1.Analysis of Animal Model of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Combination of Diseases and Syndromes of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
Xueyan ZHANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; You YU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yingzhu DUAN ; Rui YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):239-247
Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents the terminal stage of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevalence remains high in China. In this study, existing animal models of CHF were retrieved and categorized. In combination with the characteristics of CHF from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine perspectives, the models were weighted, and their clinical consistency was evaluated. The advantages and disadvantages of the models were assessed. Among them, models with higher TCM clinical consistency included the doxorubicin-induced model, the isoproterenol-induced model, and the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation model, each with a TCM consistency rate of 90%. The animal model established by the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation showed a high degree of clinical consistency with Western medicine, with a consistency rate of 82%. Each model exhibited its own advantages and disadvantages, with a general lack of modeling methods combining diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine. At present, the inducement factors used for animal models are relatively singular, mainly reflecting the etiology and pathogenesis of Western medicine, with insufficient correlation to the pathogenesis of TCM. The characteristics of TCM syndromes are not fully represented, and the consistency between TCM and Western medicine is generally not high. TCM has the advantage of a multi-dimensional syndrome differentiation and treatment approach. It is necessary to integrate the characteristics of diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine, adopt multi-factor modeling methods to reflect the pathological process of CHF, improve existing models, and establish animal models of CHF that better align with the characteristics of clinical diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine, so as to provide a reliable reference for clinical prevention and treatment.
2.Analysis of Animal Model of Chronic Heart Failure Based on Combination of Diseases and Syndromes of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
Xueyan ZHANG ; Kexin ZHANG ; You YU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yingzhu DUAN ; Rui YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):239-247
Chronic heart failure (CHF) represents the terminal stage of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevalence remains high in China. In this study, existing animal models of CHF were retrieved and categorized. In combination with the characteristics of CHF from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine perspectives, the models were weighted, and their clinical consistency was evaluated. The advantages and disadvantages of the models were assessed. Among them, models with higher TCM clinical consistency included the doxorubicin-induced model, the isoproterenol-induced model, and the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation model, each with a TCM consistency rate of 90%. The animal model established by the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation showed a high degree of clinical consistency with Western medicine, with a consistency rate of 82%. Each model exhibited its own advantages and disadvantages, with a general lack of modeling methods combining diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine. At present, the inducement factors used for animal models are relatively singular, mainly reflecting the etiology and pathogenesis of Western medicine, with insufficient correlation to the pathogenesis of TCM. The characteristics of TCM syndromes are not fully represented, and the consistency between TCM and Western medicine is generally not high. TCM has the advantage of a multi-dimensional syndrome differentiation and treatment approach. It is necessary to integrate the characteristics of diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine, adopt multi-factor modeling methods to reflect the pathological process of CHF, improve existing models, and establish animal models of CHF that better align with the characteristics of clinical diseases and syndromes of TCM and Western medicine, so as to provide a reliable reference for clinical prevention and treatment.
3.EvoNB: A protein language model-based workflow for nanobody mutation prediction and optimization.
Danyang XIONG ; Yongfan MING ; Yuting LI ; Shuhan LI ; Kexin CHEN ; Jinfeng LIU ; Lili DUAN ; Honglin LI ; Min LI ; Xiao HE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101260-101260
The identification and optimization of mutations in nanobodies are crucial for enhancing their therapeutic potential in disease prevention and control. However, this process is often complex and time-consuming, which limit its widespread application in practice. In this study, we developed a workflow, named Evolutionary-Nanobody (EvoNB), to predict key mutation sites of nanobodies by combining protein language models (PLMs) and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. By fine-tuning the ESM2 model on a large-scale nanobody dataset, the ability of EvoNB to capture specific sequence features of nanobodies was significantly enhanced. The fine-tuned EvoNB model demonstrated higher predictive accuracy in the conserved framework and highly variable complementarity-determining regions of nanobodies. Additionally, we selected four widely representative nanobody-antigen complexes to verify the predicted effects of mutations. MD simulations analyzed the energy changes caused by these mutations to predict their impact on binding affinity to the targets. The results showed that multiple mutations screened by EvoNB significantly enhanced the binding affinity between nanobody and its target, further validating the potential of this workflow for designing and optimizing nanobody mutations. Additionally, sequence-based predictions are generally less dependent on structural absence, allowing them to be more easily integrated with tools for structural predictions, such as AlphaFold 3. Through mutation prediction and systematic analysis of key sites, we can quickly predict the most promising variants for experimental validation without relying on traditional evolutionary or selection processes. The EvoNB workflow provides an effective tool for the rapid optimization of nanobodies and facilitates the application of PLMs in the biomedical field.
4.Disorder of phospholipid metabolism in the renal cortex and medulla contributes to acute tubular necrosis in mice after cantharidin exposure using integrative lipidomics and spatial metabolomics.
Tianmu HE ; Kexin LIN ; Lijuan XIONG ; Wen ZHANG ; Huan ZHANG ; Cancan DUAN ; Xiaofei LI ; Jianyong ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):101210-101210
Cantharidin (CTD), a natural compound used to treat multiple tumors in the clinic setting, has been limited due to acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the major cause of AKI and its underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected through pathological evaluation after CTD (1.5 mg/kg) oral gavage in mice in 3 days. Kidney lipidomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to investigate lipids disorder after CTD exposure in mice. Then, spatial metabolomics based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) was used to detect the kidney spatial distribution of lipids. Integrative analysis was performed to reveal the spatial lipid disorder mechanism and verify key lipids in vitro. The results showed that the levels of SCr and BUN were increased, and tubular necrosis was observed in mouse kidneys, resulting in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in CTD-induced AKI. Then, lipidomics results revealed that after CTD exposure, 232 differential lipid metabolites and 11 pathways including glycerophospholipid (GP) and sphingolipid (SL) metabolism were disrupted. Spatial metabolomics revealed that 55 spatial differential lipid metabolites and nine metabolic pathways were disturbed. Subsequently, integrative analysis found that GP metabolism was stimulated in the renal cortex and medulla, whereas SL metabolism was inhibited in the renal cortex. Up-regulated lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) (18:2(9Z,12Z)), LysoPC (16:0/0:0), glycerophosphocholine, and down-regulated sphingomyelin (SM) (d18:0/16:0), SM (d18:1/24:0), and SM (d42:1) were key differential lipids. Among them, LysoPC (16:0/0:0) was increased in the CTD group at 1.1196 μg/mL, which aggravated CTD-induced ATN in human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells. LysoPC acyltransferase was inhibited and choline phosphotransferase 1 (CEPT1) was activated after CTD intervention in mice and in HK-2 cells. CTD induces ATN, resulting in AKI, by activating GP metabolism and inhibiting SL metabolism in the renal cortex and medulla, LysoPC (16:0/0:0), LysoPC acyltransferase, and CEPT1 may be the therapeutic targets.
5.Disorder of phospholipid metabolism in the renal cortex and medulla contributes to acute tubular necrosis in mice after cantharidin exposure using integrative lipidomics and spatial metabolomics
Tianmu HE ; Kexin LIN ; Lijuan XIONG ; Wen ZHANG ; Huan ZHANG ; Cancan DUAN ; Xiaofei LI ; Jianyong ZHANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):1526-1541
Cantharidin(CTD),a natural compound used to treat multiple tumors in the clinic setting,has been limited due to acute kidney injury(AKI).However,the major cause of AKI and its underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated.Serum creatinine(SCr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were detected through pathological evaluation after CTD(1.5 mg/kg)oral gavage in mice in 3 days.Kidney lipidomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was used to investigate lipids disorder after CTD exposure in mice.Then,spatial metabolomics based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI)was used to detect the kidney spatial distribution of lipids.Integrative analysis was performed to reveal the spatial lipid disorder mechanism and verify key lipids in vitro.The results showed that the levels of SCr and BUN were increased,and tubular necrosis was observed in mouse kidneys,resulting in acute tubular necrosis(ATN)in CTD-induced AKI.Then,lipidomics results revealed that after CTD exposure,232 differential lipid metabolites and 11 pathways including glycerophospholipid(GP)and sphingolipid(SL)metabolism were disrupted.Spatial metabolomics revealed that 55 spatial differential lipid metabolites and nine metabolic pathways were disturbed.Subsequently,integrative analysis found that GP metabolism was stimulated in the renal cortex and medulla,whereas SL metabolism was inhibited in the renal cortex.Up-regulated lysophosphatidylcholine(LysoPC)(18∶2(9Z,12Z)),LysoPC(16∶0/0∶0),glycerophosphocholine,and down-regulated sphingomyelin(SM)(d18∶0/16:0),SM(d 18∶1/24:0),and SM(d42∶1)were key differential lipids.Among them,LysoPC(16∶0/0∶0)was increased in the CTD group at 1.1196 μg/mL,which aggravated CTD-induced ATN in human kidney-2(HK-2)cells.LysoPC acyltransferase was inhibited and choline phos-photransferase 1(CEPT1)was activated after CTD intervention in mice and in HK-2 cells.CTD induces ATN,resulting in AKI,by activating GP metabolism and inhibiting SL metabolism in the renal cortex and medulla,LysoPC(16:0/0:0),LysoPC acyltransferase,and CEPT1 may be the therapeutic targets.
6.EvoNB:A protein language model-based workflow for nanobody mutation prediction and optimization
Danyang XIONG ; Yongfan MING ; Yuting LI ; Shuhan LI ; Kexin CHEN ; Jinfeng LIU ; Lili DUAN ; Honglin LI ; Min LI ; Xiao HE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1334-1343
The identification and optimization of mutations in nanobodies are crucial for enhancing their thera-peutic potential in disease prevention and control.However,this process is often complex and time-consuming,which limit its widespread application in practice.In this study,we developed a work-flow,named Evolutionary-Nanobody(EvoNB),to predict key mutation sites of nanobodies by combining protein language models(PLMs)and molecular dynamic(MD)simulations.By fine-tuning the ESM2 model on a large-scale nanobody dataset,the ability of EvoNB to capture specific sequence features of nanobodies was significantly enhanced.The fine-tuned EvoNB model demonstrated higher predictive accuracy in the conserved framework and highly variable complementarity-determining regions of nanobodies.Additionally,we selected four widely representative nanobody-antigen complexes to verify the predicted effects of mutations.MD simulations analyzed the energy changes caused by these mu-tations to predict their impact on binding affinity to the targets.The results showed that multiple mu-tations screened by EvoNB significantly enhanced the binding affinity between nanobody and its target,further validating the potential of this workflow for designing and optimizing nanobody mutations.Additionally,sequence-based predictions are generally less dependent on structural absence,allowing them to be more easily integrated with tools for structural predictions,such as AlphaFold 3.Through mutation prediction and systematic analysis of key sites,we can quickly predict the most promising variants for experimental validation without relying on traditional evolutionary or selection processes.The EvoNB workflow provides an effective tool for the rapid optimization of nanobodies and facilitates the application of PLMs in the biomedical field.
7.Clinical Experience of XUAN Guowei in Treating Non-Specific Vulvitis from Spleen
Tong CHEN ; Sijun ZHANG ; Kexin DUAN ; Hongyi LI ; Liehui LIAO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(6):561-565
This paper summarized the clinical experience of professor XUAN Guowei in treating non-specific vulvitis from spleen. He believes that the core pathological mechanism of this condition lies in spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation; in the acute phase, spleen deficiency is taken as the root cause and damp-heat toxins accumulated in the vulva as the key; in the chronic phase, spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation is the main pathogenesis, accompanied by kidney deficiency. In clinical practice, the basic method of fortifying spleen and eliminating dampness is used, and self-made Jianpi Shenshi Formula (健脾渗湿方) is recommended as the basic prescription. During the acute phase, the medicinals of clearing heat and resolving toxins are supplemented, while during the chronic phase, medicinals aims at fortifying the spleen and consolidating the kidneys, boosting qi and nourishing yin are added. Simultaneously, there is an emphasis on integrated treatment combining internal and external treatment, and both Chinese and western medicine, and he highlights the importance of daily prevention and care for patients. Additionally, external used Xiaoyan Zhiyang Cream (消炎止痒霜) is created.
8.Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules based on the Theory of "Two Colds Interacting,and Disturbance of Pivots"
Jingrui WANG ; Kexin DUAN ; Junjie HUANG ; Shujing WANG ; Zhiqiang CHEN ; Ying WANG ; Yanlong LI ; Xiangjun QI ; Lizhu LIN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(23):2487-2491
Based on the discussions in the The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), it is proposed that in the course of the disease, "bind" represents the initial stage of pulmonary nodules, while "accumulation" represents the final form. In terms of the pathogenesis, "two colds interacting" represented by "body cold" and "cold fluid retention" are the prerequisites for the formation of pulmonary nodules, while "disorder of qi" represented by "fainting" is the core of the formation. The specific manifestation is the disturbance of pivot of shaoyang (少阳) or shaoyin (少阴), resulting in a complex of cold and heat, and then phlegm and stasis are suddenly generated and further formed into nodules. Therefore, the treatment principle should be to regulate the cardinal mechanism, dissolve phlegm and blood stasis. Depending on the complex degree of cold and heat, it is suggested to use Chaihu Guizhi Decoction (柴胡桂枝汤), Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction (柴胡桂枝干姜汤), or Chaihu Xianxiong Decoction (柴胡陷胸汤) for disturbance of shaoyang pivot, while for shaoyin pivot dysfunction, modified Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction (麻黄附子细辛汤) or Shengjiang Powder (升降散) can be used.
9.Mechanisms of ionizing radiation-induced pyroptosis in human intestinal epithelial cells
Qiong WANG ; Jian HONG ; Jin GUO ; Junzhao DUAN ; Kexin DING ; Fumin TAI ; Xiaofei ZHENG ; Changhui GE
Military Medical Sciences 2024;48(4):241-250
Objective To investigate the mechanism underlying gasdermin E(GSDME)-mediated pyroptosis in radiation-induced intestinal injury and to find out whether gasdermin(GSDM)family members regulate pyroptosis through similar signaling pathways.Methods Human normal colon epithelial cells(NCM460)and human colon cancer cells(HT-29)were exposed to radiation of different doses and durations before pyroptosis indicators were evaluated by observing pyroptotic bubbles,cell survival,and the cleavage of pyroptosis execution proteins.HT-29 cells overexpressing GSDME were subjected to radiation,followed by enrichment analysis of pyroptosis-related differentially expressed genes using RNA-seq.Results Radiation induced substantial pyroptosis in NCM460 cells.Overexpression of GSDME in HT-29 cells resulted in substantial radiation-induced pyroptosis.The pyroptosis state of human intestinal cells was simulated in the HT-29 model cell line.Overexpressions of GSDME-N and GSDMD-N resulted in the expression of more than 50% of the differentially expressed genes in the pyroptosis state.Sequencing analysis showed that the genes in the pyroptosis state were mainly overrepresented in immune response,inflammatory response,and Rapl signaling pathway.Conclusion GSDME activation can mediate radiation-induced pyroptosis by producing GSDME-N fragments.GSDM family members participate in pyroptosis in a similar mode of regulation.Furthermore,radiation-induced activation of GSDME/D may regulate pyroptosis through immune response,inflammatory response,and Rap1 signaling pathway.
10.Quality control testing and performance evaluation of polysomnography
Jing HUANG ; Li YANG ; Aowen DUAN ; Li XU ; Zhenwei DU ; Hengyu LONG ; Anhai WEI ; Kexin PAN
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(5):123-127
Objective:To research the quality control and testing methods of polysomnography and to ensure its safe and effective performance.Methods:A quality control testing method was designed for the main indicators of EEG signal,EMG signal,ECG signal,and pulse oxygen saturation of polysomnography.In August 2023,two polysomnography instruments of the same brand and different models(marked as Test Equipment A and Test Equipment B)in clinical use in Daping Hospital,Army Medical University were selected.The quality control testing of polysomnography instrument was conducted by using electroencephalogram calibration instrument and vital sign simulator to evaluate the reliability of the performance of polysomnography.Results:A quality control testing method was developed for quality control testing of polysomnography aiming at the repeatability of the indicated values of EEG signals,EMG signals,ECG signals,and pulse oxygen saturation of polysomnography.Except for the output value of 2 mV of the voltage measurement simulator of test equipment B,the relative error of the recorded data was-11%,and the parameters were out of tolerance,and the rest of the test data of test equipment A and test equipment B met the maximum limit output value of the national metrology verification regulations and the technical requirements of the equipment manufacturer.Conclusion:The quality control detection method of polysomnography can evaluate the performance parameters of the selected testing equipment A and testing equipment B,and provide technical support for the quality control detection and safe use of such equipment.

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