1.The Role of NEAT1 in Bone and Cartilage Metabolism and Bone Diseases
Rui-Ming WEN ; Rui-Qi HUANG ; Yi-Xing CHANG ; Ke XU ; Xue-Jie YI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):930-945
In the process of maintaining the steady state of bone tissue, the transcription network and signal pathway of the body play a vital role. These complex regulatory mechanisms need precise coordination to ensure the balance between bone formation and bone absorption. Once this balance is broken, it may lead to pathological changes of bone and cartilage, and then lead to various bone diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand these regulatory mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. In recent years, with the deepening of research, more and more lncRNA has been found to be closely related to bone health. Among them, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), as an extremely abundant RNA molecule in mammalian nuclei, has attracted extensive attention. NEAT1 is mainly transcribed from a specific site in human chromosome 11 by RNA polymerase II (RNaseP), which can form two different subtypes NEAT1_1 and NEAT1_2. These two subtypes are different in intracellular distribution and function, but they participate in many biological processes together. Studies have shown that NEAT1 plays a specific role in the process of cell growth and stress response. For example, it can regulate the development of osteoblasts (OB), osteoclasts (OC) and chondrocytes by balancing the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), thus maintaining the steady state of bone metabolism. This discovery reveals the important role of NEAT1 in bone development and remodeling. In addition, NEAT1 is closely related to a variety of bone diseases. In patients with bone diseases such as osteoporosis (OP), osteoarthritis (OA) and osteosarcoma (OS), the expression level of NEAT1 is different. These differential expressions may be closely related to the pathogenesis and progression of bone diseases. By regulating the level of NEAT1, it can affect a variety of signal transduction pathways, and then affect the development of bone diseases. For example, some studies show that by regulating the expression level of NEAT1, the activity of osteoclasts can be inhibited, and the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts can be promoted, thus improving the symptoms of osteoporosis. It is worth noting that NEAT1 can also be used as a key sensor for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. When exercising or receiving some natural products, the expression level of NEAT1 will change, thus reflecting the response of bones to external stimuli. This feature makes NEAT1 an important target for studying the prevention and treatment strategies of bone diseases. However, although the role of NEAT1 in bone biology and bone diseases has been initially recognized, its specific mechanism and regulatory relationship are still controversial. For example, the expression level, mode of action and interaction with other molecules of NEAT1 in different bone diseases still need further in-depth study. This paper reviews the role of NEAT1 in maintaining bone and cartilage metabolism, and discusses its expression and function in various bone diseases. By combing the existing research results and controversial points, this paper aims to provide new perspectives and ideas for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases, and provide useful reference and enlightenment for future research.
2.Associations of cardiac biomarkers with stroke severity and short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Chang HE ; Jie ZHAO ; Meng ZHANG ; Qing XU ; Yuru TANG ; Mengmeng QI ; Xiaoyan ZHU
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2024;32(1):1-8
Objective:To investigate associations between cardiac biomarkers with stroke severity and short-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from June 2018 to February 2024 whose etiological classification was large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO) or cardioembolism (CE) were included retrospectively. According to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, patients were divided into mild stroke group (≤8) and moderate to severe stroke group (>8). According to the modified Rankin Scale score at discharge, patients were divided into good outcome group (≤2) and poor outcome group (>2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between cardiac biomarkers and short-term outcome. The predictive value of cardiac biomarkers for poor outcome in patients with AIS and different stroke etiology subtypes were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:A total of 2 151 patients with AIS were enrolled, including 1 256 males (58.4%), aged 67.40±11.34 years. 1 079 patents were LAA type (50.2%), 679 were SVO type (31.6%), and 393 were CE type (18.3%); 1 223 were mild stroke (56.86%) and 928 (43.14%) were moderate to severe stroke; 1 357 patients (63.09%) had good short-term outcome, and 794 (36.91%) had poor short-term outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), NT-proBNP/creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) ratio, and CK-MB/CK ratio were independent risk factors for poor short-term outcome. ROC curve analysis shows that the CK-MB/CK ratio had a higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome in patients with AIS (the area under the curve, 0.859, 95% confidence interval 0.839-0.879). Various cardiac biomarkers had a higher predictive value for short-term outcome of CE type and LAA type, but the predictive value for short-term outcome of SVO type was lower. Conclusions:Cardiac biomarkers are associated with the severity and poor outcome of AIS. NT-proBNP/CK-MB and CK-MB/CK ratios have higher predictive value for short-term poor outcome of AIS, especially in patients with CE type.
3.PTEN Mutation Related Unilateral Multicentric, Synchronous and Metachronous Bilateral Breast Cancer: Three Case Reports
Ru YAO ; Xu YANG ; Yang QU ; Jie LIAN ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Xin HUANG ; Chang CHEN ; Xinyu REN ; Bo PAN ; Yidong ZHOU ; Qiang SUN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(4):916-920
Phosphatase and tensin-homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is an important cancer suppressor gene. Its pathogenic mutation leads to PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), a rare syndrome also known as Cowden syndrome, which is relevant to early-onset hereditary breast cancer (BC). In this paper, we report three patients with unilateral multicentric BC and synchronous and metachronous bilateral BC who harbored PTEN gene mutations, and summarize the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up outcomes to provide reference for management of PTEN gene mutation-related BC among the Cowden syndrome population.
4.Enlightenment of the adjustment methods of medical insurance payment standards in Japan and South Korea on the simple renewal mechanism for negotiated drugs in China
Zhangchun TANG ; Yuqiong LU ; Zhanjing DAI ; Jiayi XU ; Jie YU ; Yun LU ; Feng CHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(13):1552-1557
OBJECTIVE To learn the practical experience of medical insurance payment standards adjustment in Japan and South Korea, which will serve as a reference for the improvement of simple renewal mechanism in China. METHODS Retrieving relevant literature from CNKI and related policy documents from official websites of Japan and South Korea, the medical insurance payment standards adjustment practice in Japan and South Korea would be elucidated from 2 perspectives of adjustment criteria and formulas, and then were compared with the current simple renewal mechanism in China to clarify the areas where simple renewal mechanism in China can be optimized and propose several suggestions. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS In terms of adjustment methods, Japan and South Korea were similar to China. For excessive drugs, the reduction rate of drugs was calculated based on the situation of excess and adjustments were implemented; however, there were differences in the specific adjustment criteria and formulas. Japan and South Korea adopted a linear price reduction approach for drugs with significant oversupply, while China adopted a gradient price reduction approach for drugs with both current and expected oversupply. The results of the comparative analysis show that China has initially established simple renewal mechanisms that are in line with the national conditions and the actual medical insurance situation, and has taken some innovative measures, including considering the current and expected oversupply of drugs and introducing a halving mechanism in the adjustment formula. However, there are also certain shortcomings, such as a relatively single set of indicators for adjusting conditions and a too broad range of gradient price reduction in adjustment formulas, which fail to fully reflect the market-oriented mechanism of “volume for price”. It is recommended that China’s medical insurance department increase consideration of drug fund expenditures, refine the gradient price reduction range of adjustment formulas, increase policy preferences for special category drugs when adding new indications, and further improve the mechanism for simple renewal.
5.Age Estimation by Machine Learning and CT-Multiplanar Reformation of Cra-nial Sutures in Northern Chinese Han Adults
Xuan WEI ; Yu-Shan CHEN ; Jie DING ; Chang-Xing SONG ; Jun-Jing WANG ; Zhao PENG ; Zhen-Hua DENG ; Xu YI ; Fei FAN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(2):128-134,142
Objective To establish age estimation models of northern Chinese Han adults using cranial suture images obtained by CT and multiplanar reformation(MPR),and to explore the applicability of cranial suture closure rule in age estimation of northern Chinese Han population.Methods The head CT samples of 132 northern Chinese Han adults aged 29-80 years were retrospectively collected.Volume reconstruction(VR)and MPR were performed on the skull,and 160 cranial suture tomography images were generated for each sample.Then the MPR images of cranial sutures were scored according to the closure grading criteria,and the mean closure grades of sagittal suture,coronal sutures(both left and right)and lambdoid sutures(both left and right)were calculated respectively.Finally taking the above grades as independent variables,the linear regression model and four machine learning models for age estimation(gradient boosting regression,support vector regression,decision tree regression and Bayesian ridge regression)were established for northern Chinese Han adults age estimation.The accu-racy of each model was evaluated.Results Each cranial suture closure grade was positively correlated with age and the correlation of sagittal suture was the highest.All four machine learning models had higher age estimation accuracy than linear regression model.The support vector regression model had the highest accuracy among the machine learning models with a mean absolute error of 9.542 years.Conclusion The combination of skull CT-MPR and machine learning model can be used for age esti-mation in northern Chinese Han adults,but it is still necessary to combine with other adult age estima-tion indicators in forensic practice.
6.Study on the Substance Benchmark Characteristic Chromatogram and Multi-Component Content Determination of Classical Formula Fuzi Decoction
Zhen-Zhen PAN ; Yu-Jie XU ; Jia-Hui LIU ; Hui-Min YE ; Zhen-Hua WANG ; Chang-Qing LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(9):2442-2451
Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatogram and multi-component content determination method for the substance benchmark of Fuzi Decoction.Methods The characteristic chromatogram method of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark was established,and the Similarity Evaluation System of Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 Edition)was used to analyze the characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples.The HPLC content determination methods of 1 1 components in the Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples were established respectively,and the dry extract rate of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was determined.Results The similarity of characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was greater than 0.9,and 12 common peaks were selected and eight of them were identified.The results showed that the contents of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhypaconine,atractylenolide Ⅲ,ginsenoside Rg1,ginsenoside Re,ginsenoside Rb1,gallic acid,albiflorin,paeoniflorin,1,2,3,4,6-penta-galloyl glucose and benzoyl paeoniflorin were 0.050 3-0.191 1,0.026 7-0.047 0,0.043 0-0.127 6,0.554 6-1.006 8,0.568 7-0.979 5,0.929 9-1.726 1,1.058 9-2.118 4,1.430 3-4.965 5,6.882 9-9.511 1,0.056 1-0.262 5,0.160 6-0.369 0 mg/g,respectively.The average dry extract rate of the 15 batches of Fuzi Decoction substance benchmark samples was 29.54%.Conclusion The established characteristic chromatogram and multi-index content determination method are accurate and stable,which provides a basis for the quality control of the substance benchmark and related preparations of Fuzi Decoction.
7.In vitro activity of β-lactamase inhibitors combined with different β-lac-tam antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical strains
Jie SHI ; Dan-Wei ZHENG ; Ji-Ying XU ; Xiao-Guang MA ; Ru-Yue SU ; Yan-Kun ZHU ; Shao-Hua WANG ; Wen-Jing CHANG ; Ding-Yong SUN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(9):1091-1097
Objective To evaluate the in vitro effect of combinations of 5 β-lactam antibiotics with different β-lac-tamase inhibitors on the activity of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MDR-TB),and identify the most effective combination of β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors against MDR-TB.Methods MDR-TB strains collected in Henan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Project in 2021 were selected.The mini-mum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of 5 β-lactam antibiotics or combinations with different β-lactamase inhibitors on clinically isolated MDR-TB strains were measured by MIC detection method,and the blaC mutation of the strains was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and DNA sequencing.Results A total of 105 strains of MDR-TB were included in the analysis.MIC detection results showed that doripenem had the highest antibacterial activity against MDR-TB,with a MIC50 of 16 μg/mL.MIC values of most β-lactam antibiotics decreased significantly after combined with β-lactamase inhibitors.A total of 13.33%(n=14)strains had mutations in blaC gene,mainly 3 nu-cleotide substitution mutations,namely AGT333AGG,AAC638ACC and ATC786ATT.BlaC proteins Ser111 Arg and Asn213Thr enhanced the synergistic effect of clavulanic acid/sulbactam and meropenem on MDR-TB compared with synonymous single-nucleotide mutation.Conclusion The combination of doripenem and sulbactam has the strongest antibacterial activity against MDR-TB.Substitution mutations of BlaC protein Ser111 Arg and Asn213Thr enhances the sensitivity of MDR-TB to meropenem through the synergy with clavulanic acid/sulbactam.
8.Mechanism of inhibiting a disintegrin and metalloprotease 8 expression on inflammatory damage in alcoholic liver fibrosis mice
Meng-Li YANG ; San-Qiang LI ; Kai-Jie ZHANG ; Jia-Yang FENG ; Hao-Yuan LI ; Chang XU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(6):746-752
Objective To explore the mechanism of inhibiting a disintegrin and metalloprotease 8(ADAM8)expression on inflammatory damage in alcoholic liver fibrosis mice.Methods C57BL/6N male mice were randomly divided into the control group,the alcohol group,and the plasmid group,with 10 mice in each group.The alcohol group and plasmid group were fed alcohol liquid feed on a daily basis and gavaged with 31.5%ethanol(5 g/kg,twice a week);The control group was fed control liquid feed and gavaged with an equal amount of saline.The plasmid group was injected with the effective plasmid ADAM8-small guide RNA3(sgRNA3)(2 g/kg,twice a week)to inhibit the ADAM8 gene through the tail vein,while the alcohol group was injected with an equal amount of saline through the tail vein for 8 weeks to induce alcoholic liver fibrosis.After eyeball blood collection,the mice were euthanized,and their liver was separated and extracted.Sirius red and HE staining were employed to assess liver fibrosis and damage;Western blotting was used to determine the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen Ⅰ,and ADAM8;Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of ADAM8 mRNA;the expression of ADAM8,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),p-p38 MAPK and heat shock protein 27(HSP27)proteins was detected by Western blotting,Biochemical detection were used to detect alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)activity;tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1(IL-1)levels were determined by ELISA.Results The alcohol group had increased collagen fiber volume fraction,liver injury scores,and positive area rates of α-SMA and collagen Ⅰ;the expression of ADAM8 mRNA and ADAM8 protein increased,with increased positive area rate;and levels of AST,ALT,TNF-α,and IL-1 were higher,along with increased expression of TGF-β1,p-p38MAPK,and HSP27 proteins.In the plasmid group,the collagen fiber volume fraction,liver injury scores,and positive area rates of α-SMA and collagen Ⅰ was reduced;the expression of ADAM8 mRNA and protein was reduced,with decreased positive area rate,and levels of AST,ALT,TNF-α,and IL-1 were lower,along with reduced expression of TGF-β1,p-p38MAPK,and HSP27 proteins.Conclusion Downregulation of ADAM8 expression can alleviate inflammatory damage by inhibiting TGF-β1/p38MAPK signaling pathway to improve alcoholic liver fibrosis in mice.
9.Effects of infusion of irritant drugs on patients with midline catheter
Wenting XU ; Chang LIU ; Xiangyun LI ; Jie WANG ; Xiuzhu CAO ; Linfang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(30):2351-2357
Objective:To explore the effects of infusion of irritant medications on the patients with midline catheter based on propensity score matching method and provide reference for medications infusion through midline catheter.Methods:Through a retrospective cohort study, the clinical data of 1 539 patients with midline catheter placement in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2019 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into irritant medications group ( n=1 120) and non-irritant medications group ( n=419) according to the characteristics of the medications they were infused with, and then compared the patients of the two groups with midline catheter-related complications and catheter indwelling time based on the propensity score matching. Results:Among 1 539 patients, there were 656 males and 883 females, aged 18-92 (59.30 ± 18.76) years old. Before propensity score matching, there were statistically significant differences in age: (58.09 ± 18.72) years old, (62.55 ± 18.50) years old; hypertension:496 cases, 210 cases; diabetes:266 cases, 129 cases; white blood cell count:7.50(5.50, 9.70) × 10 9/L, 7.00(5.10, 9.50) × 10 9/L between the irritant medications group and non-irritant medications group ( t=4.18, χ2=4.18, 7.92, Z=-1.98, all P<0.05). After propensity score matching, there were 412 patients in the irritant medications group and 412 patients in the non-irritant medications group, and there was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups (all P>0.05). After propensity score matching, the rates of oozing, bleeding, catheter occlusion, catheter-related thrombosis, catheter dislodgement and total catheter complications between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). The catheter indwelling time in the irritant medications group was 10.00 (5.25, 16.75) days, which was longer than that in the non-irritant medications group for 6.00 (4.00, 11.00) days, the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-7.25, P<0.05). Conclusions:Infusion of irritant medications has no effect on the outcome of midline catheter, but monitoring and catheter maintenance should be strengthened in order to reduce the occurrence of cutheter related complications.
10.PI3K/Akt pathway-based investigation of total Astragalus saponins on sarcopenia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Lei-Lei MA ; Ji-An LI ; Wen-Xuan XU ; Jing-Ya WANG ; Zhao-Yang TIAN ; Jia-Yu LI ; Ru-Jie HAN ; Xiao-Jin LA ; Chun-Yu TIAN ; Hong CHANG ; Zi-Yang DAI ; Bi-Wei ZHANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(11):3612-3619
AIM To investigate the effects of total Astragalus saponins on the improvement of sarcopenia in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS The rats were divided into the normal group for a normal feeding and the model group for the feeding of high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ to establish a T2DM model.The successful model rats were randomly divided into the model group,the metformin group(0.2 g/kg)and the total Astragalus saponins group(80 mg/kg),and given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage.After 12 weeks administration,the rats had their FBG,postprandial blood glucose(PG2h)and wet weight of skeletal muscle measured;their serum levels of INS,C-peptide(C-P),IGF-1,TNF-α and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their morphological changes of skeletal muscle observed by HE staining;their protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR,S6K1,FoxO1 and Murf1 in skeletal muscle detected by Western blot;and their mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor in skeletal muscle detected by RT-qPCR method.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the total Astragalus saponins group displayed decreased levels of FBG,PG2h,OGTT-AUC,HOMA-IR,TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.01);increased levels of INS,C-P,IGF-1 and wet weight of skeletal muscle(P<0.05,P<0.01);improved skeletal muscle atrophy and increased protein expressions of PI3K,p-Akt,mTOR and S6K1 in skeletal muscle(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased protein expressions of FoxO1 and Murf1(P<0.05,P<0.01);and increased mRNA expressions of Pi3k,Akt and mtor(P<0.01).CONCLUSION The improvement effects of total Astragalus saponins on sarcopenia in T2DM rats may be associated with the regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathways.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail