1.UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Reveals Mechanisms of Modified Qing'e Formula in Delaying Skin Photoaging and Regulating Circadian Rhythm
Wanyu YANG ; Xiujun ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Chunjing SONG ; Haoming MA ; Lifeng WANG ; Nan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(6):88-97
ObjectiveTo reveal the active substances and mechanisms of modified Qing'e formula (MQEF) in delaying skin photoaging by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS),network pharmacology, and cell experiments. MethodsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS and a literature review were employed to analyze the transdermally absorbed components in mice after the topical application of MQEF. The potential targets of MQEF in treating skin photoaging were retrieved from databases.The compound-potential target network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed to screen the key components and core targets. A photoaging cell model was established by irradiating HaCaT cells with medium-wave ultraviolet B (UVB). The safe doses of bakuchiol (BAK) and salvianolic acid B (SAB) for treating HaCaT cells and the effects of BAK and SAB on the viability of cells exposed to UVB irradiation were determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method.The reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescent probe was used to measure the ROS production in the cells treated with BAK and SAB.The expression levels of genes related to oxidative stress,inflammation,collagen metabolism,and circadian rhythm clock were measured by Real-time PCR. ResultsA total of 24 transdermally absorbed components of MQEF were identified,which acted on 367 potential targets,and 417 targets related to skin photoaging were screened out,among which 47 common targets were predicted as the targets of MQEF in treating skin photoaging. MQEF exerted the anti-photoaging effect via key components such as BAK and SAB,which acted on core proteins such as serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) and intervened in core pathways such as the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways.Compared with the model group,the administration of BAK and SAB increased the survival rate of HaCaT cells (P<0.01),down-regulated the mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1),and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (P<0.01),and up-regulated the mRNA levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO-1) (P<0.05,P<0.01) in photoaged HaCaT cells.In addition,it eliminated excess ROS production induced by UVB and up-regulated the mRNA levels of brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (BMAL1) and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) associated with circadian clock (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionMQEF delays skin photoaging through the coordinated effects of various components,multiple targets,and diverse pathways.The key components BAK and SAB in MQEF exhibit anti-photoaging properties,which involve inhibiting oxidative stress,preventing collagen degradation,mitigating inflammation,and maintaining normal skin circadian rhythms by regulating clock gene expression.
2.Construction and Validation of a Large Language Model-Based Intelligent Pre-Consultation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yiqing LIU ; Ying LI ; Hongjun YANG ; Linjing PENG ; Nanxing XIAN ; Kunning LI ; Qiwei SHI ; Hengyi TIAN ; Lifeng DONG ; Lin WANG ; Yuping ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):895-900
ObjectiveTo construct a large language model (LLM)-based intelligent pre-consultation system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to improve efficacy of clinical practice. MethodsA TCM large language model was fine-tuned using DeepSpeed ZeRO-3 distributed training strategy based on YAYI 2-30B. A weighted undirected graph network was designed and an agent-based syndrome differentiation model was established based on relationship data extracted from TCM literature and clinical records. An agent collaboration framework was developed to integrate the TCM LLM with the syndrome differentiation model. Model performance was comprehensively evaluated by Loss function, BLEU-4, and ROUGE-L metrics, through which training convergence, text generation quality, and language understanding capability were assessed. Professional knowledge test sets were developed to evaluate system proficiency in TCM physician licensure content, TCM pharmacist licensure content, TCM symptom terminology recognition, and meridian identification. Clinical tests were conducted to compare the system with attending physicians in terms of diagnostic accuracy, consultation rounds, and consultation duration. ResultsAfter 100 000 iterations, the training loss value was gradually stabilized at about 0.7±0.08, indicating that the TCM-LLM has been trained and has good generalization ability. The TCM-LLM scored 0.38 in BLEU-4 and 0.62 in ROUGE-L, suggesting that its natural language processing ability meets the standard. We obtained 2715 symptom terms, 505 relationships between diseases and syndromes, 1011 relationships between diseases and main symptoms, and 1 303 600 relationships among different symptoms, and constructed the Agent of syndrome differentiation model. The accuracy rates in the simulated tests for TCM practitioners, licensed pharmacists of Chinese materia medica, recognition of TCM symptom terminology, and meridian recognition were 94.09%, 78.00%, 87.50%, and 68.80%, respectively. In clinical tests, the syndrome differentiation accuracy of the system reached 88.33%, with fewer consultation rounds and shorter consultation time compared to the attending physicians (P<0.01), suggesting that the system has a certain pre- consultation ability. ConclusionThe LLM-based intelligent TCM pre-diagnosis system could simulate diagnostic thinking of TCM physicians to a certain extent. After understanding the patients' natural language, it collects all the patient's symptom through guided questioning, thereby enhancing the diagnostic and treatment efficiency of physicians as well as the consultation experience of the patients.
3.Effects of Cldn14 gene knockout on the formation of calcium oxalate stones in rats and its mechanism
Peiyue LUO ; Liying ZHENG ; Tao CHEN ; Jun ZOU ; Wei LI ; Qi CHEN ; Le CHENG ; Lifeng GAN ; Fangtao ZHANG ; Biao QIAN
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(2):168-173
Objective: To explore the effects of Cldn14 gene knockout on renal metabolism and stone formation in rats,so as to provide reference for research in the field of urinary calium metabolism and stone formation. Methods: Cldn14 gene knockout homozygous rats and wild-type rats of the same age were randomly divided into 4 groups:wild-type control (WC) group,wild-type ethylene glycol (WE) group,gene knockout control (KC) group and gene knockout ethylene glycol (KE) group,with 10 rats in each group.The WE and KE groups were induced with ethylene glycol + ammonium chloride to form kidney stones,while the WC and KC groups received normal saline gavage.After 4 weeks of standard maintenance feeding,the urine samples were collected to detect the venous blood.The kidneys were collected for HE,Pizzolatto's staining and transmission electron microscopy.The protein in renal tissues was extracted to detect the expressions of Claudin16 and Claudin19. Results: Crystal deposition was observed in the renal tubular lumen of the WE and the KE groups,and more crystals were detected in the KE group.The WE group had a large number of intracytoplasmic black crystalline inclusions observed in renal tubular epithelial cells under transmission electron microscope,followed by the KE and KC groups.Compared with WC and WE groups,KC and KE groups had significantly decreased serum calcium and magnesium levels but significantly increased urinary calcium level.In addition,the urinary calcium level was higher in the WE group than in the WC group and higher in the KE group than in the KC group.The KE group had lower level of Claudin16,but there was no significant difference in the level of Claudin19 among the 4 groups(P>0.05). Conclusion: Knockout of Cldn14 gene alone cannot effectively reduce urinary calcium excretion or reduce the risk of stone formation in rats,which may be related to the decrease of Claudin16 level.
4.Research progress of pH-responsive drug delivery systems in cancer immunotherapy
Shihao WANG ; Lifeng LIU ; Yang DING ; Suxin LI
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2024;55(4):522-529
Abstract: Cancer immunotherapy, which is an attractive strategy harnessing the host's own immune system to remove tumor cells, has been widely used in clinical practice, yet with low response rate and immune-related adverse events. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, the targets of immunotherapy exhibit high spatial heterogeneity and are distributed in different cell types or secondary organelles, resulting in off-target and on-target toxicity, which greatly reduces the efficacy and safety of treatment. Due to the altered metabolic level, tumor tissues often display a lower pH than normal tissues. In addition, the endocytosis pathway is accompanied by continuous pumping of protons. Therefore, the variation of environmental pH values could serve as an ideal stimulus for precise drug delivery and release. In recent years, pH-responsive materials (e.g., polymers, biomacromolecules, lipid nanoparticles, biofilm, inorganic nanoparticles, and metal-organic frameworks) have been widely investigated in the field of cancer immunotherapy. This paper summarizes recent strategies of pH-responsive drug delivery systems based on different types of carriers, aiming to provide some reference for the design of next generation of tumor-targeting formulations in cancer immunotherapy.
5.Classification and influencing factors of family resilience and post-traumatic growth in spinal tumor patients based on potential profile analysis
Li CHEN ; Lifeng YAO ; Xiaoju ZHANG ; Shoumei JIA ; Li ZHANG ; Lijuan XU ; Shuyu HAN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2024;23(2):153-160
Objective:To explore the classification and influencing factors of family resilience and post-traumatic growth in patients with spinal tumor.Methods:A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among 219 inpatients with spinal tumor admitted from July 2021 to July 2022. The General Demographic Information questionnaire, Chinese-Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Family Crisis-Oriented Personal Evaluation Scales (F-COPES), and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used in the study. The ordinal and multivariate logistic regression analyses was applied to identify the factors associated with the classification of family resilience and post-traumatic growth.Results:Of the 219 patients, there were 62 cases of primary spinal tumors (28.3%). According to the results of latent profile analysis, the respondents were classified into three categories by family resilience and post-traumatic growth, namely family difficulty-resistant type ( n=38, 17.4%), general resilience-struggle type ( n=99, 45.2%) and family adaptation-growth type ( n=82, 37.4%). There were significant differences in occupational status, commitment to housework, family atmosphere( χ2=10.75, P=0.025; χ2=6.95, P=0.031; χ2=11.37, P=0.017), and total score of F-COPES and SSRS ( F=25.95, P<0.001; F=19.06, P<0.001)among three groups. Ordinal and multivariate logisitc regression analyses showed that retirement ( OR=2.928, 95% CI:1.098-7.808, P<0.05), family coping ( OR=1.113, 95% CI:1.063-1.165, P<0.05), and social support ( OR=1.226, 95% CI:1.103-1.362, P<0.05) were independently associated with family resilience and post-traumatic growth in patients with spinal tumor. Conclusion:Patients with spinal tumor have significant differences in characteristics by family resilience and post-traumatic growth. As a result, more targeted interventions should be provided for different categories of spinal tumor patients in the future.
6.Structure-based development of potent and selective type-II kinase inhibitors of RIPK1.
Ying QIN ; Dekang LI ; Chunting QI ; Huaijiang XIANG ; Huyan MENG ; Jingli LIU ; Shaoqing ZHOU ; Xinyu GONG ; Ying LI ; Guifang XU ; Rui ZU ; Hang XIE ; Yechun XU ; Gang XU ; Zheng ZHANG ; Shi CHEN ; Lifeng PAN ; Ying LI ; Li TAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(1):319-334
Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) functions as a key regulator in inflammation and cell death and is involved in mediating a variety of inflammatory or degenerative diseases. A number of allosteric RIPK1 inhibitors (RIPK1i) have been developed, and some of them have already advanced into clinical evaluation. Recently, selective RIPK1i that interact with both the allosteric pocket and the ATP-binding site of RIPK1 have started to emerge. Here, we report the rational development of a new series of type-II RIPK1i based on the rediscovery of a reported but mechanistically atypical RIPK3i. We also describe the structure-guided lead optimization of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable RIPK1i, 62, which exhibits extraordinary efficacies in mouse models of acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. Collectively, 62 provides a useful tool for evaluating RIPK1 in animal disease models and a promising lead for further drug development.
7.Analysis of utilization and influencing factors of preconception healthcare services among women expecting additional childbirth in Jiading District, Shanghai
Li CHENG ; Lifeng ZHANG ; Liandi SHEN ; Haiqi WANG ; Xianli GUO ; Bing LIU ; Shengrong FAN ; Hong JIANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(8):783-788
ObjectiveTo understand the utilization of preconception healthcare services and the influencing factors among the women expecting additional childbirth in Jiading District, Shanghai, and to provide references for promoting the utilization of preconception healthcare services under the new population policy. MethodsA questionnaire survey on the utilization of preconception healthcare services and related influencing factors was carried out among 682 women expecting additional childbirth across six subdistricts in Jiading District, Shanghai. The results were statistically analyzed. ResultsThe average age of the women was (31.7±4.5) years, 30.2% of whom were ≥35 years old. The proportion of women having their third or subsequent children was low, at 16.4%. A significant majority, 92.4%, were found to have various risk factors during initial pregnancy screening. The utilization rate of preconception healthcare services among women seeking additional childbirth was relatively low at 26.7%. Awareness of the free preconception check-up program in Jiading District was also low at 28.6%, and the utilization rate for these services was even lower at 7.69%. Unplanned pregnancies were the primary reason for not utilizing preconception healthcare services, accounting for 63.6%. The results of multifactorial binary logistic regression analysis showed that the utilization rate of preconception healthcare services before the current pregnancy was higher for women aged between 35 and 39 compared to women aged ≤29 years old (OR=1.789, 95%CI: 1.033‒3.099). Women with planned pregnancies had a higher utilization of preconception healthcare services prior to this pregnancy (OR=4.164, 95%CI: 2.627‒6.602). Women who had received preconception care prior to their first birth had a higher utilization rate of preconception care prior to the current pregnancy (OR=7.534, 95%CI: 4.954‒11.456). Women without a family history of chronic diseases had a higher utilization rate of preconception healthcare services (OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.083‒3.345). ConclusionUnder the context of three-child policy, the proportion of women seeking three or more children in Jiading District is low. Most of these women have risk factors identified during initial pregnancy screenings. The utilization rate of preconception healthcare services and the awareness of the free preconception screening program in Jiading District are both low. Unplanned pregnancies remain the primary reason for failing to receive timely preconception healthcare services. Age, whether the pregnancy was planned, whether the women had received preconception healthcare services before their first baby and family history of chronic diseases are the main factors affecting the utilization of preconception healthcare services. Relevant departments should enhance the promotion of preconception healthcare service programs, especially for women of childbearing age who have not yet given birth, so as to improve the utilization rate of preconception health care services.
8.Paeoniflorin Induces Apoptosis in NSCLC Cells via Activating Hippo Signaling Pathway
Yan LI ; Liang PENG ; Lifeng JIANG ; Sheng WANG ; Ge WANG ; Xiaolin YU ; Yulin YAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):39-44
ObjectiveTo observe the apoptosis induced by paeoniflorin (PF) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and explore its mechanism. MethodCell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the inhibition rates of H1299, H292 and A549 cells with different concentrations of PF (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 25 µmol·L-1), and to screen suitable concentrations of PF and experimental cells. The inhibitory effect of PF on lung cancer cells was detected by clone formation assay. The effect of PF on cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining. With the right concentration of drugs, levels of apoptosis-associated protein B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved Caspase-3 and Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. At the same time, the molecular expressions of hypoxia inducible factor -1α (HIF-1α) and Hippo signaling pathway were determined. ResultCompared with the blank group, PF significantly inhibited the growth of H1299, H292 and A549 cells of human lung cancer (P<0.01). PF significantly induced apoptosis in A549 cells (P<0.01), decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.01), and significantly increased the cleaved Caspase-3 expression (P<0.01). Compared with those in the blank group, the expression levels of HIF-1α, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1), Mps one binding 1 (MOB1) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) in A549 cells of the PF treatment group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the expressions of p-LATS1, p-MOB1 and p-YAP were significantly increased (P<0.01). At the same time, there was no significant effect on the expression levels of phosphorylated mammalian Ste20-like kinase 1 (p-MST1) and MST1, which did not reach a statistical difference. ConclusionAll data demonstrated that PF showed an anti-tumor effect by improving hypoxic conditions and inhibiting the abnormally activated Hippo signaling pathway, thereby inducing and promoting apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.
9.Expression of TRIP4 and DDIT4 in Glioma Tissue and Their Relationship with Clinical Pathological Parameters and Prognosis
Shanquan JING ; Liping LIANG ; Linlin LIU ; Hui LI ; Conghui LI ; Lifeng XU
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2024;39(2):18-22,128
Objective To study the expression of thyroid hormone receptor binding protein 4(TRIP4)and DNA damage inducing transcription factor 4(DDIT4)in glioma tissue and their relationship with clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis.Methods 94 glioma patients admitted to the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2018 to February 2019 were selected as the research subjects.The expression of TRIP4,DDIT4 proteins in tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.The relationship between the expression of TRIP4,DDIT4 proteins in glioma tissues and clinical pathological characteristics were compared.The differences in survival prognosis of glioma patients with different levels of TRIP4,DDIT4 protein expression were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the survival prognosis of glioma patients.Results The positive rates of TRIP4(68.09%),DDIT4(65.96%)proteins in glioma tissues were higher than those in adjacent tissues(13.83%,10.64%),with statistically significant differences(χ2=57.212,60.866,all P<0.05).There was a significant positive correlation between TRIP4 and DDIT4 protein expression in glioma tissues(r=0.722,P<0.05).The positive rates of TRIP4(83.64%vs 46.15%,80.00%vs 51.28%)and DDIT4(80.00%vs 46.15%,76.36%vs 51.28%)proteins in glioma tissues with tumor diameter≥3cm,WHO grade Ⅲ were significantly higher than those in tissues with tumor diameter<3cm,WHO grade Ⅰ~Ⅱ(χ2=6.393~14.754,P<0.05).The 3-year overall survival rates of the TRIP4 positive and negative expression groups were 37.50%(24/64)and 66.67%(20/30),respectively.The 3-year cumulative survival of the TRIP4 positive expression group was significantly lower than that in the TRIP4 negative expression group(Log-rank χ2=5.949,P=0.015).The 3-year overall survival rate of DDIT4 positive and negative expression group was 37.10%(23/62)and 70.00%(21/30),respectively.The 3-year cumulative survival of the DDIT4 positive expression group was significantly lower than that in the DDIT4 negative expression group(Log-rank χ2=7.642,P=0.006).Tumor diameter≥3cm(HR=1.614,P=0.000),WHO grade Ⅲ(HR=1.790,P=0.000),positive TRIP4(HR=1.665,P=0.000)and positive DDIT4(HR=1.476,P=0.000)were independent risk factors affecting the survival prognosis of glioma patients.Conclusion The expression of TRIP4 and DDIT4 protein in glioma tissue was increased.Both of them were related to tumor diameter and WHO grade,and are potential tumor markers for survival prognosis of glioma.
10.Analysis of detection of acute respiratory infection in children under 12 years old in Pudong New Area, Shanghai from 2019 to 2023
Yang YUAN ; Lu ZHANG ; Zhuyun LI ; Yue ZHANG ; Yujia HUO ; Jialiang CHEN ; Qing LIU ; Wenwei ZOU ; Bing ZHAO ; Lipeng HAO ; Lifeng PAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(4):342-347
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of acute respiratory infections in children under 12 years old in Pudong New Area, Shanghai from 2019 to 2023. MethodsAcute respiratory infection samples of children under 12 years old from three sentinel hospitals in Pudong New Area, Shanghai from 2019 to 2023 were collected, and 42 respiratory infection pathogens, including influenza virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human enterovirus/rhinovirus, human pulmonary virus, human bokavirus, coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43), and novel coronavirus, were detected with microfluidic chips. The situation of acute respiratory infections among outpatient and inpatient children in this area was analyzed for the before the implementation of non pharmacological intervention measures (2019.12‒2020.1), during the period of non pharmacological intervention measures (2020.2‒2022.12), and after non pharmacological intervention measures (2023.1‒2023.6). ResultsFrom 2019 to 2023, a total of 1 770 samples were collected, and 445 pathogens were detected, with a detection rate of 25.14% (445/1 770). The main pathogens detected during the study period were influenza virus: 8.70% (154/1 770), respiratory syncytial virus: 4.41% (78/1 770), human enterovirus/rhinovirus: 2.66% (47/1 770), human adenovirus: 2.49% (44/1 770), and parainfluenza virus: 2.20% (39/1 770). Before the implementation of non pharmacological intervention measures, outpatients were primarily infected with influenza, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus, with detection rates of 8.09%, 4.49%, and 4.04%, respectively; inpatients were mainly infected with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus, with detection rates of 4.49%, 3.82%, and 3.15%, respectively. During the period of non pharmacological intervention measures, influenza, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were the main viruses detected in the samples of outpatient children, with detection rates of 4.04%, 3.60%, and 2.47%, respectively; inpatient samples mainly detected respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and influenza virus, with detection rates of 3.60%, 2.02%, and 1.80%, respectively. After non pharmacological intervention measures, influenza, rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus were the main pathogens detected in the outpatients, with detection rates of 9.89%, 2.92% and 2.02%, respectively; influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus were the main pathogens detected in inpatient children, with detection rates of 6.29%, 1.57%, and 1.35%, respectively. ConclusionThe prevalence of pathogens related to acute respiratory infections in children is influenced by non pharmacological preventive measures.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail