1.A case of progressive ossifying myositis caused by ACVR1 gene mutation
Si-Qin XIE ; Xiao-Fang DING ; Bing ZHANG ; Feng-Xia SHI ; Li-Li ZHONG ; Han HUANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(9):961-966
A 2-year-and-10-month-old boy presented with multiple masses in the neck and chest for over 3 months.The child had a history of unstable walking,with hard lumps visible at the injury sites after falls,which would resolve on their own.Following a recent injury,a mass was discovered in the posterior neck,protruding above the skin surface and accompanied by limited joint movement.Gradually,new masses were found on the left side of the neck,back near the scapular lower angle,in the scapular fossa,and along the left axillary midline.Magnetic resonance imaging examination showed diffuse low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2-weighted images in the bilateral posterior neck and back muscles two months ago.A CT scan revealed muscle swelling,with areas of patchy low density and multiple nodular high-density ossifications within some muscles.Genetic testing results indicated a mutation in the ACVR1 gene,leading to the final diagnosis of progressive ossifying myositis in this patient.This article summarizes the etiology,diagnosis,and treatment of one case of progressive ossifying myositis,providing a reference for clinicians.
2.Development of a GeXP assay for simultaneous differentiation of the H7 subtype and five NA subtypes of avian influenza viruses
Si-Si LUO ; Zhi-Xun XIE ; Meng LI ; Dan LI ; Li-Ji XIE ; Sheng WANG ; Min-Xiu ZHANG ; Jiao-Ling HUANG ; Zhi-Qin XIE ; Ting-Ting ZENG ; Yan-Fang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):670-677
Cases of human infection with H7 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)combined with five NA subtypes(N2,N3,N4,N7,and N9)have been reported.This study was aimed at establishing a method for simultaneous detection and dif-ferential diagnosis of H7 and five NA subtypes of AIV.Seven pairs of specific primers were designed according to the conserved sequences of the HA gene of H7 subtype AIV,the NA gene of five NA AIV subtypes,and the M gene of all AIV subtypes.A high-throughput GeXP typing method was established for simultaneous detection of the H7 subtype and the five NA subtypes of AIV by using GeXP multiple gene expression and capillary electrophoresis analysis technology.The specificity and sensitivity of the method were determined,and clinical samples were tested.The specificity results indicated that this method was able to simultaneously detect seven target genes in a single tube;each pair of specific primers was able to detect the corresponding AIV subtype,and the universal detection primers were able to detect all subtypes of AIV,with no cross-reaction with other common avian disease pathogens.Sensitivity results demonstrated that this method was able to simultaneously detect seven target genes with a threshold detection limit was 100 copies/μL.The detection results for 150 clinical samples were consistent with those of viral isolation and identification.The high-throughput GeXP method for simultaneous differential diagnosis of the H7 subtype and five subtypes of AIV established in this study has advantages of high specificity,high sensitivity,rapidity,and simplicity,thus providing a new detection method for the effective prevention and control of AIV.
3.Effect of Stemona tuberosa Alkaloids on Apoptosis and PI3K/Akt and JNK/MAPK Signaling Pathways of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Si LIN ; Huizhen QIN ; Zeyu LI ; Liba XU ; Lingyu DENG ; Jing LUO ; Fengfeng XIE ; Miao ZHANG ; Hua ZHU ; Xiaoxun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):69-76
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Stemona tuberosa alkaloids (STA) on apoptosis and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (JNK/p38 MAPK) signaling pathways in human lung cancer A549 cells. MethodA549 cells were classified into blank group and STA groups (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1). Thiazole blue (MTT) assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of A549 cells. Apoptosis was observed based on Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), and Bcl-2, and the expression of PI3K, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, JNK, p-JNK, p38 MAPK, and p-p38 MAPK. ResultCompared with the blank group, STA groups (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) demonstrated the increase in inhibition rate of cell proliferation (P<0.01) and cell clone inhibition rate, and decrease in cell clone formation rate (P<0.01). In comparison with the blank group, STA groups showed typical characteristics of apoptosis, such as chromatin condensation and enhanced fluorescence reaction. The apoptosis rate of STA groups was significantly higher than that of the blank group (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Caspase-3 and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA had no significant influence on the total protein expression of PI3K, Akt, JNK, and p38 MAPK. However, STA (150, 200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly decreased the levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased the level of p-p38 MAPK (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, STA (200, 250, 300 mg⋅L-1) significantly raised the level of p-JNK (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSTA can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and activating JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
4.Preparation and quality evaluation of total flavonoids microemulsion of "Pueraria lobata-Hovenia dulcis".
Yao-Kun XIONG ; Rui LI ; Na WAN ; Wen-Jun GAO ; Xiao-Ya WANG ; Min XIE ; Qin ZHANG ; Si YANG ; Hua ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(20):5540-5547
The effective components of flavonoids in the "Pueraria lobata-Hovenia dulcis" drug pair have low bioavailability in vivo due to their unstable characteristics. This study used microemulsions with amphoteric carrier properties to solve this problem. The study drew pseudo-ternary phase diagrams through titration compatibility experiments of the oil phase with emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers and screened the prescription composition of blank microemulsions. The study used average particle size and PDI as evaluation indicators, and the central composite design-response surface method(CCD-RSM) was used to optimize the prescription; high-dosage drug-loaded microemulsions were obtained, and their physicochemical properties, appearance, and stability were evaluated. The results showed that when ethyl butyrate was used as the oil phase, polysorbate 80(tween 80) as the surfactant, and anhydrous ethanol as the cosurfactant, the maximum microemulsion area was obtained. When the difference in results was small, K_(m )of 1∶4 was chosen to ensure the safety of the prescription. The prescription composition optimized by the CCD-RSM was ethyl butyrate(16.28%), tween 80(9.59%), and anhydrous ethanol(38.34%). When the dosage reached 3% of the system mass, the total flavonoid microemulsion prepared had a clear and transparent appearance, with average particle size, PDI, and potential of(74.25±1.58)nm, 0.277±0.043, and(-0.08±0.07) mV, respectively. The microemulsion was spherical and evenly distributed under transmission electron microscopy. The centrifugal stability and temperature stability were good, and there was no layering or demulsification phenomenon, which significantly improved the in vitro dissolution of total flavonoids.
Polysorbates/chemistry*
;
Flavonoids
;
Pueraria
;
Surface-Active Agents/chemistry*
;
Ethanol
;
Emulsions
;
Particle Size
;
Solubility
5.Apigenin Induces Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer CL187 Cells via PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Si LIN ; Huizhen QIN ; Lingyu DENG ; Zeyu LI ; Fengfeng XIE ; Miao ZHANG ; Hua ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(19):97-104
ObjectiveTo study the effect of apigenin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer CL187 cells and the underlying mechanisms. MethodHuman colorectal cancer CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin (0, 30, 45, 60 mg·L-1) according to the results of the preliminary experiment. The proliferation of CL187 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and colony formation assays, and the apoptosis was observed via Hoechst 33258 staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of cysteine protease-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the CL187 cells treated with apigenin. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax associated with apoptosis, protein kinase B (Akt) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p-JNK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and p-p38 MAPK protein in MAPK pathway. ResultCompared with the blank group, the apigenin groups had low cell survival rates and high inhibition rates on cell proliferation (P<0.01). Apigenin decreased the cell clone number and clone formation rate, and increased the inhibition rate on clone formation (P<0.01). After CL187 cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin for 48 h, typical apoptosis characteristics such as nuclear pyknosis, chromatin condensation, and enhanced fluorescence reaction were observed. Compared with blank group, 45, 60 mg·L-1 apigenin treatments down-regulated the mRNA level of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 (P<0.01) and all the apigenin treatments up-regulated those of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Similarly, apigenin treatments down-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated those of Caspase-3 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and Bax (P<0.01, 45, 60 mg·L-1). The blank group had higher protein level of Akt than the 60 mg·L-1 apigenin group (P<0.01), higher protein levels of p-Akt, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 than the 45, 60 mg·L-1 apigenin groups (P<0.01), and higher protein levels of JNK and p-JNK than the apigenin groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with blank group, 60 mg·L-1 apigenin up-regulated the protein level of p38 MAPK (P<0.05), and all the apigenin groups up-regulated that of p-p38 MAPK (P<0.01). Furthermore, apigenin lowered the p-Akt/Akt ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01) and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 ratio (P<0.01), while it increased the p-JNK/JNK ratio (45, 60 mg·L-1; P<0.05, P<0.01) and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionApigenin can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of CL187 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and regulating the expression of proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway.
6.Anti-tumor Effect of Shikonin: A Review
Si LIN ; Hui-zhen QIN ; Ling-yu DENG ; Miao ZHANG ; Feng-feng XIE ; Ze-yu LI ; Hua ZHU ; Long CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(9):273-282
The incidence and mortality of cancer are increasing year by year, seriously threatening human health. At present, the chemotherapy-based treatment of cancer can prolong the survival time of patients, but its severe side effects and adverse reactions often lead to poor prognosis. Therefore, searching for anti-cancer drugs with high efficiency and low toxicity has become the focus of clinical attention from all over the world. The effective components of Chinese medicine have the advantages of mild side effect and multi-target regulation, and their anti-tumor activities are highly favored by many researchers. Shikonin, a naphthoquinone compound, is the main effective component of Arnebiae Radix, with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effect. Studies have shown that shikonin possesses significant anti-tumor activities against a variety of tumor cells, and it can inhibit the development of many cancers, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. The anti-tumor mechanism of shikonin is mainly related to multi-pathway and multi-target inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, the promotion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induction of tumor cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and tumor cell autophagy, and the inhibition of tumor cell migration and invasion. In addition, shikonin can increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to anti-tumor drugs and reverse the drug resistance of tumor cells. The signaling pathways involved in the anti-tumor effect of shikonin include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), pyruvate kinase M2/signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (PKM2/STAT3), and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-related protein 1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Keap1/Nrf2). The anti-tumor effects are mainly achieved through the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Based on the relevant literature on the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of shikonin in China and abroad, the present study reviewed the research progress in the past three years to provide useful references for the further study of the anti-tumor effect of shikonin and the research and development of new antineoplastic drugs.
7.Pharmacological Effect and Mechanism of Andrographolide: A Review
Hui-zhen QIN ; Si LIN ; Ling-yu DENG ; Feng-feng XIE ; Miao ZHANG ; Hua ZHU ; Long CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(6):272-282
Andrographolide, a diterpene lactone, is the important material basis for the pharmacological effect of the Chinese medicinal Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.)Nees. Modern pharmacological research has shown that andrographolide has many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammation, bacteriostat, anti-virus, anti-tumor, protecting liver, promoting the function of gallbladder, and protecting the cardiovascular system and nervous system. It has significant anti-inflammatory activity which involves multiple targets. To be specific, it can inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and other signaling pathways, reduce the synthesis and release of downstream inflammatory mediators, and regulate oxidative stress and immune response to achieve anti-inflammatory effect on various inflammatory diseases. At the same time, it suppresses a variety of tumor cells by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, blocking cell cycle, and inducing tumor cell apoptosis. Its anti-tumor mechanism involves cellular signaling pathways such as Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), NF-κB, and secreted glycoprotein/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin). In addition, it can also alleviate diabetes by regulating glucose metabolism. According to related research, it often exerts pharmacological effects through multiple pathways and multiple targets, but the specific targets are unclear. Therefore, this article summarizes the relevant studies on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of andrographolide in the past three years and puts forward the future research directions, which is expected to serve as a reference for the further in-depth research and development and utilization of andrographolide.
8.Pharmacological Effect of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma Compatibility and Its Mechanism
Zeyu LI ; Erwei HAO ; Hui LI ; Jiayu WANG ; Xinxin LI ; Rui CAO ; Si LIN ; Huizhen QIN ; Jinling XIE ; Zhengcai DU ; Xiaotao HOU ; Jiagang DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):270-282
Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma has high medicinal value and is widely used in compatibility. It is used most frequently in the compatibility of Chinese medicine prescriptions,and is known as ''Guolao''(national medicine) and "master of all medicines". The characteristic active ingredients are mainly liquitin,glycyrrizic acid,glycyrrizin,and licochalcone. In different compatibilities,based on traditional and modern pharmacological theories,the corresponding effect of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma are brought into play through different mechanisms. Based on the traditional pharmacology of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for tonifying spleen,replenishing Qi,clearing heat,removing toxin,dispelling phlegm,relieving cough and pain,and harmonizing various medicines,this paper used herbal authentication to analyze its compatibility application and mechanism. It was found that Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma played corresponding effect in compatibilities through "tonification","harmonization",and "regulation". For example,Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma was combined with tonics including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to tonify the five Zang-organs through its strong tonifying effect,combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata to relieve emergencies and pains through harmonizing medicine power and properties,and combined with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Natrii Sulfas to reduce medicine intensity through regulating medicine properties and body characteristics. The application law and mechanism of the modern pharmacological compatibility of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed by data mining and network pharmacology. It was found that the modern clinical formula was often compatible with Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for anti-inflammation,cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection,anti-virus,and anti-tumor,Ephedrae Herba and Scutellariae Radix for anti-inflammation,Bambusae Caulis in Taenias,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection,and Ophiopogonis Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma for nerves protection. Meanwhile,the important targets of the characteristic ingredients were protein kinase B1 (Akt1),interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor (TNF),and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The important characteristic pathways such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase G (PKG) signal pathway played the role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection,and proteoglycan pathway in cancer played a neuroprotective role. This study is expected to provide references for the rational compatibility and application of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma,as well as the compatibility application of Chinese medicine prescriptions.
9.Research progress of pharmacological action and mechanism of piperine
Si LIN ; Huizhen QIN ; Lingyu DENG ; Miao ZHANG ; Fengfeng XIE ; Zeyu LI ; Hua ZHU
China Pharmacy 2022;33(13):1653-1659
Piperine is a kind of amide alkaloids presenting in Piper nigrum L.,which has the pharmacological action such as protecting cardiovascular system ,regulating glucose and lipid metabolism ,anti-tumor,improving nervous system diseases , anti-inflammation and so on. This paper summarized the pharmacological action and mechanisms of piperine in recent years and found that piperine ,as the main active ingredient of P. nigrum ,could protect the cardiovascular system by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress ;improve mitochondrial function through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects ,thereby regulate glucose and lipid metabolism ;play an anti-tumor role by mediating the signaling pathways of Wnt/β-catenin,NF-κB/Nrf-2/KeAP-1/HO-1, PI3K/Akt,TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1/2;improve neurological diseases by inhibiting autophagy ,relieving inflammation ,improving antioxidant,inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and regulating the expression of related proteins in neurons ;play an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB and other signaling pathways and reducing the expression of inflammation-related proteins. However,the mechanism of action of piperine is not perfect ,and most of the studies have been confined to the pharmacological level or a certain signaling pathway and a certain target ,without being able to elucidate the interconnection between the relevant signaling pathway and the specific target from a holistic perspective. In the follow-up ,the specific targets of piperine can be identified and clinical trials can be carried out to provide support for the clinical application of piperine.
10.Research status of occupational methanol poisoning based on literature bibliometrics
XIONG Yan yan LUO Lei ZHU Xue qin WEN Si hui XIE Ying
China Occupational Medicine 2022;49(06):668-672
Objective
To analyze the research status and hotspot of occupational methanol poisoning at home and abroad.
Methods ,
The China National Knowledge Resource Database Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform and Web of Science
were used as the data sources. The relevant literatures on occupational methanol poisoning published in domestic and foreign
, Results
journals up to June 30 2021 were searched. The bibliometrics was used to analyzed the literatures. A total of 255
literatures were included in analysis. There were 187 Chinese articles and 68 English articles. Most of Chinese articles were
, ,
published from 2001 to 2005 with an average of 26.7 literatures per five years until June 2021. Among them 72 literatures
( ), ,
were published in core journals 38.5% and 176 authors from 27 provinces autonomous regions and municipality directly
,
under the central government published relevant literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the classification
, ,
poisoning mode clinical manifestations visual impairment and poisoning prevention and treatment of occupational methanol
- ,
poisoning. Most of the English literatures were published in 2016 2020 with an average of 4.9 articles per five years until June
, ( ),
2021. Among them 36 were published in SCI journals 52.9% and 57 authors from 11 countries published relevant
, , ,
literatures. The research contents mainly focused on the clinical diagnosis drug treatment intoxication mechanism visual
Conclusion
sequelae and brain injury of occupational methanol poisoning. The research on occupational methanol poisoning
, , ,
mainly focuses on clinical diagnosis clinical manifestations treatment and prognosis and pathogenesis. The focus of relevant
research at home and abroad is different.

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