1.Tripterygium wilfordii: Historical origins, pharmacological mechanisms, and biosynthesis of triptolide and celastrol
Yuhan JIA ; Xinyi HU ; Ziming ZHU ; Yuan LI ; Xuan LIU ; Jinxuan YU ; Jiadian WANG ; Yating HU
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(3):211-224
Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of therapeutic use but remains controversial in modern medicine because of its potent toxicity. Among its diverse chemical constituents, the diterpenoid triptolide and the triterpenoid celastrol have emerged as prominent compounds due to their remarkable pharmacological activities, including antitumor, immunosuppressive, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective effects. However, their clinical translation is limited by toxicity concerns and restricted natural availability. This review summarizes the medicinal history and chemical constituents of T. wilfordii, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological mechanisms, structural modification strategies, and recent advances in the biosynthesis of triptolide and celastrol. In addition, we discuss perspectives on toxicity mitigation and lead compound development, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and valuable references for modern drug development and the green manufacturing of T. wilfordii-derived resources.
2.Vesicle fusion mechanisms mediated by synaptosomal-associated protein 25 and its role in insulin secretion defects in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Jingbo ZHU ; Kaiwen YU ; Yating LU ; Yan LU
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(13):137-144
The occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are closely as-sociated with defects in insulin secretion.Synaptosomal-associated protein 25(SNAP25),as a core component of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor(SNARE)complex,directly mediates the fusion of insulin secretion granules with the cell membrane and regu-lates the dynamic balance of insulin secretion stimulated by glucose.The expression defect of SNAP25 in patients with T2DM and model animals directly leads to vesicle fusion disorder,constituting the core pathological link of insulin secretion disorder and exacerbating the deterioration of β-cell func-tion.SNAP25 may serve as a key hub for multi-target synergistic intervention,and its genetic poly-morphism and the plasticity of its regulatory network offer novel strategies for precision therapy.This article innovatively integrated multidimensional regulatory mechanisms,including calcium channel ac-tivity,G-protein-coupled signaling and epigenetic modifications,to systematically analyze the spatio-temporal-specific regulatory network of SNAP25 in insulin secretion,providing a theoretical basis for T2DM therapeutic strategies targeting vesicle fusion.
3.Organizational Agility in Public Hospitals:Concepts,Core Capabilities,and Development Pathways
Huiyan MAO ; Xuemei WANG ; Jianing WANG ; Yating CHENG ; Yuxuan ZHU ; Tingshan DUAN ; Tao SUN
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(3):50-54
In the current era filled with change and challenges,public hospitals,as a crucial part of the national healthcare system,urgently need to enhance their agility to swiftly respond to the ever-changing environment.Current it outlines the origins and connotations of organizational agility,argues for the necessity of organizational agility in public hospitals,and proposes the core competencies required to maintain organizational agility in public hospitals,namely:patient-centeredness,environmental sensitivity,proactive planning,organizational integration capability,flexibility,rapid response,iterative regulation,and continuous learning.Furthermore,it attempts to establish a cultivation pathway for organizational agility in public hospitals,encompassing multiple dimensions such as organizational culture,agile leadership,communication systems,organizational structure,the embedding of new productivity,management systems,partner management,training systems,performance evaluation,and compliance management.
4.Application of iterative model reconstruction technique in low-dose lumbar CT scanning
Weicong ZHU ; Huiyun ZENG ; Chen DU ; Yating WU ; Bin WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):323-327
Objective To explore the application value of iterative model reconstruction(IMR)technique in low-dose lumbar CT scanning.Methods A total of 48 patients who underwent lumbar CT plain scan were selected and divided into regular-dose group(group A)and ultra-low dose group(group B).The group A underwent imaging with 120 kV tube voltage,automatic tube current modulation technology,and iDose 4 reconstruction.The group B was scanned with a tube voltage of 100 kV and a tube current of 80 mAs,and the images of B1 and B2 groups were reconstructed by iDose 4 and IMR,respectively.The standard deviation(SD)value(the SD value represents the noise of the measured tissue),signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of cancellous bone,intervertebral disc,dural sac,and psoas muscle were measured and calculated at the L3-L4 vertebral body level.Two diagnosticians rated the image quality.Sample t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the measurement results and subjective scores.Results The comparison of SD for intervertebral disc,dural sac,and psoas muscle showed group B2<group A<group B1,while the subjective score comparison indicated group A>group B2>group B1.The SNR for intervertebral disc and psoas muscle demonstrated group B2>group A>group B1.There was no significant difference in bone quality score between group A and group B1(P>0.05),but there was a significantly different between the bone quality scores of group B2 and those obtained with iDose 4 reconstruction(group A and group B1)(P<0.05).The effective dose(ED)of group B was reduced by approximately 70.28%compared with group A.Conclusion IMR can significantly reduce SD,improves SNR and CNR,resulting in high-quality images.Compared to iDose 4 technique,IMR has more advantages in soft tissue display,while iDose 4 technique is superior in observing fine bone structures.The combined application of iDose 4 and IMR technique ensures high-quality images for diagnosis,while significantly reducing the radiation dose to patients.
5.Protective role of self-assembled nanoparticle vaccine of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mouse model of bronchiectasis with acute infection
Ziyu WU ; Yueyue ZHANG ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Jinqiong YAN ; Zifan ZHU ; Meilin WU ; Yating WANG ; Hongrong CUI ; Jiang GU ; Ying WANG ; Quanming ZOU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(10):1049-1058
Objective To establish a mouse model of bronchiectasis with acute infection and evaluate the immunogenicity and protective effect of a self-assembling Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA)nanoparticle vaccine rePO-FN based on fusion of PcrV-OprI(rePO)protein with self-assembling ferritin(Ferritin).Methods ① SPF-grade female C57BL/6 mice(aged 6~8 weeks,weighing 18~20 g)were randomly allocated into normal saline group,and low-,medium-and high-dose elastase groups(n=6).A mouse model of bronchiectasis was established via intratracheal instillation of different doses of elastase(30 μL of normal saline containing 0.65,1.30 and 2.60 IU elastase)for 3 consecutive days.At 14 and 21 d after modeling,ELISA and HE staining were performed respectively to detect the concentration of IL-6 and to observe pathological changes in lung tissue in order to confirm the modeling.② A recombinant plasmid encoding the gene of fusion protein rePO-FN was constructed and expressed in E.coli.The target protein was purified via affinity chromatography and renatured to obtain the desired protein.The physicochemical properties of the rePO-FN protein were characterized using SDS-PAGE protein gel electrophoresis,dynamic light scattering,molecular sieve chromatography,and transmission electron microscopy.③ C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into PBS group,rePO group,rePO-FN group,and Ferritin group(n=10).The mice in the above groups were immunized intramuscularly with 100 μL PBS buffer alone or containing 10 μg of corresponding proteins on days 0,7,and 14.ELISA was used to measure the specific antibodies in serum.In 7 d after the final immunization,an acute PA infection model was used to compare the survival rates and bacterial colonization among the PBS,rePO,and rePO-FN groups.After establishing a bronchiectasis model by intratracheal instillation of 2.60 IU of elastase in C57BL/6J mice as described above,the mice were randomly divided into bronchiectasis PBS group,bronchiectasis rePO group,and bronchiectasis rePO-FN group(n=10).Immunization was conducted at the same dose and procedure as described above,in 21 d after bronchiectasis modeling.At the 7th d after the final immunization,an acute PA infection model was used to compare the survival rates and bacterial colonization among the groups.Results ①Repeated intratracheal instillation of elastase significantly increased the concentration of IL-6 in the lung tissue when compared to the content of the normal saline group(P<0.05).Pathological observations revealed varying degrees of bronchial wall destruction,alveolar fusion,edema,neutrophil infiltration,and hemorrhage,with the severity increasing with elastase dose,which confirming successful establishment of the mouse model of bronchiectasis.② Well-dispersed rePO-FN nanoparticles were successfully prepared,with an average particle size of 91.28 nm,a Zeta potential of approximately-6.5 mV,and a polydispersity index(PDI)of 0.306.Molecular sieve chromatography determined the elution volume of rePO-FN protein to be 8.80 mL,corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 1 400 kDa.③ Under acute PA XN-1 strain infection,the survival rate of the rePO-FN immunization group and the bronchiectasis rePO-FN immunization group were significantly higher than that of the PBS control group(P<0.05).Additionally,bacterial colonization in the lung tissues was significantly lower in the rePO-FN immune group and the bronchiectasis rePO-FN immune group under acute PA XN-1 strain infection than that in the rePO group and the bronchiectasis rePO group(P<0.05).Conclusion Our vaccine rePO-FN can effectively trigger a strong humoral immune response and provide significant protection against PA infection in a mouse bronchiectasis model.
6.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.
7.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.
8.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.
9.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.
10.The clinical value ofmannan binding lectin associated serine protease 2, galectin-3, and midkine in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules
Xiao HUANG ; Qian ZHU ; Yating CHEN ; Peng LI ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(10):953-956
Objective:To analyze the clinical value of mannan binding lectin associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2), galectin-3, and midkine in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.Methods:From March 2021 to March 2022, 75 patients (study group) with thyroid nodules admitted to the Nanchong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 50 volunteers(control group) who underwent health examinations during the same period were retrospectively selected. The levels of MASP-2, galectin-3 and midkine were compared between the two groups, and the levels of MASP-2, galectin-3 and midkine in benign and malignant thyroid nodules in the study group were compared. The predictive value of MASP-2, galectin-3, midkine and combined tests for malignant thyroid nodules diagnosis was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The levels of MASP-2, galectin-3, midkine in the study group were higher than those in the control group: (433.92 ± 35.01) mg/L vs. (215.12 ± 22.60) mg/L, (26.73 ± 3.12) μg/L vs. (20.51 ± 2.10) μg/L, (258.96 ± 27.03) ng/L vs. (122.47 ± 15.72) ng/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The levels of MASP-2, galectin-3, midkine in the patients with malignant nodules were higher than those in the patients with benign thyroid nodules: (541.27 ± 57.35) mg/L vs. (400.02 ± 30.17) mg/L, (41.68 ± 5.23) μg/L vs. (22.01 ± 2.89) μg/L, (318.97 ± 40.23) ng/L vs. (240.01 ± 25.01) ng/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of MASP-2, galectin-3 and midkine in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules was the highest (0.819), which was higher than that of any single index. Conclusions:The serum levels of MASP-2, galectin-3 and midkine in patients with malignant nodules were higher than those in patients with benign nodules, and the combined value of MASP-2, galectin-3 and midkine is higher in predicting malignant thyroid nodules.

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