1.Evolving Paradigms in IgA Nephropathy Management: from Traditional Risk Stratification to Biomarker-Driven Precision Medicine
Dingding WANG ; Meng YAO ; Xiao LIU ; Qingxian ZHAI ; Qiong WEN ; Wei CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):317-323
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a major cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. IgAN exhibits marked heterogeneity in clinical presentation, histopathology, and pathogenic mechanisms, contributing to variable treatment responses and prognosisamong patients. Precise risk assessment and individualized intervention are therefore of critical importance. This review systematically traces the evolution of IgAN management from traditional risk stratification toward biomarker-driven precision medicine. We first review the clinical utility and limitations of established risk stratification tools, including the KDIGO guidelines, the Oxford MEST-C classification, and the International IgAN Prediction Tool. We then discuss emerging biomarkers closely linked to disease pathogenesis, including galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), anti-Gd-IgA1 autoantibodies, B cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), and complement components, as well as the targeted therapies they have informed. In addition, urinary biomarkers and multi-omics approaches show promise for dynamic disease monitoring and individualized risk stratification.
2.Effect Difference and Mechanisms of Zishenwan Against Chronic Prostatitis Before and After Salt-processing of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics
Shangling ZHAO ; Xiao MENG ; Sirui LI ; Rui TAN ; Changjiang HU ; Lingying YU ; Zhimin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):177-187
ObjectiveThis paper aims to systematically reveal the effect difference and mechanisms of Zishenwan against chronic prostatitis (CP) before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex based on an integrated strategy of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS), network pharmacology, and serum metabolomics. MethodsZishenwan samples before and after salt-processing of Anemarrhenae rhizoma and Phellodendri chinensis cortex were extracted by alcohol-water dual extraction. The chemical components of each sample were detected by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacology analysis was performed based on the identified chemical components of Zishenwan to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of "component, target, and pathway", and the core components, targets, and pathways of Zishenwan against CP were screened. Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a Qianliekang group (1.54 g·kg-1), low- and high-dose raw Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1), and low- and high-dose salt-processed Zishenwan groups (1.8, 5.4 g·kg-1). The CP rat model was established by intraprostatic injection of carrageenan. After one week of recovery, the rats were administered the corresponding drugs for 21 days, while those in the blank group and model group received the same volume of normal saline. After the experiment, serum and tissue samples were collected to evaluate pharmacodynamic indicators including organ indices, histopathology, and inflammatory factors in serum. Subsequently, untargeted serum metabolomics technology was used to analyze metabolite changes and perform pathway enrichment analysis. The network pharmacology was used to construct a network of "differential metabolite, reaction, enzyme, and gene". ResultsA total of 76 components were identified in raw and salt-processed Zishenwan, and 34 differential components were screened by multivariate statistical analysis. Among them, the contents of 14 components, including berberine, berberrubine, and phellodendrine, increased after salt-processing, while the contents of 20 components, such as neomangiferin, decreased. The 28 active components and 185 potential targets were screened out by network pharmacology. The core components included berberine, phellodendrine, magnoflorine, and jatrorrhizine, and the core targets included signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein kinase B1 (Akt1), and transcription factor AP-1 (JUN). These targets were significantly enriched in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Compared with the model group, all Zishenwan administration groups showed decreased prostate index, reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in serum (P<0.05, P<0.01), as well as varying degrees of alleviation in histopathological damage. At the same dose, compared with the raw Zishenwan groups, the salt-processed Zishenwan groups showed lower prostate index, pathological scores, and IL-1β, IL-18, and Bcl-2 levels in serum, but the differences were not statistically significant. Metabolomics reveals that 38 differential metabolites were reversed after salt-processed Zishenwan administration. Both raw and salt-processed Zishenwan regulated pathways such as β-alanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. In addition to the common regulated pathways, the salt-processed group specifically regulated pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. The intersecting pathways between network pharmacology and metabolomics were tryptophan metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism, with overlapping targets including monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and arginase 1 (ARG1). ConclusionThe increased contents of components such as berberine and phellodendrine in salt-processed Zishenwan may enhance its therapeutic effect on CP by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways, along with multi-target regulation of tryptophan, arginine, and pantothenate metabolism pathways to comprehensively regulate inflammatory and immune responses.
3.The first record of Anopheles messeae (Diptera: Culicidae) parasitized by water mites in China
Xue-ru CHEN ; Wen-zhen YAO ; Yu-hao LI ; Gui-chang LI ; Tao MENG ; Qun-ling FENG ; Xin-hui LIU ; Li-hong QIAO ; Xiang-ting WU ; Xue-feng ZHANG ; Cheng-lin LI ; Xue-cheng DONG ; Da-wei WANG ; Xiao-yan SI ; Yu-hong GUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(1):53-57
Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.
4.Kynurenine Pathway and Its Metabolites in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Close Link
Ya-Qian XIAO ; Li-Chen QIAO ; De-Chang RONG ; Yu-Chen LEI ; Hakan ÜREY ; Lan-Lan ZUO ; Hasan BAYRAM ; Reza A. GHILADI ; Yi-Fan DUAN ; Meng-Jiao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(9):2402-2413
Kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major catabolic route of tryptophan, generating a series of bioactive metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid, and 3-hydroxykynurenine. Beyond its fundamental role in amino acid metabolism, KP exerts critical regulatory functions in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and immune modulation. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with onset in early childhood, characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Despite extensive research, the etiological mechanisms underlying ASD remain highly complex and incompletely understood, involving genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Emerging clinical evidence has consistently revealed a significant imbalance in KP metabolites in individuals with ASD, often accompanied by altered ratios of neuroprotective versus neurotoxic byproducts. However, the primary drivers of this metabolic dysregulation and its causative contribution to ASD pathogenesis are not yet fully elucidated. In this review, we systematically review the enzymatic steps of KP and the principal physiological functions of its major metabolites, with particular emphasis on their dual roles in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. We then analyze the potential pathogenic mechanisms through which KP dysfunction may contribute to ASD, focusing on two interconnected etiological dimensions. First, KP imbalance can promote oxidative stress, which in turn triggers chronic inflammatory responses via microglial activation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby disrupting neuronal homeostasis. Second, aberrant KP metabolism affects neurotransmitter systems, particularly glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling, leading to impaired neural circuit development and synaptic pruning. By integrating current findings on the KP-ASD association, this review offers a comprehensive etiological framework and a clinically relevant paradigm. Furthermore, we highlight that specific KP metabolites, such as the KA/quinolinic acid ratio, hold promise as peripheral biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease stratification. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting KP enzymes or receptors for personalized intervention strategies, while acknowledging the challenges in translating these findings into clinical practice.
5.In vitro studies of the anti-inflammatory activity of micheliolide on myeloproliferative neoplasm cell lines
Meng CHEN ; Jinqin LIU ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhexin SHI ; Zhijian XIAO
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):68-79
Objective:
The effects and molecular mechanisms of micheliolide on cytokine expression in myeloproliferative neoplasm cell lines were explored based on the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways.
Methods:
The UKE-1 and SET-2 cell lines were investigated, and micheliolide concentrations were screened using the CCK-8 assay. The UKE-1 and SET-2 cells were divided into the control and micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. Each group received 1 mL of micheliolide solution at final concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L, respectively, whereas the control group only received an equal volume of culture medium. The inhibition rates of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) mRNA expression in cells from each group were detected using real-time fluorescent PCR (RT-PCR). Western blotting was used to measure STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) protein expression levels in cells from each group. Reversal experiments with reduced glutathione and dithiothreitol were performed using UKE-1 cells, which were divided into the control group, micheliolide, micheliolide + glutathione, micheliolide + dithiothreitol, and glutathione + dithiothreitol groups. Western blotting was used to detect the STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels in the cells of each group. UKE-1 cells were stimulated with TNF-α (5 μg/L) to replicate a pathological model of excessive cytokine secretion. Subsequently, UKE-1 cells were divided into the control, model, and three micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. RT-PCR was used to measure the indicators above. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the CCL2 content in the cell culture media of each group. Western blotting was performed to assess the protein expression levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, and proteins related to the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the proliferation inhibition rates of UKE-1 cells at 24, 48, and 72 h increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μmol/L. Similarly, the proliferation inhibition rates of SET-2 at 48 and 72 h increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 μmol/L (P<0.05). Concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L were selected for further studies to exclude the potential influence of high micheliolide concentrations on subsequent result owing to reduced cell numbers. Compared with the control group, the inhibition rates of TNF-α mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L. Similarly, the inhibition rates of IL-1β mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells also increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L. Additionally, the inhibition rate of CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated group at a concentration of 10 μmol/L (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the inhibition rates of TNF-α, IL-1β, and CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 cells increased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L after stimulation with TNF-α (P<0.05). ELISA showed that compared with the control group, the CCL2 content in UKE-1 cells increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, the CCL2 content in UKE-1 cells decreased in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L (P<0.05). Western blotting showed that compared with the control group, the p-STAT3 protein expression levels in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells were downregulated in the micheliolide-treated groups at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L, and the protein expression level of STAT3 in SET-2 was also downregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the p-STAT3 expression level in UKE-1 cells decreased in the micheliolide group in the reductive glutathione and dithiothreitol reversal experiments. Compared with the micheliolide group, the p-STAT3 protein expression levels in UKE-1 cells increased in the micheliolide + dithiothreitol and micheliolide + glutathione groups (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased p-STAT3, p-IκKα/β, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression and decreased IκBα protein expression after stimulation with TNF-α. Compared with the model group, the micheliolide-treated groups showed decreased p-IκKα/β, p-IκBα, p-STAT3, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μmol/L, whereas the micheliolide-treated groups showed increased IκBα protein expression at concentrations of 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L (P<0.05).
Conclusion
Micheliolide potently suppresses IL-1β, TNF-α, and CCL2 mRNA expression in UKE-1 and SET-2 cells, as well as CCL2 secretion by UKE-1 cells, which may be associated with STAT3 phosphorylation suppression and NF-κB signaling pathway activation.
6.Acute Inflammatory Pain Induces Sex-different Brain Alpha Activity in Anesthetized Rats Through Optically Pumped Magnetometer Magnetoencephalography
Meng-Meng MIAO ; Yu-Xuan REN ; Wen-Wei WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Chen PAN ; Xiang-Hong LIN ; Hui-Dan LIN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):244-257
ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.
7.Research progress on discharge readiness in patients receiving home nutrition support
Xiao-Xuan XU ; Chu-Lin CHEN ; Qian DONG ; Meng LIU ; Fu-Ping WANG ; Dong-Mei ZHU
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(2):119-123
Readiness for Hospital Discharge(RHD)refers to a multidimensional assessment of a patient's ability to transition safely from hospital to home,encompassing physiological stability,psychological preparedness,and social support adequacy.For patients requiring Home Nutrition Support(HNS),discharge readiness is particularly critical due to their heightened need for post-discharge specialized care,which significantly influences long-term recovery and quality of life.This paper reviews the concept,influencing factors,and unmet needs of RHD in patients with HNS and proposes targeted strategies to enhance discharge preparedness.By addressing gaps in current practices,we aim to optimize RHD in this vulnerable population and provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance for developing effective discharge plans.
8.MiR-543/SNTB1 axis modulates immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer
Min ZHANG ; Min LI ; Meng XIAO ; Cai CHEN ; Xiaoju ZHENG ; Yuguang LEI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(13):1484-1493
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the miR-543/syntrophin beta 1(SNTB1)axis in colorectal cancer(CRC)and its influence on the tumor immune microenvironment.Methods The expression of SNTB1 in CRC tissues was analyzed using public data,such as,The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA),Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx),and Human Protein Atlas(HPA).Then Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,univariate Cox regression analysis and correlation analysis were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of SNTB1 and its relationship with immune microenvironment in CRC.The targeting relationship between miR-543 and SNTB1 was confirmed through online databases and fluorescence assays in HT-29 cells.For in vitro experiments,after transfecting si-SNTB1,miR-543 mimics and/or SNTB1 overexpression plasmids,HT-29 cells were co-cultured with CD8+T cells,the expression of miR543 and SNTB1 and the viability and cytotoxicity of CD8+T cells were assessed with qRT-PCR,Western blotting,flow cytometry,ELISA,and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release assay.Results Analysis of public databases revealed significantly higher expression of SNTB1 in CRC tissues than normal tissues(P<0.001).The CRC patients with high SNTB1 expression exhibited poorer prognosis when compared with those with low expression level(P<0.05).Moreover,high SNTB1 expression was negatively correlated with immune scores in the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration,especially CD8+T cells(P<0.05).Furthermore,Knockdown of SNTB1 in HT-29 cells enhanced the cytotoxic activity of CD8+T cells(P<0.01).Online database and in vitro experiments confirmed that miR-543 targets SNTB1,while the expression of miR-543 was decreased in colorectal cancer(P<0.001).Transfection with the miR-543 mimic inhibited the expression of SNTB1 in HT-29 cells(P<0.001),while overexpressing SNTB1 counteracted the promotion effect of miR-543 mimics on CD8+T cell-mediated cytotoxicity(P<0.05).Conclusion MiR-543 activates CD8+T cells and enhances their cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells by directly targeting SNTB1.
9.A Sensitive Ion Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Method for Analysis of Iodine Speciation in Environmental Water Samples
Huan JIANG ; Ning CHEN ; Yan-Yun WANG ; Yu-Kun FAN ; Meng-Ting ZHANG ; Lu-Yuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Lin HOU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(2):278-288
Iodine speciations in aquatic environments are affected by dissolved oxygen,redox potential,microbial activity,organic matter decomposition,light reaction,etc.Accurate quantification of iodine speciation can not only help to understand the geochemical cycle of iodine,but also help to trace and study environmental processes.Based on the combination of ion chromatography(IC)and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS),a rapid and sensitive method was established for determining the speciations of iodine in environmental water samples including seawater,river water,lake water,rainwater,groundwater,etc.The results presented here showed that IO3?and I?in seawater were quickly separated and measured within 120 s when using guard column AG22 and 8 mmol/L(NH4)2CO3 as the mobile phase.While for lake water,river water and precipitation samples with high soluble organically bond iodine(SOI),an AS22 separation column(250 mm×4 mm)connected with a guard column and using 50 mmol/L(NH4)2CO3 as mobile phase could effectively separate unknown SOI from IO3? to achieve accurate quantification of IO3?.For accurate correction of iodine measurement signal fluctuations,133Cs was directly added to the(NH4)2CO3 mobile phase as an internal standard.The SOI content was calculated by the total iodine concentrations minus the sum of IO3?and I?.The precision of the established iodine speciation analytical method was better than 3.5%,and the standard addition experiment showed that the analytical method was accurate.When the injection volume was 25 μL,the detection limits were 0.011?0.025 μg/L for IO3? and 0.023?0.031 μg/L for I?,respectively.The method was successfully used to analyze IO3?,SOI and I? in environmental water samples,such as seawater,river water,rainwater and groundwater.
10.Impact of Multi-Component Fatty Acid Calibration Methods on Quantification of Infant Formula
Xiao-Ting CHEN ; Meng-Qian XU ; Qing-He ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin LI
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(9):1505-1515,中插4-中插5
Infant formula milk powder(infant formula)contains a variety of fatty acids that require hydrolysis and derivation,and the calibration methods are complex and variable,affecting the accuracy of quantification.Using the gas chromatography with flame ionization detector(GC-FID)under internal standard and external standard calibration methods,the effects of using fatty acid methyl esters(FAMEs)and triacylglycerol(TAGs)as calibration solutions on determination of 19 kinds of fatty acids content in infant formula were compared in this work.Additionally,the differences in determination between the acetyl chloride methanol method and the hydrolysis extraction method using FAMEs as the calibration solution under internal standard method were also compared.The quantitative results of TAGs external standard quantitative method were significantly higher than those of FAMEs external standard quantitative method and FAMEs calibrator derived by methylation,and the deviation of quantitative results were 7%-20%and 2%-10%,respectively.The quantitative results of FAMEs calibrator added FAME internal standard were significantly higher than those of FAMEs calibrator added FAME internal standard derived from TAG methylation and FAMEs calibrator added TAG internal standard with methyl esterification,and the deviation of quantitative results were about 15%and 2%-5%,respectively.The results indicated that both the two methods of internal standard calibration using FAMEs as the calibration solution and external standard calibration using TAGs as the calibration solution could effectively eliminate the bias in the determination,with simple operation and accurate comparation of the results.However,the results were significantly lower under the external standard calibration using FAMEs as calibration solution.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail