1.Accuracy and feasibility of non-invasive cell-free fetal DNA RhE blood group genotyping
Jinhua YANG ; Daoju REN ; Xiaowei LI ; Jun XIAO ; Jiangzhou YOU ; Chunyue CHEN ; Xiaojuan ZHANG ; Cuiying LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(3):368-374
[Objective] To explore the accuracy and feasibility of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal RhE genotype using cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) from maternal peripheral blood. [Methods] A total of 134 pregnant women with single fetuses and RhE-negative blood group were selected from our hospital from November 2023 to August 2024. Free DNA extraction kit was used to extract free DNA from peripheral blood of pregnant women, and the RhE blood group genotype of free DNA was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). If the qPCR amplification signal of the sample was negative, the methylated RASSF1A gene was amplified, and the positive amplification result was used as a sign of successful extraction of cff-DNA. Serological microcolumn gel method was used to detect the phenotype of RhE blood group in neonatal peripheral blood. [Results] Among the 134 maternal peripheral blood samples, the cff-DNA detection of RhE blood group phenotypes was consistent with the RhE blood group genotyping of neonatal peripheral blood in 133 cases, including 90 cases of Rhee genotype and 43 cases of RhE genotype, with diagnostic concordance rate of 99.3%, sensitivity of 97.7%, specificity of 100%, youden index of 0.977, area under ROC curve of 0.995, the Kappa value of 0.983, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 98.9%. The sample of 1 case failed to be detected. After the amplification of methylated RASSFIA gene, it was confirmed that the reason for the failure was that no cff-DNA was extracted from the sample. The diagnostic concordance rates of the first, second and third trimesters were 93.8% (15/16), 100% (51/51) and 100% (67/67), respectively. Fisher's exact test method was used to calculate the P value, which was P>0.05, indicating that there was no statistical significance in the difference of diagnostic concordance rate among the three pregnancy periods, and there was no difference in the detection concordance rate of this method in different pregnancy periods. [Conclusion] The use of cff-DNA in maternal peripheral blood for the detection of fetal RhE blood group genotype is an accurate and highly feasible non-invasive prenatal diagnostic method, which is helpful for the clinical diagnosis of fetal and neonatal hemolytic disease caused by anti-E antibody.
2.From organoids to organoids-on-a-chip: Current applications and challenges in biomedical research.
Kailun LIU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhen FAN ; Fei REN ; Jing LIU ; Baoyang HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):792-807
The high failure rates in clinical drug development based on animal models highlight the urgent need for more representative human models in biomedical research. In response to this demand, organoids and organ chips were integrated for greater physiological relevance and dynamic, controlled experimental conditions. This innovative platform-the organoids-on-a-chip technology-shows great promise in disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized medicine, attracting interest from researchers, clinicians, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders. This review traces the evolution from organoids to organoids-on-a-chip, driven by the necessity for advanced biological models. We summarize the applications of organoids-on-a-chip in simulating physiological and pathological phenotypes and therapeutic evaluation of this technology. This section highlights how integrating technologies from organ chips, such as microfluidic systems, mechanical stimulation, and sensor integration, optimizes organoid cell types, spatial structure, and physiological functions, thereby expanding their biomedical applications. We conclude by addressing the current challenges in the development of organoids-on-a-chip and offering insights into the prospects. The advancement of organoids-on-a-chip is poised to enhance fidelity, standardization, and scalability. Furthermore, the integration of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations will be crucial for the progression of organoids-on-a-chip technology.
Organoids/physiology*
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Humans
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Biomedical Research/methods*
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Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
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Animals
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Microphysiological Systems
3.Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and Lactobacillus plantarum on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease by regulating intestinal flora
Hongqia HUANG ; Na LIU ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Lu REN ; Xiaotian LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(3):191-199
Objective:To investigate the impacts of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (VD) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on intestinal flora in animals with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and their possible mechanisms. Methods:A methionine- choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced rat model of MAFLD was created. Forty 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) group, MCD group, VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group, with 8 rats in each group. The intervention groups (VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group) were gastrically fed with VD peanut oil solution (6 ng/100 g daily), Lactobacillus plantarum solution (2×10 9CFU/100 g daily), and a combination of these two solutions, respectively. MCS group, MCD group, and LP group were given the same volume of peanut oil on a daily basis. Fecal samples from rats were collected at week 4 and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for fecal flora structure. Portal vein blood samples were collected to detect liver biochemistry and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Pathological changes in liver and terminal ileum tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results:Compared with the MCS group, the MCD group exhibited massive steatosis and lipid infiltration in liver tissues, markedly thinned ileum mucosa, severely damaged villi structure, excessive necrotic and shedding of epithelial cells, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Compared with the histopathological changes in the MCD group, the steatosis and lipid infiltration of liver tissue, the damage to the ileal mucosa structure and epithelial cells, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated in the VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group. Compared with MCS group, the MCD group had significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (158.50±14.03 U/L vs. 20.38±7.39 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (43.88±11.36 U/L vs. 25.75±5.90 U/L), total bile acid (TBA) (140.60±11.77 μmol/L vs. 19.96±4.31 μmol/L), and LPS (16.57±1.19 pg/ml vs. 7.43±0.95 pg/ml) (All P<0.001),which confirmed the successful establishment of rat models of MAFLD. Serum ALT, AST, TBA, and LPS levels in all the three intervention groups were significantly lower than those in MCD group, and the most significant reductions in ALT (51.38±9.05 U/L vs. 158.50±14.03 U/L), AST (55.88±12.19 U/L vs. 143.88±11.36 U/L), TBA (21.00±8.17 μmol/L vs. 140.60±11.77 μmol/L), and LPS (9.72±0.71 pg/ml vs. 16.57±1.19 pg/ml) were seen in the VD-LP group. The microbiota in the MCD group predominantly featured Muribaculaceae, while the MCS group and other intervention groups primarily harbored Lactobacillus. Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased in the MCD group ,while Bacteroidete, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and Enterococcus increased significantly. The opposite was true for each intervention group. There were significant differences in Lactobacillus between MCD group and the other four groups. Conclusion:VD and LP can remarkably improve lipid deposition in MAFLD by regulating intestinal flora.
4.Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and Lactobacillus plantarum on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease by regulating intestinal flora
Hongqia HUANG ; Na LIU ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Lu REN ; Xiaotian LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2025;33(3):191-199
Objective:To investigate the impacts of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (VD) and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on intestinal flora in animals with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and their possible mechanisms. Methods:A methionine- choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced rat model of MAFLD was created. Forty 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) group, MCD group, VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group, with 8 rats in each group. The intervention groups (VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group) were gastrically fed with VD peanut oil solution (6 ng/100 g daily), Lactobacillus plantarum solution (2×10 9CFU/100 g daily), and a combination of these two solutions, respectively. MCS group, MCD group, and LP group were given the same volume of peanut oil on a daily basis. Fecal samples from rats were collected at week 4 and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for fecal flora structure. Portal vein blood samples were collected to detect liver biochemistry and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Pathological changes in liver and terminal ileum tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results:Compared with the MCS group, the MCD group exhibited massive steatosis and lipid infiltration in liver tissues, markedly thinned ileum mucosa, severely damaged villi structure, excessive necrotic and shedding of epithelial cells, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Compared with the histopathological changes in the MCD group, the steatosis and lipid infiltration of liver tissue, the damage to the ileal mucosa structure and epithelial cells, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated in the VD group, LP group, and VD-LP group. Compared with MCS group, the MCD group had significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (158.50±14.03 U/L vs. 20.38±7.39 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (43.88±11.36 U/L vs. 25.75±5.90 U/L), total bile acid (TBA) (140.60±11.77 μmol/L vs. 19.96±4.31 μmol/L), and LPS (16.57±1.19 pg/ml vs. 7.43±0.95 pg/ml) (All P<0.001),which confirmed the successful establishment of rat models of MAFLD. Serum ALT, AST, TBA, and LPS levels in all the three intervention groups were significantly lower than those in MCD group, and the most significant reductions in ALT (51.38±9.05 U/L vs. 158.50±14.03 U/L), AST (55.88±12.19 U/L vs. 143.88±11.36 U/L), TBA (21.00±8.17 μmol/L vs. 140.60±11.77 μmol/L), and LPS (9.72±0.71 pg/ml vs. 16.57±1.19 pg/ml) were seen in the VD-LP group. The microbiota in the MCD group predominantly featured Muribaculaceae, while the MCS group and other intervention groups primarily harbored Lactobacillus. Firmicutes and Lactobacillus were significantly decreased in the MCD group ,while Bacteroidete, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, Escherichia coli, Bacteroides, and Enterococcus increased significantly. The opposite was true for each intervention group. There were significant differences in Lactobacillus between MCD group and the other four groups. Conclusion:VD and LP can remarkably improve lipid deposition in MAFLD by regulating intestinal flora.
5.Research on the evaluation model of young talents in administration of secondary specialty hospitals under the philosophy of high-quality development
Weijia REN ; Mengxiao WEI ; Xiaowei GAN ; Lifeng ZHANG ; Lingxia JIN ; Mengxi ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Chenxi XIE
Modern Hospital 2025;25(3):404-408
Public hospitals have formed a relatively perfect working foundation in the introduction and training of young talents,but the evaluation system of young talents is not perfect.Based on the requirements of high-quality development,grasp the principle of party management of talents,combine the talents development situation in Jiading District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital,takes the special training of young talents in administration as the starting point,comprehensively uses the literature method,interview method and Delphi method to establish the index database,uses the exploratory factor analysis meth-od to calculate the index weight,and constructs the evaluation model of young talents in hospital administrative management,so as to help hospitals better screen and evaluate talents and give full play to the value and role of talents as the first resource.
6.Research progress on genetic factors related to lung function
Panying LI ; Xiaofeng ZHANG ; Jianyun YIN ; Xiaowei REN ; Jing YANG ; Qian NI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(3):133-137,143
Lung function serves as a clinical indicator reflecting respiratory system function,ai-ding in the diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary diseases.Both genetic and environmental factors ex-ert significant influences on lung function.A comprehensive understanding of the role of genetic factors in lung function is crucial for gaining deeper insights into the regulatory mechanisms of lung function.In recent years,with the application of advanced technologies such as genome-wide association stud-ies,whole-exome sequencing,whole-genome sequencing,and epigenome-wide association studies,numerous genetic loci related to lung function have been identified.This review aimed to summarize the current research progress in genetics related to lung function,providing a reference for subsequent in-depth exploration of the pathological and physiological mechanisms affecting lung function.
7.Research on the evaluation model of young talents in administration of secondary specialty hospitals under the philosophy of high-quality development
Weijia REN ; Mengxiao WEI ; Xiaowei GAN ; Lifeng ZHANG ; Lingxia JIN ; Mengxi ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Chenxi XIE
Modern Hospital 2025;25(3):404-408
Public hospitals have formed a relatively perfect working foundation in the introduction and training of young talents,but the evaluation system of young talents is not perfect.Based on the requirements of high-quality development,grasp the principle of party management of talents,combine the talents development situation in Jiading District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital,takes the special training of young talents in administration as the starting point,comprehensively uses the literature method,interview method and Delphi method to establish the index database,uses the exploratory factor analysis meth-od to calculate the index weight,and constructs the evaluation model of young talents in hospital administrative management,so as to help hospitals better screen and evaluate talents and give full play to the value and role of talents as the first resource.
8.Integrating data mining and network pharmacology to decode the therapeutic principles of contemporary Xin'an medicine for chronic glomerulonephritis
Xulei HU ; Xiaowei DUAN ; Le WANG ; Zhengyang ZHU ; Yong LYU ; Hua JIN ; Dong WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Kejun REN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(6):676-689
Objective To systematically summarize medication patterns and explore the potential mechanisms of core herbal combinations in treating chronic glomerulonephritis(CGN)based on data mining and network pharmacology,and to provide a reference for clinical treatment strategies.Methods Electronic book databases were searched to screen the CGN prescription from the works of contemporary Xin'an medical practitioners.Frequency statistics,association rule analysis,and clustering algorithms via the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Inheritance Support Platform V3.5 were applied to identify high-frequency herbs(frequency of use>10%)and core combinations.Active ingredients and potential targets were predicted using TCMSP,PubChem,and SwissTargetPrediction databases.Disease-related targets were retrieved from OMIM and GeneCards,after obtaining the intersecting targets,followed by protein-protein interaction(PPI)network construction(STRING platform),Cytoscape topological analysis,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment(DAVID).Results A total of 151 prescriptions related to the treatment of CGN were included,involving 213 flavours of TCM,including 42 varites of high frequency drugs,mainly in the categories of supplementing deficiency,eliminating dampness and diuresis and clearing heat.Theherb properties were mainly cold,warm,and neutral,with flavors of sweet,bitter,and pungent.Herbs primarily targeted the liver,lung,kidney,and spleen meridians.Thecore combination"Astragali Radix,Dioscorea Rhizome,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Imperata Rhizome,Pyrrosiae Folium,Poria"was identified,with key active ingredients including quercetin,stigmasterol,and β-sitosterol.Core targets involved IL6,EGFR,TNF,AKT1,and PIK3CA,while enriched pathways included PI3K-Akt and AGE-RAGE signaling.Conclusion Contemporary Xin'an practitioners primarily treat CGN by tonifying the spleen,nourishing the kidney,and clearing damp-heat.Thecore herbal combination exerts synergistic effects through multi-target intervention in immune-inflammatory pathways,oxidative stress,and fibrotic pathways,highlighting the holistic therapeutic advantages of TCM formulas via multi-component synergistic regulation and multi-target interactions.This study provides a theoretical foundation for further experimental validation and clinical applications.
9.Integrating data mining and network pharmacology to decode the therapeutic principles of contemporary Xin'an medicine for chronic glomerulonephritis
Xulei HU ; Xiaowei DUAN ; Le WANG ; Zhengyang ZHU ; Yong LYU ; Hua JIN ; Dong WANG ; Lei ZHANG ; Kejun REN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(6):676-689
Objective To systematically summarize medication patterns and explore the potential mechanisms of core herbal combinations in treating chronic glomerulonephritis(CGN)based on data mining and network pharmacology,and to provide a reference for clinical treatment strategies.Methods Electronic book databases were searched to screen the CGN prescription from the works of contemporary Xin'an medical practitioners.Frequency statistics,association rule analysis,and clustering algorithms via the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Inheritance Support Platform V3.5 were applied to identify high-frequency herbs(frequency of use>10%)and core combinations.Active ingredients and potential targets were predicted using TCMSP,PubChem,and SwissTargetPrediction databases.Disease-related targets were retrieved from OMIM and GeneCards,after obtaining the intersecting targets,followed by protein-protein interaction(PPI)network construction(STRING platform),Cytoscape topological analysis,and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment(DAVID).Results A total of 151 prescriptions related to the treatment of CGN were included,involving 213 flavours of TCM,including 42 varites of high frequency drugs,mainly in the categories of supplementing deficiency,eliminating dampness and diuresis and clearing heat.Theherb properties were mainly cold,warm,and neutral,with flavors of sweet,bitter,and pungent.Herbs primarily targeted the liver,lung,kidney,and spleen meridians.Thecore combination"Astragali Radix,Dioscorea Rhizome,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Imperata Rhizome,Pyrrosiae Folium,Poria"was identified,with key active ingredients including quercetin,stigmasterol,and β-sitosterol.Core targets involved IL6,EGFR,TNF,AKT1,and PIK3CA,while enriched pathways included PI3K-Akt and AGE-RAGE signaling.Conclusion Contemporary Xin'an practitioners primarily treat CGN by tonifying the spleen,nourishing the kidney,and clearing damp-heat.Thecore herbal combination exerts synergistic effects through multi-target intervention in immune-inflammatory pathways,oxidative stress,and fibrotic pathways,highlighting the holistic therapeutic advantages of TCM formulas via multi-component synergistic regulation and multi-target interactions.This study provides a theoretical foundation for further experimental validation and clinical applications.
10.Construction, Activity Evaluation and Molecular Simulation Study of α-Naphthylthiol Amino Acid Esters as Novel LSD1 Inhibitors
Zhonghua LI ; Zhenzhen WANG ; Tingting QIN ; Pan WANG ; Kai HU ; Zhishen XIE ; Lixin LI ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Junying SONG ; Weihong REN ; Jinlian MA
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(3):295-302
OBJECTIVE
To design and synthesize novel α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester lysine specific demethylase 1(LSD1) inhibitors, evaluate their inhibitory activity with selectivity against LSD1, and explore their binding mechanism through molecular docking and dynamics simulation.
METHODS
Based on the binding mode of hit compound 3a with LSD1, the α- naphthyl mercapto amino acid ethyl ester small molecule compound were designed by fixing the planar hydrophobic naphthyl ring in the structure, while introducing hydrophilic amino fragment, and they were prepared through a multi-component one-pot cascade reaction. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against LSD1 at concentrations of 5.0 and 1.0 μmol·L–1 using the LSD1 screening platform of research group. The most potent compound was tested for its IC50 value and enzyme selectivity over MAO-A and MAO-B, and its binding mode was investigated through molecular docking and dynamics simulation.
RESULTS
A total of 13 compounds were obtained, all of which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LSD1. Among them, nine compounds showed an inhibitory rate of over 50.0% against LSD1 at a concentration of 1.0 μmol·L–1, while compound 3l displaying the best activity with an IC50 value of 0.17 μmol·L–1, 174 times higher than the positive control. It also showed excellent selectivity towards MAO-A and MAO-B. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated that compound 3l inhibited the activity of LSD1 through multiple interactions.
CONCLUSION
The structures of α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester can serve as lead compounds or active fragments, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent design of LSD1 inhibitors based on structure-oriented drug design.


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