1.Acacetin Ameliorates Hyperuricemia by Regulating Uric Acid Transporter and NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Xuanxia WU ; Juan BU ; YELEDAN·MAHAN ; Shengnan ZHANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):191-198
ObjectiveTo investigate the uric acid-lowering effects and mechanisms of acacetin on hyperuricemia (HUA) in mice. MethodsOteracil potassium and adenine were used to establish the mouse model of HUA. Male Kunming mice (n=48) were randomized into six groups: control, model, low-dose (12.5 mg·kg-1) acacetin, medium-dose (25 mg·kg-1) acacetin, high-dose (50 mg·kg-1) acacetin, and allopurinol (10 mg·kg-1). Each group received continuous gavage administration for 21 days. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure the levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Additionally, the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in the liver and the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Western blot was employed to determine the levels of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), urate transporter 1 (URAT1), phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of UA, Cr, BUN, ALT, and AST, increased activity of XOD in the liver(P<0.01), raised levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum(P<0.01), and significantly up-regulated expression of GLUT9, URAT1, p-NF-κB p65, and NLRP3 in the renal tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, acacetin reduced the UA level in a dose-dependent manner, significantly improved liver and kidney functions, decreased the XOD activity in the liver, ameliorated the pathological changes in the renal tissue, down-regulated the expression of GLUT9, URAT1, p-NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 in the renal tissue(P<0.01), and lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the serum(P<0.01). ConclusionAcacetin can ameliorate HUA by decreasing uric acid production, increasing uric acid excretion, and inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Therefore, acacetin may be a potential drug for the treatment of HUA.
2.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
3.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
4.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
5.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
6.Lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for advanced symptomatic juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy: a long-term follow-up pilot study.
Zhao ZHANG ; Hua JIANG ; Li HUANG ; Sixi LIU ; Xiaoya ZHOU ; Yun CAI ; Ming LI ; Fei GAO ; Xiaoting LIANG ; Kam-Sze TSANG ; Guangfu CHEN ; Chui-Yan MA ; Yuet-Hung CHAI ; Hongsheng LIU ; Chen YANG ; Mo YANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Shuo HAN ; Xin DU ; Ling CHEN ; Wuh-Liang HWU ; Jiacai ZHUO ; Qizhou LIAN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):16-27
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans
;
Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics*
;
Pilot Projects
;
Genetic Therapy/methods*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Male
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Female
;
Lentivirus/genetics*
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism*
;
Adolescent
7.Clinical Observation of Qingpeng Ointment Combined with Secukinumab Injection in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
Baochao YUAN ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Guang ZHOU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):1929-1936
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Qingpeng Ointment(composed of Aconiti Penduli Radix,,Benzoinum,Artificial Moschus,Oxytropis Falcatae Herba,Rhei Pumili Radix Et Rhizoma,Fructus Phyllanthi,etc.)combined with Secukinumab Injection in treating patients with plaque psoriasis of blood stasis syndrome type.Methods From October 2022 to March 2024,a total of 86 patients diagnosed as plaque psoriasis of blood stasis syndrome type from the Department of Dermatology,Chuzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University were enrolled.The patients were equally randomized into an observation group and a control group using a simplified randomization method,with 43 cases in each group.The control group received subcutaneous injection of Secukinumab Injection,while the observation group received additional topical application of Qingpeng Ointment based on the regimen for the control group.Both groups were treated for 3 months.The following parameters in both groups were assessed before and after treatment:the severity scores of skin lesion(including erythema,infiltration,and scale),traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,quality of life scores,serum levels of inflammatory factors[interleukin 17A(IL-17A),interleukin 10(IL-10),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)],and leukocyte p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)expression levels(including staining intensity scores and positive cell percentage scores).After treatment,the clinical efficacy and total incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the markedly-effective rate was 81.40%(35/43)in the observation group versus 58.14%(25/43)in the control group.The intergroup comparison showed significantly superior clinical efficacy in the observation group(χ2=8.378,P<0.05).(2)After treatment,both groups exhibited significant reductions in the severity scores of skin lesion(including erythema,infiltration,and scale),TCM syndrome scores,quality of life scores,serum levels of inflammatory factors(IL-17A,IL-10,and VEGF),and expression levels of p38 MAPK in leukocytes(including staining intensity scores and positive cell percentage scores)(all P<0.05),and the observation group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in all parameters than the control group(P<0.05).(3)The total incidence of adverse reactions was 6.98%(3/43)in the observation group versus 13.95%(6/43)in the control group,showing no statistically significant intergroup difference(χ2=1.117,P>0.05),and all adverse reactions in both groups resolved spontaneously within 1-2 day(s)after treatment.Conclusion Qingpeng Ointment combined with Secukinumab Injection demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in treating plaque psoriasis with blood stasis syndrome,and is effective on alleviating skin lesions and exerting anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of leukocyte p38 MAPK expression.
8.Multimodal Data-Driven Prediction of Gynecological Surgery Duration
Yong HUANG ; Zhilin YONG ; Banghua WU ; Xueying ZHOU ; Xiaoling LANG ; Yuming LI ; Miye WANG ; Qingke SHI ; Li RAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(5):1392-1398
Objective Focusing on gynecological surgery,we constructed a prediction model for surgical duration by extracting features from unstructured surgical planning texts and integrating multimodal data via artificial intelligence technology.Methods The clinical data of 34 614 patients who underwent gynecologic surgeries at West China Second University Hospital,Sichuan University between January 2022 and October 2024 were collected.An embedding-transformer model was constructed to convert surgical planning texts into a one-dimensional numerical feature,referred to as the step feature.The predictive value of the step feature was assessed by comparing the performance improvements of linear regression,random forest,eXtreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost),support vector regression,K-nearest neighbor regression,and artificial neural network algorithms in two scenarios—with and without the step feature as an input.The out-of-sample prediction accuracy of the models was assessed using mean absolute error(MAE),root mean squared error(RMSE),and R-squared(R2).Furthermore,the model interpretability was examined using SHapley Additive exPlanations(SHAP)values.Results SHAP results showed that the step feature had the highest predictive contribution.Temporal factors in surgical scheduling also influenced gynecological surgery duration.The XGBoost model demonstrated optimal performance on the test set,significantly improving prediction accuracy with a 40.43%increase in R2,while reducing MAE and RMSE by 21.27%and 20.13%,respectively,compared to the baseline model without the step feature.Conclusion The embedding-transformer model developed in this study effectively extracts features from surgical planning texts and enhances the predictive performance of machine learning models.The XGBoost prediction model can assist hospital administrators in implementing more refined management of gynecological surgeries and improving the utilization efficiency of surgical resources.
9.Development and validation of guardianship ability scale for guardians of patients with severe mental disorders: a study on reliability and validity
Xiaoling DUAN ; Zihua PAN ; Shaoling ZHONG ; Yanling LIANG ; Xiao TAN ; Liang ZHOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(6):549-556
BackgroundThe guardianship ability of guardians of patients with severe mental disorders plays an important role in supporting the patients' recovery and reintegration into society. It is necessary to develop a scientific tool since there is a lack of tools to quantitatively assess the guardianship ability. ObjectiveTo explore and develop an assessment scale for the guardianship ability of guardians of patients with severe mental disorders, so as to provide references for the construction of scientific and reasonable guardianship ability evaluation tools. MethodsA pool of scale items was constructed through a literature review and interviews, followed by two rounds of expert consultation with 15 specialists. 364 guardians of patients with severe mental disorders in Guangzhou were investigated. The scale items were screened and optimized using item analysis and exploratory factor analysis, and the structural validity of the scale was further verified through confirmatory factor analysis. The content validity of the scale was evaluated by item-level content validity index (I-CVI) the average scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave). The reliability of the scale was tested by Cronbach's α coefficient and split-half reliability. ResultsThe guardianship ability scale for guardians of patients with severe mental disorders consists of 25 items, including three dimensions of guardianship willingness, guardianship knowledge and behavior and guardianship self-efficacy. The results of the item analysis showed that all items met the corresponding criteria and were retained. Validity test: the I-CVI ranged from 0.800 to 1.000, and the S-CVI/Ave was 0.964. Factor load of each item on the corresponding factors ranged from 0.596 to 0.976, and the model demonstrated good fit: chi-square degree of freedom ratio (χ2/df) was 2.444, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) was 0.908, comparative goodness of fit index (CFI) was 0.917, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) was 0.049, and root mean square residual (RMSEA) was 0.089. Reliability test showed that the total scale had a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.966, and the split half reliability coefficient was 0.915. ConclusionThe guardianship ability scale for patients with severe mental disorders developed in this study has good reliability and validity, and has certain application value for the assessment of guardianship ability for patients with severe mental disorders. [Funded by Health Science and Technology Project of Guangzhou (number, 20221A011049)]
10.Application of data mining algorithms in research on traditional Chinese medicine formula
Huizhi LI ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Yujie YANG ; Xinyou ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(1):112-118
In recent years, data mining algorithms have been widely employed in scientific research within the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The data mining algorithms are used to effectively handle and analyze the complex data in TCM formulas, providing a rational explanation for the mechanism of action. This method has proven particularly useful in uncovering patterns of compatibility and frequent combinations of herbs in TCM, thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of clinical diagnosis, target screening, and the study of new drugs. This paper reviews and analyzes 147 papers on TCM formula research that utilize data mining algorithms. The results indicate that data mining algorithms play a unique advantage in six sub- areas, including the study on the mechanism of action in TCM formula, the dose-efficacy of TCM formulas, the identification of core drugs pairs/groups, mining the relationships among “formulas-drug-symptom”, the discovery of new formulas, and mining the compatibility law. Notably, association rules and clustering algorithms are the most representative.

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