1.Promotion effect of FOXCUT as a microRNA sponge for miR-24-3p on progression in triple-negative breast cancer through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway
Xiafei YU ; Fangze QIAN ; Xiaoqiang ZHANG ; Yanhui ZHU ; Gao HE ; Junzhe YANG ; Xian WU ; Yi ZHOU ; Li SHEN ; Xiaoyue SHI ; Hongfei ZHANG ; Xiao’an LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(1):105-114
Background::Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of highly invasive breast cancer with a poor prognosis. According to new research, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in the progression of cancer. Although the role of lncRNAs in breast cancer has been well reported, few studies have focused on TNBC. This study aimed to explore the biological function and clinical significance of forkhead box C1 promoter upstream transcript (FOXCUT) in triple-negative breast cancer.Methods::Based on a bioinformatic analysis of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, we detected that the lncRNA FOXCUT was overexpressed in TNBC tissues, which was further validated in an external cohort of tissues from the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The functions of FOXCUT in proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected in vitro or in vivo. Luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to reveal that FOXCUT acted as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for the microRNA miR-24-3p and consequently inhibited the degradation of p38. Results::lncRNA FOXCUT was markedly highly expressed in breast cancer, which was associated with poor prognosis in some cases. Knockdown of FOXCUT significantly inhibited cancer growth and metastasis in vitro or in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXCUT competitively bounded to miR-24-3p to prevent the degradation of p38, which might act as an oncogene in breast cancer. Conclusion::Collectively, this research revealed a novel FOXCUT/miR-24-3p/p38 axis that affected breast cancer progression and suggested that the lncRNA FOXCUT could be a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer.
2.Effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on PERK/ATF4/CHOP Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Tissue of Mice with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Xiaowen GUAN ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Fei SU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Yanhui ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(1):97-103
Objective To observe the effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM);To explore its mechanism of action in the treatment of T2DM.Methods Totally 75 SPF male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group,metformin group,and Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-,medium-,low-dosage groups,with 15 mice in each group.15 db/m mice were set as the blank group.The administration groups received corresponding medicine for gavage for 12 weeks.Body mass,fasting blood glucose(FBG)and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)in mice were detected,HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue,the apoptosis of islet cells was determined by TUNEL staining,Western blot was used to detect pancreatic tissue glucose regulatory protein 78(GRP78),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,activated transcription factor 4(ATF4)and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)protein expression,RT-PCR was used to detect pancreatic tissue PERK,ATF4,CHOP mRNA expressions.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,FBG and HbA1c contents in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01);the pancreatic tissue structure was incomplete,with blurry boundaries and vacuoles inside,leading to a significant increase in pancreatic islet cells apoptosis(P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4,and CHOP proteins in pancreatic tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and the mRNA expressions of PERK,ATF4 and CHOP significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass,FBG and HbA1c contents of mice in each administration group significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);pathological changes in pancreatic tissue was reduced,and islet cells apoptosis decreased to varying degrees(P<0.05,P<0.01);the expressions of GRP78,p-PERK,ATF4 and CHOP proteins in pancreatic tissue significantly decreased(P<0.01)in Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-and medium-dosage groups and the metformin group,and the expressions of PERK,ATF4 and CHOP mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Gegen Qinlian Decoction may decreased pancreatic islet cells apoptosis,protect pancreatic cell function,and delay the progression of T2DM by inhibiting the endoplasmic reticulum stress PERK/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway,and down-regulating the expressions of related genes and proteins.
3.Investigation of Mechanism of Qingqiao and Laoqiao on Acute Lung Injury Rats Based on Serum Metabolomics
Kang LI ; Tiantian LYU ; Rongqia CUI ; Shumin XIE ; Shujie GUO ; Wanshun CHANG ; Zhaohua CHEN ; Yanhui ZHU ; Mingsan MIAO ; Haiying HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):89-97
ObjectiveSerum metabolomics of acute lung injury(ALI) in rats was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to explore the similarities and differences in the mechanism of Qingqiao(harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were initially ripe and still green in color) and Laoqiao(harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were ripe) in the treatment of ALI. MethodA total of 24 SD male rats were acclimatized and fed for 1 week, 6 of them were randomly selected for the blank group and 18 for the experimental group. The ALI model was induced in the experimental group by tracheal intubation with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). After successfully constructing the ALI model, these rats was randomly divided into model group, Qingqiao group and Laoqiao group, with 6 rats in each group. The Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were administered orally once a day at a dose of 1.5 g·kg-1, while the blank and model groups received an equivalent volume of saline for 3 consecutive days. The pathological conditions of rat lung tissues were comprehensively assessed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, wet-to-dry mass ratio(W/D) of lung tissues, and protein concentration in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF). The levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in BALF were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify and analyze the chemical compositions of Qingqiao and Laoqiao, and serum metabolomics of rats in each group was analyzed, combined with multivariate statistical analysis with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1, P<0.05 from t-test, and fold change(FC)≥1.5 or FC≤0.5 to screen the differential metabolites Qingqiao and Laoqiao for the treatment of ALI. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) database was used in combination with MetaboAnalyst for the metabolic pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites. ResultCompared with the blank group, rats in the model group exhibited enlarged alveolar lumen, ruptured alveoli, interstitial hemorrhage, bronchial exudation of a large number of neutrophils and erythrocytes, and a significant increase in the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues(P<0.01). In contrast, compared with the model group, rats in the Qingqiao group and the Laoqiao group showed reduced bronchial hemorrhage in the lungs, and the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues were significantly decreased(P<0.01), the lung injury was significantly alleviated, but more obvious in the Qingqiao group. Compared with the blank group, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the BALF of the model group were significantly higher(P<0.01). Additionally, compared with the model group, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were significantly lower(P<0.01). The chemical composition analysis of Qingqiao and Laoqiao revealed that 63 components were detected in Qingqiao and 55 components were detected in Laoqiao, with 47 common components, 16 components unique to Qingqiao and 8 components unique to Laoqiao. Characterizing the differences in serum metabolomics in rats, 19 and 12 metabolites were called back by Qingqiao and Laoqiao, respectively. The metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that Qingqiao exerted its therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism, and Laoqiao exerted therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways, including linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. ConclusionQingqiao and Laoqiao have therapeutic effects on ALI, and Qingqiao is more effective. Both of them can play a therapeutic role in ALI by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism, but the metabolic pathways affected by them are different.
4.Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang and Its Modified Prescription Improve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review
Dong AN ; Yanhui ZHAI ; Yankui GAO ; Rong LIU ; Qi ZHOU ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Yonglin LIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(24):141-151
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is based on insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion deficiency, with the specific mechanisms still unclear. Current research involves mechanisms such as glycolipid toxicity, inflammatory response, oxidative stress damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholars have named it "blood glucose collateral disease" based on the clinical characteristics and natural progression of T2DM. This condition is primarily manifested as abnormal blood sugar levels in the early stages, and as the disease progresses, it gradually causes widespread damage to the body's veins and collaterals, ultimately leading to lesions in vessels and collaterals. Among these, "spleen heat" (obesity type) is the most common clinical type of T2DM. The concept of "internal heat-induced elimination" runs through both the onset and complications of T2DM, with internal heat being a key factor in its pathogenesis. The clinical application of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang and its modifications has achieved significant therapeutic effects. This paper reviews the origins and treatment characteristics of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang, along with clinical application research and experimental studies related to T2DM treatment, involving mechanisms for regulating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, improving IR, modulating inflammatory responses, combating oxidative stress damage, regulating autophagy-related signaling pathways, modulating intestinal flora, inhibiting pyroptosis, and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress, with the purpose to provide direction for further research on the prevention and treatment of T2DM and its related complications, to offer reference for developing Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang as a rapid hypoglycemic Chinese patent medicine for obese T2DM, and to better guide the clinical promotion of this drug.
5.Research progress and nursing enlightenment of cognitive reserve assessment tools
Zihang FENG ; Yanhui LIU ; Qi LIANG ; Yaning ZHU ; Yiwei LUO ; Jingying LIU ; Boyang GONG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(20):2547-2553
Cognitive reserve referred to the cumulative flexibility of an individual's cognitive processes,whereas accurately assessing an individual's cognitive reserve and intervening was important for preventing the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction as well as promoting cognitive health.This article reviewed the main contents and applications of cognitive reserve assessment tools,and compared the characteristics and limitations of each assessment tool.The purpose was to provide ideas for the development of cognitive reserve assessment tools suitable for China's cultural background and population characteristics,and to provide a basis for accurately assessing the current status of China's cognitive reserve and formulating targeted cognitive reserve enhancement programs.
6.Advances of pathological diagnosis and molecular pathology of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms
Jianghua WU ; Yanli ZHU ; Haiyue WANG ; Yanhui LIU ; Dongmei LIN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(2):109-115
The pathological classification and diagnostic criteria for lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) lung tumor classification are similar to the prior classifications. However, the advances on the molecular studies of lung NENs have shown that both small cell lung carcinoma and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma are highly heterogeneous tumors with neuroendocrine characteristics and can be subclassified based on the features of genomics or transcriptomics, which are valuable in the diagnosis of lung NENs subtypes and patient treatment. In addition, it is necessary to interpret emerging concepts such as "lung neuroendocrine tumor G3" and "histological transformation" from pathological perspectives, as well as to know the novel neuroendocrine biomarkers such as INSM1 and POU2F3. This article summarized the diagnostic changes and the advances of molecular pathology of lung NENs based on the latest WHO classification and molecular research.
7.Relationship between perceived social support and family function in parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients: a chain mediation effect analysis
Yaning ZHU ; Yanhui LIU ; Ying JIANG ; Jing LI ; Wei GAO ; Zihang FENG ; Ying SUN ; Yiwei LUO ; Ruzhen LUO
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(23):3110-3116
Objective:To investigate the chain mediation effect of psychological flexibility and dyadic coping between perceived social support and family function in parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients.Methods:Totally 320 parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients who were treated at the Department of Pediatric Organ Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital from April to October 2023 were selected by convenience sampling. The participants were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Ⅱ (AAQ-Ⅱ), the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), and the Family APGAR Index (APGAR). Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between perceived social support, psychological flexibility, dyadic coping, and family function in these parents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using Amos 26.0 to analyze the chain mediation effect of psychological flexibility and dyadic coping between perceived social support and family function, with the Bootstrap method used for model testing.Results:A total of 320 questionnaires were distributed, with 312 valid responses, yielding a response rate of 97.50% (312/320). The scores for the 312 parents were as follows: PSSS (59.29±15.64), AAQ-Ⅱ (20.35±9.07), DCI (124.64±32.65), and APGAR (6.98±2.74). Family function was positively correlated with perceived social support and dyadic coping ( P<0.01), and perceived social support was positively correlated with dyadic coping ( P<0.01). Psychological flexibility was negatively correlated with family function, perceived social support, and dyadic coping ( P<0.01). SEM results showed that psychological flexibility and dyadic coping had a significant chain mediation effect between perceived social support and family function, with a mediation effect value of 0.059. The chain mediation effect of psychological flexibility and dyadic coping accounted for 13.81% of the total effect (0.059/0.427) . Conclusions:Perceived social support directly affects family function in parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients and also indirectly influences family function through the chain mediation effect of psychological flexibility and dyadic coping.
8.Meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the life experiences of young-onset dementia patients
Zihang FENG ; Yanhui LIU ; Yaning ZHU ; Ying SUN ; Jingying LIU ; Xiaohong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(24):3264-3272
Objective:To systematically evaluate the life experiences of young-onset dementia (YOD) patients and provide a basis for healthcare professionals to develop effective support service strategies.Methods:Qualitative studies on the life experiences of YOD patients were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, WanFang data, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search timeframe was from the establishment of the databases to December 10, 2023. A Meta-synthesis approach was used to integrate the results.Results:A total of 17 articles were included, from which 69 findings were extracted, forming 11 categories and synthesizing into four integrated results: the heavy physical and psychological burden borne by YOD patients, impairment in multiple roles and social isolation, unique needs of YOD patients, and various coping strategies of YOD patients.Conclusions:Healthcare professionals should focus on the personal stories of YOD patients, pay attention to their physiological, psychological, and social challenges, and continuously improve supportive care services to alleviate their psychological burden, promote social connections, assist in resuming life, and enhance their quality of life.
9.Effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on NLRP3 inflammatome signaling pathway in liver of mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Fei SU ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Xiaowen GUAN ; Yanhui ZHAI ; Xiangdong ZHU ; Yonglin LIANG
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(7):834-839
Objective:To observe the effects of different doses of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on nucleotide oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/Caspase-1/IL1β inflammatory signaling pathway in liver of db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:Totally 75 SPF male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group, metformin group (0.2 g/kg), Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-, medium-, and low-dosage groups (61.80, 30.90, 15.45 g/kg), with 15 mice in each group. Another 15 db/m male mice were selected as blank control group. Each administration group was given relevant medicine for gavage, while the blank group and model group were given 0.9% sodium chloride solution for gavage, once a day, for 12 weeks. The body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) contents of each group were measured after treatment. The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in liver were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in liver tissues were detected by Western Blot. HE staining was used to observe the morphology of liver tissues.Results:Compared with model group, body weight, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c contents of mice in Gegen Qinlian Decoction high- and medium-dosage groups and metformin groups decreased ( P<0.05), the body weight and fasting blood glucose levels of mice in Gegen Qinlian Decoction low-dosage group decreased ( P<0.05); the mRNA levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β in liver tissues of all treatment groups decreased ( P<0.05), the mRNA level of Caspase-1 in liver tissue decreased in Gegen Qinlian Decoction high- and medium-dosage groups ( P<0.05); the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-18 in liver tissue of each treatment group decreased ( P<0.05), while the expression of IL-1β in Gegen Qinlian Decoction high- and medium-dosage groups and the metformin group decreased ( P<0.05); compared with the metformin group, the body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice in the Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-dosage decreased ( P<0.05), while the HbA1c levels in the Qinlian Decoction high- and medium-dosage decreased ( P<0.05); the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-18 in liver tissues of Gegen Qinlian Decoction high-dosage group decreased ( P<0.05), the expression of IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 decreased ( P<0.05); HE staining showed that the pathological changes of liver tissue were reduced in all treatment groups. Conclusion:Gegen Qinlian Decoction may reduce blood sugar by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β inflammatory signaling pathway in liver of db/db mice, thereby improving the inflammatory damage of T2DM.
10.Tumor cell membrane-coated continuous electrochemical sensor for GLUT1 inhibitor screening
Jiaqian ZHAO ; Yuqiao LIU ; Ling ZHU ; Junmin LI ; Yanhui LIU ; Jiarui LUO ; Tian XIE ; Dajing CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(6):673-682
Glucose transporter 1(GLUT1)overexpression in tumor cells is a potential target for drug therapy,but few studies have reported screening GLUT1 inhibitors from natural or synthetic compounds.With cur-rent analysis techniques,it is difficult to accurately monitor the GLUT1 inhibitory effect of drug molecules in real-time.We developed a cell membrane-based glucose sensor(CMGS)that integrated a hydrogel electrode with tumor cell membranes to monitor GLUT1 transmembrane transport and screen for GLUT1 inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs).CMGS is compatible with cell membranes of various origins,including different types of tumors and cell lines with GLUT1 expression knocked down by small interfering RNA or small molecules.Based on CMGS continuous monitoring technique,we inves-tigated the glucose transport kinetics of cell membranes with varying levels of GLUT1 expression.We used CMGS to determine the GLUT1-inhibitory effects of drug monomers with similar structures from Scutellaria baicalensis and catechins families.Results were consistent with those of the cellular glucose uptake test and molecular-docking simulation.CMGS could accurately screen drug molecules in TCMs that inhibit GLUT1,providing a new strategy for studying transmembrane protein-receptor interactions.

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