1.Toxicological mechanism of benzalkonium chloride-induced corneal injury in dry eye based on network toxicology and molecular docking
Lifeng ZHAO ; Meijiao ZHOU ; Ting LI ; Xuejing LU
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1323-1331
AIM:To explore the toxicological mechanisms of benzalkonium chloride(BAC)as a preservative in ophthalmic preparations leading to corneal injury in dry eye.METHODS:Network toxicology was employed to obtain the chemical structure of BAC, its toxic targets, and targets associated with dry eye-related corneal injury from databases including PubChem, CTD, ChEMBL, and STITCH. The protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed using the STRING database to screen key toxicity targets. Gene ontology(GO)functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses were performed to elucidate the potential biological processes and signaling pathways affected by BAC. Furthermore, molecular docking techniques were employed to validate the binding affinity of BAC to its key targets(IL-6, IL-1β, TNF, and EGF).RESULTS:BAC had a toxicity grade of 4 and exhibited significant eye irritation. A total of 85 common targets of BAC and dry eye corneal damage were screened out, of which 49 were key toxic targets, including TNF, IL-6, TP53, IL-1β, BCL2, etc. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that BAC mainly acted on 7 corneal injury pathways closely associated with corneal injury, such as IL-17, TNF, NF-κB, JAK-STAT, PI3K-Akt, Rap1, and MAPK. The results of molecular docking showed that BAC had stable binding ability to IL-6, IL-1β, TNF, EGF, and other targets(binding energy <0).CONCLUSION:BAC may induce corneal damage in dry eye through multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms, involving processes such as inflammatory response, apoptosis, disruption of tear film stability, and delayed corneal repair, which suggests that long-term use of ophthalmic preparations containing BAC may aggravate ocular surface damage.
2.Research the effect of 4℃ refrigerated stored apheresis platelets based on platelet metabolomics
Xiaoye XIA ; Xuejing LI ; Aihua SU ; Xiao HAO ; Hongyan YE
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):514-521
[Objective] To investigate the differences in metabolomics between apheresis platelets stored at 4℃ and at 22℃ with agitation, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the cold storage of apheresis platelets. [Methods] Samples were collected at four time points (d1, d5, d10, d15) for platelets stored at 4℃ (experimental group) and two time points (d1, d5) for platelets stored at 22℃ with agitation (control group). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology was used to detect changes in platelet metabolome levels under different storage conditions. Platelet functional activity was assessed by thromboelastography (TEG) for maximum amplitude (MA) values and flow cytometry for CD62P activation rates. [Results] Metabolites in the glycolytic pathway, key metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (citrate, α-ketoglutarate), metabolites in the purine metabolism pathway (adenine, inosine monophosphate, guanine, etc.) and amino acid metabolites significantly decreased by d5 in the control group, whereas they remained stable in the experimental group. The content of fatty acid metabolites, such as prostaglandin G2, 13(S)-HOTrE, and linoleic acid, significantly increased in the control group. Statistically significant differences in MA values were observed between the two groups at d1 and d5 (P<0.05). However, in the experimental group, as the storage time extended, the MA values at d10 and d15 showed no significant difference compared to the control group at d5 (P>0.05). The CD62P activation rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Additionally, the CD62P activation rate of platelets in the 22℃ group increased rapidly from d1, while it rose gradually in the 4 ℃ group. [Conclusion] Platelets stored at 4 ℃ exhibit more stable metabolic activity and slower functional deterioration, which is beneficial for extending the effective storage period of platelets.
3.Intravenous delivery of STING agonists using acid-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticles for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.
Ying HE ; Ke ZHENG ; Xifeng QIN ; Siyu WANG ; Xuejing LI ; Huiwen LIU ; Mingyang LIU ; Ruizhe XU ; Shaojun PENG ; Zhiqing PANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1211-1229
Although cancer immunotherapy has made great strides in the clinic, it is still hindered by the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway which can modulate TIME effectively has emerged as a promising therapeutic recently. However, the delivery of most STING agonists, specifically cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), is performed intratumorally due to their insufficient pharmacological properties, such as weak permeability across cell membranes and vulnerability to nuclease degradation. To expand the clinical applicability of CDNs, a novel pH-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticle (LNP-B) system was developed for intravenous delivery of CDNs. LNP-B significantly extended the circulation of CDNs and enhanced the accumulation of CDNs within the tumor, spleen, and tumor-draining lymph nodes compared with free CDNs thereby triggering the STING pathway of dendritic cells and repolarizing pro-tumor macrophages. These events subsequently gave rise to potent anti-tumor immune reactions and substantial inhibition of tumors in CT26 colon cancer-bearing mouse models. In addition, due to the acid-sensitive property of the polycationic polymer, the delivery system of LNP-B was more biocompatible and safer compared with lipid nanoparticles formulated with an indissociable cationic DOTAP (LNP-D). These findings suggest that LNP-B has great potential in the intravenous delivery of CDNs for tumor immunotherapy.
4.High intensity forced ultrasound-driven ferroptosis as a strategy for anti-tumor immune priming.
Xuejing LI ; Jiayi WU ; Ruizhe XU ; Xifeng QIN ; Siyu WANG ; Wuli YANG ; Zhiqing PANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3788-3804
Cold tumors have a poor response to tumor immunotherapy due to low immune cell infiltration and the ability to evade immune attacks. Converting cold tumors into hot tumors can enhance the clinical effectiveness of anti-tumor immunotherapy. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-invasive treatment can damage tumors through mechanical effects, but there is a lack of research on its cytotoxic mechanisms at the cellular level and its role in inducing anti-immune responses. In this study, the role of HIFU in triggering tumor ferroptosis by disrupting the GSH/GSSG balance through mechanochemical action and the associated anti-tumor immune priming effect were investigated. The use of a nano-enhancer loaded with PFOB combined with HIFU could enhance ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer at a specific stage of tumor growth (UTGR = 0) while promoting the conversion of a cold tumor into a hot tumor, thereby improving the immune response. Overall, this provides valuable guidance for the clinical application of HIFU in tumor immunotherapy.
5.Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody to Vasorin in Tree Shrew and Exploration of Its Application
Meizhen OU ; Yongfeng LI ; Sha WEN ; Zhouxiang LIAO ; Xuejing HUANG ; Lichao YANG ; Min HE
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(5):611-622
Objective To obtain tree shrew Vasorin(VASN)recombinant protein through prokaryotic expression and purification,prepare monoclonal antibody against tree shrew VASN by immunizing mice with this protein,and preliminarily evaluate its application value.Methods Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to amplify the full-length sequence of tree shrew VASN gene in vitro.The tree shrew VASN gene fragment was inserted into pET-30a vector to construct pET-30a-VASN recombinant plasmid.The recombinant plasmid was subjected to double digestion with BamH Ⅰ and Sal Ⅰfor identification,and its correctness was further verified by sequencing.The recombinant plasmid with correct sequencing was transformed into BL21(DE3)competent cells,and isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside(IPTG)was used to induce expression of VASN recombinant protein.Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE),and the VASN recombinant protein was purified by KCI.Purified recombinant protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice for four times,and serum antibody titer was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Splenocytes from mice with serum antibody titer above 1:10 000 were used for cell fusion with myeloma cells.Hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine(HAT)culture medium was first used to screen hybridoma cells.ELISA was used to screen positive hybridoma cell lines that could secrete specific antibodies,and monoclonal hybridoma cell lines were obtained by limiting dilution method.VASN monoclonal antibodies were prepared in large quantities by ascites induction method,purified using rProtein G,and the affinity and in vitro reaction specificity of the monoclonal antibodies were detected by ELISA and Western blotting.Results The full-length sequence of the tree shrew VASN gene was successfully amplified and the recombinant plasmid vector of tree shrew pET-30a-VASN was constructed.The sequence obtained by sequencing of the recombinant plasmid vector was identical to the tree shrew VASN target gene sequence.Recombinant protein VASN mainly existed in the form of inclusion bodies,and the purity after purification reached 90%,meeting the requirements of subsequent immunization experiments.After four immunizations with recombinant protein VASN,mouse serum antibody titer reached 1:729 000.Monoclonal positive hybridoma cell lines were obtained through ascites induction and purification,and the constant affinity value of monoclonal antibodies measured by ELISA reached 2.59x107 L/mol.Western blotting results showed that the tree shrew VASN monoclonal antibody could bind to tree shrew VASN recombinant protein,but it showed no binding reaction with porcine retinol-binding protein 4 recombinant protein,human VASN-leucine rich repeat recombinant protein,or bovine serum albumin.Anti-tree shrew VASN monoclonal antibody could specifically recognize VASN protein in tree shrew heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney and muscle,with clear bands and clean background.Immunohistochemical detection results showed that this monoclonal antibody could recognize VASN protein in tree shrew spleen,lung,and tree shrew immortalized fibroblasts with high VASN mRNA expression levels,and the detection results were positive.Conclusion Monoclonal antibody against tree shrew VASN is successfully prepared.This antibody can be used for immunohistochemical detection of tree shrew immortalized fibroblasts,spleen tissue,and lung tissue,providing an important tool for further research on the function of VASN in tree shrew models.
6.Effect Analysis of the Informatization of the Prescription Review Center and the Homogeneity of Pharmacist Service in Promoting the Rationality of Outpatient and Emergency Department Prescriptions
Congxin LI ; Xuejing LI ; Lijie GAO ; Jia CHEN ; Leilei DONG ; Xizhe LIU ; Ying PAN ; Suhui QIE
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):140-145
Objective To discusse the application effects of the informatization of the review center and the homogeneity of pharmacists on the rationality of emergency department prescriptions.Methods Based on the system rules of the rational drug use management system and manually set custom rules,the changes in pharmacist's review quality,efficiency homogeneity,and prescription rationality were compared before(February 2023 to July 2023)and after(August 2023 to January 2024)the construction of the review center,according to the informatization and process standardization management.Results After the establishment of the review center,analysis of variance showed that the approval rate of pharmacist's review significantly increased compared to before the establishment of the review center(P<0.05),while the average time consumption increased significantly(P<0.01).The average review time,average approval time,and average review return time have been extended from(4.50±0.58),(4.50±0.58),and(4.75±0.96)s to(11.67±1.03),(8.50±0.55)and(13.17±0.98)s,respectively.The trend chi-square test showed that the irrationality rate of emergency department prescriptions decreased monthly from 6.27%in August 2023 to 0.93%in January 2024(P<0.01).Correlation analysis between the number of intervention system rules since the establishment of the review center and the irrationality rate of emergency department prescriptions revealed a significant correlation(P=0.004 4).Conclusions By utilizing the platform of the review center,establishing dedicated review pharmacists and an information pharmacist team,and implementing informatization and standardized management processes,it can contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of prescription review,increasing the qualification rate of prescriptions,ensuring rational drug use,and enhancing the management level and medical quality of hospitals.
7.Characteritics of resting state brain functional activities in patients with hand dysfunction after ischemic stroke
Huihuang WANG ; Xuejing LI ; Fu LIU ; Sihang CHEN ; Shuying LI ; Yufan PU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(11):1256-1264
Objective To explore the characteritics of spontaneous brain functional activities for patients with hand dysfunction after ischemic stroke using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI).Methods From August,2024 to June,2025,23 patients with hand dysfunction after ischemic stroke were as patients group,and ten age-matched healthy adults were recruited as healthy control group.The patients group was as-sessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT)and modified Lindmark Scale.All subjects underwent rs-fMRI examinations,and the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations(ALFF),fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations(fALFF)and regional homogeneity(Re-Ho)were compared between two groups.The resting state functional network was constructed based on indepen-dent component analysis,and the functional connectivity(FC)were analyzed.The rs-fMRI indicators of the pa-tients and the clinical scale scores were analyzed.Results Compared with the healthy control group,the zALFF value decreased in the precentral gyrus(P<0.05,FWE corrected)in the patient group,as well as the values of zfALFF in Cerebelum-Crus2-R(P<0.05,FWE correct-ed),and ReHo values in the putamen(P<0.05,corrected by Alpha Sim).FC of the inferior frontal gyrus(IF-Goperc.R)in the executive control network enhanced(P<0.05,Alpha Sim corrected),while FC of the middle oc-cipital gyrus(MOG.L)in the dorsal attention network(DAN)weakened(P<0.05,Alpha Sim corrected).There was a positive correlation between FC of MOG.L in the patient's DAN and the scores of FMA-UE(r=0.439,P=0.036),WMFT(r=0.516,P=0.012),and modified Lindmark Scales(r=0.425,P=0.043).Conclusion The resting state spontaneous activity of some brain areas of the cerebrum,cerebellum and basal ganglia is reduced in patients with hand dysfunction after ischemic stroke,and some brain network connections are abnor-mal.FC of MOG.L may serve as an objective imaging marker for evaluating hand dysfunction.
8.Observation on the curative effect of bifidobacterium quadruple viable bacteria combined with cefaclor in pediatric bacterial enteritis
Xiaoyue SHEN ; Juan LI ; Xuejing WU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(2):199-203
Objective To explore the effect of bifidobacterium quadruple viable bacteria on intestinal flora based on the use of cefaclor in the treatment of infantile bacterial enteritis.Methods A total of 96 children with bacterial enteritis admitted in our hospital were selected as the research objects,and the patients were divided into the combined group(n=48)and the single drug group(n=48).The single drug group was treated with cefaclor alone,while the combined group was treated with a combination of live combined bifidobacterium,lactobacillus,enterococcus and bacillus cereus tablets and cefaclor.The clinical effects,numbers of microbiota,levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin-8(IL-8),interleukin-2(IL-2)],T lymphocyte subsets and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the combined group was higher than that of the single drug group,and the improvement time of symptoms and signs was shorter than that of the single drug group(P<0.05).After treatment,levels of Escherichia coli,TNF-α,CRP and IL-8 decreased in both groups,which were lower in the combined group than those of the single drug group(P<0.05).Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus,IL-2,and T lymphocyte subsets(CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+)were increased in both groups,and those were higher in the combined group than the single drug group(P<0.05).Adverse reactions occurred in two patients of each groups(P>0.05).Conclusion On the basis of using cefaclor and adding bifidobacterium quadruple viable bacteria in the treatment of bacterial enteritis in children can improve the treatment efficiency,improve the intestinal flora and inflammatory response,and have good safety.
9.Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody to Vasorin in Tree Shrew and Exploration of Its Application
Meizhen OU ; Yongfeng LI ; Sha WEN ; Zhouxiang LIAO ; Xuejing HUANG ; Lichao YANG ; Min HE
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(5):611-622
Objective To obtain tree shrew Vasorin(VASN)recombinant protein through prokaryotic expression and purification,prepare monoclonal antibody against tree shrew VASN by immunizing mice with this protein,and preliminarily evaluate its application value.Methods Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to amplify the full-length sequence of tree shrew VASN gene in vitro.The tree shrew VASN gene fragment was inserted into pET-30a vector to construct pET-30a-VASN recombinant plasmid.The recombinant plasmid was subjected to double digestion with BamH Ⅰ and Sal Ⅰfor identification,and its correctness was further verified by sequencing.The recombinant plasmid with correct sequencing was transformed into BL21(DE3)competent cells,and isopropyl β-D-thiogalactoside(IPTG)was used to induce expression of VASN recombinant protein.Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE),and the VASN recombinant protein was purified by KCI.Purified recombinant protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice for four times,and serum antibody titer was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Splenocytes from mice with serum antibody titer above 1:10 000 were used for cell fusion with myeloma cells.Hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine(HAT)culture medium was first used to screen hybridoma cells.ELISA was used to screen positive hybridoma cell lines that could secrete specific antibodies,and monoclonal hybridoma cell lines were obtained by limiting dilution method.VASN monoclonal antibodies were prepared in large quantities by ascites induction method,purified using rProtein G,and the affinity and in vitro reaction specificity of the monoclonal antibodies were detected by ELISA and Western blotting.Results The full-length sequence of the tree shrew VASN gene was successfully amplified and the recombinant plasmid vector of tree shrew pET-30a-VASN was constructed.The sequence obtained by sequencing of the recombinant plasmid vector was identical to the tree shrew VASN target gene sequence.Recombinant protein VASN mainly existed in the form of inclusion bodies,and the purity after purification reached 90%,meeting the requirements of subsequent immunization experiments.After four immunizations with recombinant protein VASN,mouse serum antibody titer reached 1:729 000.Monoclonal positive hybridoma cell lines were obtained through ascites induction and purification,and the constant affinity value of monoclonal antibodies measured by ELISA reached 2.59x107 L/mol.Western blotting results showed that the tree shrew VASN monoclonal antibody could bind to tree shrew VASN recombinant protein,but it showed no binding reaction with porcine retinol-binding protein 4 recombinant protein,human VASN-leucine rich repeat recombinant protein,or bovine serum albumin.Anti-tree shrew VASN monoclonal antibody could specifically recognize VASN protein in tree shrew heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney and muscle,with clear bands and clean background.Immunohistochemical detection results showed that this monoclonal antibody could recognize VASN protein in tree shrew spleen,lung,and tree shrew immortalized fibroblasts with high VASN mRNA expression levels,and the detection results were positive.Conclusion Monoclonal antibody against tree shrew VASN is successfully prepared.This antibody can be used for immunohistochemical detection of tree shrew immortalized fibroblasts,spleen tissue,and lung tissue,providing an important tool for further research on the function of VASN in tree shrew models.
10.Pharmacological Effect of Berberine on Alzheimer's Disease: A Review
Xuejing WANG ; Guangcheng ZHONG ; Shuting LI ; Qian ZHANG ; Bojie LUO ; Qi WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):286-294
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, is characterized by progressive degradation of learning, memory, and cognitive functions. Currently, few drugs are available for treating AD, and their effects are limited. Berberine (BBR) is a natural isoquinoline (quaternary ammonium-like) with a wide range of pharmacological effects. Studies have proven that BBR has good potential in the treatment of AD. Specifically, BBR can inhibit the generation, aggregation, and neurotoxicity of amyloid-β and the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, promote the clearance of phosphorylated Tau protein, reduce the cholinesterase activity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, regulate neuronal apoptosis, improve the mitochondrial function and glucose and lipid metabolism, suppress the monoamine oxidase activity, and modulate gut microbiota. In addition, researchers have ameliorated the low bioavailability of BBR. Probing into the potential targets is hoped to provide a reference for further research on the prevention and treatment of AD by BBR.

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