1.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
2.Investigating Effect of Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription on Cell Cycle and Proliferation in Rats with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Through TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway
Yican WANG ; Jie WANG ; Yirui CHENG ; Xiaojing LI ; Yibin MA ; Qiuhua LIU ; Ziwei LIU ; Yuxi GUO ; Pengli DU ; Yanru CAI ; Yao DU ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(8):128-136
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription (XLHZ) in treating chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation, using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes (DEGs) related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction (PPI) analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform (STRING) database to search the super hub gene (hub 2.0), and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group, and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group, XLHZ-H, XLHZ-M, and XLHZ-L groups (36, 18, 9 g·kg-1, respectively), and Morodan group (1.4 g·kg-1). Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, S/G2/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified, including TGF-β1, suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad2, geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of TGF-β1 and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups (P<0.05). The XLHZ-M group, XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 (P<0.05). The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M, XLHZ-H, and Morodan groups (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators, and positively correlated with other indicators (P<0.01). ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, regulate cell cycle, and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.
3.Active Compounds and Modern Pharmacological Effect of Armeniacae Semen Amarum: A Review
Wen GUO ; Peipei JIN ; Haoran ZHENG ; Lu LIU ; Zeheng CHENG ; Hui QI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):326-334
Armeniacae Semen Amarum, the dried mature seeds of plants such as Prunus armeniaca var. ansu (Rosaceae), have a long history for medicinal use. Modern research indicates that the core active compounds of Armeniacae Semen Amarum, such as amygdalin, fatty acids, and volatile oils, exhibit multiple pharmacological effects including antitussive, bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antifibrotic, and immunomodulatory effects. Consequently, their potential applications in treating respiratory diseases, tumors, tissue injury, and metabolic disorders have garnered significant attention. However, a systematic integrated analysis of the relationship between the traditional efficacy, modern pharmacology, key material basis, and multi-pathway mechanisms of Armeniacae Semen Amarum remains lacking. Using bibliometric methods combined with CiteSpace visualization technology, this study systematically summarizes the research hotspots on Armeniacae Semen Amarum and its representative component amygdalin, including the key roles in inflammation regulation, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress balance, and fibrosis modulation. This article reviews the research progress in Armeniacae Semen Amarum across from four major dimensions—traditional applications, visualization analysis, material basis, and modern pharmacological studies, providing a reference for the further basic and clinical studies of Armeniacae Semen Amarum in respiratory diseases, oncology, and immune-related disorders.
4.Expert consensus on imaging diagnosis and analysis of early correction of childhood malocclusion.
Zitong LIN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Ziyang HU ; Zuyan ZHANG ; Yong CHENG ; Bing FANG ; Hong HE ; Hu WANG ; Gang LI ; Jun GUO ; Weihua GUO ; Xiaobing LI ; Guangning ZHENG ; Zhimin LI ; Donglin ZENG ; Yan LIU ; Yuehua LIU ; Min HU ; Lunguo XIA ; Jihong ZHAO ; Yaling SONG ; Huang LI ; Jun JI ; Jinlin SONG ; Lili CHEN ; Tiemei WANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):21-21
Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans
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Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging*
;
Child
;
Consensus
5.Identification of PLATZ gene family in Camellia sinensis and expression analysis of this gene family under high temperature and drought stresses.
Xiaoshu YI ; Anru ZHENG ; Chengzhe ZHOU ; Caiyun TIAN ; Cheng ZHANG ; Yuqiong GUO ; Xuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2897-2912
The plant AT-rich sequence and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) family is composed of plant-specific zinc finger-like transcription factors, which play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. In this study, to gain a better understanding of the PLATZ gene in C. sinensis and elucidate its response under drought and high temperature conditions, the PLATZ gene family of the C. sinensis cultivar 'Tieguanyin' was systematically identified, and a total of 12 CsPLATZ family members were identified. Expasy online and other bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the members of the PLATZ gene family in terms of protein physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, cis-acting elements, gene structures, and intra- and inter-species collinearity. The results of phylogenetic analysis classified the CsPLATZ family members into 2 subfamilies. The conserved domains and gene structures of PLATZ family members within the same subfamily had a high degree of consistency, whereas a certain degree of diversity was observed among the subfamilies. Twelve PLATZ genes were unevenly distributed across 7 chromosomes of C. sinensis and the promoter regions of these genes had multiple cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress responses. The collinearity analysis showed that there were 4 pairs of duplication events in the CsPLATZ gene family, all of which were segmental duplications. Based on this gene family, C. sinensis had a closer evolutionary relationship with A. thaliana than with O. sativa. The transcriptome analysis showed that the expression levels of CsPLATZ family members varied in different tissue samples of C. sinensis. 6 genes (CsPLATZ-1, CsPLATZ-2, CsPLATZ-3, CsPLATZ-4, CsPLATZ-6, and CsPLATZ-8) with high expression in shoots, young leaves, and roots were selected for high temperature and drought stress treatments, and their expression was quantified by qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the six genes might play important roles in the response to drought stress. In addition, CsPLATZ-2 and CsPLATZ-8 might have important functions in the response to high temperature stress. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the biological functions of PLATZ genes and their possible roles in the growth, development, and stress responses of C. sinensis.
Droughts
;
Camellia sinensis/physiology*
;
Phylogeny
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Plant Proteins/genetics*
;
Stress, Physiological/genetics*
;
Multigene Family
;
Transcription Factors/genetics*
;
Hot Temperature
;
Genes, Plant
6.KRT14 promotes the invasion and migration of basal-like breast cancer through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Zheng Cheng ; Manman Zhang ; Jingni Zhou ; Qianying Guo ; Zhengsheng Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(5):805-815
Objective :
To investigate the expression of Keratin 14(KRT14) in Basal-like Breast Cancer(BLBC) and its biological functions and mechanisms.
Methods :
The expression levels of KRT14 mRNA in BLBC and para-cancer breast tissues were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database. qPCR, Western blot(WB), and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect KRT14 expression in BLBC and adjacent normal tissues, and its correlation with clinicopathological features was analyzed. KRT14 overexpression and knockdown were performed in breast cancer cells, and cell scratch and transwell assays were performed to evaluate changes in migration and invasion abilities. To investigate the expression of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, including catenin Beta 1(β-catenin), wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 1(Wnt1), matrix metallopeptidase 7(MMP7), and cellular myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog(c-Myc), as well as the cellular localization of β-catenin, WB and immunofluorescence(IF) techniques were employed. Additionally, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor was used to verify the mechanism of action of KRT14.
Results :
The expression of KRT14 was significantly higher in BLBC tissues compared to normal tissues(P<0.05), and was associated with higher T stage and histological grade(P<0.05). The overexpression of KRT14 significantly enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells, while the knockdown of KRT14 significantly reduced those abilities(P<0.01). The overexpression of KRT14 can increase the expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins β-catenin, Wnt1, MMP7, and c-Myc, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, the inhibition of this pathway can eliminate the effects of KRT14 on cell migration and invasion.
Conclusion
The high expression of KRT14 in BLBC may promote the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
7.Expression of HSPA8 in breast cancer and its biological function
Manman Zhang ; Zheng Cheng ; Jingni Zhou ; Qianying Guo ; Zhengsheng Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(5):816-825
Objective :
To investigate the expression of(heat shock protein a member 8,HSPA8) in breast cancer and its effect on tumor biological behaviors.
Methods:
Bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect the expression of HSPA8 in breast cancer and adjacent non-tumor breast tissues,and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer patients was analyzed.Correlation between HSPA8 expression and prognosis of breast cancer patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier Plotter database.HSPA8 knockdown and over expression breast cancer stabilized cells were constructed,respectively.CCK-8,clone formation,Transwell,cell scratch,Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the effects of HSPA8 on the proliferation,invasion and migration of breast cancer cells,and its effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).
Results :
Bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemistry assay revealed that the expression of HSPA8 in breast cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent non-tumour tissues(P<0.05),and its expression level of the protein was significantly and positively correlated with the tumor size,histological grade,lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 proliferation index(P<0.05).The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that high expression of HSPA8 was significantly associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients(P<0.05).CCK-8,clone formation,transwell,cell scratch,Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that knockdown of HSPA8 expression could significantly inhibit the proliferation,invasion,migration function and EMT of breast cancer cells(P<0.05),while overexpression of HSPA8 could significantly promote the proliferation,invasion,migration function and EMT of breast cancer cells(P<0.05).
Conclusion
HSPA8 is highly expressed in breast cancer tissues,which is closely related to disease progression and the malignant phenotype of breast cancer,suggesting that HSPA8 may be a potential biological target for breast cancer treatment.
8.Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tumor size classification based on prognostic analysis: a retrospective multicenter study
Jiaqian CHEN ; Hongzhi LIU ; Lingtian MENG ; Weiping ZHOU ; Zhangjun CHEN ; Jianying LOU ; Shuguo ZHENG ; Xinyu BI ; Jianming WANG ; Wei GUO ; Fuyu LI ; Jian WANG ; Yamin ZHENG ; Jingdong LI ; Shi CHENG
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(4):332-338
Objective To retrospectively analyze multicenter data from domestic sources, aiming to explore the link between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tumor size and prognosis, establishing a classification system based on tumor size. Methods Between December 2011 and September 2018, 280 ICC patients from 13 hospitals were included. The tumor size prognosis cutoff was identified by the minimum P-value method, and the classification's overall survival related effectiveness was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results All 280 patients were divided into the group of tumor maximum diameter ≤4 cm and >4 cm. Tumor size was confirmed as an independent prognosis factor by multivariate COX regression analysis (HR=2.110, 95% CI: 1.358-3.280). Conclusions The tumor size dichotomy classification system based on the Chinese patient group can expediently predict ICC prognosis and offers an important basis for selecting post-operative individualized adjuvant therapy and follow up plans.
9.Multicenter retrospective analysis of the efficacy of neoadjuvant combined with adjuvant therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Xianglin SONG ; Xiaodong SHI ; Hongzhi LIU ; Jianxing ZENG ; Weiping ZHOU ; Zhangjun CHENG ; Jianying LOU ; Shuguo ZHENG ; Xinyu BI ; Jianming WANG ; Wei GUO ; Fuyu LI ; Jian WANG ; Yamin ZHENG ; Jingdong LI ; Shi CHENG ; Yao HUANG ; Yongyi ZENG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(2):284-297
Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.
10.Multicenter retrospective analysis of the efficacy of neoadjuvant combined with adjuvant therapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Xianglin SONG ; Xiaodong SHI ; Hongzhi LIU ; Jianxing ZENG ; Weiping ZHOU ; Zhangjun CHENG ; Jianying LOU ; Shuguo ZHENG ; Xinyu BI ; Jianming WANG ; Wei GUO ; Fuyu LI ; Jian WANG ; Yamin ZHENG ; Jingdong LI ; Shi CHENG ; Yao HUANG ; Yongyi ZENG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(2):284-297
Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.


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