1.Monte Carlo simulation study of the effect of filter on radiotherapy dosimetry in superficial X-ray therapy apparatus
Li TAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Yikai WU ; Junyi LIU ; Miao QI ; Ning GAO ; Yankui CHANG ; Xi PEI ; Zhi CHEN ; Xie XU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(3):194-201
Objective:To explore the dosimetry optimization strategy based on filter thickness and shape selection for the bulb superficial X-ray radiotherapy unit.Methods:Monte Carlo code TOPAS was used to model tubular equipment, and the dose distribution from six X-ray energies (50-150 kV) and five conventional aluminum filters (0.5-3.0 mm) with different thickness were simulated in the water model. The percentage depth dose (PDD) curve along the central axis, the center-axis profile dose at different depths, and the lateral dose distribution were analyzed. The dose distribution of three different designs of aluminum filters (conventional cylindrical, conical and oblique cylindrical filters) was compared to evaluate the effect of dosimetric optimization of different filter shapes.Results:Under the same energy, increasing the thickness of the filter can optimize the superficial skin dose, and the optimization effect of depth dose uniformity can be increased by 26% at a depth of 5.5 mm at 70 kV energy. The raised, flat and inclined dose distribution modes can be achieved by using conventional cylindrical, conical and inclined aluminum filters.Conclusions:By selecting the appropriate X-ray energy and filter thickness, an ideal dose distribution matching the tumor depth can be achieved. The application of personalized filters is also of great significance for diverse target areas.
2.Chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum and their antitumor activity in vitro
Yi LONG ; Li-zhi ZHANG ; Piao-piao JIANG ; Nan KUANG ; Xin-yu ZHANG ; Yu-pei YANG ; Bin LI ; Wei WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2932-2941
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg and their antitumor activity in vitro.METHODS Silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activity in vitro was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Twenty-eight compounds were isolated and identified as triphyllin A(1),eruberin B(2),(2S,4R)-5,7-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethyl-6,8-dimethyl-flavan-5-O-β-D-6-acetylglucopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(3),eruberin A(4),abacopterin Ⅰ(5),matteucinol(6),homoerodictyol(7),(2S)-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone(8),(2S)-5,2',5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone(9),galinsonside B(10),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11),kaempferol 3-O-robinobioside(12),rutin(13),geniposide(14),jasminoside A(15),β-sitostenone(16),sitosterol palmitate(17),β-sitosterol(18),ursolic acid(19),hyptadienic acid(20),3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid(21),3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid(22),gallic acid(23),dibutylphthalate(24),bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(25),9-nonadecenoic acid(26),triacylglycerol(27),crocin Ⅰ(28).The IC50 values of compound 1 for human gastric adenocarcinoma cells BGC-823 and human colon cancer cells HCT-116 were(22.07±0.38),(20.67±0.11)μmol/L,respectively.The IC50 value of compound 9 for BGC-823 cells was(21.58±0.05)μmol/L,and the IC50 value of compound 4 for HCT-116 cells was(16.67±0.36)μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10,14-15 and 28 are first isolated from Tetrastigma genus.Compounds 1,4,9 have weak antitumor activity in vitro.
3.The Mechanism of Gongfa Static Training Regulating Mitophagy in Skeletal Muscle of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus(T2DM)Mice via the PINK1/Parkin Pathway
Lizhen GAN ; Xia WU ; Pei CHEN ; Zhi ZHANG ; Zhewei CHEN ; Qingbo WEI ; Yunchuan WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(2):151-159
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Gongfa Static Training regulates mitophagy through the PTEN-in-duced kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin pathway in skeletal muscle insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS T2DM mouse model was established using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin(STZ)intraperitoneal injection.Mice were ran-domly divided into a model group,a metformin group,an aerobic exercise group,and a Gongfa Static Training group.The intervention effects of Gongfa Static Training were evaluated by measuring fasting blood glucose,Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resist-ance(HOMA-IR),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),lipid metabolism indicators,mitochondrial function in the gastrocnemius muscle,and the expression of PINK1 and Parkin-related genes and proteins.RESULTS Gongfa Static Training significantly reduced fasting blood glucose,HbA1c,and insulin resistance index in T2DM mice,improved lipid metabolism,and enhanced insulin sensitivity.It improved the structure and function of mitochondria in the gastrocnemius muscle by upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of PINK1 and Parkin.CONCLUSION Gongfa Static Training improves mitochondrial function and insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of T2DM mice by regulating the PINK1/Parkin pathway.
4.Construction and evaluation of a risk prediction model for acute kidney injury in severe burn patients
He-dong XIANG ; Wen-zhao CHEN ; Hong-zhuang ZHANG ; Li-tao WEI ; Pei ZHAN ; Wei YANG ; Chang-quan LI ; Meng QIAO ; Chao-wei CHEN ; Zhi-qiang TIAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):886-891
Objective To explore the influencing factors of acute kidney injury in severe burn patients,and to construct a visual risk nomogram model.Methods A total of 390 patients with severe burn admitted to the Institute of Burn Frostbite and Tissue Function Reconstruction of Chinese People's Armed Police Force Specialty Medical Center from January 2018 to January 2022 were collected as an internal training data set,and 50 patients with severe burn admitted from February to December 2022 were collected as an external validation data set.The 390 patients of the internal training data set were divided into the acute kidney injury group and the non-acute kidney injury group according to the occurrence of acute kidney injury,and the baseline data of patients in the two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of acute kidney injury in severe burn patients of the internal training data set,and a nomogram model was drawn.Subsequently,the model was verified both internally and externally.Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the 90-day survival rate of patients between the acute kidney injury group and the non-acute kidney injury group.Results The burn area(OR=1.18,95%CI:1.06 to 2.36,P=0.004),sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score(OR=1.81,95%CI:1.21 to 5.92,P<0.001),inhalation injury(OR=3.21,95%CI:1.23 to 6.35,P<0.001),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR)(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.05 to 3.65,P<0.001)and albumin(ALB)(OR=0.78,95%CI:0.57 to 0.92,P=0.011)were the independent risk factors for the development of acute kidney injury in severe burn patients.The nomogram model was established by the above factors.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of the internal training data set was 0.833(95%CI:0.752 to 0.935),the sensitivity was 81.2%,and the specificity was 83.2%.The AUC of the external validation data set was 0.842(95%CI:0.762 to 0.912),the sensitivity 87.2%,and the specificity was 78.7%.The 90-day survival rate of patients in the acute kidney injury group after burns was significantly lower than that in the non-acute kidney injury group(P<0.001).Conclusion Larger burn area,higher SOFA score,combined inhalation injury,increased NLR,and decreased ALB level are the risk factors for the occurrence of acute kidney injury in severe burn patients,which are related to the 90-day survival rate of patients after burns.The nomogram model based on the risk factors can provide certain reference for clinical individualized prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury in severe burn patients.
5.ALKBH5 mediated m6A modification of NLRP3 promotes cardiomyocytes pyroptosis in mice with myocardial infarction
Miao-miao ZHAI ; Jian-jian YIN ; Zhi-mo WANG ; Yue-jiao ZHOU ; Qing-wen YU ; Pei WANG ; Li-rong ZHANG ; Sheng-na HAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):434-444
Aim To investigate the effects of m6A demethylase ALKBH5 on cardiomyocytes pyroptosis in mice with myocardial infarction(MI).Methods The MI model of left anterior descending coronary artery ligation surgery was established by knocking down ALKBH5 using adeno-associated virus,and the hypox-ia model of mouse cardiomyocytes(HL-1)was estab-lished by knocking down small interfering RNA.The effects of ALKBH5 on the pyroptosis of MI mice and hypoxic HL-1 cells were observed.Subsequently,mechanism studies were conducted at the cellular lev-el,and the binding of ALKBH5 and IGF2BP2 to NL-RP3 mRNA was detected through RNA pull down and RNA immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiments.The MeRIP-qPCR method was used to determine the effects of ALKBH5 on the mRNA m6A level of NLRP3.Acti-nomycin D for RNA stability experiments were conduc-ted to detect the effects of ALKBH5 and IGF2BP2 on the stability of NLRP3 mRNA.Results Knocking down ALKBH5 in vivo and in vitro both inhibited NL-RP3 inflammasome activation and alleviated pyroptosis in MI mice and hypoxic HL-1 cells.Mechanistically,the results showed that NLRP3 mRNA could bind to ALKBH5 protein in HL-1 cells;knocking down ALK-BH5 could increase the m6A level of NLRP3 and re-duce the stability of NLRP3 mRNA;subsequently,it was confirmed that NLRP3 mRNA and IGF2BP2 pro-tein bound to each other;knocking down IGF2BP2 in-creased the mRNA stability of NLRP3.The Rescue ex-periment showed that knocking down IGF2BP2 re-versed the decrease in NLRP3 mRNA expression caused by knocking down ALKBH5.Conclusions ALKBH5 mediated m6A modification of NLRP3 pro-motes cardiomyocytes pyroptosis in mice with myocardi-al infarction.
6.Monte Carlo simulation study of the effect of filter on radiotherapy dosimetry in superficial X-ray therapy apparatus
Li TAO ; Hui ZHANG ; Yikai WU ; Junyi LIU ; Miao QI ; Ning GAO ; Yankui CHANG ; Xi PEI ; Zhi CHEN ; Xie XU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(3):194-201
Objective:To explore the dosimetry optimization strategy based on filter thickness and shape selection for the bulb superficial X-ray radiotherapy unit.Methods:Monte Carlo code TOPAS was used to model tubular equipment, and the dose distribution from six X-ray energies (50-150 kV) and five conventional aluminum filters (0.5-3.0 mm) with different thickness were simulated in the water model. The percentage depth dose (PDD) curve along the central axis, the center-axis profile dose at different depths, and the lateral dose distribution were analyzed. The dose distribution of three different designs of aluminum filters (conventional cylindrical, conical and oblique cylindrical filters) was compared to evaluate the effect of dosimetric optimization of different filter shapes.Results:Under the same energy, increasing the thickness of the filter can optimize the superficial skin dose, and the optimization effect of depth dose uniformity can be increased by 26% at a depth of 5.5 mm at 70 kV energy. The raised, flat and inclined dose distribution modes can be achieved by using conventional cylindrical, conical and inclined aluminum filters.Conclusions:By selecting the appropriate X-ray energy and filter thickness, an ideal dose distribution matching the tumor depth can be achieved. The application of personalized filters is also of great significance for diverse target areas.
7.Chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum and their antitumor activity in vitro
Yi LONG ; Li-zhi ZHANG ; Piao-piao JIANG ; Nan KUANG ; Xin-yu ZHANG ; Yu-pei YANG ; Bin LI ; Wei WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2932-2941
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg and their antitumor activity in vitro.METHODS Silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antitumor activity in vitro was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Twenty-eight compounds were isolated and identified as triphyllin A(1),eruberin B(2),(2S,4R)-5,7-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethyl-6,8-dimethyl-flavan-5-O-β-D-6-acetylglucopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(3),eruberin A(4),abacopterin Ⅰ(5),matteucinol(6),homoerodictyol(7),(2S)-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavanone(8),(2S)-5,2',5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone(9),galinsonside B(10),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11),kaempferol 3-O-robinobioside(12),rutin(13),geniposide(14),jasminoside A(15),β-sitostenone(16),sitosterol palmitate(17),β-sitosterol(18),ursolic acid(19),hyptadienic acid(20),3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid(21),3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid(22),gallic acid(23),dibutylphthalate(24),bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(25),9-nonadecenoic acid(26),triacylglycerol(27),crocin Ⅰ(28).The IC50 values of compound 1 for human gastric adenocarcinoma cells BGC-823 and human colon cancer cells HCT-116 were(22.07±0.38),(20.67±0.11)μmol/L,respectively.The IC50 value of compound 9 for BGC-823 cells was(21.58±0.05)μmol/L,and the IC50 value of compound 4 for HCT-116 cells was(16.67±0.36)μmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-10,14-15 and 28 are first isolated from Tetrastigma genus.Compounds 1,4,9 have weak antitumor activity in vitro.
8.Cordyceps sinensis ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis in mice by IL-6 trans-signaling pathway
Ying-xue SUN ; Jun CHEN ; Pei-chen TANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Wei-ze CHEN ; Zhi-xin YAN ; Na-na SONG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):1-15
Objective To investigate the effect of cordyceps sinensis(CS)on the activation of fibroblasts through IL-6 trans-signaling pathway and its specific mechanism in the treatment of renal fibrosis.Methods Renal fibrosis mouse model was established by unilateral ischemia/reperfusion(UIR),and the mice were administered intragastrically CS,soluble glycoprotein 130 Fc(sgp130Fc)or Hyper-IL-6.Masson's trichrome staining was utilized to identify tubulointerstitial fibrosis.PAS staining was utilized to assess the extent of renal injury.Western blot was employed to analyze the expression levels of fibrosis markers[alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN)]and proteins associated with IL-6 trans-signaling pathway[phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3),soluble interleukin-6 receptor(sIL-6R)].The expression and localization of proteins were additionally detected by immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence and qPCR.The effect of cordyceps sinensis extract cordycepin on IL-6 trans-signaling in fibroblasts was further investigated in vitro.Results The results from in vivo experiments showed that administration of CS during the chronic phase demonstrated a beneficial protective impact on inflammation and fibrosis in the affected kidney,and serum creatinine levels and collagen deposition were decreased.Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in the expression levels of α-SMA,FN,as well as IL-6 trans-signaling pathway protein p-STAT3,sIL-6R in the treatment group.Additionally,the mRNA expression levels of chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)were also decreased in the CS treatment group.Additionally,Hyper-IL-6 can partially counteract the therapeutic effects of CS.In vitro experiments further demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited the secretion of IL-6 from NRK-52E.Combined treatment of recombinant IL-6 and sIL-6R protein activated NRK-49F,leading to a significant increase in α-SMA,FN,and p-STAT3 expression levels.Cordycepin or sgp130Fc treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of fibroblasts induced by IL-6 trans-signaling pathway.Conclusion CS can significantly reduce IL-6 secretion by renal tubular epithelial cells and inhibit the activation of IL-6 trans-signaling pathway in fibroblasts,thereby ameliorating renal interstitial fibrosis.
9.Cordyceps sinensis ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis in mice by IL-6 trans-signaling pathway
Ying-xue SUN ; Jun CHEN ; Pei-chen TANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Wei-ze CHEN ; Zhi-xin YAN ; Na-na SONG
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):1-15
Objective To investigate the effect of cordyceps sinensis(CS)on the activation of fibroblasts through IL-6 trans-signaling pathway and its specific mechanism in the treatment of renal fibrosis.Methods Renal fibrosis mouse model was established by unilateral ischemia/reperfusion(UIR),and the mice were administered intragastrically CS,soluble glycoprotein 130 Fc(sgp130Fc)or Hyper-IL-6.Masson's trichrome staining was utilized to identify tubulointerstitial fibrosis.PAS staining was utilized to assess the extent of renal injury.Western blot was employed to analyze the expression levels of fibrosis markers[alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN)]and proteins associated with IL-6 trans-signaling pathway[phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3),soluble interleukin-6 receptor(sIL-6R)].The expression and localization of proteins were additionally detected by immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence and qPCR.The effect of cordyceps sinensis extract cordycepin on IL-6 trans-signaling in fibroblasts was further investigated in vitro.Results The results from in vivo experiments showed that administration of CS during the chronic phase demonstrated a beneficial protective impact on inflammation and fibrosis in the affected kidney,and serum creatinine levels and collagen deposition were decreased.Western blot analysis revealed a decrease in the expression levels of α-SMA,FN,as well as IL-6 trans-signaling pathway protein p-STAT3,sIL-6R in the treatment group.Additionally,the mRNA expression levels of chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)were also decreased in the CS treatment group.Additionally,Hyper-IL-6 can partially counteract the therapeutic effects of CS.In vitro experiments further demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited the secretion of IL-6 from NRK-52E.Combined treatment of recombinant IL-6 and sIL-6R protein activated NRK-49F,leading to a significant increase in α-SMA,FN,and p-STAT3 expression levels.Cordycepin or sgp130Fc treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of fibroblasts induced by IL-6 trans-signaling pathway.Conclusion CS can significantly reduce IL-6 secretion by renal tubular epithelial cells and inhibit the activation of IL-6 trans-signaling pathway in fibroblasts,thereby ameliorating renal interstitial fibrosis.
10.Construction and Identification of a Macrophage-specific Colgalt1 Gene Knockout Mouse Model
Pei-Pei QIU ; Xiao-Jiao SUN ; WANG-LEI ; Zhi-Qi WANG ; Chu-Xiao YI ; Zhen-Ming LIU ; Ji-Guo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1214-1222
Aberrant expression of Colgalt1 is closely associated with tumorigenesis and tumor progres-sion;however,the mechanism by which it regulates macrophages to influence tumor development remains poorly understood.This study aimed to establish a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model to delve into the mechanisms through which Colgalt1 modulates macrophage function and subse-quently affects the occurrence and progression of tumor-related diseases.Initially,Colgalt1flox+mice were generated using gene editing techniques,followed by crossing with Lyz2-Cre+mice,which exhibit tissue-specific expression in the myeloid lineage(including monocytes and mature macrophages).Through this strategy,mice with the genotype Colgalt1-/-Lyz2-Cre+were successfully obtained,achieving conditional knockout of the Colgalt1 gene in macrophages.Colgalt1flox/flox Lyz2-Cre-mice were used as control.PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis were employed to identify the Flox and Cre genotypes of the knockout mice.RT-qPCR and Western Blot techniques were utilized to detect the expression levels of Colgalt1 in BMDMs from knockout mice at both the mRNA and protein levels,respectively.Western Blot results re-vealed a significant downregulation of Colgaltl expression in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to controls(P<0.01).RT-qPCR results demonstrated a significant reduction in Colgalt1 mRNA levels in BMDMs from knockout mice compared to contro1s(P<0.001),while no significant differences in Col-galt1 mRNA expression were observed in liver,lung,or spleen tissues between the two groups.Addition-ally,immunohistochemistry was employed to detect Colgalt1 expression in liver-specific macrophages,re-vealing an absence of Colgalt l-positive staining in liver macrophages from knockout mice.HE staining was used to observe cellular morphology in liver tissues from both groups of mice,showing no significant differences in cellular morphology or obvious pathological changes in tissues and organs.Moreover,the o-verall survival of the mice was not affected.Finally,RT-qPCR was used to assess the expression of mac-rophage-related inflammatory factors in BMDMs from both groups of mice.The results indicated that com-pared to controls,knockout mice exhibited downregulated expression of TNF-α(P<0.05)and signifi-cantly upregulated expression of IL-10(P<0.01),Arginase1(P<0.001),and CD206(P<0.001)in BMDMs,suggesting an anti-inflammatory trend and M2 polarization of macrophages following Colgalt 1 knockout.In summary,this study successfully established a macrophage-specific Colgalt1 gene knockout mouse model,providing a more reliable experimental animal model for in-depth exploration of the specific roles of Colgalt1 in macrophage functional regulation and the pathogenesis of tumor-related diseases.This model holds promise for identifying novel therapeutic targets and strategies for tumors and other diseases.

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