1.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
2.Skeleton Binding Protein 1 of Plasmodium berghei Influences Deformability and Cytoskeletal Ultrastructure of Infected Erythrocyte
Xin-Yue GUO ; Huan-Qi ZHAO ; Yan-Xuan ZHONG ; Ru-Meng JIANG ; Yao-Xian LI ; Lei-Ting PAN ; Qian WANG ; Xiao-Yu SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1015-1027
ObjectiveThe malaria parasites remodel the host erythrocyte structure by exporting parasite proteins that interact with the membrane skeleton proteins of red blood cells (RBCs), facilitating their intracellular survival and pathogenicity. Skeleton-binding protein 1 (SBP1) is a conserved exported protein across Plasmodium species. In Plasmodium falciparum, SBP1 has been reported to interact with erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins 4.1R and spectrin, while its contribution to erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence in Plasmodium berghei (Pb) remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether PbSBP1 associates with the host cytoskeletal protein 4.1R and to investigate its role in the remodeling of host RBCs and the pathogenicity of Plasmodium berghei. MethodsIn Plasmodium berghei, the relationship between PbSBP1 and the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R was examined using co-immunoprecipitation. A Pbsbp1 gene knockout mutant of Plasmodium berghei (Pbsbp1∆) was generated based on the principle of double crossover homologous recombination. The deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was assessed using microfluidic methods. Microchannels with an array of cylindrical pillars were used to detect modifications in infected RBC deformability. The infected RBCs were squashed between the rows and recovered between the columns and the transit velocity (μm/s) of infected RBCs travelling through the microchannel was recorded. The component of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton junctional complex, tropomodulin (TMOD), was fluorescently labeled, and the cytoskeletal network of infected erythrocytes was imaged using super-resolution stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) to analyze ultrastructural changes in the cytoskeleton of wild-type (WT) and Pbsbp1∆-infected erythrocytes. Actin-based junctional complexes were displayed as individual clusters by the labeled TMOD in the STORM images, and the cluster densities and distances between adjacent clusters of infected RBCs were calculated. Additionally, rodent malaria models (BALB/c mice) and experimental cerebral malaria models (C57BL/6 mice) were employed to monitor the growth of Pbsbp1∆ and WT parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage and their capacity to induce cerebral malaria in mice. ResultsPbSBP1 may participate in the remodeling of infected erythrocytes through direct or indirect interaction with the erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein 4.1R. Microfluidic assays revealed that the deformability of erythrocytes infected with Pbsbp1∆ parasites was significantly enhanced compared to those infected with WT parasites. STORM imaging further demonstrated that the ultrastructure of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in Pbsbp1∆-infected cells was altered relative to that in WT-infected erythrocytes. The distances between nearest neighbors of clusters had a tendency to increase while the cluster densities were decreased in Pbsbp1∆-infected RBCs compared to WT-infected RBCs. Subsequent phenotypic analysis indicated that the growth rate of Pbsbp1∆ parasites during the intraerythrocytic stage was significantly slower than that of WT parasites, and their ability to induce cerebral malaria in mice was also attenuated. These findings suggest that PbSBP1 is involved in the remodeling of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, likely through its direct or indirect interaction with protein 4.1R, thereby regulating the deformability of infected erythrocytes and influencing the pathogenicity of the blood-stage parasites. ConclusionThis study establishes a role for PbSBP1 in host erythrocyte remodeling and parasite virulence, providing new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
3.Research on the development of entrustable professional activity indicators for residents in China: a systematic review
Jingyu ZHONG ; Yue XING ; Liangjing LÜ ; Qinghua MIN ; Zhengguang XIAO ; Caisong ZHU ; Dandan SHI ; Xiaoyu FAN ; Jingshen CHU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yi JIANG ; Weiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(6):728-735
Objective:To systematically evaluate the current status of research on the development of indicators for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) of residents in China.Methods:We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Airiti Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for literature on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China published between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data, followed by descriptive analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for expert opinion. Quantitative data were presented as medians (ranges) and qualitative data were presented as frequencies (percentages).Results:A total of eight articles were included, in which two general EPA indicator systems and six specialty-specific EPA indicator systems were developed for residents. The overall quality of the research was high, with the main shortcomings related to the methods used in the process of constructing the consensus indicators. The number of experts recruited ranged from 22 to 45, with 100.00% response rate, high authority coefficients (0.820-0.914), and high coordination coefficients (0.157-0.741). Most of the studies used literature reviews as one source for the indicator pool (8 studies, 100.00%), employed the Delphi method to reach consensus (6 studies, 75.00%), and provided inclusion criteria for the indicators (7 studies, 87.50%). However, only one study (12.50%) explored the practical application of the developed indicators, and none of the studies set indicator weights or conducted quality assessments. The number of EPA indicators developed ranged from 10 to 38 per study. The reporting of EPA indicators was included in most studies regarding titles (8 studies, 100.00%) and the expected levels of entrustment at various stages of training (6 studies, 75.00%), but the reporting on other aspects was lacking. Among the specialty-specific EPA indicators, 38.39% overlapped with the general EPAs indicators.Conclusions:The research on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China is still in its early stages, and there is room for improvement in methodological quality and reporting coverage. There is partial overlap between specialty-specific and general EPA indicators, failing to fully reflect the unique characteristics of different specialties.
4.An investigation of the current status of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors
Jingyu ZHONG ; Yue XING ; Qinghua MIN ; Zhengguang XIAO ; Caisong ZHU ; Dandan SHI ; Xiaoyu FAN ; Jingshen CHU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yi JIANG ; Weiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):577-582
Objective:To investigate the current status of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors, and to discuss the potential problems and development trends of this field.Methods:Related data were collected from the information platform of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools by Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, and the characteristics of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors were extracted for analysis. Categorical data were expressed as frequency (percentage), and continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation.Results:A total of 83 Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors were included in the study, accounting for only 3.45% (83/2 406) of all programs. Chinese partners in these cooperative programs were mainly from East China (41 programs, 49.40%), while foreign partners were mainly from Europe (39 programs, 46.99%). The mean duration of these programs was (3.61±0.88) years, with an enrollment of (87.08±35.52) students. Most of the students were included in National General Higher Education Enrollment Plan (79 programs, 95.18%), and the main majors included nursing (39 programs, 46.99%), medical technology (19 programs, 22.89%), and clinical medicine (11 programs, 13.25%), with the main enrollment level of junior college (45 programs, 54.22%). Chinese partners in the cooperative programs mainly issued academic certificate (45 programs, 54.22%) or academic certificate plus degree certificate (36 programs, 43.37%), while most foreign partners did not issue such certificates (44 programs, 53.01%).Conclusions:There are several problems in Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors, such as a limited number of programs, a significant regional difference, an imbalanced distribution of specialties, a low level of education, and inconsistency in issuance of certificates, which still requires further improvement and standardization. However, there are also high-level and high-quality programs for reference.
5.Effects of Jiaotai Pills on high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obese mice
Hui WANG ; Lin YUAN ; Na HU ; Min LIN ; Yi JIANG ; Min LU ; Xiao-nan WANG ; Xiong LU ; Xiao-yu ZHONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(2):446-452
AIM To study the effects of Jiaotai Pills and their single composition drugs on high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obese mice.METHODS C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group(15 mice)and the high-fat group(75 mice).The mice given 12 weeks of high-fat diet feeding were further randomly divided into the model group,the Jiaotai Pills group,the Coptis chinensis group,the Cinnamomum cassia group and the positive metformin group,with 15 mice in each group.After 6 weeks of administration,the mice had their body weight and fasting blood glucose(FBG)levels detected;their hypothalamic expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and Socs3 mRNA detected by RT-qPCR;their hypothalamic expressions of TLR4,MyD88,IKKβ and activated NF-κB protein detected by Western blot;their hypothalamic expressions of Iba1 and GFAP detected by immunohistochemistry;and their ultrastructural changes of nerve tissues observed using transmission electron microscopy(TEM).RESULTS Compared with the model group,each drug group displayed decreased hypothalamic expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and Socs3 mRNA(P<0.01),and improved number and morphology of nerve cells revealed by TEM.The groups intervened with Jiaotai Pills,or Coptis chinensis,or metformin shared decreased body weight and FBG levels(P<0.05);decreased protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,IKKβ and p-NF-κB(P<0.05);and decreased number of hypothalamic astrocytes and microglia(P<0.05).Additionally,decreased p-NF-κB protein expression was observed in the Cinnamomum cassia group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Jiaotai Pills and their single composition drugs can improve high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obese mice.
6.Research on the development of entrustable professional activity indicators for residents in China: a systematic review
Jingyu ZHONG ; Yue XING ; Liangjing LÜ ; Qinghua MIN ; Zhengguang XIAO ; Caisong ZHU ; Dandan SHI ; Xiaoyu FAN ; Jingshen CHU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yi JIANG ; Weiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(6):728-735
Objective:To systematically evaluate the current status of research on the development of indicators for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) of residents in China.Methods:We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Airiti Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for literature on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China published between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data, followed by descriptive analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for expert opinion. Quantitative data were presented as medians (ranges) and qualitative data were presented as frequencies (percentages).Results:A total of eight articles were included, in which two general EPA indicator systems and six specialty-specific EPA indicator systems were developed for residents. The overall quality of the research was high, with the main shortcomings related to the methods used in the process of constructing the consensus indicators. The number of experts recruited ranged from 22 to 45, with 100.00% response rate, high authority coefficients (0.820-0.914), and high coordination coefficients (0.157-0.741). Most of the studies used literature reviews as one source for the indicator pool (8 studies, 100.00%), employed the Delphi method to reach consensus (6 studies, 75.00%), and provided inclusion criteria for the indicators (7 studies, 87.50%). However, only one study (12.50%) explored the practical application of the developed indicators, and none of the studies set indicator weights or conducted quality assessments. The number of EPA indicators developed ranged from 10 to 38 per study. The reporting of EPA indicators was included in most studies regarding titles (8 studies, 100.00%) and the expected levels of entrustment at various stages of training (6 studies, 75.00%), but the reporting on other aspects was lacking. Among the specialty-specific EPA indicators, 38.39% overlapped with the general EPAs indicators.Conclusions:The research on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China is still in its early stages, and there is room for improvement in methodological quality and reporting coverage. There is partial overlap between specialty-specific and general EPA indicators, failing to fully reflect the unique characteristics of different specialties.
7.An investigation of the current status of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors
Jingyu ZHONG ; Yue XING ; Qinghua MIN ; Zhengguang XIAO ; Caisong ZHU ; Dandan SHI ; Xiaoyu FAN ; Jingshen CHU ; Huan ZHANG ; Yi JIANG ; Weiwu YAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):577-582
Objective:To investigate the current status of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors, and to discuss the potential problems and development trends of this field.Methods:Related data were collected from the information platform of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools by Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, and the characteristics of Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors were extracted for analysis. Categorical data were expressed as frequency (percentage), and continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation.Results:A total of 83 Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors were included in the study, accounting for only 3.45% (83/2 406) of all programs. Chinese partners in these cooperative programs were mainly from East China (41 programs, 49.40%), while foreign partners were mainly from Europe (39 programs, 46.99%). The mean duration of these programs was (3.61±0.88) years, with an enrollment of (87.08±35.52) students. Most of the students were included in National General Higher Education Enrollment Plan (79 programs, 95.18%), and the main majors included nursing (39 programs, 46.99%), medical technology (19 programs, 22.89%), and clinical medicine (11 programs, 13.25%), with the main enrollment level of junior college (45 programs, 54.22%). Chinese partners in the cooperative programs mainly issued academic certificate (45 programs, 54.22%) or academic certificate plus degree certificate (36 programs, 43.37%), while most foreign partners did not issue such certificates (44 programs, 53.01%).Conclusions:There are several problems in Chinese-foreign cooperative education programs for medical majors, such as a limited number of programs, a significant regional difference, an imbalanced distribution of specialties, a low level of education, and inconsistency in issuance of certificates, which still requires further improvement and standardization. However, there are also high-level and high-quality programs for reference.
8.Diagnosis and Treatment of a Case of Spironolactone-Associated Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia After Renal Transplantation
Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Chao ZHENG ; Yu FU ; Hanbin XIONG ; Bin ZOU ; Baolin WANG ; Hua ZOU ; Chenglong YIN ; Zhengyao JIANG ; Sheng ZOU ; Anle DU ; Guohui LI ; Xiaohui GUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jiake HE
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1562-1565
Objective To explore the identification method,pathogenesis,clinical characteristics and individualized pharmacotherapy of asymptomatic hyperuricemia after renal transplantation.Methods The pharmacist was on duty at the organ transplant outpatient clinic.During this time,they analyzed and sorted out the medications,identified and differentiated a case of asymptomatic hyperuricemia related to spironolactone in a patient who had undergone a renal transplant,and provided comprehensive care throughout the entire process.Results The asymptomatic hyperuricemia in this patient might be associated with spironolactone,and the adverse reactions of the patient were alleviated by pharmacists through optimizing clinical treatment.Up to now,no hyperuricemia occurred.Conclusions Pharmacists are required to collaborate closely with clinicians to establish medication profiles for patients under long-term follow-up and to closely monitor and evaluate drug-related adverse reactions.Additionally,they should assess the renal function and immune status of transplant recipients promptly and formulate individualized treatment plans in order to enhance the long-term survival of both the transplanted kidneys and the recipients.
9.Effects of epifriedelanol on gene expression of P-glycoprotein in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line LS174T
Jie JIANG ; Xiao-li ZHANG ; Shi-jia XIANG ; Li-hua YAO ; Guo-ping ZHONG ; Min HUANG ; Yu-hua LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(1):50-54
Objective To investigate the effect of epifriedelanol(Epi)on gene expression of P-glycoprotein(P-gp)in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line LS174T and its mechanism.Methods LS174T cells were divided into control group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.Experimental-L,-M,-H groups were treated with 5,10,20 μmol·L-1 Epi,respectively.Control group was treated with 0.1%dimethyl sulfoxide.Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression level of P-gp.Theeffect of Epi on multidrug resistance protein 1(MDR1/P-gp)luciferase activity was investigated by pregnane X receptor(PXR)-MDR1/P-gp dual luciferase reporter gene assay.In addition,Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression level of P-gp and the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway related proteins.Results The relative expression levels of P-gp mRNA in experimental-M,-H groups and control group were 52.24±5.19,23.00±3.52 and 100.00±9.00;the relative expression levels of P-gp protein were 86.37±9.96,74.85±15.92 and 100.00±12.91;the relative activities P-gp luciferase were 230.19±41.32,203.10±52.84 and 279.67±19.20;the relative expression levels of p65(RelA/p65)in nucleus were 132.36±23.93,145.96±25.15 and 100.00±10.88;the relative expression levels of phosphorylation NF-κB inhibits protein kinase α/β(p-IKKα/β)in cytoplasm were 184.00±54.82,290.10±49.59 and 100.00±15.34;the relative expression levels of phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitory protein α(p-IκBα)in cytoplasm were 125.73±18.77,133.69±20.25 and 100.00±8.12;the relative expression levels of IκBα in cytoplasm were 78.36±14.83,70.44±14.57 and 100.00±22.82,respectively.The above indexes of experimental-M and experimental-H groups were compared with control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion Epi can down-regulate the gene expression of P-gp in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line LS174T,and the mechanism may be related to activation of NF-κB and suppression of PXR.
10.Diagnosis and Treatment of a Case of Spironolactone-Associated Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia After Renal Transplantation
Yun XIAO ; Xiaoyu HAN ; Chao ZHENG ; Yu FU ; Hanbin XIONG ; Bin ZOU ; Baolin WANG ; Hua ZOU ; Chenglong YIN ; Zhengyao JIANG ; Sheng ZOU ; Anle DU ; Guohui LI ; Xiaohui GUO ; Lin ZHONG ; Jiake HE
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1562-1565
Objective To explore the identification method,pathogenesis,clinical characteristics and individualized pharmacotherapy of asymptomatic hyperuricemia after renal transplantation.Methods The pharmacist was on duty at the organ transplant outpatient clinic.During this time,they analyzed and sorted out the medications,identified and differentiated a case of asymptomatic hyperuricemia related to spironolactone in a patient who had undergone a renal transplant,and provided comprehensive care throughout the entire process.Results The asymptomatic hyperuricemia in this patient might be associated with spironolactone,and the adverse reactions of the patient were alleviated by pharmacists through optimizing clinical treatment.Up to now,no hyperuricemia occurred.Conclusions Pharmacists are required to collaborate closely with clinicians to establish medication profiles for patients under long-term follow-up and to closely monitor and evaluate drug-related adverse reactions.Additionally,they should assess the renal function and immune status of transplant recipients promptly and formulate individualized treatment plans in order to enhance the long-term survival of both the transplanted kidneys and the recipients.

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