1.Effect and mechanism of Wnt5a knockdown on the efficacy of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophage in treatment of liver cirrhosis
Feifei XING ; Danyang WANG ; Xinrui ZHENG ; Yannan XU ; Shihao ZHANG ; Junyi ZHAN ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):618-628
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of M1 bone marrow-derived macrophages (M1-BMDM) with Wnt5a knockdown on liver fibrosis and regeneration in a rat model of liver cirrhosis, and to investigate its gain-of-function effect compared with unmodified M1-BMDM. MethodsPrimary bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from rats and were polarized to M1 phenotype to construct M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD cells. A rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF was established, and at the end of week 8, rats were randomly divided into model group, M1-BMDM group, M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown empty vector group (M1-BMDMKD-EV group), and M1-BMDM Wnt5a-knockdown group (M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group), with 6 rats in each group. On the first day of week 9, the rats in each group were given a single injection of the corresponding cells via the caudal vein, along with an intraperitoneal injection of a CCR2 inhibitor. Six rats without any treatment were used as normal control group. Samples were collected at the end of week 12 to assess liver histopathology, serum liver function parameters, hepatic stellate cell activation, and the expression levels of mature hepatocyte markers. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver inflammatory response and significant reductions in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly lower serum level of AST than the M1-BMDM group (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative analysis based on immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area (all P<0.05), and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significant reduction in the percentage of CD68-positive area and a significant increase in the percentage of CD163-positive area (both P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of CD68 and tumor necrosis factor-α (all P<0.05) and the protein expression level of CD68 (all P<0.01); compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant increases in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD163 (both P<0.05), significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD68 (both P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α (P<0.01). Sirius Red collagen staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had significant alleviation of liver collagen deposition and α-SMA-positive area, with the most significant changes in the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group, and compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly smaller Sirius Red-positive area and α-SMA-positive area and a significantly lower content of hydroxyproline in liver tissue (all P<0.05). Compared with the M1-BMDMKD-EV group, the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significant reductions in the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and the mRNA expression level of COL-I and TGF-β (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the protein expression level of HNF-4α in liver tissue (all P<0.05), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had significantly higher protein and mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and hepatocyte specific antigen than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (both P<0.05). The M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher serum level of albumin than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.01). Immunofluorescence co-staining showed that compared with the model group, all cell treatment groups had a significant increase in the number of cells stained positive for HNF and HNF-4α and Ki67 (all P<0.01), and the M1-BMDMWnt5a-KD group had a significantly higher number of such cells than the M1-BMDMKD-EV group (P<0.05). ConclusionInhibition of Wnt5a expression enhances the therapeutic effect of M1-BMDM on rats with liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4/2-AAF, which provides new ideas for enhancing the anti-cirrhotic effect of M1-BMDM through genetic modification.
2.Bibliometric visualization analysis of research literature of Angelica sinensis at home and abroad from 2012 to 2022 based on CiteSpace
Feifei LIU ; Liping CHEN ; Yan ZHONG ; Rong WANG ; Wenbin LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):88-95
Objective Based on the visualization graph analysis of the research hotspots of Angelica sinensis, predict the future research trends, and provide references for the next step of Angelica sinensis research. Methods Chinese and English literatures on Angelica sinensis collected from CNKI, WanFang, VIP and Web of Science from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved. CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software was used to perform visualization econometrics analysis on the number of publications, authors, institutions, journals, keywords and other topics. Results
3.Effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of the Numb gene in treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis
Shihao ZHANG ; Changqing ZHAO ; Mingyan YANG ; Feifei XING ; Wei LIU ; Gaofeng CHEN ; Jiamei CHEN ; Ping LIU ; Yongping MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):80-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC (hUC-MSCNumb-OE), and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector (hUC-MSCOE-EV) was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed to establish a rat model of CLF, and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group, hUC-MSC group, hUC-MSCOE-EV group, and hUC-MSCNumb-OE group, while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL, and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured, including serum biochemistry, liver histopathology, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the liver, hepatic stellate cell activation, ductular reaction, liver regeneration, and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group, the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSCOE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bile acid, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin), liver fibrosis markers (the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-beta 1), and ductular reaction markers (the expression levels of CK7 and CK19) (all P <0.05), and compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators (all P <0.05). In addition, compared with the hUC-MSCOE-EV group, the hUC-MSCNumb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers (albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α) and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis (Numb, pNumb, Mdm2, and p53) (all P <0.05). ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF, possibly by activating the Numb-PTBL-p53-HNF4α axis, promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.
4.Association of low-level ionizing radiation with peripheral blood cells in medical radiation workers
Zhong LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Feifei YAN ; Zhongfen YUAN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):379-386
Objective To investigate the association between low-level ionizing radiation exposure and peripheral blood parameters in medical radiation workers, and to provide evidence for radiation protection strategies and occupational health surveillance. Methods A total of 1261 medical radiation workers from medical institutions in Heze City, Shandong Province, China, were enrolled. Individual monitoring of occupational external exposure was performed. Demographic characteristics and physical examination data were collected. According to the median annual effective dose, the subjects were stratified into a low-dose group (0.10-0.43 mSv) and a high-dose group (>0.43-5.24 mSv). Logistic regression was used to assess the association between ionizing radiation and peripheral blood parameters. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender, age, and exposure duration. Results A total of 1261 subjects were enrolled, of whom 893 (70.82%) were male and 368 (29.18%) were female. The median age was 39.00 (32.00, 47.00) years and the median exposure duration was 11.00 (5.00, 22.00) years. No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. The radiation dose ranged from 0.104 to 5.239 mSv, all below the occupational exposure limit (20 mSv). Basophil count, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume in the high-dose group were significantly higher than those in the low-dose group, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was lower (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ionizing radiation primarily affected erythrocyte parameters, with abnormal hematocrit (OR=1.449, 95%CI: 1.148-1.831), abnormal mean corpuscular volume (OR=1.407, 95%CI: 1.119-1.771), and abnormal mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (OR=1.608, 95%CI: 1.278-2.025) positively associated with ionizing radiation exposure. Subgroup analyses further revealed differences that were not observed in the total population These findings suggest that gender, age, and exposure duration may modify the effect of ionizing radiation on peripheral blood parameters. Conclusion Long-term low-level ionizing radiation exposure can affect peripheral blood parameters in medical radiation workers, particularly erythrocyte parameters. Enhanced occupational health monitoring and protection measures are warranted.
5.A Randomized Controlled Trial on Regulation of LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway by Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules to Restore Clinical and Laboratory Indicators in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Mengyu SUN ; Yuan WANG ; Feifei LIU ; Aihong WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):192-202
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules (HQC) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the syndrome of dampness-heat obstruction and investigate the mechanism by which HQC restore clinical and laboratory parameters in RA patients through regulation of the long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) endogenous Bornavirus-like nucleoprotein 3 pseudogene (EBLN3P)/miR-369-3p/nuclear factor I X(NFIX)-Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway,thereby providing new experimental evidence and potential therapeutic targets for the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of RA. MethodsA randomized controlled trial design was adopted,with 100 RA patients meeting the criteria assigned into an observation group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). In addition,50 healthy controls were enrolled. The control group received leflunomide plus meloxicam,while the observation group additionally received HQC. Efficacy was assessed after 4 weeks of treatment. Observation indicators including Western medicine indicators (DAS28,CPRI-RA,SF-36,VAS,PGA,PhGA,and SAS/SDS),TCM syndrome scores (TCMSS-RADHP,TCMSS-RASDP),and laboratory indicators (ESR,CRP,RF,anti-CCP antibody,VEGF,bFGF,MMP-2/9,p-JAK2/STAT3,and LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX expression) were measured to comprehensively explore the therapeutic mechanism of HQC. ResultsThe study included 45 healthy controls (34 males and 11 females) and 87 RA patients (22 males and 65 females). The median age,median disease duration,and median BMI of patients were 56 years old,10 years,and 21.51 kg·m-2,respectively. Compared with healthy controls,the RA group exhibited a typical state of immune-inflammatory activation as manifested by elevated levels of ESR,anti-CCP antibodies,CRP,and RF (P<0.01),raised clinical symptom scores (DAS28,VAS,PGA,PhGA,CPRI-RA,and TCM symptoms) (P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced SF-36 domain scores (P<0.01). Molecular detection revealed abnormal expression of LncRNA EBLN3P and miR-369-3p,upregulated expression of key proteins in the JAK/STAT pathway (JAK2/p-JAK2 and STAT3/p-STAT3) and angiogenesis markers (VEGF,bFGF,and MMP-2/9),and downregulated expression of NFIX (P<0.05,P<0.01) in the RA group. Spearman correlation analysis further demonstrated associations of key molecules in the LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT pathway with immune-inflammatory markers and clinical symptom scores (P<0.05,P<0.01). Regarding treatment response,both groups showed reductions in ESR,anti-CCP,CRP,and RF levels compared with baseline (P<0.01) and restored scores of DAS28,CPRI-RA,VAS,PGA,PhGA,TCM symptoms,SAS,SDS,and all SF-36 domains (P<0.01). The observation group outperformed the control group in restoring the scores of SAS,SDS,PGA,TCMSS-SDP,and SF-36 domains (PF,BP,GH,VT,and SF) (P<0.05). Real-time PCR analysis revealed that post-treatment expression levels of LncRNA EBLN3P,miR-369-3p,NFIX,JAK2,p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3,VEGF,bFGF,MMP-2,and MMP-9 were recovered compared with pre-treatment levels (P<0.01). Notably,the observation group demonstrated superior regulatory effects on p-JAK2,STAT3,p-STAT3,and MMP-9 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Apriori association rule analysis revealed that HQC treatment was significantly correlated with reduced TCMSS-RADHP,ESR,SF,DAS28,SAS,and SDS scores,as well as increased VT,GH,and RP scores (confidence >80%,support >50%). Regarding safety,two patients in the observation group experienced mild gastrointestinal discomfort,and one patient in the control group developed a rash. All the symptoms resolved after symptomatic treatment. ConclusionHQC target and regulate the LncRNA EBLN3P/miR-369-3p/NFIX-JAK/STAT axis to inhibit angiogenesis and inflammatory responses,reduce immune inflammatory markers,alleviate clinical symptoms,and improve the quality of life in RA patients,exerting synergistic effects on symptoms and quality of life.
6.Clinical application of hemostatic drugs in special populations:an expert consensus
Lizhu HAN ; Yuan BIAN ; Qinan YIN ; Siying CHEN ; Feifei YU ; Jing CHEN ; Xingxing CUI ; Yiding TANG ; Xin YAO ; Hongxi LIU ; Shuhong LIANG ; Nan LIU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(20):2628-2639
OBJECTIVE To develop evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for the use of hemostatic drugs in special populations, so as to improve the efficacy and safety of medication.METHODS Led by the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, a working group of 79 experts covering clinical pharmacy, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and other fields was established. Clinical questions regarding the efficacy and safety of hemostatic drugs in special populations were screened through literature review and two rounds of Delphi questionnaire surveys. Intervention questions were structured using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework, while management questions were additionally described using the population, clinical setting, management measure, and outcome framework. Databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP were systematically searched to collect and screen relevant evidence. Recommendations were formulated through recommendation questionnaire surveys and expert consensus meetings, and the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS A total of 8 clinical questions were finally determined, the consensus rates of all clinical questions and recommendations were more than 90%, and 8 recommendations on the use of hemostatic drugs in special populations were formulated. These recommendations cover special populations including children, women during pregnancy/puerperium/lactation, the elderly, patients with hepatic impairment, patients in the perioperative period of liver transplantation, patients with renal impairment/on dialysis/in the perioperative period of kidney transplantation, immunocompromised patients, and patients with hematological diseases. The recommendations specify the applicable scenarios, dose adjustment principles, monitoring indicators, and safety management strategies of hemostatic drugs in different special populations, which can provide a reference for the clinical application of hemostatic drugs in special populations and help clinicians and pharmacists develop individualized medication plans.
7.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Jiaxing City
WANG Yuanhang ; FU Xiaofei ; QI Yunpeng ; LIU Yang ; ZHOU Wanling ; GUO Feifei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):55-58
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of influenza in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into perfecting the prevention and control strategies of influenza.
Methods:
Data of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population data of the same period were collected from the Zhejiang Health Information Network Reporting System. The epidemiological characteristics of influenza were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Vector map information was collected from the Open Street Map, and the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning.
Results:
A total of 181 501 cases of influenza were reported in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 653.93/105. The majority of cases were aged 5 to <15 years (59 785 cases, 32.94%). The majority of the occupations were students (78 239 cases, 43.11%) and pre-school children (33 715 cases, 18.58%). The county (city, district) with the highest reported incidence was Haining City (1 451.70/105), and the town (street) with the highest reported incidence was Chang'an Town (1 932.78/105). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the incidence of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 had positive spatial correlations (all Moran's I>0, all P<0.05), with a high-high clustering in the southern region. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis showed that there was a spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with the southern region being the primary-type clustering area and the period between November and January of the following year being the clustering time.
Conclusion
There was a significant spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with winter being the peak season and the southern region being the primary area.
8.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
Objective:
This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression.
Results:
Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability.
Conclusion
Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings.
9.Extracellular vesicles deliver thioredoxin to rescue stem cells from senescence and intervertebral disc degeneration via a feed-forward circuit of the NRF2/AP-1 composite pathway.
Xuanzuo CHEN ; Sheng LIU ; Huiwen WANG ; Yiran LIU ; Yan XIAO ; Kanglu LI ; Feifei NI ; Wei WU ; Hui LIN ; Xiangcheng QING ; Feifei PU ; Baichuan WANG ; Zengwu SHAO ; Yizhong PENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1007-1022
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is largely attributed to impaired endogenous repair. Nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs) senescence leads to endogenous repair failure. Small extracellular vesicles/exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (mExo) have shown great therapeutic potential in IDD, while whether mExo could alleviate NPSCs senescence and its mechanisms remained unknown. We established a compression-induced NPSCs senescence model and rat IDD models to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of mExo and investigate the mechanisms. We found that mExo significantly alleviated NPSCs senescence and promoted disc regeneration while knocking down thioredoxin (TXN) impaired the protective effects of mExo. TXN was bound to various endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) mediated TXN K63 ubiquitination to promote the binding of TXN on ESCRT proteins and sorting of TXN into mExo. Knocking down exosomal TXN inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NRF2 and AP-1 inhibition reduced endogenous TXN production that was promoted by exosomal TXN. Inhibition of NRF2 in vivo diminished the anti-senescence and regenerative effects of mExo. Conclusively, AMFR-mediated TXN ubiquitination promoted the sorting of TXN into mExo, allowing exosomal TXN to promote endogenous TXN production in NPSCs via TXN/NRF2/AP-1 feed-forward circuit to alleviate NPSCs senescence and disc degeneration.
10.Discovery of a novel polymyxin adjuvant against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria through oxidative stress modulation.
Taotao LU ; Hongguang HAN ; Chaohui WU ; Qian LI ; Hongyan HU ; Wenwen LIU ; Donglei SHI ; Feifei CHEN ; Lefu LAN ; Jian LI ; Shihao SONG ; Baoli LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1680-1695
Antibiotic adjuvants offer a promising strategy for restoring antibiotic sensitivity, expanding antibacterial spectra, and reducing required dosages. Previously, compound 15 was identified as a potential adjuvant for Polymyxin B (PB) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2; however, its clinical utility was hindered by high cytotoxicity, uncertain in vivo efficacy, and an unclear synergetic mechanism. To address these challenges, we synthesized and evaluated a series of novel benzamide derivatives, with A22 emerging as a particularly promising candidate. A22 demonstrated potent synergistic activity to PB, minimal cytotoxicity, improved water solubility, and broad-spectrum synergism of polymyxins against various clinically isolated MDR Gram-negative strains. In vivo studies using Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse models further confirmed the efficacy of A22. Moreover, A22 effectively suppressed the development of PB resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa DK2. Mechanistic investigations revealed that A22 enhances polymyxins activity by inducing reactive oxygen species production, reducing ATP levels, increasing NOX activity, and inhibiting biofilm formation, leading to bacterial death. These findings position A22 as a highly promising candidate for the development of polymyxin adjuvants, offering a robust approach to combating MDR Gram-negative bacterial infections.


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