1.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.
2.Value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric pancreaticobiliary maljunction
Shuang NIE ; Hao ZHU ; Shanshan SHEN ; Wen LI ; Wei CAI ; Zhengyan QIN ; Feng LIU ; Bin ZHANG ; Yuling YAO ; Lei WANG ; Xiaoping ZOU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(2):137-141
Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM).Methods:Data of 40 pediatric patients under 14 with PBM diagnosed and treated by ERCP at Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from November 2012 to September 2022 were collected. PBM types, ERCP-related diagnosis and treatment, adverse events and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Nineteen cases were P-B type (joining of common bile duct with pancreatic duct), 17 were B-P type (joining of pancreatic duct with common bile duct), and 4 were complex type. Forty children with PBM underwent 50 ERCP-related operations, among which 48 procedures succeeded. One case failed during cannulation of ERCP, replaced by rendezvous-assisted endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (RV-ERP) afterwards. There were no serious postoperative adverse events such as bleeding, perforation or death. Thirty-four patients (85%) were followed up successfully, among which 14 underwent further surgery and 20 continued conservative treatment.Conclusion:ERCP is the golden standard to diagnose pediatric PBM, and it is also safe and effective treatment for PBM.
3.Tumor Therapy: Targeted Substances Metabolism Reprogramming Induces Tumor Ferroptosis
Jin-Ping ZHANG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Mo WANG ; Xin-Yue WANG ; Xiao-Qin MOU ; Xi ZHENG ; Chuang CHENG ; Jing HE ; Li-Li ZOU ; Xiao-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1540-1550
There are huge differences between tumor cells and normal cells in material metabolism, and tumor cells mainly show increased anabolism, decreased catabolism, and imbalance in substance metabolism. These differences provide the necessary material basis for the growth and reproduction of tumor cells, and also provide important targets for the treatment of tumors. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death characterized by an imbalance of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and lipid membrane antioxidant systems in cells, resulting in excessive accumulation of lipid peroxide, causing damage to lipid membrane structure and loss of function, and ultimately cell death. The regulation of ferroptosis involves a variety of metabolic pathways, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and iron metabolism. In order for tumor cells to grow rapidly, their metabolic needs are more vigorous than those of normal cells. Tumor cells are metabolically reprogrammed to meet their rapidly proliferating material and energy needs. Metabolic reprogramming is mainly manifested in glycolysis and enhancement of pentose phosphate pathway, enhanced glutamine metabolism, increased nucleic acid synthesis, and iron metabolism tends to retain more intracellular iron. Metabolic reprogramming is accompanied by the production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of the antioxidant system. The state of high oxidative stress makes tumor cells more susceptible to redox imbalances, causing intracellular lipid peroxidation, which ultimately leads to ferroptosis. Therefore, in-depth study of the molecular mechanism and metabolic basis of ferroptosis is conducive to the development of new therapies to induce ferroptosis in cancer treatment. Ferroptosis, as a regulated form of cell death, can induce ferroptosis in tumor cells by pharmacologically or genetically targeting the metabolism of substances in tumor cells, which has great potential value in tumor treatment. This article summarizes the effects of cellular metabolism on ferroptosis in order to find new targets for tumor treatment and provide new ideas for clinical treatment.
4.Iodine Nutrition,Thyroid-stimulating Hormone,and Related Factors of Postpartum Women from three Different Areas in China:A Cross-sectional Survey
Yun Xiao SHAN ; Yan ZOU ; Chun Li HUANG ; Shan JIANG ; Wen Wei ZHOU ; Lan Qiu QIN ; Qing Chang LIU ; Yan Xiao LUO ; Xi Jia LU ; Qian De MAO ; Min LI ; Yu Zhen YANG ; Chen Li YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(3):254-265
Objective Studies on the relationship between iodine,vitamin A(VA),and vitamin D(VD)and thyroid function are limited.This study aimed to analyze iodine and thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)status and their possible relationships with VA,VD,and other factors in postpartum women. Methods A total of 1,311 mothers(896 lactating and 415 non-lactating)from Hebei,Zhejiang,and Guangxi provinces were included in this study.The urinary iodine concentration(UIC),TSH,VA,and VD were measured. Results The median UIC of total and lactating participants were 142.00 μg/L and 139.95 μg/L,respectively.The median TSH,VA,and VD levels in all the participants were 1.89 mIU/L,0.44 μg/mL,and 24.04 ng/mL,respectively.No differences in the UIC were found between lactating and non-lactating mothers.UIC and TSH levels were significantly different among the three provinces.The rural UIC was higher than the urban UIC.Obese mothers had a higher UIC and a higher prevalence of excessive TSH.Higher UICs and TSHs levels were observed in both the VD deficiency and insufficiency groups than in the VD-sufficient group.After adjustment,no linear correlation was observed between UIC and VA/VD.No interaction was found between vitamins A/D and UIC on TSH levels. Conclusion The mothers in the present study had no iodine deficiency.Region,area type,BMI,and VD may be related to the iodine status or TSH levels.
5.Clinical practice of collaboration of infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship in reducing bacterial resistance
Ni ZOU ; Dan ZHU ; Dan WANG ; Wen SHU ; Lin WANG ; Qin LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(7):860-867
Objective To explore the effect of collaborative mode of adopting infection prevention and control(IPC)and antimicrobial stewardship(AMS)by medical institutions on reducing bacterial resistance.Methods Healthcare-associated infection(HAI)management and antimicrobial-related indicators,as well as multidrug-resis-tant organism(MDRO)detection rates of all hospitalized patients in a hospital from January 1,2015 to December 31,2022 were collected.The effectiveness of collaborative mode of IPC and AMS was evaluated.Results Compared with 2015-2016,the incidence of MDRO HAI in 2021-2022 decreased from 0.22%to 0.16%(P<0.05),anti-microbial use density in hospitalized patients decreased from 48.48 to 42.17,antimicrobial use rate decreased from 49.45%to 45.21%(P<0.05).The use rate of prophylactic antimicrobial agents in class Ⅰ incision surgery de-creased from 48.62%to 33.13%(P<0.05).Compared with 2017-2018,pathogen detection rate before antimi-crobial therapy increased from 60.73%to 72.18%in 2021-2022(P<0.05).Compared with 2015-2016,except the detection rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis slightly increased in 2021-2022,detection rates of other common MDRO decreased,especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,carbapenem-resistant Acine-tobacter baumannii,carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa,broad-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Kleb-siella pneumoniae,broad-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli,differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion The collaborative mode of IPC and AMS can effectively promote the rational use of antimicrobial agents,decrease the occurrence and transmission of MDRO,and decrease bacterial resistance.
6.Therapeutic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage (with video)
Shanshan SHEN ; Shuang NIE ; Wen LI ; Ruhua ZHENG ; Wei CAI ; Zhengyan QIN ; Bin ZHANG ; Ying LYU ; Xiaoping ZOU ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(11):889-894
Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data of 16 patients who underwent EUS-PD because of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) failure, poor effectiveness or anatomical changes and couldn't undergo the routine ERP in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from June 2018 to July 2022. The technical success of EUS-PD, clinical efficacy and post-procedure adverse events were analyzed.Results:In the 16 patients, there were 14 males and 2 females, with age of 50.69±12.95 years. A total of 19 times of EUS-PD operations were included, 3 of them were rendezvous-assisted endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (RV-ERP), 15 transgastric or transenteric EUS-guided stent placement and 1 was EUS-guided nasopancreatic duct placement. Technical success was achieved in 84.21% (16/19) patients, and among whom 93.75% (15/16) achieved clinical success. The overall incidence of postoperative adverse events was 52.63% (10/19) including 47.37% (9/19) abdominal pain, 15.79% (3/19) fever and 15.79% (3/19) postoperative pancreatitis. All adverse effects were relieved after general conservative treatment and no primary disease or surgery-related death occurred. The mean follow-up was 17.6 (8.2,22.3) months and 93.75% (15/16) of the patients were followed up. By the time of follow-up, 76.92% (10/13) of the patients who had successfully received EUS-PD had no recurrence of abdominal pain or distension.Conclusion:EUS-PD is a safe and effective alternative therapy for those with pancreatic diseases with ERP failure, poor efficacy or anatomical changes.
7.Comparison of CT Values between Thrombus and Postmortem Clot Based on Cadaveric Pulmonary Angiography.
Zhi-Ling TIAN ; Ruo-Lin WANG ; Jian-Hua ZHANG ; Ping HUANG ; Zhi-Qiang QIN ; Zheng-Dong LI ; He-Wen DONG ; Dong-Hua ZOU ; Mao-Wen WANG ; Zhuo LI ; Lei WAN ; Xiao-Tian YU ; Ning-Guo LIU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2023;39(1):7-12
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the difference in CT values between pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to further improve the application value of virtual autopsy.
METHODS:
Postmortem CTPA data with the definite cause of death from 2016 to 2019 were collected and divided into pulmonary thromboembolism group (n=4), postmortem clot group (n=5), and control group (n=5). CT values of pulmonary trunk and left and right pulmonary artery contents in each group were measured and analyzed statistically.
RESULTS:
The average CT value in the pulmonary thromboembolism group and postmortem clot group were (168.4±53.8) Hu and (282.7±78.0) Hu, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group (1 193.0±82.9) Hu (P<0.05). The average CT value of the postmortem clot group was higher than that of the pulmonary thromboembolism group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
CT value is reliable and feasible as a relatively objective quantitative index to distinguish pulmonary thromboembolism and postmortem clot in postmortem CTPA. At the same time, it can provide a scientific basis to a certain extent for ruling out pulmonary thromboembolism deaths.
Humans
;
Autopsy
;
Thrombosis
;
Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging*
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
;
Angiography
;
Cadaver
8.Curative effect of percutaneous screw-rod system combined with sacroiliac screw internal fixation in the treatment of types II-IV fragility fracture of the pelvis
Shuqing ZHOU ; Hui LU ; Xiaohua ZHANG ; Guiyong QIN ; Wen ZOU ; Chengguang WANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2023;39(1):47-54
Objective:To compare the effect of percutaneous screw-rod system combined with sacroiliac screw internal fixation and non-operation of type II-IV fragility fracture of the pelvis (FFP).Methods:A retrospective multicentral cohort study was performed to analyze the clinical data of 74 patients with FFP treated in Jiangjin Central Hospital of Chongqing and Hechuan People′s Hospital of Chongqing from January 2017 to June 2021, including 23 males and 51 females, aged 62-95 years [(79.3±7.3)years]. A total of 41 patients received non-surgical treatment (non-operation group). and 33 patients received percutaneous screw-rod system combined with sacroiliac screw internal fixation (operation group). The time to get out of bed, visual analog scale (VAS) and Majeed score on admission and at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment, fracture healing time and complications were evaluated in the two groups.Results:Except for 9 patients who died at 3-9 months after treatment, the remaining patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(13.5±3.2)months]. The time to get out of bed was (11.4±2.8)days in operation group and was (67.4±4.4)days in non-operation group ( P<0.01). The VAS and Majeed score at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment were significantly improved in both groups compared with those on admission (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS and Majeed score between the two groups on admission (all P>0.05). The VAS was (3.2±0.7)points in operation group compared to (4.2±0.8)points in non-operation group at 1 month after treatment, and was (1.8±0.5)points in operation group compared to (2.9±0.7)points in non-operation group at 3 months after treatment (all P<0.01). The Majeed score was (56.0±2.4)points in operation group compared to (40.4±2.7)points in non-operation group at 1 month after treatment; the score was (77.3±2.6)points in operation group compared to (57.7±4.2)points in non-operation group at 3 months after treatment; the score was (86.5±1.8)points in operation group compared to (79.6±2.8)points in non-operation group at 6 months after treatment (all P<0.01). In contrast, the two groups had no statistically significant difference in VAS at 6 months and 12 months after treatment and Majeed score at 12 months after treatment (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications related to fixation methods between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of bed-related complications was 24.2% (8/33) in operation group and was 51.2% (21/41) in non-operation group ( P<0.05). The 1-year fatality rate was 3.0% (1/33) in operation group and 19.5% (8/41) in non-operation group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with non-operative treatment, percutaneous screw-rod system combined with sacroiliac screw internal fixation in the treatment of type II-IV FFP can allow early off-bed movement, effectively relieve pain, improve quality of life of the patients, and reduce complication rate.
9.Comparison between macroscopic identification and DNA barcoding identification of Amomi Fructus.
En-Ai ZHAI ; Wen-Juan MI ; Yang CUI ; Wei-Feng HONG ; Ya-Shun WANG ; Xing-Yu GUO ; Hui-Qin ZOU ; Yong-Hong YAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2022;47(17):4600-4608
This study aims to explore the consistency between macroscopic identification and DNA barcoding identification of Amomi Fructus. With the DNA barcoding identification results, we evaluated the reliability of identifying Amomi Fructus quality by combining macroscopic traits with main volatile chemical components. Thirteen batches of Amomi Fructus samples were collected for identification. Firstly, the morphological and sensory characteristics of each sample were observed and recorded according to the standard in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The 100-fruit weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and longitudinal diameter-to-transverse diameter ratio were measured, which correspond to large, solid, and full kernel representing good quality in the sensory evaluation. The odor value detected by electronic nose and major volatile components(borneol, camphor, limonene, and borneol acetate) correspond to the sensory evaluation of strong odor representing good quality. Secondly, DNA barcoding was employed to identify the 13 batches of samples. Finally, clustering analysis was performed for the main volatile components and macroscopic traits, and the identification results were compared with those of DNA barcoding. Except two batches of samples(No.6 and No.10), the macroscopic identification showed the results consistent with those of DNA barcoding, with an identification rate of 84.62%. The clustering results of the content of four volatile chemical components and macroscopic traits were also consistent with the DNA barcoding identification results. DNA barcoding can verify the results of macroscopic identification and provide a scientific basis for the inheritance and development of macroscopic identification. Moreover, the combination of macroscopic traits and chemical components demonstrates higher accuracy in the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials.
Camphanes
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Camphor/analysis*
;
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Fruit/genetics*
;
Limonene/analysis*
;
Reproducibility of Results

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