1.Clinical Observation of Modified Zhigancao Tang in Treating Patients with Liver and Kidney Deficiency of Parkinson's Disease and Its Effect on Neuronal Signal-related Proteins
Yifo WEI ; Furong LYU ; Jia YAO ; Guonian LI ; Xianyi LUO ; Meng LUO ; Zhengzheng WEN ; Qiuqi LI ; Yihan LIU ; Linlin YANG ; Rui ZUO ; Wenxin DANG ; Fang MI ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Zhigang CHEN ; Fan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):166-173
ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 (MAP-2), alpha-tubulin (α-tubulin), and synaptophysin (SYP) are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein (α-Syn) and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease (PD), analyzed their correlation, and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine, and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score, TCM syndrome score, and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, MAP-2, α-tubulin, and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment, the TCM syndrome score, UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The UPDRS score, UPDRS-Ⅱ score, and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% (19/30), and that of the treatment group was 86.7% (26/30). The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group (Z=-2.03, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=5.136, P<0.05). After treatment, the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers, as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group, were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin (P<0.05, P<0.01) but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 (P<0.05). ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.
2.Right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection for palliative treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in children: A single-center retrospective study
Shuai ZHANG ; Jianrui MA ; Hailong QIU ; Xinjian YAN ; Wen XIE ; Qiushi REN ; Juemin YU ; Tianyu CHEN ; Yong ZHANG ; Xiaohua LI ; Furong LIU ; Shusheng WEN ; Jian ZHUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Jianzheng CEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(03):366-371
Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P>0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.
3.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
5.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
7.Targeting TM4SF1 promotes tumor senescence enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxic function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Weifeng ZENG ; Furong LIU ; Yachong LIU ; Ze ZHANG ; Haofan HU ; Shangwu NING ; Hongwei ZHANG ; Xiaoping CHEN ; Zhibin LIAO ; Zhanguo ZHANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):489-508
Background/Aims:
Transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1) is highly expressed and contributes to the progression of various malignancies. However, how it modulates hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and senescence remains to be elucidated.
Methods:
TM4SF1 expression in HCC samples was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Cellular senescence was assessed through SA-β-gal activity assays and Western blot analysis. TM4SF1-related protein interactions were investigated using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, co-immunoprecipitation, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and immunofluorescence. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The HCC mouse model was established via hydrodynamic tail vein injection.
Results:
TM4SF1 was highly expressed in human HCC samples and murine models. Knockdown of TM4SF1 suppressed HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inducing non-secretory senescence through upregulation of p16 and p21. TM4SF1 enhanced the interaction between AKT1 and PDPK1, thereby promoting AKT phosphorylation, which subsequently downregulated p16 and p21. Meanwhile, TM4SF1-mediated AKT phosphorylation enhanced PD-L1 expression while reducing major histocompatibility complex class I level on tumor cells, leading to impaired cytotoxic function of CD8+ T cells and an increased proportion of exhausted CD8+ T cells. In clinical HCC samples, elevated TM4SF1 expression was associated with resistance to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Targeting TM4SF1 via adeno-associated virus induced tumor senescence, reduced tumor burden and synergistically enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.
Conclusions
Our results revealed that TM4SF1 regulated tumor cell senescence and immune evasion through the AKT pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in HCC, particularly in combination with first-line immunotherapy.
9.Research on Intervention Strategies for Palliative Care Decision-Making in Terminal Cancer Patients Based on Dual-Process Theory of Behavioral Economics
Furong TIAN ; Zehui LIU ; Genyong ZUO
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(11):64-67
Objective:From the perspective of behavioral economics,it analyzes the reasons for the low utilization rate of palliative care and propose intervention measures,to promote the acceptance and application of palliative care by terminal cancer patients and their families.Methods:Using the theories and methods of behavioral economics to explore how cognitive and behavioral biases lead to irrational medical decisions in the choice of palliative care;based on the dual-process theory and nudge method,it aims to construct an intervention model for"palliative"care decision-making and propose intervention strategies.Results:Terminal cancer patients and their families with bounded rationality tend to prefer short-term aggressive treatment plans while making decisions,and use the extension of survival as the decision anchor point,weakening the influence of quality of life factors.The lack of sound mechanisms related to palliative care will further increase the cognitive bias of cancer patients and their families,putting them in a negative choice framework and risking losses,leading to the abandonment of more rational palliative care plans.Conclusion:By adopting the"perceptual-rational"thinking from the dual-process theory,transforming inter-temporal selection into the most cost-effective option,anchoring treatment expectations to patients'quality of life,increasing the value of palliative care benefits,and constructing a supportive selection framework as a target for intervention,it can help promote the use of palliative care.
10.Screening and characterization of anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain antibodies with broad-spectrum neutralizing activity
NI Wanqi ; REN Li ; JIN Changzhong ; YANG Furong ; SHEN Yumin ; WANG Shuo ; HU Caiqin ; HAO Yanling ; LIU Ying ; ZHU Biao ; SHAO Yiming ; LI Dan ; WANG Zheng
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(3):258-
convalescents, and to screen for broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 RBD. Methods Using biotinylated RBD as a molecular probe, flow cytometry was employed to perform single-cell sorting of B cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of convalescents. The obtained B cells were lysed and subjected to reverse transcription, followed by nested PCR amplification of the heavy and light chains of antibodies was conducted using random primers. The amplified products were cloned into corresponding expression vectors, and the respective matched heavy-light chain plasmids were co-transfected into 293F cells for expression. Monoclonal antibodies were then purified using Protein A column chromatography. Neutralization experiments were conducted with the wild-type (WT) pseudovirus, and antibodies with IC50<0.1 μg/mL were selected for further testing of neutralizing breadth and potency against the wild-type (WT), Beta variant (B.1.351), Delta variant (B.1.617.2), and currently prevalent pseudovirus strains (XBB, BA.5, BF.7). Results A total of 21 RBD-specific monoclonal B cells were obtained from two recovered patients, resulting in the isolation of 13 pairs of antibody light/heavy chains. Nine antibodies were successfully expressed, with P1-A1, P1-B6, and P1-B9 exhibiting IC50 values below 0.1 μg/mL against the pseudovirus of the wild-type strain (WT). Specifically, P1-B6 effectively neutralized the wild-type strain (WT), Beta variant (B.1.351), and Delta variant (B.1.617.2), with IC50 values reaching 0.01 μg/mL. P1-B9 demonstrated effective neutralization against the wild-type strain (WT), Beta variant (B.1.351), Delta variant (B.1.617.2), and Gamma variant (P.1) pseudoviruses, with IC50 values of 0.42 μg/mL, 0.63 μg/mL, 0.28 μg/mL, and 2.50 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, P1-B6 exhibited good neutralization against BA.5 and BF.7 pseudoviruses, with IC50 values of 0.06 μg/mL and 0.09 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 WT strain can induce the generation of neutralizing antibodies with broad-spectrum activity. Generating these broadly neutralizing antibodies does not require an excessively high somatic hypermutation. The obtained antibodies can be used as candidates for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and prevention.

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