1.Epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer
Minggang WANG ; Jiamei DONG ; Zhihua YE ; Xiang GAO ; Qi CHEN ; Xiaoqiao YU ; Hanmin LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):362-371
ObjectiveTo investigate the epigenetic mechanism of Diwu Yanggan Capsule in improving liver regeneration microenvironment in a rat model of liver cancer by regulating DNA methylation, and to provide a basis for scientific clinical medication. MethodsA total of 48 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group, model group, and Diwu Yanggan Capsule group using a random number table, with 16 rats in each group. The Solt-Farber two-step method was used to establish a rat model of liver cancer. The rats in the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group were given Diwu Yanggan Capsule at a dose of 750 mg/kg/d by gavage, and those in the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage. Liver tissue samples were collected from each group of rats after 16 weeks of continuous intervention; DNA methylation chips were used to analyze the change in DNA methylation in liver tissue, and gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used for data analysis. In addition, the MeDIP-PCR technique was used to detect the changes in candidate differentially methylated genes such as YWHAB, ADCK2, ERLIN2, SEMA3B, and TPH2 in the liver tissue of rats, and Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to verify the expression of key methylated genes. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, while the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe DNA methylation chip analysis showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significant methylation changes in the promoter region of 2 422 genes in liver tissue of rats. The GO functional enrichment analysis and the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially methylated genes were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reversal of promoter methylation in 1 650 genes, and the KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in the pathways closely associated with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and microenvironment regulation, such as the calcium ion signaling pathway, the cAMP signaling pathway, and the extracellular factor signaling pathway. Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had a significant increase in the promoter methylation level of the ADCK2 gene (P<0.05) and significant reductions in the promoter methylation levels of the ERLIN2 and TPH2 genes (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the Diwu Yanggan Capsule group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels and the protein expression levels of the ADCK2 (all P<0.05). ConclusionAbnormal DNA methylation in liver tissue participates in the development and progression of liver cancer. The effect of Diwu Yanggan Capsule on DNA methylation level is an important epigenetic mechanism for its effect in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer.
2.Research progress on the relationship between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity
GAO Lei ; YE Zhen ; WANG Wei ; ZHAO Dong ; XU Peiwei ; ZHANG Ronghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):48-54
Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue. Current research indicates that early life obesogen exposure has emerged as a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. While obesogens have been confirmed to influence the development and progression of childhood obesity through mechanisms such as endocrine disruption and epigenetic programming, controversies remain regarding the establishment of causal relationships, assessment of combined exposures, and validation of transgenerational effects in humans. In recent years, novel approaches including multi-omics technologies, exposome-based analysis, and multigenerational cohort studies have integrated dynamic biomarker monitoring with analyses of social-environmental interactions, offering new perspectives and methodologies for constructing a systematic "exposure-mechanism-outcome" research framework. This article reviews literature from PubMed and Web of Science up to August 2025 on the association between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity, summarizing evidence on the health effects of early life obesogen exposure, major exposure pathways and internal exposure assessment, interactions and amplifying effects of social and environmental factors, as well as the biological mechanisms underlying obesogen action. It further examines current research frontiers and challenges, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for early prevention and precision intervention of childhood obesity.
3.Mechanism of Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula in Improving Unilateral Vestibular Labyrinth Destruction by Regulating Metabolism-neuroplasticity
Yu TIAN ; Hui LENG ; Rupeng QU ; Xianglong HAO ; Aiping WANG ; Lei SHI ; Zhongyuan QU ; Ye DONG ; Xiande MA ; Yangling HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):54-64
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism by which Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula improves metabolism-neuroplasticity and treats unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction by regulating the metabolic balance of glutamate (Glu)/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Methods48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) adult rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group, Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula groups with low, medium, and high doses (9.20, 18.39, 36.78 g·kg-1), and betahistine group (1.62 mg·kg-1). A unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction (vestibular dysfunction) model was established by intratympanic injection of chloroform into the right ear, while the control group received intratympanic injection of normal saline. Drugs were administered once daily for seven consecutive days. During the period, behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the behaviors of rats after unilateral vestibular labyrinth destruction. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the neuronal morphology in the medial vestibular nucleus. Golgi staining was employed to assess the number of dendritic spines of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was utilized to detect Glu/GABA. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were applied to determine the expressions of glutamate-immunoreactive (Glu-IR), GABA, GFAP, postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), and GAP-43. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group, the model group presented with head deviation, balance disorder, increased tail suspension score, nuclear consolidation of medial vestibular nerve neurons, and decreased Nissl bodies (P<0.01). The number of dendritic spines in neurons and NeuN-positive cells decreased. The content of Glu decreased. The content of GABA increased (Glu/GABA decreased). The expression of GAP-43 was down-regulated, and GFAP was up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expressions of Glu-IR, PSD-95, and GAP-43 proteins, as well as Glu-IR mRNA decreased, while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the head deviation, imbalanced behavior, and tail suspension scores in each treatment group decreased, with alleviated neuronal injury and recovered Nissl bodies (P<0.01). The number of dendritic spines of neurons increased, and the number of NeuN-positive cells rebounded. The content of Glu increased, and the content of GABA decreased (Glu/GABA increased). GFAP was down-regulated, and GAP-43 was up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expressions of Glu-IR, PMD-95, and GAP-43 proteins, as well as Glu-IR mRNA increased, while the expressions of GABA and GFAP proteins and mRNA decreased. The effect was more significant in the high-dose group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao Formula can alleviate vestibular dysfunction, and its mechanism may be associated with regulating the metabolic balance of Glu/GABA, mitigating neural damage, improving synaptic plasticity (promoting GAP-43 expression and inhibiting GFAP expression), and facilitating vestibular compensation.
4.Photodynamic performance and anti-lung cancer effect of novel chlorin compounds
Yan QIU ; Hao WU ; Yafen DONG ; Ye CHEN ; Jian WANG ; Hui JIN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(1):39-45
Objective To study the photodynamic performance and the killing effect of photodynamic therapy on lung cancer of novel chlorin compounds 2-(4-(5,15,20-triphenyl-7H,8H-porphyrin-10-yl) phenoxy) acetic acid(D1)and 4-(4-(5,15,20-triphenyl-7H,8H-porphyrin-10-yl) phenoxy) butanoic acid (D2). Methods The ultraviolet visible absorption spectrum and fluorescence spectrum of D1 and D2 were determined. The singlet oxygen generation capacity of D1 and D2 was measured by using DPBF as singlet oxygen capture agent. Fluorescence assay was used to detect the cellular phagocytosis rate of the compounds in A549 cells, and MTT assay was used to detect their dark toxicity and phototoxicity. A nude mouse model of lung cancer was established to investigate the antitumor activity of the compounds mediated photodynamic action in vivo, and the blood concentration of D2 in nude mice, its distribution in tumor tissue and skin tissue were further detected. Results D1 and D2 had strong absorption at 652 nm with the best excitation wavelength at 429 nm and 427 nm, and the optimal emission wavelength was at about 659 nm. They also had a higher singlet oxygen generation rate than the control drug m-THPC. D1 and D2 had no dark toxicity at concentrations below 10 μmol/L, and could be ingested by A549 cells, basically reaching saturation in 18~24 hours. After laser irradiation at 650 nm wavelength, D1 and D2 showed significant antitumor activity in vivo and in vitro (P<0.01). However, D2 could selectively accumulate in tumor tissues after administration, and the optimal treatment time was less than 30 min after administration. Conclusion D2 had excellent photodynamic antitumor activity and could selectively aggregate in tumor tissues, which had the potential to be a candidate drug for photosensitizer and treatment of lung cancer with independent intellectual property rights, and was worth further research.
5.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
6.Research progress on the health communication capacity of clinicians
Dingbin CAI ; Luis Manuel Dias MARTINS ; Zefeng LU ; Sanhao HUANG ; Shuangmiao WANG ; Qini HUANG ; Zhaoji LONG ; Xinxin CHEN ; Siyang YE ; Dong WANG
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(2):216-221
Health communication aims to improve public health attitudes and behaviors by propagating health information. It plays an important role in promoting public health literacy and "Healthy China Initiative". The basic theories of health communication include "7 W" and Theory of Planned Behavior. Clinicians with profound medical expertise and a wealth of clinical practice play key roles in the communication, and they hold an unparalleled advantage in health communication by delivering authoritative and trustworthy information to the public. The capacity of health communication among clinicians in the nation is determined by various factors including professional characteristics, policy support, dissemination platforms and pathways, time and effort. Meanwhile, some problems in the research on the health communication capacity of clinicians remain, such as lack of well-established motivation systems, limited dissemination pathways, and imperfect evaluation frameworks. In some regions of China, health communication performance has been considered as part of the professional title evaluation for clinical physicians. Medical institutions and universities have also initiated relevant training and practice programs. It is crucial to improve evaluation frameworks, strengthen training pathways and effectiveness assessment, promote interdisciplinary integration, and enhance the role of clinicians in health communication in the future.
7.Development of an Analytical Software for Forensic Proteomic SAP Typing
Feng HU ; Meng-Jiao WANG ; Jia-Lei WU ; Dong-Sheng DING ; Zhi-Yuan YANG ; An-Quan JI ; Lei FENG ; Jian YE
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2406-2416
ObjectiveThe proteome of biological evidence contains rich genetic information, namely single amino acid polymorphisms (SAPs) in protein sequences. However, due to the lack of efficient and convenient analysis tools, the application of SAP in public security still faces many challenges. This paper aims to meet the application requirements of SAP analysis for forensic biological evidence’s proteome data. MethodsThe software is divided into three modules. First, based on a built-in database of common non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) and SAPs in East Asian populations, the software integrates and annotates newly identified exonic nsSNPs as SAPs, thereby constructing a customized SAP protein sequence database. It then utilizes a pre-installed search engine—either pFind or MaxQuant—to perform analysis and output SAP typing results, identifying both reference and variant types, along with their corresponding imputed nsSNPs. Finally, SAPTyper compares the proteome-based typing results with the individual’s exome-derived nsSNP profile and outputs the comparison report. ResultsSAPTyper accepts proteomic DDA mass spectrometry raw data (DDA acquisition mode) and exome sequencing results of nsSNPs as input and outputs the report of SAPs result. The pFind and Maxquant search engines were used to test the proteome data of 2 hair shafts of2 individuals, and both obtained SAP results. It was found that the results of the Maxquant search engine were slightly less than those of pFind. This result shows that SAPTyper can achieve SAP fingding function. Moreover, the pFind search engine was used to test the proteome data of 3 hair shafts from 1 European person and 1 African person in the literature. Among the sites fully matched by the literature method, sites detected by SAPTyper are also included; for semi-matching sites, that is, nsSNPs are heterozygous, both literature method and SAPTyper method had the risk of missing detection for one type of the allele. Comparing the analysis results of SAPTyper with the SAP test results reported in the literature, it was found that some imputed nsSNP sites identified by the literature method but not detected by SAPTyper had a MAF of less than 0.1% in East Asian populations, and therefore they were not included in the common nsSNP database of East Asian populations constructed by this software. Since the database construction of this software is based on the genetic variation information of East Asian populations, it is currently unable to effectively identify representative unique common variation sites in European or African populations, but it can still identify SAP sites shared by these populations and East Asian populations. ConclusionAn automated SAP analysis algorithm was developed for East Asian populations, and the software named SAPTyper was developed. This software provides a convenient and efficient analysis tool for the research and application of forensic proteomic SAP and has important application prospects in individual identification and phenotypic inference based on SAP.
8.Establishment and evaluation of a lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome model in minipigs
Chuang-Ye WANG ; Ran WANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Ling-Xiao QIU ; Bin QING ; Heng YOU ; Jin-Cheng LIU ; Bin WANG ; Nan-Bo WANG ; Jia-Yu LI ; Xing LIU ; Shuang WANG ; Jin HU ; Jian WEN ; Quan LI ; Xiao-Ou HUANG ; Kun ZHAO ; Shuang-Lin LIU ; Gang LIU ; Mei-Ju WANG ; Qing XIANG ; Hong-Mei WU ; Xiao-Rong SUN ; Tao GU ; Dong ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Zhi XU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(9):1154-1161
Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.
9.Discriminant analysis of finger length ratios in Muay Thai athletes
Zhi-Dong LIANG ; Yan YE ; Hui-Yu CHEN ; Ping WANG ; Yan-Dan REN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(5):594-600
Objective To develop the application technology of finger length ratios in the selection of Muay Thai athletes,and to provide practical guidance for improving the competitive level of Muay Thai.Methods By using the method of snowball sampling and simple random sampling,413 subjects were selected in Bangkok,Thailand,including 84 male Muay Thai professional players,62 female Muay Thai professional players,137 ordinary male college students and 130 female college students.The finger length of the subjects was measured and their finger length ratios was calculated.SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used for discriminant analysis.Results The 2D∶3D,2D∶4D,2D∶5D,3D∶4D and 3D∶5D of male Muay Thai professional players were significantly lower than that in the general male Thai population,and the 2D∶4D,3D∶4D and 3D∶5D of female Muay Thai players were significantly lower than that in the general female Thai population,and the above differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Discriminant functions developed using both the full model and stepwise method were statistically significant,demonstrating high accuracy and stability.The correct discrimination rates were higher in the male population than that in the female population.When distinguishing between Muay Thai professional fighters and the general Thai population,the optimal 2D∶4D threshold for males is 0.951,and for females,it was 0.960.Conclusion The discriminant model of Muay Thai professional players and ordinary people based on the ratios of finger length can provide important reference for the selection of Muay Thai athletes.
10.Study on the Detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 Enzymatic Activity Using CEACAM1-Derived Fluorescent Peptide Substrate Site 84
Wen WAN ; Yujia YE ; Xiaona YANG ; Lihong YANG ; Huawei WANG ; Ling DONG ; Lixing CHEN ; Zhaohui MENG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(2):9-16
Objective To explore the the detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 enzymatic activity using the CEACAM1-derived fluorescent peptide substrate Site 84,investigating the application of substrate Site 84 to distinguishing between MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the gelatinase spectrum of MMPs.Methods The fluorescent enzymatic method was employed to observe the detection of MMP-2,-7,-9,and-12 enzymatic activity using substrate Site 84;further observations were made on the sensitivity and specificity of substrate Site 84 to enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 within the gelatinase spectrum;the kinetic parameters(Km and Kcat)of the enzymatic reaction between substrate Site 84 and MMP-2 were obtained.Results Using Site 84 as a substrate,enzymic kinetics curves for MMP-12,-7,-2 were obtained,but no enzymatic activity curve for MMP-9 was observed.Furthermore,Site 84 specifically detected the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 within the gelatinase spectrum,capable of detecting low concentration(0.6 μM)of MMP-2 enzymatic activity,but no obvious enzymatic reaction was observed for high concentration(6 μM)of MMP-9;the kinetics parameters for the enzymatic reaction between Site 84 and MMP-2 were Km=315 μM,Kcat/Km=2 565/MS.Conclusion The CEACAM1-derived substrate Site 84 serves as a novel fluorescent peptide substrate,enabling the acquisition of enzymatic activity curves for MMP-12,-7 and-2,and specifically detecting the enzymatic activity of MMP-2 within the MMP gelatinase spectrum.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail