higher concentrations of ISO-1(P<0.05).The addition of MIF in the presence of ISO-1 reduced the inhibitory effect of ISO-1(P<0.05).(3)Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that knocking out 50%of the MIF gene resulted in a significant decrease in the growth vitality of human embryonic stem cells and failure to establish cell lines.(4)Adding 100 ng/mL exogenous MIF to the culture medium resulted in a decrease in the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the self-renewal transcription factor KLF4,while the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the differentiation factor FOXA2 increased.(5)When 100 ng/mL CXCR4 neutralizing antibody was added to the culture medium,the mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF4 increased,while the mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXA2 decreased,contrary to the expression trend observed in the MIF group.In conclusion,the endogenous secretion of MIF by human embryonic stem cells is essential for their survival.The addition of MIF to the culture medium does not promote the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells.However,it can lead to a decrease in the expression of the self-renewal factor KLF4 and an increase in the expression of the transcription factor FOXA2.This provides a clue for further investigation into the effects and mechanisms of MIF on the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.The MIF-CXCR4 axis plays a regulatory role in this process.
4.Efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Hao YANG ; Jintao HUANG ; Di HU ; Binyan ZHONG ; Jian SHEN ; Xiaoli ZHU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;64(2):134-141
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular careinoma (uHCC).Methods:The clinical data of 64 patients with unresectable HCC, who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2021 and December 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a combination group ( n=43, receiving TACE combined with sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar) and control group ( n=21, receiving only sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar). Survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier method, and the median overall survival (mOS) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) were compared between the two groups. According to the mRECIST criterion, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were compared between the two groups. The occurrences of adverse events in both groups were recorded. Results:The mOS and mPFS in the combination group were 22.3 months and 12.4 months, respectively, which in the control group was 11.6 months and 6.4 months, respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P=0.001 and P=0.002). The ORR and DCR in the combination group were 62.8% and 95.3% respectively, which were significantly higher than 19.0% and 57.1% respectively in the control group (all P<0.01). No statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe adverse events existed between the two groups ( P=0.518). Conclusion:TACE combined with sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar has efficacy and safety than sintilimab and bevacizumab biosimilar alone.
5.The application of artificial intelligence in clinical hematology laboratory teaching
Xinrui FENG ; Weiru WU ; Xiaoli ZHANG ; Zhong YANG ; Youcai DENG ; Qinghua BI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(2):286-291
This article focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in clinical hematology laboratory teaching. By analyzing the current situation of clinical hematology test teaching and combining the advantages of artificial intelligence technology, this paper explores its application prospects in clinical hematology laboratory teaching from multiple perspectives, such as case library construction, atlas resource library construction, virtual simulation training, auxiliary teaching, and clinical thinking training, and analyzes the possible problems of artificial intelligence in teaching practice.
6.Targeting AMPK related signaling pathways:A feasible approach for natural herbal medicines to intervene non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yongqing CAIA ; Lu FANG ; Fei CHEN ; Peiling ZHONG ; Xiangru ZHENG ; Haiyan XING ; Rongrong FAN ; Lie YUAN ; Wei PENG ; Xiaoli LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):30-63
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposition of lipid in hepatocytes.If not intervened in time,NAFLD may develop into liver fibrosis or liver cancer,and ultimately threatening life.NAFLD has complicated etiology and pathogenesis,and there are no effective therapeutic means and specific drugs.Currently,insulin sensitizers,lipid-lowering agents and hep-atoprotective agents are often used for clinical intervention,but these drugs have obvious side effects,and their effectiveness and safety need to be further confirmed.Adenosine monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)plays a central role in maintaining energy homeostasis.Activated AMPK can enhance lipid degradation,alleviate insulin resistance(IR),suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory response,and regulate autophagy,thereby alleviating NAFLD.Natural herbal medicines have received extensive attention recently because of their regulatory effects on AMPK and low side effects.In this article,we reviewed the biologically active natural herbal medicines(such as natural herbal medicine formulas,extracts,polysaccharides,and monomers)that reported in recent years to treat NAFLD via regulating AMPK,which can serve as a foundation for subsequent development of candidate drugs for NAFLD.
7.Construction and feasibility of a full chain follow-up system for tumor patients at chemotherapy stage
Lin TAN ; Xiaoli ZHONG ; Jijun WU ; Furong JIANG ; Yao LIU ; Lin HE
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(2):177-184
Objective To establish a full-chain follow-up system for tumor patients during chemotherapy and to evaluate its application effect.Methods A full-chain follow-up system was built according to the actual needs of cancer patients during chemotherapy,including 5 modules:patient health records,follow-up plan,risk identification and abnormal reminder,online consultation,interaction between doctors and patients and data visualization analysis and intelligent statistical management.Convenience sampling method was used to select 96 patients with tumor at chemotherapy stage who were treated in a tertiary A hospital in Deyang City,Sichuan Province from February to June 2023 as a test group,and the full chain follow-up system for tumor patients at chemotherapy stage was applied for follow-up;93 patients with tumor at chemotherapy stage were treated from February to June 2022 as a control group for routine follow-up care.Indicators of self-management ability,quality of life and satisfaction with follow-up services were compared between the 2 groups before and after the application of the system.Results 94 cases in the test group and 92 cases in the control group completed the study.After the application of the system,the test group scored(169.44±11.96)on the Cancer Patients Self-Management Scale,higher than(150.76±13.44)in the control group.The score on the Cancer Patients Quality of Life Core Scale was(65.50±7.90),higher than(59.81±7.27)in the control group.The score on the Questionnaire of Satisfaction with the Follow-Up Service was(52.00±3.30),higher than(48.89±3.54)in the control group,and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(P<0.001).Conclusion The application of the full-chain follow-up system can meet the diversified and multi-level follow-up needs of tumor patients during chemotherapy,achieve accurate,professional and intelligent nursing follow-up services,effectively improve patients'symptom self-management ability and quality of life,and improve patients'satisfaction with nursing services.
8.Clinical study on reducing false alarms in ICU by using four-lead ECG synchronization technique and multi-parameter fusion technique
Shufen CHEN ; Jinfang ZHENG ; Zhenyu LIU ; Jielin ZHONG ; Xiaoli FANG ; Aimei WU ; Qiufang WANG ; Haiyan WU ; Youjian CHEN ; Ruoxi HUANG ; Houyuan HUANG
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(8):17-21
Objective:To assess the effects of recognition function of four-lead electrocardiogram(ECG)synchronization technique and multi-parameter fusion technique in reducing the number of false alarms and improving the quality of alarms in intensive care units(ICU).Methods:Four-lead ECG synchronization technique and multi-parameter fusion technique were used to strengthen the monitoring and assessment for the alarm of clinical monitors,and reduce the false alarm rate of monitors.The clinical alarm data of bed units corresponding to 48 monitors in clinical use of ICU,cardiovascular intensive care unit(CCU)and neurosurgery intensive care unit(NICU)of Hainan General Hospital from October 14 to December 27,2024 were selected.According to the opening and close of the four-lead ECG synchronization and multi-parameter fusion technique algorithm of the monitors,they were divided into group A(opened four-lead ECG synchronization and multi-parameter fusion),group B(opened four-lead ECG synchronization,but closed multi-parameter fusion),group C(closed four-lead ECG synchronization,but opened multi-parameter fusion)and group D(closed four-lead ECG synchronization and multi-parameter fusion),with 12 units in each group.The numbers of total alarms and false alarms generated by monitor of each bed unit among different optimization strategies were compared.Results:The numbers of average daily alarm of the monitors in groups A,B and C were respectively(134.2±32.4)cases,(392.5±68.2)cases and(583.4±126.5)cases,which were lower than those in group D(1 073.2±168.6),with statistically significant differences(Z=3.45,2.94,2.52,P<0.05).The optimization rates of the alarm numbers in groups A,B and C were increased by 87.51%,63.47%and 45.67%,respectively.The rates of average false alarm of the monitors in groups A,B and C were respectively(1.04±0.15)%,(1.73±0.12)%and(2.07±0.08)%,which were lower than(3.76±0.2)%in group D,with statistically significant differences(Z=3.45,2.94,2.52,P<0.05).Conclusion:Four-lead ECG synchronization technique and multi-parameter fusion technique can effectively optimize the number of alarms in ICU,and reduce the proportion of false alarms of monitors in department,and decrease fatigue of medical staffs for alarm.
9.Changes in behavior and spatial memory of C57BL/6J mice of different ages
Zhen Yang ; Hongmei Bai ; Weikang Hu ; Mingcong Li ; Xiaoli Jiang ; Chaoyang Zhang ; Zihan Wang ; Wenjing Zhou ; Qingya He ; Jian Zhong ; Shengquan Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(8):1410-1417
Objective :
To explore the changes in behavior and spatial memory of C57BL/6J female mice of different ages (youth , middle-aged , and elderly) .
Methods:
C57BL/6J female mice were divided into female youth group (YG group) , female middle-aged group ( MG group) and female elderly group ( OG group) according to age. The Morris water maze test measured spatial memory ability , and the open field and elevated cross maze test observed activity level and anxiety level. Western blot was used to determine the protein expressions of CREB , CaMKⅡ(pan) and CaMKⅡ(p) in the hippocampus of the brain tissues of female mice in each group.
Results:
Compared with the YG group , the weight of the MG group and the OG group significantly increased (P < 0. 01 , P < 0. 001) . Compared with the OG group , the third quadrant escape latency and the number of crossings in the YG group and MG group were shortened , and the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with the OG group , there was a statistically significant difference in the exercise speed in the open field of the YG group (P < 0. 01) , there was no significant difference in the movement speed in the open field of the MG group , the number of entries into the central zone significantly increased in the MG group ( P < 0. 05 ) , and there was no significant difference in the number of entries in the YG group (P > 0. 05) . Compared with the OG group , the YG group had a statistically significant difference in the elevated cross maze (P < 0. 05) , the MG group had no statistically signif- icant difference in the elevated cross maze , and the number of closed arm entries in the YG group and MG group significantly increased (P < 0. 001 , P < 0. 01) . Compared with the YG group , the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the OG group was statistically significant ( P < 0. 05 ) , while the relative expression level of CaMKⅡ(pan) in the MG group was not statistically significant ( P > 0. 05) .
Conclusion
With the increase of age , the weight of C57BL/6J female mice gradually increased , the activity level and desire to explore gradually de- creased , the spatial memory ability also declined , and the anxiety level and anxiety-like behavior increased. This study helps to reveal the effect of age on the activity level and cognitive function of females , and provides a refer- ence for studying cognitive and memory decline in older females.
10.Endoscopic ultrasound-guided coil combined with tissue glue embolization for the treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (with video)
Guanjun KOU ; Jingran SU ; Xiaoli JIA ; Ning ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(7):569-572
To investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided coil combined with tissue glue embolization for visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms (VAPA), clinical data of 4 patients who underwent this procedure at the Endoscopy Center of Qilu Hospital, Shandong University between June 2024 and March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Parameters including technical success rate, procedure time, postoperative complications, costs, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The technical success rate was 100%, with embolization time ranging from 100 seconds to 260 seconds. No severe complication occurred in any patient. The procedure costs varied between 7.6 thousand yuan and 13.6 thousand yuan, with postoperative hospitalization lasting 2-3 days. During the follow-up period of 2.0-11.0 months, no VAPA recurrence was observed in any case. This preliminary study demonstrates that EUS-guided coil combined with tissue glue may represent a feasible and safe novel therapeutic approach for VAPA. It is worth clinical application for no radiation, minimal invasiveness, short procedure time and cost-effectiveness .


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