1.Comparison of the toxicity and safety of protein derivatives from novel fusion strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Hao-qi XU ; Jiang-tao DONG ; Jie ZHANG ; Fang WU ; Su LIANG ; Xiao-ling LIU ; Lan-ru GAO ; Ju WANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Jiang-dong WU ; Le ZHANG ; Xi-ling DENG ; Wan-jiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):376-384
The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and safety of novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis fusion strain protein derivatives,referred to as B/R strain active proteins.In cellular experiments,RAW264.7 cells were treated with each vaccine preparation,and apoptosis rates were measured.In subsequent animal experiments,C57BL/6 mice were immunized via subcutaneous injection,and their survival and body weight changes were monitored and recorded at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks.The lungs and spleens were harvested to calculate organ coefficients,and pathological examinations were conducted.At the eighth week of immunization,the mice were infected with high concentrations of BCG,and pathological changes in the lungs and spleens were observed 4 weeks post-infection.The apoptosis rate at 6 hours was significantly higher in the experimental group than the PBS group(P<0.05).At 12 and 24 hours,the apoptosis rate in the experimental group remained higher than that in the PBS group,although this difference was not statistically significant.After immunization,mice in all four groups exhibited normal growth patterns,as indicated by stable body weight changes.At 4 and 12 weeks post-immunization,the lung coefficients in the protein group were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at the same time points.Additionally,the lung coefficients in the BCG group were significantly elevated across all time periods(P<0.05).The spleen coefficients in the protein and BCG groups were significantly higher than those in the PBS group at 2,4,8,12,and 16 weeks,whereas the ICD B/R group showed higher spleen coefficients than the PBS group only at week 8(P<0.05).Pathological examination revealed normal lung and spleen tissues in the PBS group.However,during the 2-8 weeks immunization period,lung and spleen tissues in all experimental groups exhibited varying degrees of damage,which gradually diminished by 12-16 weeks.Notably,no tuberculosis nodules were observed in any experimental group.After infection with high concentrations of BCG,no overt pathological changes were observed on the surfaces of the lungs and spleens in any group.Microscopic examination revealed less severe pathological changes in the lungs and spleens of mice in the experimental groups than the PBS group.Furthermore,no statistically significant differences were observed between the protein group and the BCG group.Our findings suggested that the B/R strain active proteins'toxicity and safety profiles were comparable to those of BCG,and showed immunoprotective effects.This study provides an experimental foundation for the development of a novel tuberculosis vaccine.
2.Fabrication of Zirconium Dioxide-doped Polydopamine Nanocomposite Coating for Highly Efficient Solid Phase Microextraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Environmental Water Samples
Xiao-Yan SHEN ; Hui-Ju WANG ; Liu HAN ; Zhen MA
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(1):143-151
Zirconium dioxide(ZrO2)is a suitable solid phase microextraction(SPME)fiber coating due to its high thermal and chemical stability and excellent adsorption.Similarly,polydopamine(PDA)can also be utilized as SPME fiber coating because of its strong oxidation resistance and stability,desired adsorption as well as environmental friendliness.In this work,a novel zirconium dioxide-doped polydopamine(ZrO2@PDA)SPME fiber coating was quickly fabricated on the stainless steel(SS)by cyclic voltammetry(CV)using the etched SS wire as working electrode,a Pt rod as counter electrode and a saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode.Coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection(HPLC-UV),the extraction performance of the fabricated SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber was evaluated using typical aromatic compounds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs),ultraviolet filters(UvFs),phthalate acid esters(PAEs)and chlorophenols(CPs).The SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber showed excellent extraction capability for PAHs and PAEs,however,poor extraction capability for UvFs and no extraction capability for CPs.Therefore,PAHs were selected as target analytes and the key experimental factors on extraction efficiency were optimized.Under the optimized conditions,good linearity was obtained for the developed SPME-HPLC-UV method with the SS@ZrO2@PDA fiber.The limits of detection(LODs,S/N=3)were 0.018-0.082 μg/L.The developed method was successfully applied to determination of trace PAHs in different actual water samples with recoveries of 86.7%-102.4%and RSDs less than 8.2%.In addition,the fabricated novel fiber was simple to prepare and exhibited high stability,good reproducibility and long service life.
3.Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS.
Li-Qiang ZHANG ; Guo-Shun SHAN ; Yi-Dan HONG ; Si-Han LIU ; Guo-Wei XU ; Hui GAO ; Wei WANG ; Cheng-Guo JU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(8):2145-2158
Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus were established to systematically characterize and identify these components, and the content of the main differential components was determined. The chemical components of different processed products of Corni Fructus were collected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Through analysis of self-built databases, literature, and reference standards, a total of 93 components were obtained, including 19 iridoids, 15 flavonoids, 16 organic acids, eight triterpenoids, eight tannins, four amino acids, two polysaccharides, five olefins, and 16 other compounds. Additionally, by using multivariate statistical methods, the differential components between different processed products of Corni Fructus were screened under the conditions of VIP>1.0 and FC<0.5 or FC>2.0 and P<0.05. The PCA and OPLS-DA results showed differences in the chemical components between different processed products of Corni Fructus. A total of 21 differential components were screened, including tartaric acid, morroniside, and rutin. On this basis, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) was used to determine the content of 10 main common differential components, including gallic acid, morroniside, ursolic acid, loganin, swertiamarin, rutin, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, cornuside Ⅰ, quercetin, and oleanolic acid. The above 10 components showed a good linear relationship within the determined concentration range, with the precision, stability, repeatability, and sample recovery rate all meeting the requirements. Compared with that in Corni Fructus, the content of iridoid glycosides in wine-prepared Corni Fructus and wine-and honey-prepared Corni Fructus decreased, while the content of gallic acid, rutin, quercetin, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid increased. Compared with wine-prepared Corni Fructus, wine-and honey-prepared Corni Fructus showed varying degrees of increase in all other components, except for a slight decrease in gallic acid content. In summary, this study clarified the influence of different processing methods on the chemical components of Corni Fructus, providing a theoretical basis for the scientific connotation, overall quality evaluation, and clinically rational application of Corni Fructus processing in the future.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Cornus/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Fruit/chemistry*
4.Teaching practice of movable virtual reality equipment in human anatomy classroom teaching
Ping LIU ; Xuan FANG ; Hui-Ru DING ; Li-Ju LUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Jun WANG ; Huai-Cun LIU ; Wei-Guang ZHANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(5):607-611
Objective To explore the integration value of mobile virtual reality devices in the classroom teaching of human anatomy,and to evaluate their potential impact on the in-depth construction of human anatomy knowledge,the cultivation of spatial cognitive ability,and the transformation of teaching paradigms from the perspectives of cognitive load theory and situated learning.Methods The undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in Peking University were selected as the research objects.Among them,students in grade 2019 were the control group,and students in grade 2022 were the experimental group,introducing movable virtual anatomy equipment and other teaching auxiliary method in theory and practice courses.The final exam scores of the two groups of students were compared,and a questionnaire survey was conducted for the experimental group after the course,and the survey result were statistically analyzed.Results The final examination result showed that the average score of the experimental group was 82.47±10.19,and the average score of the control group was 74.82±16.56,which was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).The questionnaire survey result showed that compared with traditional classroom teaching,94.62%of students preferred the new auxiliary teaching mode such as VR,96.77%of students believed that VR assisted teaching could achieve the traditional teaching effect or better,95.7%of them think that it improved students' interest in learning human anatomy,and 98.92%thought that it improved students' knowledge of anatomy.Conclusion The application of mobile virtual reality devices in anatomy classroom teaching provides immersive and interactive 3D visualization teaching scenarios,effectively reducing students' cognitive load on abstract and complex anatomical structures,promoting spatial understanding and knowledge internalization,significantly improving teaching effectiveness and self-learning ability,thus changing the traditional anatomy teaching mode and laying a solid foundation for the development of future medical education and the cultivation of medical talents.
5.Preparation of the Fusion Protein Between Diphtheria Toxin Mutants and the Receptor Binding Domain of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E(EHc)Molecules and the Immunological Effect Evaluation
Qiu-Ju JIA ; Yao-Hui ZHAO ; Xiao-Yu LIU ; Shuo YU ; Jian-Sheng LU ; Yun-Zhou YU ; Ming LIAO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1421-1431
CRM 197(cross-reacting material 197),a naturally occurring mutant of diphtheria toxin,is a safe and effective vaccine vector and extensively used on developing conjugate or combined vaccines.The mutant loses its enzymatic activity,but fully retains its receptor-binding ability and immunogenicity.In current work,the diphtheria toxin mutant CRM 197 and its fusion proteins with the receptor-binding do-main of botulinum neurotoxin serotype E(EHc)were developed using genetic engineering technology.These recombinant proteins were confirmed by Western blotting and SDS-PAGE.BALB/c mice were im-munized with the CRM197-EHc and EHc-CRM197 fusion proteins,and their immunogenicity was evalua-ted.These two fusion protein molecules,CRM197-EHc and EHc-CRM197,as subunit vaccines,elicited a robust humoral immune response targeting both CRM197 and EHc antigens in the immunized mice.Compared to the mixture of CRM197 and EHc,the mice vaccinated with the fusion proteins(CRM197-EHc and EHc-CRM197)induced higher levels of anti-CRM197 antibodies,and the mice vaccinated with EHc-CRM197 also generated strongest anti-EHc antibodies.Consequently,as a carrier molecule in the fusion protein vaccine,EHc enhances the immunogenicity of CRM197 molecules.Likewise,CRM197 boosts the immunogenicity of EHc in the EHc-CRM197 fusion protein.
6.Study on the mechanism of hypericin improving acute pancreatitis in mice by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome
Hui CHEN ; Kai ZHAO ; Zhenguo LIU ; Ying CHANG ; Kanglu JU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):820-825
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of hypericin on acute pancreatitis(AP)in mice and its effect on NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.Methods The AP model in mice was established with caerulein(CER).The mice were divided into the normal control group,the model group(AP group),the low-dose HY group(CER+HY 5 mg/kg group),the medium-dose HY group(CER+HY 10 mg/kg group)and the high-dose HY group(CER+HY 20 mg/kg group),with 10 mice in each group.The 266-6 mouse pancreatic acinar cancer cells were treated with cholecystokinin(CCK)and divided into the control group,the AP group,the CCK+HY 1 μmol/L group,the CCK+HY 2 μmol/L group and the CCK+HY 4 μmol/L group.The activities of amylase(AMS),lipase,trypsin and myeloperoxidase(MPO)in the serum of each group of mice,and levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of NOD-like receptor family protein 3(NLRP3)was detected by Western blot assay.The mRNA levels of NLRP3,caspase(Caspase)-1,IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-18 in pancreatic tissue of mice were detected by real-time quantitative PCR(q-PCR).The cell survival rate of cells in each group was detected by CCK8 method.The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-18 in each group of cells were detected by q-PCR.Results Compared with the normal control group,the levels of AMS,lipase,MPO,trypsin,IL-1β and TNF-α in serum of the model group,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-18 and Caspase-1 in pancreatic tissue were increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the levels of AMS,IL-1β and TNF-α,the enzymatic activity of trypsin in serum,and the mRNA levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-18 and Caspase-1 in pancreatic tissue were decreased in the low-,medium-and high-dose HY groups.The serum levels of lipase and MPO and the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 in pancreatic tissue were decreased in the medium-and high-dose HY groups(P<0.05).Compared with the AP group,the cell survival rates were increased in the CCK+HY 1 μmol/L group,the CCK+HY 2 μmol/L group and the CCK+HY 4 μmol/L group,and the mRNA levels of NLRP3,IL-18 and Caspase-1 were decreased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Conclusion Hypericin can effectively treat AP in vivo and in vitro,and its therapeutic effect may be related to the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
7.Study of protective effect of Tim-3 on sepsis-induced acute lung injury by promoting mitophagy of alveolar macrophages and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Yunlong ZHU ; Fang WU ; Jie ZHANG ; Jiangtao DONG ; Su LIANG ; Xiaoling LIU ; Ju WANG ; Hui ZHANG ; Jiangdong WU ; Le ZHANG ; Xiling DENG ; Wanjiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(11):2567-2572
Objective:To investigate protective effect and mechanism of Tim-3 on sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)by pro-moting mitophagy of alveolar macrophages and inhibiting activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.Methods:LPS-stimulated mouse alveo-lar macrophage(MH-S)model and sepsis-induced ALI mouse model were constructed.Tim-3 siRNA interference technique was used to knock down Tim-3 expression in MH-S cells,and anti-Tim-3 antibody mice were injected intraperitoneally to block Tim-3 function.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and mitophagy-related proteins(LC3B,P62,PINK1 and Parkin)in MH-S cells and lung tissue of mice with sepsis-induced ALI.Laser confocal fluorescence staining was used to measure ROS level and mitochondrial membrane potential of MH-S cells.Pathological examination of lung tissue was performed in mice with sepsis-induced ALI in each group,and degree of lung tissue injury was evaluated by Smith scoring system.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and lung tissue were collected from mice with ALI induced by sepsis in each group.BCA protein quantification method was used to determine protein concentration in BALF.MPO activity in lung tissue was detected by colorimetry.MDA content in lung tissue was detected by TBA method.LC3B protein expression in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:In mouse alveolar macrophages,Tim-3 knockdown could promote expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and P62 proteins,increase ROS release,inhibit PINK1/Parkin pathway activation and LC3B protein expression,and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential.In mice with sepsis-induced ALI,Tim-3 functional blockade could promote expressions of NLRP3,ASC,cleaved-caspase-1 and P62 proteins in lung tissue,aggravate lung pathological injury and pulmonary edema,increase MPO activity and MDA content in lung tissue,and reduce positive rate of LC3B protein.Conclusion:Tim-3 plays a protective role in sepsis-induced ALI by promoting mitophagy in alveolar macrophages and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation via PINK1/Parkin.
8.The Effect of Serum Ferritin before Transplantation on Implanta-tion in MDS and AML Patients after Unrelated Cord Blood Trans-plantation
Dan-Dan HAN ; Hui-Ru WANG ; Xiao-Ju WAN ; Juan LI ; Hui-Lan LIU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(6):1797-1802
Objective:To analyze the effect of high serum ferritin(SF)before transplantation on erythrocyte,granulocyte and platelet implantation in unrelated cord blood transplantation(UCBT)patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)and acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods:The medical records of 60 patients with MDS and AML who underwent UCBT in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the SF level before transplantation,they were divided into high SF group(SF ≥ 1 000 μg/L,n=20)and non-high SF group(SF<1 000 μg/L,n=40).The red blood cell(RBC)infusion volume before transplantation,implantation time of RBC,granulocyte and platelet,implantation risk and prognosis were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Results:There was no correlation between the level of SF before transplantation and RBC infusion.After transplantation,the median implantation time of RBC in the high SF group was 28.5(14-149)d,which was longer than 21(10-83)d in the non-high SF group(P<0.05).The median time of granulocyte engraftment in the high SF group was 16.5(12-63)d,while that in the non-high SF group was 16(12-49)d,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The median platelet engraftment time in the high SF group was 45(12-206)d,while that in the non-high SF group was 35.5(14-149)d,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Kaplan-Meier cumulative implantation probability analysis showed that the rate of erythroid implantation in the non-high SF group was higher than that in the high SF group(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the rates of granulocyte and platelet implantation between the two groups(P>0.05).The 1-year overall survival rates of the non-high SF group and high SF group were 95%and 90%,respectively,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:SF levels before cord blood transplantation in MDS and AML patients have an impact on post transplant erythroid implantation.Detecting and intervening of iron load in patients before transplant may be beneficial for improving implantation and prognosis.
9.Rationality analysis of magnesium sulfate injection for obstetric inpatients
Kanglu JU ; Zhenguo LIU ; Rui NIU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying CHANG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(10):600-604
Objective:To understand the clinical application of magnesium sulfate injection in inpatients of the obstetrical department, and analyze retrospectively its rationality and existing problems.Methods:The clinical data of obstetric inpatients who used magnesium sulfate injection in the hospital information system of our hospital from September 2022 to January 2023 were collected. Based on the drug instructions, guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, domestic and foreign guidelines, and literature reports, the rationality of magnesium sulfate injection in terms of obstetric medication indications, dosage and administration, and treatment course was evaluated.Results:A total of 303 obstetric patients were included in the use of magnesium sulfate injection, with an age of 32 (ranging from 18 to 44) years and a gestational age of 14 to 40 weeks. Among them, 33 cases were used for threatened abortion, 141 cases for threatened preterm birth, and 129 cases for the prevention of eclampsia attacks. Among the 303 patients, 134 cases (44.22%) had no indications for medication. Among them, 13 patients with threatened abortion were treated for fetal brain protection, and 20 patients with threatened abortion and 101 patients with threatened preterm birth were treated for preventing miscarriage by uterine contraction inhibition. There were 118 cases (38.94%) with inappropriate administration methods, mainly due to inappropriate usage and dosage, as well as overly long treatment courses. Of them, 26 cases (22.03%, 26/118) used for brain protectors of premature fetuses were not given loading doses, 15 (12.71%, 15/118) cases had a total medication duration of more than 48 hours, 76 cases (64.41%, 76/118) used for the prevention of eclampsia were not given loading dose, and 1 case (0.85%, 1/118) received rapid infusion time of the loading dose more than 30 minutes. Among the 303 patients, 3 patients presented nausea and vomiting, constipation, and skin flushing, respectively.Conclusions:Nearly half of the magnesium sulfate injection used in obstetrics department in our hospital has inappropriate indications and over one-third has non-standard usage, dosage, and treatment courses. Clinicians should comprehensively assess the patient′s condition and strictly follow recommended methods in the guidelines and drug instructions for standardized use.
10.Study on the mechanism of hypericin improving acute pancreatitis in mice by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome
Hui CHEN ; Kai ZHAO ; Zhenguo LIU ; Ying CHANG ; Kanglu JU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):820-825
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of hypericin on acute pancreatitis(AP)in mice and its effect on NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.Methods The AP model in mice was established with caerulein(CER).The mice were divided into the normal control group,the model group(AP group),the low-dose HY group(CER+HY 5 mg/kg group),the medium-dose HY group(CER+HY 10 mg/kg group)and the high-dose HY group(CER+HY 20 mg/kg group),with 10 mice in each group.The 266-6 mouse pancreatic acinar cancer cells were treated with cholecystokinin(CCK)and divided into the control group,the AP group,the CCK+HY 1 μmol/L group,the CCK+HY 2 μmol/L group and the CCK+HY 4 μmol/L group.The activities of amylase(AMS),lipase,trypsin and myeloperoxidase(MPO)in the serum of each group of mice,and levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of NOD-like receptor family protein 3(NLRP3)was detected by Western blot assay.The mRNA levels of NLRP3,caspase(Caspase)-1,IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-18 in pancreatic tissue of mice were detected by real-time quantitative PCR(q-PCR).The cell survival rate of cells in each group was detected by CCK8 method.The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1 and IL-18 in each group of cells were detected by q-PCR.Results Compared with the normal control group,the levels of AMS,lipase,MPO,trypsin,IL-1β and TNF-α in serum of the model group,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-18 and Caspase-1 in pancreatic tissue were increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the levels of AMS,IL-1β and TNF-α,the enzymatic activity of trypsin in serum,and the mRNA levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-18 and Caspase-1 in pancreatic tissue were decreased in the low-,medium-and high-dose HY groups.The serum levels of lipase and MPO and the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 in pancreatic tissue were decreased in the medium-and high-dose HY groups(P<0.05).Compared with the AP group,the cell survival rates were increased in the CCK+HY 1 μmol/L group,the CCK+HY 2 μmol/L group and the CCK+HY 4 μmol/L group,and the mRNA levels of NLRP3,IL-18 and Caspase-1 were decreased in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).Conclusion Hypericin can effectively treat AP in vivo and in vitro,and its therapeutic effect may be related to the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.

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