1.Etiology spectrum, clinical features, and gene mutations of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis: An analysis of 62 cases
Jialuo WANG ; Yufeng ZHENG ; Qingfang XIONG ; Yongfeng YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):307-313
ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology and clinical features of intrahepatic cholestasis and the diagnostic value of whole exome sequencing (WES) through a retrospective analysis of the medical history, pathological results, and gene sequencing data of 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 480 patients who underwent WES due to unexplained liver function abnormalities in Nanjing Second Hospital from January 2017 to December 2023, among whom 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were selected based on laboratory data, and a confirmed diagnosis was made based on imaging data, pathological findings, and gene sequencing data. The patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were analyzed in terms of demographic features, clinical manifestation, etiology spectrum, and genetic profile. ResultsA total of 62 patients with unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis were included, among whom there were 35 male patients and 27 female patients, with a median age of 42 (7 — 77) years. WES was used to make a definite diagnosis in 21 patients (33.87%), among whom the patients with familial intrahepatic cholestasis accounted for the highest proportion of 52.38% (11/21); genetic metabolic disorders were excluded by WES in 34 patients, with drug-induced liver injury and sepsis-associated liver injury accounting for the highest proportion of 55.88% (19/34), followed by primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis accounting for 20.59% (7/34) and intrahepatic bile duct stones accounting for 17.65% (6/34), while the patients with a lack of confirmed diagnosis accounted for 11.29% (7/62). A total of 21 novel mutation sites which were not reported in previous articles were identified in this study. ConclusionGenetic metabolic disorders constitute a significant proportion of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis, and WES plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of unexplained intrahepatic cholestasis.
2.Survey on the awareness and clinical application of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians
Yuanyuan KONG ; Yujie GUO ; Yujuan GUAN ; Xuan LIANG ; Zhongjie HU ; Xiaobo LU ; Mingqin LU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Meifang HAN ; Hong YOU ; Zhiyun YANG ; Jidong JIA
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1068-1074
ObjectiveTo investigate the awareness and clinical practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. MethodsFrom July 19 to December 31, 2024, a self-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed via the WeChat mini program to collect related data from 1 588 clinicians nationwide, including their awareness and practice based on 18 questions regarding testing and referral, diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up. ResultsAmong all respondents, only 350 clinicians correctly understood all the updated key points of antiviral indications and treatment for special populations in the 2022 edition of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B, with an overall awareness rate of 22.0%. Only 20% — 40% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and an age of >30 years receive antiviral therapy, while 80% — 100% of the patients with positive HBV DNA and a family history of hepatitis B cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma receive antiviral therapy. The median follow-up rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 67.5% 57.5% and 47.5%,respectively, showing a trend of gradual reduction, which might be associated with the influencing factors such as insufficient time for follow-up management by clinicians, insufficient awareness of the disease among patients, and poor adherence to follow-up. ConclusionThere is a gap between the awareness and practice of guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (2022 edition) among clinicians. It is recommended to further strengthen training and focus on the whole process of “detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management” for patients with chronic hepatitis B in healthcare institutions, in order to promote the implementation of the guidelines.
3.Changes of coagulation function before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer and their clinical significance
Wan SHI ; Yaxing YANG ; Chu CHEN ; Miao WANG ; Yongfeng WANG ; Xin WEI ; Fang LEI
China Pharmacist 2024;27(5):802-809
Objective To investigate the changes of coagulation,fibrinolysis and platelet indexes in ovarian cancer patients before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy,and to analyze the risk relationship between relevant indexes before treatment and the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT).Methods Patients with ovarian cancer admitted to Xi'an Fengcheng Hospital,from March 2020 to March 2023 were included as the ovarian cancer group,and female patients who underwent physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group according to a 2∶1 ratio.Prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB),platelet distribution width(PDW),platelet hematocrit(PCT),platelet(PLT)and mean platelet volume(MPV)were compared between the two groups.The changes of these indexes were compared before and after NACT,at different clinical stages and before and after NACT with different efficacy effects.Moreover,they were divided into effective and ineffective groups according to their treatment efficacy.Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between the parameters and NACT efficacy;receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to predict the value of NACT efficacy.Results A total of 144 patients were included,with 96 cases in the ovarian cancer group and 48 in the control group.The FIB,PLT and MPV of patients in the ovarian cancer group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT of ovarian cancer patients after NACT were lower than those before NACT(P<0.05).FIB and PLT of stage Ⅱ patients were lower than those of stage Ⅲ before and after NACT,and the PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT of the effective group were lower than those of the ineffective group before and after NACT,and the PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT of the two groups after NACT were lower than those before NACT(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that high PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT before NACT were independent risk factors for NACT ineffectiveness(P<0.05).The area under the curve of PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT before NACT to predict the effect of NACT were 0.713(sensitivity of 80.95%,specificity of 69.33%),0.756(sensitivity of 71.43%,specificity of 82.67%)and 0.787(sensitivity of 76.19%,specificity of 70.67%),0.727(sensitivity of 71.43%,specificity of 84.00%),0.794(sensitivity of 80.95%,specificity of 76.00%),respectively.Conclusion Changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic function and platelet parameters in ovarian cancer patients after NACT are associated with clinical stages and NACT effect.High levels of PT,TT,APTT,FIB and PLT before NACT are important reasons affecting NACT effect.Constructing the risk prediction model of NACT efficacy in ovarian cancer patients based on the above five parameters can provide a reference for clinical practice.
4.Research progress on mechanism of necrotizing apoptosis in pancreatic disease
Runze YANG ; Jing QIN ; Chenbo GUO ; Yaohua HU ; Zhandong WANG ; Yanying ZHANG ; Bing SONG ; Min BAI ; Changhong SHI ; Yongfeng WANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(7):933-941
Necroptosis is a regulated process of programmed cell death independent of aspartic acid-specific cysteine protease,which can induce inflammation.Studies have shown that necroptosis is closely related to the progression and prognosis of pancreatic disease and plays an important two-way regulatory role in its progression.Related necroptosis inhibitors and inducers are expected to be used in the treatment of pancreatic disease.We herein review the mechanism of necroptosis and its role in the progression of pancreatic disease to provide a new understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of pancreatic diseases and offer a theoretical basis for the research and development of targeted drugs.
5.Generation and immunogenicity evaluation of a recombinant classical swine fever virus C-strain expressing p54 protein of African swine fever virus
Shuwen LI ; Xiaoke YANG ; Xiangyu GUAN ; Guangzhu ZHANG ; Shujian HUANG ; Yongfeng LI ; Huaji QIU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(10):2094-2100,2122
African swine fever(ASF)is a virulent,hemorrhagic disease of swine caused by African swine fever virus(ASFV),which seriously affects the healthy development of Chinese pig indus-try.The genome of ASFV is large and encodes more than 165 proteins.Among them,the p54 pro-tein is encoded by the E183L gene,which has various functions such as participating in viral as-sembly,inducing apoptosis and inducing immune response.The conventional Chinese vaccine(C-strain)is a safe and effective attenuated vaccine developed by Chinese scientists.It can efficiently protect against attacks from various genotypes of classical swine fever virus(CSFV).The aim of this study was to investigate whether C-strain can express ASFV p54 protein serve as a delivery vector for ASF genetically engineered vaccines.An infectious clone of pHCLV-p54 was constructed by homologous recombination,the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 was rescued by transfecting it into SK6 cells by blind passaging.Its genetic stability and growth curve were determined in vitro,while rabbits were immunized to evaluate its immunity effect.The results showed that the E183L gene remained genetically stable in the recombinant virus,indicating that the E183L gene could be stably inherited in recombinant viruses,but the inserted exogenous gene affected the replication of the C-strain.The results of the rabbit immunization test showed that the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 was able to induce ASFV-specific antibodies.The above results indicated that we have successfully constructed a recombinant C-strain that stably expresses the ASFV p54 protein.In summary,the recombinant virus rHCLV-p54 has a good immunogenicity and is warranted for fur-ther evaluation as a vaccine candidate.
6.Correlation between functional striatal abnormalities scores and symptoms and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia
Zheng LI ; Qing LIU ; Xiaoge GUO ; Xiujuan WANG ; Xi SU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Wenqiang LI ; Luxian LYU
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(7):640-644
Objective To explore the correlation between functional striatal abnormalities(FSA)scores and symptoms and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.Methods A total of 92 patients with schizophrenia admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from July 2021 to February 2022 were selected as the research subjects,15 patients were excluded due to excessive interference with head movement during image data analysis,and 77 patients were finally included in the statistical analysis.The cognitive function of the patients before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment was evaluated through a set of cognitive function tests.The severity of symptoms before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment was evaluated according to the positive and negative symptom scale(PANSS).The patients were divided into the ineffective group(PANSS<50%,n=33)and the effective group(PANSS ≥ 50%,n=44)according to the PANSS reduction rate.Before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment,the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed,and FSA scores were calculated.Results There was no significant difference in FSA scores of patients between the effective group and the ineffective group before treatment(P>0.05).After 8 weeks of treatment,the FSA scores of patients in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05).After 8 weeks of treatment,there was no significant difference in FSA scores of patients between the effective group and the ineffective group(P>0.05).Before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment,there was no significant correlation between the FSA scores and the total PANSS scores,positive factor scores,negative factor scores and pathological factor scores in the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant corre-lation between the pre-treatment FSA scores and the differences in positive factor scores,negative factor scores and pathological factor scores before and after treatment in both groups(P>0.05).In the effective group,the FSA score was significantly nega-tively correlated with the spatial span score(P<0.05)and significantly positively correlated with the category fluency score(P<0.05)before treatment;however,there was no significant correlation between the pre-treatment FSA score and the scores of trail making,symbol coding,word learning,maze solving,visuospatial memory,2-digit continuous performance,3-digit continuous performance and 4-digit continuous performance(P>0.05).In the ineffective group,there was a significant negative correlation between the pre-treatment FSA score and the spatial span and 4-digit continuous performance scores(P<0.05),while there was no significant correlation between the pre-treatment FSA score and the scores of trail making,symbol coding,word learning,maze solving,visuospatial memory,category fluency,2-digit continuous performance and 3-digit continuous performance(P>0.05).There was no significant correlation between the FSA score and cognitive function scores after treat-ment in the effective group(P>0.05).There was a significant positive correlation between the FSA score and the trail making score after treatment in the ineffective group(P<0.05),but there was no significant correlation between the FSA score and the scores of symbol coding,word learning,spatial span,maze solving,visuospatial memory,category fluency,2-digit continuous performance,3-digit continuous performance and 4-digit continuous performance(P>0.05).Conclusion FSA scores in patients with schizophrenia increase significantly after treatment.FSA scores may not be related to the severity of symptoms or treatment response,but are correlated with the cognitive function of information processing speed.
7.Correlation between the mutation spectrum of the UGT1A1 gene and clinical phenotype in patients with inherited hyperunconjugated bilirubinemia
Qingfang XIONG ; Yujia LU ; Lei ZOU ; Hui ZHOU ; Hao REN ; Xiaoning FENG ; Yongfeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(4):340-345
Objective:To analyze the distribution characteristics of UGT1A1 mutant genes (including enhancers, promoters, and exons 1-5) and further explore the correlation between UGT1A1 genotype and clinical phenotypes in patients with inherited hyperunconjugated bilirubinemia.Methods:Patients diagnosed with hereditary hyperunconjugated bilirubinemia at Nanjing Second Hospital from June 2015 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The UGT1A1 gene was examined using Sanger sequencing in all patients. Complete blood count, liver function, and abdominal imaging examinations were performed. Comparison of categorical variable data using χ2 testor Fisher percision tests. Comparison of continaous veriable data with normal distribution using t-test. Results:112 cases (male:female ratio 81:31, aged 9-70 years) had inherited hyperunconjugated bilirubinemia, with a total of 14 mutation sites identified, of which seven were confirmed mutations, and the frequency ranged from high to low: (TA)n accounted for 50%, c.211G>A (p.G71R) accounted for 49.10%, 1456T>G (p.Y486D) accounted for 16.96%, c.686C>A (p.R229W) accounted for 12.5%, 1091C>T (p.P364L) accounted for 8.04%, and c- 3279T>G accounted for 0.982%. Simultaneously, all patients had one to four mutations, of which only one mutation was the most common (55.36%), followed by two mutations (37.5%), and rare three and four mutations (5.36% and 1.78%). There was no statistical significance in total bilirubin (TBil) levels among the four groups ( F=0.652, P=0.583). One mutation was most common in (TA)n and c.211G>A (p.G71R), among which TA6/TA7 ( n=10) and TA7/TA7 ( n=14) mutations were statistically significant in TBil ( t=2.143, P=0.043). The c.211G>A (p.G71R) heterozygous ( n=9) and isolated ( n=15) mutation had no statistical significance in TBil ( t=0.382, P=0.706). The GS group accounted for 75%, the intermediate group accounted for 16.9%, and the CNS-Ⅱ group accounted for 8%. TBil was statistically significant among the three groups ( F=270.992, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference ( χ2=3.317, P=0.19) between mutation 1 (44 cases, 14 cases, and 4 cases, respectively) and mutations ≥ 2 (40 cases, 5 cases, and 5 cases, respectively) in the GS group, intermediate group, and CNS-II group. Conclusion:The number of UGT1A1 gene mutation sites may have no synergistic effect on TBil levels in patients with inherited hyperunconjugated bilirubinemia. TA7/TA7 mutations are not uncommon, and TBil levels are relatively high.
8.Analysis of risk factors for bleeding as a complication of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy examination
Miaoyang CHEN ; Yifan HU ; Qingfang XIONG ; Yandan ZHONG ; Duxian LIU ; Yongfeng YANG
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(10):923-928
Objective:To explore the independent risk factors for bleeding in patients following percutaneous liver biopsy examination.Methods:The clinicopathological data of patients who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy examination at Nanjing Second Hospital from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the effect of age, gender, lesion type (diffuse liver parenchymal lesions, focal liver lesions), number of biopsies, tissue length, presence or absence of cirrhosis, presence or absence of portosystemic shunt, erythrocytes, white blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, international normalized ratio, and liver biochemical indicators on bleeding following liver biopsy, as well as to screen independent risk factors.Results:A total of 3 331 patients were examined by percutaneous liver biopsy, and 3 060 cases were actually included by excluding 271 cases who took consultation from other hospitals. The overall postoperative hemorrhagic rate was 1.6% (49/3 060). Of which, forty-four cases (1.4%) had overt bleeding (hemodynamic changes or hemoglobin decreased by more than 20 g/L), five cases (0.2%) had minor bleeding, three cases had subcapsular hepatic hemaotma, and two cases had local bleeding from liver biopsy. Among the overt bleeding cases, two cases were in the off-label group (platelet<50×10 9/L or international normalized ratio>1.5), and the rest were in the non-off-label group. The results of univariate analysis showed that factors such as focal liver lesions, portosystemic shunt, prolonged prothrombin time, increased international normalized ratio, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase were associated with bleeding after liver biopsy in the non-off-label group. The multivariate collinearity diagnosis revealed statistically significant differences for the indicators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis finally included factors such as lesion type, portosystemic shunt, international normalized ratio, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The results showed that patients with focal liver lesions were more prone to bleed after surgery than patients with diffuse liver parenchymal lesions ( OR=3.396, P=0.002, 95% CI: 1.596-7.228). Patients with portosystemic shunt were more prone to bleed than those without portosystemic shunt ( OR=3.301, P=0.018, 95% CI: 1.232-8.845). Patients were more likely to experience bleeding following liver biopsy when their total bilirubin levels were elevated ( OR=1.006, P<0.001, 95% CI:1.003-1.008). Conclusion:Focal liver lesions, portosystemic shunts, and elevated total bilirubin are independent risk factors for bleeding after percutaneous liver biopsy.
9.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine:Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Juan JIAO ; Jinyang TANG ; Xiujuan HOU ; Mengtao LI ; Dongfeng LIANG ; Yuhua WANG ; Weixia JING ; Guangtao LI ; Qin ZHANG ; Yongfeng ZHANG ; Guangyu LI ; Qian WANG ; Yang YANG ; Jin HUO ; Mei MO ; Jihua GUO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):216-222
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a refractory, chronic non-articular rheumatic disease characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, for which there are no satisfactory therapeutic drugs or options. There are rich Chinese medical therapies, and some non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, Tai Chi, and Ba-Duan-Jin, have shown satisfactory efficacy and safety and definite advantages of simultaneously adjusting mind and body. FMS is taken as a disease responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018. In order to clarify the research progress in FMS and the clinical advantages of TCM/integrated Chinese and Western medicine, the China Academy of Chinese Medicine organized a seminar for nearly 20 experts in Chinese and Western medicine, including rheumatology, psychology, acupuncture and moxibustion, and encephalopathy, with the topic of difficulties in clinical diagnosis and treatment of FMS and advantages of TCM and Western medicine. The recommendations were reached on the difficulties in early diagnosis and solutions of FMS, mitigation of common non-specific symptoms, preferential analgesic therapy, TCM pathogenesis and treatment advantages, and direction of treatment with integrated Chinese and Western medicine. FMS is currently facing the triple dilemma of low early correct diagnosis, poor patient participation, and unsatisfactory benefit from pure Western medicine treatment. To solve the above problems, this paper suggests that rheumatologists should serve as the main diagnostic force of this disease, and they should improve patient participation in treatment decision-making, implement exercise therapy, and fully utilize the holistic and multidimensional features of TCM, which is effective in alleviating pain, improving mood, and decreasing adverse events. In addition, it is suggested that FMS treatment should rely on both TCM and Western medicine and adopt multidisciplinary joint treatment, which is expected to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment of FMS in China.
10.Mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma Improving Liver Insulin Resistance in db/db Mice by Regulating AMPK/ULK1/Beclin1 Pathway
Hongzhang ZHAO ; Min BAI ; Zhandong WANG ; Bing SONG ; Chao GUO ; Xinhong LIU ; Qiong WANG ; Runze YANG ; Yongfeng WANG ; Yanying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):9-16
ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma on reducing insulin resistance in db/db mice by regulating the adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1)/key molecule of autophagy, benzyl chloride 1 (Beclin1) pathway and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MethodSixty 6-week-old male db/db mice were studied. They were randomly divided into the model group, metformin group (0.26 g·kg-1), and low-, middle-, and high-dose groups (2.25, 4.5, 9 g·kg-1) of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma. A blank group of db/m mice of the same age was set, with 12 mice in each group. After eight weeks of continuous intragastric administration, the blank group and model group received distilled water intragastrically once a day. The survival status of the mice was observed, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured using a Roche blood glucose device. Fasting serum insulin (FINS) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the liver of the mice. The protein expression levels of AMPK, Beclin1, autophagy associated protein 5 (Atg5), and p62 in liver tissue were determined by using Western blot. The protein expression levels of autophagy associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) and ULK1 in liver tissue were determined using immunofluorescence. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR) was used to measure mRNA expression levels of AMPK, Beclin1, Atg5, ULK1, and p62. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significant increase in body mass (P<0.01). Additionally, the levels of FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR significantly changed (P<0.01). The structure of liver cells was disordered. The protein expression levels of AMPK, Beclin1, and Atg5 in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the expression level of p62 protein was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were consistent. Compared with the model group, the body mass of the metformin group and high and medium-dose groups of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma was significantly decreased (P<0.05). FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). After treatment, the liver structure damage in each group was alleviated to varying degrees. The protein expressions of AMPK, Beclin1, Atg5, LC3B, and ULK1 were increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), while the protein expression of p62 was decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were generally consistent. ConclusionThe combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma can effectively improve liver insulin resistance, regulate the AMPK autophagy signaling pathway, alleviate insulin resistance in db/db mice, and effectively prevent the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail