1.Mechanisms of Salvianolic Acid B in Inhibiting Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Downregulating PAICS Expression
Bo XU ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Zhishen RUAN ; Yihan YU ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):23-33
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which salvianolic acid B (SalB) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by downregulating phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase and phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS) expression. MethodsNSCLC A549 cells and normal bronchial epithelial cells (bronchial epithelium transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B, BEAS-2B) were used as models. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after treatment with SalB (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μmol·L-1 for 24 or 48 h to determine effective and safe intervention concentrations. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes and functional enrichment. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding ability between SalB and PAICS, and the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was performed to evaluate the effect of SalB on the thermal stability of the PAICS protein. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the effects of SalB on PAICS and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug). A functional rescue assay was conducted by PAICS overexpression via plasmid transfection. ResultsCompared with the control group, SalB inhibited A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), and the effective concentrations (≤300 μmol·L-1) showed no significant cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. Within this concentration range, SalB significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that SalB significantly downregulated PAICS expression, and its functions were enriched in cell proliferation and EMT. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PAICS is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis (P<0.01). Molecular docking showed that SalB has strong binding ability to PAICS (binding energy -9.1 kcal·mol-1. CETSA results showed that SalB significantly increased the thermal stability of the PAICS protein (P<0.05). WB results showed that, compared with the control group, SalB dose-dependently downregulated PAICS expression, upregulated E-cadherin, and downregulated N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug (P<0.05). Functional rescue experiments showed that, compared with the empty vector group, PAICS overexpression significantly enhanced A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, promoted cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the empty vector + SalB-H group, PAICS overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SalB on malignant phenotypes and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug), and downregulated E-cadherin expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), indicating that PAICS is a key functional target mediating the antitumor effects of SalB. ConclusionSalB effectively inhibits EMT progression and cell cycle progression in A549 cells by downregulating PAICS expression, thereby exerting anti-NSCLC effects. This study not only reveals that PAICS is a key functional target through which SalB regulates EMT, but also provides experimental evidence supporting SalB as a potential candidate drug for inhibiting NSCLC metastasis.
2.Mechanisms of Salvianolic Acid B in Inhibiting Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Downregulating PAICS Expression
Bo XU ; Jixian ZHANG ; Linling HU ; Bo JIANG ; Shasha YUAN ; Yiling FAN ; Zhishen RUAN ; Yihan YU ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):23-33
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanisms by which salvianolic acid B (SalB) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by downregulating phosphoribosylaminoimidazole carboxylase and phosphoribosylaminoimidazole succinocarboxamide synthetase (PAICS) expression. MethodsNSCLC A549 cells and normal bronchial epithelial cells (bronchial epithelium transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B, BEAS-2B) were used as models. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay after treatment with SalB (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μmol·L-1 for 24 or 48 h to determine effective and safe intervention concentrations. Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes and functional enrichment. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding ability between SalB and PAICS, and the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was performed to evaluate the effect of SalB on the thermal stability of the PAICS protein. Western blot (WB) was used to detect the effects of SalB on PAICS and EMT-related proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug). A functional rescue assay was conducted by PAICS overexpression via plasmid transfection. ResultsCompared with the control group, SalB inhibited A549 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), and the effective concentrations (≤300 μmol·L-1) showed no significant cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. Within this concentration range, SalB significantly inhibited A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis showed that SalB significantly downregulated PAICS expression, and its functions were enriched in cell proliferation and EMT. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PAICS is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis (P<0.01). Molecular docking showed that SalB has strong binding ability to PAICS (binding energy -9.1 kcal·mol-1. CETSA results showed that SalB significantly increased the thermal stability of the PAICS protein (P<0.05). WB results showed that, compared with the control group, SalB dose-dependently downregulated PAICS expression, upregulated E-cadherin, and downregulated N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug (P<0.05). Functional rescue experiments showed that, compared with the empty vector group, PAICS overexpression significantly enhanced A549 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, promoted cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the empty vector + SalB-H group, PAICS overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SalB on malignant phenotypes and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Slug), and downregulated E-cadherin expression (P<0.05,P<0.01), indicating that PAICS is a key functional target mediating the antitumor effects of SalB. ConclusionSalB effectively inhibits EMT progression and cell cycle progression in A549 cells by downregulating PAICS expression, thereby exerting anti-NSCLC effects. This study not only reveals that PAICS is a key functional target through which SalB regulates EMT, but also provides experimental evidence supporting SalB as a potential candidate drug for inhibiting NSCLC metastasis.
3.Mutual Relationship between Grip Strength and Cognitive Function in Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly People over 10 Years: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis.
Jia Qi WANG ; Ye RUAN ; Yan Fei GUO ; Shuang Yuan SUN ; An Li JIANG ; Yu Jun DONG ; Yan SHI ; Fan WU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1308-1313
4.Transcriptomics of the Lieber-DeCarli mouse model of alcoholic liver injury
Tianyin RUAN ; Siyuan WANG ; Xutao LI ; Hao ZHANG ; Yuan PENG ; Chenghai LIU ; Yanyan TAO
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(2):204-215
Objective To investigate the characteristics of liver injury in the Lieber-DeCarli alcoholic liver disease(ALD)mouse model and to analyze its transcriptomic profile.Methods Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into an alcohol-fed group(n = 10)and a control group(n = 8).The alcohol-fed group received a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet,starting with an adaptive one-week phase using incremental concentrations of ethanol(10~57.3 mL/L),followed by 2 weeks of a 57.3 mL/L concentration of 95%ethanol,for a total of 3 weeks.The control group was provided with an isocaloric control diet for 3 weeks.At the end of the study,mice were sacrificed,and serum and liver tissue samples were collected.Serum liver function markers(ALT,AST),hepatic lipids(TC,TG),reduced glutathione(GSH),total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured using biochemical assays.The levels of inflammatory cytokines(IL-6,IL-10,TNF-α,TGF-β1)in liver tissue were assessed by ELISA.Histopathological changes in liver tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Oil Red O staining.Immunohistochemical staining using the F4/80 antibody was employed to assess changes in macrophage expression.RNA-seq analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes between the two groups of liver tissues,followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression of these differentially expressed genes.Results Compared with the control group,the alcohol-fed mice exhibited a significant decrease in body weight(P<0.01).Serum ALT and AST levels were significantly elevated(P<0.01),while liver tissue levels of TC,TG,and MDA were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conversely,GSH and T-SOD levels were significantly reduced(P<0.05).The levels of inflammatory factors IL-6,TNF-α,and TGF-β1 were increased,which was consistent with the qRT-PCR validation results(P<0.05).Histological examination revealed disrupted hepatic lobular structure,with macrovesicular steatosis,microvesicular steatosis,and ballooning degeneration.Additionally,fat droplets in liver tissue were significantly increased,and macrophage expression was upregulated.Differential gene expression analysis,using a threshold of|log2 FC|>1 and q<0.05,identified 2063 differentially expressed genes,of which 1236 were upregulated and 827 downregulated.Enriched pathways included xenobiotic metabolism via cytochrome P450,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,chemokine signaling,steroid hormone biosynthesis,glutathione metabolism,and retinol metabolism.(P<0.05).qRT-PCR validation confirmed the significant upregulation(e.g.,Mmp12,Gstm3,Cyp2a22)and downregulation(e.g.,Serpina1e,Acmsd,Mup3d)of 10 genes from each category,consistent with the transcriptome sequencing results.Conclusions The primary pathological mechanisms underlying alcoholic liver injury involve pathways related to xenobiotic metabolism and act via cytochrome P450,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,chemokine signaling,glutathione metabolism,and retinol metabolism.
5.Progress in prevention and treatment of knee laxity after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Zhaohui RUAN ; Zhengliang SHI ; Ping YUAN ; Xianguang YANG ; Yanlin LI
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(10):1333-1341
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize the research progress on knee laxity of biomechanics and prevention and treatment after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction.
METHODS:
The domestic and international literature on the prevention and treatment of knee laxity after PCL reconstruction in recent years was extensively reviewed and analyzed.
RESULTS:
Different degrees of knee laxity often occur after PCL reconstruction, which can lead to poor prognosis in patients. The causes are associated with a variety of factors, including abnormal graft remodeling (such as differences in healing time and biomechanics among different types of grafts), tunnel position deviation (such as graft wear caused by the "killer turn" effect), and mechanical factors in postoperative rehabilitation (such as improper early weight-bearing and range of motion). These factors may promote graft elongation, increase early posterior tibial translation, and thereby induce knee laxity.
CONCLUSION
While PCL reconstruction improves knee stability, it is crucial to focus on and prevent postoperative knee laxity. However, current surgical methods are limited by factors such as graft characteristics, surgical technique flaws, and rehabilitation protocols, and thus can not fully correct the issue of abnormal postoperative laxity. Surgical techniques and treatment strategies still need further improvement and optimization to enhance patients' postoperative outcomes and quality of life.
Humans
;
Joint Instability/surgery*
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/adverse effects*
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery*
;
Knee Joint/physiopathology*
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Range of Motion, Articular
;
Postoperative Complications/prevention & control*
;
Knee Injuries/surgery*
6.Research progress on enhanced recovery after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Zhengliang SHI ; Yanlin LI ; Zhaohui RUAN ; Hongmai YANG ; Kaiquan LI ; Ping YUAN ; Wenting TANG ; Rui HAN
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(12):1591-1599
OBJECTIVE:
To summarize research progress on enhanced recovery after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, clarify the core contradictions, effective intervention methods, and evaluation shortcomings in current clinical practice, and provide theoretical support for optimizing clinical rehabilitation strategies.
METHODS:
Relevant domestic and international literature in recent years was systematically searched. The key technologies and challenges for enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction were analyzed from three aspects: the core issues of enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction, treatment strategies, and the post-reconstruction effectiveness evaluation system.
RESULTS:
Enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction mainly faces two core problems. First, there is a balance dilemma between graft tendon protection and knee joint function recovery: the tensile capacity of the graft tendon is weak in the early postoperative period, so excessive weight-bearing easily leads to relaxation, while overly conservative immobilization causes muscle atrophy and joint adhesion. Second, the return-to-sport rate is significantly affected by injury type and treatment method: patients with combined multiple ligament or meniscus injuries have a much lower return-to-sport rate than those with isolated PCL injury, and the risk of return-to-sport failure is higher. Current research mainly promotes rehabilitation from two aspects: physical therapy and surgical technology. Physical therapy runs through the perioperative period: preoperatively, muscle strength training, swelling control, and maintenance of joint range of motion are used to optimize surgical conditions; postoperatively, phased intervention is implemented. Surgical technology focuses on minimally invasive and anatomical approaches: arthroscopic surgery reduces injury, double-bundle reconstruction and internal tension-relief technology improve stability, and modified tunnel positioning and special surgical methods avoid the risk of "Killer Turn". Postoperative functional evaluation adopts multi-dimensional indicators: subjective evaluation relies on scales such as Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC); objective evaluation assesses stability through Telos stress test and posterior drawer test; imaging evaluation takes MRI as the core; psychological evaluation is assisted by the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia-11 (TSK-11). However, there are obvious shortcomings, such as the lack of PCL-specific evaluation tools.
CONCLUSION
Enhanced recovery after PCL reconstruction requires the integration of precise surgery, individualized rehabilitation, and comprehensive subjective and objective evaluation. In the future, biomaterials and digital technologies should be integrated to optimize the full-cycle management of PCL reconstruction, thereby improving functional recovery and the effect of return to sports.
Humans
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/rehabilitation*
;
Posterior Cruciate Ligament/injuries*
;
Recovery of Function
;
Knee Joint/physiopathology*
;
Knee Injuries/rehabilitation*
;
Return to Sport
;
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
;
Tendons/transplantation*
;
Arthroscopy
7.Application progress on functional insoles in the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot.
Heng-Yu LIU ; Zhen-de JIANG ; Yao-Kuan RUAN ; Qiu-Ju LI ; Si-Yuan CHEN ; Shun-Yu WEI ; Nan MEI ; Chou WU ; Fei CHANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(9):969-975
Diabetic foot (DF) is one of the most serious chronic complications of diabetes. The incidence rate among global diabetes patients is as high as 15% to 25%, and about 50% of patients will develop contralateral foot ulcers within 5 years after the first unilateral ulcer. As a non-invasive prevention and control solution, the application progress of functional insoles is mainly reflected in the following aspects:(1) Material innovation. The application of new composite materials and smart materials has significantly enhanced the pressure reduction effect and comfort. (2) Structural optimization. The development of multi-layer design and local pressure reduction structure has achieved more precise pressure distribution regulation. (3) Manufacturing process. 3D printing and parametric design have enabled the personalized customization of functional insoles. (4) Intelligent monitoring. It integrates functions such as pressure sensing and temperature monitoring, achieving real-time monitoring and early warning of foot conditions. Clinical research has confirmed that personalized functional insoles could reduce the incidence of foot ulcers and shorten the healing time of ulcers. At present, the research hotspots mainly focus on the development of smart materials, the construction of multi-functional integration and remote monitoring systems. However, in-depth research is still needed in the aspects of biomechanical mechanisms, standardized evaluation systems and long-term efficacy assessment. The development of future functional insoles should focus on the coordinated advancement of "personalization-intelligence-standardization", with the aim of providing more effective solutions for the prevention and treatment of DF.
Humans
;
Diabetic Foot/therapy*
;
Foot Orthoses
8.Application of genetic testing in psychotropic drug therapy
Qi GUO ; Ling ZHANG ; Yuan FENG ; Sihai LING ; Canjun RUAN ; Wei GUO ; Wenbiao LI ; Chengeng LIU ; Gang WANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(3):335-339,344
Psychotropic medication plays a crucial role in the field of mental illness,and the issues of drug efficacy and safety due to individual differences cannot be ignored.Genetic factors,especially the genetic poly-morphisms related to drug-metabolizing enzymes,drug action targets,and risk,have a significant impact on drug responses.Pharmacogenomics,by detecting genetic polymorphisms,can reveal a patient's inherited tend-encies towards drug efficacy,pharmacokinetic characteristics,and potential toxicity,thereby predicting the therapeutic effects and adverse reactions of drug treatment,and providing guidance for personalized therapy.Therefore,individualized medication based on pharmacogenomics helps to improve cure rates,reduce relapse rates,and decrease medical costs,which is of great significance to clinical medication in mental illness.
9.68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR for predicting pathological complete response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer
Xiao ZHANG ; Yuan FENG ; Chunxia QIN ; Yongkang GAI ; Weiwei RUAN ; Mengting LI ; Xiaoli LAN
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(3):144-148
Objective:To determine if preoperative 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-04 PET/MR could contribute to predicting pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Methods:In this retrospective study, 35 patients (23 males, 12 females, age (59.1±7.9) years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy between February 2021 and January 2024 were enrolled. Clinical data, PET imaging parameters including SUV, peak of SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL peak), FAPI-positive tumor volume (FTV), and total FAPI-positive lesion burden (TLF), and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into pCR group and non-pCR group, and the independent-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare those parameters between the 2 groups. ROC curve analysis (Delong test) was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter to predict pCR. Results:The overall pCR rate of the neoadjuvant therapy was 40.0%(14/35). In the visual evaluation, 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET was limited in predicting pCR, showing false positivity in 12 patients and false negative in 1 patent. While SUV max( t=2.50, P=0.018), SUL peak( t=3.11, P=0.004), FTV( U=3.00, P=0.030) and TLF( U=2.96, P=0.042) in non-pCR group were all higher than those in pCR group. The predictive efficiency of FTV <1.925cm 3 for pCR was better than the efficiency of PET visual evaluation ( Z=3.61, P<0.001), with the prediction accuracy of 82.86%(29/35). Conclusions:68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MR may provide an effective clinical tool for guiding further treatment of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The quantitative features derived from 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET appear promising in predicting pCR, which are expected to provide a reference for avoiding surgery.
10.A longitudinal study on the relationship between pre-pregnancy urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia: the mediating effect of hyperuricemia in early pregnancy
Ye CHEN ; Mengting SUN ; Ziye LI ; Qi ZOU ; Yuan PENG ; Xiaorui RUAN ; Manjun LUO ; Tingting WANG ; Jiabi QIN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):140-146
Objective:To evaluate the association between pre-pregnancy urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia and to further explore the mediating effect of hyperuricemia in early pregnancy on the relationship between urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia.Methods:Pregnant women attending prenatal care in early pregnancy at 7 Maternal and Child Health Hospitals in Hunan Province from August 2014 to December 2019 were recruited to construct a cohort of early pregnancy. The paper questionnaire collected demographic data on pregnant women, pre-pregnancy disease history, and living habits, etc. Besides, the early pregnancy laboratory examination and pregnancy outcome for this pregnancy were derived from the hospital's electronic medical record system. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between pre-pregnancy urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia, and causal mediation analysis was used to investigate the mediating role and magnitude of hyperuricemia in early pregnancy in the association pathway between pre-pregnancy urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia. Results:A total of 33 579 naturally conceived singleton pregnant women were included in the analysis, of which 3 230 cases (9.6%) had hyperuricemia in early pregnancy, and 666 cases (2.0%) had pre-eclampsia. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that pre-pregnancy urolithiasis increased the risk of pre-eclampsia ( OR=2.65, 95% CI: 1.56-4.51). Mediation analysis showed that after controlling for confounders, hyperuricemia in early pregnancy could mediate the association between pre-pregnancy urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia, with a mediation effect proportion of 46% ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Pre-pregnancy urolithiasis is an independent risk factor for pre-eclampsia, and early pregnancy hyperuricemia has a certain mediating effect between urolithiasis and pre-eclampsia.

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