1.Serum Metabolomics of Simulated Weightless Rats Treated with Taikong Yangxin Pills
Xiaodi LIU ; Xuemei FAN ; Yiming WANG ; Mengjia YAN ; Yongzhi LI ; Jiaping WANG ; Junlian LIU ; Guoan LUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):147-153
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Taikong Yangxin Pills on the metabolism of simulated weightless rats based on metabolomics and discuss the metabolism mechanism. MethodsIn the simulated space capsule environment on the ground, the rat model of simulated weightlessness was established by the tail suspension method. Rats were randomly grouped as follows: out-of-capsule control, in-capsule control, model, and high (3.0 g·kg-1) and low (1.5 g·kg-1) doses of Taikong Yangxin Pills, and they were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 28 days. The serum levels of endogenous metabolites in rats were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The obtained data were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to screen for differential metabolites and potential biomarkers. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for pathway enrichment analysis to explain the metabolic regulation mechanism of the drug. ResultsCompared with the out-of-capsule control group, the in-capsule control group showed elevated levels of thirteen metabolites, including 14-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid (P<0.05), which suggested that the space capsule environment mainly affected the metabolism of α-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in the rats. Compared with the in-capsule control group, the model group showed lowered levels of fourteen metabolites, including 4-imidazolone-5-propionic acid, isocitric acid/citric acid, and L-tyrosine (P<0.05), which were recovered after the treatment with Taikong Yangxin pills (P<0.05). The pathway enrichment analysis revealed that weightlessness induced by tail suspension and drug intervention mainly involved the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, histidine metabolism, and citric acid cycle. ConclusionThe simulated space capsule environment and simulated weightlessness induced by tail suspension can both affect the metabolism level of rats. Taikong Yangxin pills can ameliorate the metabolic abnormality in the rat model of weightlessness by regulating various amino acids and energy metabolism-related pathways.
2.Application and challenge of ethical review of human organ donation and transplantation from ethical utilitarianism perspective
Qi YAO ; Renjie LÜ ; Xuemei LÜ ; Juan YAN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):141-146
Ethical utilitarianism is a consequence-oriented ethical theory that pursues the maximization of happiness and fully considers the long-term impact of behavior. In the ethical review of human organ donation and transplantation, this theory is mainly applied in three aspects, ethical review supervision, process and content. However, in practice, it faces challenges such as the difficulty and subjectivity of utility calculation, the balance between individual rights and social welfare, the long-term impact of decision-making, and international cooperation under a global perspective. Therefore, governance strategies such as improving ethical review policy rules, refining the ethical review system by drawing on international experience, and strengthening public education and publicity are proposed. Despite many challenges, ethical utilitarianism still provides an important theoretical framework for the ethical review of human organ donation and transplantation. Therefore, this article reviews the application of ethical utilitarianism in the ethical review of human organ donation and transplantation and its challenges, aiming to provide a reference for related research on the ethical review of human organ donation and transplantation.
3.Yinqiao Powder affects macrophage polarization-mediated herpes simplex keratitis through the cGAS-STING-IRF3 molecular pathway
Ning YAO ; Rongli ZHAO ; Xuemei YANG ; Yuhuan LIU ; Yaqin DING ; Yan DAI
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1227-1233
AIM: To investigate the specific molecular mechanism of Yinqiao Powder in affecting macrophage polarization in herpes simplex keratitis(HSK)through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthetase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING)-interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3)molecular pathway.METHODS:Human corneal epithelial cells(HCE-T)were divided into control, HSK, and HSK + Yinqiao Powder groups. M0 macrophages were grouped as Ctrl, HSV-1, HSV-1+oe-cGAS, HSV-1+Yinqiao Powder, and HSV-1+oe-cGAS+Yinqiao Powder. Conditional medium(CM)from each group of M0 macrophages was collected to intervene in HCE-T cells and divided into Ctrl-CM, HSV-1-CM, HSV-1+oe-cGAS-CM, and HSV-1+Yinqiao Powder-CM groups. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay, and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. ELISA was used to detect the concentrations of Arg-1 and iNOS in cell supernatants, and Western blotting was used to detect the relative protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and IRF3. Balb/c mice were divided into control, model, and drug groups. The model and drug groups were inoculated with HSV-1 on the cornea of Balb/c mice using the corneal scratch method to construct an HSK mouse model, and the drug group was treated with Yinqiao Powder. The incidence and mortality of the three groups were compared on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 after modeling.RESULTS:Compared with the control group, the HCE-T cell viability in the HSK group was decreased but apoptosis was increased, which was reversed by Yinqiao Powder intervention. Compared with the Ctrl group, the Arg-1 concentration in the cell supernatant of the HSV-1 group was decreased, the iNOS concentration was increased, and the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and IRF3 were decreased. Compared with the HSV-1 group, the Arg-1 concentration was increased, the iNOS concentration was decreased, and the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, and IRF3 were enhanced in the HSV-1+oe-cGAS group and the HSV-1+Yinqiao Powder group, and the same results were obtained in the HSV-1+oe-cGAS+Yinqiao Powder group. Compared with the Ctrl-CM group, the HCE-T cell viability was decreased and apoptosis was increased in the HSV-1-CM group, which was reversed by overexpressing cGAS in macrophages or intervening with Yinqiao Powder. In vivo experiments found that Yinqiao Powder intervention could improve the pathological progression of keratitis.CONCLUSION:Yinqiao Powder inhibits M1 polarization of macrophages through the cGAS-STING-IRF3 molecular pathway, thereby delaying the progression of HSK.
4.Clinical features of recompensation in autoimmune hepatitis-related decompensated cirrhosis and related predictive factors
Xiaolong LU ; Lin HAN ; Huan XIE ; Lilong YAN ; Xuemei MA ; Dongyan LIU ; Xun LI ; Qingsheng LIANG ; Zhengsheng ZOU ; Caizhe GU ; Ying SUN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1808-1817
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features and outcomes of recompensation in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)-related decompensated cirrhosis, to identify independent predictive factors, and to construct a nomogram prediction model for the probability of recompensation. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among the adult patients with AIH-related decompensated cirrhosis who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to August 2023 (n=211). The primary endpoint was achievement of recompensation, and the secondary endpoint was liver-related death or liver transplantation. According to the outcome of the patients at the end of the follow-up, the patients were divided into the recompensation group (n=16) and the persistent decompensation group(n=150).The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data with homogeneity of variance, and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data with heterogeneity of variance; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis; the Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to identify independent predictive factors, and a nomogram model was constructed and validated. ResultsA total of 211 patients were enrolled, with a median age of 55.0 years and a median follow-up time of 44.0 months, and female patients accounted for 87.2%. Among the 211 patients, 61 (with a cumulative proportion of 35.5%) achieved recompensation. Compared with the persistent decompensation group, the recompensation group had significantly higher white blood cell count, platelet count (PLT), total bilirubin (TBil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bile acid, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio (INR), SMA positive rate, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Pugh score, and rate of use of glucocorticoids (all P0.05), as well as significantly lower age at baseline, number of complications, and death/liver transplantation rate (all P0.05). At 3 and 12 months after treatment, the recompensation group had continuous improvements in AST, TBil, INR, IgG, MELD score, and Child-Pugh score, which were significantly lower than the values in the persistent decompensation group (all P0.05), alongside with continuous increases in PLT and albumin, which were significantly higher than the values in the persistent decompensation group (P0.05). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that baseline ALT (hazard ratio [HR]=1.067, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010 — 1.127, P=0.021), IgG (HR=0.463,95%CI:0.258 — 0.833, P=0.010), SMA positivity (HR=3.122,95%CI:1.768 — 5.515, P0.001), and glucocorticoid therapy (HR=20.651,95%CI:8.744 — 48.770, P0.001) were independent predictive factors for recompensation, and the nomogram model based on these predictive factors showed excellent predictive performance (C-index=0.87,95%CI:0.84 — 0.90). ConclusionAchieving recompensation significantly improves clinical outcomes in patients with AIH-related decompensated cirrhosis. Baseline SMA positivity, a high level of ALT, a low level of IgG, and corticosteroid therapy are independent predictive factors for recompensation. The predictive model constructed based on these factors can provide a basis for decision-making in individualized clinical management.
5.Distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and its association with perinatal outcomes
Jin CHEN ; Dan YANG ; Qianrong LI ; Yan SANG ; Zhi YU ; Jiao XU ; Xuemei WANG ; Heying HUANG ; Xue TANG ; Lin ZHUANG ; Xiaoyin WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2343-2350
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and its association with perinatal outcomes, and to provide a basis for precise treatment based on TCM syndrome differentiation. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 patients with ICP who were admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2023 to April 2025. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to summarize TCM syndromes. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the clinical features significantly associated with TCM syndrome. ResultsThe cluster analysis identified three core TCM syndromes among the 275 patients with ICP, i.e., liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome (45.8%), syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind (30.9%), and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (23.3%). There was a significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes between different groups stratified by maternal age at delivery, parity, history of ICP recurrence, gestational weeks at disease onset, total bile acid (TBA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and comorbidity with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that<34 gestational weeks at disease onset was significantly associated with all three syndromes (damp-heat: odds ratio [OR]=3.769, P<0.001; blood deficiency: OR=4.031, P<0.001; liver stagnation: OR=3.552, P<0.001). Liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years at disease onset (OR=2.048, P=0.014), parity ≥2 times (OR=1.921, P=0.034), history of ICP recurrence (OR=2.404, P=0.030), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.051, P=0.018), comorbidity with GDM (OR=1.944, P=0.029), and TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.542, P=0.024). The syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years (OR=2.939, P=0.003), parity ≥2 time (OR=3.222, P=0.003), history of ICP recurrence (OR=3.809, P=0.010), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.889, P=0.006), comorbidity with GDM (OR=3.711, P=0.001), and comorbidity with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR=4.472, P=0.011). Liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was associated with TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.995, P=0.044). The analysis of perinatal outcomes showed that there were significant differences in mode of delivery, gestational weeks at the time of delivery, postpartum blood loss, and neonatal birth weight between the three groups with different TCM syndromes (all P<0.05). ConclusionLiver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome, syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind, and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome are the main TCM syndrome types in ICP, and the distribution of TCM syndromes is closely associated with clinical factors and perinatal outcomes, which provides a basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized treatment.
6.Mendelian randomization analysis based on causal association of sterol esters with occurrence of intrahepatic ductal,biliary,and gallbladder malignancy
Xianlei ZHOU ; Zimo YAN ; Liwen GUO ; Xuemei ZHANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(4):1084-1093
Objective:To discuss the causal association between sterol esters and intrahepatic duct,biliary tract,and gallbladder malignancies using two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis,and to clarify the biological mechanisms of sterol esters,and to provide the a basis for early prevention and treatment of these malignancies.Methods:The instrumental variable data for 15 different types of sterol ester traits were obtained from the Finnish database(FinnGen).The genome-wide association study(GWAS)data for intrahepatic duct,biliary tract,and gallbladder malignancies were retrieved from the GWAS database using the keywords"sterol ester"and"intrahepatic duct,biliary tract,and gallbladder malignancies"(accession numbers:ICD-O-3 and GCST90277238-GCST9027725).The inverse-variance weighted(IVW)method,MR-Egger regression,and weighted median(WM)method were used to assess the causal association between sterol esters and the risk of these malignancies.Pleiotropy was tested using the MR-Egger intercept method;heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test;and sensitivity analysis was performed using the leave-one-out approach to comprehensively assess the reliability and robustness of the results.Results:The IVW analysis results showed that Sterol ester(27:1/14:0)odds ratio(OR)=2.349,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.371-4.025,P=0.002),Sterol ester(27:1/16:0)(OR=1.248,95%CI=1.018-1.523,P=0.033),Sterol ester(27:1/18:2)(OR=1.361,95%CI=1.078-1.718,P=0.009),and Sterol ester(27:1/22:6)(OR=1.339,95%CI=1.001-1.791,P=0.049)were associated with an increased risk of intrahepatic duct,biliary tract,and gallbladder malignancies.The MR-Egger regression analysis results indicated that Sterol ester(27:1/18:2)(OR=2.038,95%CI=1.337-3.105,P=0.011)was a risk factor for these malignancies.The WM analysis results revealed that Sterol ester(27:1/14:0)(OR=2.786,95%CI=1.419-5.468,P=0.003)and Sterol ester(27:1/18:2)(OR=1.548,95%CI=1.148-2.088,P=0.004)were also risk factors.The MR-Egger intercept analysis and Cochran's Q test results indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.The leave-one-out sensitivity analysis did not identify any influential outlier single nucleotide polymorphism(SNPs),confirming the reliability of the study.Conclusion:Sterol ester(27:1/14:0),Sterol ester(27:1/16:0),Sterol ester(27:1/18:2),and Sterol ester(27:1/22:6)exhibit causal associations with intrahepatic duct,biliary tract,and gallbladder malignancies and may promote their development.
7.Efficacy and safety of glofitamab monotherapy in the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Yu WANG ; Rong XIAO ; Yan MAO ; Xuemei YE ; Boyue ZHENG ; Hui LI
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(10):601-605
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of glofitamab in the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed. The clinical data of 11 patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL who were treated with glofitamab in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2024 to October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received glofitamab monotherapy. Dose escalation was required in the first course, and glofitamab at a dose of 30 mg was administered from the second to the 12th course. The general data, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score, previous treatment history, therapeutic effect after medication and adverse reactions were collected.Results:Among 11 patients, there were 8 males and 3 females, with the median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 60 (51, 76) years; 1 case was primary central nervous system DLBCL. The median number of prior treatment lines was 3 (2, 3) lines, and 6 cases received ≥3 lines of therapy; 1 case was double DLBCL and 3 cases was complicated with p53 mutations. The median follow-up time was 5 months (2-7 months). After treatment of the median number of glofitamab, 3 cases achieved complete remission, among which 1 case successfully bridged to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; 1 case had the stable disease and 7 cases achieved partial remission. Grade 1-2 adverse events included mild leukopenia in 3 patients, mild anemia in 4 patients, thrombocytopenia in 1 patient, and lymphopenia in 8 patients. Grade 3 hematologic adverse events included thrombocytopenia in 1 patient and severe lymphopenia in 1 patient. Non-hematological toxicities included mild rash in 1 patient, grade 1 liver dysfunction in 3 patients and inflammatory factor storm in 4 patients. No medication stop or deferral was found in patients due to severe adverse events. Conclusions:Glofitamab demonstrates a high response rate in the treatment of relapsed/refractory DLBCL, with manageable adverse events and a favorable safety.
8.Establishment of a zebrafish map3k15 knockout line using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology
Chunyu JIA ; Yan SHEN ; Gang CHEN ; Ke ZHENG ; Yan QIN ; Xuemei LI
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(3):290-297
Objective To establish a homozygous zebrafish map3k15 knockout line using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology so to provide an animal model for investigation of potential role of map3k15 in renal diseases.Methods 1)Analyzing the expression pattern of map3k15 in zebrafish;2)Establishing a homozygous map3k15 knockout zebrafish line using CRISPR/Cas9;3)Observing the phenotypic effects of map3k15 deficiency in ze-brafish.Results 1)map3k15 was expressed in the zebrafish pronephros,and map3k15/map3k15 protein was found highly conserved across species;2)map3k15-/-mutant zebrafish model was constructed with+2 bp mutation and+1 bp mutation;3)map3k15 mutant zebrafish exhibited edema in yolk sac,pericardium and head during embryonic development.Conclusions A homozygous zebrafish map3k15 knockout line is successfully developed which may provide an important model for future research on the role of map3k15 in renal development and disease.
9.Application of case-based learning teaching in basic medicine stage of eight-year medical program
Xiaoxiao GUO ; Shuya HE ; Yongmei CHEN ; Jing WANG ; Li YAN ; Xuemei LI
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(6):829-833
Objective To explore the application of case-based learning(CBL)approach in the basic medical stage for eight-year clinical medical program.Methods A total of 320 students from the eight-year clinical medicine pro-gram at Peking Union Medical College in the grades of 2014-2015 and 2019-2020 were selected as the study subjects.These students were divided into two groups,162 students in the classes of 2014 and 2015 as the control group,and 158 students in the classes of 2019 and 2020 as the experimental group.The students in the control group received classic teaching in the basic medicine stage characterized by traditional lectures as the main teaching method.The students in the experimental group received traditional lectures supplemented by CBL.In this study,the cardiovascular system was taken as an example,and the assessment scores and questionnaires of the two groups of students were collected in order to evaluate the teaching effectiveness and to obtain timely teaching feedback.Results Traditional lecture combined with CBL method significantly improved the theory assessment scores of students in the experimental group,stimulated learning interest and intrinsic motivation,and enhanced team learn-ing and problem-solving ability.Students believed that CBL teaching could effectively improve the ability to link theory to clinical practice.In addition,CBL teaching method encouraged the interaction between teachers and students and improved teaching efficiency.Conclusions Well-designing and well-organized CBL teaching from multiple levels,including teachers,students,and curricula,can be better accepted and acknowledged by students from eight-year clinical medical program at the stage of basic medical education.
10.Expression and significance of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Xuemei Zong ; Qianqian Lin ; Yuelan Chen ; Xinming Wang ; Wei Wei ; Shangxue Yan ; Yan Chang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(7):1218-1224
Objective :
To investigate the expression and clinical significance of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC ) ,synovial tissue ,and fibroblastic-like synovial cells (FLS) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
Methods :
Peripheral blood samples from 25 healthy control ( HC) individuals and 25 patients diagnosed with RA were collected ,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect KMO gene and protein expression in PBMC of RA and HC groups,and to analyze the correlation between the expression level of the KMO gene in the PBMC of the RA patients and the indexes of the laboratory tests.Meanwhile,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to detect KMO expression in synovial tissue and FLS in RA and HC groups.
Results :
① KMO gene and protein expression in PBMC of RA group were higher than that of HC group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 001) .② The level of KMO gene expression in PBMC of RA group was positively correlated with disease activity index 28 score,blood sedimentation,and rheumatoid factor (rs = 0. 417,P = 0. 038 ; r = 0. 545,P = 0. 005 ; rs = 0. 433,P = 0. 031) , and had no correlation with C-reactive protein and anti-cyclic citrullinated polypeptide antibody.③ KMO expres- sion in synovial tissue of RA group was higher than that of HC group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 01) ; KMO expression in FLS of synovial tissue of RA group was higher than that of HC group,and the difference was statistically significant (P <0. 001) .
Conclusion
KMO expression increases in PBMC ,synovial tissue and FLS of RA patients,and the level of KMO gene expression is correlated with the disease activity of RA patients,suggesting that KMO may promote the course of RA.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail