1.Analysis of Dynamic Change Patterns of Color and Composition During Fermentation of Myristicae Semen Koji
Zhenxing WANG ; Mengmeng FAN ; Le NIU ; Suqin CAO ; Hongwei LI ; Zhenling ZHANG ; Hanwei LI ; Jianguang ZHU ; Kai LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):222-229
ObjectiveTo explore the changes in volatile components, total polysaccharides, enzyme activity, and chromaticity value of Myristicae Semen Koji(MSK) during the fermentation process, and conduct correlation analysis. MethodsBased on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), the changes of volatile components in MSK at different fermentation times were identified. The phenol sulfuric acid method, dinitrosalicylic acid method(DNS), and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt method(CMC-Na) were used to investigate the total polysaccharide content, amylase activity, and cellulase activity during the fermentation process. Visual analysis technology was used to explore the changes in chromaticity values, revealing the fermentation process of MSK and the dynamic changes of various measurement indicators, partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) was used to explore the differential compounds of MSK at different fermentation degrees, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile components of MSK and total polysaccharides, enzyme activity, and chromaticity values. ResultsA total of 60 volatile compounds were identified from MSK, the relative contents of components such as (+)-α-pinene, β-phellandrene, β-pinene, (+)-limonene, and p-cymene obviously increased, while the relative contents of components such as safrole, methyl isoeugenol, methyleugenol, myristicin, and elemicin significantly decreased. During the fermentation process, the total polysaccharide content showed an upward trend, while the activities of amylase and cellulase showed an initial increase followed by a decrease, and reached their maximum value at 40 h. the overall brightness(L*) and total color difference(ΔE*) gradually increased, while the changes in red-green value(a*) and yellow-blue value(b*) were not obvious. PLS-DA results showed that MSK could be clearly distinguished at different fermentation times, and 13 differential biomarkers were screened out. Pearson correlation analysis results showed that the contents of α-terpinene, β-phellandrene, methyleugenol, β-cubebene and myristic acid had an obvious correlation with chromaticity values. ConclusionAfter fermentation, the volatile components, total polysaccharides, amylase activity, and cellulase activity of MSK undergo significant changes, and there is a clear correlation between them and chromaticity values, which reveals the dynamic changes in the fermentation process and related indicators of MSK, laying a foundation for the quality control.
2.Major Vault Protein in Macrophages Reprograms Immune Microenvironment and Inhibits Occurrence and Development of Liver Cancer
Shimeng ZHOU ; Mengmeng LI ; Shouyu WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(2):118-126
Objective To explore the role and molecular mechanism of major vault protein (MVP) in tumor-associated macrophages in the occurrence and development of liver cancer. Methods The expression of MVP in macrophages was analyzed by bioinformatics method and multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. Mice with MVP deficiency in macrophages were constructed by Cre/LoxP recombinant enzyme system. The proliferation and migration abilities of tumor cells were detected by cloning formation and Transwell migration assays. The effect of MVP in macrophages on tumorigenesis and development was investigated by mouse primary liver cancer model and subcutaneous tumor transplantation model. The effect of MVP on the tumor microenvironment was investigated by multi-fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. The effect of MVP on CD8+ T cells was detected by cell co-culture, flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISA. Results The high expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages. The downregulation of the expression of MVP in tumor-associated macrophages compared with para-carcinoma tissues. MVP deficiency in macrophages promoted the proliferation and migration of tumor cells (P<0.05), promoted the development of tumor in vivo (P<0.05), formed an immunosuppressive microenvironment and weakened CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity (P<0.05). Conclusion MVP deficiency in macrophages can promote the occurrence and development of liver cancer by suppressing the function of CD8+ T cells.
3.Fufang Kangjiaolv Capsules Treat Anxiety in Rat Model of Chronic Restraint Stress via Microbiota-gut-brain Axis
Wenxin FAN ; Tingyue JIANG ; Yu WANG ; Ge ZHANG ; Yifan LU ; Mengmeng LIU ; Jiayuan LI ; Renzhi MA ; Jinli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):95-107
ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules on anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and explore the mechanism underlying the anti-anxiety effect via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. MethodsRats were assigned into blank, model, positive drug (diazepam, 1 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.75, 1.5, 3 g·kg-1, respectively) Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules groups. After 14 days of administration, the elevated plus maze test, open field test, light and dark box test, and marble burying test were performed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus and colon of rats, and Nissl staining was conducted to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin in the colon of rats. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the colon, serum, and hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ZO-1, occludin, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in the colon tissue and NF-κB p65 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in the time and frequency ratio of rats entering the elevated plus maze, the time and frequency of rats entering the central area of the open field, the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark box, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules ameliorated the anxiety of the model rats to varying degrees, and the high-dose group had the best effect, with increases in the proportions of time and frequency of rats entering the open arm in the elevated plus maze (P<0.05), the number of rats entering the central area in the open field (P<0.05), the time of entering the open box, the times of passing through the light and dark boxes, and the number of unburied beads (P<0.01). Moreover, the high-dose group showed alleviated pathological damage of hippocampal neurons and colon. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the model group had increased relative abundance of Firmicutes, Deferribacterota, Romboutsia, and Phascolarctobacterium, while it had decreased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota and Lactobacillus. The drug administration groups showed increased relative abundance of Bavcteroidota, Bacteroides, norank f norank o Clostridia UCG-014, and Blautia and decreased relative abundance of Firmicutes and Deferribacterota. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules up-regulated the mRNA levels of ZO-1 and occludin in the colon (P<0.01), lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-β in the colon, serum, and hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1 (P<0.01) and occludin (P<0.05) in the colon, down-regulated the protein level of NF-κB p65 in the colon and hippocampus (P<0.05), and up-regulated the protein level of BDNF in the hippocampus. ConclusionFufang Kangjiaolv capsules can reduce the anxiety-like behaviors in the rat model of CRS by regulating the gut microbiota disturbance, up-regulating the expression of tight junction proteins in the colon, repairing intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier, and down-regulating NF-κB/BDNF signaling pathway, thereby reducing peripheral and central inflammation. This study proves the hypothesis that Fufang Kangjiaolv capsules play an anti-anxiety role via the microbiota-gut-brain axis, providing a new idea for further research.
4.Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of finerenone combined with standard regimen in the treatment of heart failure with preserved or mildly reduced ejection fraction
Runan XIA ; Xu WANG ; Huijuan CHEN ; Mengyu JIANG ; Panpan DI ; Mengmeng ZHAO ; Li LIU ; Hai LIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(14):1770-1774
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of finerenone combined with standard of care (SoC) in the treatment of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS Based on a phase Ⅲ clinical trial, a Markov model was constructed from the perspective of China’s healthcare system to compare the treatment outcomes of finerenone combined with SoC regimen versus SoC regimen alone in the treatment of different cardiac functional statuses of HFmrEF/HFpEF. Using quality-adjusted life year (QALY) as the health output index, 3 times China’s per capita GDP in 2023 as the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold, a simulation was conducted with a 3-month cycle length and a 10- year time horizon, incorporating an annual discount rate of 5%. The dynamic changes across various stages of HFmrEF/HFpEF treated with finerenone combined with SoC versus SoC alone were simulated to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and costs of the two treatment strategies. Additionally, one-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed, to test the robustness of the results. RESULTS The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the finerenone combined with SoC regimen versus SoC regimen alone was 179 504.75 yuan/QALY, which was below the WTP threshold set in this study, indicating that the finerenone combined with SoC regimen possessed certain economic advantages. The results of one-way sensitivity analysis showed that the utility value of NYHA Ⅱ status, the drug price of finerenone, the discount rate, and the probability of hospital transfer for both groups had a great influence on ICER, but did not affect the robustness of the model. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis also confirmed the robustness of the model. CONCLUSIONS Under the WTP threshold set in this study, finerenone combined with SoC is cost-effective in the treatment of HFmrEF/HFpEF, compared with the SoC regimen.
5.Advances in the clinical application and safety of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy
Mengmeng LIN ; Xu LIN ; Yixuan WANG ; Danna JIANG ; Shanshan SHI ; Yangling LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2466-2472
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), as an important recent innovation in the field of tumor immunotherapy in recent years, can simultaneously or sequentially target different antigens or two different epitopes of the same antigen. Compared with traditional monoclonal antibodies, they can produce superior therapeutic effects. This article reviews the progress in clinical applications and safety research of BsAbs in cancer therapy, revealing that they (such as blinatumomab, glofitamab, teclistamab, amivantamab, etc.) exhibit significant therapeutic efficacy against hematological malignancies, lung cancer, cervical cancer, melanoma, and other cancers. For cytokine release syndrome (CRS) induced by BsAbs, prophylactic or pre-emptive medication is commonly administered in clinical practice; for neurotoxicity and infections triggered by BsAbs, clinical practice necessitates rigorous monitoring of patients’ vital signs and the provision of essential treatments. In addition, different BsAbs exhibit variations in escalation dose, infusion rate, storage duration, and equipment requirements. Therefore, strict adherence to the instructions in the drug package inserts is essential during clinical operations to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy. In the future, more multicenter trials need to be conducted to validate the efficacy and safety of BsAbs across different tumor types and patient populations, and long-term follow-up data should be accumulated to optimize treatment cycles and dosage regimens.
6.Identification of potential immune-related mechanisms related to the development of multiple myeloma
Yaomei WANG ; Wenli ZHANG ; Tiandong LI ; Mengmeng LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Xinqing LI ; Yufei CHEN ; Yongping SONG ; Wei LI ; Chunyan DU ; Fang WANG ; Lina LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(13):1603-1613
Background::Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), leading to unprecedented response and survival rates among patients, the majority eventually relapse, and a cure remains elusive. This situation is closely related to an incomplete understanding of the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages, in patients with treatment-na?ve MM.Methods::This study used the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of both patients with MM and heathy donors to identify immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and monocytes/macrophages. Transcriptomic data and flow cytometry analysis of monocytes/macrophages were used to further examine the effect of monocytes/macrophages in treatment-na?ve MM patients.Results::A significant difference was observed between the bone marrow (BM) immune cells of the healthy controls and treatment-na?ve MM patients through scRNA-seq. It is noteworthy that, through an scRNA-seq data analysis, this study found that interferon (IFN)-induced NK/T cells, terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) cells, T-helper cells characterized by expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG +Th cells), IFN-responding exhausted T cells, mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1) + DCs, IFN-responding DCs, MHCII + DCs, and immunosuppressive monocytes/macrophages were enriched in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. Significantly, transcriptomic data of monocytes/macrophages demonstrated that "don’t eat me" -related genes and IFN-induced genes increase in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Furthermore, scRNA-seq, transcriptomic data, and flow cytometry also showed an increased proportion of CD16 + monocytes/macrophages and expression level of CD16. Cell-cell communication analysis indicated that monocytes/macrophages, whose related important signaling pathways include migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin 16 (IL-16) signaling pathway, are key players in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Conclusions::Our findings provide a comprehensive and in-depth molecular characterization of BM immune cell census in MM patients, especially for monocytes/macrophages. Targeting macrophages may be a novel treatment strategy for patients with MM.
7.Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence rate in China based on PCA-GTWR model
Mengmeng DAI ; Yayi WANG ; Peiji LI ; Yingbo LIU
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2024;31(5):753-759
Objective:To study the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis and its macro influencing factors in China, so as to provide a reference for the relevant departments to formulate prevention and control policies.Methods:In virtue of the complexity of influencing factors, a new method combining principal component analysis (PCA) with geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) was proposed to analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of influencing factors for pulmonary tuberculosis. Using the data of incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis and gross regional product (secondary indicators) of 31 provinces (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) in China from 2010 to 2019, a macro influencing factor indicator system was established by the PCA scores of 21 secondary indicators quantified to determine four primary indicators: comprehensive economy, medical security, cultural and educational transportation, and resources and environment. Based on the indicator system, PCA-ordinary least squares (PCA-OLS) model, PCA-geographically weighted regression (PCA-GWR) model, and PCA-GTWR model were constructed.Results:Three models passed F-test with F-values of 58.74, 196.62, and 1 202.90 respectively (all P < 0.05), indicating that the impact of the primary indicators on the incidence of tuberculosis is statistically significant. The mean squared error (0.01), the mean absolute error (0.08), the mean absolute percentage error (0.02), and the corrected Akaike information criterion (-358.76) of PCA-GTWR were lower than those of PCA-OLS (0.13, 0.28, 0.07, 258.38) and PCA-GWR (0.06, 0.15, 0.03, 23.41). Meanwhile, the determination coefficient (0.95) of PCA-GTWR was higher than that of PCA-OLS (0.44) and PCA-GWR (0.77), indicating the goodness of fit of the model is the best. And the PCA-GTWR model showed that the comprehensive economy, medical security, cultural and educational transportation, and resources and environment had significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity on the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis according to the distribution of regression coefficients. Conclusion:It is necessary to comprehensively consider various factors and formulate detailed and overall prevention and control measures for pulmonary tuberculosis according to local conditions.
8.Mechanism of action and research progress of vaccine adjuvants
Li ZHANG ; Chang LU ; Minghui AN ; Mengmeng WANG ; Xiaoyu ZONG ; Lin YU ; Zhuo-Ling RAN ; Jing SONG ; Huijie LI ; Jian GONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2024;29(7):785-791
Vaccines are among the most effec-tive measures for preventing infectious diseases and play a crucial role in controlling the spread of these diseases.Adjuvants,serving as auxiliary com-ponents in vaccines,are indispensable in the vac-cine development process.Ideal adjuvants not only enhance the immune response,enabling the body to achieve optimal protective immunity but also play important roles in reducing the dosage of im-munogens and lowering vaccine production costs.To meet the demands of novel vaccines,many new types of adjuvants have been developed.However,there is still a lack of adjuvants that are safe,effec-tive,easy to prepare,highly pure,and suitable for a variety of vaccines in clinical settings.This article categorizes adjuvants and summarizes their mecha-nisms of action and characteristics,focusing on tra-ditional aluminum salt adjuvants and more modern lipid-based and nucleic acid-based adjuvants.The summary is based on a computer search of data-bases including PubMed,Embase,The Cochrane Li-brary,CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastruc-ture),VIP Database,and Wanfang Database,using English search keywords such as Adjuvants,Vac-cine,Vaccine Adjuvant,aluminum salts,MF59,AS03,Toll-like receptor agonist,etc.,and corre-sponding Chinese search terms.The aim is to pro-vide references for the development and applica-tion of adjuvants.
9.Effects of bundled cognitive-behavior intervention in postoperative patients with glioma
Bo GAO ; Xuerong ZONG ; Tingting TIAN ; Mengmeng LI ; Wei WANG ; Bo LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(23):3195-3200
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of bundled cognitive-behavior intervention in postoperative patients with glioma.Methods:From January 2022 to June 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 95 patients with glioma who underwent surgical treatment at the Neurosurgery Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University as subjects. The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group based on the order of enrollment. The control group received routine medical nursing intervention, while the observation group received bundled cognitive-behavior intervention on the basis of control group. The scores of the Chinese-Strategies Used by People to Promote Health (C-SUPPH), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were compared between two groups of patients at different time points before and after intervention.Results:Repeated measures analysis of variance showed that there were intergroup, time, and interaction effects between the C-SUPPH, SF-36, SAS, and SDS scores of the two groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, the C-SUPPH and SF-36 scores in observation group were lower than those in control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months after discharge, the SAS and SDS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . Conclusions:Bundled cognitive-behavior intervention can increase the self-management efficacy of postoperative glioma patients, improve their quality of life, and alleviate their anxiety and depression.
10.Analysis of the correlation between stress coping styles and disability levels in patients with spinal cord injury
Xiaoxiao XIA ; Lunlan LI ; Hui HUANG ; Peipei DING ; Ting WANG ; Mengmeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(27):3713-3719
Objective:To explore the relationship between stress coping styles and disability levels in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) .Methods:Totally 300 SCI patients who were hospitalized in the Spinal Surgery Department of three Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Anhui Province from March 2021 to February 2022 were selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Spinal Cord Lesion-related Coping Strategies Questionnaire (SCL-CSQ), and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0). Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between stress coping styles and disability levels, and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify factors influencing disability levels in these patients.Results:A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed, with 269 valid responses received, yielding an effective response rate of 89.67% (269/300). The total score of WHODAS 2.0 for the 269 patients was [91.00 (72.50, 104.00) ], with an item mean score of [2.53 (2.01, 2.89) ], and an average score rate of 59.86%, indicating a moderate to high level of disability. The average score rate for positive stress coping (facing, seeking support, rationalization) was 67.30%, while for negative stress coping (rejection and denial, fantasy, dependency and compromise), it was 64.48%. Negative stress coping was positively correlated with disability levels ( P<0.05), while positive stress coping was negatively correlated with disability levels ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that occupation, American Spinal Injury Association classification, facing, rejection and denial, and dependency and compromise were factors influencing disability levels in SCI patients ( P<0.05), explaining 50.4% of the total variance in disability levels. Conclusions:The disability level of SCI patients is moderate to high, and stress coping style is an influencing factor. Healthcare professionals should help patients avoid controllable stressors, cultivate effective stress coping strategies, prevent helplessness, to shorten the time window for disability development, and improve patients' quality of life.

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