1.Effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing Serum on CircRNA_0001543/NF-κB Expression in Co-cultured PBMCs and Human FLSs from Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Yajun QI ; Jian LIU ; Qiao ZHOU ; Yuedi HU ; Xiang DING ; Chengzhi CONG ; Xu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):87-95
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum on the expression of CircRNA_0001543/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in co-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsVenous blood was collected from patients with AS to isolate PBMCs. FLSs were co-cultured with AS patients' PBMCs, and FLSs were harvested after co-culture for subsequent experiments. The normal control group consisted of normal FLSs, while the model group comprised co-cultured AS PBMCs and FLSs to simulate AS pathology. The Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules group involved adding Huangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum to the co-cultured cells(6.48 g·kg-1). To investigate the effect of HQC-containing serum on the viability of co-cultured cells, and the experiment was divided into the following groups based on the dilution concentration: blank group, 10% HQC group, 20% HQC group, and 30% HQC group.To study the influence of the optimal concentration of HQC-containing serum on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into three groups: normal group, model group, and optimal concentration HQC-containing serum group.For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 interference plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, si-NC group (with transfection reagent), si-circ_0001543-1 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 1 targeting circ_0001543), si-circ_0001543-2 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 2 targeting circ_0001543), and si-circ_0001543-3 group (with transfection reagent and interference plasmid No. 3 targeting circ_0001543).For the validation of the transfection efficiency of the CircRNA_0001543 overexpression plasmid, the experiment was divided into the following groups: blank group, OE-NC group (with transfection reagent), and OE-circ_0001543 group (with transfection reagent and overexpression plasmid targeting circ_0001543).To study the effects of CircRNA_0001543 interference/overexpression on cytokine and pathway indicators in each group, the experiment was divided into the following groups: si-NC group, si-CircRNA_0001543 group, OE-NC group, and OE-CircRNA_0001543 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-10, IL-37, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to measure the expression of CircRNA_0001543, IκBα, and NF-κB p65. ResultsAfter 48 hours, 30% Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum significantly inhibited the proliferation of co-cultured PBMCs and FLSs, which was determined to be the optimal experimental drug-containing serum concentration. Compared with those in the normal group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules-containing serum group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the expressions of CircRNA_0001543 mRNA, IL-10, and IL-37 were significantly increased (P<0.05), with the most prominent changes in the 30% drug-containing serum group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the si-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly reduced in the si-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01). Compared with that in the OE-NC group, the expression of CircRNA_0001543 was significantly increased in the OE-CircRNA_0001543 group (P<0.01), indicating that the si-CircRNA_0001543 and OE-CircRNA_0001543 plasmids were successfully transfected. Based on the optimal drug-containing serum of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules, si-CircRNA_0001543 transfection led to significantly increased expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α and decreased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). In contrast, OE-CircRNA_0001543 transfection significantly decreased the expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA, IκBα mRNA, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01) and increased the expressions of IL-10 and IL-37 (P<0.01). ConclusionHuangqin Qingre Chubi capsules-containing serum can improve immune inflammation in AS by increasing the expression of CircRNA_0001543, regulating the NF-κB pathway, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine expression.
2.Analysis of current status and trend of global research on diabetic cataract in the perspective of bibliometrics
Qian ZHANG ; Fengren ZHOU ; Yan ZHANG ; Suhua LI ; Cong WU ; Hanyu CAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1754-1763
AIM: To review and summarize the current research and achievements in the field of diabetic cataract, with the aim of better identifying research hotspots and trends in this area.METHODS: Based on the relevant literature retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science databases, and Pubmed, a bibliometric analysis of the diabetic cataract was conducted by means of Microsoft Office Excel 2017 and CiteSpace 6.3R2. Research hotspots were subsequently synthesized after visualizations of author/country collaborations, co-citation networks of highly cited literature, keyword clustering, and emergence.RESULTS: A total of 815 Chinese and 572 English publications were finally included. Overall, this field had maintained substantial scholarly attention globally, though publications had progressively decreased since 2018. While inter-institutional collaboration in this area remained limited, a multinational collaborative network had emerged with the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Spain as central hubs. Core research priorities in diabetic cataract consistently encompassed surgical and pharmacological interventions, pathogenesis, associated ocular/systemic complications; while international and domestic research contents aligned fundamentally in these domains, but the domestic research was unique in nursing interventions and herbal medicine-based interventions. Recent analytical trends revealed that Chinese investigations prioritized the pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic cataract, whereas international efforts concentrated on clinical therapeutics.CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis of diabetic cataract research literature(2000-2024)synthesizes the current advancements, research priorities, and scholarly contributions in the field, and intuitively demonstrates significant academic merit and clinical relevance, which can provide evidence-based guidance for the future research trajectories.
3.Primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province in 2020-2022
Meng GUO ; Fanghua MEI ; Cong LIU ; Kangping ZHOU ; Junqiang XYU ; Kun CAI
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(1):49-52
Objective To investigate the prevalence of primary drug resistance among HIV-1 patients in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2022, and to provide corresponding basis and data support for HIV antiviral therapy (ART) in Hubei Province. Methods During 2020-2022, plasma samples of HIV-1 infected patients before ART were collected., Patients’ demographic data and baseline laboratory test data were also collected. HIV-1 pol region was amplified by in-house method for sub-type typing and drug-resistant mutation site analysis. Results The pol gene sequence was successfully amplified in 242 of 285 cases, with a success rate of 84.9%. CRF07_BC was the predominant HIV-1 sub-type, accounting for 47.11% (114/242), followed by CRF01_AE, accounting for 25.21% (61/242), sub-type B, accounting for 14.16% (35/242), and CRF55_01B, accounting for 4.13% (10/242). The primary resistance rate was 6.20% (15/242). The mutation site of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) was mainly M184V, and the mutation sites of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were mainly E138A/G/EG and V179E. These different mutation sites led to different degrees of drug resistance to 12 drugs. The incidence of drug resistance mutation of CRF55_01B sub-type was significantly higher than that of other sub-types. Conclusion The primary drug resistance rate of HIV-1 infected patients is at a slightly high level in Hubei Province, and close monitoring of primary drug resistance and mutation sites should be strengthened before ART, especially for CRF55_01B sub-type.
4.The assessment of hepatic hemodynamic characteristics in cirrhotic patients with splenectomy based on iodine map of dual-source CT
Yongyue ZHU ; Zhou ZHOU ; Chengli ZHAO ; Yinghan SUN ; Cong ZHOU ; Daoqing WANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(2):302-305
Objective To investigate the hepatic hemodynamic characteristics of cirrhotic patients with splenectomy using iodine map of dual-source computed tomography(DSCT).Methods Twenty-four cirrhotic patients with splenectomy were selected as a study group,41 cirrhotic patients without splenectomy as a cirrhosis group and other 32 patients with normal liver as a control group.The iodine concentration(IC)in hepatic arterial and venous phases was measured on the iodine map,and the arterial iodine fraction(AIF)and portal venous iodine concentration(PVIC)were calculated.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted and the area under the curve(AUC)was recorded to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter using the DeLong test.Results IC in arterial phase and AIF were significantly higher,and IC in venous phase and PVIC were significantly lower in study group(P<0.05).The AUC values of the four parameters between study group and cirrhosis group were 0.735,0.992,0.943,and 0.994,respectively.Conclusion DSCT iodine map is helpful for clinical quantitative assessment of hepatic hemodynamic characteristics in cirrhotic patients with splenectomy,and the PVIC has optimal independent diagnostic performance.
5.Proliferation and metabolic patterns of smooth muscle cells during construction of tissue-engineered blood vessels
Jingyi MEI ; Jiang LIU ; Cong XIAO ; Peng LIU ; Haohao ZHOU ; Zhanyi LIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(7):1043-1049
BACKGROUND:Seed cells are seeded on three-dimensional scaffold materials,and three-dimensional culture in bioreactors is a common in vitro tissue engineering culture method,but the changes in cell proliferation and metabolic patterns in bioengineered blood vessel construction are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the metabolic changes of cells such as oxygen consumption and their causes during the whole process of biological vascular tissue construction by in vitro bioreactor. METHODS:The self-built vascular bioreactor system was used as the platform;bovine vascular smooth muscle cells were used as the seed cells,and a conventional CO2 incubator provided the external gas environment for the cultivation process.Seed cells were seeded on a tubular porous polyglycolic acid scaffold material for three-dimensional culture,and the whole process included a one-week resting period and a seven-week pulsating tensile stress stimulation loading period.A non-invasive monitoring system was built,and the optical dissolved oxygen patch method was used to monitor the changes of dissolved oxygen in the culture solution in the reactor,and the glucose consumption and lactic acid production were measured by regular sampling.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the proliferation of smooth muscle cells on polyglycolic acid three-dimensional scaffold materials.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidation state and reduction state ratio(NAD+/NADH)was utilized to understand cell proliferation and metabolism in the early stage of culture.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were applied to detect the expression of proliferation-related genes(Ki67)and glycolysis-related genes(GLUT-1,LDHA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The dissolved oxygen level in the culture solution was(4.314±0.380)mg/L from the cell injection to the end of the resting period(the first week),and gradually stabilized at(1.960±0.866)mg/L after the tensile stress stimulation(the last seven weeks);the two had significant changes(P<0.05).(2)The ratio of glucose consumption to lactic acid production in the cell culture medium YL/G increased rapidly after the cells were injected,and the highest value was above 1 on the fifth day,and then slow down to 0.5(The mean value of YL/G in the resting period was 0.89 and the mean value in the pressurized period was 0.57,P<0.05).(3)CCK-8 assay results showed that A450 value gradually increased after the cells were injected,and reached the highest value on the fifth day,reaching 3.17,and then slowly decreased.At the same time,it was found that Ki67 mRNA was up-regulated on the third day of culture,and then declined.The expression level of Ki67 protein was higher from the third day to the fifth day.(4)The detection of NAD+/NADH showed that the increase was obvious from the fifth to the seventh day after the injection of cells,and the expression of glycolysis-related genes(GLUT-1 and LDHA)was up-regulated and changed synchronously,and the relative expression was higher in the first five days.(5)The results showed that the tissue-engineered blood vessels were constructed using the vascular bioreactor and the smooth muscle cells in the early stage mainly proliferated and exhibited a metabolic feature of low oxygen consumption.The metabolic characteristics of high oxygen consumption were observed during the pulsatile tensile stress stimulation stage.
6.Finite element analysis of thumb thrust in lumbar fixed-point rotation manipulation
Shaoting SU ; Honghai ZHOU ; Zhaomeng HOU ; Yan LU ; Wei WANG ; Yixin CHEN ; Longhao CHEN ; Cong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(12):1823-1828
BACKGROUND:Lumbar fixed-point rotation operation needs collaborative operation of the doctor's hands,and outputs rotation and thumb thrust.Lumbar disc herniation can be treated through disc displacement and adjusting stress distribution.However,the mechanical effects of thumb thrust and the biomechanical effects of loading direction on manipulative effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To compare the biomechanical difference of lumbar fixed-point rotation manipulation for treating lumbar disc herniation under different thrust directions. METHODS:The L3-5 normal three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and validity was verified.According to the intervertebral disc degeneration Pfirrmann grade,intervertebral disc degeneration was simulated by modifying the L4/5 intervertebral space height,the volume of the nucleus pulposus,as well as the material parameters of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and ligament.Finally,the pathological model of L4/5 moderate disc degeneration with left para-central herniation was constructed,and then the pathological models were used as research objects.Simulation technique:spinning to the right;taking the condition on changing the direction of the thumb thrust to establish three modes of operation(M1:thumb push to the left;M2:thumb push to the right;M3:no thrust push).The protrusion displacement and the disc stress,and the stress and strain of the facet joint cartilage were compared in the three operating modes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Maximum displacement value of L4/5 disc herniation:displacement was 2.672 3 mm for M1,1.156 1 mm for M2,1.826 4 mm for M3,M1>M3>M2.(2)The maximum Von Mises stress of L4/5 discs was 1.846 7 MPa for M1,0.419 0 MPa for M2,and 1.257 9 MPa for M3,M1>M3>M2.(3)L4/5 bilateral small cartilage produced different degrees of contact stress changes:It was 0.485 5 MPa for M1,0.026 7 MPa for M2,and 0.441 4 MPa for M3,M1>M3>M2.Right cartilage contact force was 0.000 5 MPa for M1,0.025 9 MPa for M2,and 0.001 3 MPa for M3,M2>M3>M1;the left greater than the right,M1 had the highest value;cartilage strain was consistent with contact stress changes.(4)Different operation modes will have some biomechanical influences on the diseased intervertebral disc and accessory structure.The M1 operation mode can maximize the displacement of protrusion,disc stress and left joint cartilage contact,which can better promote disc displacement,balance stress distribution and reduce facet joint disorder,so the operation is better.
7.Clinical Efficacy of Qushi Huayu Granules in Treating Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) with Dampness-heat Accumulation
Cong HE ; Huichao WANG ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Jing KONG ; Xiaosu WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):139-145
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Qushi Huayu granules in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with dampness-heat accumulation. MethodSixty NAFLD patients with the syndrome of dampness-heat accumulation treated in the outpatient and inpatient departments of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2018 to May 2020 were selected according to the diagnostic criteria and inclusion criteria of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. The patients were assigned into a control group and an observation group by a random, controlled, double-blind, and double simulated method. The observation group was treated with Qushi Huayu granules combined with the mimetic agent of Dangfei Liganning capsules, and the control group was treated with Dangfei Liganning capsules combined with the mimetic agent of Qushi Huayu granules. The treatment course of both groups was 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores, liver imaging parameters [controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in Fibroscan and liver-to-spleen ratio in upper abdominal computerized tomography (CT)], serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), and safety indicators of the two groups were measured. Result① The total response rate in terms of TCM symptoms in the observation group was 89.29% (25/28), which was higher than that (48.15%, 13/27) in the control group (Z=-3.582,P<0.01). The total score of the primary and secondary symptoms in both groups of patients declined after treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group outperformed the control group in decreasing the total score of the main and secondary symptoms as well as the scores of right rib swelling pain, abdominal fullness and distension or pain, sticky stool, and yellow urine (P<0.05). ② The response rate in terms of Fibroscan CAP of the liver in the observation group was 75.00% (21/28), which was higher than that (48.15%, 13/27) in the control group (Z=-1.968,P<0.05). ③ The response rate in terms of the serum enzyme levels in the observation group was 75.00% (21/28), which was higher than that (44.44%, 12/27) in the control group (Z=-2.018,P<0.05). The serum levels of ALT and γ-GT in the two groups declined after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01) and were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). ④ The response rate in terms of liver CT in the observation group was 67.86% (19/28), which was higher than that (30.77%,8/26) in the control group (Z=-2.507,P<0.05). ConclusionQushi Huayu granules were safe and effective in the clinical treatment of NAFLD patients with the syndrome of dampness-heat accumulation, which improved the evidence in TCM treatment of NAFLD and was worthy of in-depth clinical research and promotion. Qushi Huayu granules outperformed Dangfei Liganning capsules in terms of TCM symptoms, serum levels of ALT and γ-GT, and liver imaging parameters.
8.Quantity detection of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity based on digital analysis for diagnosing Parkinson′s disease
Hongling GAO ; Jiangting LI ; Qingmei YANG ; Cong ZHOU ; Tailong ZHU ; Xiao ZHOU ; Anyu TAO ; Zheng XUE
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2024;57(2):149-156
Objective:To apply digital analysis to quantify hyperechogenicity of substantia nigra, and explore its clinical value for diagnosis of Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:The cross-sectional study included 652 PD patients (PD group) and 99 healthy controls (healthy control group) from November 2017 to October 2020 in Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. All subjects underwent transcranial sonography. The diagnostic accuracy of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity using digital analysis was compared with that in a manual measurement in PD. Furthermore, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to explore its diagnosis value in PD.Results:There were 482 subjects including 400 in the PD group and 82 in the healthy control group, whose quantified results of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity could be used for analysis. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of the quantified larger substantia nigra hyperechoic region detection for diagnosing PD was 0.858 (95% CI 0.805-0.910), the sensitivity was 87.8%, and the specificity was 73.2%, consistent with that of doctors (area under the curve: 0.884). Further more, among these PD patients, there was no correlation between larger substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and age, age of onset, course of disease, non-motor symptoms, and motor symptoms (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Digital analysis was used to quantify the changes in substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in this seudy. The results showed that diagnostic accuracy for PD based on digital analysis was consistent with that of experienced clinicians.
9.Investigating the allergic constitution from the principles of traditional Chinese medicine constitution
Linpeng CONG ; Yumei ZHOU ; Ji WANG ; Qi WANG
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1597-1602
The allergic constitution is a common biased constitution state.This paper discusses the understanding of allergic constitution from the basic principles of traditional Chinese medicine constitution,such as life process theory,endowment inheritance theory,physical-spirit composition theory,and environmental constraints theory.From the perspective of life process theory,at different ages,allergic constitution may change with the rise and fall of qi and blood in the body,and there is a general trend of qi and blood in the body from immature to strong and then to weak.From the perspective of endowment inheritance theory,the allergic constitution is closely related to heredity and has the tendency of family aggregation.From the perspective of physical-spirit composition theory,people with allergic constitution have physical characteristics such as nose,airway reaction,intestine,and skin reactions,and psychological characteristics such as introversion and the tendency to produce anxiety,depression,and tension.From the perspective of environmental constraints theory,the formation of allergic constitution is related to the differences of seasons and geographical environments.By discussing the characteristics of allergic constitution,we can deeply understand allergic constitution and provide reference for better grasping allergic constitution and improving the quality of life of allergic people.
10.Efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage:a randomized controlled exploratory clinical study
Ding-Hua CHEN ; Chao-Fan LI ; Yue NIU ; Li ZHANG ; Yong WANG ; Zhe FENG ; Han-Yu ZHU ; Jian-Hui ZHOU ; Zhe-Yi DONG ; Shu-Wei DUAN ; Hong WANG ; Meng-Jie HUANG ; Yuan-Da WANG ; Shuo-Yuan CONG ; Sai PAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Xue-Feng SUN ; Guang-Yan CAI ; Ping LI ; Xiang-Mei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(3):257-264
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P<0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P>0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P>0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.


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