1.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by up-regulating ATF3 to inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway
Xingyu* WAN ; Yujia LIU ; Ruiyan WANG ; Hao WANG ; Yi ZHAO ; Lu GUO ; Zhihua YANG ; Xinghua LÜ
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(2):275-286
Objective To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Exo) on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods hucMSC-Exos were isolated and characterized. A mouse renal IRI model was established and the animals were divided into Sham, IRI, IRI+hucMSC-Exo, IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Sham+JY-2 groups. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate renal histopathology. Enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay was performed to determine serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 levels. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteineyl aspartate specific proteinase (Caspase)-1 p20 and Gasdermin D(GSDMD). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD. An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model was established in HK-2 cells and divided into Control, H/R, H/R+hucMSC-Exo, H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 and Control+JY-2 groups. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure NLRP3, GSDMD and Caspase-1 mRNA. Results HucMSC-Exos were successfully isolated and identified. Compared with the Sham group, the IRI group exhibited elevated Scr and BUN, higher tubular injury scores, increased protein expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD, and raised mRNA expression levels of ATF3, TLR4, NF-κB. Compared with the IRI group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group showed decreased Scr and BUN, lower tubular injury scores, up-regulated ATF3 protein and mRNA, down-regulated TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD protein, and declined TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA. Compared with the IRI+hucMSC-Exo group, the IRI+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group exhibited increased Scr and BUN levels, elevated renal tubular injury scores, decreased ATF3 protein expression levels, elevated protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD, decreased ATF3 mRNA expression levels, and elevated mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB. (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group, the expression levels of ATF3, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased in the H/R group, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased. Compared with the H/R group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was increased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were decreased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were decreased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group. Compared with the H/R+hucMSC-Exo group, the expression level of ATF3 protein was decreased, the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 proteins were increased, and the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA were increased in the H/R+hucMSC-Exo+JY-2 group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions HucMSC-Exos alleviate renal IRI by up-regulating ATF3, thereby negatively regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and subsequently inhibiting pyroptosis.
2.Relationship between negative parenting styles and borderline personality features of middle school students: the moderating effect of emotional regulation strategies
Run ZHONG ; Congwen YANG ; Junhong LIU ; Maoqian SUN ; Yujia WENG ; Jian WEN ; Guoping HUANG
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):76-82
BackgroundThe middle school stage represents a crucial period for the development of borderline personality features. Negative parenting styles and emotional regulation strategies are associated with the formation of borderline personality features. However, the moderating role of emotional regulation strategies between negative parenting styles and borderline personality features among middle school students remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the moderating influence of emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between negative parenting styles and borderline personality features among middle school students, and to provide references for the intervention of borderline personality features. MethodsIn October 2023, a total of 5 965 middle school students from three middle schools in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were selected by cluster sampling, and assessed by the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (BPFS-C), the Egna Minnen Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU), and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Chinese Revised Version (ERQ-CRV). Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the scores of each scale, and the model 1 of the Process macro program was used to conduct the moderating effect test. ResultsA total of 5 572 middle school students (93.41%) completed this study, and 1 388 of them (24.91%) were identified as having high borderline personality features. The BPFS-C score of middle school students was positively correlated with the score of the negative parenting style dimension of EMBU (r=0.367, P<0.01), negatively correlated with the score of the cognitive reappraisal dimension of ERQ-CRV (r=-0.168, P<0.01), and positively correlated with the score of the expression inhibition dimension of ERQ-CRV (r=0.344, P<0.01). Cognitive reappraisal played a negative moderating effect between negative parenting styles and borderline personality features (β=-0.072, 95% CI: -0.104–-0.041, P<0.01), while expressive suppression played a positive moderating effect (β=0.076, 95% CI: 0.055–0.097, P<0.01). ConclusionCognitive reappraisal strategy may help mitigate the negative influence of negative parenting styles on middle school students' borderline personality features, while expressive suppression may exacerbate the harm of negative parenting styles to the borderline personality features of middle school students.
3.The role of green tea catechins in ameliorating erythrocyte lesion
Xipeng YAN ; Yujia LI ; Chunhui YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(5):589-595
Objective: To evaluate the effects of green tea extract (GTE) and its main catechin monomers on erythrocyte lesion (such as hemolysis, decreased energy metabolism and oxidative stress) during in vitro storage, and to explore its potential as a novel additive for erythrocyte preservation solutions. Methods: The composition of GTE was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using an in vitro simulated storage model, erythrocytes were stored in CPDA-1 preservation solution supplemented with GTE and the three most abundant catechin monomers (EGCG, ECG, EGC) for 60 days. Hemolysis rate and ATP content were dynamically monitored during storage. Flow cytometry was used to analyze phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. Meanwhile, the protective effects of each component were verified in an acute oxidative stress model, and erythrocyte membrane stability was assessed by osmotic fragility test. Results: After 60 days of storage at 4℃, the hemolysis rate at the end of storage in the GTE group was <0.8%, which was superior to that in the control group and the single catechin-supplemented groups. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility assay showed that GTE could enhance the stability of erythrocyte membranes. In the acute oxidative stress experiment, the protective rate of GTE against erythrocyte injury exceeded 99%, which was better than that of the single catechin groups. At the initial stage of storage, ATP content decreased in all catechin-treated groups, but PS exposure was not significantly increased. Conclusion: The addition of GTE can effectively alleviate storage lesions of erythrocytes, with efficacy superior to that of single catechins. GTE enhances the antioxidant capacity and membrane stability of stored erythrocytes. Our results provide new experimental evidence for the development of GTE-based erythrocyte preservation additives.
4.Study on the Detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 Enzymatic Activity Using CEACAM1-Derived Fluorescent Peptide Substrate Site 84
Wen WAN ; Yujia YE ; Xiaona YANG ; Lihong YANG ; Huawei WANG ; Ling DONG ; Lixing CHEN ; Zhaohui MENG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(2):9-16
Objective To explore the the detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 enzymatic activity using the CEACAM1-derived fluorescent peptide substrate Site 84,investigating the application of substrate Site 84 to distinguishing between MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the gelatinase spectrum of MMPs.Methods The fluorescent enzymatic method was employed to observe the detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 enzymatic activity using substrate Site 84;further observations were made on the sensitivity and specificity of substrate Site 84 to enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 within the gelatinase spectrum;the kinetic parameters(Km and Kcat)of the enzymatic reaction between substrate Site 84 and MMP-2 were obtained.Results Using Site 84 as a substrate,enzymic kinetics curves for MMP-12,-7,-2 were obtained,but no enzymatic activity curve for MMP-9 was observed.Furthermore,Site 84 specifically detected the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 within the gelatinase spectrum,capable of detecting low concentration(0.6 μM)of MMP-2 enzymatic activity,but no obvious enzymatic reaction was observed for high concentration(6 μM)of MMP-9;the kinetics parameters for the enzymatic reaction between Site 84 and MMP-2 were Km=315 μM,Kcat/Km=2 565/MS.Conclusion The CEACAM1-derived substrate Site 84 serves as a novel fluorescent peptide substrate,enabling the acquisition of enzymatic activity curves for MMP-12,-7 and-2,and specifically detecting the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 within the MMP gelatinase spectrum.
5.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):189-207
Ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)is a naturally occurring,low-toxicity,and hydrophilic bile acid(BA)in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA.Solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate,and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers.Retroperitoneal liposarcoma(RLPS)refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area.Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly down-regulated metabolites in sera of RIPS patients compared with healthy subjects.The augmentation of UDCA concentration(≥25 μg/mL)demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells.[15N2]-cystine and[13Cs]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione(GSH)synthesis.Mechanistically,UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis,leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage.Furthermore,UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers(Erastin,RSL3),the murine double minute 2(MDM2)inhibitors(Nutlin 3a,RG7112),cyclin dependent kinase 4(CDK4)inhibitor(Abemaciclib),and glutaminase inhibitor(CB839).Together,UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity,and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA.More importantly,in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments,UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
6.The impact of adolescent mental health status on smartphone addiction and the construction of a predictive model
Zhiyuan LI ; Junlin WU ; Shuhan HE ; Menghan HAO ; Yujia WENG ; Congwen YANG ; Qianmei LONG ; Guoping HUANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(3):252-258
Objective:To explore the impact of adolescent mental health status on smartphone addiction, and construct a predictive model for smartphone addiction based on the eXtreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost) algorithm and multivariate Logistic regression.Methods:In April 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 14 666 adolescents.All participants were systematically evaluated using a self-developed general information questionnaire, the middle school student mental health scale(MSSMHS), the adolescents self-harm scale(ASHS), the interaction anxiousness scale(IAS), the mobile phone addiction index(MPAI), the middle school students shame scale(MSSS), the UCLA loneliness scale(UCLA-LS), the multidimensional peer victimization scale(MPVS), and the basic psychological needs scale(BPNS).R software version 4.3.2 was used for data analysis. Participants were randomly divided into training set and validation set at the ratio of 7∶3.The XGBoost model and multivariate logistic regression model were constructed to predict the risk of smartphone addiction, and a nomogram was plotted.Model performance was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, area under the curve(AUC), and accuracy(ACC).Results:(1) A total of 14 036 high school students were included in the study, with 5 069(36.1%) exhibited smartphone addiction.The training set comprised 9 826 students, with 3 549(36.1%) being smartphone addicts.The validation set included 4 210 students, with 1 520(36.1%) being smartphone addicts.(2) The XGBoost model identified shame-proneness and social anxiety as the two main predictors of smartphone addiction.(3) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that anxiety( B=0.328, OR(95% CI)=1.39(1.07-1.81), P=0.015), interpersonal sensitivity( B=0.311, OR(95% CI)=1.36(1.05-1.77), P=0.018), learning pressure( B=0.606, OR(95% CI)=1.83(1.46-2.31), P<0.001), mood swings( B=0.775, OR(95% CI)=2.17(1.70-2.78), P<0.001), social anxiety( B=0.024, OR(95% CI)=1.02(1.01-1.04), P<0.001), shame-proneness( B=0.049, OR(95% CI)=1.05(1.04-1.06), P<0.001), and peer victimization( B=0.037, OR(95% CI)=1.04(1.02-1.06), P<0.001) were significant predictors of smartphone addiction.(4) The ACC and AUC values of the XGBoost model were 0.890 and 0.929 in the training set, and 0.865 and 0.864 in the validation set, respectively.The multivariate Logistic regression model achieved ACC and AUC values of 0.870 and 0.854 in the training set, and 0.867 and 0.859 in the validation set, respectively. Conclusion:Anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, learning pressure, mood swings, social anxiety, shame-proneness, and peer victimization are identified risk predictors of smartphone addiction in high school adolescents.
7.Scutellarin attenuates neuronal apoptosis in ischemic stroke rats via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Zhaoda DUAN ; Yingqi PENG ; Dongyao XU ; Yuke WU ; Yujia YANG ; Li YANG ; Chunyun WU
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(6):1098-1108
AIM:To determine if scutellarin(Scu)provides neuroprotection by reducing neuronal apoptosis in rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)via the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.METHODS:Proteins linked to Scu and ischaemic stroke-induced neuronal apoptosis were identified using the Swiss Tar-get Prediction,PharmMapper,OMIM,and GeneCards databases.Intersecting targets were identified through Venn analy-sis.Protein-protein interaction networks were visualised utilising Cytoscape software,and principal targets were identi-fied.Enrichment analyses of GO functions and KEGG pathways were conducted utilising the Metascape database.Molecu-lar docking of Scu with core targets was performed utilising AutoDock Vina.The neuroprotective effects of Scu were as-sessed in MCAO rats using Zea Longa scoring and the suspension test.JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation levels and apoptosis-related proteins[cleaved caspase-3(C-caspase-3),caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2]were assessed using Western blot and im-munofluorescence staining.The JAK2-specific inhibitor AG490 was employed to further investigate the role of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.RESULTS:Network pharmacology analysis revealed 832 shared targets,with pathways en-riched in tumor-associated pathways,the JAK/STAT signalling pathway,and the HIF-1 signalling pathway.Molecular docking revealed robust binding affinities of Scu with the ten principal targets.Behavioural assessments utilising Zea Lon-ga scoring and the suspension test demonstrated that Scu markedly enhanced neurological recovery in MCAO rats.Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated that phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with the ex-pression of C-caspase-3,Bax,and Bcl-2,were markedly elevated in the MCAO group relative to the sham group(P<0.05).Post Scu treatment,phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,along with C-caspase-3 and Bax expression,were markedly diminished,whereas Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were substantially increased(P<0.05).In the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group(MCAO+Scu+AG490),the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3,as well as the expression of C-caspase-3 and Bax,exhibited no significant difference when compared to the Scu-alone group(P>0.05).Bcl-2 expression and fluorescence intensity were markedly reduced in the combined AG490 and Scu treatment group relative to the Scu-alone group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Scu seems to provide neuroprotection in ischaemic stroke by reducing neuronal apoptosis through the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.
8.Smad3 signaling pathway promotes silica-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Shiyu YANG ; Yingdie ZHANG ; Yujia XIE ; Haoyu YIN ; Pei GU ; Dongming WANG ; Weihong CHEN ; Jixuan MA
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(4):241-246
Objective:To investigate the role of the Smad3 signaling pathway in the process of silica-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) .Methods:In September 2022, lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to different concentrations of silica suspension (0, 50, 100, and 150 μg/ml) for 6 and 12 hours. Additionally, SIS3, a specific inhibitor of phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) , was utilized to establish the p-Smad3 inhibition model. The cells were divided into four groups: blank control gruop, silica group, SIS3 intervention group, and SIS3 +silica group. Cell morphology was observed using an inverted fluorescence microscope, while cell viability was assessed using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) . The mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin (E-Cad) , N-cadherin (N-Cad) , Vimentin, Smad3, and p-Smad3 were analyzed by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Differences between two groups were compared using Student's t-test, and multiple group comparisons were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance with the Student-Newman-Keuls test.Results:Compared with the blank control group, the morphology of BEAS-2B cells shifted from epithelial to mesenchymal cell-like following silica exposure, and the cell viability of BEAS-2B cells declined after exposure to 150 μg/ml silica for 6 and 12 hours. Furthermore, silica exposure led to significant reductions in mRNA and protein expression levels of the epithelial cellular marker (E-Cad) in BEAS-2B cells, accompanied by increased expressions of interstitial cellular markers (N-Cad and Vimentin) . Importantly, the level of p-Smad3/Smad3 expression levels was also elevated in silica-treated cells ( P<0.05) . Compared to the blank control group, the level of p-Smad3/Smad3 expression levels was significantty reduced. Moreover, compared to the silica group, the protein expression levels of N-Cad and Vimentin in the cell of the SIS3+silica group were significantly reduced, while the E-Cad expression was increased ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Silica exposure can prmote the epithelial mesenchymaol transformotion process by activating smod3 signa ling pathuay, and in hibiting smad3 signa ling pathuay can effctively alleviate the occurrence of epithelial mesenchymal transformation process.
9.Study on the relationship between UGT1A1 polymorphism and UGT1A1 inhibitory drugs-induced liver injury
Yujia LU ; Keying OU ; Yueyang MA ; Chuansu YUAN ; Bin LIU ; Yongfeng YANG ; Qingfang XIONG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(4):588-593
Objective To investigate the association between UGT1A1 inhibitors-induced liver injury(DILI)and UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms through a pharmacogenomics approach.Methods Information on relevant drugs that may induce liver injury,blood routine tests,and liver function tests was collected from hospitalized patients diagnosed with DILI between June 2022 and June 2024.Relevant databases were searched to categorize DILI-associated drugs into UGT1A1 enzyme inhibitors and those without interaction with UGT1A1.Sanger sequenc-ing or MassARRAY SNP typing technology was utilized to detect and genotype the UGT1A1 gene.Results A total of 219 patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)were enrolled,including 98 males,with a mean age of 46.32±14.95 years.A literature search of relevant databases revealed that 20 drugs(16.26%,20/123)associated with DILI had inhibitory effects on the UGT1A1 enzyme.The proportion of DILI cases related to UGT1A1 inhibitors was 60.73%(133/219).Compared to non-UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI group,the UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI group exhibited significantly higher levels of ALT,AST,ALP,and GGT(P<0.05),while no significant differences were observed in age,gender,TBIL,IBIL,WBC,Hb,PLT,injury type,or injury grade(P>0.05).The prevalence of UGT1A1 polymorphisms was significantly higher in the UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI group(68.42%)com-pared to the non-UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI group(51.16%),with an odds ratio(OR)of 2.068(95%CI:1.183 to 3.617;χ2=6.58,P=0.010).There was also a significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between the UGT1A1 inhibitor-related and non-UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI groups(χ2=9.60,P=0.022).Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that ALT and UGT1A1*6 were associated with UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI,while multivariate analysis confirmed that UGT1A1*6 was independently associated with UGT1A1 inhibitor-related DILI[OR(95%CI)=3.143(1.398 to 7.067),P=0.006].Conclusion The UGT1A1*6 allele increases the susceptibility to drug-induced liver injury(DILI)associated with UGT1A1 inhibitory drugs.
10.An organoid segmentation method incorporating wavelet scattering and capsule network
Hongrui YANG ; Gang LI ; Zexin CHEN ; Yujia ZHAI ; Yingying XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(4):435-442
Objective To develop and validate an automated organoid image segmentation approach based on deep learning for addressing the issues of high misidentification rate,blurred boundary and poor generalization in current organoid segmentation,thereby facilitating researchers to monitor and analyze organoid growth more efficiently.Methods The wavelet scattering coefficient matrix and capsule convolution module were integrated into the U-Net architecture to construct the organoid image segmentation model OrgCapsU-Net which was trained and evaluated on 3 organoid image datasets from different tissue sources.Results Compared with current mainstream segmentation algorithms,OrgCapsU-Net could better distinguish organoid and impurity,and lead to smoother segmentation boundaries,achieving superior performance across 4 evaluation metrics on 3 datasets.Conclusion OrgCapsU-Net delivers excellent segmentation performance and can be applied to organoids from various tissue sources,showing strong potential for applications in the in vitro model establishment,high-throughput drug screening,and personalized medicine.

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