1.Surface protein characterization methods and their applications in disease target discovery
Yueyang ZHANG ; Chang SHAO ; Haiping HAO ; Hui YE
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(1):1-10
Surface proteins play pivotal roles in physiological processes, including cell recognition, signal transduction, substance transport, and immune responses. However, challenges persist in characterizing abnormal surface proteins in disease states and identifying therapeutic targets, due to the low abundance of these proteins within the total proteome and the frequent presence of their complex glycosylation modifications. Recent years have witnessed the vigorous development of chemical proteomics, leading to the successful creation of various chemical probes for the labeling and characterization of cell surface proteins. These techniques have subsequently been applied to the detection of disease surface proteins and the discovery of corresponding targets. Surface protein characterization techniques based on chemical proteomics are discussed herein, focusing on the principles of amino acid-targeted labeling, proximity labeling, and glycoprotein capture. The novelty, advantages, and limitations of techniques such as targeted lysine labeling, peroxidase and photocatalytic proximity labeling, and chemical glycan capture and metabolic glycan labeling are elaborated, and their applications across various biological models and disease types are described, aiming to provide some reference for target discovery and drug development targeting surface proteins.
2.Study on extraction technology of flavonoids from Potentilla discolor with deep eutectic solvents
Bin LIU ; Chenyi YANG ; Meiling SHAO ; Liangyong HUANG ; Yanguo GAO ; Xueqin WANG ; Guanghui LYU ; Qian HU ; Fang YE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2119-2123
OBJECTIVE To optimize the extraction process of flavonoids from Potentilla discolor .METHODS Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were used as the extraction solvent to prepare test sample solutions. The contents of rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The analytic hierarchy process combined with the criteria importance through intercriteria correlation weighting method was employed to assign comprehensive weights to the contents of the three flavonoids, and calculate the comprehensive score. The optimal DESs were screened based on the comprehensive score.Mean while, using the comprehensive score as the response variable and the liquid-to-solid ratio, ultrasonic time, and urltrasonic temperature as the influencing factors, the extraction technology of flavonoids from P.discolor was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface methodology and subsequently validated.RESULTS The comprehensive weight coefficients of rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol were 0.646 7, 0.207 5, and 0.145 8, respectively. The optimal DESs were choline chloride-lactic acid (molar ratio 1∶4) with a water content of 40%. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: liquid-to-solid ratio of 25∶1, ultrasonic time of 40 min, and ultrasonic temperature of 50 ℃. The validation results showed that the average comprehensive score of three batches of samples was 99.28, with an RSD of 0.54% ( n =3).CONCLUSIONS The optimal extraction technology of flavonoids from P. discolor based on DESs obtained in this study was stable and feasible.
3.Modified Taohe Chengqitang Regulates Notch/eNOS Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Hepatic Sinusoidal Capillarization
Chang SHAO ; Xiguang SUN ; Jiaxin HUANG ; Linmao YE ; Xiaofan LIANG ; Yi HE ; Junjie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):42-54
ObjectiveTo investigate whether modified Taohe Chengqitang (JTCT) treats liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, and to verify whether its specific mechanism is related to the Homologous genes responsible for the notches along the edges of Drosophila wings(Notch) signaling pathway and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups: Control, model (5 mL·kg-1·3 d-1), low-dose JTCT, medium-dose JTCT, and high-dose JTCT (JTCT-L,JTCT-M,JTCT-H). Except the control group, the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) olive oil solution every 3 days for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, JTCT-L, JTCT-M, and JTCT-H groups were administrated with JTCT by gavage at doses of 16.6, 33.3, and 66.6 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively, for 4 consecutive weeks (the control and model groups received equal volumes of normal saline by gavage). Primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were isolated from rat livers through in situ perfusion of collagenase, Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and selective removal of Kupffer cells. After verification of cell phenotype, LSECs were used for experiments. For cells at the logarithmic growth phase, the small interfering RNA(siRNA) kit was used to knock down the expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) through transient transfection. Subsequently, the Notch agonist Jagged-1 was applied. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the cytotoxicity of JTCT on LSECs. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to measure the expression of molecules in the Notch and eNOS signaling pathways at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Intracellular Ca2+ was labeled with the fluorescent probe Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester(Fluo-4/AM). ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, lobular structural disorder, and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the mouse liver tissue, significantly elevated serum levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P<0.01), significantly upregulated expression levels of Notch1, Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), Cluster of Differentiation 31(CD31), and von Willebrand factor(vWF) (P<0.01), and significantly downregulated phosphorylate(p)-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the JTCT groups showed significantly reduced serum Hyp, ALT, and AST levels (P<0.01), downregulated expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver tissue, with the JTCT-H group showing the most significant changes (P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the LSEC-1day group, the LSEC-5day group exhibited significantly increased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly decreased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01), and elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the JTCT group showed decreased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly increased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio (P<0.01), and significantly reduced intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the expression of Notch1, Hes1, eNOS, p-eNOS, CD31, vWF, sGC, or intracellular Ca2+ concentration between the Jagged1 group and the Jagged1+JTCT group. Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the sGC knockout group (sGC-KO) showed significantly increased expression of CD31 and vWF (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in CD31 or vWF expression between the sGC-KO group and the sGC-KO+JTCT group. ConclusionJTCT inhibits the activation of the Notch signaling pathway and restores the activity of the eNOS signaling pathway to suppress sinusoidal capillarization of LSECs, thereby treating liver fibrosis.
4.Pingchuanning Formula suppresses airway inflammation in a rat model of asthmatic cold syndrome by regulating the HMGB1/Beclin-1 axis-mediated autophagy.
Xinheng WANG ; Xiaohan SHAO ; Tongtong LI ; Lu ZHANG ; Qinjun YANG ; Weidong YE ; Jiabing TONG ; Zegeng LI ; Xiangming FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1153-1162
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the mechanism of Pingchuanning Formula (PCN) for inhibiting airway inflammation in rats with asthmatic cold syndrome.
METHODS:
A total of 105 SD rats were randomized equally into 7 groups, including a control group, an asthmatic cold syndrome model group, 3 PCN treatment groups at high, medium and low doses, a Guilong Kechuanning (GLCKN) treatment group, and a dexamethasone (DEX) treatment group. In all but the control rats, asthma cold syndrome models were established and daily gavage of saline, PCN, GLCKN or DEX was administered 29 days after the start of modeling. The changes in general condition, lung function and lung histopathology of the rats were observed, and inflammatory factors in the alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), oxidative stress, lung tissue ultrastructure, cytokine levels, and expressions of the genes related to the HMGB1/Beclin-1 axis and autophagy were analyzed.
RESULTS:
The rat models had obvious manifestations of asthmatic cold syndrome with significantly decreased body mass, food intake, and water intake, reduced FEV0.3, FVC, and FEV0.3/FVC, obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue, and increased alveolar inflammation score and counts of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and leukocytes in the BALF. The rat models also had significantly increased MDA level and decreased SOD level and exhibited obvious ultrastructural changes in the lung tissues, where the expressions of HMGB1, Beclin-1, ATG5, TNF-α, IL-6,IL-1β, and IL-13 and the LC3II/I ratio were increased, while the levels of Bcl-2 and IFN-γ were decreased. PCN treatment significantly improved these pathological changes in the rat models, and its therapeutic effect was better than that of GLKCN and similar to that of DEX.
CONCLUSIONS
PCN can effectively alleviate airway inflammation in rat models of asthmatic cold syndrome possibly by modulating the HMGB1/Beclin-1 signaling axis to suppress cell autophagy, thereby attenuating airway inflammatory damages.
Animals
;
Rats
;
Autophagy/drug effects*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Asthma/pathology*
;
Beclin-1
;
HMGB1 Protein/metabolism*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Male
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Lung/pathology*
;
Inflammation
5.Ferroptosis: from molecules to diseases.
Xuesong WANG ; Di KANG ; Yingying WANG ; Ye SHAO ; Hongbo LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(10):937-953
Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death, with its core mechanism being intracellular iron overload-induced lipid peroxidation, leading to cellular dysfunction and mitochondrial structural abnormalities. Ferroptosis is closely related to various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, tumors, and ischemia-reperfusion organ damage, and has become a potential therapeutic target. Iron is essential for life but can also cause cell death. Despite continuous progress in iron-related biomedical research, many questions remain unanswered. Advances in high-throughput technologies, genomics and proteomics are expected to reveal the cellular iron regulatory mechanism and open up new therapeutic approaches for ferroptosis-related diseases. This article reviews the research progress on iron in terms of its biology, metabolism, regulation, and related diseases, aiming to provide clues and references for developing new ferroptosis-targeted therapeutic strategies and facilitating more in-depth molecular studies from multiple perspectives.
Humans
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Ferroptosis/physiology*
;
Iron/metabolism*
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Animals
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Neoplasms/metabolism*
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Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism*
6.Analysis of clinical applicability and implementation of expert consensus on the implementation and removal of protective restraints in psychiatry
Jianing GU ; Dongmei XU ; Jing SHAO ; Jing GAO ; Zhuang CAI ; Yanhua QU ; Xiaolu YE ; Mengqian ZHANG ; Dongli MEI ; Yanhong ZHANG ; Bo YANG ; Gen CHENG ; Lina WANG ; Junrong YE ; Ruiyue LIN ; Yongling ZHOU ; Runjuan MA
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(11):1359-1365
Objective To understand the clinical applicability and implementation of expert consensus on the implementation and removal of protective restraints in psychiatry,and to provide references for promoting the standardized practice of psychiatric protective restraints and updating the consensus.Methods By the convenience sampling method,a questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses from 480 hospitals in 30 provinces from June 15 to July 15,2024.The survey was conducted using the instrument for evaluating clinical applicability of guide-lines(version 2.0)and a self-compiled questionnaire on the clinical implementation of the restraint consensus.Results A total of 7,844 valid questionnaires were collected,with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 93.78%.The results of clinical applicability scoring showed that the consensus had the lowest availability score(64.72%)and the highest acceptability score(76.74%).The results showed that nurses' receiving training and the level of their hospitals were the main influencing factors for scores in various dimensions(P<0.05).4,774 participants(87.42%)believed that the application of consensus could enhance the standardization of nurses' restraint operations.The safety rate of the restraint consensus was 79.51%,and the economic ratio was 76.87%.Among the evaluators,1,739(22.17%)believed that there were implementation obstacles in the consensus.Conclusion The clinical applicability of the consensus is relatively good,and the application of the consensus helps to improve the standardization of clinical operations.In the future,efforts should be made to strengthen the promotion and training of the consensus,develop hierarchical promotion strategies according to the characteristics of medical institutions,and improve the quality of evidence for the consensus,so as to further enhance the clinical application effect of the consensus.
7.CD62L expression on special subpopulations of neutrophils in peripheral blood as an indicator for sepsis monitoring
Yajin CHENG ; Simiao CHEN ; Xuanwen RU ; Danlei CHEN ; Qingyi SHAO ; Qing YE
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(3):239-247
Objective:To investigate the heterogeneity of peripheral blood neutrophils in sepsis and provide reference for the diagnosis of sepsis.Methods:Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups, control and sepsis groups, with 12 mice in each group using a completely randomized design. The mice in the control group were injected with 100 μl saline through the tail vein, while the mice in the sepsis group were injected with an equal amount of Escherichia coli solution (3.33 McFarland turbidity standards) through the tail vein to establish the sepsis model. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and the proportions of neutrophils expressing different surface markers were detected using mass cytometry. GO and KEGG analyses were performed on neutrophil subsets with high CD62L expression, and public datasets were used for verification. The protein-protein interaction networks of CD62L were investigated to assess the value of neutrophil heterogeneity in the diagnosis of sepsis. Results:There were significant differences in the expression of markers in peripheral blood samples between the sepsis group and the control group. CD62L + neutrophil subsets were found in mice with sepsis. GO and KEGG analyses showed that CD62L + neutrophil subsets were associated with multiple biological processes and signaling pathways such as cell adhesion, migration, surface receptor activation, and immune regulation. Clinical results confirmed the correlation of neutrophil CD62L expression with the severity and prognosis of sepsis. The number of subpopulations expressing CD62L in peripheral blood neutrophils in the sepsis group was higher than that in the control group, but the expression level of CD62L in single cells in the sepsis group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.01). Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed strong interaction between CD62L and multiple important proteins such as P-selectin, P-selectin ligand, E-selectin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Conclusion:There is heterogeneity in the surface markers of neutrophils between sepsis mice and control mice, which may be a potential indicator for the diagnosis of sepsis.
8.Cost-effectiveness analysis between sodium valproate and levetiracetam in the treatment of childhood epilepsy
Wei SHAO ; Ni YUAN ; Ye LIU ; Fei YU ; Ying LIU ; Feng WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(8):410-413
Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness between sodium valproate and levetiracetam in the treatment of childhood epilepsy and provide an economic basis for clinical medication choices. Methods A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision tree model to compare the effectiveness and drug costs of sodium valproate and levetiracetam in treating childhood epilepsy. Single-factor sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were used to assess the impact of parameter variations on the study results. Results The treatment cost of levetiracetam was significantly higher than that of sodium valproate. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of levetiracetam compared to sodium valproate was ¥8 628.43. Sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the base-case analysis. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that, over a 6-month treatment period, levetiracetam became a more cost-effective option when the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was ¥9,000 or higher. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that the price of levetiracetam was the most influential factor affecting the ICER. Conclusion When the WTP per effective pediatric epilepsy case is ¥9,000 or higher, levetiracetam demonstrates a cost-effectiveness advantage.
9.Phenomics of traditional Chinese medicine 2.0: the integration with digital medicine
Min Xu ; Xinyi Shao ; Donggeng Guo ; Xiaojing Yan ; Lei Wang ; Tao Yang ; Hao LIANG ; Qinghua PENG ; Lingyu Linda Ye ; Haibo Cheng ; Dayue Darrel Duan
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):282-299
Abstract
Modern western medicine typically focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the interconnections of the body’s various systems under external environment and takes a holistic approach to preventing and treating diseases. Phenomics was initially introduced to the field of TCM in 2008 as a new discipline that studies the laws of integrated and dynamic changes of human clinical phenomes under the scope of the theories and practices of TCM based on phenomics. While TCM Phenomics 1.0 has initially established a clinical phenomic system centered on Zhenghou (a TCM definition of clinical phenome), bottlenecks remain in data standardization, mechanistic interpretation, and precision intervention. Here, we systematically elaborates on the theoretical foundations, technical pathways, and future challenges of integrating digital medicine with TCM phenomics under the framework of “TCM phenomics 2.0”, which is supported by digital medicine technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, medical digital twins, and multi-omics integration. This framework aims to construct a closed-loop system of “Zhenghou–Phenome–Mechanism–Intervention” and to enable the digitization, standardization, and precision of disease diagnosis and treatment. The integration of digital medicine and TCM phenomics not only promotes the modernization and scientific transformation of TCM theory and practice but also offers new paradigms for precision medicine. In practice, digital tools facilitate multi-source clinical data acquisition and standardization, while AI and big data algorithms help reveal the correlations between clinical Zhenghou phenomes and molecular mechanisms, thereby improving scientific rigor in diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and personalized intervention. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including data quality and standardization issues, shortage of interdisciplinary talents, and insufficiency of ethical and legal regulations. Future development requires establishing national data-sharing platforms, strengthening international collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary professionals, and improving ethical and legal frameworks. Ultimately, this approach seeks to build a new disease identification and classification system centered on phenomes and to achieve the inheritance, innovation, and modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic patterns.
10.Factors affecting implementation of weight management services in primary medical and healthcare institutions based on the consolidated framework for implementation research
SUN Jie ; LI Yun ; WEI Jiayu ; SHAO Xiaofang ; YE Xiaojun ; FU Yeliu ; GU Wei ; YANG Min
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1087-1092
Objective:
To explore the influencing factors for implementation of weight management services in primary medical and healthcare institutions, so as to provide references for implementing sustainable services of weight management.
Methods:
From May to June 2025, Pinghu City, Zhejiang Province was selected as the survey site. Personnel responsible for weight management in primary medical and healthcare institutions were selected as the survey subjects using a combined method of purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Based on the five core domains of the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR), a semi-structured interview outline for weight management services in primary medical and healthcare institutions was designed. Original data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interview data was organized and analyzed using framework analysis. Factors affecting weight management services were quantitatively analyzed by referencing CFIR's structural rating criteria.
Results:
A total of 21 participants completed interviews, covering positions in nutrition, endocrinology, traditional Chinese medicine, general practice, maternal health, and public health. There were 9 males and 12 females. Fifteen participants (71.43%) were aged 35 years and above, 18 (85.71%) held a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15 (71.43%) were frontline medical staff. Fifteen factors affecting weight management services were identified across five domains: innovation, outer setting, inner setting, individuals, and implementation process. Six barrier factors were identified: difficulties in policy implementation, time-consuming interventions, limited incentive measures, lack of professional skills, unclear weight-loss plans and goal setting, and imperfect follow-up and evaluation mechanisms. Three neutral factors were identified: the development and refinement of policies and regulations, the implementation of weight management training, and the optimization of the referral process within integrated healthcare systems (medical alliances / communities). Six facilitating factors were identified: the relatively significant advantages of lifestyle interventions, collaboration and coordination across multiple departments, cooperative communication among different units within the institution, the inherent convenience of primary care settings, a strong sense of professional responsibility, and the establishment of multidisciplinary teams.
Conclusions
The delivery of weight management services in primary medical and healthcare institutions is influenced by a wide array of factors across multiple domains. It requires policy support, multi-department coordination, a practice-oriented training system, optimized team resource allocation, incentives, and improved professional skills of medical staff to jointly promote long-term implementation.


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