1.Epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer
Minggang WANG ; Jiamei DONG ; Zhihua YE ; Xiang GAO ; Qi CHEN ; Xiaoqiao YU ; Hanmin LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):362-371
ObjectiveTo investigate the epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer by regulating DNA methylation, and to provide a basis for scientific clinical medication. MethodsA total of 48 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group, model group, and Diwu Yanggan Capsule group using a random number table, with 16 rats in each group. The Solt-Farber two-step method was used to establish a rat model of liver cancer. The rats in the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group were given Diwu Yanggan Capsule at a dose of 750 mg/kg/d by gavage, and those in the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. Liver tissue samples were collected from each group of rats after 16 weeks of continuous intervention; DNA methylation chips were used to analyze the change in DNA methylation in liver tissue, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for data analysis. In addition, the MeDIP-PCR technique was used to detect the changes in candidate differentially methylated genes such as YWHAB, ADCK2, ERLIN2, SEMA3B, and TPH2 in the liver tissue of rats, and Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to verify the expression of key methylated genes. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe DNA methylation chip analysis showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significant methylation changes in the promoter region of 2 422 genes in liver tissue of rats. The GO functional enrichment analysis and the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially methylated genes were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reversal of promoter methylation in 1 650 genes, and the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in the pathways closely associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and microenvironment regulation, such as the calcium ion signaling pathway, the cAMP signaling pathway, and the extracellular factor signaling pathway. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had a significant increase in the promoter methylation level of the ADCK2 gene (P<0.05) and significant reductions in the promoter methylation levels of the ERLIN2 and TPH2 genes (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels and the protein expression levels of the ADCK2 (all P<0.05). ConclusionAbnormal DNA methylation in liver tissue participates in the development and progression of liver cancer. The effect of Diwu Yanggan Capsule on DNA methylation level is an important epigenetic mechanism for its effect in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.
2.Under expanded stent of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with coronary thrombosis using intravascular lithotripsy:report of one case
Dong-biao YU ; Li-kun MA ; Hao HU ; Xiang-yong KONG ; Jin-sheng HUA ; Jian-yuan PAN ; Guang-yao YANG ; Hong-wu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(1):54-57
Coronary artery calcification often appears a variety of complex lesions,increasing coronary intervention of the difficulty of treatment,especially the severe calcification lesions,usually cannot be fully dilated,resulting in a reduced success rate of surgery,an increased rate of acute stent thrombosis and restenosis,and even a serious impact on the prognosis of patients.Intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)is increasingly used in calcified lesions.There is more and more evidence of using in stable angina pectoris and unstable angina pectoris,but its use in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is limited,and only a few cases have been reported abroad.Moreover,the consensus of Chinese experts in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery calcification in 2021 edition lists thrombotic lesions as contraindications of shock wave balloon.This case is the first time in China to report the use of shock wave balloon in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated with thrombus.In this case,the patient with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated with thrombus was severely under expanded stent after stent implantation,and obtain good curative effect using shockwave balloon at selected time in hospital after intensive anticoagulant therapy.
3.Measurement method based on EBT3 film technology for quality control detection of INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment
Yi-kun LI ; Wei DING ; Xia-yu HANG ; Jun HU ; Xiang-dong SUN ; Ai-jun XU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(6):47-53
Objective To propose an EBT3 film technology-based quality control measurement method for the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment to solve the problems of the traditional methods in cumbersome operation and setup error.Methods According to HJ 1198-2021 Requirements of radiation safety and protection for radiotherapy and GBZ 121-2020 Requirements for radiological protection in radiotherapy,the environmental radiation testing of the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment was carried out point by point by means of the radiation inspection instrument.The INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment was characterized by a point X-ray source(XRS),and the XRS was detected in terms of the probe linearity,radiation dose,dynamic deviation,isotropy and dose rate.The EBT3 film technology was used to verify the symmetry and isotropy of the XRS planar dose of INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment.Results The X-γ dose equivalent rate of each monitoring site of the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy device was lower than the method detection limit(MDL).The results of SQA quality control showed that the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment XRS met the quality control requirements in terms of the probe linearity,radiation dose,dynamic deviation and etc,and the isotropy differences in the+X,-X,+Y,and-Y axis directions ranged from-1.40%to 1.79%,which were all within the allowable range of measurement tolerance(5.60%to 5.65%).The results of measuring the isotropy of the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment based on the EBT3 film technology showed that the dose distribution of the XRS in the directions of the+X,-X,+Y,and-Y axes at the same plane was well isotropic,and that the doses in the directions of the X and Y axes were symmetrically distributed,and that the maximum skewness value for the isotropy of the XRS in the XY plane was-1.581%,which met the requirements of AAPM TG61 report on the reference dosimetry of low-energy and medium-energy X-rays for radiotherapy and radiobiology of≤±5.3%.Conclusion The EBT3 film technology-based measurement method gains high simplicity and feasibility for the isotropy of the INTRABEAM PRS500 intraoperative radiotherapy equipment in the directions of the+X,-X,+Y,and-Y axes at the same planet,which realizes the dynamic monitoring of the dosimetric changes and facilitates the whole-process quality control management of the intraoperative radiotherapy equipment.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):47-53]
4.Establishment and evaluation of a lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome model in minipigs
Chuang-Ye WANG ; Ran WANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Ling-Xiao QIU ; Bin QING ; Heng YOU ; Jin-Cheng LIU ; Bin WANG ; Nan-Bo WANG ; Jia-Yu LI ; Xing LIU ; Shuang WANG ; Jin HU ; Jian WEN ; Quan LI ; Xiao-Ou HUANG ; Kun ZHAO ; Shuang-Lin LIU ; Gang LIU ; Mei-Ju WANG ; Qing XIANG ; Hong-Mei WU ; Xiao-Rong SUN ; Tao GU ; Dong ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Zhi XU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(9):1154-1161
Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.
5.Influence of helical tomography radiotherapy planning parameters on threading effect
Ruo-qi CAO ; Xia-yu HANG ; Hua HUANG ; Xian-qiang SONG ; Jin-da ZHOU ; Yun-jie BAI ; Xiang-dong SUN ; Yi-kun LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(8):58-66
Objective To investigate the influence of helical tomographic radiotherapy plans with different combinations of lead gate width,pitch and algorithms on threading effects.Methods A target model was established with a Cheese Phantom used as the simulated human body,then three lead gate widths(1.0,2.5,and 5.0 cm),six screw pitches(0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287,0.430,and 0.500)and two computational grids(Fine algorithm and Normal algorithm)were respectively combined for designing the helical tomography radiotherapy plans.The radiotherapy plans with a pitch of 0.143,0.172,0.215,0.287 or 0.430 were enrolled into an experimental group,and the plans with a pitch of 0.500 were divided into a control group.The dosimetric parameters including maximum dose(Dmax),minimum dose(Dmin)and mean dose(Dmean)of the target area PTV1 and PTV2 were evaluated by the dose volume histogram(DVH).The dose homogeneity index(HI)of the target area was calculated,and the single rotation time and total treatment time of each plan were recorded and counted.SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results No significant threading effect appeared regardless of the pitch value when the lead gate width was 1.0 cm.The threading effects in the experimental group were weaker than those in the control group when the lead gate width was 2.5 or 5.0 cm.The threading effect gradually rose with the pitch increased when the lead gate width was 5.0 cm.The most significant difference was found between the threading effect in case of the screw pitch being 0.500 and that with the screw pitch being 0.143,with the differenes being statistically obvious(P<0.05).The lead gate width had significant effects on the Dmax,Dmin,Dmean and HI of PTV1 and PTV2.When the lead gate width was 5.0 cm,high HI value and uneven dose distribution were detected and lowered screw pitch weakened the threading effect.The single rotation time first remained constant and then increased with the screw pitch was enlarged,with the changing points occurring in case of the screw pitches of 0.287 and 0.430.With a certain lead gate width,the treatment time for plans was shortened with the decrease of the pitches in case of the pritches lower than 0.287,and tended to be constant after the screw pitches reached 0.287.The changes of the computational grid had no significant effects on the results of radiotherapy plans when the lead gate width and screw pitch were kept constant.Conclusion When designing a spiral tomotherapy plan with conventional doses,a lead gate width of 1.0 or 2.5 cm and a screw pitch of 0.287 or 0.430 should be selected in order to minimize the threading effect while ensuring the efficiency of plan implementation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(8):58-66]
6.Exploration of Heat Clearing Herbs with Anti-inflammatory and Anti-tumor Effects Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Pathogenic Factors of Pancreatitis-induced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Yana BAO ; Xiaonan ZHANG ; Xi GUAN ; Liang ZHAO ; Yuying CUI ; Yu WU ; Dong SHANG ; Hong XIANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(1):161-167
Background When discussing the new concept of"pancreas spleen integration"in the early stage,we proposed that dampness heat stagnation in the spleen and deficiency due to stagnation are the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathogenesis elements of pancreatitis-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,among which dampness heat is the soil of pancreatitis deteriorates into pancreatic cancer.Objective Based on the TCM pathogenesis elements of pancreatitis to cancer with"damp heat"as the main factor,data mining technology was used to analyze the properties,channel conversion and active ingredients of heat-clearing Chinese medicines with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects,and to summarize the drug characteristics of these Chinese medicines.To prospectively predict the use of drugs in the transformation process of pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer.Methods Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine(10th Edition of China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press)as the drug data source,66 heat-clearing herbs were searched in the literature database of CNKI and PubMed of inflammation * TCM or(inflammation+tumor)* TCM.The active ingredients were analyzed in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP).Results Among the 66 heat-clearing drugs(excluding adjunct drugs),58 herbs had anti-inflammatory effects,53 herbs had anti-tumor effects,and 48 herbs had both anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects.The three groups of drugs were mainly bitter,sweet and pungent in five flavors,and were mainly liver,stomach,lung,heart and large intestine in meridian affinity.Five flavors and meridian affinity were highly similar.In the TCMSP,the"five principles of drug class"were used to screen the active ingredients of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor drugs.A total of 1041 active ingredient data were screened,and 798 active ingredient data were screened after duplicate items were deleted.Top three active ingredients were Luteolin,Kaempferol and Acacetin.Conclusion Based on the analysis of five flavors,meridian affinity and active ingredients of heat-clearing medicine,this study found that the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of these Chinese herbs are highly overlapping,it has important guiding significance for the drug research and clinical prescription of pancreatitis-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
7.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
8.Association of NLRP3 genetic variant rs10754555 with early-onset coronary artery disease.
Lingfeng ZHA ; Chengqi XU ; Mengqi WANG ; Shaofang NIE ; Miao YU ; Jiangtao DONG ; Qianwen CHEN ; Tian XIE ; Meilin LIU ; Fen YANG ; Zhengfeng ZHU ; Xin TU ; Qing K WANG ; Zhilei SHAN ; Xiang CHENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2844-2846
9.Imaging guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer:A multicenter retrospective study
Shuilian TAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Ping LIANG ; Xiaoling YU ; Xin YE ; Gang DONG ; Xiang JING ; Guanghui HUANG ; Zhen WANG ; Mengfan PENG ; Yan ZHOU ; Jie YU ; Zhiyu HAN ; Fangyi LIU ; Hongjian GAO ; Yubo ZHANG ; Zhigang CHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(7):1109-1112
Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer.Methods Totally 84 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer were enrolled,and the technical success rate,complete ablation rate,complication rate,pain relief rate and survival time,etc.were observed.Results The median age of 84 cases was 61.5 years.Totally 86 tumors,including 44.19%(38/86)at the head/neck and 55.81%(48/86)at the body/tail of pancreas were detected,and a total of 85 ablation sessions were performed with the median ablation energy applied per tumor of 9.90(1.08,21.60)kJ and the complete ablation rate of 42.86%(36/84).The technical success rate was 100%(85/85).Thirty-nine complication events occurred in 25 cases,no ablation-related death.Among 34 patients underwent ablation mainly for pain symptoms,the pain score decreased from(6.22±1.12)points before treatment to(1.94±1.64)points after treatment(P<0.001).During 6.8(3.3,12.9)months' follow-up,the mean survival time was(8.5±6.7)months,and all 47 patients died due to tumor progression.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was safe and feasible for unresectable pancreatic cancer.
10.UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with network pharmacology reveals effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Wu DAI ; Dong-Xuan ZHENG ; Ruo-Yu GENG ; Li-Mei WEN ; Bo-Wei JU ; Qiang HOU ; Ya-Li GUO ; Xiang GAO ; Jun-Ping HU ; Jian-Hua YANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1938-1948
This study aims to reveal the effect and mechanism of Gentianella turkestanorum total extract(GTI) in ameliorating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to identify the chemical components in GTI. SwissTarget-Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD were utilized to screen the targets of GTI components and NASH. The common targets shared by GTI components and NASH were filtered through the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.0 to identify core targets, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. AutoDock was used for molecular docking of key components with core targets. A mouse model of NASH was established with a methionine-choline-deficient high-fat diet. A 4-week drug intervention was conducted, during which mouse weight was monitored, and the liver-to-brain ratio was measured at the end. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Sirius red staining, and oil red O staining were employed to observe the pathological changes in the liver tissue. The levels of various biomarkers, including aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), hydroxyproline(HYP), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH), in the serum and liver tissue were determined. RT-qPCR was conducted to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), collagen type I α1 chain(COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Western blotting was conducted to determine the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and potential drug targets identified through network pharmacology. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS identified 581 chemical components of GTI, and 534 targets of GTI and 1 157 targets of NASH were screened out. The topological analysis of the common targets shared by GTI and NASH identified core targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, protein kinase B(AKT), TNF, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG). GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the ameliorating effect of GTI on NASH was related to inflammatory responses and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT pathway. The staining results demonstrated that GTI ameliorated hepatocyte vacuolation, swelling, ballooning, and lipid accumulation in NASH mice. Compared with the model group, high doses of GTI reduced the AST, ALT, HYP, TC, and TG levels(P<0.01) while increasing the HDL-C, SOD, and GSH levels(P<0.01). RT-qPCR results showed that GTI down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COL1A1, and α-SMA(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that GTI down-regulated the protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT), phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha(p-IκBα), and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)(P<0.01). In summary, GTI ameliorates inflammation, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress associated with NASH by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics*
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Mice
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Network Pharmacology
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Male
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Liver/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Humans
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Mass Spectrometry
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Molecular Docking Simulation

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