1.Role of protein palmitoylation modification in the proliferation and gametogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum
Minjuan ZHANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Tiancheng YANG ; Guoding ZHU ; Jianxia TANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(2):148-159
Objective To investigate the palmitoyltransferase (PATs) activity during different developmental stages of Plasmodium falciparum and to explore the impact of PATs activity on intra-erythrocytic replication and gametocytogenesis, so as to provide insights into development of novel antimalarial targets. Methods The PATs activity was measured using the click chemistry method during different developmental stages of P. falciparum, including rings, trophozoites, schizonts, and gametocytes. P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes were divided into three groups, including a control group, a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, and a 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP) group. Erythrocytes in the control group were incubated in normal culture media, and cells in DMSO and 2-BP groups were exposed to DMSO or 2-BP at a final concentration of 10 μmol/L to examine the inhibitory effect of 2BP on the PATs activity. The growth curve analysis and gametocyte production assay were employed to investigate changes in asexual proliferation and gametocyte production of P. falciparum following inhibition of the PATs activity with 2-BP, and transcriptomics sequencing was performed to examine the impact of inhibition of the PATs activity with 2-BP on transcriptional levels of P. falciparum and possible mechanisms. Results The green fluorescence intensity of PATs varied across developmental stages of P. falciparum (F = 38.120, P < 0.001), with a higher fluorescence intensity seen in trophozoites (35.680 ± 8.439), merozoites (33.380 ± 9.030) and gametocytes (21.540 ± 8.654), and a lower intensity in ring bodies (10.720 ± 3.183) (all P values < 0.05). The green fluorescence intensities were 8.738 ± 1.576, 8.633 ± 1.827 and 4.911 ± 0.318 in the control group, DMSO group, and 2-BP group 4 days post-culture (schizont stage), respectively (F = 91.490, P < 0.001), and the PATs activity was significantly inhibited post-treatment with 2-BP (P < 0.05). The areas under the time curve for the parasitemias were 25.700 ± 0.696, 28.630 ± 3.062 and 8.370 ± 1.751 in the control group, DMSO group, and 2-BP group following inhibition of the PATs activity during the asexual stage of P. falciparum (F = 83.440, P < 0.001), and the parasitemia was lower in the 2-BP group than in the control group and the DMSO group (both P values < 0.001). In addition, the asexual stage development was delayed in the 2BP group, with abnormal morphology seen. The numbers of merozoites were 18.050 ± 4.362, 18.200 ± 3.517 and 14.020 ± 4.320 in each schizont in the control group, DMSO group and 2-BP group, respectively (H = 39.100, P < 0.001), and the merozoite number was significantly lower in the 2-BP group than in the control group and the DMSO group (both Padjusted values < 0.001). The areas under the time curve for P. falciparum gametocyte production were 18.900 ± 0.384, 18.240 ± 0.177 and 7.507 ± 0.201 in the control group, the DMSO group, and the 2-BP group following inhibition of the PATs activity, respectively (F = 1 677.000, P < 0.001), and the proportion of gametocyte production was statistically lower in the 2-BP group than in the control group and DMSO group (both P values < 0.001). The formation and maturation of gametophytes were blocked in the 2-BP group, and most of them were arrested in the middle and late stages. Following 2-BP treatment, significantly down-regulated genes during the asexual stage of P. falciparum were significantly enriched in cell cycle regulation, mitosis, DNA damage/response and structural organization, and significantly down-regulated genes during the gametocyte stage were significantly enriched in biological processes of cell cycle (mitosis and G1/S transition), RNA regulation and metabolism (such as carbon catabolite repression 4-negative on TATA-less) and cell development and differentiation. Conclusion The palmitoylation modification plays an important role in the asexual reproduction and gametocyte generation and development of P. falciparum.
2.Evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the magnolol ester derivative YW and investigate its mechanism of action on chondrocyte senescence
Haochen XU ; Jie PENG ; Pingting YANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Weiwen HU ; Xulei WANG ; Wei WEI ; Chun WANG ; Shangxue YAN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):845-854
ObjectiveTo evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the novel magnolol ester derivative YW and to investigate its effects on chondrocyte senescence and preliminary mechanisms. MethodsMagnolol and p-methylbenzoic acid were used as raw materials to synthesize the magnolol ester derivative YW (Molecular Formula: C26H24O3, Molecular Weight: 384.17, HPLC Purity >96%) via DCC/DMAP-catalyzed esterification. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage activation model and an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced rat primary chondrocyte model were established. The release and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors including nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Griess reagent method, and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The expression of senescence markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β), lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16), as well as proteins related to chondrocyte extracellular matrix synthesis and catabolism, were analyzed by Western blot (WB). Molecular docking was performed using Discovery Studio 2019 to validate target binding. ResultsYW exhibited no significant cytotoxicity at concentrations ≤20 μmol/L. YW concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory cytokine release, significantly downregulated iNOS, Pro-IL-1β protein, and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression (P<0.01). YW stably bound to KAT7 protein (binding energy: -94.2 kcal/mol); YW downregulated KAT7 and aging marker protein expression in naturally aged and IL-1β-induced chondrocyte models (P<0.01); YW regulated chondrocyte matrix synthesis and catabolic protein expression in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes (P<0.01). ConclusionYW inhibits macrophage activation and inflammatory cytokine release while downregulating KAT7 and senescence marker protein expression in chondrocytes, thereby blocking chondrocyte senescence.
3.Shaping and reflection on the responsible conduct of research among clinical researchers from the perspective of reinforcement theory
Meihua YE ; Lingqian ZHANG ; Yi LU ; Pin WANG ; Bin CAI ; Luojing ZHOU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(10):1330-1335
High-quality clinical research represents the scientific foundation for generating credible medical evidence, guiding evidence-based practice, and optimizing public health strategies. The responsible conduct of research by clinical researchers serves as the core guarantee of research quality. Any act of research misconduct will not only result in the waste of research resources and damage the reputation of relevant individuals and institutions, but also undermine the validity of research evidence, mislead evidence-based medical practice, raise risks for public health decision-making, and ultimately impede the progress of medical innovation. Based on the framework of reinforcement theory, this paper elaborated on the internal correlation between reinforcement theory and the shaping of responsible conduct of research among clinical researchers, and demonstrated the necessity of shaping responsible conduct of research in the new context. It also summarized practical challenges encountered in such shaping, such as utilitarian-oriented research evaluation, complex conflicts of interest, inadequate review and supervision, constrained research resources, and insufficient education on responsible conduct of research. It further proposed countermeasures that were conducive to shaping the responsible research conduct of clinical researchers. These encompassed reconstructing the orientation of performance evaluation, dynamically managing risks arising from conflicts of interest, implementing precise constraints via ethical supervision, arranging tiered resource support, and internalizing cultural recognition of responsible research conduct.
4.Clinical Observation on 60 Cases of Knee Osteoarthritis Treated with Heat-Sensitive Moxibustion
Lu TIAN ; Hongwu XIE ; Meihua LIU ; Jing ZHANG ; Shaozhong XU ; Changjun LI ; Zhixiong KOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(5):492-500
ObjectiveTo explore the central neuroregulation mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion for knee osteoarthritis on pain relief. MethodsThirty patients who did not have experience of Deqi (得气) during heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment were assigned to the "non-Deqi group", while another 30 patients who had experience of Deqi were assigned to the "Deqi group". Both groups received moxibustion at the left Heding (EX-LE2) acupoint. In the Deqi group, after the patients experienced sensation of Deqi at the acupoint, moxibustion was applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes; in the non-Deqi group, moxibustion was also applied at approximately 3 cm from the skin for 10 minutes. Both groups received treatment once daily for 10 consecutive days. Knee joint pain was assessed before and after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed on all participants before the first treatment session and after the final session on the 10th day. The fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) maps before and after treatment were processed using the SPM12 module by MATLAB. ResultsAfter treatment, VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), with the Deqi group showing significantly lower VAS scores than the non-Deqi group (P<0.01). Compared to before treatment, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation in the prefrontal cortex (t = 6.28), white matter (t = 6.36), and left temporal lobe (t = 9.33), while significant inhibition was observed in the occipital lobe (t = -9.86) and right cerebrum (t = -4.54, P<0.01); in the non-Deqi group, significant changes after treatment were observed in the left occipital lobe (t = -6.42), left medial frontal gyrus (t = -4.35), left middle frontal gyrus (t = -4.74), right superior frontal gyrus (t = -4.82), right superior temporal gyrus (t = -6.61), and right cerebellar posterior lobe (t = -8.64), all of which were in inhibited states (P<0.01). Compared to the non-Deqi group, the Deqi group exhibited significant activation after treatment in the external nucleus (t = 5.77), white matter (t = 3.58), right cerebrum (t = 5.84), left cerebellum (t = 5.35), and left cerebrum (t = 4.32), while significant inhibition was observed in the prefrontal cortex (t = -4.16), occipital lobe (t = -4.87), and precentral gyrus (t = -4.46, P<0.01). ConclusionsHeat-sensitive moxibustion provides better analgesic effects for knee osteoarthritis under state of Deqi. Its central neuroregulation mechanism may be related to the involvement of the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, external nucleus, white matter, right cerebrum, left cerebellum, left cerebrum, and precentral gyrus in modulating pain signals.
5.Efficacy observation of endovascular treatment for acute large-vessel occlusion ischemic stroke over 24 h after onset
Meihua HUYAN ; Zhaochen LIU ; Hongjian SHEN ; Pengfei XING ; Lei ZHANG ; Zifu LI ; Pengfei YANG ; Yongwei ZHANG ; Jianmin LIU
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(9):1116-1120
Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)over 24 h after onset.Methods The clinical data of AIS-LVO patients who received endovascular treatment in Neurovascular Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from Jan.2018 to Dec.2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including baseline characteristics,imaging findings,treatment,degree of vascular recanalization(modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade 2b and 3 for successful recanalization)and prognosis.Results A total of 57 patients were included,including 42 males and 15 females,aged from 30 to 84 years old.The most common risk factors were hypertension(39 cases,68.4%),followed by smoking history(24 cases,42.1%),diabetes mellitus(17 cases,29.8%),previous stroke history(16 cases,28.1%),and atrial fibrillation(9 cases,15.8%).Before treatment,the National Institutes of Health stroke scale score was 12.84±7.04,and the Alberta Stroke Program early computed tomography score was 9.00(7.00,10.00).Vascular occlusion sites included middle cerebral artery occlusion in 27(47.4%)cases,internal carotid artery occlusion in 24(42.1%)cases,and tandem lesions in 6(10.5%)cases.The time from onset to femoral artery puncture was 38.30(28.17,53.71)h,and the time from femoral artery puncture to vascular recanalization was 52.00(38.50,92.50)min.General anesthesia was the main anesthesia method,accounting for 64.9%(37/57).The etiological types of stroke were mainly large artery atherosclerosis(38 cases,66.7%),cardiogenic embolism(9 cases,15.8%),unknown causes(6 cases,10.5%),and other clear causes(4 cases,7.0%).Mechanical thrombectomy was the first choice in 41(71.9%)cases,balloon dilatation/stenting was used in 35(61.4%)cases,of which 15(26.3%)cases were the first choice.Finally,53(93.0%)cases were recanalized successfully.In terms of complications,1(1.8%)case had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.The 90-d prognosis rate was 59.6%(34/57),and 3(5.3%)cases died.Conclusion Endovascular treatment for AIS-LVO patients over 24 h after onset has high recanalization rate and good safety,but it still needs to be further verified by randomized controlled trials.
6.Exploration on the intervention mechanism of Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules in postmenopausal osteoporosis based on JNK signaling molecules
Meihua WU ; Ronghui LI ; Yunfeng YU ; Bing GUO ; Guomin ZHANG ; Qinghu HE ; Xiaoming LEI ; Xinbin XIA
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(5):630-637
Objective:To investigate the effects of Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules on JNK signaling molecules and their phosphorylated proteins in postmenopausal osteoporosis model female mice.Methods:The rats were divided into sham-operation group, blank group, model group, positive drug group, and Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. The model group, the positive drug group and the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group were prepared by bilateral ovarian detomy to prepare a female mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The positive drug group was given 0.9 mg/kg of alendronate sodium, the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group was given was Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules 1.944 g/kg for gavage, and the blank group, sham-operation group, and model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, once a day for a total of 13 weeks. Rat vaginal exfoliated cells were stained with Wright's staining; serum Omentin-1 and 25(OH)D 3 levels were determined by ELISA; renal tissue and femoral structure were observed by HE staining; JNK and p-JNK protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemical staining; JNK mRNA levels were detected by PCR. Results:Compared with the model group, the serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and Omentin-1 in the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group and the positive drug group increased ( P<0.01), the mean gray values of JNK and p-JNK protein in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of JNK in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules can effectively improve the bone microstructure of postmenopausal osteoporotic rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of JNK signaling pathway.
7.Predictive value of machine learning models based on CT imaging features for papillary thyroid carcinoma
Hanlin ZHU ; Bo FENG ; Haifeng ZHANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Min TIAN ; Tong ZHANG ; Peiying WEI ; Zhijiang HAN
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(1):68-73
Objective:To establish three machine learning prediction models based on CT imaging characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) , and use SHAP (shapley additive explanations) analysis to investigate the contribution of each CT image features in the best model.Methods:CT imaging features in 426 cases of 440 PTCs confirmed pathologically from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2021 at the affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital of Westlake University Medical School were retrospectively analyzed. compared with 467 cases of 528 nodular goiter (NG) , evaluating the distribution of four CT characteristics: cookie bite sign, enhanced range of narrowing/blur (ERNB) , microcalcifications, and irregular shape. We split the data into 8∶2 ratio for training and testing sets, then constructed three machine learning models using XGBoost, RF, and SVM. Based on AUC, accuracy, F1 score, and other metrics, we selected the best model. Lastly, we used SHAP values to assess each CT feature’s contribution and positive/negative effects on the model.Results:Among 440 PTC and 528 NG nodules, CT features like cookie bite sign, ERNB, microcalcifications, and irregular shape occurred in 326 and 30 ( χ 2=483.05, P<0.001) , 363 and 106 ( χ 2=374.45, P<0.001) , 158 and 53 ( χ 2=94.24, P<0.001) , and 354 and 52 ( χ 2=491.34, P<0.001) nodules, respectively. The machine learning models built using XGBoost, RF, and SVM had AUC, accuracy, and F1 scores ranging from 0.884~0.925, 0.867~0.873, and 0.844~0.854 respectively on the training set. On the test set, the scores ranged from 0.869~0.923, 0.845~0.871, and 0.803~0.845. Among them, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance on the test set. Among the four CT features, irregular shape had the highest absolute SHAP value, positively contributing to PTC diagnosis. Conclusion:XGBoost model showed the highest PTC diagnostic performance. Irregular shape had the greatest positive impact on PTC diagnosis.
8.Predictive value of machine learning models based on CT imaging features for papillary thyroid carcinoma
Hanlin ZHU ; Bo FENG ; Haifeng ZHANG ; Meihua ZHANG ; Min TIAN ; Tong ZHANG ; Peiying WEI ; Zhijiang HAN
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(1):68-73
Objective:To establish three machine learning prediction models based on CT imaging characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) , and use SHAP (shapley additive explanations) analysis to investigate the contribution of each CT image features in the best model.Methods:CT imaging features in 426 cases of 440 PTCs confirmed pathologically from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2021 at the affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital of Westlake University Medical School were retrospectively analyzed. compared with 467 cases of 528 nodular goiter (NG) , evaluating the distribution of four CT characteristics: cookie bite sign, enhanced range of narrowing/blur (ERNB) , microcalcifications, and irregular shape. We split the data into 8∶2 ratio for training and testing sets, then constructed three machine learning models using XGBoost, RF, and SVM. Based on AUC, accuracy, F1 score, and other metrics, we selected the best model. Lastly, we used SHAP values to assess each CT feature’s contribution and positive/negative effects on the model.Results:Among 440 PTC and 528 NG nodules, CT features like cookie bite sign, ERNB, microcalcifications, and irregular shape occurred in 326 and 30 ( χ 2=483.05, P<0.001) , 363 and 106 ( χ 2=374.45, P<0.001) , 158 and 53 ( χ 2=94.24, P<0.001) , and 354 and 52 ( χ 2=491.34, P<0.001) nodules, respectively. The machine learning models built using XGBoost, RF, and SVM had AUC, accuracy, and F1 scores ranging from 0.884~0.925, 0.867~0.873, and 0.844~0.854 respectively on the training set. On the test set, the scores ranged from 0.869~0.923, 0.845~0.871, and 0.803~0.845. Among them, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance on the test set. Among the four CT features, irregular shape had the highest absolute SHAP value, positively contributing to PTC diagnosis. Conclusion:XGBoost model showed the highest PTC diagnostic performance. Irregular shape had the greatest positive impact on PTC diagnosis.
9.Potential value of dynamic changes of inflammatory factors in evaluating the efficacy of first-line treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma with platinum regimens
Dongyun GAO ; Xuefeng ZHOU ; Meihua CAO ; Ting SUN ; Xia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(7):1593-1604
Objective:To explore the potential value of dynamic changes of inflammatory factors in evaluating the efficacy of platinum regimen in the first-line treatment of advanced lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).Methods:A total of 121 patients with advanced LUAD without common target mutations who were admitted to Dongtai People's Hospital to receive first-line treatment with platinum regimen from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected,and relevant clinical data such as general information,hematuria routine,angiogenic factors,serum tumor markers,inflammatory factors,immunoglobulin and T lymphocyte indexes were collected and statisti-cally analyzed.Patients in complete response(CR)group and partial response(PR)group were classified as chemotherapy sensitive group;stable(SD)group and progressive(PD)group were classified as chemotherapy insensitive group according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST).Through univariate and multi-factor Logistics regression analysis,the influencing factors of first-line treatment efficacy of platinum regimen in patients with advanced LUAD were analyzed,and the regression equation y=1-1/(1+e-z)prediction model was established and verified.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the potential value of dynamic changes of inflammatory factors in evaluating the efficacy of platinum-based first-line treatment for advanced LUAD.Results:①Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CEA,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,IL-1β and hs-CRP were still the influencing factors for the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy of platinum regimen in patients with advanced LUAD(P<0.05).②Inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,IL-1β and hs-CRP were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis.After correcting confounders(Model 5),high levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,IL-1β and hs-CRP were positively correlated with insensitivity after first-line chemotherapy of platinum regimen in advanced LUAD patients(P<0.05).Restrictive cubic spline model analysis showed that the dynamic changes of inflammatory factors and the insensitivity of patients with advanced LUAD after first-line chemotherapy all had a nonlinear dose-response relationship.With the increases of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,IL-18,IL-1β and hs-CRP levels,patients with advanced LUAD have a greatly increased risk of desensitization after first-line chemotherapy.③Stratified interaction test analysis showed that tumor stage,differentiation degree and lymph node metastasis before and after correction factors were significantly correlated with expressions of inflammatory factors(all P<0.05,all P interaction<0.05).④Prediction model based on the influence factors of inflammatory factors was well distinguished and accurate,the area under ROC curve(AUC)before and after internal validation for detecting chemotherapy sensitivity in patients with advanced LUAD treated with platinum regimen first-line therapy was 0.87(95%CI:0.81~0.93)and 0.88(95%CI:0.82~0.95),respectively,and the sensitivity were 89.69%and 89.75%,respectively,the specificity were 91.77%and 91.85%,respectively.Conclusion:Dynamic changes of inflammatory factors is an important factor affecting the chemotherapy efficacy of patients with advanced LUAD treated with platinum-containing regimen.With the significant decrease of inflammatory factors,the sensitivity of patients to chemotherapy is also significantly increased.
10.Construction of supportive care program for patients treated with CAR-T immunotherapy for lymphoma
Zhidi ZHANG ; Meihua CHEN ; Huizhen ZHANG ; Xinyan YU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(16):1-4
Objective Based on the needs of supportive care,a supportive care program for patients treated with lymphoma chimeric antigen receptor T cell(CAR-T)immunotherapy was constructed.Methods A questionnaire for supportive care program was initially constructed through a literature review and semi-structured interviews,and then refined through two rounds of Delphi method.Results The response rates for two rounds of questionnaires were both 100%.The expert authority coefficients were 0.89 and 0.90 respectively,and the Kendall's coefficient of concordance was 0.253 and 0.262 respectively.The final program included five primary categories(health information support,physiological symptoms and daily living support,psychological support,care and emotional support,and safety support),20 secondary categories,and 50 tertiary categories.Conclusion The supportive care program developed in this study for patients receiving CAR-T immunotherapy for lymphoma has certain scientific and feasibility.

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