1.The characteristics of plasma lipids in silicosis rat models were studied based on lipid metabolomics
Chen WANG ; Yuhua ZHANG ; Yongpeng XIE ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xiaomin LI
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(8):1064-1070
Objective:To investigate differentially expressed lipid molecules and their associated metabolic pathways in lung tissue using lipidomic analysis in a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI).Methods:An ALI rat model was established via intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twenty rats were randomly allocated into an ALI group and a control group ( n = 10 per group). The left lung was subjected to histopathological evaluation, while the right lung underwent untargeted lipidomics analysis. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed for lipid profiling. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed to assess intergroup differences and determine variable importance in projection (VIP) scores. Differential lipids were screened based on VIP and fold change.Lipid identification and metabolic pathway analysis were conducted using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Results:Among 1 022 detected lipid molecules, 47 were differentially expressed (VIP > 1, FC > 2.0 or < 0.5, P< 0.05). Subsequent analysis identified 12 structurally annotated lipids ( P < 0.05), predominantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Notably, phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) exhibited significant alterations in the ALI group. Conclusions:The ALI model demonstrated substantial dysregulation of lipid metabolism, particularly involving PCs and LPCs, with prominent perturbations in glycerophospholipid metabolism. This provides a scienctific basis for indepth research on the pathogenesis mechanism of ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) .
2.Cloning and Transcriptional Activity Analysis of Endogenous U6 Promoters in Artemisia annua
Yuting PU ; Bohan CHENG ; Mengyue WANG ; Jun ZOU ; Ranran GAO ; Lan WU ; Qinggang YIN ; Li XIANG ; Yuhua SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):161-167
ObjectiveThe U6 promoter is an essential element for driving sgRNA expression in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequences/CRISPR-associated protein 9(CRISPR/Cas9)gene editing system in dicotyledonous plants. Endogenous U6 promoters typically exhibit higher transcriptional activity, which can significantly improve gene editing efficiency. This study aims to identify endogenous U6 promoters in Artemisia annua to optimize its CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, which holds significant importance for its molecular breeding. MethodsOn the basis of the highly conserved U6 snRNA sequences in Arabidopsis thaliana, endogenous U6 promoters were screened in the A. annua genome. Expression vectors were constructed with candidate AaU6 promoter driving the firefly luciferase (LUC) reporter gene, and then transiently transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana. Transcriptional activities of the promoters were measured and compared by in vivo imaging and the Dual Luciferase Reporter assay. ResultsEight endogenous U6 promoters were successfully cloned from A. annua. Sequences alignment revealed that all these promoters contained the two conserved cis-acting elements, upstream sequence element (USE) and TATA-box, which affected their transcriptional activity. Dual-luciferase activity assays indicated that the transcriptional activities of AaU6-3, AaU6-1, and AaU6-5 were significantly higher than that of the Arabidopsis AtU6-26 promoter, with AaU6-3 exhibiting the highest activity. ConclusionThis study identified three endogenous AaU6 promoters with high transcriptional activity in A. annua, providing key functional elements for establishing an efficient gene editing system in A. annua. These findings will contribute to advancing precision molecular breeding and high-quality germplasm innovation in A. annua.
3.The effects of subchronic aluminum exposure on nerve growth factor in hippocampus of offspring rats
Yuhua YIN ; Shuo YANG ; Tian ZHANG ; Hong GUO ; Luwei ZHANG ; Zan LIU ; Xin LI ; Lifeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(2):181-186
Objective:To study the effects of aluminum exposure on learning and memory and the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)in the hippocampus of offspring rats,and to investigate the mechanism by which aluminum impairs learning and memory function.Methods:Forty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the Control group(Control),low-dose Al group(Al-L),medium-dose Al group(Al-M)and high-dose Al group(Al-H).The off-spring rats were fed with Al through breast milk from birth to weaning,while the rats in the control group were fed with distilled water.The maternal rats Al-L,Al-M and Al-H groups drank distilled water solution containing 2.0,4.0 and 8.0 g/L AlCl3,respectively.After weaning,the offspring rats in the aluminum exposure group drank distilled water so-lution containing 2.0,4.0 and 8.0 g/L AlCl3 by themselves until the 90th day after birth to establish the offspring rat model of subchronic aluminum exposure.After aluminum exposure,the shuttle box test was used to detect the learning and memory ability of offspring rats,and the body weight of offspring rats and hippocampus were weighed to evaluate the effect of aluminum exposure.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF)protein in hippocampus of offspring rats was detected by Western blot,and the expression of NGF mRNA in hippocampus of offspring rats was detected by real time RT-PCR.Results:The body weight of offspring rats in Al-H group was significantly lower than that in the other three dose groups.In the shuttle box test,compared with the control group,the active avoidance response and passive avoid-ance response of the offspring rats in the aluminum exposure group showed a downward trend with the increase of alumi-num exposure dose,indicating that the learning and memory ability of the offspring rats in the aluminum exposure group was impaired.Compared with the control group,the NGF protein content and NGF mRNA expression in the hippocam-pus of offspring rats in the aluminum exposure group were significantly decreased.Conclusion:Subchronic aluminum exposure down-regulates the expression of NGF in the hippocampus,which may cause learning and memory impairment in offspring rats.
4.Influence of two methods of smear layer removal on the surface properties of dentin.
Lingli ZHU ; Lin TANG ; Bowen LI ; Mei WANG ; Yuhua LIU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):340-346
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effects of two methods of smear layer removal on the surface properties of dentin.
METHODS:
Sixty extracted sound third molars were collected in this study, and were prepared as uniform dentin specimens with smear layer. All specimens were randomly divided into three groups: Control group, ultrasonic treatment (UT) group and etched treatment (ET) group. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to observe the surface micromorphology of all three groups. Then, the surface elements, mineral phases and functional groups were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and flourier transformed infrared spectrometer (FTIR) respectively. The mechanical properties, hydrophilicity and biocompatibility were also further evaluated.
RESULTS:
It was revealed that dentin tubules of UT and ET groups were exposed, but lots of dentin debris piled up on the surface of the control one which covered up dentin tubules on the surface. The EDX results should that the weaker peak value of calcium and phosphorus in ET group than control and UT groups. Characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite could be seen by XRD in all of the three groups, but lower distinctive peaks of amide Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ bands of collagen of the dentin surface in control group than in ET and UT groups. The microhardness results showed that ET group was lower than control and UT groups, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Better hydrophilicity of ET group was investigated (P < 0.05) than control group and UT group. Cells could be observed to adhere normally to dentin surface of each group which meant that all of the three groups had good biocompatibility.
CONCLUSION
Both UT and ET could effectively remove the smear layer on the surface of dentin and had no adverse effect of the dentin micromorphology and biocompatibility. The ultrasonic removal of the smear layer did not influence the mineral structure, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of dentin surface. Although ET can effectively improve the hydrophilicity of dentin but decreased mechanical properties and the content of calcium and phosphorus.
Dentin/ultrastructure*
;
Humans
;
Surface Properties
;
Smear Layer
;
Molar, Third
;
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
;
Dental Etching/methods*
5.ALKBH3-regulated m1A of ALDOA potentiates glycolysis and doxorubicin resistance of triple negative breast cancer cells.
Yuhua DENG ; Zhiyan CHEN ; Peixian CHEN ; Yaming XIONG ; Chuling ZHANG ; Qiuyuan WU ; Huiqi HUANG ; Shuqing YANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Tiancheng HE ; Wei LI ; Guolin YE ; Wei LUO ; Hongsheng WANG ; Dan ZHOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3092-3106
Chemotherapy is currently the mainstay of systemic management for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but chemoresistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Our research indicates that Doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant TNBC cells exhibit increased glycolysis and ATP generation compared to their parental cells, with this metabolic shift contributing to chemoresistance. We discovered that ALKBH3, an m1A demethylase enzyme, is crucial in regulating the enhanced glycolysis in Dox-resistant TNBC cells. Knocking down ALKBH3 reduced ATP generation, glucose consumption, and lactate production, implicating its involvement in mediating glycolysis. Further investigation revealed that aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is a downstream target of ALKBH3. ALKBH3 regulates ALDOA mRNA stability through m1A demethylation at the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). This methylation negatively affects ALDOA mRNA stability by recruiting the YTHDF2/PAN2-PAN3 complex, leading to mRNA degradation. The ALKBH3/ALDOA axis promotes Dox resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical analysis demonstrated that ALKBH3 and ALDOA are upregulated in breast cancer tissues, and higher expression of these proteins is associated with reduced overall survival in TNBC patients. Our study highlights the role of the ALKBH3/ALDOA axis in contributing to Dox resistance in TNBC cells through regulation of ALDOA mRNA stability and glycolysis.
6.Regulatory roles of DGAT and PDAT genes in plant oil synthesis.
Yang WU ; Mengjuan LIU ; Youning WANG ; Dexiao LI ; Yuhua YANG ; Tingjun ZHANG ; Huiwen ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):216-229
There is a large gap between production and demand of plant oil in China, which leads to the heavy reliance on imports. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) are two key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of triacylglycerol, thereby affecting the yield and quality of plant oil. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress in DGAT and PDAT in terms of their biological functions in plant oil synthesis, the molecular mechanisms of regulating plant lipid metabolism, growth, and development under stress, and their roles in driving oil synthesis under the background of synthetic biology. Furthermore, future research and application of DGAT and PDAT are prospected. This review aims to provide a basis for deeply understanding the molecular mechanism of plant oil synthesis and improving the quality and productivity of oil crops by the utilization of DGAT and PDAT genes.
Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase/physiology*
;
Plant Oils/metabolism*
;
Acyltransferases/metabolism*
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Lipid Metabolism/genetics*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
;
Triglycerides/biosynthesis*
7.Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Gene Mutation May Reduce the Risk of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysm in Chinese Han Population
Xiheng CHEN ; Siming GUI ; Dachao WEI ; Dingwei DENG ; Yudi TANG ; Jian LV ; Wei YOU ; Jia JIANG ; Jun LIN ; Huijian GE ; Peng LIU ; Yuhua JIANG ; Lixin MA ; Yunci WANG ; Ming LV ; Youxiang LI
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):237-249
Background:
and Purpose Ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) are associated with a mortality rate of up to 40% in the Chinese population, highlighting the critical need for targeted treatment interventions for at-risk individuals. Although the impact of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene mutations on susceptibility to intracranial aneurysms (IA) is well documented, the potential connection between ALDH2 rs671 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RIA remains unexplored. Given the increased prevalence of ALDH2 gene mutations among Chinese Han individuals, it is clinically relevant to investigate the link between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and IA rupture.
Methods:
A prospective study was conducted on 546 patients diagnosed with IA to investigate the association between ALDH2 rs671 SNP and the risk of IA rupture.
Results:
The ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*2) was significantly more prevalent in patients with unruptured IA (UIA) than in those with RIA (32.56% vs. 18.58%, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that people with the ALDH2 mutation (ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 gene type) had a significantly reduced odds ratio (OR=0.49; 95% confidence level [CI] 0.27–0.88; P=0.018) for RIAs. Age-specific subgroup analysis indicated that the ALDH2 mutation provided a stronger protective effect in individuals aged 60 years and above with IA compared to those under 60 years old (OR=0.38 vs. OR=0.52, both P<0.05).
Conclusion
The incidence of RIA was significantly higher in individuals with a normal ALDH2 gene (ALDH2*1/*1) than in those with an ALDH2 rs671 SNP (ALDH2*1/*2 or ALDH2*2/*2). ALDH2 rs671 SNP may serve as a protective factor against RIA in the Chinese Han population.
8.Analgesic effect and potential mechanisms of antidepressant vilazodone
Yuhua RAN ; Yixian WANG ; Liming SHI ; Zhiping LI ; Xiang GAO ; Jing GAO
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2025;39(7):481-488
OBJECTIVE To investigate the analgesic effects and potential mechanisms of the partial agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A(5-HT1A)receptor and the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor,viladazone(Vil),in various animal models of pain.METHODS ① Mouse acetic acid writhing test:KM mice were divided into the model group,model+morphine 10 mg·kg-1 group,and model+Vil 2,4,8 mg·kg-1 groups.Thirty minutes after ig administration of saline(model group)or corresponding drugs,each group was ip injected with a 2%acetic acid aqueous solution(0.01 mL·g-1),and the writhing frequency of the mice was observed and recorded from 5 to 20 min.② Mouse formalin pain test:KM mice were divided into the model group and model+Vil 2,4 and 8 mg·kg-1 groups.Thirty minutes after ig adminis-tration of saline(model group)or drugs,20 μL of 5%formalin solution was sc injected into the right plantar region of the mice.The licking time(the sum of the duration of licking and biting the paw)of the mice was observed and recorded during two periods:the acute phase(0-5 min after sc formalin injec-tion)and the delayed phase(15-35 min after sc formalin injection).③ Rat chronic constriction injury(CCI)of the sciatic nerve experiment:SD rats successfully examined with a paw withdrawal threshold(PWT)<5 g were randomly divided into a CCI model group and a CCI model+Vil 2,4 and 8 mg·kg-1 group.Solvent(model group)or corresponding drugs were ig administered,and the PWT of the modeled side was measured at 30,60,120 and 240 min after the first administration to evaluate the acute anal-gesic effect of Vil on mechanical pain.Then,Vil was continuously ig administered for 14 d,and the PWT was measured 1 h after Vil administration on the 7th and 14th d to evaluate the long-term analgesic effect of Vil.Immunofluorescence staining was employed to analyze the expression levels of inflamma-tion-related proteins,ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and interleukin 1β(IL-1β),in brain tissues.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of IBA-1,TNF-α and IL-1β in the dorsal root ganglion of the spinal cord in the CCI model.RESULTS ① In the mouse model of acetic acid writhing,single ig administration of morphine 10 mg·kg-1 and Vil at varied doses significantly reduced the number of writhings induced by acetic acid compared to the model group.② In the formalin-induced pain model,the average licking time of the model group was 50.5 s during the acute phase of inflammatory pain(0-5 min after intraplantar injec-tion of 5%formalin),and 347.9 s during the delayed phase of inflammatory pain(25-35 min after formalin injection).Compared to the model group,single ig administration of Vil 2-8 mg·kg-1 reduced chronic pain induced by formalin in mice,and each dose of Vil significantly decreased the licking time of mice,but had no notable impact on the licking duration exhibited by mice during acute phase.③ In the CCI model,the PWT values of CCI model rats significantly decreased compared with the control group.Pathological damage to varying extents was observed in brain slices,manifested as enlarged intercellular spaces and the appearance of vacuoles.The expression of IBA-1 in brain tissue significantly increased,while TNF-α and IL-1β hardly changed.The levels of IBA-1,TNF-α and IL-1β in the spinal dorsal root ganglion significantly increased.Compared with the CCI model,after single administration of Vil 2-8 mg·kg-1 for 60,120 and 240 min,Vil significantly reduced the PWT values.After two-week continuous administration,the PWT values in Vil 4 and 8 mg·kg-1 were significantly reduced,and Vil 2-8 mg·kg-1 could alleviate the neuropathic pain to some extent.Vil 8 mg·kg-1 significantly reduced the elevated levels of inflammatory factors compared to CCI rats.CONCLUSION The antidepressant Vil exhibits analgesic effects in mouse models of acetic acid writhing,formalin-induced inflammation,and neuropathic pain induced by CCI in rats,with a more pronounced effect on neuropathic pain.The mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory pathways of IBA-1.
9.Exploring the Composition Rules of Rrescriptions Containing the Pair of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus-Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex and Its Mechanism of Action in the Treatment of Food Retention Disorder Based on Data Mining,Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Wenbo LI ; Yangang WANG ; Jiayi MA ; Haoyu CHEN ; Yuhua WANG ; Haiyan BAI
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1165-1178
Objective Excavate the prescriptions containing the drug pair of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus-Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex(AFI-MOC),and statistically analyze the rules of prescription medication,and explore its potential mechanism of action in the treatment of food retention disorder.Methods The prescriptions containing the pair of AFI-MOC in the Great Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions were retrieved and typed into Excel to establish a database.The source,dosage form,frequency of compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine,nature,taste and meridian attribution and indications were analyzed.Using R language(4.3.3)software with OriginPro to analysis co-occurrence frequency,association rule,correlation clustering analysis,and visualization.Then,the network construction,Protein-Protein Interaction Network(PPI)analysis,Gene Ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis of the"AFI-MOC-active ingredient-food retention disorder target"network were performed for the AFI-MOC drug pair and its indications food retention disorder.The binding between the core active ingredients and key target proteins was evaluated by molecular docking.Results A total of 349 prescriptions containing the pair of AFI-MOC were included,involving 267 Chinese herbs.Among them,the high-frequency compatibility drugs included Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Aucklandiae Radix.They are mainly warm in nature,spicy,bitter and sweet in taste,spleen,liver and stomach in meridian.There were 141 kinds of indications,most of which were diseases of the spleen and stomach system such as food retention disorder,dysentery and fullness.Correlation cluster analysis shows that the AFI-MOC drug pair is frequently combined with drugs that have the efficacy of promoting qi circulation,strengthening the spleen,clearing heat,and eliminating dampness.Found through the analysis of network pharmacology AFI-MOC drug pair on the core of the active ingredient of Luteolin,BU3,Naringenin,Honokiol and Nobiletin.Key targets for food retention disorder are BDNF,AKT1,ESR1,TNF and IL-6.Molecular docking results show Luteolin,combined with AKT1 is most closely.Conclusion AFI-MOC drug pair often compatible with Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Aucklandiae Radix.The advantages of the prescription containing AFI-MOC drug pair is food retention disorder.Its key active components can exert therapeutic effects through multiple targets such as AKT1 and TNF.This study reveals the AFI-MOC drug pair on compatibility laws,preliminary interpretation of the mechanism for the treatment of food retention disorder.It can provide references and a basis for studying the compatibility mechanism of AFI-MOC and guiding rational clinical medication.
10.Imaging findings of pediatric atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor in the central nervous system
Ting GUI ; Hui ZHENG ; Jinning LI ; Caiting CHU ; Ming LIU ; Yuzhen ZHANG ; Yuhua LI ; Dengbin WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(11):1857-1860
Objective To explore the imaging findings of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor(AT/RT)in the central nervous sys-tem of children and to improve the understanding of this disease.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 55 children with AT/RT confirmed by pathology.Results Among the 55 AT/RT children,74.5%were under 3 years old,with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5∶1.Intracranial AT/RT appeared hyperdense or slightly hyperdense on CT scans and accompa-nied by calcification or hemorrhage occasionally.32 cases showed peripheral cystic changes in MRI images.38 cases showed heteroge-neous enhancement,9 cases showed ring-like or band-like enhancement.13 cases showed cerebrospinal fluid dissemination.The mean minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value was(0.61±0.11)× 10-3mm2/s.Spinal AT/RT manifested as solitary or mul-tiple intramedullary and/or extradural lesions on MRI,which showed unclear boundary from the spinal cord.Hemorrhage within or at the edge of the lesion was seen in 2 cases,involvement of nerve roots and adjacent muscle tissues in 3 cases,and cerebrospinal fluid dissemination of the intracranial and spinal cord at varying degrees in 5 cases.Conclusion The imaging findings of pediatric AT/RT in the central nervous system are diverse,combining imaging characteristics with age of onset facilitates the accurate diagnosis.

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