1.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
2.A novel feedback loop: CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 in cardiac fibrosis.
Yuan JIANG ; Bowen ZHANG ; Bo ZHANG ; Xinhua SONG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Wei ZENG ; Liyang ZUO ; Xinqi LIU ; Zheng DONG ; Wenzheng CHENG ; Yang QIAO ; Saidi JIN ; Dongni JI ; Xiaofei GUO ; Rong ZHANG ; Xieyang GONG ; Lihua SUN ; Lina XUAN ; Berezhnova Tatjana ALEXANDROVNA ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Mingyu ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG ; Chaoqian XU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5192-5211
Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.
3.Inhibition of the cGAS‑STING Pathway Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Inner Ear Hair Cell Damage.
Ying SUN ; Shengyu ZOU ; Xiaoxiang XU ; Shan XU ; Haiying SUN ; Mingliang TANG ; Weijia KONG ; Xiong CHEN ; Zuhong HE
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(3):359-373
Although cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, it is severely toxic and causes irreversible hearing loss, restricting its application in clinical settings. This study aimed to determine the molecular mechanism underlying cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Here, we established in vitro and in vivo ototoxicity models of cisplatin-induced hair cell loss, and our results showed that reducing STING levels decreased inflammatory factor expression and hair cell death. In addition, we found that cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was accompanied by cytosolic DNA, which may act as a critical linker between the cyclic GMP-AMP synthesis-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway and the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. H-151, a specific inhibitor of STING, reduced hair cell damage and ameliorated the hearing loss caused by cisplatin in vivo. This study underscores the role of cGAS-STING in cisplatin ototoxicity and presents H-151 as a promising therapeutic for hearing loss.
Cisplatin/toxicity*
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Animals
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Nucleotidyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors*
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
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Mice
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Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/pathology*
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Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Hearing Loss/metabolism*
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Male
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Ototoxicity/metabolism*
4.Erratum: Author correction to "Tumor-microenvironment activated duplex genome-editing nanoprodrug for sensitized near-infrared titania phototherapy" Acta Pharm Sin B (2022) 4224-4234.
Zekun LI ; Yongchun PAN ; Shiyu DU ; Yayao LI ; Chao CHEN ; Hongxiu SONG ; Yueyao WU ; Xiaowei LUAN ; Qin XU ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Yujun SONG ; Xin HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):897-899
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.06.016.].
5.Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumors based on the Shanghai community elderly cohort
Ping LI ; Huiru JIANG ; Mengyue YE ; Yayu WANG ; Xiaoyu CHEN ; Ancai YUAN ; Wenjie XU ; Huimin DAI ; Xi CHEN ; Xiaoxiang YAN ; Shengxian TU ; Yuanqi ZHENG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jun PU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(5):617-625
Objective·To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumors based on the Shanghai community elderly cohort.Methods·The study subjects were selected from the Shanghai community elderly cohort established from February to August 2019,with a total of 17 948 people.The study subjects were divided into 4 groups according to self-reported presence or absence of tumors and/or cardiovascular diseases during the baseline survey:tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,single cardiovascular disease group,single tumor group and tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group.The differences among the four groups of subjects were collected and compared in terms of demographic characteristics and physiological indicators,daily living habits(smoking,drinking tea,drinking coffee,drinking carbonated drink,drinking alcohol,sedentary time,physical activity level and sleep quality),past medical history,psychological status(depression and anxiety)and dietary compliance.Results·Among the study subjects,60.1%of tumor patients were complicated with cardiovascular diseases.The differences among the four groups of subjects in age,gender,educational level,pre-retirement occupation,waist circumference,hip circumference and body mass index were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Compared with the tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,the single cardiovascular disease group,single tumor group and tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group all exhibited lower proportions of smoking and high physical activity levels(all P<0.05),and higher proportion of sedentary time exceeding 4 h/d and poor sleep quality(all P<0.05);the proportion of subjects with past medical histories including hyperlipidemia,peripheral vascular disease,endocrine system disease,respiratory system disease,urinary system disease and digestive system disease of the single cardiovascular disease group and the tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group was higher(all P<0.05),and the proportion of subjects with depression and anxiety was also higher(all P<0.05).Furthermore,compared with the tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,the single cardiovascular disease group had lower compliance rates of poultry,fish,fruit and liquid milk(all P<0.05).Among the four groups,only the compliance rate of vegetable intake exceeded 50%,while the compliance rates of poultry,fish,fruit,liquid milk and tubers were all below 20%.Conclusion·In the elderly population of Shanghai communities,over half of malignant tumor patients are concomitant with cardiovascular diseases.Unhealthy daily habits are prevalent among those with cardiovascular diseases,tumors and tumor-cardiovascular disease co-occurrence.The intake of many foods in the elderly of the community do not reach the levels recommended by Chinese Dietary Guidelines.
6.Estrogen receptor beta suppresses the androgen receptor oncogenic effects in triple-negative breast cancer
Feng XU ; Kun XU ; Lingling FAN ; Xintong LI ; Yiqiu LIU ; Fang YANG ; Chengjun ZHU ; Xiaoxiang GUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(3):338-349
Background::Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The androgen receptor (AR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for luminal androgen receptor (LAR) TNBC. However, multiple studies have claimed that anti-androgen therapy for AR-positive TNBC only has limited clinical benefits. This study aimed to investigate the role of AR in TNBC and its detailed mechanism.Methods::Immunohistochemistry and TNBC tissue sections were applied to investigate AR and nectin cell adhesion molecule 4 (NECTIN4) expression in TNBC tissues. Then, in vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore the function of AR and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in TNBC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), molecular docking method, and luciferase reporter assay were performed to identify key molecules that affect the function of AR. Results::Based on the TNBC tissue array analysis, we revealed that ERβ and AR were positive in 21.92% (32/146) and 24.66% (36/146) of 146 TNBC samples, respectively, and about 13.70% (20/146) of TNBC patients were ERβ positive and AR positive. We further demonstrated the pro-tumoral effects of AR on TNBC cells, however, the oncogenic biology was significantly suppressed when ERβ transfection in LAR TNBC cell lines but not in AR-negative TNBC. Mechanistically, we identified that NECTIN4 promoter –42 bp to –28 bp was an AR response element, and that ERβ interacted with AR thus impeding the AR-mediated NECTIN4 transcription which promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition in tumor progression. Conclusions::This study suggests that ERβ functions as a suppressor mediating the effect of AR in TNBC prognosis and cell proliferation. Therefore, our current research facilitates a better understanding of the role and mechanisms of AR in TNBC carcinogenesis.
7.Development of couples′ communication quality scale for gynecological cancer patients and its reliability and validity
Xiaoxin CHEN ; Yingju LI ; Hanfei SUN ; Xiaoxiang XU ; Tianyi WANG ; Min LI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2023;39(2):132-137
Objective:To develop couples′ communication quality scale for gynecological cancer patients and test its reliability and validity in accordance with Chinese cultural background.Methods:The scale was initially formed by literature review and Delphi expert consultation. From May to November in 2021, the scale was initially formed by literature review and Delphi expert consultation. A cross-sectional survey of 360 gynecologic cancer patients in Qilu Hospital, Shandong University was conducted from May to August 2021 using a convenience sampling method, and after pretesting, item analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to screen the scale items. After the formal scale was formed, 385 gynecological cancer patients from Qilu Hospital, Shandong University were conveniently selected for formal testing from September to November 2021, and the reliability and validity of the scale was tested.Results:The formal couples′ communication quality scale for gynecological cancer patients was composed of 34 items from 5 dimensions of "self-disclosure", "perceived response", "stress coping", "normal creation" and "constructive action", with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 68.181%. The Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.949, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.766, the retest reliability coefficient was 0.898, and the criterion validity coefficient was 0.696. The model′s χ2/ df was 1.778, root mean square error of approximation was 0.047, comparative fit index was 0.956, incremental fix index was 0.956, Tucker-Lewis index was 0.952, normal of fit index was 0.905. Conclusions:The scale can be used to evaluate the quality of couples′ communication among gynecological cancer patients in Chinese context with good reliability and validity.
8.Inhibition of MYC suppresses programmed cell death ligand-1 expression and enhances immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer
Xintong LI ; Lin TANG ; Qin CHEN ; Xumin CHENG ; Yiqiu LIU ; Cenzhu WANG ; Chengjun ZHU ; Kun XU ; Fangyan GAO ; Jinyi HUANG ; Runtian WANG ; Xiaoxiang GUAN
Chinese Medical Journal 2022;135(20):2436-2445
Background::Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). One of the immunosuppressive pathways involves programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), but many patients derived little benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockades treatment. Prior research has shown that MYC, a master transcription amplifier highly expressed in TNBC cells, can regulate the tumor immune microenvironment and constrain the efficacy of immunotherapy. This study aims to investigate the regulatory relationship between MYC and PD-L1, and whether a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that inhibits MYC expression in combination with anti-PD-L1 antibodies can enhance the response to immunotherapy. Methods::Public databases and TNBC tissue microarrays were used to study the correlation between MYC and PD-L1. The expression of MYC and PD-L1 in TNBCs was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. A patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) model was used to evaluate the influence of a CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 on PD-L1 expression. Cell proliferation and migration were detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) cell proliferation and cell migration assays. Tumor xenograft models were established for in vivo verification. Results::A high MYC expression level was associated with a poor prognosis and could alter the proportion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). The positive correlation between MYC and PD-L1 was confirmed by immunostaining samples from 165 TNBC patients. Suppression of MYC in TNBC caused a reduction in the levels of both PD-L1 messenger RNA and protein. In addition, antitumor immune response was enhanced in the TNBC cancer xenograft mouse model with suppression of MYC by CDK7 inhibitor THZ1. Conclusions::The combined therapy of CDK7 inhibitor THZ1 and anti-PD-L1 antibody appeared to have a synergistic effect, which might offer new insight for enhancing immunotherapy in TNBC.
9.Practice of comprehensive cloud-based services in large general hospitals
Runkang SUN ; Xiaoxiang ZHANG ; Jin LI ; Jin XU ; Yufei REN
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2022;38(11):819-823
In order to carry out the " Healthy China 2030″ initiative, accelerate the cloud-based transformation of hospital information platforms, promote the construction of smart hospitals, and improve hospital informatization service capabilities, a tertiary hospital launched a comprehensive cloud-based practice for hospital operations in November 2020. A high-availability medical cloud platform designed for large general hospitals was built, by renting from carriers the Internet data center, installing highly scalable infrastructure, building multi-loop self-healing fiber-optic private network, applying the cloud-based software architecture using microservices and distributed storage, and implementing distributed systems′ full-link log and performance monitoring. In February 2021, the hospital migrated its medical care and operation management services on the cloud, achieving unified management of multiple hospital campuses, and reducing manpower and capital investment in computer room constructions. This practice ensured the continuity of hospital business, promoted the regional medical cooperation and the sinking of high-quality medical resources, and provided a reference for speeding up the promotion of nationwide hospital business to the cloud.
10.Tumor-microenvironment activated duplex genome-editing nanoprodrug for sensitized near-infrared titania phototherapy.
Zekun LI ; Yongchun PAN ; Shiyu DU ; Yayao LI ; Chao CHEN ; Hongxiu SONG ; Yueyao WU ; Xiaowei LUAN ; Qin XU ; Xiaoxiang GUAN ; Yujun SONG ; Xin HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2022;12(11):4224-4234
Near-infrared (NIR)-light-triggered nanomedicine, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), is growing an attractive approach for cancer therapy due to its high spatiotemporal controllability and minimal invasion, but the tumor eradication is limited by the intrinsic anti-stress response of tumor cells. Herein, we fabricate a tumor-microenvironment responsive CRISPR nanoplatform based on oxygen-deficient titania (TiO2-x ) for mild NIR-phototherapy. In tumor microenvironment, the overexpressed hyaluronidase (HAase) and glutathione (GSH) can readily destroy hyaluronic acid (HA) and disulfide bond and releases the Cas9/sgRNA from TiO2-x to target the stress alleviating regulators, i.e., nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α), thereby reducing the stress tolerance of tumor cells. Under subsequent NIR light illumination, the TiO2-x demonstrates a higher anticancer effect both in vitro and in vivo. This strategy not only provides a promising modality to kills cancer cells in a minimal side-effects manner by interrupting anti-stress pathways but also proposes a general approach to achieve controllable gene editing in tumor region without unwanted genetic mutation in normal environments.

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