1.Hypoxia Exercise Mediates The miR-27/PPARγ Pathway to Improve Lipid Metabolism in Obese Rats at Target Genes and Protein Levels
Wei KONG ; Jie SHAO ; Teng ZHAI ; Qian CHENG ; Fang-Zheng HAN ; Yi QU ; Lei ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1386-1400
ObjectiveTo explore the sequential effects of hypoxic exercising on miR-27/PPARγ and lipid metabolism target gene and protein expression levels in the obesity rats’ liver. Methods13-week-old male diet-induced obesity rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10): normal oxygen concentration quiet group (N), hypoxia quiet group (H), hypoxic exercise group (HE). Exercise training on the horizontal animal treadmill for 1 h/d, 5 d/week for a total of 4 week, and the intensity of horizontal treadmill training was 20 m/min (hypoxic concentration was 13.6%). Comparison of the weights of perirenal fat and epididymal fat in rats across different groups and calculation of Lee’s index based on body weight and body length of rats in each group were done. And the serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were detected. RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the levels of miR-27, PPARγ, CYP7A1 and CD36. ResultsHypoxic exercise decreased the expression levels of miR-27 in the obese rats’ liver, however, the expression level of PPARγ was gradually increased. The expression levels of miR-27 in HE group were significantly lower than N group (P<0.05). The expression levels of PPARγ mRNA in N group were significantly lower than H group (P<0.05), especially lower than HE group (P<0.01). The protein expression of PPARγ protein in N group was significantly lower than that other groups (P<0.01). The expression of lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins increased in the obese rats’ liver. The expression of CYP7A1 mRNA in N group was significantly lower than H group (P<0.05), especially lower than HE group (P<0.01). The expression of CYP7A1 protein in the obese rats’ liver in N group was extremely lower than H group and HE group (P<0.01). The protein expression of CD36 in N group was significantly lower than that in HE group (P<0.05). Hypoxia exercise improved the related physiological and biochemical indexes of lipid metabolism disorder. The perirenal fat weight of obese rats in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01), and the perirenal fat weight in N group was significantly higher than H group (P<0.05). The epididymal fat weight in N group was significantly higher than H group (P<0.05), and extremely higher than HE group (P<0.01). The Lee’s index in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of TC in obese rats in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of TG in HE group was extremely lower than N group and H group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of LDL-C in N group was extremely higher than HE group (P<0.01). The serum concentration of HDL-C in N group was extremely lower than H group (P<0.01). ConclusionHypoxia and hypoxia exercise may negatively regulate the levels of PPARγ by inhibiting miR-27 in the obese rats’ liver, thereby affecting the expression of downstream target genes CYP7A1 and CD36, and promoting cholesterol, fatty acid oxidation and HDL-C transport in the liver, and ultimately the lipid levels in obese rats were improved. The effect of hypoxia exercise on improving blood lipid is better than simple hypoxia intervention.
2.Characteristics of ocular biometric parameters and distribution of corneal astigmatism before cataract surgery in cataract patients with high myopia
Yehui TAN ; Yi SHAO ; Zhonggang PEI ; Tao ZHANG ; Jie RAO ; Mengying PENG ; Chun LIU ; Lijuan ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1919-1925
AIM:To evaluate the characteristics of ocular biometric parameters and the distribution of corneal astigmatism(CA)in patients with high myopia before cataract surgery.METHODS:A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, and 695 cataract patients(695 eyes)with high myopia [defined as an axial length(AL)≥26.00 mm] scheduled to undergo cataract surgery at our hospital from January 2022 to December 2024 were consecutively enrolled, another 695 cataract patients(695 eyes)with normal ALs(22.00 mm ≤AL≤25.00 mm)who underwent cataract surgery at our hospital during the same period were included in the control group. For patients with both eyes eligible, the right eye was used for analysis. Before cataract surgery, IOL Master 700 was used to measure the ocular biometric parameters of both eyes for each patient in the two groups. The medical records and ocular biometric data in the two groups were recorded and collected.RESULTS:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in genger, age, corneal diameter, and central corneal thickness(all P>0.05). In the high myopia group, the mean AL was 29.20±2.61 mm, and 252 eyes(34.1%)had AL ≥30.00 mm(extremely high myopia). The mean anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth(VCD), CA, AL/corneal radius of curvature and VCD/AL in the high myopia group were 3.45±0.40, 4.41±0.47, 21.34±2.60 mm, 1.18±0.78 D, 3.79±0.38, and 0.73±0.03, respectively, which were all greater than those in the control group(all P<0.01). In the high myopia group, 350 eyes(50.4%)had CA ≥1.00 D, 192 eyes(27.6%)had CA ≥1.50 D, and 94 eyes(13.5%)had CA ≥2.00 D, which were all higher than those in the control group(32.8%, 15.1%, and 6.6%, respectively; all P<0.001). In the high myopia group, 87 eyes(12.5%)had flat corneas, 424 eyes(61.0%)had moderate CA, and 40 eyes(5.8%)had high CA. These proportions were all higher than those in the control group(6.0%, 46.9%, and 2.9%, respectively; all P<0.001). In the high myopia group, ACD and ACD/AL were negatively correlated with AL(r=-0.162 and -0.661, respectively; all P<0.001), while both ACD and ACD/AL in the control group were positively correlated with AL(r=0.338 and 0.105, respectively; both P<0.01). In the high myopia group, CA increased with age when the patient's age was ≥50 years(r=0.197, P<0.001), which was consistent with the control group.CONCLUSION: The standardized ocular biometric data of cataract patients with high myopia before cataract surgery are helpful for ophthalmologists to accurately calculate the intraocular lens(IOLs)power and select the appropriate IOL type. The majority of high myopia patients need simultaneous correction of CA during cataract surgery.
3.Mini-barcode development based on chloroplast genome of Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen and its adulterants and its application in Chinese patent medicine.
Hui LI ; Yu-Jie ZENG ; Xin-Yi LI ; ABDULLAH ; Yu-Hua HUANG ; Ru-Shan YAN ; Rui SHAO ; Yu WANG ; Xiao-Xuan TIAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1758-1769
Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen, also known as Tinglizi, originates from Brassicaceae plants Descurainia sophia or Lepidium apetalum. The former is commonly referred to as "Southern Tinglizi(Descurainiae Semen)", while the latter is known as "Northern Tinglizi(Lepidii Semen)". To scientifically and accurately identify the origin of Tinglizi medicinal materials and traditional Chinese medicine products, this study developed a specific DNA mini-barcode based on chloroplast genome sequences. By combining the DNA mini-barcode with DNA metabarcoding technology, a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of Tinglizi medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines was established. In this study, chloroplast genomes of Southern Tinglizi and Northern Tinglizi and seven commonly encountered counterfeit products were downloaded from the GenBank database. Suitable polymorphic regions were identified to differentiate these species, enabling the development of the DNA mini-barcode. Using DNA metabarcoding technology, medicinal material mixtures of Southern and Northern Tinglizi, as well as the most common counterfeit product, Capsella bursa-pastoris seeds, were analyzed to validate the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of the mini-barcode and determine its minimum detection limit. Additionally, the mini-barcode was applied to Chinese patent medicines containing Tinglizi to authenticate their botanical origin. The results showed that the developed mini-barcode(psbB) exhibited high accuracy and specificity, effectively distinguishing between the two authentic origins of Tinglizi and commonly encountered counterfeit products. The analysis of mixtures demonstrated that the mini-barcode had excellent qualitative and quantitative capabilities, accurately identifying the composition of Chinese medicinal materials in mixed samples with varying proportions. Furthermore, the analysis of Chinese patent medicines revealed the presence of the adulterant species(Capsella bursa-pastoris) in addition to the authentic species(Southern and Northern Tinglizi), indicating the occurrence of adulteration in commercially available Tinglizi-containing products. This study developed a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials and related products, providing a model for research on other multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials.
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Drug Contamination
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Genome, Chloroplast
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
4.Intranodal injection of neoantigen-bearing engineered Lactococcus lactis triggers epitope spreading and systemic tumor regressions.
Junmeng ZHU ; Yi SUN ; Xiaoping QIAN ; Lin LI ; Fangcen LIU ; Xiaonan WANG ; Yaohua KE ; Jie SHAO ; Lijing ZHU ; Lifeng WANG ; Qin LIU ; Baorui LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):2217-2236
Probiotics are natural systems bridging synthetic biology, physical biotechnology, and immunology, initiating innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune activity. We previously constructed an all-in-one engineered food-grade probiotic Lactococcus lactis (FOLactis) which could boost the crosstalk among different immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer cells, and T cells. Herein, considering the limited clinical efficacy of naked personalized neoantigen peptide vaccines, we decorate FOLactis with tumor antigens by employing a Plug-and-Display system comprising membrane-inserted peptides. Intranodal injection of FOLactis coated with neoantigen peptides (Ag-FOLactis) induces robust DCs presentation and neoantigen-specific cellular immunity. Notably, Ag-FOLactis not only triggers a 45-fold rise in the quantity of locally reactive neoantigen-specific T cells but also induces epitope spreading in both subcutaneous and metastatic tumor-bearing models, leading to potent inhibition of tumor growth. These findings imply that Ag-FOLactis represents a powerful platform to rapidly and easily display antigens, facilitating the development of a bio-activated platform for personalized therapy.
5.Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis.
Ruo-Fan XI ; Xin LIU ; Yi WANG ; Han-Zhi LU ; Shao-Jie YUAN ; Dong-Jie GUO ; Jian-Yong ZHU ; Fu-Lun LI ; Yan-Juan DUAN
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(6):721-732
OBJECTIVE:
Psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition with genetic underpinnings, is traditionally managed with cupping therapy. Although used historically, the precise mechanical effects and therapeutic mechanisms of cupping in psoriasis remain largely unexamined. This study aimed to evaluate cupping therapy's efficacy for psoriasis and investigate its role in modulating inflammatory responses and cellular metabolism.
METHODS:
Psoriasis was induced in mice using topical imiquimod (IMQ). The effects of cupping on psoriatic lesions were assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. polymerase chain reaction sequencing (RNA-seq) and Western blotting were conducted to examine changes in mRNA expression and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway.
RESULTS:
Cupping therapy significantly reduced inflammation, epidermal thickness, and inflammatory cell infiltration in mice with IMQ-induced psoriasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed lower expression of inflammatory markers and a shift in T-cell populations. RNA-seq and Western blotting indicated that cupping upregulated Piezo1 and activated the AMPK pathway, improving energy metabolism in psoriatic skin.
CONCLUSION
Cupping therapy reduces epidermal hyperproliferation and inflammation in psoriasis, rebalancing the local immune microenvironment. Mechanistically, cupping promotes calcium influx via Piezo1, activates AMPK signaling, and supports metabolic homeostasis, suggesting therapeutic potential for psoriasis. Please cite this article as: Xi RF, Liu X, Wang Y, Lu HZ, Yuan SJ, Guo DJ, Zhu JY, Li FL, Duan YJ. Mechanosensory activation of Piezo1 via cupping therapy: Harnessing neural networks to modulate AMPK pathway for metabolic restoration in a mouse model of psoriasis. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):721-732.
Animals
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Psoriasis/chemically induced*
;
Mice
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Cupping Therapy/methods*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Imiquimod
;
Ion Channels/genetics*
;
Male
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Mechanotransduction, Cellular
6.Establishment of a Multiplex Detection Method for Common Bacteria in Blood Based on Human Mannan-Binding Lectin Protein-Conjugated Magnetic Bead Enrichment Combined with Recombinase-Aided PCR Technology
Jin Zi ZHAO ; Ping Xiao CHEN ; Wei Shao HUA ; Yu Feng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Hao Chen XING ; Jie WANG ; Yu Feng TIAN ; Qing Rui ZHANG ; Na Xiao LYU ; Qiang Zhi HAN ; Xin Yu WANG ; Yi Hong LI ; Xin Xin SHEN ; Jun Xue MA ; Qing Yan TIE
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(4):387-398
Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.
7.Clinicopathological Features and Long-Term Prognostic Role of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 Low Expression in Chinese Patients with Early Breast Cancer:A Single-Institution Study
Qing Zi KONG ; Qun Li LIU ; Qin De HUANG ; Tong Yu WANG ; Jie Jing LI ; Zheng ZHANG ; Xi Xi WANG ; Ling Chuan LIU ; Di Ya ZHANG ; Kang Jia SHAO ; Min Yi ZHU ; Meng Yi CHEN ; Mei LIU ; Hong Wei ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(5):457-470
Objective This study aimed to comprehensively analyze and compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis of Chinese patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-low early breast cancer(BC)and HER2-IHC0 BC. Methods Patients diagnosed with HER2-negative BC(N=999)at our institution between January 2011 and December 2015 formed our study population.Clinicopathological characteristics,association between estrogen receptor(ER)expression and HER2-low,and evolution of HER2 immunohistochemical(IHC)score were assessed.Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the long-term survival outcomes(5-year follow-up)between the HER2-IHC0 and HER2-low groups. Results HER2-low BC group tended to demonstrate high expression of ER and more progesterone receptor(PgR)positivity than HER2-IHC0 BC group(P<0.001).The rate of HER2-low status increased with increasing ER expression levels(Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test,P<0.001,Pearson's R=0.159,P<0.001).Survival analysis revealed a significantly longer overall survival(OS)in HER2-low BC group than in HER2-IHC0 group(P=0.007)in the whole cohort and the hormone receptor(HR)-negative group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of disease-free survival(DFS).The discordance rate of HER2 IHC scores between primary and metastatic sites was 36.84%. Conclusion HER2-low BC may not be regarded as a unique BC group in this population-based study due to similar clinicopathological features and prognostic roles.
8.Allergy Associated With N-glycans on Glycoprotein Allergens
Yu-Xin ZHANG ; Rui-Jie LIU ; Shao-Xing ZHANG ; Shu-Ying YUAN ; Yan-Wen CHEN ; Yi-Lin YE ; Qian-Ge LIN ; Xin-Rong LU ; Yong-Liang TONG ; Li CHEN ; Gui-Qin SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(5):1023-1033
Protein as the allergens could lead to allergy. In addition, a widespread class of allergens were known as glycans of N-glycoprotein. N-glycoprotein contained oligosaccharide linked by covalent bonds with protein. Recently,studies implicated that allergy was associated with glycans of heterologous N-glycoprotein found in food, inhalants, insect toxins, etc. The N-glycan structure of N-glycoprotein allergen has exerted an influence on the binding between allergens and IgE, while the recognition and presentation of allergens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were also affected. Some researches showed thatN-glycan structure of allergen was remodeled by N-glycosidase, such as cFase I, gpcXylase, as binding of allergen and IgE partly decreased. Thus, allergic problems caused by N-glycoproteins could potentially be solved by modifying or altering the structure ofN-glycoprotein allergens, addressing the root of the issue. Mechanism of N-glycans associated allergy could also be elaborated through glycosylation enzymes, alterations of host glycosylation. This article hopes to provide a separate insight for glycoimmunology perspective, and an alternative strategy for clinical prevention or therapy of allergic diseases.
9.Clinical Analysis of Philadelphia Chromosome-Like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children
Tian-Dan LI ; Shao-Yan HU ; Zong ZHAI ; Guang-Hua CHEN ; Jun LU ; Hai-Long HE ; Pei-Fang XIAO ; Jie LI ; Yi WANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(1):78-84
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics,molecular characteristics,treatment and prognosis of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia(Ph-like ALL)with a therapeutic target.Methods:A total of 27 patients of Ph-like ALL with targeted drug target were initially diagnosed in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from December 2017 to June 2021.The data of age,gender,white blood cell(WBC)count at initial diagnosis,genetic characteristics,molecular biological changes,chemotherapy regimen,different targeted drugs were given,and minimal residual disease(MRD)on day 19,MRD on day 46,whether hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)were retrospective analyed,and the clinical characteristics and treatment effect were summarized.Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method.Results:The intensity of chemotherapy was adjusted according to the MRD level during induced remission therapy in 27 patients,10 patients were treated with targeted drugs during treatment,and 3 patients were bridged with HSCT,1 patient died and 2 patients survived.Among the 24 patients who did not receive HSCT,1 patient developed relapse,and achieved complete remission(CR)after treatment with chimeric antigen receptors T cells(CAR-T).The 3-year overall survival,3-year relapse-free survival and 3-year event-free survival rate of 27 patients were(95.5±4.4)%,(95.0±4.9)%and(90.7±6.3)%respectively.Conclusion:Risk stratification chemotherapy based on MRD monitoring can improve the prognosis of Ph-like ALL in children,combined with targeted drugs can achieve complete remission as soon as possible in children whose chemotherapy response is poor,and sequential CAR-T and HSCT can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of Ph-like ALL in children whose MRD is continuously positive during induced remission therapy.
10.Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Infection in Hospitalized Patients with Multiple Myeloma with New Generation Therapies
Li-Ping YANG ; Xin-Yi LU ; Xin-Wei WANG ; Qiong YAO ; Lin-Yu LI ; Jie ZHAO ; Shao-Long HE ; Wei-Wei TIAN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(6):1790-1797
Objective:To evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of infections occurring during hospitalization in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with new generation therapies (including immuno-modulatory drugs,proteasome inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies).Methods:The clinical data were collected from 155 patients with multiple myeloma who were treated in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from March,2017 to March,2022 and were retrospectively analyzed.For this study,the following therapies were considered to be new generation therapies:lenalidomide,pomadomide,bortezomib,ixazomib,daratumumab. The clinical characteristics and risk factors of infection were analyzed.Results:A total of 155 patients were included in this study.The median follow-up time was 20 months.Of 155 patients with MM,242 infection episodes were identified.Among the 242 infections,the incidence of clinically defined infection (CDI)was the highest (186,76.86%),followed by microbiologically defined infection (MDI)in 50 cases (20.66%),and fever at unknown focus (FUF)in 6 cases (2.48%).35 cases (14.46%)of bacteria,10 cases (4.13%)of viruses,and 5 cases (2. 07%)of fungi were clearly infected.The most common site of infection was the lower respiratory tract in 90 cases (37.19%),the upper respiratory tract in 83 cases (34.30%),and the digestive tract in 27 cases (11.16%).All-cause mortality was 8.39%(13/155).In univariate analysis,there was a higher correlation between ISS stage Ⅲ,the number of treatment lines ≥2,frail and infected patients with multiple myeloma.In multivariate analysis,ISS stage Ⅲ(OR=2.96,95%CI:1.19-7.40,P=0.02),the number of treatment lines ≥2 (OR=2.91,95%CI:1.13-7.51,P=0.03)and frail (OR=3.58,95%CI:1.44-8.89,P=0. 01)were risk factors for infection in patients with multiple myeloma in the era of new drugs.Conclusion:Patients with multiple myeloma treated with new agents are prone to bacterial infection during hospitalization.ISS stage Ⅲ,lines of therapy(≥2)and frail were associated with high risk for infection.

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