1.Tuihuang Mixture improves α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes via regulating farnesoid X receptor
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Yuchun YU ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):718-724
Objective To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis.Methods Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group,model group,ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group.Except for those in the blank group,all the rats were given α-naphthylisothiocyanate(ANIT)to establish rat models of cholestasis,followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water.Serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined,and hepatic expressions IL-1β,IL-18,FXR,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR,ELISA or Western blotting.Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining.Results The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18,decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR,and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue,showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells,proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration.Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT,AST,ALP,γ-GT,TBA and TBIL,lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions,and reduced NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue.Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury,bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models.Conclusion Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
2.Integrated multiomics analysis and artificial neural network reveal patient stratification and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma in the Chinese population
Yunfei YU ; Sikui SHEN ; Xin YAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Shengzhuo LIU ; Yuchun ZHU ; Qiang DONG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(11):988-1005
Objective To explore the biological characteristics associated with different subtypes and the response to immunotherapy by integrating multiomics analysis and artificial neural networks(ANN)to delineate the precise molecular subtypes of adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC)and establish a prognostic prediction model,in order to provide reference for the accurate prognosis assessment and individualized treatment of ACC.Methods The multiomics data of 44 Chinese ACC patients admitted to the Department of Urology,West China Hospital of Sichuan University during Jan.1,2012 and Dec.31,2022 were integrated,including genomic,transcriptomic and clinical features.Ten different clustering algorithms were employed for consensus clustering to identify robust molecular subtypes.The results were then incorporated into an ANN model to construct an ANN-driven prognostic index(ANPI)for patient stratification and survival prediction.Results Three distinct molecular subtypes(cancer subtypes,CS1-3)with significantly different prognoses were identified,among which CS1 exhibited the poorest survival outcomes.A set of 20 core genes was selected to form the basis of the ANPI model.ANPI effectively stratified patients into high-and low-risk groups:patients in the low-ANPI group had significantly better overall survival and exhibited"hot tumor"immune phenotypes,suggesting greater benefits from immunotherapy.In contrast,high-ANPI patients had worse prognoses and displayed"cold tumor"characteristics with weaker immunotherapy responses.Conclusion Our integrative multiomics analysis illustrated the molecular landscape of ACC in the Chinese population and uncovered the key immune-related features linked to clinical outcomes.The ANPI model demonstrated strong performance in prognostic prediction and immunotherapy response assessment,offering a valuable tool for precision oncology and clinical decision-making.
3.Tuihuang Mixture improves α‑naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestasis in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes via regulating farnesoid X receptor.
Zhengwang ZHU ; Linlin WANG ; Jinghan ZHAO ; Ruixue MA ; Yuchun YU ; Qingchun CAI ; Bing WANG ; Pingsheng ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(4):718-724
OBJECTIVES:
To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis.
METHODS:
Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining.
RESULTS:
The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models.
CONCLUSIONS
Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
;
Rats
;
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism*
;
Cholestasis/drug therapy*
;
Rats, Wistar
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
1-Naphthylisothiocyanate
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Male
;
Interleukin-18/metabolism*
;
Caspase 1/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Liver/metabolism*
4.A case of pregnancy with ectopic pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder
Shasha YU ; Yuchun ZHU ; Xiaopeng LI
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1155-1158
This report described the diagnosis and management of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with ectopic pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder. At 27 +5 weeks of gestation, the patient developed sudden headache and hypertension [peak blood pressure 173/116 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)] following urination, initially misdiagnosed as preeclampsia. Ultrasonography and MRI revealed a 4.2 cm×3.0 cm×3.3 cm mass in the bladder trigone, with significantly elevated plasma normetanephrine levels confirming ectopic pheochromocytoma. Following multidisciplinary consultation, blood pressure was controlled with phenoxybenzamine and labetalol. Pregnancy was prolonged to 35 weeks when cesarean delivery was performed with concurrent complete tumor resection. Pathology confirmed bladder paraganglioma, with favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes. This case highlights the importance of differential diagnosis for secondary hypertension during pregnancy, emphasizing that early diagnosis and individualized management are crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes.
5.Integrated multiomics analysis and artificial neural network reveal patient stratification and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma in the Chinese population
Yunfei YU ; Sikui SHEN ; Xin YAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Shengzhuo LIU ; Yuchun ZHU ; Qiang DONG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(11):988-1005
Objective To explore the biological characteristics associated with different subtypes and the response to immunotherapy by integrating multiomics analysis and artificial neural networks(ANN)to delineate the precise molecular subtypes of adrenocortical carcinoma(ACC)and establish a prognostic prediction model,in order to provide reference for the accurate prognosis assessment and individualized treatment of ACC.Methods The multiomics data of 44 Chinese ACC patients admitted to the Department of Urology,West China Hospital of Sichuan University during Jan.1,2012 and Dec.31,2022 were integrated,including genomic,transcriptomic and clinical features.Ten different clustering algorithms were employed for consensus clustering to identify robust molecular subtypes.The results were then incorporated into an ANN model to construct an ANN-driven prognostic index(ANPI)for patient stratification and survival prediction.Results Three distinct molecular subtypes(cancer subtypes,CS1-3)with significantly different prognoses were identified,among which CS1 exhibited the poorest survival outcomes.A set of 20 core genes was selected to form the basis of the ANPI model.ANPI effectively stratified patients into high-and low-risk groups:patients in the low-ANPI group had significantly better overall survival and exhibited"hot tumor"immune phenotypes,suggesting greater benefits from immunotherapy.In contrast,high-ANPI patients had worse prognoses and displayed"cold tumor"characteristics with weaker immunotherapy responses.Conclusion Our integrative multiomics analysis illustrated the molecular landscape of ACC in the Chinese population and uncovered the key immune-related features linked to clinical outcomes.The ANPI model demonstrated strong performance in prognostic prediction and immunotherapy response assessment,offering a valuable tool for precision oncology and clinical decision-making.
6.A case of pregnancy with ectopic pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder
Shasha YU ; Yuchun ZHU ; Xiaopeng LI
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1155-1158
This report described the diagnosis and management of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with ectopic pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder. At 27 +5 weeks of gestation, the patient developed sudden headache and hypertension [peak blood pressure 173/116 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)] following urination, initially misdiagnosed as preeclampsia. Ultrasonography and MRI revealed a 4.2 cm×3.0 cm×3.3 cm mass in the bladder trigone, with significantly elevated plasma normetanephrine levels confirming ectopic pheochromocytoma. Following multidisciplinary consultation, blood pressure was controlled with phenoxybenzamine and labetalol. Pregnancy was prolonged to 35 weeks when cesarean delivery was performed with concurrent complete tumor resection. Pathology confirmed bladder paraganglioma, with favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes. This case highlights the importance of differential diagnosis for secondary hypertension during pregnancy, emphasizing that early diagnosis and individualized management are crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes.
7.Role of Akkermansia muciniphila in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Liting ZHENG ; Zhe WANG ; Yuchun CHEN ; Shanshan LIU ; Youcheng XIE ; Chuyi LI ; Xiaohui YU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):594-599
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in the world, and it is also one of the main causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, so it is particularly important to curb the development and progression of NAFLD in a timely manner. However, due to its complex pathogeneses, there are currently no effective methods for radical treatment. As a new generation of probiotics, Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk bacteria) can improve metabolic disorders of the body, and more and more studies have shown that Akk bacteria have a potential therapeutic effect on metabolic diseases, especially NAFLD. Therefore, this article briefly reviews the mechanism of action of Akk bacteria in NAFLD, in order to provide new ideas for improving the treatment of NAFLD and creating new therapies.
8.Mechanism of action of N7-methylguanosine in hepatocellular carcinoma
Chun GAO ; Jingjing JIANG ; Yuchun CHEN ; Xiaohui YU ; Jiucong ZHANG ;
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2023;39(12):2946-2951
N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is one of the most popular RNA modifications at present and has attracted wide attention from researchers in China and globally. By influencing the metabolism of various RNA molecules (including messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA, microRNA, and transfer RNA), m7G modification actively participates in many biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. More and more evidence has shown that m7G plays a key role in the development of cancer, and abnormal m7G levels are closely associated with the development and progression of cancer by regulating the expression of multiple oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common gastrointestinal tumor in China, and current treatment methods tend to have an unsatisfactory therapeutic effect. At present, the potential molecular mechanism of m7G modification in hepatocellular carcinoma remains unclear. This article reviews the potential mechanism of action of m7G modification in hepatocellular carcinoma and the m7G-related diagnosis and treatment strategies.
9.A qualitative study on the feasibility of contracted nursing services for disabled persons
Lan DING ; Yu WANG ; Jing DING ; Shu CAI ; Yuchun LIU ; Xueping DU
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2022;21(10):947-952
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of contracted nursing services for disabled persons.Methods:A qualitative study on the feasibility of contracted nursing services for disabled persons was conducted from August 2020 to October 2020 with the phenomenological method. Community nurses were selected with the purpose of sampling method from Yuetan and Baizhifang Community Health Service Centers in Beijing Xicheng District for semi-constructed interviews, and 12 community nurses were finally interviewed according to the principle of information saturation. The research team took field notes, audio recordings and transcriptions of the interviews, coded to refine the themes, and fed back with the respondents to confirm the accuracy of the themes.Results:All the interviewed nurses thought that the contents of basic medical and public health required by the Guidance manual of contracted services of family doctors for disabled persons (the manual) including basic documentation, appointments, pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis services, home care, rehabilitation nursing guidance, referral services and extended nursing services for the disabled and their families could be completed. All interviewees said that the manual had a guiding role in contracted services for disabled persons. Eight interviewed nurses believed that the manual involved referral services and rehabilitation care, but the technical guidance content did not meet the actual work needs and it should be supplemented and improved; 9 interviewees pointed out that there was a lack of communication with various types of disabled people in service practice, especially for those with vision, hearing, mental disabilities and disabled children; 7 interviewees said that it the free home care for the disabled was not sustainable. Conclusion:The contracted nursing services for disabled persons are feasible and the manual has a guiding role for the practice,and some contents need to be added in the manual to further improve service capacity for disabled people.
10.Communication obstacles between contracted family doctor team and the disabled
Lan DING ; Shu CAI ; Yuchun LIU ; Yu WANG ; Jing DING ; Xueping DU
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2022;21(12):1133-1137
Objective:To investigate the status quo of communication between contracted family doctor team and the disabled.Methods:Using convenience sampling, family doctor team members of 80 community health centers (CHCs) in Beijing were selected to participate in a questionnaire survey from April to June 2022. The questionnaire included the basic information of team members, the choice of communication methods and targets, the acquisition of communication knowledge and skills and so on.Results:A total of 365 team members participated in the survey. The most common type of disability was physical disability (78.08%,285/365). All participants met communication obstacles with disabled people in contracted health service, and hearing and speech disabilities were the most common (70.14%, 256/365). Only 13.42% (49/365) chose to directly communicate with the disabled themselves; 84.93% (310/365) used "increase the volume and slow down" method when communicating with the disabled, and 38.63% (141/365) chose "write and convey multiple messages at the same time". Most of participants (84.38%, 308/365) indicated the need for professional training in communication with persons with disabilities.Conclusion:There are communication obstacles between family doctor team members and the disabled during contracted services. More relevant professional training are urgently needed for contracted family doctor team to improve the abilities to communicate with the disabled.

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