1.Screening of biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome and analysis of immune infiltration
Yani LIU ; Jinghuan YANG ; Huihui LU ; Yufang YI ; Zhixiang LI ; Yangfu OU ; Jingli WU ; Bing WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):1091-1100
BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.
2.Analysis of gemcitabine adverse drug reactions and risk factors in Inner Mongolia
Shengnan YANG ; Wei SHI ; Yufang ZHAO ; Zhien LIU ; Wenpu LEI ; Yanan ZHANG ; Ke ZHAO ; Hao GUO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):486-490
OBJECTIVE To analyze the occurrence characteristics and risk factors of adverse drug reactions (ADR) of gemcitabine for injection in national centralized volume-based procurement (hereinafter referred to as “centralized procurement”), and provide reference for clinical safe drug use. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to collect the relevant case reports of gemcitabine for injection reported to the National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from January 2022 to December 2023; basic information of patients, drug use status, patient outcomes, rational drug use and other information were collected, and the occurrence characteristics of ADRs with leukopenia, myelosuppression, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction were analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation of gender, age, combination of antitumor drugs, original malignant tumor and drug dose with ADR. RESULTS A total of 315 cases reports (315 patients) of gemcitabine-induced ADR were included in this study, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.42∶1 and age of (61.17±9.13) years. The primary malignant tumor was pancreatic cancer (73 cases, 23.17%). Leukopenia, myelosuppression and nausea were the most common ADR, followed by neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, liver dysfunction and so on. The severity grade of ADR was mainly 1-2, and the outcome of most ADR was good. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that combination of antitumor drugs was a risk factor for myelosuppression and neutropenia (RR=2.154, 95%CI: 1.218- 3.807, P=0.008; RR=3.099, 95%CI: 1.240-7.744, P=0.016); gender (female) was a risk factor for leukopenia and liver dysfunction (RR=0.508, 95%CI: 0.302-0.853, P=0.010; RR=0.301, 95%CI: 0.102-0.887, P=0.029). In terms of drug use rationality, there were 143 cases (45.40%) of drug 126.com use in accordance with the indications of the label, and 172 cases (54.60%) of off-label drug use. Among them, the primary malignant tumors were bladder cancer, bile duct cancer and ovarian cancer, which ranked the top three off-label drug use. CONCLUSIONS The ADR caused by gemcitabine in Inner Mongolia is mainly in the blood and digestive systems. The severity of ADRs is mainly classified as 1-2 levels, and most ADRs have good outcomes. Gender (female) and combination medication are risk factors for gemcitabine-induced ADR. Appropriate chemotherapy regimen should be selected according to the patient’s condition and physical condition, and ADR monitoring in blood and digestive systems should be strengthened during medication of gemcitabine.
3.Research progress on the pathogenesis of central retinal vein occlusion
Qi HAN ; Xue HAN ; Xingchen GUO ; Yuanhui YANG ; Yuanmin LI ; Yufang TENG
International Eye Science 2025;25(8):1261-1266
Central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)is a retinal vascular disorder that significantly impairs vision, with its underlying mechanisms involving complex interactions across multiple biological systems. This article provides a systematic review of the pathological mechanisms associated with CRVO, emphasizing critical factors such as endothelial dysfunction, arteriosclerosis, thrombophilia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The pathological mechanisms of CRVO are characterized by arteriosclerosis, which obstructs venous return through a dual mechanism involving mechanical compression and endothelin-1-mediated contraction; endothelial dysfunction, which exacerbates disturbances in blood flow; genetic and acquired coagulation abnormalities that disrupt hemostatic balance and promote thrombosis; and the synergistic effects of inflammation and oxidative stress that activate cytokines, thereby aggravating ischemia and vascular leakage. Innovatively, this review explores emerging mechanisms such as miRNA-mediated vascular regulation via exosomes, gut microbiota-retina crosstalk through the “gut-eye axis,” and systemic metabolic interactions that link local retinal lesions to broader dysregulation of CRVO. These insights underscore the importance of integrated eye-system interventions and provide a theoretical foundation for advancing early biomarker discovery, multitarget therapeutics, and personalized treatment paradigms. By bridging localized pathology and systemic mechanisms, this work promotes a transformative shift toward an integrative medicine model in the diagnosis and management of CRVO.
4.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
5.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
6.Application and prospects of erythropoietin in bone tissue engineering
Yufang YANG ; Zhishan YANG ; Mianmian DUAN ; Yiheng LIU ; Zhenglong TANG ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(9):1443-1449
BACKGROUND:Bone defects are caused by many factors,such as inflammation,tumor,trauma or bone diseases.Erythropoietin can promote the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts and act on vascular endothelial cells to induce angiogenesis and accelerate the repair of bone and cartilage defects.Erythropoietin is a growth factor with potential application in bone tissue engineering construction. OBJECTIVE:To expound the application and potential mechanism of erythropoietin in bone tissue engineering. METHODS:The first author searched the related articles published in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases from 2004 to 2022 by computer.Search terms were"erythropoietin,bone defect,bone regeneration,angiogenesis,osteogenesis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone tissue engineering"in Chinese and English.Finally,64 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Erythropoietin can directly act on osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the bone marrow microenvironment by promoting the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts,osteoclasts,adipocytes,nerve cells and stromal cells.The activation of Wnt/β-catenin,hypoxia-inducible factor 1α/vascular endothelial growth factor,p38 MAPK and EphrinB2/EphB4 signaling pathways mediates the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.(2)Erythropoietin can not only regulate the production of erythrocytes to alter the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood but also stimulate vascular endothelial cells to promote angiogenesis.The new blood vessels can carry oxygen,nutrients,growth factors,and bone progenitor cells necessary for osteogenesis to the osteogenic site,thereby promoting bone formation and fracture healing.(3)Currently,erythropoietin is being used as a growth factor with osteogenic and angiogenic effects in various types of scaffold materials such as chitosan,polycaprolactone,bioceramics,and nanofibers through various drug delivery methods.Erythropoietin,along with other growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 and bone morphogenetic protein-9,has been applied to the surface of scaffold materials to participate in the repair of bone defects.Erythropoietin has demonstrated excellent practicality in the construction of new tissue-engineered bone and has potential clinical application value.
7.Predictive Value of Ultrasound Radiomics Nomogram of Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Qianqian YAN ; Yufang ZHAO ; Liping LIU ; Wu CHEN ; Guoqiang YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(1):21-27
Purpose To investigate the value of ultrasound radiomics nomogram in predicting lymph node metastasis(LNM)of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 400 cases of PTC in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2021 to January 2022 confirmed by surgery and pathology,all of which underwent preoperative ultrasound examination,and were randomly divided into training cohort(n=280)and testing cohort(n=120)in a ratio of 7∶3.The relationship between ultrasound clinical features and LNM was evaluated via univariate analysis and a clinical model was established via multivariable Logistic regression.A total of 3 348 features were extracted from preoperative ultrasound images.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to screen the features,and Logistic regression was used to establish the radiomics model.Clinical risk factors and rad scores were combined to construct the nomogram,and the receiver operating characteristic curves and decision curve analysis were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy and clinical benefit of each model for LNM of PTC.Results Age,primary lesion size,C-TIRADS and ultrasound-reported LNM were the independent risk factors for LNM(t/χ2=2.938,55.923,30.081,34.639,all P<0.05).The area under the curve of ultrasound radiomics nomogram to predict LNM of PTC in the training cohort and the testing cohort was 0.860 and 0.847,respectively;the combined model in 43%-85%had the highest clinical benefit.Conclusion Ultrasound radiomics nomogram has a certain value in predicting LNM of PTC.
8.Molecular Mechanism of Action of Astragaloside Ⅳ in Modulating Pyroptosis to Attenuate Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury Based on Experimental Validation
Liya CHANG ; Yufang LENG ; Zicen ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Yang XING ; Dongbin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):116-123
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of astragaloside-Ⅳ (AS-Ⅳ) in regulating pyroptosis to alleviate intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by combining network pharmacology and in vivo experiments. MethodFirstly, the corresponding target genes of AS-Ⅳ were obtained from TraditionalChineseMedicineSystemsPharmacology(TCMSP) database and Swiss Target Prediction database, and the target genes related to intestinal IRI and Pyroptosis were obtained from GeneCards database, and the common target genes of the three were obtained by drawing Venn diagrams through unspiralized website. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by STRING database and Cytoscape software to screen common target genes and imported into Cytoscape software to obtain core target genes. Microbiotics platform was used for gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis and prediction of the mechanism of action of AS-Ⅳ in regulating Pyroptosis to alleviate intestinal IRI. Then C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups normal group, model group(IR), drug administration group (IR+AS-Ⅳ), nucleotide-binding oligomerization structural domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) agonist NSS group (IR+AS-Ⅳ+NSS), and NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group (IR+AS-Ⅳ+MCC950) by using a randomized numerical table method. The intestinal IRI model was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min and resuming perfusion for 2 h in the model group, the drug administration group, the NLRP3 agonist NSS group, and the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group, and the normal group was only separated from the vessels without clamping. The administration group, the NLRP3 agonist NSS group, and the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group were gavaged with astragaloside dissolved in 0.1% dimethylsulfoxide (50 mg·kg-1) for 3 consecutive days before modeling, with the last gavage 2 h before modeling, and the remaining two groups were gavaged with equal amounts of saline. The NLRP3 agonist NSS group was injected intraperitoneally with 4 mg·kg-1 of NSS 1 h before modeling, and the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group was injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg·kg-1 of MCC950 1 h before modeling.The mice were put to death by reperfusion for 2 h, and intestinal tissues were obtained. The levels of IL-18 and IL-1β were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression of thioredoxin-binding protein (TXNIP), NLRP3, Caspase-1 and pyrocatechin D (GSDMD) were detected by Western blot, and the pathological changes of intestinal tissues were evaluated by Chiu's score. ResultNetwork pharmacological analysis showed that there were 1599 targets of intestinal IRI, 199 targets of AS-Ⅳ action, 197 targets of pyroptosis, and 20 targets common to all three. There were 10 core targets, including NLRP3, TXNIP, silencing information regulator 1 (SIRT1), high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), interleukin-18 (IL-18), GSDMD, and metallo matrix protease-9 (MMP-9),et al. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the normal group, Chiu's score was elevated in the model group, the levels of IL-18,IL-1β inflammatory factors in mouse intestinal tissues were elevated (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD were elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group,Chiu's score was decreased in the administered group and NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group,the level of IL-18,IL-1β inflammatory factors in the intestinal tissue of mice was decreased(P<0.05), and the level of TXNIP,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD protein expression was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the administered group, Chiu's score was elevated in the NLRP3 agonist NSS group, the levels of IL-18, IL-1β inflammatory factors in mouse intestinal tissues were elevated (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD were elevated (P<0.05). Compared with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 group, the NLRP3 agonist NSS group had elevated Chiu's scores, elevated levels of IL-18,IL-1β inflammatory factors in mouse intestinal tissues (P<0.05), and elevated levels of TXNIP,NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD protein expression (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacological predictions were consistent with the results of in vivo experiments, and astragaloside attenuated intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis through the TXNIP-NLRP3 signaling pathway.
9.Clinical significance of determining the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma or choledocholithiasis
Tingting JI ; Bingqing BAI ; Yufang CUI ; Shaofei WANG ; Jianglong HONG ; Yang LI ; Junjun BAO ; Qiao MEI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(3):568-572
ObjectiveTo investigate the difference in the level of biliary calprotectin between patients with cholangiocarcinoma and those with choledocholithiasis. MethodsClinical data and bile samples were collected from 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 78 patients with choledocholithiasis who were diagnosed and treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2021 to September 2022. Fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay was used to measure the levels of calprotectin, hemoglobin, and lactoferrin in bile. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis; the DeLong test was used for comparison of the area under the ROC curve (AUC). ResultsCompared with the choledocholithiasis group, the cholangiocarcinoma group had significant increases in the levels of calprotectin [4 795.50 (2 286.79 — 20 179.73) ng/mL vs 411.16 (67.03 — 1 991.88) ng/mL, Z=5.572, P<0.001] and fluoride [115.70 (109.10 — 125.50) mmol/L vs 106.60 (98.60 — 114.40) mmol/L, Z=2.702, P=0.007]. The patients with cholangiocarcinoma were further divided into high cholangiocarcinoma group and low cholangiocarcinoma group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of calprotectin [3 867.71 (2 235.66 — 26 407.40) ng/mL vs 4 795.50 (2 361.15 — 13 070.53) ng/mL, Z=0.129, P>0.05]. Biliary calprotectin level was correlated with white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and lactoferrin concentration in bile (r=0.316, 0.353, and 0.464, all P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that biliary calprotectin (with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 75.6%), blood CA19-9 (with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 78.2%), and their combination (with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 73.1%) had good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. ConclusionThere is an increase in the level of biliary calprotectin in patients with cholangiocarcinoma, and therefore, it might become a biomarker for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.
10.Establishing N-ELISA-based method for rapid detection of neutralizing antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus
Yufang SUN ; Hui ZHAO ; Huijie YANG ; Ying XIE ; Chunting BAO ; Shuyan LI ; Jiaolei WANG ; Changgui LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(2):162-169
Objective:To prepare rabbit polyclonal antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) N protein and use them as the detection antibodies to establish a N-ELISA-based method for rapid detection of neutralizing antibodies.Methods:A plasmid of pET30a-N for the expression of RSV N protein was constructed. After purification, the protein was immunized into New Zealand rabbits to prepare polyclonal antibodies, which were used as the detection antibodies. Positive serum samples were diluted and used to neutralize RSV (100 TCID 50/well). Hep-2 cells were inoculated and cultured, and then the cells were fixed with 80% acetone. ELISA was performed to detect RSV N protein in infected cells. When the absorbance value of a well was below the cut-off value, it was regarded as the positive well in the neutralization test. The highest dilution of a positive well serum was the neutralizing antibody titer. After optimizting the antibody dilution, detection time, cell density and the duration of neutralization, the method for neutralizing antibody detection was established based on N-ELISA. The established method was verified by analyzing the influences of different cell generations and edge effects, and calculating the accuracy, repeatability and precision. The correlation between the established method and microneutralization method was analyzed by detecting human RSV IgG-positive serum. Results:The plasmid pET30a-N was successfully constructed, and the expressed N protein showed high purity and good specificity. After the third immunization, the antibody titer in rabbit serum was 1∶51 200, and the antibodies could specifically bind to RSV. The prepared rabbit anti-RSV N polyclonal antibodies had a titer of 1∶51 200, and showed good specificity. The neutralizing antibodies could be detected on day 4 with the established method, and the duration of neutralization was shortened to 30 min. Cell generations and the position of wells in the 96-well plate (edge well and non-edge well) had no significant effect on the method, and the repeatability, precision and accuracy of the method were good. In the detection of 64 RSV IgG-positive human serum samples by the established method and microneutralization method, the correlation coefficient was 0.929 6, indicating a good positive correlation between the two methods.Conclusions:A N-ELISA-based method for rapid neutralizing antibody detection is successfully established, which can be used to evaluate the serum antibody level after RSV vaccination.

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