1.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Gouty Arthritis via Regulating Nrf2 Signaling Pathway: A Review
Siyi CHEN ; Shumin HUANG ; Yushan ZHAO ; Jiajin LIN ; Qian SHI ; Yefeng CHEN ; Yize ZHANG ; Zhongwen ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):323-330
Gouty arthritis (GA) is an inflammatory disorder caused by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition, accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and aberrant release of inflammatory cytokines, resulting in joint tissue damage and intense pain. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant defence system, exerts cytoprotective effects through dissociation from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and activates downstream antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated pathways. It can upregulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione transferase (GST) to preserve redox homeostasis. Moreover, Nrf2 can suppress activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and release, modulate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity, regulate gut microbiota balance, enhance mitophagy, and inhibit apoptosis, so as to reduce joint inflammation and pain and promote body recovery. This review systematically examined recent advancements in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for GA prevention and treatment via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It delineated Nrf2's molecular mechanisms and its role in GA pathogenesis and elucidated how TCM intervenes in multiple pathways including Keap1/Nrf2/ARE, Nrf2/HO-1(NQO1), and Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 to exert therapeutic effects. The study demonstrated that TCM monomers and compounds effectively counteract oxidative damage, attenuate inflammatory responses, promote autophagy, and inhibit apoptosis via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings not only clarify the scientific basis of TCM in GA treatment but also offer strategic insights for developing novel Nrf2-targeted anti-gout drugs.
2.Statistical methods for extremely unbalanced data in genome-wide association study (2)
Ning XIE ; Wenjian BI ; Zhongwen ZHANG ; Fang SHAO ; Yongyue WEI ; Yang ZHAO ; Ruyang ZHANG ; Feng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):147-153
Extremely unbalanced data refers to datasets with independent or dependent variables showing severe imbalances in proportions, which might lead to deviation of classical test statistics from theoretical distribution and difficulties in controlling type Ⅰ error. The increased availability of genome-wide resources from large population cohorts has highlighted the growing demand for efficient and accurate statistical methods for the process of extremely unbalanced data to improve the development of genetic statistical methods. This paper introduces two widely used correction methods in current genome-wide association study for extremely unbalanced data, i.e. Firth correction and saddle point approximation, describes their effectiveness in controlling type Ⅰ errors confirmed by simulation experiments, finally, and summarizes the commonly used software for extremely unbalanced genomic data to provide theoretical reference and suggestion for its application for the statistical analysis on extremely unbalanced data in future.
3.Statistical methods for extremely unbalanced data in genome-wide association study (2)
Ning XIE ; Wenjian BI ; Zhongwen ZHANG ; Fang SHAO ; Yongyue WEI ; Yang ZHAO ; Ruyang ZHANG ; Feng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):147-153
Extremely unbalanced data refers to datasets with independent or dependent variables showing severe imbalances in proportions, which might lead to deviation of classical test statistics from theoretical distribution and difficulties in controlling type Ⅰ error. The increased availability of genome-wide resources from large population cohorts has highlighted the growing demand for efficient and accurate statistical methods for the process of extremely unbalanced data to improve the development of genetic statistical methods. This paper introduces two widely used correction methods in current genome-wide association study for extremely unbalanced data, i.e. Firth correction and saddle point approximation, describes their effectiveness in controlling type Ⅰ errors confirmed by simulation experiments, finally, and summarizes the commonly used software for extremely unbalanced genomic data to provide theoretical reference and suggestion for its application for the statistical analysis on extremely unbalanced data in future.
4.Research progress on P2X7 receptor in cancer pain
Zhongwen ZHANG ; Rui ZHAO ; Haolong ZHANG ; Yuting YANG ; Jinxia BAI ; Haoling ZHANG ; Wei WANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(3):389-392
The activation of the P2X7 receptor as an ATP-gated ion channel,triggers the release of pro-inflammato-ry cytokines in tumor carring individuals and stimulate excitation of injury-causing neurons,thereby exacerbating the transmission of pain.In preclinical cancer pain models,it has the potential to serve as a new therapeutic target for cancer pain management.
5.Statistical methods for extremely unbalanced data in genome-wide association study (1)
Ning XIE ; Wenjian BI ; Zhongwen ZHANG ; Fang SHAO ; Yongyue WEI ; Yang ZHAO ; Ruyang ZHANG ; Feng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(11):1582-1589
Extremely unbalanced data here refers to datasets where the values of independent or dependent variables exhibit severe unbalance in proportions, such as extremely unbalanced case-control ratio, very low incidence rate of disease, heavily censored time-to-event data, and low-frequency or rare variants. In such scenarios, the statistic derived from hypothesis test using the classical statistical method, e.g., logistic regression model and Cox proportional hazard regression model, might deviate from theoretical asymptotic distribution, resulting in inflation or deflation of type I error. With the increased availability and exploration of resources from large-scale population cohorts in genome-wide association study (GWAS), there is a growing demand for effective and accurate statistical approaches to handle extremely unbalanced data in independent and non-independent samples. Our study introduces classical statistical methods in genetic statistics firstly, then, summarizes the failure of classical statistical methods in dealing with extremely unbalanced data through simulation experiments to draw researchers' attention to the extremely unbalanced data in GWAS.
6.The Pinnacle system increases the speed of searching for patient functionality
Zhongwen WANG ; Zhixue LIN ; Ke WANG ; Chongyi WANG ; Yongjun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2018;27(11):1021-1023
Objective To propose a method to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the Pinnacle treatment planning system in searching for a certain patient. Methods The original Pinnacle system was modified by adding a button of"Search Patient" in the window of"Patient Select" to call a self-built window of"Search Patient by MRN or Name". After inputting the patient′s Medical Record Number or Name, a self-built script file was called to quickly find and locate the patient′s record. Results The patient′s MRN or Name was input in the window of"Search Patient by MRN or Name",and then input"Enter" or clicked the button of Search to rapidly identify the patient and enhance the search efficiency. Conclusion The openness and script of the Pinnacle system can be utilized to modify and improve and supplement the existing func-tions.
7.Etiology and secondary prevention of embolic stroke of undetermined source
Zhongwen HU ; Xuemin ZHAO ; Xiaozheng YUAN ; Yong YU ; Kenang LYU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2018;26(4):298-302
Cryptogenic stroke refers to ischemic stroke that is not clear to the cause of the disease through routine examinations. With the development of medical technology, studies have found that most cryptogenic stroke is caused by embolism.Therefore,the concept of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is proposed. The main causes of ESUS include subclinical atrial fibrillation, patent foramen ovale, aortic arch atherosclerotic plaque, non-stenotic complex carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and tumor-related embolism, etc. This article reviews the etiology and secondary prevention of ESUS.
8.High level expression of α-CGTase and optimize biotransformation conditions of AA-2 G
Lin XING ; Xiuhua ZHANG ; Qianqian ZHAO ; Fei LIU ; Zhen YAN ; Mian CHEN ; Zhongwen HOU ; Xiqiang ZHU ; Peixue LING
Chinese Journal of Biochemical Pharmaceutics 2016;36(11):5-8
Objective To construct a prokaryotic expression vector in BL21 to secretorily expressα-Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase(α-CGTase). Methods α-CGT gene was amplified from Bacillus macerens genome by PCR.pET26b and α-CGT gene were connected after digested with Nco I, Xho I respectivly, and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 strain.α-CGTase was expressed in fermentation culture medium and AA-2G was prepared by using α-CGTase, VC and starch.Results α-CGTase was expressed secretorily and the enzyme activity was up to 120 U/mL.AA-2G was prepared by the biotransformation of VC and starch using α-CGTase which proved to be correct by HPLC.Conclusion AA-2G was prepared by using self-madeα-CGTase, after optimized the preparation conditions the yield of AA-2G was 17.46 g/L, and the conversion rate reached 58.2%(mg/mg).
9.Predictive factors of early neurological deterioration in patients with ischemic stroke
Zhongwen HU ; Xuemin ZHAO ; Xiaozheng YUAN ; Rong YU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2015;(8):597-601
Objective To investigate the risk factors for early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods The consecutive patients with new acute ischemic stroke within 24 h were enrol ed. They were divided into either an END or a non-END group. Their relevant medical history, baseline clinical data, imaging examinations and laboratory test results in both groups were compared. Results A total of 95 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrol ed, including 32 in the END group and 63 in the non-END group. There were significant differences in the proportion of patients in diabetes mel itus (χ2 =6. 081, P=0. 014), baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >15 (χ2 =9. 851, P=0. 002), baseline infarct volume >30 cm3 (χ2 =10. 815, P=0. 001), and fever (χ2 =6. 642, P=0. 010), as wel as the fasting glucose (t=2. 632, P=0. 010), homocysteine (t =2. 997, P=0. 003), C-reactive protein (t=2. 349, P=0. 021), baseline NIHSS (Z=497. 5, P=0. 001), and baseline infarct volume (Z=544. 5, P<0. 001) between the 2 groups. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the proportions of patients in large artery atherosclerotic stroke (χ2 =24. 539, P<0. 001 ) and smal arterial occlusive stroke (χ2 = 27. 913, P< 0. 001 ) in the TOAST classification, as wel as the total anterior circulation stroke (χ2 =7. 578, P<0. 006) and partial anterior circulation stroke (χ2 =4. 818, P<0. 028) in the OSCP classification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fasting glucose >6. 0 mmol/L (odds ratio [OR] 6. 951, 95%confidence interval [CI] 2. 159-22. 348; P=0. 001), homocysteine >15 μmol/L (OR 3. 301, 95% CI 1. 028-10. 595; P=0. 045), NIHSS score >15 (OR 4. 174, 95% CI 1. 772-14. 870;P=0. 028), infarct volume >30 cm3 (OR 4. 996, 95% CI 1. 334-18. 717; P=0. 017), and fever (OR 4. 528, 95% CI 1. 334-15. 372;P=0. 015) were the independent risk factors for occurring END in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions The baseline glucose, NIHSS score, infarct volume, homocysteine, and increased body temperature are the independent risk factors for occurring EDN in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

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