1.Effect and Mechanism of Exogenous NO in Secondary Metabolism in Scutellaria baicalensis
Kai ZHAO ; Wei MA ; Weili LIU ; Zhihong LOU ; Xiangcai MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):250-261
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the accumulation and quality formation mechanism of flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix. MethodsFresh roots of Scutellaria baicalensis were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) solutions at concentrations of 0.0, 7.5, and 20 mmol·L-1, respectively. Kits and supporting reaction systems were used to determine the following indicators of samples in each group, including (1) reactive oxygen species: changes in the content of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O
2.Sanjie Quban Prescription Affects Proliferation, Apoptosis, Migration, and Invasion of Human Keloid Fibroblasts via AhR/CYP1A1 Signaling Pathway
Zhihong HE ; Fengchuan ZHANG ; Dingquan YANG ; Chuhan HUANG ; Zhihan WANG ; Yatong WU ; Qingwu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):164-174
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Sanjie Quban prescription (SJQB)-containing serum on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of human keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and to elucidate its underlying mechanism, with a focus on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily A member 1 (CYP1A1) signaling pathway. MethodsPrimary human KFs were cultured in vitro and assigned to the following groups: control (KFs+blank serum), asiaticoside (KFs+asiaticoside-containing serum), SJQB (KFs+SJQB-containing serum), AhR agonist (KFs+β-naphthoflavone), AhR inhibitor (KFs+CH223191), and AhR inhibitor+SJQB (KFs+CH223191+SJQB-containing serum). The optimal intervention concentrations were determined through the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated by the EdU assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was visualized by immunofluorescence. The mRNA and protein levels of AhR, CYP1A1, TGF-β1, and α-SMA were measured by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the control group, the SJQB, asiaticoside, and AhR agonist groups demonstrated inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, along with an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01). The AhR inhibitor group showed enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion together with a reduced apoptosis rate in comparison with the AhR agonist group (P<0.01). The AhR inhibitor+SJQB group exhibited increased proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as decreased apoptosis compared with the SJQB group (P<0.05, P<0.01). At the molecular level, compared with the control group, the SJQB, asiaticoside, and AhR agonist groups presented upregulated protein and mRNA levels of AhR and CYP1A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the SJQB and AhR agonist groups showed downregulated TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression at both protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the asiaticoside group displayed decreased protein level of TGF-β1 and mRNA level of α-SMA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with both the AhR agonist and control groups, the AhR inhibitor group exhibited decreased AhR and CYP1A1 expression but increased TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression at protein and mRNA levels (P<0.01). In comparison with the SJQB group, the AhR inhibitor+SJQB group demonstrated reduced AhR and CYP1A1 expression (P<0.01) and elevated TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) at both protein and mRNA levels. ConclusionSJQB may activate the AhR/CYP1A1 signaling pathway to downregulate TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression, thereby suppressing the proliferation, migration, and invasion and inducing the apoptosis of KFs.
3.A quantitative analysis of development policies for China's assistive technology industry: insights based on the "objective-instrument-intensity" framework
Jiamin GAO ; Zhenjing FU ; Muxiong WANG ; Xiaqing JIANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Hongtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(9):1087-1099
ObjectiveTo quantitatively analyze and evaluate the content of China's assistive technology industry policies. MethodsBased on the three-dimensional framework of policy "objectives-instruments-intensity", this study examined 101 national-level assistive technology industry policies issued between 2011 and 2024. Policy text analysis was conducted to assess the matching and coordination among policy objectives, policy instruments and policy intensity. Furthermore, the policy modeling consistency (PMC) index model was applied to establish an evaluation system consisting of nine primary indicators and 35 secondary indicators, and six key policies were quantitatively evaluated. ResultsThe policy objectives mainly focused on optimizing the industrial development structure, also emphasized supportive environments for industrial development and the enhancement of innovation capacity. Policy instruments were dominated by supply-oriented and environment-oriented instruments, supplemented by demand-oriented instruments, aiming to strengthen technological foundations and competitiveness, promote standardized development, and facilitate industrial development and upgrading. Regarding the matching between policy objectives and instruments, multiple instruments were adopted to support different objectives, with different priorities. In terms of the matching between policy objectives and policy intensity, policies mainly emphasized improving the accessibility of assistive technology products and meeting the rehabilitation needs of different populations. Regarding the matching between policy instruments and policy intensity, supply-oriented instruments were more frequently adopted and showed higher policy intensity, indicating strong governmental efforts to optimize production factor allocation and enhance the capacity of market entities. The average PMC index score was 6.45, indicating relatively high policy quality, strong internal consistency, stable policy orientation, and clear objectives. The PMC scores for policy evaluation and policy instrument dimensions were relatively high, while some policies showed relatively narrow objectives. ConclusionChina's assistive technology industry policies demonstrate relatively high quality. Future policy development should further strengthen industrial innovation capacity, optimize the structure of policy instruments, and improve the alignment between policy objectives and instruments.
4.New drugs for the functional cure of hepatitis B: Focusing on antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs
Xieer LIANG ; Zhihong LIU ; Jinlin HOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(1):7-14
Existing nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon exhibit limited efficacy in the functional cure of hepatitis B. Recently, small nucleic acid drugs, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, have brought unprecedented breakthroughs in the functional cure of hepatitis B with their brand-new mechanisms of action and remarkable efficacy in early clinical studies. Small nucleic acid drugs, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, can reduce the level of HBsAg and strive to achieve HBsAg seroclearance. The reduction in HBsAg may restore the hepatitis B-specific immune function of the body to some extent and may further transform the simple clearance of HBsAg into hard endpoints with clinical value, such as reducing hepatitis B-related liver events. By meticulously analyzing the dynamic trajectory of HBsAg alterations within the context of new drug applications and further optimizing combined treatment strategies and regimens, it is expected to transform the functional cure of hepatitis B into the ultimate goal of improving survival rates and quality of life.
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.ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice
Lu XIA ; Wei CHEN ; Yiwen PAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1030-1034
Objective:To investigate the effect of ERMAP on imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice and its related mechanism.Methods:The experimental mice were divided into 3 groups:Sham group,WT group and ERMAP-/-group,with 9 mice in each group.The Sham group was smeared with Vaseline,and the WT group and ERMAP-/-group were smeared with IMQ to induce psoriatic dermatitis.The severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions in mice were evaluated according to the psoria-sis area and severity index(PASI)and the HE staining pathology score.The expressions of F4/80 and Ki67 in mouse skin lesions were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The relative expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,IFN-γ and iNOS in skin lesions were detected by qRT-PCR.Flow cytometry was used to detect the proliferation and activation of T cells and the proportion of macrophages in spleen.Results:In the IMQ-induced mouse model of psoriasis-like dermatitis,the skin lesions of ERMAP gene knock out mice showed more severe squamous accumulation and skin bulge,more inflammatory cells aggregation and cytokine production,and the proportion of immune cells in the spleen of mice increased compared with the WT group,and the proportion of M1 macrophages increased.Conclu-sion:ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by enhancing immune response.
7.Molecular Mechanism of miR-146b Regulating ERK1/2-AP-1 Signaling Pathway Involved in the Rat Model of Diabetes Complicated with Cerebral Infarction
Lingli LIU ; Ruoxuan WEI ; Wei CHEN ; Caixia KONG ; Zhihong LIU
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(2):135-139
Objective To explore whether miR-146b can participate in the brain injury process of diabetic rats with cerebral infarction(DM-CI)by regulating the extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK1/2)-activated protein-1(AP-1)signaling pathway.Methods 80 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,DM-CI group,low miR-146b expression group and ERK1/2 inhibition group,with 20 rats in each group.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score measures brain function in rats.The mRNA levels of miR-146b,ERK1/2 and AP-1 in rat brain tissue were detected by RT-qPCR.Western blotting detected ERK1/2,AP-1 protein levels in rat brain tissue.TTC staining was used to detect cerebral infarction volume in rats.H&E staining was used to detect brain histopathological changes.Random blood glucose levels were detected by glucose meter in rats.Results Compared with sham operation group,mRNA expression levels of miR-146b,ERK1/2 and AP-1 in brain tissue of rats in DM-CI group were significantly increased,with statistically differences(t=10.86,15.62,9.87,all P<0.05).ERK1/2 and AP-1 protein levels increased,with statistically differences(t=11.18,23.81,P<0.05).NIHSS score increased and random blood glucose level increased(t=44.49,30.02,all P<0.05),and increased cerebral infarction volume(t=51.05,P<0.05),the structure of brain tissue was disorganized and loose,and edema can be seen in the pericellular space.Compared with the DM-CI group,the mRNA expression levels of miR-146b,ERK1/2 and AP-1 in the brain tissue of rats with low expression of miR-146b were decreased,with statistically differences(t=38.00,20.03,24.25,all P<0.05).the protein expression of EPK1/2 and AP-1 decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=12.30,26.70,all P<0.05).NIHSS score and random blood glucose level were decreased,with statistically differences(t=38.11,33.77,all P<0.05),cerebral infarction volume decreased(t=16.70,P<0.05),the degree of brain tissue in jury and edema was improved,and the expression levels of ERK1/2 and AP-1 protein and mRNA in brain tissue of rats inhibited by ERK1/2 were decreased,with statistically differences(t=13.61~38.00,all P<0.05),the NIHSS score of rats was decreased,and the random blood glucose level was decreased,with statistically differences(t=16.48,26.61,all P<0.05).Conclusion MiR-146b may be involved in brain functional and structural damage in DM-CI rats by regulating ERK1/2-AP-1 signaling pathway.
8.ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice
Lu XIA ; Wei CHEN ; Yiwen PAN ; Zhihong LIU ; Min SU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1030-1034
Objective:To investigate the effect of ERMAP on imiquimod(IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice and its related mechanism.Methods:The experimental mice were divided into 3 groups:Sham group,WT group and ERMAP-/-group,with 9 mice in each group.The Sham group was smeared with Vaseline,and the WT group and ERMAP-/-group were smeared with IMQ to induce psoriatic dermatitis.The severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis lesions in mice were evaluated according to the psoria-sis area and severity index(PASI)and the HE staining pathology score.The expressions of F4/80 and Ki67 in mouse skin lesions were observed by immunofluorescence staining.The relative expressions of IL-1β,IL-6,IFN-γ and iNOS in skin lesions were detected by qRT-PCR.Flow cytometry was used to detect the proliferation and activation of T cells and the proportion of macrophages in spleen.Results:In the IMQ-induced mouse model of psoriasis-like dermatitis,the skin lesions of ERMAP gene knock out mice showed more severe squamous accumulation and skin bulge,more inflammatory cells aggregation and cytokine production,and the proportion of immune cells in the spleen of mice increased compared with the WT group,and the proportion of M1 macrophages increased.Conclu-sion:ERMAP deficiency aggravates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice by enhancing immune response.
9.Intergenerational Associations of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy With Offspring Metabolomics: A Systematic Review
Jinrui XIONG ; Ling-Jun LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Zhihong ZHANG ; Yue YANG ; Huan HU ; Jinhong LIU ; Zimeng CHEN ; Peng HUANG ; Mengjiao LIU
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 2025;07(3):157-165
Objective::To examine the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) on offspring metabolomics.Methods::We searched five databases: PubMed, Ovid Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and included studies that reported metabolomics among human offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies.Results::Database search yielded 4054 articles, and after full-text screening, ten observational studies met inclusion criteria. Half of the studies had a sample size of less than 100 and were all observational studies in preeclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension.Neonates were the most focused group in all included studies. Offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies exhibited statistically significant variations in blood metabolomics compared to their counterparts, characterized by amino acids, lipids, carnitine, and others (e.g., 1α,25-(OH) 2-D). Most studies reported a significant increase in differential metabolites of offspring born to HDP-complicated pregnancies. Four studies ( n = 1109) measured lipids-related metabolites, and all consistently showed that offspring born to PE-complicated pregnancies had significantly higher concentrations than non-PE exposed offspring. Conclusion::The existing evidence suggests an intergenerational effect of HDP on offspring metabolomics. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to advance the health effects of related adverse health outcomes and inform the prevention of offspring’s health.
10.Multimodal investigation of stress-induced RNA-brain covariance and its association with depression vulnerability
Yun LIU ; Xijuan XIA ; Kehan YAN ; Yang JI ; Yifeng LUO ; Zhihong CAO ; Yuefeng LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(9):790-797
Objective:To explore the RNA expression and alterations in brain structure in individuals who have experienced stressful life events (SLE), as well as the correlation patterns between them and their association with the occurrence of depression.Methods:Prospectively, a total of 80 SLE subjects were recruited from the psychiatry and psychology clinic of the Jiangsu University Affiliated Yixing Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022, with 16 normal controls (NC) enrolled concurrently. The 17 items Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and social readjustment rating scale (SRRS) were used to assess depressive symptoms and stress levels. RNA sequencing information of peripheral blood and imaging data at baseline were collected. Based on whether depression occurred during the 2-year follow-up period, SLE subjects were divided into the SLE-depression group ( n=15) and the SLE-non-depression group ( n=65). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using differential analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter tracts and gray matter volume (GMV) were extracted using tract-based spatial statistics and voxel-based morphometry.Using analysis of variance compared inter-group differences in gene expression, GMV and white matter FA values. Partial correlation analysis was used to explore correlations between DEGs, altered GMV and white matter microstructure. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on key genes to identify potential biological pathways. Propensity score matching constructed sensitivity subgroups to verify result robustness. Results:The SLE-depression group showed significantly higher SRRS and HAMD-17 scores at baseline and at the end of follow-up compared to the SLE-non-depression group and the NC group ( H=47.773, 35.427, 41.114, all P<0.05). Expression levels of IL-10 (2.12±0.28, 2.43±0.44), EZH2 (2.11±0.43, 2.45±0.51), NCAM1 (3.60±0.30, 3.03±0.39), CD3E (4.95±0.37, 4.57±0.48), CCK (3.29±0.28, 3.02±0.42), and CX3CR1 (5.55±0.40, 5.91±0.34) were significantly different between the SLE-depression group and SLE-non-depression group( F=5.549~28.371, all P<0.05). Compared with the SLE-non-depression group, the SLE-depression group exhibited significantly lower FA values in the genu of the corpus callosum (0.29±0.04, 0.31±0.04) and the left uncinate fasciculus (0.31±0.02, 0.33±0.02), as well as significantly smaller GMV in the right hippocampus (0.29±0.07, 0.33±0.06), bilateral middle frontal gyrus (left: 0.27±0.05, 0.31±0.05; right: 0.28±0.06, 0.32±0.06), right insula (0.36±0.03, 0.38±0.04), and left precentral gyrus (0.19±0.04, 0.24±0.05) ( F=4.593-12.064, all P<0.05, FDR correction). GMV in the right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri was significantly larger than that in the SLE-non-depression group (0.34±0.05, 0.29±0.06) ( F=6.704, P=0.034, FDR correction). Partial correlation analysis revealed significantly stronger correlations between hub DEGs and altered brain regions in the SLE-depression group ( r=0.017-0.801) compared to the SLE-non-depression group ( r=0.002-0.382), with a statistically significant difference ( U=629, P<0.001; Cliff's Delta=0.454). GSEA indicated that the aforementioned genes were primarily involved in pathways including the ribosome, spliceosome, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the above results remained statistically significant after balancing sample sizes (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The SLE-depression group showed specific RNA expression and brain structure alterations compared to the SLE-non-depression group, and the correlation between RNA and brain structure was significantly enhanced in the SLE-depression group. This suggests that the correlation between genes and brain structure in the SLE population may be related to their susceptibility to depression.

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