1.Transzonal Projections and Follicular Development Abnormalities in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Di CHENG ; Yu-Hua CHEN ; Xia-Ping JIANG ; Lan-Yu LI ; Yi TAN ; Ming LI ; Zhong-Cheng MO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2499-2511
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.
2.Mechanism of effect of rosiglitazone on pancreatic cancer in diabetic mice based on impact of PPARy on glucose transport and metabolism
Rui-Ping HU ; Li-Feng SHANG ; He-Jing WANG ; Hong-Xia CHE ; Ming-Liang WANG ; Huan YANG ; Yuan-Yuan JIN ; Fei-Fei ZHANG ; Jian-Ling ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1325-1334
Aim To explore the mechanism of the effect of rosiglitazone(Rsg)on the pancreatic cancer in diabetic mice based on the impact of PPARγ on glu-cose transport and metabolism.Methods A high-fat and high sugar diet combined with STZ was used to construct T2DM model;T2DM mice and normal mice were subcutaneously injected with PANC02 cells to construct a transplanted tumor model.T2DM trans-planted tumor mice and normal transplanted tumor mice were divided into the following groups:Rsg,PPARy inhibitor(PIN-2),rosiglitazone+PPARγ in-hibitor(Rsg+PIN-2),and normal transplanted tumor mice(NDM)and T2DM transplanted tumor mice(DM)were used as control groups,respectively.Tis-sue samples were collected after intervention.Tissue pathological changes were observed by HE staining.The expressions of Ki67 and PCNA proteins were de-tected by immunohistochemistry.Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay.The expression of PPARγwas detected by immunofluorescence.The expressions of Glucokinase,GLUT2,Nkx6.1,PDX-1RT-PCR were determined by Western blot.Results Rsg could significantly reduce the tumor mass,pathological chan-ges,Ki67 and PCNA expression of transplanted tumors(P<0.05),increase cell apoptosis and the expression of PPARγ,Glucokinase,GLUT2,Nkx6.1,PDX-1 proteins in NDM and DM mice(P<0.05).PIN-2 could reverse the indicator changes caused by Rsg in NDM and DM mice.However,compared with NDM mice,the above related indicators of the DM group mice were more sensitive to Rsg and PIN-2.Conclu-sions Compared to non-diabetic pancreatic cancer,rosiglitazone can more sensitively inhibit the prolifera-tion of pancreatic cancer with T2DM,induce apopto-sis,and reprogram the metabolism of pancreatic cancer with T2DM by activating PPA Rγ and altering the ex-pression of glucose and lipid metabolism genes,there-by exerting an anti-cancer effect.
3.Mapping positive validation system of inhalation toxicology cloud exposure system
Yin-Xia LI ; Yun-Hua SHENG ; Yue HU ; Li-Ming TANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(8):1591-1598
Aim To explore the feasibility of the cloud exposure system for in vitro exposure experiments on inhalation toxicology.Methods Calu-3 cells cultured at the air-liquid interface(ALI)were exposed to three concentrations of lipopolysaccha-ride(LPS):high,medium,and low(800,400,200 mg·L-1)by the cloud exposure system,and phosphate buffer solu-tion(PBS)was used as a negative control group for one expo-sure,while the high concentration of LPS was used to expose Calu-3 cells for five times.Calu-3 cells were exposed to phos-phate buffer solution(PBS)once as negative control group and to high concentration of LPS solution for five times,and the ac-tivity of Calu-3 cells,the release of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),TEER,mucin MUC5AC,and the expression of inflam-matory factors IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α were detected 3 h and 24 h after the end of the exposure,respectively.Results Compared with the PBS-negative control group,after exposure to the Calu-3 cell model at the air-liquid interface with three concentrations of LPS,high,medium,and low,there were no significant changes in the activity and LDH release,but the cellular electrical resist-ance value was reduced,and the barrier function of the cells was impaired;with the increase of the exposure concentration,the LPS promoted the expression of the cellular mucin MUC5AC,which led to a decrease in the expression of cellular IL-6,IL-8,and a decrease in the expression of TNF-α.Expression of IL-6 and IL-8 decreased and TNF-α expression increased;as the fre-quency of exposure increased,LPS inhibited the expression of mucin and increased the expression of IL-6;an increase in the frequency of exposure along with a prolongation of post-exposure assay time resulted in an increase in the expression of cellular IL-8 and TNF-a.Conclusions The ALI cloud exposure ap-proach can effectively reflect the cellular response to positive subjects,and this in vitro exposure can be used in subsequent exposure experiments to evaluate the inhalation toxicity of com-pounds.
4.Mechanism of Shenkang injection in treatment of renal fibrosis based on bioinformatics and in vitro experimental verification
Gao-Quan MENG ; Ming-Liang ZHANG ; Xiao-Fei CHEN ; Xiao-Yan WANG ; Wei-Xia LI ; Dai ZHANG ; Lu JIANG ; Ming-Ge LI ; Xiao-Shuai ZHANG ; Wei-Ting MENG ; Bing HAN ; Jin-Fa TANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1953-1962
Aim To explore the mechanism and mate-rial basis of Shenkang injection(SKI)in the treatment of renal fibrosis(RF)by bioinformatics and in vitro experiments.Methods The differentially expressed genes of RF were screened by GEO database.With the help of CMAP database,based on the similarity princi-ple of gene expression profile,the drugs that regulated RF were repositioned,and then the components of SKI potential treatment RF were screened by molecular fin-gerprint similarity analysis.At the same time,the core targets and pathways of SKI regulating RF were predic-ted based on network pharmacology.Finally,it was verified by molecular docking and cell experiments.Results Based on the GEO database,two RF-related data sets were screened,and CMAP was relocated to three common RF therapeutic drugs(saracatinib,da-satinib,pp-2).Molecular fingerprint similarity analysis showed that RF therapeutic drugs had high structural similarity with five SKI components such as salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A.Molecular docking results showed that salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components had good binding abili-ty with MMP1 and MMP13,which were the core targets of SKI-regulated potential treatment of RF.Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the core targets of SKI were mainly enriched in signaling pathways such as Relaxin and AGE-RAGE.Cell experiments showed that SKI could significantly reduce the mRNA expres-sion levels of AGER,NFKB1,COL1A1,SERPINE1,VEGFC in AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and MMP1 and MMP13 in Relaxin signaling pathway in RF model cells,and significantly increase the mRNA expression level of RXFP1.Conclusions SKI can play a role in the treatment of RF by regulating Relaxin and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways,and its material basis may be salvianolic acid B,hydroxysafflor yellow A and other components.
5.Early gait analysis after total knee arthroplasty based on artificial intelligence dynamic image recognition
Ming ZHANG ; Ya-Nan SUI ; Cheng WANG ; Hao-Chong ZHANG ; Zhi-Wei CAI ; Quan-Lei ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Tian-Tian XIA ; Xiao-Ran ZU ; Yi-Jian HUANG ; Cong-Shu HUANG ; Xiang LI
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(9):855-861
Objective To explore early postoperative gait characteristics and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods From February 2023 to July 2023,26 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis(KOA)were treated with TKA,including 4 males and 22 females,aged from 57 to 85 years old with an average of(67.58±6.49)years old;body mass in-dex(BMI)ranged from 18.83 to 38.28 kg·m-2 with an average of(26.43±4.15)kg·m-2;14 patients on the left side,12 pa-tients on the right side;according to Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)classification,6 patients with grade Ⅲ and 20 patients with grade Ⅳ;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 14 years with an average of(5.54±3.29)years.Images and videos of standing up and walking,walking side shot,squatting and supine kneeling were taken with smart phones before operation and 6 weeks after operation.The human posture estimation framework OpenPose were used to analyze stride frequency,step length,step length,step speed,active knee knee bending angle,stride length,double support phase time,as well as maximum hip flexion angle and maximum knee bending angle on squatting position.Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC)arthritis index and Knee Society Score(KSS)were used to evaluate clinical efficacy of knee joint.Results All patients were followed up for 5 to 7 weeks with an average of(6.00±0.57)weeks.The total score of WOMAC decreased from(64.85±11.54)before op-eration to(45.81±7.91)at 6 weeks after operation(P<0.001).The total KSS was increased from(101.19±9.58)before opera-tion to(125.50±10.32)at 6 weeks after operation(P<0.001).The gait speed,stride frequency and stride length of the affected side before operation were(0.32±0.10)m·s-1,(96.35±24.18)steps·min-1,(0.72±0.14)m,respectively;and increased to(0.48±0.11)m·s 1,(104.20±22.53)steps·min-1,(0.79±0.10)m at 6 weeks after operation(P<0.05).The lower limb support time and active knee bending angle decreased from(0.31±0.38)sand(125.21±11.64)° before operation to(0.11±0.04)s and(120.01±13.35)° at 6 weeks after operation(P<0.05).Eleven patients could able to complete squat before operation,13 patients could able to complete at 6 weeks after operation,and 9 patients could able to complete both before operation and 6 weeks after operation.In 9 patients,the maximum bending angle of crouching position was increased from 76.29° to 124.11° before operation to 91.35° to 134.12° at 6 weeks after operation,and the maximum bending angle of hip was increased from 103.70° to 147.25° before operation to 118.61° to 149.48° at 6 weeks after operation.Conclusion Gait analysis technology based on artificial intelligence image recognition is a safe and effective method to quantitatively identify the changes of pa-tients'gait.Knee pain of KOA was relieved and the function was improved,the supporting ability of the affected limb was im-proved after TKA,and the patient's stride frequency,stride length and stride speed were improved,and the overall movement rhythm of both lower limbs are more coordinated.
6.Detection of five tick-borne pathogens in Maanshan City,Anhui Province,China
Guo-Dong YANG ; Kun YANG ; Liang-Liang JIANG ; Ming WU ; Ying HONG ; Ke-Xia XIANG ; Jia HE ; Lei GONG ; Dan-Dan SONG ; Ming-Jia BAO ; Xing-Zhou LI ; Tian QIN ; Yan-Hua WANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(4):308-314
Here,5 important pathogens carried by ticks in Maanshan City,Anhui Province,China were identified.In to-tal,642 ticks were collected from 13 villages around Maanshan City and identified by morphological and mitochondrial COI genes.The 16S rRNA gene of Francisella tularensis,ssrA gene of Bartonella,16S rRNA,ompA and ompB genes of Rickett-sia,16S rRNA and gltA genes of Anaplasma,and groEL and rpoB genes of Coxiella were sequenced.Reference sequences were retrieved from a public database.Phylogenetic trees were constructed with MEG A1 1.0 software.In total,36 Rickettsiae isolates were detected in 640 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks,which included 20 isolates of Rickettsia heilongjian-gensis,16 of Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis,2 of Ana-plasma bovis,and 186 of Coxiella-like endosymbiont.R.hei-longjiangensis HY2 detected in this study and Anhui B8 strain,Ca.R.jingxinensis QL3 and those from Shanxi Prov-ince and Jiangsu Province,A.bovis JX4 and those from Shanxi Province were clustered on the same branch.Overall,17 ticks had combined infections and none of the 5 bacteria were detected in two Amblyomma testudinarium ticks.This is the first report of Ca.R.jingxinensis detected in H.longicornis ticks from Anhui Province.It is recommended that the two types of Rickettsia that cause spotted fever and A.bovis should be reported to local health authorities to initiate appropriate prevention and control measures.
7.Temperature sensitivity of respiratory viruses during viral infection
Xi-Li FENG ; Ming-Yang GAO ; Yu-Hu WU ; Xuan-Ye YANG ; Xiao-Xia MA
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(6):564-570
Because of the special structural features of the respiratory system,respiratory viruses experience temperature changes during passage through the upper airways.The infection and replication dynamics of respiratory viruses is influenced by the different upper airway temperatures.Respiratory viruses possess evolutionary adaptations to cope with different tempera-tures in the upper airways.The temperature sensitivity of some respiratory viruses limits their spread in the respiratory system.However,the antiviral activity from the immune response in the upper airways varies under different temperatures,thus enab-ling new viral shelter pathways.This review includes a discussion of the effects of temperature on viral replication dynamics,the stability of virion offspring,viral infectivity,and the innate immune response.
8.Risk Factors and the Effect of Antiviral Prophylaxis for Herpes Zoster in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Li-Xia WANG ; Yan-Ping JI ; Fang LEI ; Xian-Qiu YU ; Xiao-Ming FEI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(1):171-175
Objective:To study the incidence and risk factors of herpes zoster in patients with multiple myeloma and to evaluate the preventive effect of antiviral therapy.Methods:The clinical features of multiple myeloma patients with herpes zoster were retrospectively analyzed,the risk factors of herpes zoster and the effect of antiviral prophylaxis were analyzed.Results:Among 180 patients with multiple myeloma,23 cases developed herpes zoster(12.8%).The incidence of herpes zoster was 19.1%in patients with renal dysfunction and 23.5%after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(ASCT).The incidence of herpes zoster was higher in patients receiving bortezomib-containing regimens(21/137,15.3%)than that in those without bortezomib(2/43,4.7%),but there was no statistical difference(P=0.067).Antiviral prophylaxis was associated with fewer zoster infections,8/111(7.2%)developed herpes zoster in patients who received antiviral prophylaxis,and 15/69(21.7%)in those receiving no prophylaxis(P=0.005).65.2%of patients with herpes zoster did not receive antiviral prophylaxis.Multivariate analysis showed that bortezomib treatment,AHSCT and renal dysfunction were independent risk factors for multiple myeloma with herpes zoster,while antiviral prophylaxis was independently associated with reducing the risk of herpes zoster.Herpes zoster had no effect on OS in patients with multiple myeloma.Conclusion:The risk of herpes zoster in multiple myeloma patients was increased.Antiviral prophylaxis can reduce the risk of herpes zoster in patients on bortezomib-based therapy.
9.A Retrospective Study of R±DHAX Regimen versus R-CHOP Regimen First-Line Treatment of Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Wei-Ping WEI ; Xian-Qiu YU ; Li-Xia WANG ; Shuo ZHANG ; Xiao-Ming FEI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):718-722
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of Rituximab combined with DHAX and CHOP regimen in the first-line treatment of elderly patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods:A total of 36 elderly patients with DLBCL who were admitted and treated with 3 of more courses of treatment from August 2011 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into rituximab± DHAX(R±DHAX)regimen group(18 cases)and rituximab±CHOP(R-CHOP)regimen group(18 cases)according to the treatment plan,and clinical features,efficacy and survival of the patients were observed.Results:Compared with R-CHOP group,patients of the R±DHAX group were older,and had worse performance status and higher IPI score,the differences between two groups in age,ECOG score and IPI score were statistically significant(P=0.005,P=0.018,P=0.035),but there were no significant differences be ween two groups in gender,whether there were B symptoms,whether LDH was elevated,whether there was extranodal involvement,cell origin,bone marrow infiltration,and whether rituximab was combined(P=0.738,P=1,P=0.315,P=0.305,P=0.413,P=0.177,P=0.711,P=0.229).The efficacy could be evaluated in 36 cases,including CR 14(38.9%),PR 17(47.2%),PD 5(13.9%),and ORR of 86.1%(31/36).There were no statistically significant differences in CR[(27.8%(5/18)vs 50.0%(9/18);P>0.05]and PR[44.4%(8/18)vs 50.0%(9/18);P>0.05]of R±DHAX group and R-CHOP group,there was statistically significant difference in ORR[72.2%(13/18)vs 100.0%(18/18);P=0.045]between two groups.The 1-year OS of R±DHAX group and R-CHOP group was(38.9+11.5%)%and(94.4±7.4%)%,respectively,2-year OS was(16.7±8.8)%and(72.2±10.6)%,respectively,and the differences between two groups were statistically significant(P=0.001,P=0.002).The median survival time in the R±DHAX group was 11 months(95%CI;8.9-13.1),and the median survival time in the R-CHOP group was not reached,and there was a statistically significant difference between the groups(P<0.001).Conclusion:For elderly DLBCL patients,R± DHAX may not be superior to R-CHOP in OS,and ECOG score,IPI score and age may affect the survival of elderly DLBCL patients.However,R±DHAX regimen is safe,tolerable and has a certain efficacy,which can be used as one of the clinical treatment options for elderly DLBCL.
10.Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with CD5+Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Xiu-Juan HUANG ; Jian YANG ; Xiao-Fang WEI ; Yuan FU ; Yang-Yang ZHAO ; Ming-Xia CHENG ; Qing-Fen LI ; Hai-Long YAN ; You-Fan FENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):750-755
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with CD5+diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods:The clinical data of 161 newly treated DLBCL patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2013 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.According to CD5 expression,the patients were divided into CD5+group and CD5-group.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of the two groups were statistically analyzed.Results:The median age of patients in CD5+group was 62 years,which was higher than 56 years in CD5-group(P=0.048).The proportion of women in CD5+group was 62.96%,which was significantly higher than 41.79%in CD5-group(P=0.043).The proportion of patients with IPI score>2 in CD5+group was 62.96%,which was higher than 40.30%in CD5-group(P=0.031).Survival analysis showed that the median overall survival and progression-free survival time of patients in CD5+group were 27(3-77)and 31(3-76)months,respectively,which were both shorter than 30(5-84)and 32.5(4-83)months in CD5-group(P=0.047,P=0.026).Univariate analysis showed that advanced age,positive CD5 expression,triple or double hit at initial diagnosis,high IPI score and no use of rituximab during chemotherapy were risk factors for the prognosis of DLBCL patients.Further Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that these factors were also independent risk factors except for advanced age.Conclusion:CD5+DLBCL patients have a worse prognosis than CD5-DLBCL patients.Such patients are more common in females,with advanced age and high IPI score,which is a special subtype of DLBCL.

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