1.Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation of the Mechanism of Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.) in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Yuzheng YANG ; Xiaoling YAO ; Feng LUO ; Wukai MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):724-733
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanisms of Leigongteng (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. MethodsBioinformatics approaches, including the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the traditional Chinese medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, molecular docking, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and immune infiltration analysis, were used to predict the key active components of Leigongteng and its target genes for RA treatment. Experimental validation was conducted using human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS-RA) in vitro, with methotrexate as the positive control. A scratch assay was performed to assess cell migration after 24 hours of culture. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels, qPCR was used to measure target gene mRNA levels, and ELISA was conducted to evaluate inflammatory cytokine levels, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). ResultsA total of 117 target genes of Leigongteng were identified and intersected with RA-related genes, yielding 55 key genes. Further screening identified three core genes: PTGS2, CXCR4, and TIMP1. Based on the correspondence between potential drug targets and key components, triptolide and nobiletin were identified as the primary active compounds. Molecular docking results showed that both triptolide and nobiletin had binding energies lower than -5 kcal/mol with their respective target proteins, indicating strong interactions. In vitro experiments demonstrated that, compared with the blank control group, the triptolide, nobiletin, and positive control groups exhibited reduced cell migration rates after 24 hours of culture (P<0.01). The expression levels of PTGS2 and CXCR4 (both mRNA and protein) were significantly downregulated, while TIMP1 expression was upregulated. Levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased, whereas IL-10 levels increased (P<0.01). Compared with the positive control group, the triptolide and nobiletin groups showed increased cell migration rates, upregulated PTGS2 and CXCR4 expression (mRNA and protein), downregulated TIMP1 expression (mRNA and protein), increased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and decreased IL-10 levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionThe key active components of Leigongteng, triptolide and nobiletin, may alleviate RA by inhibiting PTGS2 and CXCR4 while promoting TIMP1 expression, thereby suppressing inflammatory responses. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Threatened Abortion
Xinchun YANG ; Shuyu WANG ; Huilan DU ; Songping LUO ; Zhe JIN ; Rong LI ; Xiangyan RUAN ; Qin ZHANG ; Xiaoling FENG ; Shicai CHEN ; Fengjie HE ; Shaobin WEI ; Qun LU ; Yanqin WANG ; Yang LIU ; Qingwei MENG ; Zengping HAO ; Ying LI ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Ruihua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):241-246
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology, Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology, and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion, the experts concluded that chromosome, endocrine, and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion, and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion, TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages, alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes, relieving anxiety, regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities, personalized and diversified treatment, enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity, and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index and adverse events in elderly hemodialysis patients
Zhihua SHI ; Yidan GUO ; Pengpeng YE ; Chunxia ZHANG ; Xiaoling ZHOU ; Meng JIA ; Xiyou ZHANG ; Yang LUO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2024;26(1):42-45
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the relationship between geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)and adverse outcomes in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).Methods A prospective cohort trial was conducted on 337 MHD patients aged ≥60 years in hemodialysis centers of 11 hospitals in Beijing from April to June 2017.Their baseline data were collected,and they were divided into non-malnutrition(GNRI≥98,226 cases),mild malnutrition(92≤GNRI<98,81 cases),and major malnutrition groups(GNRI<92,30 cases).All of them were followed up until June 2018.The endpoint events were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease(CVD)mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the cumulative survival rate among the 3 groups.Multivariate Cox regression model was employed to analyze the relationship of GNRI with all-cause and CVD mortality.Results The mild and major malnutrition groups had significantly lower BMI,serum albumin level and GNRI(P<0.01).During the median follow-up of 52(4.4-52.0)weeks,56(16.6%)patients died of all-cause death and 25(44.6%)of CVD death.Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed significant differences in all-cause mortality(x2=30.484,P<0.01)and CVD mortality(x2=22.398,P<0.01)in the 3 groups.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that,as a continuous variable,elevated GNRI was a protective factor for all-cause mortality(HR=0.910,95%CI:0.870-0.952,P=0.000)and CVD mortality(HR=0.895,95%CI:0.852-0.940,P=0.000),and as a categorical variable,mild and major malnutri-tion were independently correlated with all-cause and CVD mortality(P<0.05).Conclusion GNRI is an independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality in elderly MHD patients.Mo-nitoring the nutritional status using GNRI can predict the risk of adverse prognosis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, positive-controlled clinical trial
Gong CHEN ; Wen OUYANG ; Ruping DAI ; Xiaoling HU ; Huajing GUO ; Haitao JIANG ; Zhi-Ping WANG ; Xiaoqing CHAI ; Chunhui WANG ; Zhongyuan XIA ; Ailin LUO ; Qiang WANG ; Ruifeng ZENG ; Yanjuan HUANG ; Zhibin ZHAO ; Saiying WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(2):135-139
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.The incidence and metabolic profiles of adrenal incidentalomas in patients with diabetes
Yingning LIU ; Xiantong ZOU ; Wei ZHAO ; Xun YAO ; Lexuan WANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Rui ZHANG ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Yu ZHU ; Xiaoling CAI ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(3):192-197
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To determine the incidence of adrenal incidentalomas(AIs) in patients with diabetes mellitus and the metabolism profiles.Methods:A total of 615 hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Peking University People′s Hospital from March 2020 to May 2021 were retrospectively included in this study. AIs were screened by unenhanced chest computed tomography(CT) retrospectively and subsequently confirmed by multiplanar reconstruction. Participants′ physical indicators, metabolic profiles, and adrenal function parameters were collected. Unpaired t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-Square test were adopted to compare the metabolism profiles between diabetes mellitus patients with or without AIs. Regression models were used to estimate the correlations between AIs and the metabolism profiles such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and the adrenal function parameters.Results:Twenty-seven out of 615 participants were detected with AIs(4.4%). Patients with AIs had higher body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference than patients without AIs [(29.4±5.1)kg/m 2vs(26.8±3.8)kg/m 2,P=0.018; (102.3±11.7)cm vs(95.8±10.3)cm, P=0.002; (107.3±10.1)cm vs(101.4±7.6)cm, P=0.008]. The levels of serum uric acid and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were also significantly increased in patients with AIs [(409.6±118.1)μmol/L vs(357.4±100.6)μmol/L, P=0.009; 21.25(7.49, 180.24)mg/g vs 8.60(4.71, 34.56)mg/g, P=0.010]. Besides, individuals with AIs were also associated with a higher risk of co-existing hypertension( P=0.045). Conclusion:The incidence of AIs in patients with diabetes is 4.4%. The presence of AIs in patients with diabetes may associated with increased risk of obesity and hypertension.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Inhibitory effects of Calycosin on the proliferation and migration of renal cancer cell by up-regulating the expression of miRNA-1246
Geng HUANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Dingwen GUI ; Xiaoying WANG ; Qing LUO
International Journal of Surgery 2024;51(6):366-371
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:By observing the effects of Calycosin on the proliferation and migration of human renal cancer 769-P cell, to explore the possible molecular mechanism of Calycosin against renal cancer.Methods:769-P cell were cultured with different concentrations of Calycosin [0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 μmol/L, dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)], and the effects of different concentrations of Calycosin on the viability of 769-P cell was detected by CCK8 method. The 769-P cell treated with 200 μmol/L Calycosin were used as the Calycosin group, and the 769-P cell treated with DMSO were used as the control group. The cell colony formation assay and cell scratch assay were used to detect the effects of Calycosin on the proliferation and migration of 769-P cell, respectively. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the effect of Calycosin on the expression of miRNA-1246 and chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) in 769-P cell. Western blotting method was used to detect the effects of Calycosin on the expression of CXCR4 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway proteins in 769-P cell. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and one-way ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, while t-test was used for comparison between two groups. Results:After cultured with 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μmol/L of Calycosin, the absorbance values of renal cancer 769-P cell were 0.99 ± 0.06, 0.74 ± 0.07, 0.60 ± 0.03, 0.55 ± 0.05, 0.40 ± 0.06, 0.21 ± 0.04, respectively; compared with 0 μmol/L, the Calycosin could reduce the survival rate of 769-P cell ( P<0.05). The number of clones of 769-P cell in the control group and the Calycosin group was 109.80 ± 13.19 and 60.66 ± 11.22, respectively, and the number of clones of the 769-P cell in the Calycosin group was decreased, the difference was statistically significant ( t=5.67, P<0.01). The relative migration rates of 769-P cell in the control group and the Calycosin group were (43.13 ± 3.82)% and (14.27 ± 3.25)%, respectively, after the 769-P cell were treated with Calycosin, the cell migration ability was weakened ( t=5.71, P<0.05). The relative expression levels of miRNA-1246 in 769-P cell of the control group and the Calycosin group was 1.03 ± 0.12 and 6.99 ± 1.84, respectively, and the relative expression levels of CXCR4 mRNA was 7.17 ± 2.96 and 0.98 ± 0.06, respectively, showed that Calycosin can up-regulate the expression of miRNA-1246 in 769-P cell ( t=3.24, P<0.01), and down-regulate the expression of CXCR4 mRNA ( t=4.18, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the Calycosin could down-regulate the expression of CXCR4 protein and ERK pathway protein in 769-P cell. Conclusion:Calycosin can inhibit the proliferation and migration of renal cancer 769-P cell, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of miRNA-1246 and blocking the CXCR4/ERK pathway.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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