1.Variations of Chemical Components in Gardeniae Fructus Before and After Being Charred Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS
Lan LI ; Jie HONG ; Yanan SONG ; Yilan LI ; Yun WANG ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):175-182
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus(GF) before and after being charred, providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata(GFC). MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS) was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then, principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1, differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition, MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified, including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories, primarily including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and terpenoids, their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously, multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites, identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites, respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways, including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis, while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization, with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide, crocin Ⅱ, crocetin, and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin, geniposidic acid, gentiopicroside, and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.
2.Quality evaluation of Qingwen hufei granules based on fingerprints combined with multi-component content determination
Huiying ZHOU ; Yuan WANG ; Yani WANG ; Yun YANG ; Bo WANG ; Shuanzhu YANG ; Liping CAO ; Hong ZHANG ; Kaihua LONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):338-343
OBJECTIVE To provide a scientific basis for the quality evaluation and clinical application of Qingwen hufei granules. METHODS Fourteen batches of Qingwen hufei granules were used as samples to establish high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2012 Edition). The chromatographic peaks were identified and the similarity was evaluated. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to conduct chemical pattern recognition analysis on the 14 batches of samples. Meanwhile, the contents of neochlorogenic acid (NGA), chlorogenic acid (CHA), cryptochlorogenic acid (CGA), forsythoside A (FTA), 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-O- DA), 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4,5-O-DA), and angoroside C (AGC) in the samples were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The methodological investigation results of both the fingerprint and the content determination complied with the relevant requirements. Fourteen common peaks were indicated in the HPLC fingerprints of the 14 batches of samples, and 7 of them were identified [NGA (peak 2), CHA (peak 3), CGA (peak 5), FTA (peak 11), 3,5-O-DA (peak 12), 4,5-O-DA (peak 13), and AGC (peak 14)]; the similarity of each sample was greater than 0.94. The results of CA and PCA showed that the samples could be classified into 3 categories; the results of OPLS-DA indicated that peak 4 (unknown), peak 11 (FTA), peak 8 (unknown), peak 9 (unknown), and peak 1 (unknown) were the differential components. The content ranges of NGA, CHA, CGA, 3,5-O-DA, FTA, 4,5-O-DA and AGC in the 14 batches of samples were 0.210 4-0.458 7, 0.269 1-0.506 3, 0.228 1-0.461 1, 0.443 9-1.044 6, 0.066 7-0.155 7, 0.062 8-0.143 8, and 0.057 4-0.105 7 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination methods established in this study are efficient and reliable, and can be used for the quality evaluation of Qingwen hufei granules.
3.Evaluation of the anticoagulant effect of nafamostat mesylate in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with different dilution methods for uremic patients
Li SHEN ; Yao ZHANG ; Jun WANG ; Hong ZHU ; Yong QIN ; Yuewu TANG ; Ni DU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):350-355
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the anticoagulant efficacy and safety of nafamostat mesylate (NM) in the treatment of uremic patients at high risk of bleeding undergoing continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with different methods (pre- dilution and post-dilution). METHODS A total of 130 uremic patients at high risk of bleeding who underwent CVVH treatment in the nephrology department of Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital from July 2023 to September 2024 were selected. They were divided into pre-dilution group and post-dilution group according to the random number table method, with 65 cases in each group. Both groups of patients received CVVH treatment under NM anticoagulation. The pre-dilution group adopted the pre-dilution replacement method, while the post-dilution group adopted the post-dilution replacement method. The coagulation, pressure, and usage duration of the filter and dialysis circuit venous reservoirs were compared between the two groups. The changes in prothrombin time (PT), prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) in the peripheral venous blood before the heparin pump and after the filter at 1, 4 and 7 h of CVVH treatment, as well as 20 min after the end of treatment, were compared between the two groups. The single-compartment urea clearance rate (spKt/V), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) clearance rate and the incidence of adverse reactions were duni2007@foxmail.com compared between the two groups. RESULTS Both the pre-dilution and post-dilution groups had 60 patients who completed the study. The incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ coagulation of the filter and venous reservoirs, as well as the number of patients with transmembrane and venous pressure alarm intervention in the post- dilution group were significantly higher or more than those in the pre-dilution group (P<0.05), while usage time of the filter and the pipeline in the post-dilution group was significantly shorter than that in the pre-dilution group (P<0.05). The APTT values before the heparin pump as well as PT and APTT values after the filter at 1 h, 4 h, and 7 h of CVVH treatment in the post-dilution group were significantly higher than those in the pre-dilution group (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in PT, PT- INR, APTT and FIB between the two groups of patients 20 min after the end of treatment (P>0.05). The spKt/v and β2-MG clearance rates in the post-dilution group were significantly higher than those in the pre-dilution group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS When NM is used as an anticoagulant in the CVVH treatment of uremic patients at high risk of bleeding, compared with the pre-dilution treatment method, the post-dilution treatment method has a higher incidence of filter and dialysis tubing venous reservoir, a shorter usage time of the filter and pipeline, and a greater impact on extracorporeal coagulation, but has a higher solute clearance rate. Clinically, different dilution methods can be selected according to the different treatment needs of patients.
4.Research status of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes in the pathogenesis of blinding ocular diseases
Kewen ZHOU ; Qingping LIU ; Mingzhi ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(3):410-416
Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes(MAMs)are crucial structural links between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, formed by a complex protein network. They play a central role in cellular calcium signaling homeostasis, mitochondrial stability, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammatory response. In recent years, advances in subcellular ultrastructure research techniques have gradually uncovered the relationship between MAMs dysfunction and blinding ocular diseases. Studies indicate that structural or functional impairments in MAMs can disrupt retinal pigment epithelial cells homeostasis, compromise the survival microenvironment of retinal ganglion cells, and trigger corneal endothelial cells apoptosis, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of various blinding ocular diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, and glaucoma. This article reviews the molecular mechanisms linking MAMs in common blinding ocular diseases.
5.Research status of protein N-glycosylation detection methods and their applications in ophthalmology research
Peiyi PENG ; Qingping LIU ; Mingzhi ZHANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(3):458-462
N-glycosylation is a crucial posttranslational modification of proteins that can modulate their functions and plays key roles in various biological processes. Current research has revealed that alterations in protein N-glycosylation are closely associated with the pathogenesis and progression of multiple ocular diseases. N-glycosylation detection methods can identify changes in N-glycans on proteins; therefore, understanding these techniques and their application value in ocular diseases is important. This article provides a systematic review of the current state of N-glycosylation detection methods, including techniques such as capillary electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. It also offers a detailed discussion on the specific applications of these technologies in the study of various ocular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and vernal keratoconjunctivitis/atopic keratoconjunctivitis.
6.Early warning of influenza epidemic based on CUSUM and EWMA models in Daxing District, Beijing
Hong LEI ; Qiuling LI ; Qi LIU ; Meichen LIU ; Enhuan DU ; Jinfeng TANG ; Zhiping LI ; Yadi GAN ; Lijie ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):13-17
Objective To explore the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) and the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) for early warning of influenza epidemic using two datasets of reported influenza cases and influenza-like illness (ILI) cases. Methods Using the reported cases of influenza and ILI in Daxing District, Beijing, from week 23 of 2018 to week 22 of 2024 as data sets, the CUSUM and EWMA models were established, respectively. The positive rate of influenza etiology was used as the “gold standard”, and the Youden index was used as the evaluation index to compare the early warning effect of the two models under different data sets and different parameters. Results In CUSUM, the optimal Youden indices of the reported influenza cases set and the ILI cases set were 0.751 and 0.635, respectively. In EWMA, the optimal Youden indices of the reported influenza cases set and the ILI cases set were 0.544 and 0.464, respectively. The optimal EWMA and CUSUM models could both issue early warning signals in advance of the “gold standard”. Conclusion In the influenza epidemic early warning in Daxing District, Beijing, the CUSUM model established with the reported cases of influenza can achieve good early warning effects, but the model parameters need to be dynamically adjusted according to the local epidemic characteristics.
7.Prognostic significance of TRIM28 elevation in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia
Siqi GONG ; Cong LI ; Mengmeng FAN ; Huiping WANG ; Wanqiu ZHANG ; Xue LIANG ; Qianshan TAO ; Qiang HONG ; Zhimin ZHAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):301-308
ObjectiveTo clarify the expression of TRIM28 in non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its correlation with clinical indicators and prognosis, and to further explore the effect of TRIM28 expression levels on the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells using small interfering RNA. MethodsThe GSE34577 dataset was analyzed using R software to compare TRIM28 expression between healthy controls and non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Clinical samples from non-M3 AML patients were collected, with TRIM28 expression levels measured using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The analysis focused on correlations between TRIM28 expression and various clinical indicators, treatment efficacy, and patient prognosis. Furthermore, small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to downregulate TRIM28 expression in human primary AML cells (HL60 cell line). The effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis were then assessed through CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry, respectively. ResultsThe results showed that TRIM28 was up-regulated in non-M3 AML of both online database GSE34577 and clinical samples (P<0.000 1), TRIM28 expression of new diagnosis group and relapsed refractory group was higher than iron deficiency anemia group (P<0.01), and there was no significance between different French-American-British classification systems subtype. TRIM28 expression was higher in non-M3 AML patients with a poor genetic prognosis stratified as moderate than in the good prognosis group, and TRIM28 expression was associated with NPM1 combined with the FLT3-ITD mutation, positively correlated with age, bone marrow blast, peripheral blood blast and white blood cell, negatively correlated with hemoglobin. In addition, interference TRIM28 greatly inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. ConclusionThis study reveals that TRIM28 is highly expressed in non-M3 AML and associated with prognosis, and plays a key role in the proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, suggesting that TRIM28 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for non-M3 AML.
8.Research progress of urea-containing PET tracers targeting prostate specific membrane antigen
Hong ZHU ; Hui WANG ; Hongwei SI ; Dan ZHANG ; Dengyun CHEN ; Pengfei DAI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):369-375
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of male genitourinary system. Prostate cancer has the following characteristics: insidious onset, early asymptomatic or not obvious symptoms, complex etiology and pathogenesis, long incubation period and so on. Therefore, the realization of its early diagnosis and treatment is of great significance to the prognosis of patients. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a type 2 transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed on the membrane of almost all primary and metastatic prostate cancer cells, and is an ideal target for prostate cancer imaging and treatment. In recent years, with the approval of urea-containing small molecule PET (positron emission computed tomography) radiopharmaceutical based on PSMA (68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-1007), PET-CT (positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography) has shown new potential for early diagnosis and accurate staging of prostate cancer patients. This review mainly summarizes the research progress of urea-containing PSMA PET imaging agents and finds that they have defects such as uptake in non-target tissues like the kidneys, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands. Thus, further optimizing their structure to reduce the uptake in non-target tissues, providing provide convenience for the labeling of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, thereby achieving the goal of integrated diagnosis and treatment, is an important development direction in this field.
9.Construction of Organoid-on-a-chip and Its Applications in Biomedical Fields
Rui-Xia LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Xiao LI ; Yi LIU ; Long HUANG ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):293-308
Organoid-on-a-chip technology represents a promising interdisciplinary advancement that merges two cutting-edge biomedical platforms: stem cell-derived organoids and microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip systems. Organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that mimic the key structural and functional features of in vivo organs. However, traditional organoid culture systems are often static, lacking dynamic environmental cues and suffering from limitations such as batch-to-batch variability, low stability, and low throughput. Organ-on-a-chip platforms, by contrast, utilize microfluidic technologies to simulate the dynamic physiological microenvironment of human tissues and organs, enabling more controlled cell growth and differentiation. By integrating the advantages of organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, organoid-on-a-chip systems transcend the limitations of conventional 3D culture models, offering a more physiologically relevant and controllable in vitro platform. In organoid-on-a-chip systems, stem cells or pre-formed organoids are cultured in micro-engineered environments that mimic in vivo conditions, enabling precise control over fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical cues. Specifically, these platforms employ advanced strategies including bio-inspired 3D scaffolds for structural support, precise spatial cell patterning via 3D bioprinting, and integrated biosensors for real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. These synergistic elements recreate complex extracellular matrix signals and ensure high structural fidelity. Based on structural complexity, organoid-on-a-chip systems are classified into single-organoid and multi-organoid types, forming a trajectory from unit biomimicry to systemic simulation. Single-organoid chips focus on highly biomimetic units by integrating vascular, immune, or neural functions. Multi-organoid chips simulate inter-organ crosstalk and systemic homeostasis, advancing complex disease modeling and PK/PD evaluation. This emerging technology has demonstrated broad application potential in multiple fields of biomedicine. Organoid-on-a-chip systems can recapitulate organ developmentin vitro, facilitating research in developmental biology. They mimic organ-specific physiological activities and mechanisms, showing promising applications in regenerative medicine for tissue repair or replacement. In disease modeling, they support the reconstruction of models for neurodegenerative, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic diseases, and cancers. These platforms also enable in vitro drug testing and pharmacokinetic studies (ADME). Patient-derived chips preserve genetic and pathological features, offering potential for precision medicine. Additionally, they reduce species differences in toxicology, providing human-relevant data for environmental, food, cosmetic, and drug safety assessments. Despite progress, organoid-on-a-chip systems face challenges in dynamic simulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) variability, and limited real-time 3D imaging, requiring improved materials and the integration of developmental signals. Current bottlenecks also include the high technical threshold for automation and the lack of standardized validation frameworks for regulatory adoption. Meanwhile, the concept of a “human-on-a-chip” has been proposed to mimic whole-body physiology by integrating multiple organoid modules. This approach enables systemic modeling of drug responses and toxicity, with the potential to reduce animal testing and revolutionize drug development. Future advancements in bio-responsive hydrogels and flexible biosensors will further empower these platforms to bridge the gap between bench-side research and personalized clinical interventions. In conclusion, organoid-on-a-chip technology offers a transformative in vitro model that closely recapitulates the complexity of human tissues and organ systems. It provides an unprecedented platform for advancing biomedical research, clinical translation, and pharmaceutical innovation. Continued development in biomaterials, microengineering, and analytical technologies will be essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful tool.
10.Strategic Optimization of CHO Cell Expression Platforms for Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing
Rui-Ming ZHANG ; Meng-Lin LI ; Hong-Wei ZHU ; Xing-Xiao ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):327-341
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most established and versatile mammalian expression system for the large-scale production of recombinant therapeutic proteins, owing to their genetic stability, adaptability to serum-free suspension culture, and ability to perform human-like post-translational modifications. More than 70% of biologics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rely on CHO-based production platforms, underscoring their central role in modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Despite these advantages, CHO systems continue to face three persistent bottlenecks that limit their potential for high-yield, reproducible, and cost-efficient production: excessive metabolic burden during high-density culture, heterogeneity of glycosylation patterns, and progressive loss of long-term expression stability. This review provides an integrated analysis of recent advances addressing these challenges and proposes a forward-looking framework for constructing intelligent and sustainable CHO cell factories. In terms of metabolic regulation, excessive lactate and ammonia accumulation disrupts energy balance and reduces recombinant protein synthesis efficiency. Optimization of culture parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, osmolarity, and glucose feeding can effectively alleviate metabolic stress, while supplementation with modulators including sodium butyrate, baicalein, and S-adenosylmethionine promotes specific productivity (qP) by modulating apoptosis and chromatin structure. Furthermore, genetic engineering strategies—such as overexpression of MPC1/2, HSP27, and SIRT6 or knockout of Bax, Apaf1, and IGF-1R—have demonstrated significant improvements in cell viability and product yield. The combination of multi-omics metabolic modeling with artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction offers new opportunities for building self-regulating CHO systems capable of dynamic adaptation to environmental stress. Regarding glycosylation uniformity, which determines therapeutic efficacy and immunogenicity, gene editing-based glycoengineering (e.g., FUT8 knockdown or ST6Gal1 overexpression) has enabled the humanization of CHO glycan profiles, minimizing non-human sugar residues and enhancing drug stability. Process-level strategies such as galactose or manganese co-feeding and fine control of temperature or osmolarity further allow rational regulation of glycosyltransferase activity. Additionally, in vitro chemoenzymatic remodeling provides a complementary route to construct human-type glycans with defined structures, though industrial applications remain constrained by cost and scalability. The integration of model-driven process design and AI feedback control is expected to enable real-time prediction and correction of glycosylation deviations, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency in continuous biomanufacturing. Long-term expression stability, another critical challenge, is often impaired by promoter silencing, chromatin condensation, and random genomic integration. Molecular optimization—such as the use of improved promoters (CMV, EF-1α, or CHO endogenous promoters), Kozak and signal peptide refinement, and incorporation of chromatin-opening elements (UCOE, MAR, STAR)—helps maintain durable transcriptional activity, while site-specific integration systems including Cre/loxP, Flp/FRT, φC31, and CRISPR/Cas9 can enable single-copy, position-independent gene insertion at genomic safe-harbor loci, ensuring stable, predictable expression. Collectively, this review highlights a paradigm shift in CHO system optimization driven by the convergence of genome editing, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. The transition from empirical optimization to rational, data-driven design will facilitate the development of programmable CHO platforms capable of autonomous regulation of metabolic flux, glycosylation fidelity, and transcriptional activity. Such intelligent cell factories are expected to accelerate the transformation from laboratory-scale research to industrial-scale, high-consistency, and economically sustainable biopharmaceutical manufacturing, thereby supporting the next generation of efficient and customizable biologics manufacturing.


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