1.Integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation for identification of mechanism of icariin targeting PLK1 in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma
Wei ZHANG ; Fenglian MA ; Xiangjun SUN
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(1):130-143
Objective:
To systematically elucidate the molecular mechanisms and core targets underlying the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) effects of icariin through integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation.
Methods:
Potential targets of icariin were screened using the PubChem database and SwissTargetPrediction platform, followed by intersection analysis with HCC-related genes from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed to characterize the biological functions of candidate targets. Key genes were identified using the random survival forest algorithm, and their associations with the tumor microenvironment were evaluated through immune infiltration analysis. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding affinity between icariin and its core targets, which was subsequently validated by in vitro enzyme inhibition assays. Functional targets were determined through overexpression experiments in HepG2 cells, and mechanistic investigations were conducted using Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation techniques. In vivo anti-tumor efficacy was evaluated using a subcutaneous HepG2 xenograft mouse model by monitoring tumor volume progression and endpoint tumor weight, and the impact of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) overexpression on icariin-mediated tumor growth inhibition was assessed.
Results:
Network pharmacology analysis identified 36 common targets between icariin and HCC, which were primarily enriched in hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), and forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathways. Among these, PLK1, ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1), and matrix metallopeptidase 3 (MMP3) were identified as key genes, with their high expression significantly associated with poor patient prognosis (P <
2.Clinical analysis of surgical resection after conversion therapy for patients with initially unresectable HCC
Xianzhou ZHANG ; Bo MENG ; Hao ZHUANG ; Yongnian REN ; Ju MA ; Haibo YU ; Min ZHANG ; Xiangjun QIAN ; Xiaopei HAO ; Feng HAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(10):727-731
Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of radical hepatectomy after conversion therapy in patients with initially unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 72 patients with initially unresectable advanced HCC admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the Department of Hepatobi-liary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected, including 61 males and 11 females, aged (58.4±9.1) years. The clinicopathological data of the patients, such as tumor characteristics, conversion treatment regimens, perioperative data, and follow-up situations were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety.Results:Among the patients, there were five cases of China liver cancer staging Ⅰb, six cases of Ⅱa, 22 cases of Ⅱb, 32 cases of Ⅲa and sevene cases of Ⅲb. There were 53 patients scored as Child-Pugh A and 19 as Child-Pugh B. Conversion treatment fashion included immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy plus targeted therapy combined with hepatic arterial chemoembolization or hepatic arteryinfusion chemotherapy. Liver resection after conversion therapy was as follows: 16 cases of right hemihepatectomy, 20 cases of left hemihepatectomy, 11 cases of mesohepatectomy, seven cases of right posterior hepatectomy, 1 case of caudate lobectomy, 17 cases of local resection. Postoperative pathology showed that there were 17 cases of pathologic complete response and 55 cases of pathologic partial response. One patient died of liver failure after surgery, while the rest had no major complications. The postoperative hospital stay was (13.1±5.1) d. The follow-up time was 21.5(10.2, 32.1) months. The multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that pathologic partial response and adjuvant therapy duration shorter than 5 cycles were identified as independent risk factors-affecting both recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients with HCC undergoing sequential surgery after conversion therapy (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Sequential surgical resection provides survival benefits for patients with initially unresectable and advanced HCC after conversion therapy, which is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.
3.Application of radiomics and emerging imaging features in diagnosis and treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations
Xiangjun XIAO ; Yuhang ZHANG ; Zhe LI ; Qi WU ; Guoli DUAN ; Jianmin LIU ; Qiang LI
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(9):1103-1107
Radiomics provides quantitative support for the diagnosis,treatment strategy and prognosis evaluation of brain arteriovenous malformation(bAVM)through high-throughput analysis of imaging data,and it also shows significant advantages in clinical symptom prediction,personalized treatment and clinical outcome prediction.Emerging imaging techniques,such as blood oxygen level-dependent cerebrovascular reactivity imaging and ultrasound technology,provide a new perspective for evaluating the hemodynamic changes and epilepsy susceptibility associated with bAVM.In addition,advances in deep learning algorithms in automatic segmentation of bAVM lesions have greatly improved the accuracy and efficiency of segmentation.With the continuous progress of imaging technology,data analysis algorithms and software,radiomics is expected to play a greater role in precision medicine and individualized treatment,bringing better diagnosis and treatment services and better treatment effects for bAVM patients.
4.Analyzing the dysfunction of the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy glymphatic system based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space index
Zhaojie WANG ; Qiang XU ; Yuzhuo LI ; Jianrui LI ; Yiwen CHEN ; Fang YANG ; Chenxi SHEN ; Xiangjun JI ; Gang YANG ; Guangming LU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(2):168-176
Objective:To investigate the differences of the glymphatic system (GS) function between patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-HS) and healthy controls and between different seizure types by using diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular space (DTI-ALPS), and to analyze the correlation between GS function and the course of disease, as well as the efficacy of predicting the surgical outcome.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 171 patients with mTLE-HS (mTLE-HS group) and 75 healthy volunteers (HC group) were retrospectively enrolled from July 2009 to July 2021 at Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. The general information of all subjects, such as seizure type (partial seizure, secondary generalized seizure), surgical outcome, etc., was analyzed. The 3D magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo T 1WI and DTI sequence images were collected. The VBM analysis method was used to segment cerebrospinal fluid and calculate the volume. The ALPS index of the bilateral brain was calculated using the Atlas-based DTI-ALPS method. Independent sample t-test or paired t test were used to compare the ALPS index between the mTLE-HS group and HC group, and between patients with different seizure types. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between bilateral ALPS index and disease duration in mTLE-HS group. The predictive value of the ALPS index for surgical outcomes was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the curve. Results:Among the 171 mTLE-HS patients, 98 patients were mTLE with left-side HS (mTLE-LHS) and 73 patients were mTLE with right-side HS (mTLE-RHS); 37 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 27 with good prognosis and 10 with poor prognosis. Compared with the HC group, the left-side ALPS index of mTLE-LHS and mTLE-RHS were both decreased ( P<0.05). The right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS was lower than that in the HC group ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the right-side ALPS index between mTLE-LHS and HC group ( P=0.080). The ALPS index on the affected side of patients with secondary generalized seizures was significantly lower than that of patients with only partial seizures (all P<0.05), but the difference in ALPS index on the healthy side was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The left-side and right-side ALPS index in mTLE-LHS were negatively correlated with disease duration ( r=-0.272, P=0.007; r=-0.307, P=0.002), but no significant correlation was found between the left-side or right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS (all P>0.05). The DTI-ALPS index on the affected side in mTLE-HS patients exhibited good diagnostic accuracy for surgical outcome classification, with an area under the curve of 0.778. Conclusions:The patients with mTLE-HS exhibit dysfunction of the GS, and the degree of impairment is related to the type of seizure and the course of epilepsy. The ALPS index, which characterizes the function of GS, demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for classifying surgical outcomes.
5.Analyzing the dysfunction of the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy glymphatic system based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space index
Zhaojie WANG ; Qiang XU ; Yuzhuo LI ; Jianrui LI ; Yiwen CHEN ; Fang YANG ; Chenxi SHEN ; Xiangjun JI ; Gang YANG ; Guangming LU ; Zhiqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(2):168-176
Objective:To investigate the differences of the glymphatic system (GS) function between patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE-HS) and healthy controls and between different seizure types by using diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular space (DTI-ALPS), and to analyze the correlation between GS function and the course of disease, as well as the efficacy of predicting the surgical outcome.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 171 patients with mTLE-HS (mTLE-HS group) and 75 healthy volunteers (HC group) were retrospectively enrolled from July 2009 to July 2021 at Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University. The general information of all subjects, such as seizure type (partial seizure, secondary generalized seizure), surgical outcome, etc., was analyzed. The 3D magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo T 1WI and DTI sequence images were collected. The VBM analysis method was used to segment cerebrospinal fluid and calculate the volume. The ALPS index of the bilateral brain was calculated using the Atlas-based DTI-ALPS method. Independent sample t-test or paired t test were used to compare the ALPS index between the mTLE-HS group and HC group, and between patients with different seizure types. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between bilateral ALPS index and disease duration in mTLE-HS group. The predictive value of the ALPS index for surgical outcomes was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics curve and area under the curve. Results:Among the 171 mTLE-HS patients, 98 patients were mTLE with left-side HS (mTLE-LHS) and 73 patients were mTLE with right-side HS (mTLE-RHS); 37 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 27 with good prognosis and 10 with poor prognosis. Compared with the HC group, the left-side ALPS index of mTLE-LHS and mTLE-RHS were both decreased ( P<0.05). The right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS was lower than that in the HC group ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the right-side ALPS index between mTLE-LHS and HC group ( P=0.080). The ALPS index on the affected side of patients with secondary generalized seizures was significantly lower than that of patients with only partial seizures (all P<0.05), but the difference in ALPS index on the healthy side was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The left-side and right-side ALPS index in mTLE-LHS were negatively correlated with disease duration ( r=-0.272, P=0.007; r=-0.307, P=0.002), but no significant correlation was found between the left-side or right-side ALPS index in mTLE-RHS (all P>0.05). The DTI-ALPS index on the affected side in mTLE-HS patients exhibited good diagnostic accuracy for surgical outcome classification, with an area under the curve of 0.778. Conclusions:The patients with mTLE-HS exhibit dysfunction of the GS, and the degree of impairment is related to the type of seizure and the course of epilepsy. The ALPS index, which characterizes the function of GS, demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for classifying surgical outcomes.
6.Clinical analysis of surgical resection after conversion therapy for patients with initially unresectable HCC
Xianzhou ZHANG ; Bo MENG ; Hao ZHUANG ; Yongnian REN ; Ju MA ; Haibo YU ; Min ZHANG ; Xiangjun QIAN ; Xiaopei HAO ; Feng HAN
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(10):727-731
Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of radical hepatectomy after conversion therapy in patients with initially unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 72 patients with initially unresectable advanced HCC admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the Department of Hepatobi-liary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected, including 61 males and 11 females, aged (58.4±9.1) years. The clinicopathological data of the patients, such as tumor characteristics, conversion treatment regimens, perioperative data, and follow-up situations were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety.Results:Among the patients, there were five cases of China liver cancer staging Ⅰb, six cases of Ⅱa, 22 cases of Ⅱb, 32 cases of Ⅲa and sevene cases of Ⅲb. There were 53 patients scored as Child-Pugh A and 19 as Child-Pugh B. Conversion treatment fashion included immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy plus targeted therapy combined with hepatic arterial chemoembolization or hepatic arteryinfusion chemotherapy. Liver resection after conversion therapy was as follows: 16 cases of right hemihepatectomy, 20 cases of left hemihepatectomy, 11 cases of mesohepatectomy, seven cases of right posterior hepatectomy, 1 case of caudate lobectomy, 17 cases of local resection. Postoperative pathology showed that there were 17 cases of pathologic complete response and 55 cases of pathologic partial response. One patient died of liver failure after surgery, while the rest had no major complications. The postoperative hospital stay was (13.1±5.1) d. The follow-up time was 21.5(10.2, 32.1) months. The multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that pathologic partial response and adjuvant therapy duration shorter than 5 cycles were identified as independent risk factors-affecting both recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients with HCC undergoing sequential surgery after conversion therapy (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Sequential surgical resection provides survival benefits for patients with initially unresectable and advanced HCC after conversion therapy, which is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy.
7.Survival analysis on HIV/AIDS cases newly received antiretroviral therapy who coinfected with hepatitis B virus in Jiangsu Province, 2005-2020
Tao QIU ; Ping DING ; Zhi ZHANG ; Xiangjun ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(2):220-224
Objective:To analyze the incidence of co-infection of HIV and HBV and death in HIV/AIDS cases who newly received antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2005-2020 in Jiangsu Province.Methods:According to the baseline and follow-up data of HIV/AIDS cases on ART enrolled between January 2005 and December 2020, the last follow-up clinical visit was up until December 31, 2022, the national information system was retrospectively collected for HIV/AIDS cases from Chinese System Disease for Control and Prevention. Excel database was established, and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 16.0 software. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curves, the log rank test was used to compare the survival curves, and Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to assess the mortality and potential risk factors.Results:There were 33 322 HIV/AIDS cases that newly received ART during 2005-2020.The rate of HBsAg test was 57.3%(19 098/33 322). Among HIV/AIDS cases tested HBsAg, the ratio of male to female was 7.1∶1 (16 745∶2 353), the average age was (39.4±14.0) years old, 49.5% (9 446/19 098) of the HIV/AIDS cases were married, 57.8% (11 048/19 098) were infected with HIV through homosexual contact and 36.6% (6 990/19 098) were through heterosexual contact. The M ( Q1, Q3) of CD4 +T lymphocytes (CD4) counts at ART initiation was 297 (166, 445) cells/μl. A total of 8.2% (1 566/19 098, 95% CI:7.8%-8.6%) were HBsAg positive. There were 1 062 HIV/AIDS died by December 31, 2022. The log rank test showed that there were differences in survival curves between HIV/AIDS co-infected with HBV or not ( χ2=28.07, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis of the Cox proportional risk regression model showed that enrollment year, age, marital status, route of HIV infection, baseline CD4 counts before ART, and co-HBV infection were the influencing factors for HIV/AIDS death (all P<0.05), compared with those enrolled in 2015 and before, age ≥45 years, and those who were unmarried. Those enrolled in treatment from 2016 to 2020, those younger than 45 years, and married/cohabitation had a lower risk of death. Compared with baseline CD4 counts ≥201 cells/μl, other routes of infection, and HIV infection alone, baseline CD4 counts ≤200 cells/μl, injecting drug use, and co-HBV infection were associated with a higher risk of death. Conclusion:Effective treatment for coinfection with HBV and HBV vaccination for HBV-negative people with HIV should be integrated into HIV treatment programs to reduce HIV-related mortality in Jiangsu Province, 2005-2020.
8.Relationship between microRNA-29a and PUMA in propofol-induced reduction of glucose deprivation-induced injury to human giloma cells
Yunxia WANG ; Zexia TAN ; Xinlei ZHANG ; Xiangjun ZHOU ; Yu LU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(12):1495-1498
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between microRNA-29a (miR-29a) and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) in propofol-induced reduction of glucose deprivation (GD)-induced injury to human glioma cells.Methods:Human glioma U87 cells were cultured in vitro to the logarithmic growth phase. Cells were then divided into 6 groups ( n=24 each) by the random number table method: control group (group C), group GD, propofol + GD group (group P+ GD), miR-29a inhibitor group (group I), miR-29a inhibitor + GD group (group I+ GD) and miR-29a inhibitor+ propofol+ GD group (group I+ P+ GD). Cells were cultured in normal condition in group C. The culture medium was changed to glucose-free DMEM solution, and the cells were cultured for 12 h in group GD. In group P+ GD, cells were incubated with propofol 10 μmol/L for 12 h and then incubated in glucose-free DMEM solution for 12 h. In group I, group I+ GD and group I+ P+ GD, miR-29a inhibitor was transfected into cells using lipofectamine transfection kit, and then the cells were cultured for 48 h, and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group P+ GD. The cell survival rate, mitochondrial membrane potential and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. The expression of miR-29a was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the expression PUMA was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the cell survival rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly decreased, the level of ROS was increased, the expression of miR-29a was down-regulated, and the expression of PUMA was up-regulated in group GD and group I ( P<0.05). Compared with group GD, the cell survival rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly increased, the level of ROS was decreased, the expression of miR-29a was up-regulated, and the expression of PUMA was down-regulated in group P+ GD, and the cell survival rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly decreased, the level of ROS was increased, the expression of miR-29a was down-regulated, and the expression of PUMA was up-regulated in group I+ GD ( P<0.05). Compared with group P+ GD, the cell survival rate and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly decreased, the level of ROS was increased, the expression of miR-29a was down-regulated, and the expression of PUMA was up-regulated in group I+ P+ GD ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which propofol reduces glucose deprivation-induced injury to human glioma cells is related to up-regulation of miR-29a expression and down-regulation of PUMA expression.
9.Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of open skin avulsion injuries of the lower leg (version 2024)
Hao ZHANG ; Wenjun LI ; Xianyou ZHENG ; Qingtang ZHU ; Wei CHEN ; Xiangjun BAI ; Sheng LU ; Yun XIE ; Hua CHEN ; Gang LUO ; Xin WANG ; Xiaoqing HE ; Tengbo YU ; Aixi YU ; Jianzheng ZHANG ; Zhao XIE ; Juyu TANG ; Zhenbing CHEN ; Guangyue ZHAO ; Jiacan SU ; Long BI ; Tianbing WANG ; Zhenyu PAN
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(12):1071-1081
Skin avulsion injuries of the lower leg are common in clinical practice, which can easily lead to skin necrosis and infection of the lower leg, and have a significant impact on the appearance and function of the lower limb. Among them, the open avulsion injury has the highest incidence and is often accompanied by multiple tissue injuries. Therefore, improper diagnosis and treatment may cause skin and soft tissue defects of the lower leg combined with bone exposure or even bone defects, seriously impairing patients′ life and health. In order to have a better understanding of the open skin avulsion injury of the lower leg, achieve precise diagnosis and treatment and improve prognosis, the Chinese Society of Traumatology of Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Association of Microsurgeons of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the related fields to formulate Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of open skin avulsion injuries of the lower leg ( version 2024) based on evidence-based medicine principles. A total of 16 recommendations were proposed on the diagnosis, treatment, postoperative rehabilitation of open lower leg skin avulsion injury, so as to provide a reference for its diagnosis and treatment.
10.Study on the differential markers of Morus alba leaves before and after baked with honey based on fingerprint and chemometrics
Beibei YAN ; Xiaoping ZHANG ; Huanyun QIN ; Xiangjun ZHAO ; Bingmei SHAO ; Jingzhen TIAN ; Dalong MA
China Pharmacy 2024;35(10):1198-1202
OBJECTIVE To compare the changes of chemical components of Morus alba leaves, screen differential markers, and determine their contents, so as to provide reference for quality control of M. alba leaves before and after baked with honey. METHODS The fingerprints of M. alba leaves before and after baked with honey were established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The common peaks of the fingerprints were identified and the similarity was evaluated. The differential markers of M. alba leaves before and after baked with honey were screened by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) using common peak are of raw material and product baked with honey of M. alba leaves as index. The quantitative analysis was carried out. RESULTS Twenty-three and twenty-four common peaks were identified from the HPLC fingerprint spectra of ten batches of raw material and ten batches of product baked with honey of M. alba leaves, respectively. The similarities of HPLC fingerprints for raw material and product baked with honey of M. alba leaves were all greater than 0.97. The results of PCA showed that raw material and product baked with honey of M. alba leaves could be divided into two categories. The results of OPLS-DA showed that the variable importance in projection of peak 2, peak H (5- hydroxymethylfurfural), peak 1, peak 17 (isochlorogenic acid C) and peak 16 were all greater than 1. The average contents of differential marker of isochlorogenic acid C in raw material and product baked with honey of M. alba leaves were 0.093 6 and 0.127 8 mg/g, respectively; there was statistical significance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Five differential markers such as isochlorogenic acid C are obtained. The content of isochlorogenic acid C in M. alba leaves is significantly increased after baked with honey.

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