1.Effect and Mechanism of Exogenous NO in Secondary Metabolism in Scutellaria baicalensis
Kai ZHAO ; Wei MA ; Weili LIU ; Zhihong LOU ; Xiangcai MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):250-261
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the accumulation and quality formation mechanism of flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix. MethodsFresh roots of Scutellaria baicalensis were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) solutions at concentrations of 0.0, 7.5, and 20 mmol·L-1, respectively. Kits and supporting reaction systems were used to determine the following indicators of samples in each group, including (1) reactive oxygen species: changes in the content of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O
2.Sanjie Quban Prescription Affects Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion of Human Keloid Fibroblasts via AhR/CYP1A1 Signaling Pathway
Zhihong HE ; Fengchuan ZHANG ; Dingquan YANG ; Chuhan HUANG ; Zhihan WANG ; Yatong WU ; Qingwu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):164-174
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Sanjie Quban prescription (SJQB)-containing serum on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of human keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and to elucidate its underlying mechanism, with a focus on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily A member 1 (CYP1A1) signaling pathway. MethodsPrimary human KFs were cultured in vitro and assigned to the following groups: control (KFs+blank serum), asiaticoside (KFs+asiaticoside-containing serum), SJQB (KFs+SJQB-containing serum), AhR agonist (KFs+β-naphthoflavone), AhR inhibitor (KFs+CH223191), and AhR inhibitor+SJQB (KFs+CH223191+SJQB-containing serum). The optimal intervention concentrations were determined through the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated by the EdU assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was visualized by immunofluorescence. The mRNA and protein levels of AhR, CYP1A1, TGF-β1, and α-SMA were measured by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the control group, the SJQB, asiaticoside, and AhR agonist groups demonstrated inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, along with an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01). The AhR inhibitor group showed enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion together with a reduced apoptosis rate in comparison with the AhR agonist group (P<0.01). The AhR inhibitor+SJQB group exhibited increased proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as decreased apoptosis compared with the SJQB group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the molecular level, compared with the control group, the SJQB, asiaticoside, and AhR agonist groups presented upregulated protein and mRNA levels of AhR and CYP1A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the SJQB and AhR agonist groups showed downregulated TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression at both protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the asiaticoside group displayed decreased protein level of TGF-β1 and mRNA level of α-SMA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with both the AhR agonist and control groups, the AhR inhibitor group exhibited decreased AhR and CYP1A1 expression but increased TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression at protein and mRNA levels (P<0.01). In comparison with the SJQB group, the AhR inhibitor+SJQB group demonstrated reduced AhR and CYP1A1 expression (P<0.01) and elevated TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) at both protein and mRNA levels. ConclusionSJQB may activate the AhR/CYP1A1 signaling pathway to downregulate TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression, thereby suppressing the proliferation, migration, and invasion and inducing the apoptosis of KFs.
3.A quantitative analysis of development policies for China's assistive technology industry: insights based on the "objective-instrument-intensity" framework
Jiamin GAO ; Zhenjing FU ; Muxiong WANG ; Xiaqing JIANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Hongtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):1087-1099
ObjectiveTo quantitatively analyze and evaluate the content of China's assistive technology industry policies. MethodsBased on the three-dimensional framework of policy "objectives-instruments-intensity", this study examined 101 national-level assistive technology industry policies issued between 2011 and 2024. Policy text analysis was conducted to assess the matching and coordination among policy objectives, policy instruments and policy intensity. Furthermore, the policy modeling consistency (PMC) index model was applied to establish an evaluation system consisting of nine primary indicators and 35 secondary indicators, and six key policies were quantitatively evaluated. ResultsThe policy objectives mainly focused on optimizing the industrial development structure, also emphasized supportive environments for industrial development and the enhancement of innovation capacity. Policy instruments were dominated by supply-oriented and environment-oriented instruments, supplemented by demand-oriented instruments, aiming to strengthen technological foundations and competitiveness, promote standardized development, and facilitate industrial development and upgrading. Regarding the matching between policy objectives and instruments, multiple instruments were adopted to support different objectives, with different priorities. In terms of the matching between policy objectives and policy intensity, policies mainly emphasized improving the accessibility of assistive technology products and meeting the rehabilitation needs of different populations. Regarding the matching between policy instruments and policy intensity, supply-oriented instruments were more frequently adopted and showed higher policy intensity, indicating strong governmental efforts to optimize production factor allocation and enhance the capacity of market entities. The average PMC index score was 6.45, indicating relatively high policy quality, strong internal consistency, stable policy orientation, and clear objectives. The PMC scores for policy evaluation and policy instrument dimensions were relatively high, while some policies showed relatively narrow objectives. ConclusionChina's assistive technology industry policies demonstrate relatively high quality. Future policy development should further strengthen industrial innovation capacity, optimize the structure of policy instruments, and improve the alignment between policy objectives and instruments.
4.Efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKIs monotherapy versus combination therapy as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a network meta-analysis
Guanxu CHEN ; Yutong SONG ; Xiuqiang GUO ; Mi ZHANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Hongtao SONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(10):515-524
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKIs monotherapy and its combination therapy in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR mutations. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched to collect eligible phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with the time range from the establishment of the databases to June 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the studies. Outcome data, including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), grade 3 or higher adverse events (≥3 AEs), and serious adverse events (SAEs), were collected. A network meta-analysis was performed using R software (version 4.2.1) under the Bayesian theoretical framework. Subgroup analyses of survival outcomes (OS, PFS) were conducted based on different clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of the patients. Results A total of twenty-eight phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ RCTs were included in the study, involving a total of 7 460 patients and 18 first-line treatment regimens. The results showed that in terms of efficacy, gefitinib + pemetrexed-containing chemotherapy performed best in OS and ORR, while osimertinib + bevacizumab performed best in PFS. In terms of safety, furmonertinib had the lowest incidence of ≥3 grade AEs, and osimertinib had the lowest incidence of SAEs. Subgroup analysis results indicated that the efficacy and safety of various treatment regimens differed among patients with different clinical and pathological characteristics. Conclusion Monotherapy with third-generation EGFR-TKIs, represented by osimertinib, serves as the preferred therapeutic option considering both efficacy and safety profiles. While some combination therapies could enhance survival benefits, need to be vigilant about increased toxicity. Clinical decision-making should be tailored based on patients’ mutation subtypes, comorbidities, and tolerance.
5.New drugs for the functional cure of hepatitis B: Focusing on antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs
Xieer LIANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Jinlin HOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):7-14
Existing nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon exhibit limited efficacy in the functional cure of hepatitis B. Recently, small nucleic acid drugs, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, have brought unprecedented breakthroughs in the functional cure of hepatitis B with their brand-new mechanisms of action and remarkable efficacy in early clinical studies. Small nucleic acid drugs, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, can reduce the level of HBsAg and strive to achieve HBsAg seroclearance. The reduction in HBsAg may restore the hepatitis B-specific immune function of the body to some extent and may further transform the simple clearance of HBsAg into hard endpoints with clinical value, such as reducing hepatitis B-related liver events. By meticulously analyzing the dynamic trajectory of HBsAg alterations within the context of new drug applications and further optimizing combined treatment strategies and regimens, it is expected to transform the functional cure of hepatitis B into the ultimate goal of improving survival rates and quality of life.
6.Study on the quality and in vitro drug release behavior of sirolimus self-microemulsion-mesoporous silicon sustained release tablets
Wenting HUANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Aiwen HUANG ; Minxin ZHANG ; Hongtao SONG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(11):560-563
Objective To investigate the quality and in vitro release behavior of the sirolimus self-microemulsion-mesoporous silicon sustained release tablets and provide a basis for further research and development of related preparations. Methods The hardness, brittleness and content uniformity of the sustained-release tablets were tested refer to Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China 2020. Different diameters (10, 11, 12 mm), different hardness (50, 70, 90 N), different speed (50, 75, 100 r/min), different dissolution methods (pulp method, basket method) were investigated. The release conditions of the sustained-release tablets with different pH solution (distilled water solution and 0.4% SDS solution with pH of 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8, respectively) and the in vitro release conditions of the sustained-release tablets were observed. Results The hardness, brittleness and content uniformity of the self-made sustained-release tablets were qualified; different diameters and dissolution methods had no effect on the drug release behavior of the sustained-release tablets in vitro, while the different hardness, different rotational speed and the different pH release media had certain effects. Conclusion The sirolimus self-microemulsion-mesoporous silicon sustained release tablets had good sustained-release effect in vitro and was deserved to further study.
7.Protective effect of sericin on streptozotocin-induced INS-1 cell damage by regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway through Akt1 and its mechanism
Cheng CHEN ; Jingyao LI ; Wanxiang HU ; Donghui LIU ; Zhihong CHEN
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(3):590-598
Objective:To discuss the effect of sericin on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and apoptosis in the streptozotocin(STZ)-damaged INS-1 cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The INS-1 cells were cultured with complete medium containing 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 Akt1 inhibitor A-674563,10 mmol·L-1 STZ,and 600 mg·L-1 sericin,and divided into 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563 groups,and the control group(complete medium without drugs)was set up.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells,and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value was calculated to determine the optimal inhibitory concentration of A-674563,which was further verified by Western blotting method.The INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),and low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+150 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,10 mmol·L-1 STZ+300 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,and 10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium).CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups to determine the optimal concentration of sericin.Additionally,the INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),sericin group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium),and A-674563 group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+complete medium).Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Akt1,NF-κB,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA in the INS-1 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated Akt1(p-Akt1)and NF-κB proteins in the INS-1 cells in various groups;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in various groups.Results:The survival rates of the INS-1 cells in control group was 100.00%±0.00%;in 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium groups,which were 82.50%±2.28%,69.47%±1.94%,51.51%±1.74%,38.94%±1.57%,24.79%±1.14%,and 19.85%±1.03%,respectively.The IC?? value of A-674563 for INS-1 cells was 0.3 μmol·L-1,and 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563 was selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with 0 μmol·L-1 A-674563,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells after treated with 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Thus,600 mg·L-1 sericin was selected for subsequent experiments.The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with normal control group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB mRNA in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The ELISA results showed that compared with normal control group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Sericin alleviates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory response and apoptosis by targeting Akt1,exerting a protective effect against STZ-induced damage in INS-1 cells.
8.Impact of GA/ALB on the prognosis of heart failure in patients with coronary heart disease
Chenchen LIU ; Haoran WANG ; Huifang XING ; Hongli LI ; Zhihong GUO ; Lele ZHANG ; Dong YANG ; Hongping LIANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2311-2318
Objective To explore the potential clinical value of the ratio of glycated albumin to albumin(GA/ALB)in the occurrence of heart failure(HF)among patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease(CHD).Methods A total of 337 CHD patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology in Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital from July 2023 to June 2024 were selected in this study.CHD patients were divided into HF group and non-HF group based on whether they progressed to HF.The clinical data and laboratory parame-ters of the two groups were compared.Restricted cubic spline curve was used to analyze the relationship be-tween GA/ALB levels and the risk of HF in CHD patients.Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of GA/ALB,GA,platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),and monocyte to lym-phocyte ratio(MLR)in CHD patients with the occurrence of HF.Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between serum GA/ALB levels and the risk of CHD patients occurrence of HF,and to analyze the degree of influence and stability of subgroup variables on results.Results There were statistically significant differences in GA/ALB,GA,PLR,MLR,and other indicators between the HF group and the non-HF group in CHD patients(P<0.05).A non-linear relationship was observed between GA/ALB levels and the risk of HF in CHD patients.When the value of GA/ALB multiplied by 10 was less than 5.751,the risk of HF in CHD pa-tients increased with the increase of GA/ALB levels(P<0.001).GA/ALB was an effective predictor for HF occurrence in CHD patients.Multivariable Logistic regression model showed that GA/ALB was an independ-ent risk factor for CHD patients with occurrence of HF.Subgroup analysis also confirmed the stability of GA/ALB in predicting the occurrence of HF in CHD patients.Conclusion GA/ALB is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of HF in CHD patients,and monitoring GA/ALB levels provides predictive value for the oc-currence of HF in these patients.
9.Integrated multiomics analysis and artificial neural network reveal patient stratification and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma in the Chinese population
Yunfei YU ; Sikui SHEN ; Xin YAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Shengzhuo LIU ; Yuchun ZHU ; Qiang DONG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(11):988-1005
Objective To explore the biological characteristics associated with different subtypes and the response to immunotherapy by integrating multiomics analysis and artificial neural networks(ANN)to delineate the precise molecular subtypes of adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC)and establish a prognostic prediction model,in order to provide reference for the accurate prognosis assessment and individualized treatment of ACC.Methods The multiomics data of 44 Chinese ACC patients admitted to the Department of Urology,West China Hospital of Sichuan University during Jan.1,2012 and Dec.31,2022 were integrated,including genomic,transcriptomic and clinical features.Ten different clustering algorithms were employed for consensus clustering to identify robust molecular subtypes.The results were then incorporated into an ANN model to construct an ANN-driven prognostic index(ANPI)for patient stratification and survival prediction.Results Three distinct molecular subtypes(cancer subtypes,CS1-3)with significantly different prognoses were identified,among which CS1 exhibited the poorest survival outcomes.A set of 20 core genes was selected to form the basis of the ANPI model.ANPI effectively stratified patients into high-and low-risk groups:patients in the low-ANPI group had significantly better overall survival and exhibited"hot tumor"immune phenotypes,suggesting greater benefits from immunotherapy.In contrast,high-ANPI patients had worse prognoses and displayed"cold tumor"characteristics with weaker immunotherapy responses.Conclusion Our integrative multiomics analysis illustrated the molecular landscape of ACC in the Chinese population and uncovered the key immune-related features linked to clinical outcomes.The ANPI model demonstrated strong performance in prognostic prediction and immunotherapy response assessment,offering a valuable tool for precision oncology and clinical decision-making.
10.ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice
Lu XIA ; Wei CHEN ; Yiwen PAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1030-1034
Objective:To investigate the effect of ERMAP on imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice and its related mechanism.Methods:The experimental mice were divided into 3 groups:Sham group,WT group and ERMAP-/-group,with 9 mice in each group.The Sham group was smeared with Vaseline,and the WT group and ERMAP-/-group were smeared with IMQ to induce psoriatic dermatitis.The severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions in mice were evaluated according to the psoria-sis area and severity index(PASI)and the HE staining pathology score.The expressions of F4/80 and Ki67 in mouse skin lesions were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The relative expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,IFN-γ and iNOS in skin lesions were detected by qRT-PCR.Flow cytometry was used to detect the proliferation and activation of T cells and the proportion of macrophages in spleen.Results:In the IMQ-induced mouse model of psoriasis-like dermatitis,the skin lesions of ERMAP gene knock out mice showed more severe squamous accumulation and skin bulge,more inflammatory cells aggregation and cytokine production,and the proportion of immune cells in the spleen of mice increased compared with the WT group,and the proportion of M1 macrophages increased.Conclu-sion:ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by enhancing immune response.

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