1.Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase: An important controller in maintaining mesenchymal stem cell-mediated immunomodulatory homeostasis.
Yufei HUI ; Xue JIAO ; Li YANG ; Dejin LU ; Yanbo HAN ; Wen YANG ; Yanli CAO ; Yuxi MIAO ; Shiqiang GONG ; Minjie WEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3404-3418
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases due to their potent immunomodulatory properties. Several studies have demonstrated that MSC-mediated immunomodulation is complex and bidirectional, with the in vivo microenvironment influencing the direction of this modulation. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive factor, has been identified as a key "switch" in the immunomodulatory role of MSCs. In this review, we explore how IDO functions as a critical regulator of MSC immunoregulatory plasticity. We delve into the mechanisms by which changes in IDO expression affect the function of various immune cells, summarize relevant research and clinical advances regarding the role of IDO expression in MSC-based therapies for various diseases, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target IDO to enhance the stability of MSC therapeutic effects. This provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MSCs as safer and more effective clinical therapeutic agents.
2.druglikeFilter 1.0: An AI powered filter for collectively measuring the drug-likeness of compounds.
Minjie MOU ; Yintao ZHANG ; Yuntao QIAN ; Zhimeng ZHOU ; Yang LIAO ; Tianle NIU ; Wei HU ; Yuanhao CHEN ; Ruoyu JIANG ; Hongping ZHAO ; Haibin DAI ; Yang ZHANG ; Tingting FU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):101298-101298
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are rapidly expanding the exploration of chemical space, facilitating innovative drug discovery. However, the transformation of novel compounds into safe and effective drugs remains a lengthy, high-risk, and costly process. Comprehensive early-stage evaluation is essential for reducing costs and improving the success rate of drug development. Despite this need, no comprehensive tool currently supports systematic evaluation and efficient screening. Here, we present druglikeFilter, a deep learning-based framework designed to assess drug-likeness across four critical dimensions: 1) physicochemical rule evaluated by systematic determination, 2) toxicity alert investigated from multiple perspectives, 3) binding affinity measured by dual-path analysis, and 4) compound synthesizability assessed by retro-route prediction. By enabling automated, multidimensional filtering of compound libraries, druglikeFilter not only streamlines the drug development process but also plays a crucial role in advancing research efforts towards viable drug candidates, which can be freely accessed at https://idrblab.org/drugfilter/.
3.MRI images and clinical characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Wei LI ; Kai YANG ; Di ZHOU ; Fengkai LI ; Shaojun LI ; Mingyuan YUAN ; Minjie LU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1134-1138
Objective To explore the MRI images and clinical characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction(RVOTO)in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)patients.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 30 patients with RVOTO and 55 randomly selected patients with simple left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO)were retrospectively analyzed,and the data between the two groups were statistically analyzed.Results The N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)value,the average thickness of left ventricular basal end diastolic anterior wall and anterior septum,the proportion of"scallop sign"on imaging,and the mass percentage of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement(LGE)in RVOTO group were significantly higher than those in LVOTO group(P<0.01).Conclusion RVOTO is the result of multiple factors,including the thickening of interventricular septum,as well as the right ventricular free wall.When the"scallop sign"appears in MRI examinations of HCM patients,it is necessary to be highly vigilant for the presence of RVOTO.
4.druglikeFilter 1.0:An AI powered filter for collectively measuring the drug-likeness of compounds
Minjie MOU ; Yintao ZHANG ; Yuntao QIAN ; Zhimeng ZHOU ; Yang LIAO ; Tianle NIU ; Wei HU ; Yuanhao CHEN ; Ruoyu JIANG ; Hongping ZHAO ; Haibin DAI ; Yang ZHANG ; Tingting FU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1370-1377
Advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)and emerging technologies are rapidly expanding the exploration of chemical space,facilitating innovative drug discovery.However,the transformation of novel compounds into safe and effective drugs remains a lengthy,high-risk,and costly process.Comprehensive early-stage evaluation is essential for reducing costs and improving the success rate of drug development.Despite this need,no comprehensive tool currently supports systematic evaluation and efficient screening.Here,we present druglikeFilter,a deep learning-based framework designed to assess drug-likeness across four critical dimensions:1)physicochemical rule evaluated by systematic determination,2)toxicity alert investigated from multiple perspectives,3)binding affinity measured by dual-path analysis,and 4)compound synthesizability assessed by retro-route prediction.By enabling automated,multidimensional filtering of compound libraries,druglikeFilter not only streamlines the drug development process but also plays a crucial role in advancing research efforts towards viable drug candidates,which can be freely accessed at https://idrblab.org/drugfilter/.
5.The mechanism of ultrasound-visualized hydrogen microbubbles in inhibiting inflammatory progression and alleviating myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats
Minjie ZHANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Ying WEI ; Qi CHEN ; Xiongfeng LI ; Lingfeng MA ; Yaxi WANG
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(10):723-730
Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which hydrogen alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) through ultrasound-targeted destruction of hydrogen-loaded phospholipid microbubbles in the ischemic myocardium of rats.Methods:A total of 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, IRI group (model group), and hydrogen treatment group (experimental group), with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of myocardial IRI was established. Rats in the sham group received 0.2 ml of normal saline via the tail vein, those in the model group received 0.2 ml of phospholipid microbubbles without hydrogen, and those in the treatment group received 0.2 ml of hydrogen-loaded phospholipid microbubbles. After 24 hours, cardiac function was assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS). Serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression levels of Janus knase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphorylated JAK2(p-JAK2), and phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3) proteins in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. Myocardial infarct size was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and myocardial histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.Results:After 24 hours of reperfusion, LVEF [(54.26±2.92) % vs (45.77±27%)] and LVFS [(24.11±1.68) % vs (19.50±1.19%)] were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the model group (both P<0.001). ELISA results showed that levels of CK-MB [(13.58±2.07) μg/L vs (20.07±1.57) μg/L], LDH [(47.76±8.32) μg/L vs (74.39±10.19) μg/L], cTnI [(7.50±0.26) μg/L vs (9.05±0.34) μg/L], and IL-6 [(121.34±8.97) ng/L vs (156.99±6.46) ng/L] were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the model group (all P<0.001). TTC staining revealed a smaller infarct size in the treatment group [(48.77±2.68)%] than in the model group [(63.53±3.10)%, P<0.001]. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the model group ( P<0.05). HE staining showed no pathological abnormalities in major organs (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) following hydrogen microbubble treatment. Conclusions:Ultrasound-targeted destruction of hydrogen microbubbles enables local hydrogen release in the myocardium, which downregulates IL-6 and inhibits activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby attenuating inflammation and reducing ischemia/reperfusion injury.
6.MRI images and clinical characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Wei LI ; Kai YANG ; Di ZHOU ; Fengkai LI ; Shaojun LI ; Mingyuan YUAN ; Minjie LU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1134-1138
Objective To explore the MRI images and clinical characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction(RVOTO)in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)patients.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 30 patients with RVOTO and 55 randomly selected patients with simple left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO)were retrospectively analyzed,and the data between the two groups were statistically analyzed.Results The N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)value,the average thickness of left ventricular basal end diastolic anterior wall and anterior septum,the proportion of"scallop sign"on imaging,and the mass percentage of myocardial late gadolinium enhancement(LGE)in RVOTO group were significantly higher than those in LVOTO group(P<0.01).Conclusion RVOTO is the result of multiple factors,including the thickening of interventricular septum,as well as the right ventricular free wall.When the"scallop sign"appears in MRI examinations of HCM patients,it is necessary to be highly vigilant for the presence of RVOTO.
7.The mechanism of ultrasound-visualized hydrogen microbubbles in inhibiting inflammatory progression and alleviating myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats
Minjie ZHANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Ying WEI ; Qi CHEN ; Xiongfeng LI ; Lingfeng MA ; Yaxi WANG
Chinese Journal of Organ Transplantation 2025;46(10):723-730
Objective:To investigate the mechanism by which hydrogen alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) through ultrasound-targeted destruction of hydrogen-loaded phospholipid microbubbles in the ischemic myocardium of rats.Methods:A total of 45 rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, IRI group (model group), and hydrogen treatment group (experimental group), with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of myocardial IRI was established. Rats in the sham group received 0.2 ml of normal saline via the tail vein, those in the model group received 0.2 ml of phospholipid microbubbles without hydrogen, and those in the treatment group received 0.2 ml of hydrogen-loaded phospholipid microbubbles. After 24 hours, cardiac function was assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS). Serum levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression levels of Janus knase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), phosphorylated JAK2(p-JAK2), and phosphorylated STAT3(p-STAT3) proteins in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. Myocardial infarct size was evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and myocardial histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.Results:After 24 hours of reperfusion, LVEF [(54.26±2.92) % vs (45.77±27%)] and LVFS [(24.11±1.68) % vs (19.50±1.19%)] were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the model group (both P<0.001). ELISA results showed that levels of CK-MB [(13.58±2.07) μg/L vs (20.07±1.57) μg/L], LDH [(47.76±8.32) μg/L vs (74.39±10.19) μg/L], cTnI [(7.50±0.26) μg/L vs (9.05±0.34) μg/L], and IL-6 [(121.34±8.97) ng/L vs (156.99±6.46) ng/L] were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the model group (all P<0.001). TTC staining revealed a smaller infarct size in the treatment group [(48.77±2.68)%] than in the model group [(63.53±3.10)%, P<0.001]. Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of JAK2 and p-STAT3 proteins were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the model group ( P<0.05). HE staining showed no pathological abnormalities in major organs (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) following hydrogen microbubble treatment. Conclusions:Ultrasound-targeted destruction of hydrogen microbubbles enables local hydrogen release in the myocardium, which downregulates IL-6 and inhibits activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby attenuating inflammation and reducing ischemia/reperfusion injury.
8.SnoRNAs: The promising targets for anti-tumor therapy.
Xiaoyun HU ; Wanlin CUI ; Min LIU ; Fangxiao ZHANG ; Yingqi ZHAO ; Mingrong ZHANG ; Yuhang YIN ; Yalun LI ; Ying CHE ; Xianglong ZHU ; Yuxuan FAN ; Xiaolan DENG ; Minjie WEI ; Huizhe WU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(11):101064-101064
Recently, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have transcended the genomic "noise" to emerge as pivotal molecular markers due to their essential roles in tumor progression. Substantial evidence indicates a strong association between snoRNAs and critical clinical features such as tumor pathology and drug resistance. Historically, snoRNA research has concentrated on two classical mechanisms: 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation. This review specifically summarizes the novel regulatory mechanisms and functional patterns of snoRNAs in tumors, encompassing transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational regulation. We further discuss the synergistic effect between snoRNA host genes (SNHGs) and snoRNAs in tumor progression. More importantly, snoRNAs extensively contribute to the development of tumor cell resistance as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Accordingly, we provide a comprehensive review of the clinical diagnosis and treatment associated with snoRNAs and explore their significant potential as novel drug targets.
9.PSA value gray area (4-10 ng/ml) prostate biopsy study
Jinwei SHANG ; Lai DONG ; Rongjie SHI ; Ruizhe ZHAO ; Tian HAN ; Minjie PAN ; Bin YANG ; Yamin WANG ; Wei XIA ; Lixin HUA ; Gong CHENG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(5):386-390
Objective:To explore the strategy of prostate biopsy in patients with prostate specific antigen(PSA)gray zone based on prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS).Methods:The clinical data of 427 patients who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 66 (61, 72) years old. The median PSA was 6.62 (5.46, 8.19) ng/ml. The median PSA density (PSAD) was 0.15 (0.11, 0.21) ng/ml 2. The median prostate volume (PV) was 43.68 (31.12, 56.82) ml. PSA velocity (PSAV) data were available in 65 patients with negative MRI examination(PI-RADS <3), and the median PSAV was 1.40 (0.69, 2.89) ng/(ml· year). Among the patients with positive MRI(PI-RADS≥3), there were 174 patients with only 1 lesion and 83 patients with ≥2 lesions. A total of 170 patients with negative MRI underwent systematic biopsy, and 257 patients with positive MRI underwent systematic combined targeted biopsy. The PI-RADS score, regions of interest(ROI), PSAD, f/tPSA and PSAV were analyzed to explore the biopsy strategy for patients with PSA gray area based on bpMRI imaging. Results:Of the 427 patients included in the study, 194 were positive and 233 were negative. Among the patients with positive biopsy pathology, 140 cases were clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa). Among the MRI-negative patients, there were 33 cases with PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and 10 cases of prostate cancer and 6 cases of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy.In 32 cases with PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year), 3 cases of prostate cancer and 0 case of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy. The sensitivity of systematic biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and CsPCa in patients with PSAV≥1.4 ng/(ml·year) were 76.9% (10/13) and 100.0% (6/6) respectively, the specificity were 55.8% (29/52) and 54.2% (32/59) respectively, the negative predictive value were 90.6% (29/32) and 100.0% (32/32) respectively, and the positive predictive value were 30.3% (10/33) and 18.2% (6/33) respectively. In MRI-positive patients with PI-RADS 3, the prostate cancer detection rates of targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 41.7% (45/108), 32.4% (35/108) and 35.2% (38/108), respectively ( P=0.349). The detection rates of CsPCa were 27.8% (30/108), 21.3% (23/108) and 25.0% (27/108), respectively ( P=0.541). In patients with PI-RADS 4-5 and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml 2, the detection rates of CsPCa in targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 67.8% (61/90), 58.9% (53/90) and 67.8% (61/90), respectively ( P=0.354). Conclusions:For MRI-negative patients, all CsPCa could be detected by perineal systematic biopsy when PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and active observation could be performed when PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year). For MRI-positive patients, targeted combined systemic biopsy was required when PI-RADS score was 3, and targeted biopsy only could be performed when PI-RADS score ≥4 and PSAD >0.15 ng/ml 2, otherwise targeted combined systemic biopsy was required.
10.Application and Insights of Artificial Intelligence Technology in International Healthcare
Yihan RUAN ; Wei WANG ; Xiaohu MENG ; Tao YUN ; Ayan MAO ; Minjie ZHAO ; Wuqi QIU
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(8):41-44
Purpose/Significance Based on international cases,the paper analyzes the application development of artificial intelli-gence(Al)technology in the medical field,and provides references for improving the application of AI technology in the medical field in China.Method/Process The literature is searched on CNKI,and institutions with high influence in the international health technology industry are selected according to the exclusion criteria for further analysis.Result/Conclusion A total of 8 AI medical technologies relat-ed to health technology industries or teams in 7 countries are selected and included,based on the convenience and advantages brought by them,to provide references to explore and improve the research and application of AI in the medical field.

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