1.Mechanism of circRNA_0076631 mediated diabetic retinopathy by regulating pyroptosis
Yanyan ZHANG ; Yanyan WANG ; Xueli SHAO ; Quanyong YI ; Yahui XI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):351-358
AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.
2.Mechanism of circRNA_0076631 mediated diabetic retinopathy by regulating pyroptosis
Yanyan ZHANG ; Yanyan WANG ; Xueli SHAO ; Quanyong YI ; Yahui XI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):351-358
AIM: To investigate the role of pyroptosis in the development of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and to explore the regulatory mechanism by which circular RNA(circRNA)and its targeted microRNA(miRNA)mediate pyroptosis in DR, providing new therapeutic targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of DR.METHODS: A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced model of type 1 diabetes in SD rats was established. The expression of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related factors were measured in retinal tissues. CCK-8 and tube formation assays were used to detect the effect of different concentration of glucose on cell proliferation and angiogenic abilities of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs). The expression levels of circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and pyroptosis-related markers were evaluated through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, with additional experiments conducted following circRNA_0076631 knockdown to assess its effect on pyroptosis markers. Previous bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays identified a shared binding site among circRNA_0076631, miR-214, and caspase-1. To clarify the interaction between these molecules, co-transfection experiments using circRNA_0076631 inhibitors(ASO-circRNA_0076631), miR-214 overexpression transfection reagent, and miR-214 inhibitors(AMO-miR-214)were conducted to elucidate the regulatory pathway involved in DR.RESULTS: Both the diabetic rat model and D-glucose-treated HRMECs showed significantly elevated expression of circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β), while miR-214 expression was reduced(all P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pyroptosis-related factors caspase-1 was reduced after the overexpression of miR-214, and it was upregulated after the inhibition of miR-214(all P<0.05). Knockdown of circRNA_0076631 reduced the mRNA expression of pyroptosis markers caspase-1(P<0.05). Co-transfection experiments revealed that the inhibition circRNA_0076631 suppressed pyroptosis(all P<0.05), but this suppression was reversed upon co-transfection with miR-214 inhibitors, leading to increased mRNA expression of the pyroptosis marker caspase-1(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The circRNA_0076631 and pyroptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of DR, and circRNA_0076631 may regulate pyroptosis by modulating miR-214, which in turn influences the expression of caspase-1 in the pyroptosis signaling pathway, thereby contributing to DR progression. The circRNA_0076631 may serve as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for the prevention and treatment of DR.
3.Anti-ulcerative Colitis Mechanism of Huaihuasan and Active Ingredients of Its Component Drugs: A Review
Xueli XU ; Jiacheng GU ; Zuowu XI ; Yanyan WANG ; Kexin DENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):295-305
Huaihuasan, first recorded in Experiential Prescriptions for Universal Relief (Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang), is a classic prescription for the treatment of ''hematochezia due to intestinal wind''. In 2018, it was included by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as one of the first 100 classic prescriptions. This formula consists of four ingredients, i.e., Sophorae Flos, Platycladi Cacumen, Schizonepetae Spica, and Aurantii Fructus. It is known for its ability to clear the intestines, dispel wind, cool the blood, and stop bleeding. In modern clinical practice, Huaihuasan, often with modifications, is widely used to treat various digestive tract diseases, including ulcerative colitis (UC), with significant long-term effects. UC is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease. Currently, Western medicine primarily treats UC with glucocorticoids, aminosalicylates, and immunosuppressants, which have good short-term efficacy but numerous adverse reactions, high recurrence rates, and the need for lifelong medication. Modern clinical studies have shown that Huaihuasan can significantly improve symptoms of UC, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, reduce disease activity scores (Sutherland), promote intestinal mucosal healing, alleviate anxiety and depression, and significantly improve the quality of life of patients. Pharmacological studies have shown that the main active components of Huaihuasan include quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, naringenin, and volatile oils. These compounds exert their effects by inhibiting inflammatory responses and protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier. They also exhibit antioxidant properties and regulate various signaling pathways, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and the KRAS-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. These multi-target pathways improve UC symptoms, inhibit inflammation-cancer transition, and help maintain intestinal homeostasis. However, the precise mechanism of action has not yet been systematically elucidated. This paper reviews the research progress on Huaihuasan and main ingredients from its component drugs, focusing on their effects against UC. It also discusses current research limitations and suggests strategies for improvement, aiming to provide a reference for further studies on Huaihuasan in the treatment of UC and the development of new drugs.
4.Summary and analysis of the 2024 national intercomparison of individual dose monitoring
Yu WANG ; Yifan YU ; Qing ZHAO ; Ran JIA ; Qinjian CAO ; Xueli HOU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(5):746-750
Objective Based on the “excellent” performance achieved by our institution in the 2024 national intercomparison of monitoring individual dose from external exposure, this paper systematically summarizes key technical elements and optimization experiences in instrument calibration, operational protocols, and data analysis, aiming to provide methodological references and practical support for continuously enhancing the accuracy and reliability of individual dose monitoring. Methods As a participant in the intercomparison activity, our laboratory strictly followed the technical protocol formulated by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Results In the 2024 national intercomparison of monitoring individual dose from external exposure, the measurement results met the criteria of single-group performance
5.Unmet needs of patients with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: three case reports and a literature review.
Xian LI ; Ru LUO ; Jiaming XU ; Xueli JIN ; Weiqin WANG ; Xibin XIAO ; Wenbin QIAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(5):493-502
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL), a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is classified as an independent subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification (Turner et al., 2010). The 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO 2022) classification of hematolymphoid tumors retains this subtype (Alaggio et al., 2022). IVLBCL, which is characterized by neoplastic lymphocyte proliferation within the lumen of small blood vessels, tends to invade organs, such as the nervous system, skin, bone marrow (BM), and lung (D'Angelo et al., 2019; Satoh et al., 2019; Vásquez et al., 2019; Fukami et al., 2020).
Humans
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use*
;
Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy*
;
Vascular Neoplasms/therapy*
6.Downregulation of Neuralized1 in the Hippocampal CA1 Through Reducing CPEB3 Ubiquitination Mediates Synaptic Plasticity Impairment and Cognitive Deficits in Neuropathic Pain.
Yan GAO ; Yiming QIAO ; Xueli WANG ; Manyi ZHU ; Lili YU ; Haozhuang YUAN ; Liren LI ; Nengwei HU ; Ji-Tian XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2233-2253
Neuropathic pain is frequently comorbidity with cognitive deficits. Neuralized1 (Neurl1)-mediated ubiquitination of CPEB3 in the hippocampus is critical in learning and memory. However, the role of Neurl1 in the cognitive impairment in neuropathic pain remains elusive. Herein, we found that lumbar 5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in male rat-induced neuropathic pain was followed by learning and memory deficits and LTP impairment in the hippocampus. The Neurl1 expression in the hippocampal CA1 was decreased after SNL. And this decrease paralleled the reduction of ubiquitinated-CPEB3 level and reduced production of GluA1 and GluA2. Overexpression of Neurl1 in the CA1 rescued cognitive deficits and LTP impairment, and reversed the reduction of ubiquitinated-CPEB3 level and the decrease of GluA1 and GluA2 production following SNL. Specific knockdown of Neurl1 or CPEB3 in bilateral hippocampal CA1 in naïve rats resulted in cognitive deficits and impairment of synaptic plasticity. The rescued cognitive function and synaptic plasticity by the treatment of overexpression of Neurl1 before SNL were counteracted by the knockdown of CPEB3 in the CA1. Collectively, the above results suggest that the downregulation of Neurl1 through reducing CPEB3 ubiquitination and, in turn, repressing GluA1 and GluA2 production and mediating synaptic plasticity impairment in hippocampal CA1 leads to the genesis of cognitive deficits in neuropathic pain.
Animals
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Male
;
Neuralgia/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Down-Regulation/physiology*
;
Ubiquitination/physiology*
;
Neuronal Plasticity/physiology*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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CA1 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism*
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Cognitive Dysfunction/metabolism*
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RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
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Receptors, AMPA/metabolism*
7.Intelligent design of nucleic acid elements in biomanufacturing.
Jinsheng WANG ; Zhe SUN ; Xueli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(3):968-992
Nucleic acid elements are essential functional sequences that play critical roles in regulating gene expression, optimizing pathways, and enabling gene editing to enhance the production of target products in biomanufacturing. Therefore, the design and optimization of these elements are crucial in constructing efficient cell factories. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides robust support for biomanufacturing by accurately predicting functional nucleic acid elements, designing and optimizing sequences with quantified functions, and elucidating the operating mechanisms of these elements. In recent years, AI has significantly accelerated the progress in biomanufacturing by reducing experimental workloads through the design and optimization of promoters, ribosome-binding sites, terminators, and their combinations. Despite these advancements, the application of AI in biomanufacturing remains limited due to the complexity of biological systems and the lack of highly quantified training data. This review summarizes the various nucleic acid elements utilized in biomanufacturing, the tools developed for predicting and designing these elements based on AI algorithms, and the case studies showcasing the applications of AI in biomanufacturing. By integrating AI with synthetic biology and high-throughput techniques, we anticipate the development of more efficient tools for designing nucleic acid elements and accelerating the application of AI in biomanufacturing.
Artificial Intelligence
;
Synthetic Biology
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Nucleic Acids/genetics*
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Algorithms
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Gene Editing
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
;
Biotechnology/methods*
8.Role of the iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance
Meina Jin ; Xueli Zhou ; Haibo Li ; Wei Bai ; Chuxuan Jia ; Li Gao ; Lijue Ren ; Qingyu Chen ; Rui Wang ; Hua Li ; Cuiying Wei
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(2):210-217
Objective :
To pathological changes and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 serine 307(p-IRS1ser 307), phosphorylated protein kinase B serine 473(p-AKTser 473), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), and gluconeogenic synthase(GS) proteins were observed in the liver of rats under the condition of chronic intermittent hypoxia-replicated oxygen in control. And to explore the role of iNOS/IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced insulin resistance.
Methods :
Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group(NC group) and an experimental group(CIH group), with 20 rats in each group. The NC group was placed in a normoxic environment for 12 weeks, while the CIH group was first subjected to intermittent hypoxia for 8 weeks, and then resumed normoxic rearing until the 12th week. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) and fasting insulin(FINS) were measured at baseline, week 8 and week 12, and liver tissues were taken for pathology and measurement of iNOS, p-IRS1ser 307, p-AKTser 473, GSK3β and GS levels, to compare the differences between groups.
Results:
t baseline, there was no significant difference in liver pathology between the two groups, and the observed indexes were not statistically significant(P>0.05); at 8 weeks, compared with the NC group, liver pathology in the CIH group showed significant disorganization of hepatic blood sinusoids and hepatocyte cords, obvious hepatocyte edema, smaller nuclei, increased lymphocyte infiltration, and a small number of fat vacuoles, significantly higher levels of FBG, FINS, insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR), iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels, and decreased p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05). IRS1ser 307 protein, GSK-3β protein levels were increased, p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein levels were decreased, and the differences were statistically significant(allP<0.05); at 12 weeks, no lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the CIH group compared with that of the NC group and fat vacuoles significantly increased, and there was no improvement in the other pathological damage that had already occurred, and the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein significantly increased. AKTser 473 protein level significantly increased, p-IRS1ser 307 protein and GS protein levels were significantly reduced, all of which were statistically significant(allP<0.05), and the rest of the observational indexes were not statistically significant. Pearson′s correlation analysis showed that HOMA-IR of CIH group was significantly positively correlated with the levels of iNOS mRNA, p-IRS1ser 307 protein, and GSK-3β protein at 8 weeks(r=0.874, 0.817,0.872;allP<0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with the levels of p-AKTser 473 protein and GS protein(r=-0.886,-0.879;allP<0.05).
Conclusion
Chronic intermittent hypoxia can lead to hepatic pathological damage that cannot be reversed even by reoxygenation interventions and may mediate the development of insulin resistance by upregulating the IRS1/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway through the upregulation of iNOS mRNA expression.
9.Reliability and validity test of Chinese version of Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory in caregivers of elderly patients with COPD
Xueli GUO ; Jinghua MA ; Jinjin CHEN ; Ruoyin ZHANG ; Lu WANG ; Xiaoxiao WU ; Hui WANG
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(13):1979-1983
Objective To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Caregiver Contri-bution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory in the caregivers of elderly patients with COPD.Methods The general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory were used to conduct questionnaire survey on 220 caregivers of elderly patients with COPD treated or hospitalized in the respiratory medicine department of a tertiary hospital in Hebei Province from October 2022 to February 2023,and the reliability and validity of the scale were tested.Results The i-tem-level content validity index was 0.833-1.000,the content validity index at the level of unanimity scale was 0.842 and the content validity index of the average scale level was 0.973.The confirmatory factor analysis showed that all the fitting indicators of the total scale and the caregiver's contribution to self-care mainte-nance,monitoring contribution and management contribution subscale were within the acceptable range.The Cronbach's α coefficients of the total scale and the three subscales were 0.918,0.865,0.830 and 0.897,re-spectively.The split-half reliabilities of the total scale and the three subscales were 0.843,0.855,0.842 and 0.906,respectively.The test-retest reliabilities of the total scale and the three subscales were 0.849,0.734,0.751 and 0.773,respectively.Conclusion The Chinese version of the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chro-nic Illness Inventory has good reliability and validity,and can be used as a reliable tool to measure the caregivers con-tribution to elderly COPD patients self-care.
10.Research on policy framework, standards system and application of disability data
Yaru YANG ; Zhuoying QIU ; Zhongyan WANG ; Di CHEN ; Jian YANG ; Qi JING ; Na AN ; Tiantian WAN ; Xiaojia XIN ; Xiaoqin LIU ; Yuanjun DONG ; Xiangxia REN ; Ye LIU ; Yifan TIAN ; Xueli LÜ
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(12):1365-1375
ObjectiveTo systematically analyze international disability data policies and standards, as well as the application of disability data in policymaking, service optimization and inclusive social development, and to clarify the importance of international disability data policies, standard systems and disability data application for the development of disability-related services. MethodsThrough the analysis of policy content and research on the data standard system, this study explored the disability data policy framework, standard system and technical path of data interoperability and integration of international organizations including the United Nations (United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Children's Fund), World Health Orgnization, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, and International Labour Organization. ResultsInternational organizations established disability data policy frameworks based on their respective mandates, involving data and service development, data standards, data governance, and data application. The international community established a disability data standard system for disability data collection, coding, exchange, interoperability, statistical analysis, data fusion and application. Building a standardized disability data standard system based on the framework of international health classification standards such as International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision would ensure the consistency of cross-national disability data policies, and the interoperability and comparability of disability data, promoting the development of data-driven disability-related services, accurately identifying the service needs of people with disabilities, and optimizing service provision, thereby improving the quality of life and social participation of people with disabilities. ConclusionThe construction and implementation of international disability data policies and data standards have promoted the standardization and interoperability of disability data. With the application of big data, artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies in disability data, international cooperation and cross-industry data fusion in the field of disability data have been promoted, further promoting the development of data-driven disability services, ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy service resources, and improving the coverage and quality of disability services.


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