1.Mechanisms of Huanglian Jiedutang and Its Major Active Constituents in Inhibiting LPS-induced M1 Polarisation of BV2 Microglia
Haojia ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Kunjing LIU ; Xin LAN ; Zijin SUN ; Chunyu WANG ; Wenyuan MA ; Wei SHAO ; Jinhua HAN ; Liyang DONG ; Changxiang LI ; Xueqian WANG ; Youxiang CUI ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):44-55
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang (HLJD) and its major active constituents (geniposide, baicalin, and berberine) can inhibit the inflammatory response of BV2 cells under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation via the high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and to explore differences in therapeutic efficacy among the three monomers, their combined formula, and HLJD under equal content ratios. MethodsBV2 microglial cells were used as the primary experimental model. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method to examine the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 0.8%, 0.4%, 0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.05%) on cell viability. IncuCyte was employed to monitor the growth of cells under different concentrations of HLJD (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 mg·L-1). Nitric oxide (NO) assay was used to screen the optimal HLJD concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determined the content of geniposide, baicalin, and berberine in HLJD, and experimental groups were subsequently established according to the relative proportions of these constituents. CCK-8 assay evaluated cell viability under different treatments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) in the supernatant. Flow cytometry assessed the effects of treatments on M1-type polarization of BV2 cells. Western blot determined the expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group, DMSO at concentrations ≤0.2% did not affect cell viability within 48 h. BV2 cell growth plateaued at 24 h after treatment with 200 mg·L-1 HLJD. Under stimulation with 2 mg·L-1 LPS, this concentration of HLJD effectively reduced NO release, and 6 h pre-treatment had a stronger inhibitory effect on NO than direct administration. HPLC results showed that 1 mg of HLJD freeze-dried powder contained approximately 24 μg of geniposide, 15 μg of baicalin, and 30 μg of berberine. Based on these ratios, experimental groups were blank, LPS (2 mg·L-1), HLJD (200 mg·L-1), monomer combination, geniposide (4.8 mg·L-1), baicalin (3 mg·L-1), and berberine (6 mg·L-1). The monomer combination group consisted of all three active constituents dissolved together. LPS and HLJD or its active constituents did not affect cell viability compared with the blank group. LPS significantly increased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 in the supernatant (P<0.01). HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01) while upregulating anti-inflammatory IL-10 (P<0.01), with the monomer combination showing the strongest effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, LPS significantly increased the proportion of CD80⁺CD86⁺ (M1-type) BV2 cells (P<0.01). HLJD and its constituents partially inhibited M1 polarization (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the monomer combination exhibiting the most pronounced effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, LPS upregulated HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB-related proteins (P<0.01), whereas HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced their expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the monomer combination having the strongest regulatory effect (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHLJD and its major active constituents (geniposide, baicalin, berberine) can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 cells. The combination of the three active constituents demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect, significantly attenuating M1-type polarization of BV2 cells via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.Tracing Development of LIU Wansu's Theory of ''Fire-heat Inducing Stroke''
Xin LAN ; Changxiang LI ; Haojia ZHANG ; Jialin CHENG ; Zijin SUN ; Liyang DONG ; Zilin REN ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):32-41
LIU Wansu, as the foremost of the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan period, established the "theory of fire-heat'' and extended the fire-heat pathogenesis framework to the field of stroke, thereby forming the theory of ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This achieved a paradigmatic shift in stroke etiology from ''exogenous wind inducing stroke'' to ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory and explores the social background, academic origins, and core connotations of its theoretical construction. The study found that, based on the ''Nineteen Pathomechanisms'' in the Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) and combined with clinical practice, LIU Wansu proposed that fire-heat is the fundamental cause of stroke, and that the Six Climatic Factors and the Five Zhi-Emotions can all transform into fire. He further constructed a stratified syndrome differentiation and therapeutic system centered on clearing heat and purging fire, emphasizing differentiated treatment of exterior and interior syndromes, Six Meridians syndrome differentiation, and seasonally adjusted medication. This theory not only resolved the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of febrile epidemic diseases during the Jin-Yuan period, but also exerted a profound influence on later physicians such as ZHANG Zihe and ZHU Danxi, thereby promoting the pluralistic development of stroke theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Modern pharmacological research provides solid scientific evidence, confirming that the ''fire-heat'' pathological state is highly associated with key mechanisms such as excessive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and excitatory amino acid toxicity following cerebral ischemia. Heat-clearing and fire-purging prescriptions and agents, such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang and baicalin, can exert multi-target neuroprotective effects by regulating inflammatory signaling, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and balancing neurotransmitters. This not only verifies the scientific basis of the ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory from a modern biological perspective but also provides conclusive evidence for the clinical application of heat-clearing and fire-purging therapy. LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory represents a major milestone in the historical understanding of stroke pathogenesis, and its academically transitional insights continue to hold core guiding value for the pattern identification and treatment of ischemic stroke today.
3.Tracing Development of LIU Wansu's Theory of ''Fire-heat Inducing Stroke''
Xin LAN ; Changxiang LI ; Haojia ZHANG ; Jialin CHENG ; Zijin SUN ; Liyang DONG ; Zilin REN ; Xueqian WANG ; Fafeng CHENG ; Qingguo WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):32-41
LIU Wansu, as the foremost of the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan period, established the "theory of fire-heat'' and extended the fire-heat pathogenesis framework to the field of stroke, thereby forming the theory of ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This achieved a paradigmatic shift in stroke etiology from ''exogenous wind inducing stroke'' to ''fire-heat inducing stroke''. This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory of LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory and explores the social background, academic origins, and core connotations of its theoretical construction. The study found that, based on the ''Nineteen Pathomechanisms'' in the Huangdi's Internal Classic (Huang Di Nei Jing) and combined with clinical practice, LIU Wansu proposed that fire-heat is the fundamental cause of stroke, and that the Six Climatic Factors and the Five Zhi-Emotions can all transform into fire. He further constructed a stratified syndrome differentiation and therapeutic system centered on clearing heat and purging fire, emphasizing differentiated treatment of exterior and interior syndromes, Six Meridians syndrome differentiation, and seasonally adjusted medication. This theory not only resolved the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of febrile epidemic diseases during the Jin-Yuan period, but also exerted a profound influence on later physicians such as ZHANG Zihe and ZHU Danxi, thereby promoting the pluralistic development of stroke theory in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Modern pharmacological research provides solid scientific evidence, confirming that the ''fire-heat'' pathological state is highly associated with key mechanisms such as excessive inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and excitatory amino acid toxicity following cerebral ischemia. Heat-clearing and fire-purging prescriptions and agents, such as Huanglian Jiedu Tang and baicalin, can exert multi-target neuroprotective effects by regulating inflammatory signaling, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, and balancing neurotransmitters. This not only verifies the scientific basis of the ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory from a modern biological perspective but also provides conclusive evidence for the clinical application of heat-clearing and fire-purging therapy. LIU Wansu's ''fire-heat inducing stroke'' theory represents a major milestone in the historical understanding of stroke pathogenesis, and its academically transitional insights continue to hold core guiding value for the pattern identification and treatment of ischemic stroke today.
4.Qiangjing Tablets Regulate CDK4-E2F Signaling Pathway to Delay Aging of Leydig Cells and Testicular Tissue in Rats
Xiucheng LAN ; Meijing WANG ; Jingyi ZHANG ; Junjun LI ; Liang DONG ; Xujun YU ; Fang YANG ; Degui CHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):328-336
ObjectiveTo reveal the molecular mechanism by which the traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription Qiangjing tablets regulate the aging of the testicular tissue and Leydig cells in rats through the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4)-early 2 factor (E2F) signaling pathway. MethodsFor the cell experiment, 2-month-old SPF-grade SD male rats were selected and randomly assigned into a blank control group (administrated with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection) and a Qiangjing tablets group (20 rats in each group) according to body weight. The Leydig cell model of aging was established by treatment of TM3 cells with 100 μmol·L-1 H2O2, and the modeling performance was evaluated based on the levels of p16 and p21 determined by Western blot. The antioxidant NAC (1 mmol·L-1) was used as the positive control for eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells were intervened with Qiangjing tablets-containing serum at low (2.5%), medium (5%), and high (10%) concentrations. The testosterone level in the cell supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the protein levels of CDK4, E2F1, and E2F2 were analyzed by Western blot. In the animal experiment, 19-month-old naturally aging rats were used as the model group, and 2-month-old rats as the young control group. The positive control group was subcutaneously injected with 5.21 mg·kg-1·d-1 testosterone propionate. Qiangjing tablets were administered by gavage at low, medium, and high doses of 0.72, 1.44, 2.88 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively. The general conditions of rats were observed, and the protein levels of CDK4, E2F1, and E2F2 in the testicular tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsIn the cell experiment, compared with the blank control group, the model group showed upregulated expression of CDK4 and E2F1 (P<0.05) and slightly downregulated expression of E2F2. Compared with that in the model group, the expression of CDK4 was upregulated in the NAC group and the low-dose Qiangjing tablets group (P<0.05), slightly upregulated in the medium-dose Qiangjing tablets group, and downregulated in the high-dose Qiangjing tablets group (P<0.05). The NAC group showed downregulated expression of E2F1 (P<0.05) and E2F2, and the low-, medium-, and high-dose Qiangjing tablets groups showed downregulated expression of both E2F1 and E2F2 (P<0.05). Compared with that in the NAC group, the expression of CDK4 was upregulated in the low-dose Qiangjing tablets group and downregulated in the medium-dose and high dose (P<0.05) groups. The expression of E2F1 was down-regulated in all the three dose groups, with statistically significance in the high dose group (P<0.05), and that of E2F2 were downregulated in all the three dose groups (P<0.05). In the animal experiment, compared with the young control group, the model group exhibited downregulated expression of CDK4 (P<0.05) and slightly upregulated expression of E2F1 and E2F2. Compared with that in the model group, the expression of CDK4 decreased in the testosterone propionate group and the low-dose Qiangjing tablets group (P<0.05) but increased in the medium-dose (P<0.05) and high-dose groups. In addition, the expression of E2F1 decreased (P<0.05), and that of E2F2 was slightly elevated. Compared with that in the NAC group, CDK4 expression was elevated in the Qiangjing tablets groups, with statistical significance in the medium- and high-dose groups (P<0.05). Similarly, the E2F1 expression was also upregulated in the Qiangjing tablets groups, with statistical significance in the medium-dose group (P<0.05). The expression of E2F2 was downregulated in all the Qiangjing tablets groups. ConclusionQiangjing tablets delay the aging process of Leydig cells and testicular tissue by up-regulating the expression of CDK4 and lowering the levels of E2F1 and E2F2.
5.Impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer: a national multicenter real-world study
Zhipeng LIU ; Cheng CHEN ; Jie BAI ; Yan JIANG ; Dong ZHANG ; Wei GUO ; Zhixin WANG ; Xiang LAN ; Yufu YE ; Zhaoping WU ; Jinxue ZHOU ; Shuo JIN ; Yi ZHU ; Wei CHEN ; Dalong YIN ; Yao CHENG ; Haisu DAI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhiyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(7):874-881
Objective:To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer (GBC).Methods:The multi-center real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 629 patients with GBC, who were admitted to 14 medical centers including The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from the national multicenter database of Biliary Surgery Group of Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, from April 2020 to April 2024 were collected. There were 225 males and 404 females, aged (64±10)years. Patients underwent open curative-intent resection for GBC. Observation indicators: (1)surgery, postoperative complica-tions and adverse outcomes; (2) analysis of risk factors affecting postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and population attributable fraction (PAF). Missing data in predictor variables were addressed using multiple imputation with chained equations, while cases with missing outcome variables were addressed using the "multiple imputation then deletion (MID)" strategy. The severity of multicollinearity among independent variables was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) test. Multivariable possion regression models with log link and robust error variance were construc-ted incorporating restricted cubic splines (3 knots) to address nonlinear relationships in continuous variables, calculating adjusted relative risk ( RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI). Adjusted PAF was calculated for each imputed dataset using the AF package of R software, with subsequent pooling performed according to Rubin's rules. Results:(1) Surgery, postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. All 629 patients underwent curative-intent resection for GBC, of which 143 cases had postoperative complications, including 68 cases of intra-abdominal ascites, 39 cases of pulmonary infection, 21 cases of bile leakage, 12 cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, 11 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of pan-creatic fistula, 10 cases of wound infection, 10 cases of gastroparesis, 7 cases of cholangitis, 7 cases of sepsis. The same patient could have more than one kind of complication. Of 629 patients, there were 19 cases of postoperative 90-day death and 11 cases of missing data, 42 cases with post-operative 90-day reoperation and 7 cases with missing data, 44 cases with postoperative 90-day readmission and 3 cases with missing data, 155 cases with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and 3 cases with missing data. (2) Analysis of risk factors affecting the postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and PAF. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary infection and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day mortality ( RR=3.74, 12.15, 95% CI as 1.18-11.83, 1.98-74.48, P<0.05). Pulmonary infection demons-trated the highest PAF as 4.61% (95% CI as 3.94%-5.28%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for post-operative 90-day reoperation ( RR=4.80, 3.62, 3.46, 4.99, 95% CI as 2.49-9.26, 1.42-9.21, 1.34-8.92, 1.55-16.06, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 8.65% (95% CI as 8.22%-9.08%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, bile leakage, and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day readmission ( RR=6.20, 3.33, 14.33, 95% CI as 3.21-11.95, 1.33-8.35, 3.72-55.28, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 9.11% (95% CI as 8.85%-9.37%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, liver failure, and wound infection were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay ( RR=2.29, 2.21, 2.26, 2.14, 3.35, 95% CI as 1.63-3.23, 1.41-3.46, 1.32-3.86, 1.11-4.13, 1.70-6.60, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 6.03% (95% CI as 5.71%-6.35%, P<0.05). Conclusion:Pulmonary infection is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day mortality after curative-intent resection for GBC, while intra-abdominal ascites is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day reoperation, postoperative 90-day readmission, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay.
6.Clinical distribution and trend of drug resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from a three-A hospital of Suzhou from 2019 to 2023
Jingjing GAO ; Ning SU ; Lu YUAN ; Lan HUANG ; Li-jun XU ; Wei-dong XU ; Ya-nan WANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(13):2007-2012
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical distribution and dynamic change of drug resistance of K.pneu-moniae and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)isolated from a three-A hospital of Suzhou so as to provide scientific bases for prevention and control of hospital-associated infections and reasonable application of antibiotics.METHODS The K.pneumoniae and CRKP strains that were isolated from the submitted specimens were collected from the patients who treated in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2019 to 2023.The clinical characteristics of the patients with infection and the trend of drug resistance were statis-tically analyzed.RESULTS Totally 5631 strains of K.pneumoniae were isolated,1205(21.40%)of which were CRKP,and the isolation rate of CRKP showed an upward trend in the five years(x2=236.352,P<0.001).Among the K.pneumoniae isolates,51.59%were isolated from sputum,13.51%from urine;19.43%were isolated from intensive care unit(ICU),7.64%from emergency department,and 7.19%from respiratory department.There were significant differences in gender,age and season between the patients detected with CRKP and the patients detected with non-CRKP(P<0.05).The drug resistance rates of the K.pneumoniae strains to cephalosporins,quinolones and carbapenems con-tinuously increased from 2019 to 2023(P<0.001),the drug resistance rate to imipenem increased from 11.69%to 34.24%,meropenem from 10.92%to 34.24%.CONCLUSIONS The K.pneumoniae isolates show severe drug re-sistance from 2019 to 2023,and the isolation rate of CRKP strains rises increasingly.It is necessary for the hospi-tal to focus on the continuous monitoring of key populations and departments and optimize the management of an-tibiotics and infection control strategies so as to provide guidance for reasonable clinical use of antibiotics,effective control of transmission of drug-resistant strains and cope with the increasingly severe drug resistance.
7.Impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer: a national multicenter real-world study
Zhipeng LIU ; Cheng CHEN ; Jie BAI ; Yan JIANG ; Dong ZHANG ; Wei GUO ; Zhixin WANG ; Xiang LAN ; Yufu YE ; Zhaoping WU ; Jinxue ZHOU ; Shuo JIN ; Yi ZHU ; Wei CHEN ; Dalong YIN ; Yao CHENG ; Haisu DAI ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhiyu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(7):874-881
Objective:To investigate the impact of postoperative complications on adverse outcomes following curative-intent resection for gallbladder cancer (GBC).Methods:The multi-center real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 629 patients with GBC, who were admitted to 14 medical centers including The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from the national multicenter database of Biliary Surgery Group of Elite Group of Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery, from April 2020 to April 2024 were collected. There were 225 males and 404 females, aged (64±10)years. Patients underwent open curative-intent resection for GBC. Observation indicators: (1)surgery, postoperative complica-tions and adverse outcomes; (2) analysis of risk factors affecting postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and population attributable fraction (PAF). Missing data in predictor variables were addressed using multiple imputation with chained equations, while cases with missing outcome variables were addressed using the "multiple imputation then deletion (MID)" strategy. The severity of multicollinearity among independent variables was assessed using the variance inflation factor (VIF) test. Multivariable possion regression models with log link and robust error variance were construc-ted incorporating restricted cubic splines (3 knots) to address nonlinear relationships in continuous variables, calculating adjusted relative risk ( RR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval ( CI). Adjusted PAF was calculated for each imputed dataset using the AF package of R software, with subsequent pooling performed according to Rubin's rules. Results:(1) Surgery, postoperative complications and adverse outcomes. All 629 patients underwent curative-intent resection for GBC, of which 143 cases had postoperative complications, including 68 cases of intra-abdominal ascites, 39 cases of pulmonary infection, 21 cases of bile leakage, 12 cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, 11 cases of liver failure, 10 cases of pan-creatic fistula, 10 cases of wound infection, 10 cases of gastroparesis, 7 cases of cholangitis, 7 cases of sepsis. The same patient could have more than one kind of complication. Of 629 patients, there were 19 cases of postoperative 90-day death and 11 cases of missing data, 42 cases with post-operative 90-day reoperation and 7 cases with missing data, 44 cases with postoperative 90-day readmission and 3 cases with missing data, 155 cases with prolonged postoperative hospital stay and 3 cases with missing data. (2) Analysis of risk factors affecting the postoperative adverse outcomes in patients and PAF. Results of multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary infection and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day mortality ( RR=3.74, 12.15, 95% CI as 1.18-11.83, 1.98-74.48, P<0.05). Pulmonary infection demons-trated the highest PAF as 4.61% (95% CI as 3.94%-5.28%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage were independent risk factors for post-operative 90-day reoperation ( RR=4.80, 3.62, 3.46, 4.99, 95% CI as 2.49-9.26, 1.42-9.21, 1.34-8.92, 1.55-16.06, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 8.65% (95% CI as 8.22%-9.08%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, bile leakage, and liver failure were independent risk factors for postoperative 90-day readmission ( RR=6.20, 3.33, 14.33, 95% CI as 3.21-11.95, 1.33-8.35, 3.72-55.28, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 9.11% (95% CI as 8.85%-9.37%, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, liver failure, and wound infection were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative hospital stay ( RR=2.29, 2.21, 2.26, 2.14, 3.35, 95% CI as 1.63-3.23, 1.41-3.46, 1.32-3.86, 1.11-4.13, 1.70-6.60, P<0.05). Intra-abdominal ascites demonstrated the highest PAF as 6.03% (95% CI as 5.71%-6.35%, P<0.05). Conclusion:Pulmonary infection is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day mortality after curative-intent resection for GBC, while intra-abdominal ascites is the most significant risk factor for postoperative 90-day reoperation, postoperative 90-day readmission, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay.
8.Genetic analysis of a family with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome caused by compound heterozygous mutations in the EVC gene:A case report and literature review
Dong-Lan SUN ; Wen-Qi CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Yuan-Yuan PENG ; Yu-Fan YUAN ; Zhao-Xi WANG ; Qing GUO ; Jing ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(2):168-175
Objective To report the genetic analysis of a family with a fetus suspected of Ellis-van Creveld(EVC)syndrome based on ultrasound findings such as ventricular septal defect(VSD),short long bones in the limbs and polydactyly,and to conduct a literature review to clarify the pathogenic cause.Methods A 27-year-old pregnant woman,who was pregnant for the first time and had no prior deliveries,was admitted to the prenatal diagnosis center of Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2021.At 17 weeks of gestation,ultrasound detected multiple fetal malformations.The genomic DNA of the fetal proband's amniotic fluid cells and the parents'peripheral blood samples were sequentially subjected to chromosomal karyotype analysis,chromosomal microarray analysis(CMA),and whole exome sequencing(WES).Suspected pathogenic mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in the proband and its parents.Subsequently,a Minigene in vitro experiment was used to analyze one splicing mutation.Meanwhile,databases such as PubMed were searched,and literature reports were combined for genetic analysis.Results Chromosomal karyotype analysis of the fetus showed no abnormalities,and CMA did not detect any copy number variation(CNV)with clinical significance.WES results revealed two mutations in the EVC gene(NM_153717.2)of the fetus:a nonsense mutation c.1405G>T(p.E469X)in exon 10 and a splicing mutation c.1886+5G>A in intron 13.Family verification using Sanger sequencing showed that the father was a carrier of the c.1405G>T(p.E469X)mutation in exon 10,and the mother was a carrier of the c.1886+5G>A mutation in intron 13.The compound heterozygous mutation of the fetus was inherited from the parents.According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG)for classifying genetic variations,c.1405G>T(p.E469X)was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PVS1+PM2),and c.1886+5G>A was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PM2+PM3_Strong).The Minigene experiment results showed that the c.1886+5G>A mutation caused a 115-bp segment retention in intron 13,further supporting its pathogenicity.Review of the literature showed that the typical clinical manifestations of EVC syndrome include short limbs,short ribs,postaxial polydactyly,nail and tooth dysplasia,and congenital heart defects.Gene mutations in EVC/EVC2 were found to be the main pathogenic cause through whole exome sequencing,with mutation types including missense mutations,large-scale duplications/deletions,in-frame microdeletions,nonsense mutations,frameshift mutations,and splicing mutations.Conclusions The compound heterozygous mutations in the EVC gene are the pathogenic cause of the fetus.The detection of these mutations expands the genetic variation spectrum of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.
9.Elucidating the therapeutic potential of Maimendong decoction in pulmonary fibrosis: A molecular perspective
Shuangshuang He ; Lan Zhang ; Fang Zhang ; Yuanrong Wang ; Kai Wamg ; Shanshan Guo ; Yuqi Wang ; Wenqing Dong ; Min Fu ; Yu Li
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(2):231-245
ObjectiveTo identify the active components in Maimendong decoction (MMDD) against pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and validate their molecular effects in vitro, while focusing on the role of methylophiopogonanone B in regulating fibrosis.MethodsData on MMDD components and targets were gathered from databases including BATMAN-TCM and PubMed, whereas the PF gene data were sourced from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD. Shared targets were determined using the STRING database, and molecular docking was used to analyze the essential molecules associated with fibrosis. To simulate PF conditions, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HPF) and A549 cells were exposed to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Various assays were used to determine the effects of MMDD and methylophiopogonanone B on signaling pathways, apoptosis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition.ResultsWe identified 11 active components from MMDD extracts that targeted 511 shared proteins associated with PF, revealing 10 key targets in network analysis. Gene ontology analysis indicated that processes and pathways such as apoptosis regulation and PI3K/Akt signaling were involved. In vitro experiments revealed that MMDD downregulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (COL-I), and collagen type III and regulated Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways to promote apoptosis. The flow cytometry apoptosis assay revealed that MMDD promoted the TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The primary active ingredient in MMDD, methylophiopogonanone B, reduced α-SMA, COL-I, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein levels in TGF-β1-treated HPF cells, decreased Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3, and increased Bax. Moreover, methylophiopogonanone B increased E-cadherin levels and reduced α-SMA, fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and snail in TGF-β1-treated A549 cells.ConclusionMethylophiopogonanone B demonstrated the potential to treat PF by inducing myofibroblast apoptosis and inhibiting EMT. However, despite encouraging initial results, further clinical research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of methylophiopogonanone B in the management of PF
10.Influence of different disinfectants on ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application
Jin-zhu MA ; Hai-yan GAO ; Hao WANG ; Ming-lan YANG ; Chun-hui HU ; Dong-liang WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(2):147-150
Objective To investigate the influence of different disinfectants on the ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and adhesive application.Methods A total of 102 emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage who underwent ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture and catheterization were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the iodine group(51 cases)and the chlorhexidine-alcohol group(51 cases).Iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol were used for disinfection before puncture,respectively.The disinfection effect of the puncture site,puncture condition,ultrasound imaging,and adhesive force of the application of patients were statistically compared between the two groups.Results There was no significant difference in the bacterial count before disinfection,the bacterial count after disinfection or the qualified rate of disinfection at the puncture site of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in the success rate of one-time puncture,the number of puncture and the time of puncture and catheterization between the two groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the rate of clear ultrasound images,adhesive force and rate of warping or shedding of the application between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion For emergency patients with traumatic hemorrhage,using iodophor(0.5%effective iodine)and 2.0%chlorhexidine gluconate+70.0%ethanol disinfection before ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein puncture can achieve good disinfection effects.Iodine disinfection can obtain clearer ultrasound images and a higher success rate of one-time puncture,but the adhesive force of the application is poor,making it prone to warping or shedding.


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