1.The level of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue and its clinical significance in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Zhekai CAI ; Long XU ; Wenli LIU ; Yingqun XIAO ; Qingmei ZHONG ; Wei ZHANG ; Min WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):57-62
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of HBV cccDNA in patients in the convalescence stage of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) and its correlation with HBV markers and liver histopathological changes. MethodsA total of 30 patients in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACL who were hospitalized in The Ninth Hospital of Nanchang from January 2015 to October 2023 were enrolled as liver failure group, and 9 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), matched for sex and age, were enrolled as control group. The content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was measured, and its correlation with clinical data and laboratory markers was analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups; the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver failure group had a significantly lower content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue than the control group (-0.92±0.70 log10 copies/cell vs -0.13±0.91 log10 copies/cell, t=2.761, P=0.009). In the liver failure group, there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the HBeAg-positive patients and the HBeAg-negative patients (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different grades (G0-G2, G3, and G4) of liver inflammatory activity (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with different stages (S0-S2, S3, and S4) of liver fibrosis (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue between the patients with negative HBV DNA and those with positive HBV DNA (P>0.05). For the liver failure group, the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue was positively correlated with the content of HBV DNA in liver tissue (r=0.426, P=0.043) and was not significantly correlated with the content of HBV DNA in serum (P>0.05). ConclusionThere is a significant reduction in the content of HBV cccDNA in liver tissue in the convalescence stage of HBV-ACLF. HBV cccDNA exists continuously and stably in liver tissue and can better reflect the persistent infection and replication of HBV than HBV DNA in serum and liver tissue.
2.Rapid Identification of Different Parts of Nardostachys jatamansi Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS and Ultra-fast Gas Phase Electronic Nose
Tao WANG ; Xiaoqin ZHAO ; Yang WEN ; Momeimei QU ; Min LI ; Jing WEI ; Xiaoming BAO ; Ying LI ; Yuan LIU ; Xiao LUO ; Wenbing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):182-191
ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi, so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi, and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor(RRF) and three internal standards, and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection(VIP) value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose, and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data, and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis(PCA), discriminant factor alysis(DFA), soft independent modeling of class analogies(SIMCA) and statistical quality control analysis(SQCA). ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi, of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components, the contents of five components(ethyl isovalerate, 2-pentylfuran, benzyl alcohol, nonanal and glacial acetic acid,) in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part(P<0.01), the contents of β-ionone, patchouli alcohol, α-caryophyllene, linalyl butyrate, valencene, 1,8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part(P<0.01). Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82, and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted, respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%, the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99, and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose(PCA, DFA, SIMCA and SQCA) can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results, it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.
3.Influence of corneal fluorescein sodium staining on test results of iTrace visual function analyzer
Xin YIN ; Qingyan LIU ; Xiao SHAO ; Min XUE ; Yao LU ; Shuying MA ; Chunsheng SHI
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):680-684
AIM: To investigate the impact of corneal fluorescein sodium(NaF)staining on the examination results of iTrace visual function analyzer(iTrace).METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Totally 100 patients(100 eyes)with ametropia who visited the outpatient department of Anhui Eye Hospital from April to November 2024 were recruited. They were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 50 patients(50 eyes, and only the right eyes were selected for inclusion)in each group. In the experimental group, corneal staining was performed using fluorescein sodium staining test strips, while in the control group, 1 drop of 0.9% normal saline was instilled into the eyes. The iTrace examination was conducted before the intervention and at 5, 10, and 20 min after the intervention. The total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration, best sphere value(RO value), asphericity factor(Q value), and corneal vertical refractive power difference(IS value)at each time of examination were recorded and compared.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline levels between the two groups(all P>0.05). Intra-group comparison revealed that the total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured 5 min after NaF staining in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with those before staining(all P<0.05). Inter-group comparison showed that the changes(differences from the baseline)in the total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured by iTrace 5 min after the intervention in the experimental group were significantly greater than those in the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the changes(differences from the baseline)of various iTrace parameters measured at 10 and 20 min after the intervention between the two groups(all P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in the RO value, Q value, and IS value in the two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Corneal NaF staining can cause a short-term increase in the wavefront aberration values(total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration)measured by iTrace, and it gradually disappears with the passage of time. However, it has no impact on the measurement of corneal topography parameters(RO value, Q value, IS value).
4.Modified Dingjingtang Regulates TLR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway to Alleviate Inflammatory Skin Lesions in Rat Model of Acne
Ying LIU ; Min XIAO ; Misi ZHOU ; Baiyi QIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):60-68
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of modified Dingjingtang in regulating the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory skin lesions in the rat model of acne. MethodsForty-eight rats were randomized into the normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose (8.1, 16.2, and 32.4 g·kg-1) modified Dingjingtang, and doxycycline hydrochloride (0.27 g·kg-1) groups, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in other groups except the normal group were modeled by intradermal injection and intraperitoneal injection of Propionibacterium acnes. After successful modeling, rats in the intervention groups were treated with corresponding agents by gavage, and those in the normal and model groups with an equal volume of normal saline, once a day for 14 consecutive days. Then, the samples were collected. The general conditions, ear thickness, and body weight changes of rats were observed. Biochemical methods were used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the ear tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson's staining were used to observe the pathological changes and collagen deposition, respectively, in the ear tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the interleukin (IL)-1β level in the ear tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to measure the levels of IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 in the serum. The total antioxidant capacity method was adopted to assess the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the ear tissue. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels, respectively, of TLR2, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NF-κB, NLRP3, and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) in the ear tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group had increased ear skin thickness (P<0.01), elevated ROS and MDA levels (P<0.01), reduced SOD content (P<0.05), and increased collagen deposition (P<0.01) in the ear tissue. In addition, the model group showed raised IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in the serum (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of TLR2, MyD88, NF-κB, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high- and medium-dose modified Dingjingtang groups showed significant improving effects regarding the above indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Dingjingtang can ameliorate the inflammatory skin lesions in the rat model of acne by regulating the TLR2/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
5.Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Pei-Yang LI ; Feng-Qi LI ; Xiao-Jun HOU ; Xue-Ren LI ; Xin MU ; Hui-Min LIU ; Shou-Chun PENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1998-2017
Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.
6.Interpretation of the radiologist training system in Canada and enlightenment
Jingyu ZHONG ; Yue XING ; Yangfan HU ; Defang DING ; Xianwei LIU ; Qinghua MIN ; Zhengguang XIAO ; Caisong ZHU ; Dandan SHI ; Xiaoyu FAN ; Jingshen CHU ; Huan ZHANG ; Weiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(9):1210-1216
This paper aims to discuss the ideas and experience about the radiology residency training system of Canada with a presentation of its base accreditation standards for five aspects, competency goals for seven roles, four stages of training arrangement, and two types of final assessment questions. Although the Canada's radiology residency program differs from China's standardized resident and specialist training programs for radiology, there are still several points that are worth referencing, including emphasizing the training priority of competency goals, providing a specific basis for the stratification of training, offering clear guidance for the implementation of training content, and improving assessment methods to focus on competency goals. These points are of great value for improving the standardized radiology resident and specialist training programs in China, so as to provide a reference for the training of excellent radiologists in China.
7.Diagnostic value of serum lncRNA T342620 levels combined with AFP for hepatocellular carcinoma
Min CHEN ; Weiyun ZHANG ; Zongqin XU ; Bin XIAO ; Juanzi LIU ; Xiao LI ; Zhaohui SUN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(21):2594-2599
Objective To explore the expression level of serum long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)T342620 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and the clinical value of single or combined detection with al-pha-fetoprotein(AFP)for HCC.Methods Case-control studies were conducted.A total of 69 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC group),32 patients with hepatitis B(hepatitis B group),20 patients with liver cirrhosis(liver cirrhosis group),30 patients after transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC postoperative group)and 50 healthy patients(health ex-amination group)treated in the General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command of PLA from April 2021 to May 2023 were selected as the study objects.The serum total RNA was extracted and the relative expression level of lncRNA T342620 in serum was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Combined with the clinical di-agnosis and treatment data of patients,the correlation between its expression and pathological characteristics and serological indexes was analyzed,and the specificity and sensitivity of lncRNA T342620 alone and in com-bination with AFP in the diagnosis of HCC were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The diagnostic efficacy was judged according to the area under the curve,and its application value in the diag-nosis of HCC was evaluated.The chi-square test was used for comparison between groups,and the Spearman method was used for correlation analysis.Results The serum expression levels of lncRNA T342620 in liver cancer group and postoperative liver cancer group were higher than those in healthy physical examination group,hepatitis B group and liver cirrhosis group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.001).Clinical pathological and serological index analysis revealed that as the tumor size increased,the serum lncRNA-T342620 expression level also increased.In the HCC group,the serum lncRNA T342620 expression level was negatively correlated with albumin(ALB)and the A/G ratio(P<0.05),while it was positively cor-related with α-L-fucosidase(AFU)and HBV-DNA(P<0.05).In patients from the HCC postoperative group,the serum lncRNA T342620 expression level was positively correlated with total bile acid(TBA)(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that when using serum lncRNA T342620 to distinguish,the sensitivi-ty and the specificity were 55.1%and 94.1%,respectively,indicating good diagnostic value.When combined with AFP detection,the sensitivity and the specificity improved to 91.3%and 91.2%,respectively,which were higher than those of individual indicators and had a superior diagnostic efficiency with area under the cuve(AUC)of 0.954 compared to AUC of AFP or lncRNA-T342620 alone(0.906,0.758),and the differ-ences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Serum lncRNA T342620 may be a new serological index for the auxiliary diagnosis of HCC.
8.Study on the machanism of Huannao Yicong Deoction targeting HAMP to regulate iron metabolism and improve cognitive impairment in AD model mice
Ning-Ning SUN ; Xiao-Ping HE ; Shan LIU ; Yan ZHAO ; Jian-Min ZHONG ; Ya-Xuan HAO ; Ye-Hua ZHANG ; Xian-Hui DONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1240-1248
Aim To explore the effects of Huannao Yicong decoction(HYD)on the learning and memory ability and brain iron metabolism in APP/PS1 mice and the correlation of HAMP knockout mice and APP/PS1 double transgenic model mice.Methods The ex-periment was divided into five groups,namely,HAMP-/-group(6-month HAMP gene knockout mice),APP/PS1 group(6-month APP/PS1-double-transgenic mice),HAMP-/-+HYD,APP/PS1+HYD,and negative control group(6-month C57BL/6J mice),with six mice in each group.The dose was ad-ministered(13.68 g·kg-1 weight),and the other groups received distilled water for gavage once a day for two months.After the administration of the drug,the mice in each group were tested for learning and memory in the Morris water maze;Biochemical detec-tion was performed to detect iron ion content in each mouse brain;Western blot and RT-qPCR were carried out to analyze hippocampal transferrin(TF),transfer-rin receptor1(TFR1),membrane iron transporter1(FPN1)divalent metal ion transporter 1(DMT1)and β-amyloid protein(Aβ)protein and mRNA expression levels in each group.Results Compared with the normal group,both HAMP-/-mice and APP/PS1 mice had reduced the learning and memory capacity,in-creased iron content in brain tissue,Aβ protein ex-pression increased in hippocampus of HAMP-/-group and APP/PS1 group mice(P<0.01),the protein and mRNA expression of TF,TFR1 and DMT1 increased in hippocampal tissues of HAMP-/-and APP/PS1 groups(P<0.01),and the FPN1 protein and mRNA expres-sion decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the HAMP-and APP/PS1 groups,respectively,HAMP-/-+HYD group and APP/PS1+HYD group had improved learning and memory ability,decreased iron content,decreased Aβ protein expression(P<0.01),decreased TF,TFR1,DMT1 protein and mR-NA expression(P<0.01),and increased expression of FPN1 protein and mRNA(P<0.01).Conclusions There is some association between HAMP-/-mice and APP/PS1 mice,HYD can improve the learning and memory ability of HAMP-/-and APP/PS1 mice and reduce the Aβ deposition.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of TF,TFR1,DMT1,FPN1 expression and improving brain iron overload.
9.Effect of Qingjie Huagong decoction on pancreatic necrotic apoptosis in rats with severe acute pancreatitis based on RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway
Xiao-Dong ZHU ; Min-Chao FENG ; Kun-Rong LIU ; Ying BAN ; Xi-Ping TANG ; Guo-Zhong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(8):1489-1494
Aim To explore the therapeutic effect of Qingjie Huagong decoction in regulating RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling pathway on pancreatic necrotic apoptosis in rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)and the underlying mechanism.Methods The SAP rat model was established by retrograde pancreaticobili-ary injection of sodium taurocholate,and the sham-op-eration group,the model group,the group with differ-ent dosages of Qingjie Huagong decoction and the posi-tive control group were set up respectively.The group with different dosages of Qingjie Huagong decoction was given low,medium and high dosages of traditional Chinese medicine in the gastric gavage,the positive control group was given ulinastatin drug intervention,and the sham-operation and the model group were giv-en physiological saline in the gastric gavage;HE stai-ning was applied to observe pancreatic pathology;ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of α-am-ylase,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α;immunohistochemis-try and Western blot were employed to determine the RIPK1,RIPK3,MLKL protein expression in rat pan-creatic tissue;and qRT-PCR was utilized to detect the transcription levels of R1PK1,RIPK3 and MLKL mR-NA in rat pancreatic tissue.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,the model group showed dif-fuse necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells,obvious inter-lobular septal edema,inflammatory cell infiltration,significantly higher levels of α-amylase,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.01),and significantly higher ex-pression levels of RIPK1,RIPK3,and MLKL proteins and mRNAs(P<0.01)in the model group;com-pared with the model group,the Qingjie Huagong de-coction dose groups and positive control group signifi-cantly improved pancreatic histopathology,reduced pancreatic tissue necrosis and apoptosis,lowered the expression levels of α-amylase,IL-1 β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.01),and reduced the expression levels of RIPK1,RIPK3,and MLKL proteins and mRNAs(P<0.01).Conclusions Qingjie Huagong decoction may improve the necrotic apoptosis of pancreatic tissue by regulating the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling path-way,thus playing a role in protecting pancreatic tissue and slowing down the progression of the disease.
10.ER-mitochondrial interaction in Parkinson's disease
Xiao-Min XU ; Shu-Min LIU ; Ying ZHANG ; Xin JIANG ; Peng XU ; Fang LU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1819-1823
The interaction between organelles is the focus of re-search in neural development.The contact site of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria is the focus of Parkinson's disease(PD)in recent years.The research shows that mitochondria,endoplasmic reticulum(ER),lysosome and other organelles play an important role in neurogenesis.Specifically,metabolic turnover,reactive oxygen species production,mitochondrial dy-namics,mitochondrial autophagy,mitochondria-mediated apop-tosis,and interactions between mitochondria and the ER all play a role in neurogenesis.In PD,abnormal ER-mitochondrial inter-action can affect mitochondrial calcium overload,mitochondrial fission and fusion imbalance,and lipid homeostasis disorder.Therefore,here we review the recent progress in the main regu-latory mechanisms of ER-mitochondrial interaction and address the effects of abnormal ER-mitochondrial interactions on PD.

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