1.Study on the mechanism of Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids promoting decidualization and improving recurrent spontaneous abortion
Fang FANG ; Ying CUI ; Jialü HUANG ; Lili CHEN ; Jia XU ; Yunhui WAN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2379-2386
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids (CCF) promote decidualization and improve recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHODS HTR-8/SVneo cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into blank group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, CCF group, SGK2 inhibitor (GSK650394, abbreviated as “GSK”) group and CCF+GSK group. Each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. HTR-8/SVneo cells with SGK2 knockdown were randomly divided into small interfering RNA of SGK2 (siSGK2) group and siSGK2+CCF group; additionally, blank group and LPS group were established; each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. The cell survival rate, expression levels of WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels, were assessed in each group before and after SGK2 knockdown. RSA mice model was constructed and randomly divided into model group, CCF low-dose group, CCF high-dose group, GSK group, and combined dosing group, with 4 mice in each group. Other 4 normal pregnant female mice were selected as the control group. The number of implanted embryos, viable fetuses, and lost embryos in mice was recorded. The morphological changes of endometrium and decidualization were observed, and WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs expressing levels as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the cell survival rate, as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of SGK2, WNK1, WNK4, prolactin, insulin-like growth factor- binding protein-1, oxidative stress responsive kinase 1, and Ste20-like proline-/alanine-rich kinase were significantly reduced in the LPS group (P<0.05); compared with the LPS group, the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above- mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the CCF group, while the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly decreased in the GSK group (P<0.05); compared with the CCF group, the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the CCF+GSK group (P<0.05). After knocking down SGK2, compared with the LPS group, the cell survival rate, red/green fluorescence intensity ratio, and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the siSGK2 group (P<0.05); compared with the siSGK2 group, the cell survival rate, red/green fluorescence intensity ratio, and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the siSGK2+CCF group (P<0.05). The in vivo experimental results showed that CCF treatment can significantly improve the number of implanted embryos and viable fetuses in RSA model mice and reduce lost embryos, the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs in endometrial tissue were significantly increased, and the red/green fluorescence intensity ratio was significantly increased (P< 0.05); the combined dosing group could reverse the effect of CCF (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS CCF can activate SGK2, up- regulate the WNK signaling pathway, promote endometrial decidualization, and improve RSA.
2.Divergent activation patterns of BRS3 revealed by two Chinese herb-derived agonists.
Jie LI ; Changyao LI ; Qingtong ZHOU ; Wei HAN ; Mingzhu FANG ; Youwei XU ; Yiting MAI ; Yao ZHANG ; Jiahua CUI ; H Eric XU ; Yan ZHANG ; Wanchao YIN ; Ming-Wei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5231-5243
Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS3) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays critical roles in energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. Recent structural studies have elucidated BRS3 signaling mechanisms using synthetic ligands, including BA1 and MK-5046. However, the molecular basis of BRS3 activation by bioactive natural compounds and their derivatives, particularly those derived from traditional Chinese medicine, remains unclear. Here, we present high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the human BRS3-Gq complex in both unliganded and active states bound by two herb-derived compounds (DSO-5a and oridonin), at resolutions of 2.9, 2.8, and 2.9 Å, respectively. These structures display distinct ligand recognition patterns between DSO-5a and oridonin. Although both compounds bind to the orthosteric pocket, they differentially engage the interaction network of BRS3, as demonstrated by mutagenesis studies assessing calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate 1 (IP1) accumulation. These findings enhance our understanding of BRS3 activation and provide valuable insights into the development of small-molecule BRS3 modulators with therapeutic potential.
3.Expert consensus on early orthodontic treatment of class III malocclusion.
Xin ZHOU ; Si CHEN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Weiran LI ; Jun WANG ; Min HU ; Yang CAO ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jiejun SHI ; Jie GUO ; Zhihua LI ; Wensheng MA ; Yi LIU ; Huang LI ; Yanqin LU ; Liling REN ; Rui ZOU ; Linyu XU ; Jiangtian HU ; Xiuping WU ; Shuxia CUI ; Lulu XU ; Xudong WANG ; Songsong ZHU ; Li HU ; Qingming TANG ; Jinlin SONG ; Bing FANG ; Lili CHEN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):20-20
The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans
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Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification*
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Orthodontics, Corrective/methods*
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Consensus
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Child
4.Identification of Chemical Components and Components Absorbed into Blood of Sishen Pills
Qiuchen YANG ; Qiongqiong ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Erping XU ; Liping DAI ; Ying CUI ; Lingling LI ; Yan-Ing ZHANG ; Yalin LIU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(11):1234-1249
OBJECTIVE To identify and classify the chemical components and components absorbed into blood of Sishen Pills u-sing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry.METHODS SD rats were divided into blank group and drug administration group.The rats in drug administration group were given water extract of Sishen Pills formula intragastrically,and blank and drug-containing plasma were collected respectively.A Hypersil GOLD VANQUISH column(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.9 μm)was used,with 0.1%formic acid water acetonitrile as the mobile phase,gradient elution,volume flow rate of 0.3 mL·min-1,and column temperature of 35℃.Electrospray ion source(ESI)with positive and negative ion scanning mode was used for chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry data acquisition.The chemical components of Sishen Pills were identi-fied by comparing the exact molecular mass,fragment ion information and relative retention time with the map of reference substance,matching with the self-established database and combining with literature reports.On this basis,the components absorbed into blood of Sishen Pills were analyzed by comparing the blank plasma and drug-containing plasma.RESULTS A total of 181 chemical compo-nents were identified from Sishen Pills,mainly including flavonoids,alkaloids,lignans and other components.A total of 49 prototype blood components were identified from the plasma samples,mainly including flavonoids,alkaloids and other components.CONCLU-SION A variety of chemical components in Sishen Pills and drug-containing plasma are comprehensively,accurately and quickly i-dentified,and all of them are assigned to the various medicinal materials in the prescription.This study provides reference for the qual-ity control,basic research on medicinal effect materials and clinical application of Sishen Pills.
5.Therapeutic effects of paeoniflorin on thromboangiitis obliterans model rats by regulating PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway
Ya-Na WANG ; Xiao-Lin XU ; Wen-Hua MA ; Luo-Fang CUI ; Li LIU ; Lin-Li XU ; Yan ZHANG ; Xiu-Lei ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):854-858
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of paeoniflorin(PAE)on thrombosis angiitis obliterans(TAO)in rats.Methods TAO rat model was established by sodium laurate injection.Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 0.9%NaCl),experimental-L,-H groups(intraperitoneal injection of PAE 5,20 mg·kg-1·d-1),experimental-H+agonist group(intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg·kg-1·d-1 PAE+caudal vein injection of 10 ng·mL-1·kg 1·d-1 740 Y-P).Thrombin time(TT)was measured by magnetic bead coagulation;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β and endothelin 1(ET-1)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit;the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated-PI3K(p-PI3 K),protein kinase B(AKT),p-AKT,nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blotting.Results The TT of sham operation group,model group,experimental-L,-H groups and experimental-H+agonist group were(14.88±1.32),(10.02±0.95),(12.65±1.22),(14.70±1.36)and(10.64±1.21)s;IL-1β were(154.23±13.45),(356.69±31.17),(268.62±23.58),(199.64±20.87)and(337.48±31.46)pg·mL-1;ET-1 were(6.78±0.68),(14.43±1.14),(11.23±1.07),(8.20±0.81)and(13.33±1.27)pg·mL-1;p-PI3K/PI3K were 0.36±0.04,0.76±0.07,0.59±0.05,0.44±0.04 and 0.69±0.07;p-AKT/AKT were 0.52±0.05,0.90±0.09,0.74±0.08,0.61±0.06 and 0.86±0.08;p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 were 0.28±0.03,0.95±0.04,0.69±0.07,0.35±0.05 and 0.87±0.08,respectively.There were statistically significant differences between model group and sham operation group(all P<0.05);the above indexes in experimental-L group and experimental-H group were significantly different from those in medel group(all P<0.05);the above indexes in experimental-H+agonist group were significantly different from those in experimental-H group(all P<0.05).Conclusion PAE may improve disease progression in TAO rats by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
6.Knowledge, attitude, practice and influencing factors on influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou
Rui WANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Cheng LIU ; Pengwei CUI ; Feng XU ; Jiarun JIANG ; Liling CHEN ; Haibing YANG ; Fang LIU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(12):1672-1678
Objective:To understand the current knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou and to analyze its influencing factors to provide technical support data for public health strategies for promoting influenza vaccination in pregnant women.Methods:A questionnaire was designed, and a stratified sampling method was used to conduct a face-to-face survey among pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy who received antenatal examinations at different levels of medical institutions in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in 2023. KAP status and influencing factors were analyzed by χ2 test and logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 2 195 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey. The M( Q1, Q3) of knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Suzhou was 7.60 (5.23, 9.80) points, and the score range was 0.20-14.71 points, the passing rate was 34.12%, the awareness rate of influenza vaccine was 57.45%, and the vaccination rate of influenza vaccine was 1.91% within one year before the survey. The willingness to receive influenza vaccine during pregnancy was only 3.57%. Multivariate analysis of influenza and influenza vaccine-related knowledge scores showed that the passing rate was positively correlated with education level and gestational age. In contrast, family income was negatively correlated with living in rural areas, working as migrant workers, and having no medical insurance. Multivariate analysis of vaccination intention showed that decreased effectiveness of influenza vaccine and increased adverse reactions decreased vaccination intention during pregnancy. Conclusions:The pregnant women in Suzhou pay more attention to influenza, and vaccination rates and intentions are generally low. Pregnant women with early and second trimester of pregnancy, low education, living in rural areas, working as migrant workers, and not purchasing medical insurance are the key groups to popularize the knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccine.
7.Viral test in clusters of diarrhea in Xicheng Distract of Beijing in 2017-2022
Haiyang CUI ; Yanli JI ; Bo JIN ; Jun XU ; Zhe LEI ; Fang MIAO
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(6):72-76
Objective To analyze the epidemiological patterns and pathogens of clusters of diarrhea in Xicheng Distract , Beijing during 2017-2022 , in order to update the policy of prevention. Mehods Between January 2017 and December 2022, stool samples of patients and partly cooks in clusters of diarrhea were collected and tested by Real-time PCR for Rotavirus, Norovirus, Adenovirus, Sapovirus and Astrovirus. Part of ORF1/ORF2 from Norovirus positive samples were amplified using RT-PCR. PCR products were sequenced and the genetypes were determined. Results Four hundreds and one clusters of diarrheas were reported. Among them , 369 were reported in kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools. The morbidities were 4.14, 2.13 and 0.69 per thousand, respectively. Seventy four cooks in 15 clusters of diarrhea were Norovirus positive. The rate was 8.67%. Among these pathogens, Norovirus had the largest proportion , but the trend was declining. At least three kinds of genetype of GⅡ Norovirus were detected every year. Conclusion Clusters of diarrhea mainly occurred in kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools. Result from the increasing proportions of unknown-cause clusters of diarrhea, the testing methods and scopes of pathogens should be extended. Diverse genetypes of Norovirus coexist and alternate in Beijing. So appearance of new genetypes and recombination of existed ones of Norovirus should be closely concerned.
8.TSHR Variant Screening and Phenotype Analysis in 367 Chinese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism
Hai-Yang ZHANG ; Feng-Yao WU ; Xue-Song LI ; Ping-Hui TU ; Cao-Xu ZHANG ; Rui-Meng YANG ; Ren-Jie CUI ; Chen-Yang WU ; Ya FANG ; Liu YANG ; Huai-Dong SONG ; Shuang-Xia ZHAO
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2024;44(4):343-353
Background:
Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes.
Methods:
In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity.
Results:
Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants.
Conclusions
We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.
9.The association of cholesterol crystals and non-culprit plaque characteristics in AMI patients: an OCT study
Jiawei ZHAO ; Rui ZHAO ; Chao FANG ; Yuzhu CHEN ; Xueming XU ; Lina CUI ; Xianqin MA ; Jingbo HOU ; Jiannan DAI ; Bo YU
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(6):659-666
Objective:To analyze plaque characteristics of non-culprit coronary lesions with cholesterol crystals in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) by using optical coherence tomography(OCT). We also investigated the potential association between cholesterol crystals with plaque rupture and healed plaque at non-culprit segment.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between January 2017 and December 2017, patients with AMI who underwent 3-vessel OCT imaging were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cholesterol crystals at the non-culprit lesions. All patients underwent coronary angiography and OCT examination, and non-culprit plaque characteristics were compared between the two groups. The generalized estimating equation log-binomial multirariate regression model was used to assess the relationship between non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals and plaque rupture and plaque healing. The follow-up data collection ended in October 2023. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted, and log-rank tests were used to compare the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups.Results:A total of 173 AMI patients were included (aged (56.8±11.6) years; 124 men (71.7%)). Among 710 non-culprit lesions identified by OCT, there were 102 (14.4%) in cholesterol crystals group and 608 (85.6%) in non-cholesterol crystals group. Compared with non-culprit lesions without cholesterol crystals, those with cholesterol crystals had smaller minimum lumen diameter, severer diameter stenosis, and longer lesion length (all P<0.01). The prevalence of plaque rupture (17.6% (18/102) vs. 4.9% (30/608), P=0.001) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (31.4% (32/102) vs. 11.5% (70/608), P<0.01) was higher in the cholesterol crystals groups than in the non-cholesterol crystals group. In addition, vulnerable plaque characteristics such as (44.1% (45/102) vs. 25.8% (157/608), P<0.01), macrophages were more frequently observed in non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals. The generalized estimating equation log-binomial multivariate regression analyses showed that non-culprit cholesterol crystals were positively correlated with healed plaque ( OR=1.583, 95% CI: 1.004-2.495, P=0.048). Conversely, cholesterol crystals were not associated with plaque rupture ( OR=1.632, 95% CI: 0.745-3.576, P=0.221). The follow-up time was 2 142 (1 880, 2 198) days. Non-culprit cholesterol crystals were not related to the major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with AMI (log-rank P=0.558). Conclusions:Among AMI patients, non-culprit lesions with cholesterol crystals presented with severer luminal stenosis and increased plaque vulnerability. The presence of non-culprit cholesterol crystals was associated with rather than plaque rupture.
10.Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the process of CA19-9 production and dynamics of the immune microenvironment between CA19-9 (+) and CA19-9 (-) PDAC
Deyu ZHANG ; Fang CUI ; Kailian ZHENG ; Wanshun LI ; Yue LIU ; Chang WU ; Lisi PENG ; Zhenghui YANG ; Qianqian CHEN ; Chuanchao XIA ; Shiyu LI ; Zhendong JIN ; Xiaojiang XU ; Gang JIN ; Zhaoshen LI ; Haojie HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2415-2428
Background::Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the main types of malignant tumor of the digestive system, and patient prognosis is affected by difficulties in early diagnosis, poor treatment response, and a high postoperative recurrence rate. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) has been widely used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of PDAC patients. Nevertheless, the production mechanism and potential role of CA19-9 in PDAC progression have not yet been elucidated.Methods::We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on six samples pathologically diagnosed as PDAC (three CA19-9-positive and three CA19-9-negative PDAC samples) and two paracarcinoma samples. We also downloaded and integrated PDAC samples (each from three CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative patients) from an online database. The dynamics of the proportion and potential function of each cell type were verified through immunofluorescence. Moreover, we built an in vitro coculture cellular model to confirm the potential function of CA19-9. Results::Three subtypes of cancer cells with a high ability to produce CA19-9 were identified by the markers TOP2A, AQP5, and MUC5AC. CA19-9 production bypass was discovered on antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAFs). Importantly, the proportion of immature ficolin-1 positive (FCN1+) macrophages was high in the CA19-9-negative group, and the proportion of mature M2-like macrophages was high in the CA19-9-positive group. High proportions of these two macrophage subtypes were associated with an unfavourable clinical prognosis. Further experiments indicated that CA19-9 could facilitate the transformation of M0 macrophages into M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusions::Our study described CA19-9 production at single-cell resolution and the dynamics of the immune atlas in CA19-9-positive and CA19-9-negative PDAC. CA19-9 could promote M2 polarization of macrophage in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment.


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