1.Mechanism by which KRT18 interacts with mRNA and long non-coding RNA to regulate intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cell injury
Zhongyuan LIU ; Yang LI ; Zhiwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):312-321
BACKGROUND:Differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in the intervertebral disc plays a key role in intervertebral disc degeneration,and decreased levels of the RNA-binding protein KRT18 are associated with degenerative disc disease,but its specific role in the nucleus pulposus cells has not yet been fully determined. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interaction of KRT18 with mRNA and long non-coding RNA on nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc and its mechanism. METHODS:Normal and degenerated nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from nucleus pulposus samples of patients undergoing interbody fusion for lumbar fracture or intervertebral disc degeneration.iRIP-seq,functional enrichment analysis,and DNA microarray analysis were performed to identify the mRNA and long non-coding RNA binding with KRT18.Subsequently,KRT18 was knocked down in nucleus pulposus cells based on the analysis results,and the expression levels of related genes were detected at the protein and RNA levels through protein immunoblotting and qRT-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through iRIP-seq analysis,we identified abundant KRT18 binding sites within the GUAAUC and AGCCUC sequences,indicating that KRT18 may be involved in regulating RNA transcription,translation,stability or play a role in cell signaling pathways.It can stably bind to mature mRNA,among which highly expressed genes include CRLF1,IGFBP4,etc.At the same time,the peak genes of long non-coding RNA binding with it include SNHG25,SNHG12,NEAT1,USP32,EIF4A2 and CDH4.Most of these genes are involved in various biological processes such as apoptosis and inflammation,and can mediate related pathways of extracellular matrix metabolism.KRT18 can regulate their stability,transport,translation,splicing and other functions,thus affecting gene expression and cell function.We further verified through experiments the knockdown of KRT18 in nucleus pulposus cells,and found that the level of extracellular matrix metabolism was inhibited and unbalanced,resulting in intervertebral disc degeneration in vitro.This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of KRT18 from the perspective of its binding with mRNA and long non-coding RNA for the first time,and speculated the potential function of KRT18 in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration,laying a foundation for future research on the key functions of KRT18.
2.Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombus
Yuxiang GUO ; Maosen WANG ; Zhongyuan LIU ; Xudong ZHANG ; Pengfei MA ; Xiangkun WANG ; Renfeng LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):359-364
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with biliary duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) is currently not common in clinical practice and is easily misdiagnosed, and previously, it was often considered an advanced stage of the disease with a poor prognosis, making its treatment challenging. However, in-depth studies in recent years have gradually deepened our understanding of this disease, leading to significant changes in diagnostic and treatment concepts. Currently, comprehensive treatment, mainly surgery, is used for treatment, but there is still controversy over the selection of clinical treatment strategies. This article provides a detailed discussion on surgical methods and prognosis, in order to provide a reference for clinical treatment options.
3.Ablation of macrophage transcriptional factor FoxO1 protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced acute kidney injury.
Yao HE ; Xue YANG ; Chenyu ZHANG ; Min DENG ; Bin TU ; Qian LIU ; Jiaying CAI ; Ying ZHANG ; Li SU ; Zhiwen YANG ; Hongfeng XU ; Zhongyuan ZHENG ; Qun MA ; Xi WANG ; Xuejun LI ; Linlin LI ; Long ZHANG ; Yongzhuo HUANG ; Lu TIE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3107-3124
Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.
4.Protective effect of remimazolam on intestinal barrier function in septic mice
Weifei WANG ; Haoyue DENG ; Yunxia DU ; Zhongyuan DU ; Liangming LIU ; Tao LI ; Qingxiang MAO
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(15):1806-1814
Objective To investigate the protective effects of remimazolam(Remi),a novel benzodiazepine sedative,on intestinal barrier function in septic mice.Methods A mouse model of sepsis was established using cecal ligation and puncture(CLP).A total of 96 SPF-grade adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into sham operation(Sham),sepsis(Sepsis),and sepsis with Remi intervention(Sepsis+Remi)groups.Survival rate and survival time were recorded within 72 h after modeling.Intestinal pathological alterations,barrier functional indicators,ZO-1 expression,and macrophage polarization status were observed and detected to evaluate the effects of Remi.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was used to treat RAW264.7 cells for 24 h to simulate in vitro sepsis model.The cells were divided into control(Control),LPS,and LPS+Remi groups.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess macrophage phenotype,mitochondrial morphology,and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(MtROS),and Western blotting was applied to detect the protein expression of iNOS and CD206.Results Compared with the sepsis group,Remi intervention significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice from 12.50%to 68.75%and markedly prolonged survival duration(P<0.05).Histopathological analysis demonstrated partial restoration of intestinal villus architecture,accompanied with attenuated interstitial edema and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration after Remi intervention.Furthermore,the intervention group demonstrated significant improvement in functional indicators.Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated elevated iNOS and decreased CD206 expression in the septic mice and LPS-stimulated macrophages(P<0.05),which were partially reversed after Remi intervention.Furthermore,LPS-stimulated macrophages exhibited fragmented mitochondria and elevated MtROS level,whereas Remi intervention ameliorated these conditions(P<0.05).Conclusion Remi protects intestinal barrier function in septic mice by mitigating mitochondrial dynamics imbalance-induced oxidative damage and ameliorating inflammatory macrophage activation.
5.Mitochondrial preconditioning of pericytes attenuates pulmonary vascular leakage in sepsis-induced rats
Zhongyuan DU ; Yiyan LIU ; Daiqin BAO ; Yibo ZHAO ; Juncai GUO ; Yuxuan LI ; Liangming LIU ; Tao LI ; Qingxiang MAO
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(23):2881-2892
Objective To investigate the protective effects of mitochondrial preconditioning in pericytes(PC)against pulmonary vascular leakage in septic rats.Methods ① 128 specific-pathogen-free SD rats(equal gender,200±20 g)were randomized into:Sham group(postoperative tail vein injection of 0.5 mL saline),Sepsis(Sep)group(CLP+saline),PC group(CLP+untreated PC:106 cells/rat),and Mito-PC group(CLP+PC preconditioned with 2 μg mitochondria/104 cells for 12 h).Assessments included:PC lung colonization(flow cytometry),pulmonary barrier function(Evans blue assay),lung histopathology(HE staining),serum organ injury markers[cTnT(cardiac),urea/creatinine(renal)],and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6).② MSC-derived mitochondria were validated by electron microscopy/flow cytometry;primary retinal PCs from weaned SD rats were purity-verified(confocal microscopy).In vitro groups:Control(PC),Mito-PC,PC+H2O2(0.5 μmol/L,4 h),and Mito-PC+H2O2.Antioxidant capacity was assessed via pentose phosphate pathway(PPP)activity,NADPH levels,G6PD activity,and NADP+/NADPH ratio.Results① Compared with Sham,Sep group showed significant increase in pulmonary leakage(Evans blue P<0.05),severe lung injury,elevated serum markers(TNF-α,IL-6,cTnT,urea,creatinine all P<0.05),0%72 h survival.PC group showed partial improvement(P<0.05).Mito-PC group demonstrated significant reduction in vascular leakage(P<0.05 vs PC group),improved histopathology and organ function(P<0.05),attenuated inflammation(P<0.05),higher 72 h survival rate(P<0.05).② Mitochondrial preconditioning significantly enhanced PPP activation and NADPH-mediated antioxidative capacity,Mito-PC+H2O2 vs PC+H2O2 showed improved cell viability(P<0.05),Mito-PC vs PC showed increased G6PD activity(P<0.05),decreased NADP+/NADPH ratio(P<0.05).Conclusion Mitochondrial preconditioning potentiates pericyte-mediated protection against sepsis-induced pulmonary vascular leakage through enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity.Mitochondrial preconditioning potentiates pericyte-mediated protection against sepsis-induced pulmonary vascular leakage through enhanced pentose phosphate pathway activity.
6.Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases in Diabetes Mellitus with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yu ZHANG ; Yu LI ; Zhongyuan ZHENG ; Yan LIANG ; Chengcheng LIU ; Yue DAI ; Luqi WANG ; Tuo LIU ; Lina CHEN ; Yujie LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(23):327-337
The complex pathophysiological mechanisms between diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases have not yet been fully elucidated, becoming one of the challenges in clinical care. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2) are clinically used to reduce the cardiovascular risk of patients with diabetes mellitus. Traditional Chinese medicine has diverse biological activities and unique advantages in the treatment of chronic complex diseases due to its multi-component and multi-target effects. Based on recent reports, this paper reviewed the common risk factors of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation), related targets such as apolipoprotein C-Ⅲ (APOC3), S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 (S100A8/A9), growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), and NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), advanced glycation end products, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intestinal flora disorder. In addition, this paper summarized the research progress in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes mellitus with the active ingredients (e.g., baicalein, puerarin, curcumin, notoginsenoside, and tanshinone ⅡA), single herbal medicines (e.g., Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Corni Fructus), and compound formulas (e.g., Buzang Tongluo Fang, Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Fang, Shenqi Fang, Huangqisan, Danggui Buxue Tang, and Liuwei Dihuang Wan) of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine mainly treats cardiovascular diseases in diabetes mellitus by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, ameliorating dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, protecting islet β cell function, repairing endothelial damage, inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation, foam cell formation, macrophage polarization, and cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and regulating intestinal flora disorder. These processes involve insulin receptor substrate/ phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (IRS/PI3K/Akt), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ (PPAR α/γ), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1-BCH domain-containing protein (HIF-1-BNIP), vascular endothelial growth factor/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (VEGF/HIF-1α) and other signaling pathways. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes mellitus with traditional Chinese medicine.
7.Analysis of the efficacy of arthroscopic transverse release of iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space for the treatment of external snapping hip
Yidong WU ; Kangkang YU ; Zhongyao LI ; Lu GAN ; Qi JIA ; Zhongyuan ZHAO ; Yang HE ; Zhikai GUO ; Chunbao LI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2024;44(1):18-24
Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space for the treatment of external snapping hip.Methods:A total of 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with bilateral external snapping hip underwent arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space in Department of Sports Medicine, Senior Department of Orthopaedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from May 2021 and June 2022. The average age was 32.5±8.2 years (range, 17-51 years). At the same time, 30 patients who underwent arthroscopic external release of the iliotibial band through the external surface of the iliotibial band (external iliotibial band group) were selected as control group, including 13 males and 17 females, aged 29.5±6.8 years (range, 11-45 years). The visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Harris hip score (mHHS), and gluteal muscle contracture disability scale (GDS) were compared between the two groups at preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and final follow-up.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 17.5±3.3 months (range, 12-25 months). The VAS scores of the two groups at the last follow-up were lower than those before operation ( P<0.05). The mHHS scores before operation, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the peritrochanteric space group were 76.5 (67.0, 85.5), 98.5 (94.8, 100.0) and 100.0 (97.0, 100.0), respectively, and those in the external iliotibial band group were 80.5 (70.0, 86.0), 100.0 (96.0, 100.0) and 100.0 (99.5, 100.0). The differences in mHHS scores between the two groups were statistically significant for intragroup comparisons ( P<0.05); of these, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were greater than preoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the differences at 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in mHHS scores between groups at different time points ( P>0.05). The GDS before operation, at 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up were 47.0 (35.8, 64.5), 90.0 (81.0, 94.0) and 93.5 (89.8, 98.0) in the peritrochanteric space group, and 51.0 (38.0, 64.5), 50.0 (81.0, 94.0) and 93.5 (89.8, 98.0) in the external iliotibial band group, respectively. The differences in GDS between the two groups were statistically significant for intragroup comparisons ( P< 0.05); of these, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were greater than preoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the differences at 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in GDS between groups at different time points ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space for the treatment of external snapping hip can effectively reduce hip pain and improve hip function, with satisfactory clinical results, and can be used as an alternative treatment to transverse release through the external surface of the iliotibial band.
8.Prognosis and influencing factors analysis of patients with initially resectable gastric cancer liver metastasis who were treated by different modalities: a nationwide, multicenter clinical study
Li LI ; Yunhe GAO ; Liang SHANG ; Zhaoqing TANG ; Kan XUE ; Jiang YU ; Yanrui LIANG ; Zirui HE ; Bin KE ; Hualong ZHENG ; Hua HUANG ; Jianping XIONG ; Zhongyuan HE ; Jiyang LI ; Tingting LU ; Qiying SONG ; Shihe LIU ; Hongqing XI ; Yun TANG ; Zhi QIAO ; Han LIANG ; Jiafu JI ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(1):114-124
Objective:To investigate the prognosis of patients with initially resectable gastric cancer liver metastasis (GCLM) who were treated by different modalities, and analyze the influencing factors for prognosis of patients.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 327 patients with initially resectable GCLM who were included in the database of a nationwide multicenter retrospective cohort study on GCLM based on real-world data from January 2010 to December 2019 were collected. There were 267 males and 60 females, aged 61(54,68)years. According to the specific situations of patients, treatment modalities included radical surgery combined with systemic treatment, palliative surgery combined with systemic treatment, and systemic treatment alone. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients who were treated by different modalities; (2) prognostic outcomes of patients who were treated by different modalities; (3) analysis of influencing factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM; (4) screening of potential beneficiaries in patients who were treated by radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients who were treated by palliative surgery plus systemic treatment. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and draw survival curve, and Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX proportional hazard regression model. The propensity score matching was employed by the 1:1 nearest neighbor matching method with a caliper value of 0.1. The forest plots were utilized to evaluate potential benefits of diverse surgical combined with systemic treatments within the population. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients who were treated by different modalities. Of 327 patients, there were 118 cases undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment, 164 cases undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment, and 45 cases undergoing systemic treatment alone. There were significant differences in smoking, drinking, site of primary gastric tumor, diameter of primary gastric tumor, site of liver metastasis, and metastatic interval among the three groups of patients ( P<0.05). (2) Prognostic outcomes of patients who were treated by different modalities. The median overall survival time of the 327 pati-ents was 19.9 months (95% confidence interval as 14.9-24.9 months), with 1-, 3-year overall survival rate of 61.3%, 32.7%, respectively. The 1-year overall survival rates of patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment, palliative surgery plus systemic treatment and systemic treatment alone were 68.3%, 63.1%, 30.6%, and the 3-year overall survival rates were 41.1%, 29.9%, 11.9%, showing a significant difference in overall survival rate among the three groups of patients ( χ2=19.46, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that there was a significant difference in overall survival rate between patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients undergoing systemic treatment alone ( hazard ratio=0.40, 95% confidence interval as 0.26-0.61, P<0.05), between patients undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment and patients under-going systemic treatment alone ( hazard ratio=0.47, 95% confidence interval as 0.32-0.71, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of influencing factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM. Results of multivariate analysis showed that the larger primary gastric tumor, poorly differentiated tumor, larger liver metastasis, multiple hepatic metastases were independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM ( hazard ratio=1.20, 1.70, 1.20, 2.06, 95% confidence interval as 1.14-1.27, 1.25-2.31, 1.04-1.42, 1.45-2.92, P<0.05) and immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the treatment modality of radical or palliative surgery plus systemic therapy were independent protective factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM ( hazard ratio=0.60, 0.39, 0.46, 95% confidence interval as 0.42-0.87, 0.25-0.60, 0.30-0.70, P<0.05). (4) Screening of potentinal beneficiaries in patients who were treated by radical surgery plus systemic treatment and patients who were treated by palliative surgery plus systemic treatment. Results of forest plots analysis showed that for patients with high-moderate differentiated GCLM and patients with liver metastasis located in the left liver, the overall survival rate of patients undergoing radical surgery plus systemic treatment was better than patients undergoing palliative surgery plus systemic treatment ( hazard ratio=0.21, 0.42, 95% confidence interval as 0.09-0.48, 0.23-0.78, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared to systemic therapy alone, both radical and palliative surgery plus systemic therapy can improve the pro-gnosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM. The larger primary gastric tumor, poorly differen-tiated tumor, larger liver metastasis, multiple hepatic metastases are independent risk factors for prognosis of patients with initial resectable GCLM and immunotherapy or targeted therapy, the treatment modality of radical or palliative surgery plus systemic therapy are independent protective factors for prognosis of patients with initially resectable GCLM.
9.The Development Status and Trend of Intelligent Technologies Applied in the Medical Field in China
Zhongyuan ZHANG ; Lin MA ; Xiaohu MENG ; Wei WANG ; Zhiying LI ; Minjiang GUO ; Wuqi QIU
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(7):7-13
Purpose/Significance To expound the development of the application of new generation intelligent technologies in the medi-cal field in China,and to provide ideas for the future development of intelligent medical technologies in China.Method/Process Literature related to the application of medical intelligence technology from 2000 to 2023 is searched and screened on CNKI,and the knowledge graph is drawn by descriptive statistical analysis and CiteSpace software for visualization analysis.Result/Conclusion The number of papers pub-lished in the application research field of domestic medical intelligence technology shows a trend of steady growth and then leveling off.The hot keywords mainly include smart medical care,health care,health management,etc.,forming 8 main cluster sets.Future research should strengthen cooperation and exchanges between researchers and organizations,and pay more attention to the challenges posed by the applica-tion of technology in terms of security and privacy,technology supervision,talent team construction and technological energy consumption.
10.Effect of transmissible gastroenteritis virus on expression of Claudin-4 and Clau-din-5
Zhongyuan LI ; Mei XUE ; Li FENG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(7):1362-1366,1372
The transmissible gastroenteritis virus(TGEV)mainly infects small intestinal epithelial cells,causing vomiting,diarrhea,and dehydration in pigs of different ages.It has a high mortality rate for piglets under two weeks of age,and its pathogenicity is closely related to the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier.Tight junction proteins are crucial for maintaining and repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier.This article aims to investigate the effect of TGEV on the expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-4 and Claudin-5.The distribution of Claudin-4 and Claudin-5 in the small intestine and large intestine of SPF pigs,as well as the changes in mRNA expression of Clau-din-4 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal tissue and in vitro cells of piglets infected with TGEV were detected using RT-qPCR,the results showed that Claudin-4 and Claudin-5 had the highest abun-dance in the duodenum and the lowest abundance in the cecum.After TGEV infection,the levels of Claudin-4 and Claudin-5 mRNA in the intestinal tissue and in vitro cells of piglets were signifi-cantly upregulated.In summary,this study found the distribution of tight junction proteins Clau-din-4 and Claudin-5 in pig intestinal tissue and verified that TGEV can upregulate the expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-4 and Claudin-5.This study laid the foundation for in-depth ex-ploration of the mechanism of action between Claudin-4,Claudin-5 and TGEV,and provided ideas for developing new prevention and control strategies for TGEV.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail