1.Artificial intelligence-enabled discovery of a RIPK3 inhibitor with neuroprotective effects in an acute glaucoma mouse model.
Xing TU ; Zixing ZOU ; Jiahui LI ; Simiao ZENG ; Zhengchao LUO ; Gen LI ; Yuanxu GAO ; Kang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(2):172-184
BACKGROUND:
Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death caused by acute ocular hypertension is an important characteristic of acute glaucoma. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) that mediates necroptosis is a potential therapeutic target for RGC death. However, the current understanding of the targeting agents and mechanisms of RIPK3 in the treatment of glaucoma remains limited. Notably, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have significantly advanced drug discovery. This study aimed to discover RIPK3 inhibitor with AI assistance.
METHODS:
An acute ocular hypertension model was used to simulate pathological ocular hypertension in vivo . We employed a series of AI methods, including large language and graph neural network models, to identify the target compounds of RIPK3. Subsequently, these target candidates were validated using molecular simulations (molecular docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity [ADMET] prediction, and molecular dynamics simulations) and biological experiments (Western blotting and fluorescence staining) in vitro and in vivo .
RESULTS:
AI-driven drug screening techniques have the potential to greatly accelerate drug development. A compound called HG9-91-01, identified using AI methods, exerted neuroprotective effects in acute glaucoma. Our research indicates that all five candidates recommended by AI were able to protect the morphological integrity of RGC cells when exposed to hypoxia and glucose deficiency, and HG9-91-01 showed a higher cell survival rate compared to the other candidates. Furthermore, HG9-91-01 was found to protect the retinal structure and reduce the loss of retinal layers in an acute glaucoma model. It was also observed that the neuroprotective effects of HG9-91-01 were highly correlated with the inhibition of PANoptosis (apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis). Finally, we found that HG9-91-01 can regulate key proteins related to PANoptosis, indicating that this compound exerts neuroprotective effects in the retina by inhibiting the expression of proteins related to apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.
CONCLUSION
AI-enabled drug discovery revealed that HG9-91-01 could serve as a potential treatment for acute glaucoma.
Animals
;
Glaucoma/metabolism*
;
Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Artificial Intelligence
;
Retinal Ganglion Cells/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Molecular Docking Simulation
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Male
2.Processing technology of calcined Magnetitum based on concept of QbD and its XRD characteristic spectra.
De-Wen ZENG ; Jing-Wei ZHOU ; Tian-Xing HE ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Huan-Huan XU ; Jian FENG ; Yue YANG ; Xin CHEN ; Jia-Liang ZOU ; Lin CHEN ; Hong-Ping CHEN ; Shi-Lin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; You-Ping LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2391-2403
Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color. The weight coefficients were determined by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation(CRITIC) method, and the calcination process was optimized using orthogonal experimentation. Surface color was selected as a CQA, and based on the principle of color value, the surface color of calcined Magnetitum was objectively quantified. The vinegar quenching process was then optimized to determine the best processing conditions. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to establish the characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, and methods such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of the spectra. The optimized calcined Magnetitum preparation process was found to be calcination at 750 ℃ for 1 h, with a laying thickness of 4 cm, a particle size of 0.4-0.8 cm, and one vinegar quenching cycle(Magnetitum-vinegar ratio 10∶3), which was stable and feasible. The XRD characteristic spectra analysis method, featuring 9 common peaks as fingerprint information, was established. The average correlation coefficient ranged from 0.839 5-0.988 1, and the average angle cosine ranged from 0.914 4 to 0.995 6, indicating good similarity. Cluster analysis results showed that Magnetitum and calcined Magnetitum could be grouped together, with similar compositions. OPLS-DA discriminant analysis identified three key characteristic peaks, with Fe_2O_3 being the distinguishing component between the two. The final optimized processing method is stable and feasible, and the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum was initially established, providing a reference for subsequent quality control and the formulation of quality standards for calcined Magnetitum.
X-Ray Diffraction/methods*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Quality Control
;
Particle Size
3.Genetic and clinical characteristics of children with RAS-mutated juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.
Yun-Long CHEN ; Xing-Chen WANG ; Chen-Meng LIU ; Tian-Yuan HU ; Jing-Liao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Juan CHEN ; Ye GUO ; Yao ZOU ; Yu-Mei CHEN ; Ying-Chi ZHANG ; Xiao-Fan ZHU ; Wen-Yu YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(5):548-554
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the genomic characteristics and prognostic factors of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) with RAS mutations.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of JMML children with RAS mutations treated at the Hematology Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from January 2008 to November 2022.
RESULTS:
A total of 34 children were included, with 17 cases (50%) having isolated NRAS mutations, 9 cases (27%) having isolated KRAS mutations, and 8 cases (24%) having compound mutations. Compared to children with isolated NRAS mutations, those with NRAS compound mutations showed statistically significant differences in age at onset, platelet count, and fetal hemoglobin proportion (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and hepatomegaly (≥2 cm below the costal margin) were factors affecting the survival rate of JMML children with RAS mutations (P<0.05); hepatomegaly was a factor affecting survival in the non-HSCT group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Children with NRAS compound mutations have a later onset age compared to those with isolated NRAS mutations. At initial diagnosis, children with NRAS compound mutations have poorer peripheral platelet and fetal hemoglobin levels than those with isolated NRAS mutations. Liver size at initial diagnosis is related to the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations. HSCT can improve the prognosis of JMML children with RAS mutations.
Humans
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Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile/therapy*
;
Mutation
;
Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Child
;
Infant
;
GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
;
Adolescent
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Proportional Hazards Models
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics*
;
Prognosis
4.Real-World Study of 21-Day Venetoclax Plus Azacitidine Regimen in the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Unfit-Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Li-Ying AN ; Min CHEN ; Jin WEI ; Xing-Li ZOU ; Pan ZHAO ; Zhu YANG ; Xun NI ; Xiao-Jing LIN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1279-1286
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the efficacy and safety of 21-day venetoclax (VEN) plus azacitidine (AZA) (21-day VA) in newly diagnosed unfit acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in the real-world.
METHODS:
The clinical data of patients with unfit-AML who received 21-day VA regimen from December 2020 to July 2024 in our center and completed at least 1 cycle of therapeutic effect assessment was retrospectively collected to analyze the safety, efficacy and its influencing factors.
RESULTS:
A total of 59 patients were enrolled in our study, with a median age of 67(48-87) years old. After 1 cycle of therapy, the composite complete remission (cCR) rate was 74.5%, 54.2% of cases were negative for minimal residual disease (MRD). Among them, the MRD negative rate of patients with NPM1 mutation was significantly higher than that of patients without NPM1 mutation ( P =0.032). The median follow-up of patients was 19(2-38) months, the best cCR and MRD negative rates were 78% and 64.4%, respectively, the median overall survival (OS) time was 12 months, and the median progression free survival (PFS) time was 5 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed less than 4 cycles of VA chemotherapy were independent risk factor for PFS and OS ( P < 0.05). After achieving remission, anemia and thrombocytopenia improved with the increase of the number of chemotherapy cycle.
CONCLUSION
In real-world, 21-day VA regimen still shows significant efficacy in the treatment of newly diagnosed unfit-AML, without adversely affecting remission rate and MRD negative rate of the first cycle.
Humans
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*
;
Aged
;
Middle Aged
;
Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use*
;
Sulfonamides/therapeutic use*
;
Azacitidine/therapeutic use*
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Male
;
Female
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Nucleophosmin
;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Remission Induction
;
Mutation
;
Treatment Outcome
5.The Applications of Hematoporphyrin in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma.
Jin-Xing WANG ; Xiu-Juan HUANG ; Qian ZOU ; Peng-Wei ZHANG ; Wei ZHU ; Fa-Qing TIAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1374-1379
OBJECTIVE:
Photodynamic therapy has become an important method in clinical tumor treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hematoporphyrin on multiple myeloma (MM) and its potential applications.
METHODS:
The MM cell line RPMI 8226 was treated with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), and CCK-8 assay was used to determine cell viability, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a detection kit combined with flow cytometry, and Western blot assay was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins and key signaling pathway protein levels.
RESULTS:
The optimal incubation time for the maximum absorption of HPD in RPMI 8226 cells was 4 hours. HPD significantly inhibited the proliferation of RPMI 8226 cells in a dose- and illumination time-dependent manner ( r =0.981; r =0.961). Additionally, HPD induced apoptosis in RPMI 8226 cells, but had no significant inhibitory effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy individuals. HPD combined with illumination treatment significantly increased the intracellular ROS level, upregulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and down-regulated the expression of proteins that maintain cell survival, such as NF-κB and Akt.
CONCLUSION
The HPD can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells.
Humans
;
Multiple Myeloma/pathology*
;
Hematoporphyrins/pharmacology*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Photochemotherapy
;
Cell Survival/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction
6.Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill Improves Stable Angina Patients with Phlegm-Heat and Blood-Stasis Syndrome: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Ying-Qiang ZHAO ; Yong-Fa XING ; Ke-Yong ZOU ; Wei-Dong JIANG ; Ting-Hai DU ; Bo CHEN ; Bao-Ping YANG ; Bai-Ming QU ; Li-Yue WANG ; Gui-Hong GONG ; Yan-Ling SUN ; Li-Qi WANG ; Gao-Feng ZHOU ; Yu-Gang DONG ; Min CHEN ; Xue-Juan ZHANG ; Tian-Lun YANG ; Min-Zhou ZHANG ; Ming-Jun ZHAO ; Yue DENG ; Chang-Jiang XIAO ; Lin WANG ; Bao-He WANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(8):685-693
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents.
METHODS:
This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs).
RESULTS:
This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed.
CONCLUSION
STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans
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Double-Blind Method
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Angina, Stable/physiopathology*
;
Aged
;
Syndrome
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Placebos
;
Tablets
7.Discovery and proof-of-concept study of a novel highly selective sigma-1 receptor agonist for antipsychotic drug development.
Wanyu TANG ; Zhixue MA ; Bang LI ; Zhexiang YU ; Xiaobao ZHAO ; Huicui YANG ; Jian HU ; Sheng TIAN ; Linghan GU ; Jiaojiao CHEN ; Xing ZOU ; Qi WANG ; Fan CHEN ; Guangying LI ; Chaonan ZHENG ; Shuliu GAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yue LI ; Wenhua ZHENG ; Mingmei WANG ; Na YE ; Xuechu ZHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5346-5365
Sigma-1 receptor (σ 1R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ 1R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ 1R in relation to σ 2R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ 1R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.
8.Expert consensus on local anesthesia application in pediatric dental therapies.
Yan WANG ; Jing ZOU ; Yang JI ; Jun WANG ; Bin XIA ; Wei ZHAO ; Li'an WU ; Guangtai SONG ; Yuan LIU ; Xu CHEN ; Jiajian SHANG ; Qin DU ; Qingyu GUO ; Beizhan JIANG ; Hongmei ZHANG ; Xianghui XING ; Yanhong LI
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(4):455-461
Dental treatments for children and adolescents have unique clinical characteristics that differ from dental care for adults in terms of children's physiology, psychology, and behavior. These differences impose specific requirements on the application of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures. This article presents expert consensus on the principles of local anesthesia techniques in pediatric dental therapies, including the use of common anesthetic drugs and dosage control, safety and efficacy evaluation, and prevention and management of complications. The aim is to improve the safety and quality of pediatric dental treatments and offer guidance for clinical application by dentists.
Humans
;
Child
;
Anesthesia, Local/methods*
;
Consensus
;
Anesthesia, Dental/methods*
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Adolescent
;
Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage*
;
Dental Care for Children
9.Clinical application of Visual throat forceps in the removal of hypopharyngeal foreign body.
Zhonghua MENG ; Qirui ZOU ; Zhongcheng XING ; Shangqing ZHOU ; Zhen ZHANG ; Ye WANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;38(1):80-82
Objective:To explore the feasibility of using self-made visual throat forceps to remove hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Methods:The throat forceps were combined with the endoscope and connected to a monitor via a data cable resulting in a visual throat forceps apparatus. This device was utilized to examine and treat the hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Results:Among 53 patients, foreign bodies were detected in 51,with 48 cases involving hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. All were successfully extracted using the visual throat forceps. Three cases, diagnosed as esophageal foreign bodies by electronic gastroscopy, were treated using the same method. Conclusion:Visual throat forceps can be used to examine the hypopharynx and remove foreign bodies. It has the advantages of simple operation, rapid operation, and high success rate of foreign body removal from the hypopharynx. It is worthy of clinical application.
Humans
;
Hypopharynx/surgery*
;
Pharynx/surgery*
;
Endoscopes
;
Surgical Instruments
;
Foreign Bodies/diagnosis*
10. MW-9, a chalcones derivative bearing heterocyclic moieties, ameliorates ulcerative colitis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway
Zhao WU ; Nan-Ting ZOU ; Chun-Fei ZHANG ; Hao-Hong ZHANG ; Qing-Yan MO ; Ze-Wei MAO ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Ming-Qian JU ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Xing-Cai XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):514-520
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of the MW-9 on ulcerative colitis(UC)and reveal the underlying mechanism, so as to provide a scientific guidance for the MW-9 treatment of UC. Methods The model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells was established. The effect of MW-9 on RAW264.7 cells viability was detected by MTT assay. The levels of nitric oxide(NO)in RAW264.7 macrophages were measured by Griess assay. Cell supernatants and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines containing IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by ELISA kits. Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC model in mice was established and body weight of mice in each group was measured. The histopathological damage degree of colonic tissue was assessed by HE staining. The protein expression of p-p38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was detected by Western blot. Results MW-9 intervention significantly inhibited NO release in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 of 20.47 mg·L-1 and decreased the overproduction of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05). MW-9 had no cytotoxicity at the concentrations below 6 mg·L-1. After MW-9 treatment, mouse body weight was gradually reduced, and the serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly down-regulated. Compared with the model group, MW-9 significantly decreased the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 protein. Conclusions MW-9 has significant anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo, and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of UC may be associated with the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.

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