1.Natural product mediated mesenchymal-epithelial remodeling by covalently binding ENO1 to degrade m6A modified β-catenin mRNA.
Tianyang CHEN ; Guangju LIU ; Sisi CHEN ; Fengyuan ZHANG ; Shuoqian MA ; Yongping BAI ; Quan ZHANG ; Yahui DING
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):467-483
The transition of cancer cells from epithelial state to mesenchymal state awarded hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stem cell properties and induced tumorigenicity, drug resistance, and high recurrence rate. Reversing the mesenchymal state to epithelial state by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial remodeling could inhibit the progression of HCC. Using high-throughput screening, chrysin was selected from natural products to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by selectively increasing CDH1 expression. The target identification suggested chrysin exerted its anti-HCC effect through covalently and specifically binding threonine 205 (Thr205) of alpha-enolase (ENO1). For the first time, we revealed that ENO1 bound β-catenin mRNA, and recruited YTHDF2 to identify the m6A modified β-catenin in the 3'-UTR region to degrade β-catenin mRNA. Eventually, the CDH1 gene expression was improved through the regulation of β-catenin mRNA. ENO1/β-catenin mRNA interaction might be a promising target for cellular plasticity reprogramming. Moreover, chrysin could mediate mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling through increasing degradation of β-catenin mRNA by promoting the binding of ENO1 and β-catenin mRNA. To the best of our knowledge, chrysin is the first reported small molecule inducing β-catenin mRNA degradation through binding to ENO1. The water-soluble derivative of chrysin may be a natural product-derived lead compound for circumventing metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance of HCC by mediating mesenchymal‒epithelial remodeling.
2.A novel carbonyl reductase for the synthesis of (R)-tolvaptan.
Yahui LIU ; Xuming WANG ; Shuo MA ; Keyu LIU ; Wei LI ; Lulu ZHANG ; Jie DU ; Honglei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):321-332
Screening carbonyl reductases with the ability to catalyze the reduction of complex carbonyl compounds is of great significance for the biosynthesis of R-tolvaptan(R-TVP). In this study, the target carbonyl reductase in the crude enzyme extract of rabbit liver was separated, purified, and identified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel-filtration chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and protein mass spectrometry. With the rabbit liver genome as the template, the gene encoding the carbonyl reductase rlsr5 was amplified by PCR and the recombinant strain was successfully constructed. After RLSR5 was purified by affinity chromatography, its enzymatic properties were characterized. The results indicated that the gene sequence of rlsr5 was 972 bp, encoding a protein with a molecular weight of 40 kDa. RLSR5 was a dimeric protein, and each monomer was composed of a (α/β)8-barrel structure. RLSR5 could asymmetrically reduce 7-chloro-1-[2-methyl-4-[(2- methylbenzoyl)amino]benzoyl]-5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine (prochiral ketone, PK) to synthesize R-TVP. The specific activity of the enzyme was 36.64 U/mg, and the optical purity of the product was 99%. This enzyme showcased the optimal performance at pH 6.0 and 30 °C. It was independent of metal ions, with the activity enhanced by Mn2+. This study lays a foundation for the biosynthesis of tolvaptan of optical grade.
Animals
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Rabbits
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Alcohol Oxidoreductases/biosynthesis*
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Recombinant Proteins/metabolism*
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Escherichia coli/metabolism*
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Liver/enzymology*
3.Qualitative and quantitative analyses of Gentiana veitchiorum by LC-MSn and HPLC-UV
Shiyu LUO ; Yahui MI ; Jiamin CUI ; Liming MA ; Xiaowu YAO ; Hao WANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):710-718
A qualitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was performed for the identification of main constituents in Gentiana veitchiorum. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the quantification of seven major components, including loganic acid (1), swertiamarin (2), gentiopicroside (3), sweroside (4), isoorientin (5), isoscoparin (6), and gentiournoside A (7). A total of 42 compounds, including 31 flavonoids, and 11 Iridoids, were identified based on their retention behaviors, and MS fragment information. Furthermore, regression equations for these seven chemical components were established, with good linear relationships (r2 > 0.9999), and the sample recovery rate was 97.02%-103.08%. This method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of seven components in 7 batches of G. veitchiorum samples by HPLC-UV method. The method established in this study is simple and reliable, capable of qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the main chemical components of G. veitchiorum, and is applicable to its quality evaluation.
4.Current status of the application of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer
Yu MA ; Feng JIA ; Kaiyu LIU ; Yahui LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(10):2121-2126
Pancreatic cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system,with a low early diagnosis rate,a high surgical mortality rate,a low cure rate,and a poor overall prognosis.In recent years,with the continuous development of artificial intelligence in the medical field,artificial intelligence techniques,such as machine learning and deep learning,have been widely used in medical research.This article reviews the application of artificial intelligence techniques in the screening,diagnosis,treatment,complications,and prognosis prediction of pancreatic cancer,so as to provide a basis and new ideas for the application of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Ischemic Stroke by Regulating mTOR Signaling Pathway: A Review
Yugang MA ; Xingchen WANG ; Xuebin WANG ; Yahui LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):265-272
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious cerebrovascular disease common in clinical practice. Targeting the pathogenesis of IS, intravenous thrombolysis for restoring blood flow is still the most effective therapy. However, intravenous thrombolysis has shortcomings such as increased bleeding risk, narrow therapeutic window, and contraindications, which limited its clinical application. Protection of the ischemic brain tissue before full recovery of blood flow is associated with the prognosis of IS. Studies have identified multiple pathways in the alleviation of the brain injury caused by IS, such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has abundant therapies and unique advantages in the treatment of IS, especially in alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients. After the onset of IS, TCM can be integrated with Western medicine to play a role in the whole process of treatment, rehabilitation, and recurrence prevention as soon as possible, thus maximizing patient benefits. TCM has clinical significance for the recovery of neurological and motor functions after IS. Studies have shown that TCM can reduce the cerebral injury caused by IS by regulating and activating the mTOR signaling pathway, thereby regulating autophagy, inhibiting apoptosis of nerve cells, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. TCM exerts a positive effect for achieving cerebral protection and improving the prognosis of IS and provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of IS. This article introduces the role of the mTOR signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of IS and reviews the research progress in the TCM regulation of this pathway in the treatment of IS, aiming to provide new therapeutic ideas and systematic scientific reference for the treatment of IS with TCM.
6.Analysis on Current Status of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice of COVID -19 in College Students and Their Influencing Factors
Ni YAN ; Yahui FAN ; Xi LIU ; Lina WANG ; Wanru JIA ; Juhua LI ; Le MA
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;35(3):326-331
In order to understand the current status of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about prevention and control of COVID -19 in college students, and to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control work in college campus. This study investigated the KAP of COVID -19 of 1 847 college students in Shaanxi province by questionnaire using the convenience sampling method. Chisquare test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors for the KAP of COVID -19. The results demonstrated that 48.3% of the students had a higher knowledge level of COVID -19, 11.7% had a fear attitude and 39.6% had good protective practices. Logistic regression results showed that female and urban household college students had higher cognitive level of COVID -19. The college students with anxiety state were more likely to have fear attitude. Students of female, urban household, anxiety, higher cognition and fear attitude showed better protective practices. The above results indicated that the knowledge level of COVID -19 in college students are not enough, and the attitude and protective practices need to be further improved. Therefore, relevant departments should follow the rules of KAP, carry out targeted propaganda and education on COVID -19 for college students, to improve their ability to cope with public health emergencies.
7.Bacterial Adhesion on Bionic Surface of Anastomotic Nail in Gastrointestinal Microenvironment:A Microflow Field Simulation
Rongchuan FENG ; Yahui HU ; Yan MA ; Chunqiu ZHANG ; Shuhong LIU ; Bang LIU ; Weihua FU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(2):339-345
Objective To simulate the microflow field environment between the anastomotic nail surface and intestinal wall tissue after implantation and to study the effect of hydrophobic surfaces on the flow rate of extracellular fluid and the fluid shear force on the wall to regulate bacterial adhesion through changes in the flow field.Methods The microstructure of shark skin was observed,and a simplified two-dimensional(2D)movement model of bacteria in a microflow field was established.Using computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation,the movement of bacteria on a smooth surface and micro-textured surface in a static and dynamic flow field were simulated.The flow field characteristics around bacteria and the magnitude of fluid shear force under the two surface environments were compared,and the internal mechanism of the fluid shear force affecting bacterial adhesion was analyzed.Results The addition of the biomimetic microtexture enhanced the flow rate of the extracellular fluid in the microflow field,and the fluid had little viscous effect on the bacteria in the static flow field.The fluid in the dynamic flow field had a stronger pushing effect on the bacteria.The fluid shear force on the microtextured wall increased when the pit width was within a specific range.Conclusions The bionic micro-textured surface of the anastomotic nail can accelerate the flow rate of extracellular fluid,increase the fluid shear force of micro-textured walls and bacteria,and influence bacterial adhesion.These result provide a theoretical basis for studying bacteriostatic surfaces of anastomotic nails.
8.Clinical value of cognitive and motor function in predicting phenoconversion in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Xuan ZHANG ; Yaqin HUANG ; Li MA ; Danqi LIANG ; Yahui WAN ; Kaili ZHOU ; Rong XUE
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(7):746-754
Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of cognitive and motor function in predicting conversion to neurodegenerative disorders in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD).Methods:Forty-seven patients with iRBD were collected from the Department of Neurology of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Airport Site during October 2018 and June 2022. All participants received comprehensive evaluations of cognitive and motor function at baseline. The visuospatial function was evaluated by Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF)-copy, the memory function was evaluated by Auditory Verbal Learning Test and ROCF-recall, the attention-executive function was evaluated by Trail Making Test (TMT) and Stroop Color-Word Test, and the language function was evaluated by Boston Naming Test. The motor function was evaluated by Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale-Ⅲ, Alternate-tap Test (ATT), and 3-meter Timed Up and Go Test. The iRBD patients with phenoconversion were identified during follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic curve and generalized linear model Logistic regression were applied to identify the optimal combination of cognitive and motor tests in distinguishing the converters from non-converters in patients with iRBD. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied to evaluate the independent risk factors in predicting conversion to neurodegenerative diseases in patients with iRBD.Results:The median follow-up duration was 3 years. Forty-five iRBD patients were included in the analysis eventually, as 2 dropped out at follow-up. Twenty-one iRBD patients developed neurodegenerative disorders, with 14 presenting motor phenotype and 7 cognitive phenotype. Baseline ROCF-copy, TMT-A and ATT were best combination in identifying iRBD patients with phenoconversion [sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity: 87.5%, area under curve (AUC): 0.931, P<0.001]. Baseline TMT-A and ATT were best combination in identifying iRBD patients with motor phenotype conversion (sensitivity: 100.0%, specificity: 66.7%, AUC: 0.872, P<0.001); Baseline TMT-A performed best in identifying iRBD patients with cognitive phenotype conversion (sensitivity: 83.3%, specificity: 91.7%, AUC: 0.917, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that individuals with poorer performance of TMT-A (cut-off value: 63.0 s) and ATT (cut-off value: 205.5 taps/min) than the cut-off values at baseline had higher risks for developing to neurodegenerative disorders, with HR values of 5.455 (95% CI 1.243-23.941, P=0.025) and 11.279 (95% CI 1.485-85.646, P=0.019), respectively. Conclusions:In iRBD, ROCF-copy, TMT-A and ATT served as optimum combination in predicting phenoconversion, whereas TMT-A and ATT served as optimum combination in predicting motor phenotype, and TMT-A performed best in predicting cognitive phenotype. The performance in TMT-A and ATT in iRBD could predict the risk of developing to neurodegenerative disorders independently.
9.Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsules on Delaying Aging Process of Naturally Aging Mice Based on Immune-inflammation-aging
Yahui SONG ; Kun MA ; Yaping ZHANG ; Dandong WANG ; Xinjing MAO ; Shaolan ZHANG ; Cong WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(9):146-155
ObjectiveTo study the effect of Bazi Bushen capsules on delaying the aging process of naturally aging mice and its mechanism. MethodThe mice were randomly divided into four groups according to their body weight, namely, aging group, low-dose Bazi Bushen capsules group (1 g·kg-1), high-dose Bazi Bushen capsules group (2 g·kg-1), and rapamycin group (0.002 g·kg-1). The debilitating signs were detected by behavioral tests and the weakness index was measured. The percentages of spleen T and B lymphocytes, effector T cells (TE), memory T cells (TM), naive T cells (TN), helper T cells (Th), cytotoxic T cells (Tc) ,Th1 cells, Th2 cells, and regulatory T cells (Treg) were determined by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation and the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of lymphocytes in mice. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the mouse spleen. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (p16) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mRNA expression of senescence-related proteins p16 and p21 was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and the inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12 p70, in peripheral blood of mice were detected by Luminex. ResultAs compared with the aging group, mice in the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups showed significantly improved debilitating signs and reduced weakness index scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased proportions of T cells, TN cells, Tc cells, Th2 cells, and Treg cells in the spleen, decreased proportions of TE cells, TM cells, Th cells, Th1 cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), and increased proliferation of splenic lymphocytes (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups, clear structure of the red and white marrow marginal zone was observed in the spleen of mice, the area of the white marrow was increased, and the area of the red marrow was correspondingly decreased. The protein and mRNA expression of aging-related proteins p16 and p21 in the spleen was decreased (P<0.01), the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12 p70, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels were decreased, and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups as compared with the aging group. ConclusionBazi Bushen capsules have the effect of regulating the debilitating signs of natural aging mice, regulating the immune homeostasis and inflammation level of the body, and reducing cell aging.
10.Clinical values of albumin-bilirubin score and carcinoembryonic antigen in prognostic assessment of colorectal cancer patients with postoperative liver metastasis
Yahui MA ; Qi YANG ; Xiang MIAO ; Jiayou GUO ; Hongbo ZHU
Cancer Research and Clinic 2023;35(10):755-760
Objective:To explore the values of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and combination of the two in the prognostic assessment of colorectal cancer patients with postoperative liver metastasis.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 98 colorectal cancer patients with postoperative liver metastasis who were admitted to Lianyungang Oriental Hospital and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy from January 2016 to March 2020 were retrospective analyzed. The data of serum protein, bilirubin, and CEA before chemotherapy were obtained, the relationship between serum protein and bilirubin was analyzed, and the ALBI score was calculated. The ALBI-CEA score was judged according to the ALBI score and the CEA level. ALBI score > -2.60 points was categorized as high ALBI group, and ALBI score ≤ -2.60 points was categorized as low ALBI group; CEA >5 ng/ml was categorized as high CEA group, and CEA ≤5 ng/ml was categorized as low CEA group; patients were categorized into 0, 1, and 2 points groups based on ALBI-CEA score. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of ALBI score, CEA and ALBI-CEA score subgroups were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method; with the actual survival and progress status of the patients as the gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the effect of 3 indicators to assess patients' OS and PFS, and area under the curve (AUC) was compared; Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the influencing factors of OS and PFS.Results:The median albumin and bilirubin levels of the 98 patients were 34.4 g/L (26.8-42.8 g/L) and 16.6 μmol/L (7.6-44.6 μmol/L), and the result of Pearson correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the levels of albumin and bilirubin ( r = -0.282, P < 0.001). The 3-year OS and PFS rates in the high ALBI group were lower than those in the low ALBI group (OS rate: 9.2% vs. 33.3%, PFS rate: 7.7% vs. 18.2%), and the differences in OS and PFS between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 27.64, 23.30, both P < 0.001). The 3-year OS and PFS rates in the high CEA group were lower than those in the low CEA group (OS rate: 7.1% vs. 42.9%, PFS rate: 7.1% vs. 21.4%), and the differences in OS and PFS between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 23.71, 17.14, both P < 0.001). The 3-year OS rates in the ALBI-CEA score 0, 1 and 2 points groups were 77.8%, 20.9% and 2.2%, and the 3-year PFS rates were 44.4%, 9.3% and 6.5%, and there were statistical differences in OS and PFS among the three groups ( χ2 values were 102.36, 76.55, both P < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of ALBI score, CEA and ALBI-CEA score for assessing OS were 0.688 (95% CI 0.544-0.832), 0.754 (95% CI 0.618-0.890) and 0.828 (95% CI 0.723-0.933) (all P < 0.05), and the AUC for assessing PFS were 0.618 (95% CI 0.436-0.799), 0.646 (95% CI 0.464-0.829) and 0.682 (95% CI 0.494-0.870) (all P > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that ALBI-CEA score was an independent influencing factor for OS (2 points vs. 0 point: HR = 17.254, 95% CI 8.385-35.504, P < 0.001) and PFS (2 points vs. 0 point: HR = 6.144, 95% CI 3.725-10.134, P < 0.001) of patients. Conclusions:The colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis and high ALBI-CEA score are at high risk of death and disease progression and have a poor prognosis, and they are recommended to receive intensive treatment.

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