1.Biomarkers for evaluating neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Peifeng NI ; Weidong ZHANG ; Gensheng ZHANG ; Qijiang CHEN ; Ying ZHU ; Wei HU ; Mengyuan DIAO
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(1):25-32
Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels and poor neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest (CA) patients supported by veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on adult CA patients treated with VA-ECMO at Hangzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated to Westlake University School of Medicine, and Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from December 2018 to February 2024. General clinical data and serial serum NSE levels at 24, 48, and 72 h after ECMO initiation were collected. Based on the Glasgow-Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at discharge, patients were divided into poor neurological outcome group (CPC 3-5) and good neurological outcome group (CPC 1-2). Differences in serum NSE levels between the two groups were compared. The accuracy of serum NSE levels at three time points in predicting poor neurological outcomes in CA patients was assessed via receiver operating characteristic curves, and the optimal cut-off values were determined by the Youden index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between serum NSE levels and poor neurological outcomes. Subgroup analysis was based on age, sex, location of CA, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Results:A total of 120 eligible CA patients were included, with 88 patients (73.3%) having poor neurological outcomes at discharge. Serum NSE levels at 24, 48, and 72 h after ECMO initiation were higher in the poor outcome group compared to the good outcome group (all P<0.05). The serum NSE level at 72 h had the highest accuracy in predicting poor outcomes, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96), and a cut-off value of 42.0 μg/L. The AUCs for 24 and 48 h were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.69-0.86) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80-0.94), with cut-off values of 70.6 μg/L and 64.5 μg/L, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the serum NSE level at 72 h was associated with poor outcomes ( P<0.05), and an NSE level >42.0 μg/L was an independent risk factor for poor outcomes ( OR=20.29, 95% CI: 2.90-92.15). Subgroup analysis showed that serum NSE level at 72 h was an independent risk factor for poor neurological outcomes in CA patients aged<60 years old, male or female, out-of-hospital or in-hospital CA, and whether to perform ECPR (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Elevated serum NSE levels at 72 h after VA-ECMO initiation are associated with poor neurological outcomes in CA patients, with the cut-off value of 42.0 μg/L.
2.Research progress of T cell in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Sainan CHEN ; Jiale DIAO ; Ruili WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(9):859-864
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is the ocular manifestation of thyroid autoimmune dysfunction.Its clinical feathers mainly include eyelid retraction, proptosis, and ocular movement disorders.TAO is the most common orbital diseases.The pathogenesis of TAO has not been fully elucidated, but researchers generally believe that T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of TAO.In the early stage of TAO development, a large number of T cells are activated and infiltrated into the retroorbital soft tissue.T cells can be divided into CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells.CD4 + T cells play a more central role in TAO.CD4 + T cells include Th1, Th2, Treg and recently discovered Th17, Th22 and Tfh cells.In target tissues, the complete activation and later function of T cells largely rely on the costimulatory pathways, there needs to unravel the mechanism of these costimulatory pathways in TAO.This paper reviews the recent research progress of T cells and costimulatory signals required for their activation in the pathogenesis of TAO.
3.A computational medicine framework integrating multi-omics, systems biology, and artificial neural networks for Alzheimer's disease therapeutic discovery.
Yisheng YANG ; Yizhu DIAO ; Lulu JIANG ; Fanlu LI ; Liye CHEN ; Ming NI ; Zheng WANG ; Hai FANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4411-4426
The translation of genetic findings from genome-wide association studies into actionable therapeutics persists as a critical challenge in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. Here, we present PI4AD, a computational medicine framework that integrates multi-omics data, systems biology, and artificial neural networks for therapeutic discovery. This framework leverages multi-omic and network evidence to deliver three core functionalities: clinical target prioritisation; self-organising prioritisation map construction, distinguishing AD-specific targets from those linked to neuropsychiatric disorders; and pathway crosstalk-informed therapeutic discovery. PI4AD successfully recovers clinically validated targets like APP and ESR1, confirming its prioritisation efficacy. Its artificial neural network component identifies disease-specific molecular signatures, while pathway crosstalk analysis reveals critical nodal genes (e.g., HRAS and MAPK1), drug repurposing candidates, and clinically relevant network modules. By validating targets, elucidating disease-specific therapeutic potentials, and exploring crosstalk mechanisms, PI4AD bridges genetic insights with pathway-level biology, establishing a systems genetics foundation for rational therapeutic development. Importantly, its emphasis on Ras-centred pathways-implicated in synaptic dysfunction and neuroinflammation-provides a strategy to disrupt AD progression, complementing conventional amyloid/tau-focused paradigms, with the future potential to redefine treatment strategies in conjunction with mRNA therapeutics and thereby advance translational medicine in neurodegeneration.
4.Characterization of preclinical radio ADME properties of ARV-471 for predicting human PK using PBPK modeling.
Yifei HE ; Chenggu ZHU ; Peng LEI ; Chen YANG ; Yifan ZHANG ; Yuandong ZHENG ; Xingxing DIAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101175-101175
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a promising class of drugs that can target disease-causing proteins more effectively than traditional small molecule inhibitors can, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery and treatment strategies. However, the links between in vitro and in vivo data are poorly understood, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of PROTACs. In this work, 14C-labeled vepdegestrant (ARV-471), which is currently in phase III clinical trials for breast cancer, was synthesized as a model PROTAC to characterize its preclinical ADME properties and simulate its clinical pharmacokinetics (PK) by establishing a physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) model. For in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), hepatocyte clearance correlated more closely with in vivo rat PK data than liver microsomal clearance did. PBPK models, which were initially developed and validated in rats, accurately simulate ARV-471's PK across fed and fasted states, with parameters within 1.75-fold of the observed values. Human models, informed by in vitro ADME data, closely mirrored postoral dose plasma profiles at 30 mg. Furthermore, no human-specific metabolites were identified in vitro and the metabolic profile of rats could overlap that of humans. This work presents a roadmap for developing future PROTAC medications by elucidating the correlation between in vitro and in vivo characteristics.
6.Clinical efficacy and safety of a domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled study
Lixin XIA ; Guang XIANG ; Qingchun DIAO ; Kun HUANG ; Shoumin ZHANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yumei LI ; Zhiqiang SONG ; Qing SUN ; Xiumin YANG ; Meng PAN ; Yuling SHI ; Shuping GUO ; Huiping WANG ; Tiechi LEI ; Xiaoyong ZHOU ; Songmei GENG ; Suchun HOU ; Juan SU ; Yong CUI ; Rixin CHEN ; Yanyan FENG ; Hongxia FENG ; Rushan XIA ; Zudong MENG ; Fang YIN ; Jingjing WANG ; Xinghua GAO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(11):1020-1026
Objective:To evaluate the clinical equivalence between a domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment and the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, active- and placebo-controlled study was conducted, and 449 patients aged 18 - 65 years with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled from 25 hospitals (such as the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University). Eligible patients had a baseline physician's global assessment (PGA) score of ≥ 3 points, baseline body surface area (BSA) involvement of 5% - 30%, and a target lesion psoriasis area and severity index (TL-PASI) for plaque elevation of ≥ 3 points. Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to the test group ( n = 179), reference group ( n = 180), and placebo group ( n = 90), and applied the domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment, originator product, and ointment base respectively, once daily in the evening for 4 weeks. Efficacy and safety were assessed at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The primary efficacy endpoints were the treatment success rates and clinical success rates in each group at week 4. The per-protocol set (PPS) was used for the primary efficacy analysis, and the intention-to-treat (ITT) set for supplementary efficacy analysis. Equivalence between the test and reference preparations was tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method adjusted for randomization strata. Superiority of the test and reference preparations over the placebo was also tested. Measurement data were compared among the 3 groups using analysis of variance or non-parametric tests, while treatment success rates, clinical success rates, and incidence rates of adverse reactions were compared using the chi-square test. Results:The ITT, PPS, and safety sets included 447, 420, and 448 patients, respectively. In the ITT set, patients were aged 43.6 ± 12.8 years, including 320 (71.6%) males and 127 (28.4%) females, and the disease duration was 11.21 ± 9.05 years; 316 (70.7%) had a PGA score of 3 points and 131 (29.3%) had a PGA score of 4 - 5 points. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics (including age, sex, disease duration and disease severity) were observed among the 3 groups (all P > 0.05). Based on the PPS analysis, the treatment success rates were 57.9% (99/171) in the test group, 50.3% (86/171) in the reference group, and 7.7% (6/78) in the placebo group, and the clinical success rates were 57.9% (99/171), 50.3% (86/171), and 10.3% (8/78), respectively; both the test and reference groups were superior to the placebo group in both treatment and clinical success rates (all P < 0.001) ; the rate differences for treatment success (90% confidence interval [ CI]: -1.3% - 16.4%) and clinical success (90% CI: -1.3% - 16.3%) between the test and reference groups were entirely within the pre-defined equivalence margin (-20% - 20%). Subgroup analyses by baseline PGA scores: for patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points, the treatment success rates in the test, reference, and placebo groups were 60.8% (73/120), 52.1% (62/119), and 11.1% (6/54), respectively, and the corresponding clinical success rates were 61.7% (74/120), 53.8% (64/119), and 13% (7/54), respectively; the test and reference groups did not differ significantly in treatment or clinical success rates (both P > 0.05), but both showed higher success rates than the placebo group (all P < 0.001) ; the results of statistical comparisons among the 3 groups in patients with a baseline PGA score of 4 - 5 points were consistent with those observed in patients with a baseline PGA score of 3 points. The percentage reductions in PGA and TL-PASI scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 showed significant differences among the 3 groups, which were significantly higher in the test and reference groups than in the placebo group (all P < 0.001), but did not differ between the test and reference groups (all P > 0.05). The primary adverse reactions were local skin reactions, such as pruritus, pain, and erythema. The incidence rates of adverse reactions were 8.9% (16/179) in the test group, 7.3% (13/179) in the reference group, and 7.8% (7/90) in the placebo group, with no significant difference among the 3 groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusions:The domestic calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment demonstrated clinical equivalence to the originator product in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis, and the two agents exhibited comparable efficacy for patients with varying degrees of disease severity, and were comparable in the speed and degree of clinical improvement, with similar favorable safety profiles.
7.miR-30a-3p exacerbates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice via in-hibiting hepatocyte autophagy and promoting lipid deposition
Diao CHEN ; Yongxin CHEN ; Guiting WANG ; Birong YUAN ; Longkun HU ; Tian ZHANG ; Bing GUO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):953-964
AIM:To explore whether microRNA-30a-3p(miR-30a-3p)is involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)by regulating autophagy and promoting lipid deposition.METHODS:Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal control group and a high-fat diet(HFD)group.Mice in the HFD group were fed with 60%high fat diet for 10 weeks to induce the NAFLD phenotype.Some mice were injected with adeno-virus overexpressing miR-30a-3p via the tail vein and subsequently fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance tests were performed at the end of the treatments.In addition,the concentrations of hepatic alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)were mea-sured.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were conducted to examine morphological changes and lipid depo-sition in the liver tissue.The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),autophagy-related protein 5(ATG5),beclin-1 and p62 were quantified through Western blot.In addition,NAFLD models were established in AML12 hepatocytes by incubating the cells with palmitic acid and oleic acid(PO).The AML12 cells were transfected with miR-30a-3p shRNA to knock down miR-30a-3p expression.The concentration levels of TG and TC after miR-30a-3p knockdown were measured by the kits.Nile red staining was performed to examine lipid droplet aggregation and dual fluo-rescent recombinant adenovirus Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B was transfected into AML12 cells to observe changes in autopha-gic flow.RESULTS:HFD-fed mice exhibited significant insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance,significant lip-id deposition in the liver tissue,coupled with increased hepatic ALT,AST,TG and TC levels.The expression levels of au-tophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1,and ATG5 were decreased,while that of p62 was increased(P<0.01).More-over,miR-30a-3p overexpression significantly increased blood glucose and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice.However,it aggravated lipid droplets deposition in liver tissue and enhanced hepatic TG,TC,AST and ALT levels.Western blot re-vealed that the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were further reduced,while that of p62 was significantly in-creased(P<0.01).In vitro,we observed that the TG and TC levels,as well as lipid accumulation in PO-treated AML12 cells were increased significantly.Similarly,the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were decreased,whereas that of p62 increased in PO-treated AML12 cells(P<0.01).Notably,knockdown of miR-30a-3p resulted in a significant reduction in the TG content in PO-treated AML12 cells and lipid droplet aggregation was significantly suppressed.Further-more,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 proteins was increased,while that of p62 was decreased significantly and the autophagy flow was improved(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The miR-30a-3p exacerbates hepatic lipid deposi-tion,inducing severe hepatic steatosis and liver damage,to promote the occurrence and development of NAFLD in mice.Mechanistically,its effects involve inhibition of hepatic autophagy level.
8.Mechanism of Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction on the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology
Meng CHEN ; Yuejin DU ; Chunli GUO ; Nana WANG ; Fei HOU ; Yuchen ZHANG ; Zipeng DIAO ; Juaner ZHENG ; Qiang FU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(5):1461-1470
Objective The mechanism of Huazhuo xingxue decoction(HZXXD)in the treatment of ischemic stroke was explored through network pharmacology,molecular docking and cell validation.Methods TCMSP,TCMID,BATMAN-TCM database and literature search were used to get the chemical components and related target proteins of Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction,and the targets of dementia,stroke and amnesia were obtained from Genecards database and OMIM database.The traditional Chinese medicine-active components-target-network and protein interaction map were constructed by using Cytoscape,and the target was enriched by KEGG pathway by David database.Western blot was used to investigate the effect of HZXXD on inflammation-related core targets expression using oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation cell model.Finally,Autodock was used for molecular docking of key active ingredients and important targets to evaluate their binding activity.Results 76 active molecules and 33 common targets of herb-disease were screened out.KEGG bioaccumulation results involve multiple inflammatory signal pathways such as TNF,chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species and HIF-1.TNF-α was found to be the core target of HZXXD by oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation cell experiments.Five compounds with the strongest binding ability to TNF-α,kaempferol,apigenin,aloe-emodin,baicalein and stigasterol,were screened by traditional Chinese medicine-active ingredient-target network map and molecular docking.Conclusion Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction may down regulate the expression of core target TNF-α,kaempferol,apigenin,aloe emodin,baicalein and stigasterol may be the main active substances for TNF-α binding.
9.Research advances of T-cell inhibitory receptors in rheumatoid arthritis
Chaoyue DIAO ; Xinyu QIAN ; Ning CHEN ; Qian CHEN ; Jie GAO ; Dongbao ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):202-208
T-cell inhibitory receptors(IR)are involved in the composing of co-inhibitory signaling pathways between T cells and immune cells,and transmit immunosuppressive signals to limit immune effects of T cells such as activation and proliferation.Ab-normal co-inhibitory signals may destroy the peripheral immune tolerance of the body,leading to hyperresponsiveness of various organ-specific autoimmunity.Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a complex systemic disease in which there is an immune disorder centered on T cells.In this process,the abnormal expression and distribution of T-cell IR are fully involved in the imbalance of T-cell subsets and pathological immune responses,affecting the development and progression of the disease.Targeting T-cell IR and its ligands and thus strengthening the co-inhibitory signaling pathway mediated by them has been studied for suppressing immune responses and maintain-ing immune tolerance,but their potential for clinical application in RA remains to be explored.In the present,we review the advances of T-cell IR involved in the immunopathology of RA,and discusses the therapeutic prospects of targeting these receptors.
10.Research progress of T cell in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Sainan CHEN ; Jiale DIAO ; Ruili WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2025;43(9):859-864
Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is the ocular manifestation of thyroid autoimmune dysfunction.Its clinical feathers mainly include eyelid retraction, proptosis, and ocular movement disorders.TAO is the most common orbital diseases.The pathogenesis of TAO has not been fully elucidated, but researchers generally believe that T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of TAO.In the early stage of TAO development, a large number of T cells are activated and infiltrated into the retroorbital soft tissue.T cells can be divided into CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells.CD4 + T cells play a more central role in TAO.CD4 + T cells include Th1, Th2, Treg and recently discovered Th17, Th22 and Tfh cells.In target tissues, the complete activation and later function of T cells largely rely on the costimulatory pathways, there needs to unravel the mechanism of these costimulatory pathways in TAO.This paper reviews the recent research progress of T cells and costimulatory signals required for their activation in the pathogenesis of TAO.

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