1.Identification and expression analysis of AP2/ERF family members in Lonicera macranthoides.
Si-Min ZHOU ; Mei-Ling QU ; Juan ZENG ; Jia-Wei HE ; Jing-Yu ZHANG ; Zhi-Hui WANG ; Qiao-Zhen TONG ; Ri-Bao ZHOU ; Xiang-Dan LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4248-4262
The AP2/ERF transcription factor family is a class of transcription factors widely present in plants, playing a crucial role in regulating flowering, flower development, flower opening, and flower senescence. Based on transcriptome data from flower, leaf, and stem samples of two Lonicera macranthoides varieties, 117 L. macranthoides AP2/ERF family members were identified, including 14 AP2 subfamily members, 61 ERF subfamily members, 40 DREB subfamily members, and 2 RAV subfamily members. Bioinformatics and differential gene expression analyses were performed using NCBI, ExPASy, SOMPA, and other platforms, and the expression patterns of L. macranthoides AP2/ERF transcription factors were validated via qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the 117 LmAP2/ERF members exhibited both similarities and variations in protein physicochemical properties, AP2 domains, family evolution, and protein functions. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that AP2/ERF transcription factors were primarily differentially expressed in the flowers of the two L. macranthoides varieties, with the differentially expressed genes mainly belonging to the ERF and DREB subfamilies. Further analysis identified three AP2 subfamily genes and two ERF subfamily genes as potential regulators of flower development, two ERF subfamily genes involved in flower opening, and two ERF subfamily genes along with one DREB subfamily gene involved in flower senescence. Based on family evolution and expression analyses, it is speculated that AP2/ERF transcription factors can regulate flower development, opening, and senescence in L. macranthoides, with ERF subfamily genes potentially serving as key regulators of flowering duration. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for further research into the specific functions of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family in L. macranthoides and offer important theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying floral phenotypic differences among its varieties.
Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Transcription Factors/chemistry*
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Lonicera/classification*
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Flowers/metabolism*
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Phylogeny
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Multigene Family
2.tRF Prospect: tRNA-derived Fragment Target Prediction Based on Neural Network Learning
Dai-Xi REN ; Jian-Yong YI ; Yong-Zhen MO ; Mei YANG ; Wei XIONG ; Zhao-Yang ZENG ; Lei SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2428-2438
ObjectiveTransfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a recently characterized and rapidly expanding class of small non-coding RNAs, typically ranging from 13 to 50 nucleotides in length. They are derived from mature or precursor tRNA molecules through specific cleavage events and have been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes. Increasing evidence indicates that tRFs play important regulatory roles in gene expression, primarily by interacting with target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to induce transcript degradation, in a manner partially analogous to microRNAs (miRNAs). However, despite their emerging biological relevance and potential roles in disease mechanisms, there remains a significant lack of computational tools capable of systematically predicting the interaction landscape between tRFs and their target mRNAs. Existing databases often rely on limited interaction features and lack the flexibility to accommodate novel or user-defined tRF sequences. The primary goal of this study was to develop a machine learning based prediction algorithm that enables high-throughput, accurate identification of tRF:mRNA binding events, thereby facilitating the functional analysis of tRF regulatory networks. MethodsWe began by assembling a manually curated dataset of 38 687 experimentally verified tRF:mRNA interaction pairs and extracting seven biologically informed features for each pair: (1) AU content of the binding site, (2) site pairing status, (3) binding region location, (4) number of binding sites per mRNA, (5) length of the longest consecutive complementary stretch, (6) total binding region length, and (7) seed sequence complementarity. Using this dataset and feature set, we trained 4 distinct machine learning classifiers—logistic regression, random forest, decision tree, and a multilayer perceptron (MLP)—to compare their ability to discriminate true interactions from non-interactions. Each model’s performance was evaluated using overall accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the corresponding area under the ROC curve (AUC). The MLP consistently achieved the highest AUC among the four, and was therefore selected as the backbone of our prediction framework, which we named tRF Prospect. For biological validation, we retrieved 3 high-throughput RNA-seq datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) in which individual tRFs were overexpressed: AS-tDR-007333 (GSE184690), tRF-3004b (GSE197091), and tRF-20-S998LO9D (GSE208381). Differential expression analysis of each dataset identified genes downregulated upon tRF overexpression, which we designated as putative targets. We then compared the predictions generated by tRF Prospect against those from three established tools—tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget—by quantifying the number of predicted targets for each tRF and assessing concordance with the experimentally derived gene sets. ResultsThe proposed algorithm achieved high predictive accuracy, with an AUC of 0.934. Functional validation was conducted using transcriptome-wide RNA-seq datasets from cells overexpressing specific tRFs, confirming the model’s ability to accurately predict biologically relevant downregulation of mRNA targets. When benchmarked against established tools such as tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget, tRF Prospect consistently demonstrated superior performance, both in terms of predictive precision and sensitivity, as well as in identifying a higher number of true-positive interactions. Moreover, unlike static databases that are limited to precomputed results, tRF Prospect supports real-time prediction for any user-defined tRF sequence, enhancing its applicability in exploratory and hypothesis-driven research. ConclusionThis study introduces tRF Prospect as a powerful and flexible computational tool for investigating tRF:mRNA interactions. By leveraging the predictive strength of deep learning and incorporating a broad spectrum of interaction-relevant features, it addresses key limitations of existing platforms. Specifically, tRF Prospect: (1) expands the range of detectable tRF and target types; (2) improves prediction accuracy through multilayer perceptron model; and (3) allows for dynamic, user-driven analysis beyond database constraints. Although the current version emphasizes miRNA-like repression mechanisms and faces challenges in accurately capturing 5'UTR-associated binding events, it nonetheless provides a critical foundation for future studies aiming to unravel the complex roles of tRFs in gene regulation, cellular function, and disease pathogenesis.
3.Study on the efficacy of automatic-controlled pressure cupping for lumbar disc herniation.
Bo-Chen PENG ; Min-Shan FENG ; Li LI ; Gui-Ju REN ; Yi-Zhen YUAN ; Li-Jie CHANG ; Shu-Ying REN ; Liu ZENG ; Guang-Wei LIU ; Li-Guo ZHU ; Na YUAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(11):1133-1138
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and compare it with traditional cupping.
METHODS:
A total of 100 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation from January 2022 to August 2024 were selected and divided into two groups:the automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping group (controlled pressure cupping group) and the traditional cupping group (control group), 50 cases in each group. In the controlled pressure cupping group, there were 18 males and 32 females, with an age of (51.98±12.69) years;in the control group, there were 16 males and 34 females, with an age of (51.32±12.05) years. The visual analogue scale(VAS), comfort score, and lumbar range of motion were observed before treatment and after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments to evaluate the efficacy and safety.
RESULTS:
All patients completed the treatment intervention, with complete follow-up data collected. No adverse reactions or complications occurred during treatment and follow-up. After the 3rd treatment, the VAS score of the controlled pressure cupping group was (2.38±0.49), which was lower than that of the control group (2.94±0.68), with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). In the controlled pressure cupping group, the VAS scores after the 1st, 3rd, and 7th treatments were significantly better than those before treatment (P=0.026);in the control group, the VAS scores after the 3rd and 7th treatments were better than those before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.182). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) on VAS scores at different time points in both groups showed that there were statistically significant differences in inter-group, time, and interaction effects (P<0.05). After the 1st treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 42 patients (84%) felt mild discomfort, and 8 patients (16%) felt moderate discomfort;in the control group, 0 patients felt comfortable, 28 patients (56%) felt mild discomfort, and 22 patients(44%) felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.005). After the 3rd treatment, in the controlled pressure cupping group, 30 patients(60%) felt comfortable, 20 patients (40%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort; in the control group, 9 patients (18%) felt comfortable, 41 patients (82%) felt mild discomfort, and 0 patients felt moderate discomfort;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in comfort between the two groups after the 7th treatment(P>0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in lumbar range of motion between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05);compared with before treatment, the lumbar range of motion of both groups after treatment was significantly improved, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Automatic pressure-controlled pressure cupping can effectively relieve symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation, with excellent safety.
Humans
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Female
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Male
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Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology*
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*
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Cupping Therapy/methods*
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Pressure
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Aged
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Treatment Outcome
4.Factors influencing the severity of alcohol use disorder and the construction of risk prediction model
Xuezhi YANG ; Bing LU ; Wan WEI ; Zhen ZENG ; Sigui HU ; Yongkang CAO ; Zhenyu MA
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(2):131-136
BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common chronic and relapsing psychiatric disorders. Identifying severe AUD early and intervening promptly is crucial to prevent irreversible harm. Currently, the assessment of AUD severity primarily relies on psychiatric examination by clinicians, and there is limited research on the factors influencing AUD severity and the development of prediction models. ObjectiveTo analyze the factors influencing AUD severity, and construct a risk prediction model to aid in the assessment of disease progression in AUD patients. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 358 first-time hospitalized patients admitted to Nanning Fifth People's Hospital from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022. These patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria for AUD. Basic patient data was collected, and the patients were divided into two groups based on disease severity: mild-moderate group (n=330) and severe group (n=1 028). The patients were randomly divided into training and test sets in a 7∶3 ratio. A Logistic regression model was constructed in the training set, and the predictive ability of the model for disease severity was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the test set. ResultsCompared with the mild-moderate group, the severe group had a higher proportion of patients living in urban areas (χ2=7.804), were farmers (χ2=17.991), had a higher frequency of alcohol consumption (more than 1 to 2 drinks/day) (χ2=35.267), had a higher age at first drinking (t=-3.858), had a greater number of comorbid somatic disorders (Z=-22.782), and had higher proportions of γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (χ2=259.940) and total bilirubin abnormalities (χ2=148.552) (P<0.01). Logistic analysis conducted in the training set showed that being a farmer (OR=2.024, 95% CI: 1.352~3.029), having an older age at first drinking (OR=1.075, 95% CI: 1.025~1.129), drinking outside of mealtimes (OR=3.988, 95% CI: 2.408~6.606), having total bilirubin abnormalities (OR=1.034, 95% CI: 1.000~1.069), and having more comorbid somatic diseases (OR=4.386, 95% CI: 2.636~7.298) were identified as risk factors for disease severity in AUD patients. The area under curve (AUC) for this model in the test set was 0.906. ConclusionIn psychiatric hospitals, being a farmer, having an older age at first drinking, drinking outside of mealtimes, having abnormal total bilirubin levels, and having comorbidities with somatic illnesses may be risk factors for severe AUD.
5.Correlation Analysis Between Anti-cerebral Ischemia Oxidative Damage and Contents of Active Components in Characteristic Processed Products with Porcine Cardiac Blood and Other Processed Products of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from Menghe Medical School
Zhen ZENG ; Yuanpei LIAN ; Jiali CAI ; Chunyan YIN ; Dijun WANG ; Li ZHU ; Chanming LIU ; Wei HUANG ; Xiaojing YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):162-171
ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between 11 small molecule active components and 1 protein component of characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood and other products of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(SMRR) from Menghe medical school and anti-cerebral ischemic oxidative damage, and to identify its key component markers of characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood for anti-cerebral ischemic oxidative damage. MethodHigh performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was established to simultaneously determine the contents of 11 active ingredients in SMRR and its processed products[processed with porcine cardiac blood, porcine blood, wine and transferrin(Tf) in porcine cardiac blood], and the content of Tf in different processed products of SMRR was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, A zebrafish ischemic stroke model was constructed to evaluate the effects of different processed products of SMRR on the behavioral trajectory of cerebral ischemic zebrafish, the neuronal damage of transgenic zebrafish Tg(elavl3:eGFP) brain, as well as the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the brain tissues. The hippocampal neurons oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced ischemia-hypoxia model was constructed to evaluate the effects of different processed products of SMRR on oxidative damage of neuronal cells by taking lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), reactive oxygen species(ROS), MDA and SOD as indexes. Finally, principal component analysis(PCA), partial least squares-discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) and Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyze the 11 small molecule active components and 1 protein component with efficacy indicators, in order to screen the key components of the characteristic processed products with porcine cardiac blood for cerebral ischemic oxidative damage. ResultCompared with the raw products, the contents of water-soluble and fat-soluble components in processed products of SMRR increased to different degrees, while the content of salvianolic acid A decreased. Compared with the wine-processed products, the contents of salvianolic acid B, danshensu, rosmarinic acid and other components in the porcine cardiac blood-processed products, porcine blood-processed products, Tf-processed products were increased, while the content of salvianolic acid A was decreased. ELISA results showed that there was no significant difference in Tf content between the porcine cardiac blood-processed products, porcine blood-processed products, Tf-processed products. Pharmacological results showed that different processed products of SMRR could improve the behavioral deficits, brain neuronal injury and oxidative stress after ischemic stroke in zebrafish, and the effect of the porcine cardiac blood-processed products was most pronounced. PCA results showed that salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, danshensu, tanshinone ⅡA, caffeic acid, cryptotanshinone and tanshinone Ⅰ were the main contributing components of SMRR and its processed products. And the results of correlation analysis showed that the contents of cryptotanshinone, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ, salvianolic acid B, tanshinone ⅡA and tanshinone Ⅰ were negatively correlated with MDA level in zebrafish brain tissue, while the contents of lithospermic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, rosmarinic acid, dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ, salvianolic acid B and Tf were positively correlated with SOD level, and the contents of rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ, salvianolic acid B, tanshinone ⅡA, tanshinone Ⅰ, danshensu, Tf were positively correlated with neuronal fluorescence intensity in the zebrafish brain. And the contents of lithospermic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, rosmarinic acid, dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ, salvianolic acid B, tanshinone ⅡA and Tf were negatively correlated with LDH, ROS and MDA levels and positively correlated with SOD level. ConclusionThere are differences in the anti-ischemic oxidative damage effects of SMRR and its different processed products, among which the porcine cardiac blood-processed products has the strongest effect on improving oxidative damage, which may be related to the content changes of salvianolic acid B, danshensu, rosmarinic acid and other components. This study can provide a basis for clarifying the quality markers of SMRR processed with porcine cardiac blood for cerebral ischemia and elucidating its processing mechanism.
6.Changes in choroid plexus volume in healthy adults during natural ageing
Huilin PANG ; Zhiming ZHEN ; Meng ZENG ; Suyi ZHOU ; He LIU ; Wei CHEN ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(22):2547-2553
Objective To investigate age-and sex-related changes in choroid plexus(CP)volume in healthy adults,as well as its association with the volumes of other brain regions,and explore the relationship of CP volume changes with degenerative brain alterations.Methods A total of 320 healthy subjects aged between 18 and 85 years were prospectively recruited in Physical Examination Center of First Affiliated Hospital to Army Medical University during August 2023 and February 2024.These participants were randomly divided into 7.OT and 3.OT groups,with 160 people in each group.After all of them underwent sagittal three-dimensional structural MPRAGE scans of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)at 3.OT or7.OT,FreeSurfer 6.0 segmentation software was employed to obtain the volumes of CP and other brain regions automatically.Spearman analysis was applied to analyze the correlation of CP volume with age.Independent sample t-test analysis was applied to analyze the differences in CP volume between genders.Partial correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between CP volume and the volumes of other brain regions.Results A total of 311 subjects were included in the study.The results from both 3.OT and 7.OT MRI showed that CP volume was positively correlated with age(3.OT:r=0.462,P<0.001;7.OT:r=0.539,P<0.001).The males had significantly larger CP volume than the females(3.OT:1.4±0.47 vs 1.08±0.39 mL,P<0.001;7.OT:2.43±0.68 vs 1.98±0.38 mL,P<0.001).In addition,3.OT MRI revealed there was a significant positive correlation of CP volume with the volumes of white matter hyperintensities(WMH)and cerebrospinal fluid(P<0.001),as well as a negative correlation with the volumes of gray matter,white matter,hippocampus and thalamus(P<0.05).Conclusion CP volume is increased with ageing,with gender differences,independent of field strength and resolution.CP volume is correlated with WMH,hippocampus and other brain regions,suggesting that increment in CP volume is involved in age-related degenerative changes in the brain.Changes in CP volume might be regarded as a new imaging marker for the neurodegenerative changes.
7.Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Retinopathy and Its Correlation with Serum Inflammatory Factors and Adiponectin Levels
Hong-Yun WU ; Zhen-Xuan YUAN ; Fang CHEN ; Wei YE ; Li-Qun HU ; Xian-Zhong ZENG ; Zhe XU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(6):1371-1379
Objective To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy(T2DR)and to explore the correlation of TCM syndromes with serum inflammatory factors and adiponectin(APN)levels,so as to provide evidence for TCM syndrome differentiation of T2DR.Methods A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in 42 patients(involving 84 eyes)diagnosed as T2DR in the Department of Ophthalmology,Ganzhou People's Hospital from September 2022 to March 2023.The correlation between fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)staging and TCM syndrome differentiation in patients with T2DR was explored.The relationship between TCM syndrome types and serum levels of inflammatory factors and APN,as well as the differences in serum inflammatory factors and APN levels of the patients with various FFA stages were analyzed.The correlation between each variable and TCM syndrome types in patients with T2DR was investigated.Results(1)Among the 42 patients with T2DR,27 cases were male and 15 cases were female,and their age averaged(54.0±12.0)years old.Among them,14 cases(33.3%)were differentiated as liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collateral syndrome,15 cases(35.7%)were differentiated as yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome,9 cases(21.4%)were differentiated as qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome,4 cases(9.5%)were differentiated as yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome,and none case(0.0%)was differentiated as spleen dysfunction and water-damp obstruction syndrome.(2)FFA staging showed that FFA staging ≥ 4[i.e.,having proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)]was found in 78.6%(11/14)of the patients with liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome,73.3%(11/15)of the patients with yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome,100%(9/9)of the patients with qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome,and 100%(4/4)of the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome.But the intergroup comparison showed no significant differences among various syndrome types(P=0.272).(3)Among the 42 patients with T2DR,35 patients(83.3%)had higher level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),28 patients(68.3%)had higher level of C-reactive protein(CRP)and 38 patients(90.5%)had higher level of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)than the normal.However,there was no significant difference in the levels of serum inflammatory factors of TNF-α,CRP,interleukin-6(IL-6)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),APN and HbA1c among the patients with different FFA stages(P>0.05),neither did the difference in serum APN,TNF-α,CRP,IL-6 and VEGF levels among the patients with different TCM syndrome types(P>0.05).(4)The correlation analysis showed that the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome had a shorter course of eye diseases than the patients with liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome(r=-0.467,P=0.051),had higher CRP level than the patients with yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome(r=0.592,P=0.010),and had higher CRP level(r=0.668,P=0.013)and a longer course of diabetes(r=0.629,P=0.021)than the patients with qi-yin deficiency with collateral stasis and obstruction syndrome.Conclusion Increased serum TNF-α and CRP expressions are presented in the patients with T2DR.Liver-kidney deficiency with malnutrition of eye collaterals syndrome and yin-essence deficiency with internal dry-heat syndrome are the common syndromes in T2DR.Yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome is closely correlated with CRP level,and the patients with yin-yang deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation syndrome have a longer course of diabetes.
8.Recent advance in synaptic plasticity alteration in Fragile X syndrome
Na QI ; Xi WU ; Min LI ; Junyu HUANG ; Yan ZENG ; Liang CHEN ; Zhen WEI
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(4):404-408
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental synaptopathy caused by loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP); abnormal synaptic plasticity is the leading pathological cause of cognitive impairment, fear and anxiety, hyperactivity and stereotyped behavior in FXS patients. In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in functional study of synaptic plasticity in FXS, providing a new theoretical basis for FXS. This article mainly summarizes the dysregulation and influencing factors of synaptic plasticity in FXS, as well as the strategy of targeted synaptic plasticity in FXS, so as to deepen the understanding of medical workers.
9.A Single-Arm Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
Ting LIU ; Qing LI ; Zhen LIN ; Chunhua LIU ; Wei PU ; Shasha ZENG ; Jun LAI ; Xuebin CAI ; Lisha ZHANG ; Shuyang WANG ; Miao CHEN ; Wei CAO ; Hongfeng GOU ; Qing ZHU
Cancer Research and Treatment 2024;56(2):602-615
Purpose:
Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a poor survival. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen in Chinese advanced BTC patients.
Materials and Methods:
Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC administrated intravenous 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel, 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine, and 25 mg/m2 cisplatin every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events, while exploratory endpoint was the association of biomarkers with efficacy.
Results:
After the median follow-up of 25.0 months, the median PFS and OS of 34 enrolled patients were 7.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 13.7) and 16.4 months (95% CI, 10.9 to 23.6), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events at ≥ 3 grade were neutropenia (26.5%) and leukopenia (26.5%). Survival analyses demonstrated that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels could monitor patients’ survival outcomes. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating CD4+ cells (p=0.008) and a decrease in programmed death-1–positive (PD-1+) cells (p=0.032) were observed in the response patients.
Conclusion
In advanced BTC patients, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen showed therapeutic potential. Potential prognostic factors of CEA levels, number of CD4+ cells and PD-1+ cells may help us maximize the efficacy benefit.
10.Intervention effect of Chuanxiong-Chishao herb pair on circRNA/lncRNA expression profile in a myocardial infarction-atherosclerosis model.
Rong YUAN ; Zi-Han LI ; Mei-Wen HUANG ; Peng-Qi LI ; Yu MIAO ; Hui MO ; Li ZENG ; Zhen-Yu JU ; Qi-Qi XIN ; Wei-Hong CONG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(14):3890-3903
This study aimed to explore the intervention effect of Chuanxiong-Chishao herb pair(CX-CS) on a myocardial infarction-atherosclerosis(MI-AS) mouse model and investigate its effect on the expression profile of circular RNAs(circRNAs)/long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) in ischemic myocardium and aorta. Sixty male ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly assigned to a model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose CX-CS groups(7.8, 3.9, and 1.95 g·kg~(-1)), and a positive drug group(metoprolol 26 mg·kg~(-1) and simvastatin 5.2 mg·kg~(-1)), with 12 mice in each group. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the sham group. The mice in the model group and the groups with drug intervention were fed on a high-fat diet for 10 weeks, followed by anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After that, the mice were fed on a high-fat diet for another two weeks to induce the MI-AS model. The mice in the sham group received normal feed, followed by sham surgery without coronary artery ligation. Mice in the groups with drug intervention received CX-CS or positive drug by gavage for four weeks from the 9th week of high-fat feeding, and those in the model group and the sham group received an equal volume of normal saline. Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on the heart and aorta tissues of the medium-dose CX-CS group, the model group, and the sham group after administration. The results showed that the medium-and high-dose CX-CS groups showed improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis area, and the medium-dose CX-CS group showed significantly reduced plaque area. CX-CS treatment could reverse the expression of circRNA_07227 and circRNA_11464 in the aorta of AS model and circRNA expression(such as circRNA_11505) in the heart of the MI model. Differentially expressed circRNAs between the CX-CS-treated mice and the model mice were mainly enriched in lipid synthesis, lipid metabolism, lipid transport, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the aorta, and in angiogenesis, blood pressure regulation, and other processes in the heart. CX-CS treatment could reverse the expression of lncRNAs such as ENSMUST00000162209 in the aorta of the AS model and TCONS_00002123 in the heart of the MI model. Differentially expressed lncRNAs between the CX-CS-treated mice and model mice were mainly enriched in lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, autophagy, apoptosis, and iron death in the aorta, and in angiogenesis, autophagy, and iron death in the heart. In summary, CX-CS can regulate the expression of a variety of circRNAs and lncRNAs, and its intervention mechanism in coronary heart disease may be related to the regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation in ischemic myocardium, as well as lipid metabolism, lipid transport, inflammation, angiogenesis in AS aorta.
Animals
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Male
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Mice
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Atherosclerosis/genetics*
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Lipids
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Myocardial Infarction/genetics*
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RNA, Circular/genetics*
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RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*

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