1.Effects and mechanism of paeoniflorin on oxidative stress of ulcerative colitis mice
Xin DAI ; Ying WANG ; Xinyue REN ; Dingxing FAN ; Xianzhe LI ; Jiaxuan FENG ; Shilei LOU ; Hui YAN ; Cong SUN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):427-433
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of paeoniflorin on oxidative stress of ulcerative colitis (UC) mice based on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. METHODS Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, inhibitor group (AMPK inhibitor Compound C 20 mg/kg), paeoniflorin low-, medium- and high-dose groups (paeoniflorin 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg), high- dose of paeoniflorin+inhibitor group (paeoniflorin 50 mg/kg+Compound C 20 mg/kg), with 8 mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice in all other groups were given 4% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 5 days to establish the UC model. Subsequently, mice in each drug group were given the corresponding drug solution intragastrically or intraperitoneally, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. The changes in body weight of mice were recorded during the experiment. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, colon length, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in colon tissues were measured; histopathological morphology of colon tissues, tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells, and histopathological scoring were all observed and evaluated; the mRNA expressions of AMPK and Nrf2, as well as the protein expressions of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), occludin and claudin-1, were all determined in colon tissue. RESULTS Compared with model group, paeoniflorin groups exhibited recovery from pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and crypt damage in the colon tissue, as well as improved tight junction damage between intestinal epithelial cells. Additionally, significant increases or upregulations were observed in body weight, colon length, activities of SOD and GSH-Px, phosphorylation level of AMPK, and protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and mRNA expressions of AMPK and Nrf2; concurrently, MDA content and histopathological scores were significantly reduced (P< 0.05 or P<0.01). In contrast, the inhibitor group showed comparable (P>0.05) or worse (P<0.05 or P<0.01) indicators compared to the model group. Conversely, the addition of AMPK inhibitor could significantly reverse the improvement of high- dose paconiflorin (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Paeoniflorin can repair intestinal epithelial cell damage in mice, improve tight junctions between epithelial cells, upregulate the expression of related proteins, and promote the expression and secretion of antioxidant-promoting molecules, thereby ameliorating UC; its mechanism may be associated with activating AMPK/Nrf2 antioxidant pathway.
2.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
3.Protective Mechanism of Paeoniflorin on Mice with Ulcerative Colitis Based on AMPK/mTOR Autophagy Pathway
Xin DAI ; Rou LI ; Yang HU ; Yuhang WANG ; Ruizhu ZHAO ; Jiaxuan FENG ; Shilei LOU ; Cong SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):45-53
ObjectiveTo explore the protective mechanism of paeoniflorin on mice with ulcerative colitis (UC) through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) autophagy pathway. MethodUC mouse model was established by allowing mice freely drink 4% DSS, and 56 BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into model group, AMPK inhibitor group (20 mg·kg-1), paeoniflorin (50 mg·kg-1) + inhibitor (20 mg·kg-1) group, and high dose (50 mg·kg-1), medium dose (25 mg·kg-1), and low dose (12.5 mg·kg-1) paeoniflorin groups. After seven days of drug intervention, the protective effect of paeoniflorin on mice with UC was determined by comparing the body weight, disease activity index (DAI) changes, and Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining results. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum of mice in each group, and immunofluorescence was utilized to detect microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) content in the colon, AMPK, mTOR proteins, and their phosphorylated proteins including p-AMPK and p-mTOR in the colon tissue were detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expression levels of AMPK, mTOR, Beclin1, LC3, and p62 were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed a decrease in body mass, an increase in DAI score, and severe pathological damage to the colon. The levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α and IL-6 increased in serum (P<0.01), while the protein levels of LC3 and p-AMPK/AMPK were down-regulated in colon tissue, and those of p-mTOR/mTOR were up-regulated (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPK and LC3 were down-regulated, while the mRNA expression levels of mTOR and p62 were up-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group and the paeoniflorin + inhibitor group, the mice treated with paeoniflorin showed an increase in body mass, a decrease in DAI score, a reduction in pathological damage to colon tissue, and a reduction in the levels of inflammatory factors of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum (P<0.05). The protein levels of LC3 and p-AMPK/AMPK in colon tissue were up-regulated, while the protein levels of p-mTOR/mTOR were down-regulated (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPK, Beclin1, and LC3 were up-regulated, while the mRNA expression of mTOR and p62 were down-regulated (P<0.01). The colon tissue of the inhibitor group was severely damaged, and the trend of various indicators was completely opposite to that of the high dose paeoniflorin group. ConclusionPaeoniflorin can enhance autophagy and reduce inflammatory damage in mice with UC by activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway and thus play a protective role.
4.Diagnostic value of pulmonary embolism volumein identifying mild-to-high-risk acute pulmonary embolism based on quantitative CT
Yan'e YAO ; Yansong LI ; Xionghui WANG ; Xiaoqi HUANG ; Tao REN ; Jun FENG ; Youmin GUO ; Cong SHEN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(1):126-132
Objective To investigate the value of computer-assisted quantification of pulmonary embolism volume(PEV)in identifying mild-to-high-risk acute pulmonary embolism(APE).Methods We retrospectively enrolled 143 patients with suspected APE confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)at Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020.According to the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis,Treatment and Prevention of Pulmonary Thromboembolism,all the patients were divided into low-risk group(n=88)and mild-to-high-risk group(n=55).We collected the patients'basic demographic data,clinical manifestations,and serum levels of N-terminal-B type natriuretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP)and D-dimer.Based on CTPA images,the degree of pulmonary thromboembolism was artificially evaluated to obtain the pulmonary artery occlusion index(PAOI).The thrombus was segmented using the pulmonary embolism detection tool based on digital lung,and PEV was calculated.We compared the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators and PAOI and PEV between the two risk groups.We analyzed the value of PAOI and PEV in identifying mild-to-high-risk APE using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,and used Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors in predicting mild-to-high-risk APE.Different models were established.Results Compared with the low-risk group,APE patients in the mild-to-high-risk group were older(P<0.05),had lower diastolic blood pressure(P<0.05),higher levels of D-dimer and NT-proBNP(P<0.05),lower levels of platelet count,arterial oxygen partial pressure and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure(P<0.05),and higher levels of PAOI and PEV(P<0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for PEV in identifying mild-to-high-risk APE was 0.809(95%CI:0.734-0.884),while that for PAOI was 0.753(95%CI:0.667-0.839).Logistic regression analysis showed that PEV and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors for mild-to-high-risk APE(P<0.05).Conclusion PEV and NT-proBNP are independent risk factors for mild-to-high-risk APE.
5.Association of alcohol consumption with aortic aneurysm and dissection risk:results from the UK Biobank cohort study
Liang YAOWEN ; Zou GUOXIANG ; Wang DINGCHEN ; Zeng WEIYUE ; Zhang JIARUI ; Huang XIAORAN ; Lin MIAO ; Mai CONG ; Song FEI'ER ; Zhang YUELIN ; Meng JINXIU ; Feng HONGLIANG ; Huang YU ; Li XIN
World Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;15(6):465-474
BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.
6.Inferring Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drug Resistance and Transmission using Whole-genome Sequencing in a High TB-burden Setting in China
Feng Yu FAN ; Xin Dong LIU ; Wang Yi CHEN ; Chao Xi OU ; Zhi Qi MAO ; Ting Ting YANG ; Jiang Xi WANG ; Cong Wen HE ; Bing ZHAO ; Jiang Zhen LIU ; Maiweilanjiang ABULIMITI ; Maimaitiaili AIHEMUTI ; Qian GAO ; Lin Yan ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(2):157-169
Objective China is among the 30 countries with a high burden of tuberculosis(TB)worldwide,and TB remains a public health concern.Kashgar Prefecture in the southern Xinjiang Autonomous Region is considered as one of the highest TB burden regions in China.However,molecular epidemiological studies of Kashgar are lacking. Methods A population-based retrospective study was conducted using whole-genome sequencing(WGS)to determine the characteristics of drug resistance and the transmission patterns. Results A total of 1,668 isolates collected in 2020 were classified into lineages 2(46.0%),3(27.5%),and 4(26.5%).The drug resistance rates revealed by WGS showed that the top three drugs in terms of the resistance rate were isoniazid(7.4%,124/1,668),streptomycin(6.0%,100/1,668),and rifampicin(3.3%,55/1,668).The rate of rifampicin resistance was 1.8%(23/1,290)in the new cases and 9.4%(32/340)in the previously treated cases.Known resistance mutations were detected more frequently in lineage 2 strains than in lineage 3 or 4 strains,respectively:18.6%vs.8.7 or 9%,P<0.001.The estimated proportion of recent transmissions was 25.9%(432/1,668).Multivariate logistic analyses indicated that sex,age,occupation,lineage,and drug resistance were the risk factors for recent transmission.Despite the low rate of drug resistance,drug-resistant strains had a higher risk of recent transmission than the susceptible strains(adjusted odds ratio,1.414;95%CI,1.023-1.954;P = 0.036).Among all patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis(DR-TB),78.4%(171/218)were attributed to the transmission of DR-TB strains. Conclusion Our results suggest that drug-resistant strains are more transmissible than susceptible strains and that transmission is the major driving force of the current DR-TB epidemic in Kashgar.
7.False-positive HIV-1 nucleic acid testing results in patients with severe thalassemia after receiving cell and gene therapy
Yifan ZHONG ; Jifei NIU ; Yue LI ; Jing LIU ; Xiaohui WANG ; Hao LI ; Yongxia GAN ; Guilian LI ; Chenli ZHENG ; Chenglong LI ; Yifan CAI ; Zijie YANG ; Wei TAN ; Xiaozhen CHEN ; Tiejian FENG ; Cong JIN ; Jin ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(4):451-454
A 11-year old female patient with severe thalassemia, receipt a lentivirus-based cell and gene therapy (CGT) therapy in Shenzhen Children′s Hosptial on July 27th, 2021. At the two follow-up visits after discharge, patient were continuously tested positive for HIV screening through HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay (chemiluminescence Immunoassay), and the viral load results of HIV-1 nucleic acid testing (NAT) were both>5 000 copies/ml. The patient can be diagnosed with HIV infection according to the National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS(2020 Revised Edition). The thorough investigation findings and supplementary experiment results indicated that the false-positive HIV-1 NAT results was caused by cross-reactivity between the target sites detected by conventional HIV-1 NAT reagents and the lentiviral vectors fragments integrated into the genome of patient′s hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. In conclusion, it is important for laboratories to select appropriate HIV-1 NAT testing platforms which won′t cause cross-reactivity for the testing of samples from patients who have been treated with HIV-derived vectors. It is also recommended to design and develop NAT testing platforms with multiple target regions labeled by different fluorescents for HIV NAT supplementation experiment to reduce the risk of false-positive diagnoses of HIV infection.
8.Research progress on pathogenesis and prevention of premature coronary heart disease
Yanming ZHANG ; Gaoxiu YU ; Cong WANG ; Feng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(3):491-498
The conventional risk factors associated with coronary heart disease(CHD)include hypertension,diabetes mellitus,dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia,obesity and overweight,smoking and alcohol consumption,etc..The incidence of CHD has increased year by year,and a discernible shift towards a younger age of onset is evident."The third report of the national cholesterol education program adult treatment panel Ⅲ"(NCEP ATP-Ⅲ)defines premature CHD(PCHD)as manifestation in males<55 years and females<65 years.At recently,PCHD has emerged as a focal point in both domestic and international study.In addition to the established risk factors,there is a important need to elucidate novel pathogenic mechanisms and predictive factors governing PCHD.This necessitates concerted efforts in primary prevention.This manuscript conducts a comprehensive review of antecedent researches,with the primary objective of discussing the latest pathogenic mechanisms and predictive factors associated with PCHD.The reviewing aim is to contribute substantive insights to the primary prevention of PCHD.
9.Efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage:a randomized controlled exploratory clinical study
Ding-Hua CHEN ; Chao-Fan LI ; Yue NIU ; Li ZHANG ; Yong WANG ; Zhe FENG ; Han-Yu ZHU ; Jian-Hui ZHOU ; Zhe-Yi DONG ; Shu-Wei DUAN ; Hong WANG ; Meng-Jie HUANG ; Yuan-Da WANG ; Shuo-Yuan CONG ; Sai PAN ; Jing ZHOU ; Xue-Feng SUN ; Guang-Yan CAI ; Ping LI ; Xiang-Mei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(3):257-264
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P<0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P>0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P>0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.
10.Study on the relationship between multidisciplinary teamwork behavior and organizational factors in tertiary public hospitals in Hangzhou:Based on moderated mediation model
Qiang LI ; Cong WANG ; Jian-Feng LIANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2024;17(2):45-52
Objective:Analyze the impact of organizational factors on multidisciplinary teamwork behavior in tertiary public hospitals in Hangzhou,as well as the role mechanism of team atmosphere and team leadership.Provide suggestions for fully mobilizing their teamwork enthusiasm and improving teamwork efficiency.Methods:From January 2022 to March 2022,a questionnaire survey was conducted on multidisciplinary team members in tertiary public hospitals in Hangzhou using purposive sampling,and a total of 452 valid questionnaires were collected;Use the Process plugin in SPSS 26.0 software to test the moderated mediation model.Results:Positive organizational factors have a positive promoting impact on multidisciplinary teamwork behavior(β = 0.128,P<0.001),team atmosphere plays a mediating role between organizational factors and multidisciplinary teamwork behavior(β =0.063,P<0.001),and team leadership plays a negative moderating role between organizational factors and team atmosphere(β =-0.011,P<0.001).Conclusions:The behavior of multidisciplinary teamwork is influenced by multiple factors such as organizational factors,team atmosphere,and team leadership.Therefore,the hospital should actively explore a long-term operation mechanism for multidisciplinary teamwork that conforms to the characteristics of the hospital,improve top-level design,strengthen organizational investment,create a harmonious cooperation atmosphere within the team,enhance team cohesion,use shared leadership for team decision-making,and grant team members sufficient autonomy and decision-making power.

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