1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Exploration of radiotherapy as a combined treatment modality with in situ vaccines in the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas
TAN Siyi, ; WANG Xiaolu ; WANG Qin ; DU Shiyao ; YIN Fangtao ; YANG Yiqi ; SUN Wu ; LIU Juan ; ZHOU Xia ; LIU Baorui, ; LI Rutian
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(4):418-424
[摘 要] 目的:评估放疗作为原位疫苗的联合治疗模式在晚期软组织肉瘤(STS)患者中的有效性和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2020年12月至2024年9月期间在南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院肿瘤中心接受联合治疗模式的12例晚期STS患者的临床资料。12例患者均接受了联合治疗。放疗主要以大分割为主。靶向治疗:安罗替尼10例、阿帕替尼2例。免疫治疗以PD-1抗体为主。主要研究终点为疾病控制率(DCR),次要研究终点为客观有效率(ORR)及安全性。结果:接受联合治疗的12例STS患者中有0例CR,4例PR,7例SD,1例PD。ORR为33%,DCR为91.7%,其中靶病灶的DCR为100%。12例患者中,9例出现Ⅰ~Ⅱ级不良反应。最常发生的血液学不良反应是贫血(6例)、肝功能检查结果异常(3例)。最常发生的非血液学不良反应是尿蛋白(5例)、高血压(4例)、甲状腺功能异常(3例)、厌食(3例)、恶心呕吐(2例);仅2例发生Ⅲ级血液毒性,有1例发生Ⅲ级气胸。结论:放疗作为原位疫苗的联合治疗模式在晚期STS患者中展现出较高的DCR,且未出现严重不良反应。该联合治疗模式具有良好的有效性与安全性。
3.LncRNA SNHG14 affects the malignant biological behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells via targeting the miR-579-3p/SPARC axis
CHEN Aifang ; TIAN Xia ; HAN Zheng ; YAN Juan ; TAN Jie
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(9):920-926
[摘 要] 目的:探究长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)小核仁RNA宿主基因14(SNHG14)靶向miR-579-3p/富含半胱氨酸的酸性分泌蛋白(SPARC)对肝细胞癌(HCC)细胞恶性生物学行为的影响。方法:常规培养人正常肝细胞(LO2)和HCC细胞Huh7、Hep3B、HepG2,将Huh7细胞随机分为对照组、sh-NC组、sh-SNHG14组、sh-SNHG14 + anti-NC组和sh-SNHG14 + anti-miR-579-3p组,qPCR法检测细胞中SNHG14、miR-579-3p和SPARC mRNA的表达水平,双萤光素酶报告基因实验验证SNHG14与miR-579-3p及miR-579-3p与SPARC调控关系,MTT法、划痕愈合实验、Transwell实验、流式细胞术,以及WB法分别检测各组Huh7细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭能力、凋亡,以及Huh7细胞中PCNA、E-cadherin、vimentin、SPARC蛋白的表达。结果:在HCC细胞中SNHG14、SPARC mRNA呈高表达、miR-579-3p呈低表达(均P < 0.05);SNHG14与miR-579-3p和miR-579-3p与SPARC mRNA间存在直接结合调控关系(均P < 0.05)。敲减SNHG14可明显抑制Huh7细胞的增殖、迁移、侵袭、PCNA、vimentin、SPARC mRNA及蛋白的表达(均P < 0.05),促进细胞凋亡、miR-579-3p和E-cadherin表达(均P < 0.05);抑制miR-579-3p则可部分逆转敲减SNHG14对Huh7细胞的作用(均P < 0.05)。结论:敲减SNHG14可通过靶向miR-579-3p/SPARC轴抑制Huh7细胞的恶性生物学行为,促进其凋亡;SNHG14和miR-579-3p/SPARC轴可能是HCC治疗的潜在靶点。
4. Berberine interferes with RSV infection of HEp-2 cells by inducing mitophagy autophagy
Yu-Juan CUI ; Yu-Juan CUI ; Hui ZHAO ; Dong-Xia SU ; Dan-Dong HU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(2):308-316
Aim To explore the effect of berberine (B E) on RSV infected HEp-2 cells and the related mechanism. Methods HEp-2 cells were infected with RSV and treated with BE. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, PINK1, Parkin, Beclinl, p62, LC3 I,LC3 II,and BNIP3 in HEp-2 cells were detected by Western blot. The secretion level of IL-1 p in HEp-2 cells was measured using ELISA. Apoptosis rate and mitochondrial membrane potential of HEp-2 cells were examined by flow cytometry. Mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) in HEp-2 cells was detected through MitoSOX staining. Colocalization of mitochondria and autophagosomes in HEp-2 cells was investigated using immunofluorescence staining. Cyclosporin A was used for validation experiments. Results BE could significantly improve the activity of RSV-infected HEp-2 cells,reduce the apoptosis rate (P < 0. 05), and decrease the activation level of NLRP3 inflammasomes and IL-lp level (P <0. 05); BE improved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels,and reduced mtROS. BE significantly promoted the colocalization of mitochondria-autophagosome in RSV infected cells, inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3 to mediate mitochondrial autophagy; cyclosporine A aggravated RSV infection. Conclusions BE has protective effects on HEp-2 cells infected by RSV. The mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of BE on the production of mtROS and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing PINK1/ Parkin and BNIP3-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.
5. Expression and distribution of brain⁃derived neurotrophic factor in different cerebrum regions of yak and cattle
Li-Ping ZHENG ; Xiao-Hua DU ; Ya-Juan WU ; Shan-Shan LIU ; Xia LIU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(1):10-16
Objective To clarify the expression and distribution of brain⁃derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cerebrum of plateau yaks and cattle, and to explore the relationship between BDNF function and the adaptability of altitude hypoxia. Methods Five yaks and five cattles were selected.The content and distribution of BDNF in frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebrum white matter and hippocampus of yak and cattle were analyzed by Real⁃time PCR, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. Results Real⁃time PCR result showed that BDNF mRNA expression in the cerebrum of yaks and cattles was highest in temporal cortex, followed by hippocampus, parietal cortex, occipital cortex and frontal cortex, and lowest in white matter. Western blotting results showed that the content of BDNF protein in the cerebrum of yaks was the highest in temporal cortex,followed by hippocampus. The content of BDNF protein in other tissues was parietal cortex, frontal cortex and cerebrum white matter, and the content of BDNF protein was the lowest in occipital cortex. The content of BDNF protein intlecerebrum of cattles was the highest in the temporal cortex, followed by the hippocampus. The content of BDNF protein in other tissues was parietal cortex, occipital cortex and frontal cortex in descending order, and the protein content in cerebrum white matter was the lowest. Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive expression of BDNF protein in the cerebrum of yaks and cattles was basically similar, mainly distributed in the granulosa cells and glial cells in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, parietal cortex and occipital cortex, glial cells in cerebrum white matter, pyramidal cell layer and polyform cell layer in the hippocampus. There was the small amount of distribution in Martinotti cells and the molecular layer of hippocampus in the cerebral cortex. Conclusion BDNF mRNA and protein are distributed and expressed in different brain regions of yaks and cattles, but the expression level different, which is speculated to be closely related to the specific functions of different cerebrum regions. The expression level of the cerebrum of yak is higher than that of cattle except occipital cortex, suggesting that it is related to the altitude hypoxic environment. BDNF may play an important role in enhancing hypoxic tolerance and protecting internal environmental homeostasis in the process of animal adaptation to hypoxic environment.
6.Analysis on clinicopathology and prognosis of primary IgA nephropathy in children with massive proteinuria
Hua XIA ; Yubing WEN ; Chaoying CHEN ; Juan TU ; Huarong LI ; Haiyun GENG ; Nannan WANG ; Yongli HUANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(1):36-41
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and the prognosis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in children with massive proteinuria.Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of IgAN children with massive proteinuria admitted to the Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2008 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into effective group and ineffective group according to whether urine protein turned negative after 6 months of initial treatment. The follow-up endpoint event was defined as a reduction in proteinuria of less than 50% or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) achievement. MedCalc software was used to perform Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Log-rank test was used to compare the difference of renal survival between the two groups.Results:A total of 127 patients were diagnosed as primary IgAN by renal biopsy, of whom 57 patients with IgAN showed massive proteinuria. These 57 IgAN patients with macroproteinuria accounted for 44.9% of the total IgAN patients and were enrolled in the study. Among the 57 cases, 33 cases (57.9%) were Lee's grade Ⅲ, 11 cases (19.3%) were below Lee's grade Ⅲ, and 13 cases (22.8%) were above Lee's grade Ⅲ. The follow-up time was 4.0 (3.0,5.8) years. In the initial treatment, among 57 patients, 46 (80.7%) were effective (effective group) and 11 (19.3%) were ineffective (ineffective group). Compared with the effective group, the ineffective group had a higher proportion of concurrent AKI at the onset of disease and longer recovery time of renal function, with significant difference (7/11 vs. 13/46, χ2=4.878, P=0.027). Compared with the effective group, the proportion of Lee grade Ⅲ or above was higher in the ineffective group, and the difference was statistically significant (5/11 vs. 8/46, χ2=3.971, P=0.046). There were significant differences in endocapillary hypercellularity (E1), segmental glomerulosclerosis or adhesion (S1) and cellular/fibrocellular crescents (C2) of Oxford classification between IgAN children with Lee grade Ⅲ or below and those over Lee grade Ⅲ (11/13 vs. 20/44, χ2=6.204, P=0.013; 12/13 vs. 17/44, χ2=11.566, P=0.001; 9/13 vs. 7/44, χ2=14.131, P=0.001). Among 57 patients, endpoint events occurred in 2 patients who both were urinary protein unmitigated, and none of the children progressed to ESRD. There was no significant difference in cumulative renal survival between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test ( χ2=0.537, P=0.460) after addition of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to the initial treatment ineffective group. Conclusions:Macroproteinuria is the prominent manifestation of IgAN in children. The pathological type is mainly Lee grade Ⅲ. Children with macroproteinuria have a good prognosis in the short and medium term after active treatment. For IgAN with macroproteinuria that does not respond well to initial treatment, AKI is more common at onset, and renal function recovery time is longer. The application of CNIs may have a certain effect on improving the renal outcome of IgAN with massive proteinuria.
7.Effect of Tuina Massage on Gastric Motility and Gastric Emptying in Children with Anorexia Nervosa
Juan CHENG ; Hanyuan GAO ; Jiangxia YANG ; Xia ZHAO ; Na WEN ; Jingjing YUE
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(9):915-920
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of pediatric tuina therapy in treating anorexia nervosa. MethodsTotally 120 children with anorexia nervosa were randomly divided into a tuina group and a medication group, with 60 cases in each group. Sixty healthy children undergoing physical examinations were recruited as the healthy control group. Children in the tuina group received traditional pediatric tuina therapy, while those in the medication group received orally chewed Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets. Each treatment course lasted for 7 days, with a 1-day interval between courses, and a total of 4 courses were administered. Before and after treatment, seven indicators including gastric motility frequency, gastric area, gastric area 30 minutes after drinking, anterior-posterior diameter and area during gastric fundus dilation, anterior-posterior diameter and area during gastric fundus contraction were measured using a color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument in children from the healthy control group, tuina group, and medication group. Additionally, gastric emptying rate at 30 minutes, changes in anterior-posterior diameter and area during gastric fundus contraction, and changes in gastric area were compared. ResultsThis study ultimately included 60 healthy children in the control group, 59 children in the tuina group, and 51 children in the medication group. Compared with the control group at baseline, the gastric area and the anterior-posterior diameter and area during gastric fundus contraction increased, while the gastric emptying rate, gastric motility frequency, and changes in anterior-posterior diameter during gastric fundus contraction decreased in both the tuina group and medication group, with only a decrease in gastric area during gastric fundus contraction observed in the tuina group (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, after treatment, the gastric emptying rate, gastric motility frequency, and changes in anterior-posterior diameter and area during gastric fundus contraction increased in the tuina group, while the gastric area and area during gastric fundus contraction decreased 30 minutes after treatment; in the medication group, gastric motility frequency and changes in anterior-posterior diameter during gastric fundus contraction increased, while the area during gastric fundus contraction decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the medication group after treatment, the gastric area decreased 30 minutes after treatment, while the gastric emptying rate and gastric motility frequency increased (P<0.05). ConclusionThe possible mechanism of pediatric tuina therapy in treating anorexia nervosa is to promote gastric motility and gastric emptying, thereby improving gastrointestinal dysfunction in children.
8.A Case of Childhood-Onset Bartter Syndrome Type 1 with Renal Dysfunction
Xiaoyan PENG ; Chaoying CHEN ; Hongxian YANG ; Hua XIA ; Juan TU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(1):124-130
Bartter syndrome (BS, OMIM #601678) is a rare inherited salt-losing tubulopathy characterized by hypokalemia metabolic alkalosis with secondary renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation. As reported, BS type 1 is generally presented prenatal and neonatal period, and symptoms usually appear before and after birth or in infancy, accompanied by severe salt loss, whilst kidney function remains mostly normal. In this study, we report a case of BS type 1 with childhood onset and proteinuria and renal impairment. The child was born preterm due to hyperamniotic fluid, but there were no apparent symptoms after birth until the age of 3 when the child began to present with polydipsia, polyuria and increased nocturnal uria. At the age of 5, she had elevated serum creatinine level and proteinuria. After admission, she was diagnosed with chronic tubulointerstitial disease and stage 2 chronic kidney disease(CKD). According to the chloride clearance test, the abnormal function of medullary thick ascending limb Henle′s loop, was confirmed and BS type 1 was diagnosed by gene sequencing. After active management of complications, kidney function of the child improved. In the long-term follow-up, the urinary protein amount of the child still increased, eGFR slowly decreased, and the child was currently in the CKD2 stage. Children with prenatal BS may not present typical clinical manifestations immediately after birth until the onset of relevant clinical symptoms in childhood. BS type 1 patients may have renal impairment, which needs to be identified in time. Clinical differentiation diagnosis between BS and Gitelman syndrome can be made by chloride clearance tests. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improve prognosis.
9.Regulation Mechanism of Occludin Function and Factors Affecting Its Expression
Shi-Jia ZHANG ; Juan-Xia ZHENG ; Cheng-Wei WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(11):2832-2844
Tight-junction (TJ) is a complex supramolecular entity composed of complete membrane proteins, membranes and soluble cytoplasmic proteins, which is distributed in almost all barrier structures in the body. It can maintain the polarity of epithelial cells, close the intercellular space and prevent the overflow of materials in the epithelial space, and is a highly dynamic signaling entity. Occludin is one of the most representative members of TJ proteins, mainly responsible for sealing intercellular connections, maintaining intercellular permeability, and participating in maintaining the integrity of vascular endothelium. The integrity of occludin is related to the integrity of TJ, and the function of occludin is often associated with the barrier properties of various tissues, and the abnormal expression of occludin is related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. Occludin contains abundant Ser and Thr residues and has multiple phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation is necessary for the combination of occludin and TJ, which can regulate the location of occludin, regulate the expression of occludin, and enhance the permeability and barrier function of TJ. Therefore, phosphorylation regulation is a mechanism that cannot be ignored in the regulation of occludin function. Occludin also interacts with many other proteins, such as co-forming the cytoskeleton with ZO-1, and is regulated by a variety of transcription factors. Studies have confirmed that in pathological conditions, a variety of signaling pathways can disrupt the integrity of cell barrier by regulating the expression and distribution of occludin. Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) signal transduction pathway is one of the important ways to regulate the structure and function of TJ. It influences the expression of occludin by altering the cytoskeleton. MLCK mainly uses the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) as a medium to promote actin contraction, secondary decomposition of tightly binding proteins, resulting in increased or changed cellular barrier permeability, and increased MLC phosphorylation is also a biochemical marker of actomyosin contraction. Activation of MLCK causes Thr18 and Ser19 phosphorylation of MLC, which promotes the assembly of myosin II into myosin fibers and activates the hydrolysis of ATP, which relaxes the intercellular connections and reduces the ability of upper cortex to resist external invaders. Protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in the regulation of tightly connected signaling molecules, affecting the dynamic changes of paracellular permeability. PKC pathway is a key link in many cell signal transduction pathways, which influences all aspects of cell activities by catalyzing Ser/Thr residues phosphorylation of membrane proteins and many enzyme proteins. After PKC activation, it can regulate cellular barrier function by phosphorylating occludin and inducing its redistribution, and directly affect TJ action. Specific PKC subunits such as PKCα, PKCδ and PKCγ are activated and act on occludin molecules to promote their phosphorylation and cause the increase of TEER. The increase of TEER helps to regulate intercellular TJ and enhance the tightness of intercellular connections. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are usually activated by inflammatory factors, during which different signal transduction pathway subfamilies are formed to regulate occludin expression and affect tight junction and mucosal barrier functional integrity. Meanwhile, occludin is easily affected by various factors (such as cytokines and flora toxins), and abnormal expression of occludin will lead to structural damage of TJ and further damage of the intercellular barrier. Therefore, this paper summarizes the molecular structure and physiological function of occludin, and further summarizes its related signal regulation pathways and influencing factors, in order to provide theoretical support for maintaining the integrity of barrier function of occludin.
10.Application of semi-flipped classroom combined with the knowledge point auction learning method in teaching of oral mucosa diseases
Yun HONG ; Yunyang LU ; Zhi WANG ; Juan XIA ; Xiaoan TAO ; Bin CHENG ; Xijuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(1):90-93
Objective:To explore the application of the semi-flipped classroom combined with knowledge point auction learning method in the theoretical teaching among stomatological students and its effectiveness.Methods:Undergraduates from four classes at Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University were taken as research subjects. Students from two classes ( n=198) were taught using the semi-flipped classroom combined with the knowledge point auction learning method, while students from the other two classes ( n=172) were taught with the regular classroom teaching method as controls. Classroom quizzes were used to compare the two classes' mastery of important and difficult points, and a questionnaire was used to investigate students' feedback on the class outcomes. SPSS 22.0 was used for the independent samples t-test. Results:The mean test score of the experimental class was higher than that of the control class (88.51±11.02 vs. 80.40±8.53). The results of the questionnaire showed that students' interest in the course, comprehension and absorption of knowledge points, degree of satisfaction with the class, and mastery of the contents in sections in the experimental class were significantly higher than those in the control class (7.28±1.51 vs. 9.10±0.73, 6.92±1.44 vs. 8.69±1.62, 6.09±1.87 vs. 7.61±1.46, 6.40±1.04 vs. 7.70±0.86 ).Conclusions:The semi-flipped classroom combined with the knowledge point auction learning method is innovative and achieves good teaching outcomes. It holds promise for wider use in the theoretical teaching of various clinical subjects. To explore the application of the semi-flipped classroom combined with knowledge point auction learning method in the theoretical teaching among stomatological students and its effectiveness.

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