1.Perturbation response scanning of drug-target networks: Drug repurposing for multiple sclerosis.
Yitan LU ; Ziyun ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Bin YANG ; Xing XU ; Yu ZHU ; Mengjun XIE ; Yuwan QI ; Fei XIAO ; Wenying YAN ; Zhongjie LIANG ; Qifei CONG ; Guang HU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101295-101295
Combined with elastic network model (ENM), the perturbation response scanning (PRS) has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins. Here, we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks (DTNs), which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine. We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework, for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis (MS). First, the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes. Then, based on topological analysis and functional annotation, the neurotransmission module was identified as the "therapeutic module" of MS. Further, perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis, giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS. Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of serotonin 2B receptor (HTR2B). Finally, we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex. These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS. As a useful systematic method, our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.
2.Effects of glycerol ingestion on pure tone audiometry,distortion products otoacoustic emission,and electrocochleography in patients with Ménière disease
Hui PAN ; Linlin WANG ; Cheng LUO ; Meng GONG ; Mengjun WU ; Yi SHU ; Wen XIE ; Hongjun XIAO ; Bo LIU
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(4):372-376
Objective To investigate the effects of glycerol ingestion on pure tone audiometry(PTA),distor-tion products otoacoustic emission(DPOAE),and electrocochleography(ECochG)in patients with Ménière disease(MD).Methods Glycerol test was conducted in 50 patients with MD.PTA was performed in four series:before glycerol intake,1,2 and 3 hours after intake.DPOAE and ECochG were performed before glycerol intake and 2 hours after intake.All results were analyzed to assess the effect of glycerol on cochlear function of patients with MD.Results ① 55%of MD patients tested positive in PTA glycerol test,and the positive rate increased gradually after 1-3 hours of glycerin ingestion(P<0.05).For the 33 positive ears,the pure tone threshold decreased the most between 1-2 hours and reached the lowest thresholds at 3 hours.Thresholds at 0.5 kHz,1 kHz,2 kHz dropped the most.② The positive rate of DPOAE glycerol test was 56.67%,with 34 positive ears showing a sig-nificant increase in amplitude between 0.75-2 kHz of f2.③ The positive rate of ECochG glycerin test was 13.64%.The decrease of-SP/AP ratio was not statistically significant before and after ingestion of glycerin(P>0.05).Conclusion Ingestion of glycerin could alter to varying degrees of the results of PTA,DPOAE and ECo-chG,and influence the cochlear function to some extent.
3.Intervention effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide on subacute benzene exposure-induced hematotoxicity in mice
Haohan CHEN ; Hongyun CHEN ; Xiaoyu MAO ; Zongxin LI ; Xiaolin LUO ; Mengjun HOU ; Qin XIAO ; Yongmei XIAO ; Xiumei XING
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(6):612-617
Objective To assess the intervention effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on the mouse model of hematotoxicity induced by subacute benzene exposure. Methods Benzene exposure and NMN intervention were adopted in a 2×2 factorial design, as benzene exposure and non-exposure, and NMN intervention and non-intervention. Male specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to negative control group, NMN control group, simple benzene exposure group and NMN intervention group, with 12 mice in each group. Benzene exposure of mice in simple benzene exposure group and NMN intervention group was conducted by dynamic inhalation of benzene at a concentration of 325 mg/m³ for six hours per day, five days per week for four weeks (28 days). Mice in the negative control and NMN control group inhaled clean air. During benzene exposure, mice in the NMN control group and NMN intervention group received NMN in drinking water at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight. Peripheral blood samples of mice were collected for complete blood count analysis and calculation of composite inflammatory indices after 28 days. Results Interaction analysis showed that the counts of peripheral white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet of mice in the simple benzene exposure group were lower than those in the negative control group (all P<0.05). Neutrophil and platelet counts in the NMN intervention group were higher than those in the simple benzene exposure group (all P<0.05). The results of main effect analysis showed that the monocyte count of peripheral blood, systemic inflammatory index, systemic inflammatory response index, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and platelet/lymphocyte ratio of mice in the benzene exposure group increased (all P<0.05), and the basophil count and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio decreased (all P<0.05), compared with the control group. Conclusion Oral NMN alleviates subacute benzene-induced decreases in peripheral neutrophil and platelet counts in mice. This protective effect may be related to the targeted intervention of NMN on mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder and oxidative damage induced by benzene exposure in male mice.
4.Perturbation response scanning of drug-target networks:Drug repurposing for multiple sclerosis
Yitan LU ; Ziyun ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Bin YANG ; Xing XU ; Yu ZHU ; Mengjun XIE ; Yuwan QI ; Fei XIAO ; Wenying YAN ; Zhongjie LIANG ; Qifei CONG ; Guang HU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1277-1290
Combined with elastic network model(ENM),the perturbation response scanning(PRS)has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins.Here,we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks(DTNs),which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine.We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework,for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis(MS).First,the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes.Then,based on topological analysis and functional annotation,the neurotransmission module was identified as the"therapeutic module"of MS.Further,perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis,giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS.Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of se-rotonin 2B receptor(HTR2B).Finally,we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex.These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS.As a useful systematic method,our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.
5.Clinical significance of establishing a red blood cell alloantibody detection database
Xiao XIAO ; Long CHEN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Zhanghan HE ; Mengjun ZHOU ; Jie TANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(1):54-60
[Objective] To explore the clinical significance and application value of establishing a database for red blood cell alloantibody detection. [Methods] Patients who were scheduled for blood transfusion in our hospital from January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2024 were selected as the research subjects. A red blood cell alloantibody detection database was established using Microsoft Office Excel software to register the detection data of patients' alloantibodies and antibodies of undetermined specificity (AUS). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics, antibody distribution, antibody decay and repeat positivity of the patients in the database. The LISS-IAT method was routinely used for antibody screening and identification. [Results] Among the alloantibodies, the Rh blood group system had the highest detection rate, followed by antibodies of the MNS blood group system and the Lewis blood group system. The predominant antibody in the Rh blood group system was anti-E. In the univariate analysis, the positivity of antibody was significantly associated with the patient's gender, age, blood transfusion history, pregnancy history and type of disease (all P<0.001). In the database, 48 patients experienced antibody decay, accounting for 15.24%(48/315), with an average time span of antibody decay ranging from 22 to 1 324 days. Six cases showed repeat positivity after decay, which were related to blood transfusions. The shortest interval between blood transfusions that led to antibody repeat positivity was 3 days, and the longest interval was 427 days. Among 58 cases with AUS, 3 converted into alloantibodies, among which 2 were anti-E and 1 was anti-Lea. [Conclusion] Establishing a red blood cell alloantibody detection database is an effective way to guide ambiguous cross-matching in clinical practice and is also an effective measure for the management of transfusion risks.
6.Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition)and their series interpretation(10):an overview and case study of quality assessment tools
Qingyong ZHENG ; Caihua XU ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Xiao TANG ; Mengjun ZHANG ; Jinzhi QI ; Ming LIU ; Ya GAO ; Feng SUN ; Jinhui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(10):1113-1126
Methodological quality assessment is a pivotal link between primary studies and reliable evidence-based practice,and an essential pathway for operationalizing the core principles of the Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition).A prevalent challenge in practice,however,is the conflation of appraising methodological robustness(risk of bias assessment)with verifying reporting transparency(adherence to reporting guidelines).This paper systematically addresses this fundamental challenge,beginning with a clear distinction between the essence and boundaries of these two concepts.On this basis,the article provides a comprehensive review of mainstream quality assessment tools,covering the methodological features and evolutionary trajectory of numerous instruments for interventional(e.g.,RoB 2,ROBINS-I),observational(e.g.,NOS,the JBI/SIGN/NIH series),secondary(e.g.,AMSTAR 2),and other specific types of studies such as health economic evaluations.Furthermore,a complete case study is used to illustrate the practical application of the ROBINS-I tool.The paper's central thesis advocates for an"appraisal-informed design"philosophy,urging a conceptual shift from the retrospective critique of existing literature to the prospective quality control of new research by internalizing appraisal standards as design principles,while also exploring the emerging paradigm of artificial intelligence in assisting assessment.This paper provides a comprehensive methodological reference for researchers and practitioners to prudently select appropriate assessment tools and to conduct rigorous critical appraisals of pharmacoepidemiological evidence.
7.Effects of glycerol ingestion on pure tone audiometry,distortion products otoacoustic emission,and electrocochleography in patients with Ménière disease
Hui PAN ; Linlin WANG ; Cheng LUO ; Meng GONG ; Mengjun WU ; Yi SHU ; Wen XIE ; Hongjun XIAO ; Bo LIU
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(4):372-376
Objective To investigate the effects of glycerol ingestion on pure tone audiometry(PTA),distor-tion products otoacoustic emission(DPOAE),and electrocochleography(ECochG)in patients with Ménière disease(MD).Methods Glycerol test was conducted in 50 patients with MD.PTA was performed in four series:before glycerol intake,1,2 and 3 hours after intake.DPOAE and ECochG were performed before glycerol intake and 2 hours after intake.All results were analyzed to assess the effect of glycerol on cochlear function of patients with MD.Results ① 55%of MD patients tested positive in PTA glycerol test,and the positive rate increased gradually after 1-3 hours of glycerin ingestion(P<0.05).For the 33 positive ears,the pure tone threshold decreased the most between 1-2 hours and reached the lowest thresholds at 3 hours.Thresholds at 0.5 kHz,1 kHz,2 kHz dropped the most.② The positive rate of DPOAE glycerol test was 56.67%,with 34 positive ears showing a sig-nificant increase in amplitude between 0.75-2 kHz of f2.③ The positive rate of ECochG glycerin test was 13.64%.The decrease of-SP/AP ratio was not statistically significant before and after ingestion of glycerin(P>0.05).Conclusion Ingestion of glycerin could alter to varying degrees of the results of PTA,DPOAE and ECo-chG,and influence the cochlear function to some extent.
8.Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition)and their series interpretation(10):an overview and case study of quality assessment tools
Qingyong ZHENG ; Caihua XU ; Yongjia ZHOU ; Xiao TANG ; Mengjun ZHANG ; Jinzhi QI ; Ming LIU ; Ya GAO ; Feng SUN ; Jinhui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(10):1113-1126
Methodological quality assessment is a pivotal link between primary studies and reliable evidence-based practice,and an essential pathway for operationalizing the core principles of the Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition).A prevalent challenge in practice,however,is the conflation of appraising methodological robustness(risk of bias assessment)with verifying reporting transparency(adherence to reporting guidelines).This paper systematically addresses this fundamental challenge,beginning with a clear distinction between the essence and boundaries of these two concepts.On this basis,the article provides a comprehensive review of mainstream quality assessment tools,covering the methodological features and evolutionary trajectory of numerous instruments for interventional(e.g.,RoB 2,ROBINS-I),observational(e.g.,NOS,the JBI/SIGN/NIH series),secondary(e.g.,AMSTAR 2),and other specific types of studies such as health economic evaluations.Furthermore,a complete case study is used to illustrate the practical application of the ROBINS-I tool.The paper's central thesis advocates for an"appraisal-informed design"philosophy,urging a conceptual shift from the retrospective critique of existing literature to the prospective quality control of new research by internalizing appraisal standards as design principles,while also exploring the emerging paradigm of artificial intelligence in assisting assessment.This paper provides a comprehensive methodological reference for researchers and practitioners to prudently select appropriate assessment tools and to conduct rigorous critical appraisals of pharmacoepidemiological evidence.
9.Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of a child with Cantú syndrome due to variant of ABCC9 gene
Mengjun XIAO ; Fangjie WANG ; Yingying LI ; Xiaoli YAO ; Weina HOU ; Kun HE
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1249-1254
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and pathogenic variant in a child with Cantú syndrome (CS).Methods:A male who was admitted to the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University on February 23, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected and subjected to whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2023-K-087).Results:The child, a 3-year-and-2-month-old male, was born with hirsutism, with heavy hair all over the body and peculiar facial features. Routine echocardiography 1 month before had discovered atrial septal defect. Sequencing revealed that the child has harbored a heterozygous c. 2438G>C (p.S813T) variant of the ABCC9 gene, which was de novo in origin. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c. 2438G>C variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:The heterozygous c. 2438G>C variant of the ABCC9 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of CS in this child.
10.Genetic analysis of a child with restricted cardiomyopathy and phenylketonuria and a literature review.
Fangjie WANG ; Mengjun XIAO ; Qiqing SUN ; Lijuan JIA ; Aiting LYU ; Xiaoli YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(8):990-997
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of a child with restricted cardiomyopathy (RCM) and phenylketonuria (PKU), and summarize the clinical characteristics and genetic diversity of RCM in children through a literature review.
METHODS:
A child with RCM in conjunct with PKU who was admitted to the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University in June 2020 due to edema of eyelids and lower limbs for 1 year and aggravation for over 1 month was selected as the study subject. Relevant clinical data were collected. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected for whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Childhood, TNNI3 gene and restricted cardiomyopathy were used as the keywords to search the Wanfang data knowledge service platform, Chinese Journal Full-text database and PubMed database, and the search period was limited to from the time of establishment till August 2022. Clinical manifestations and characteristics of the TNNI3 gene variants were summarized.
RESULTS:
The child, a 2-year-old-and-4-month-old male, had normal intelligence, facial features and normal hair and skin color, but his motor and physical development was delayed, in addition with edema of bilateral eyelids and lower limbs. The results of WES and Sanger sequencing revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the PAH gene, namely c.331C>T (p.R111X) and c.940C>A (p.P341T), which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. In addition, he has also harbored a de novo heterozygous variant of c.508C>T (p.R170W) of the TNNI3 gene. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the TNNI3: c.508C>T (p.R170W) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PS2+PS4+PM2_Supporting+PM5), PAH: c.331C>T (p.R111X) as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP4), and c.940C>A (p.P341T) as a likely pathogenic variant (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PM5+PP4). In total 30 children with RCM caused by TNNI3 gene variants were retrieved, with a male-to-female ratio of 1 : 1.55 and manifestations including heart failure, sinus rhythm, bi-atrial enlargement, ST-T wave change, ventricular restricted filling, and decreased ventricular diastolic function. In total 16 variants of the TNNI3 gene were identified, among which c.575G>A was the most common, and all cases had conformed to an autosomal dominant inheritance.
CONCLUSION
Phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency and RCM are rare diseases with complex clinical manifestations. The PAH: c.331C>T (p.R111X)/c.940C>A (p.P341T) and TNNI3: c.508C>T (p.R170W) variants probably underlay the RCM and PKU in this child.
Humans
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Male
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Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive
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Computational Biology
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Diastole
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Mutation
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Phenylketonurias
;
Child, Preschool

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