1.The application prospects, ethical risks, and governance pathways of artificial womb technology
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(5):656-662
The research on artificial womb technology and “fetus and newborn” by Deby et al., as well as the Food and Drug Administration’s discussion on whether the world’s first human clinical trial of “artificial womb” technology should be approved, have sparked a new wave of research on artificial womb technology. By extending and deepening relevant foreign research, the three potential application prospects of artificial womb technology were clarified, including rescuing extremely preterm infants, reducing the burden of pregnancy, and assisting advanced maternal age. The ethical risks it faced were pointed out, encompassing the moral status of the gestational entity was questionable, and the risks of technological experimentation could not be quantified. The governance pathways were clarified, involving multi-layered ethical considerations to complete the clear identification of the gestational entity’s identity, and multi-faceted patient-doctor consultations to achieve clear risk notification. Through discussions on the application prospects, ethical risks, and governance pathways of artificial womb technology can improve human welfare and realize the technology for human use.
2.Discovery of E0199: A novel compound targeting both peripheral NaV and KV7 channels to alleviate neuropathic pain.
Boxuan ZHANG ; Xiaoxing SHI ; Xingang LIU ; Yan LIU ; Xuedong LI ; Qi WANG ; Dongyang HUANG ; Weidong ZHAO ; Junru CUI ; Yawen CAO ; Xu CHAI ; Jiahao WANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101132-101132
This research study focuses on addressing the limitations of current neuropathic pain (NP) treatments by developing a novel dual-target modulator, E0199, targeting both NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 and KV7 channels, a crucial regulator in controlling NP symptoms. The objective of the study was to synthesize a compound capable of modulating these channels to alleviate NP. Through an experimental design involving both in vitro and in vivo methods, E0199 was tested for its efficacy on ion channels and its therapeutic potential in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. The results demonstrated that E0199 significantly inhibited NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 channels with a particularly low half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for NaV1.9 by promoting sodium channel inactivation, and also effectively increased KV7.2/7.3, KV7.2, and KV7.5 channels, excluding KV7.1 by promoting potassium channel activation. This dual action significantly reduced the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and alleviated pain hypersensitivity in mice at low doses, indicating a potent analgesic effect without affecting heart and skeletal muscle ion channels critically. The safety of E0199 was supported by neurobehavioral evaluations. Conclusively, E0199 represents a ground-breaking approach in NP treatment, showcasing the potential of dual-target small-molecule compounds in providing a more effective and safe therapeutic option for NP. This study introduces a promising direction for the future development of NP therapeutics.
3.Advances in the effect of inflammatory factors on immune mechanism of aplastic anemia
Pingxin ZHANG ; Limin CHAI ; Guiyu FENG ; Dongyang LI ; Song SUN ; Wei LIU ; Yingkai ZHANG
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(3):298-301
The pathogenesis of aplastic anemia(AA)is complex and associated with hematopoietic stem cell defect,abnormal bone marrow microenvironment,immune dysfunction,and somatic mutation,in which the immune mechanism plays an important role.This article reviews the pathogenesis of AA from the following aspects:regulatory T cell reduction,hematopoietic stem cell reduction caused by factor-related apoptosis/factor-related apoptosis ligand signaling pathway,aberrant target gene expression induced by inflammatory factor-stimulated microRNAs,and regulatory T cell dysfunction,so as to provide ideas and methods for clinical practice.
4.The relationship between the expression of fibroblast growth factor 19 and insulin-like growth factor 1 in colorectal polyp tissues and the occurrence of colorectal adenomas
Hao WANG ; Haipeng WANG ; Yao YAO ; Dongyang WANG ; Ming CHEN ; Yanlai SUN ; Hao ZHANG ; Guangfeng DONG ; Zengjun LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):776-781
Objective:This investigation sought to delineate the associations among colorectal adenomatous polyps, diabetes, and biomolecules involved in glucose metabolism.Method:Data were collected from 40 patients who underwent endoscopic polypectomy at the Endoscopy Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital between June 2019 and September 2021. This cohort included 27 patients with inflammatory polyps and 13 with adenomatous polyps. We assessed fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the mRNA expressions of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the polyp tissues. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to ascertain the determinants influencing the emergence of adenomatous polyps. From these analyses, a predictive nomogram was constructed to forecast the occurrence of adenomatous polyps, and evaluations on the discriminative capacity, calibration, and clinical utility of the model were conducted.Results:The adenomatous polyp group exhibited markedly elevated levels of glucose, insulin, FGF-19, and IGF-1, with respective concentrations of (8.67±2.70) mmol/L, (12.72±7.69) μU/L, 2.20±1.88, and 1.36±0.69. These figures were significantly higher compared to the inflammatory polyp group, which showed levels of (5.51±0.72) mmol/L, (5.49±2.68) μU/L, 0.53±0.97, and 0.41±0.46, respectively, P=0.001. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the relative expression of IGF-1 served as an independent risk factor for the development of colorectal adenomatous polyps ( OR=5.622, 95% CI:1.085-29.126). The nomogram displayed a C-index of 0.849, indicating substantial discriminative capability. The calibration curve affirmed the model's accuracy in aligning predicted probabilities with actual outcomes, and the clinical decision curve demonstrated thepractical clinical applicability of the model. Conclusions:There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps and glucose metabolic pathways. Individuals with diabetes showed a higher propensity to develop such polyps.
5.Relationship of physical activity and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment: a mediating effect of resting EEG
Xiaochen MA ; Shufan LI ; Shuqi JIA ; Cong LIU ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Dongyang HAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(12):1442-1451
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of physical activity (PA) and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment based on resting electroencephalogram (EEG), and to explore the mediating role of specific EEG markers in the relationship between PA and sleep quality. MethodsFrom March to May, 2024, 137 older adults were recruited from Chenfu Jiayuan and Qiangwei Jiuli in Songjiang district, and Luyan communities in Jinshan district, Shanghai. The assessments included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with a five-minute EEG recording. ResultsThere was significant difference in sleep quality among older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment (t = -7.400, P < 0.001). The PSQI total score was negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = -0.412, P < 0.001) and total physical activity level (PAL) (r = -0.363, P < 0.001). The θ power in the frontal areas (F3, F4) was significantly correlated with both PSQI scores and PAL (P < 0.01). The θ power in F3 + F4 exhibited a significant partial (effect size = -0.0004, 95%CI -0.0007 to -0.0002) mediating effect between PA and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment. ConclusionOlder adults with more severe cognitive impairment tend to have poorer sleep quality, whereas higher PAL is associated with better sleep quality. PA can indirectly influence sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment by affecting θ power (F3 + F4).
6.The relationship between the expression of fibroblast growth factor 19 and insulin-like growth factor 1 in colorectal polyp tissues and the occurrence of colorectal adenomas
Hao WANG ; Haipeng WANG ; Yao YAO ; Dongyang WANG ; Ming CHEN ; Yanlai SUN ; Hao ZHANG ; Guangfeng DONG ; Zengjun LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):776-781
Objective:This investigation sought to delineate the associations among colorectal adenomatous polyps, diabetes, and biomolecules involved in glucose metabolism.Method:Data were collected from 40 patients who underwent endoscopic polypectomy at the Endoscopy Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital between June 2019 and September 2021. This cohort included 27 patients with inflammatory polyps and 13 with adenomatous polyps. We assessed fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the mRNA expressions of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the polyp tissues. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to ascertain the determinants influencing the emergence of adenomatous polyps. From these analyses, a predictive nomogram was constructed to forecast the occurrence of adenomatous polyps, and evaluations on the discriminative capacity, calibration, and clinical utility of the model were conducted.Results:The adenomatous polyp group exhibited markedly elevated levels of glucose, insulin, FGF-19, and IGF-1, with respective concentrations of (8.67±2.70) mmol/L, (12.72±7.69) μU/L, 2.20±1.88, and 1.36±0.69. These figures were significantly higher compared to the inflammatory polyp group, which showed levels of (5.51±0.72) mmol/L, (5.49±2.68) μU/L, 0.53±0.97, and 0.41±0.46, respectively, P=0.001. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the relative expression of IGF-1 served as an independent risk factor for the development of colorectal adenomatous polyps ( OR=5.622, 95% CI:1.085-29.126). The nomogram displayed a C-index of 0.849, indicating substantial discriminative capability. The calibration curve affirmed the model's accuracy in aligning predicted probabilities with actual outcomes, and the clinical decision curve demonstrated thepractical clinical applicability of the model. Conclusions:There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps and glucose metabolic pathways. Individuals with diabetes showed a higher propensity to develop such polyps.
7.Discuss the Treatment of Renal Proteinuria by Ziteng Gushen Prescription Based on the Theory of"Latent Wind-Xuanfu Opened-Kidney Collateral Stasis"
Dongyang JIANG ; Lili LU ; Xiaojun LI
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 2024;48(10):1263-1268
[Objective]Based on the theory of"Latent Wind-Xuanfu Opened-Kidney Collateral Stasis",to explore the treatment of renal proteinuria by Ziteng Gushen Prescription.[Methods]By consulting ancient and modern literatures,the formation mechanism of renal proteinuria was explained by the theory of"Latent Wind-Xuanfu Opened-Kidney Collateral Stasis",and it put forward the idea of"Expelling Wind,Closing the Xuanfu and Dredging the Collaterals"to treat renal proteinuria.Ziteng Gushen Prescription was established based on clinical experience,and its treatment characteristics and prescription characteris-tics were explained.Finally,a medical case was cited to prove it.[Results]According to the theory of"Latent Wind-Xuanfu Opened-Kidney Collateral Stasis","Latent Wind"is considered as the key cause of proteinuria,"Xuanfu is Opened by Wind"is the basic pathogenesis of renal proteinuria,and"Kidney Collateral Stasis"is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor to promote the disease.The kidney-Xuanfu opens because of the latent wind,and the latent wind in the kid-ney causes the kidney collateral stasis,and the wind and blood stasis are mutually harmful.Therefore,the treatment of renal proteinuria should be based on expelling wind and closing the Xuanfu for the foundation,dredging the collaterals fot the supplement arity,and the three methods of"Expelling Wind,Closing the Xuanfu and Dredging the Collaterals"should be taken together.Ziteng Gushen Prescription is composed of Semen Cuscutae,Tian Mu Seed(Cornus officinalis),Fructus Ligustri Lucidi,Caulis Lonicerae,Caulis Spatholobi and Caulis Piperis.It adheres to the therapeutic characteristics of"seed medicine which is good at filling essence and closing Xuanfu"and"rattan medicine is good at treating collateral diseases",and has the functions of combining pungency and acid,opening and closing together,supplementing Yin and Yang,supplementing and converging together,strengthening the body resistance and eliminating evil,and combining cold and warm.At the end of the article,the medical records of IgA nephropathy were differentially classified as latent wind in kidney collaterals,Xuanfu being opened,weak Zhengqi and collateral obstruction.The treatment was to expel wind,close the Xuanfu,supplement Qi,dredge the collaterals,and got remarkable curative effect.[Conclusion]The theory of"Latent Wind-Xuanfu Opened-Kidney Col-lateral Stasis"and the method of"Expelling Wind,Closing the Xuanfu and Dredging the Collaterals"provide a new idea for the clinical treatment of renal proteinuria.Ziteng Gushen Prescription is rigorous,which has considerable curative effect on the treatment of renal proteinuria,and can provide more choices for the prevention and treatment of renal proteinuria by tradi-tional Chinese medicine to optimize the clinical efficacy.
8.The effects and mechanism of long non-coding RNA CASC15 on proliferation,invasion and migration of hepatocellular car-cinoma
Dongyang WU ; Qingshan CAI ; Dong LIU ; Ganggang ZUO ; Shudong LI ; Liyou LIU ; Jianxing ZHENG
Practical Oncology Journal 2024;38(1):18-29
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanism of cancer susceptibility candidate 15(CASC15),a long-stranded non-coding RNA(lncRNA),in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods Bioinformat-ics methods were used to predict the expression of target genes and analyze the relationship between the expression of target genes and the survival time of patients;Hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues from patients with HCC were collected;CCK-8,Tr-answell,and flow cytometry experiments were used to detect proliferation,invasion,migration and apoptosis of SMMC7721 cells and Huh-7 cells;The dual-luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-144-3p and CASC15,as well as leucine rich repeat containing protein 1(LRRC1);RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of target genes;Immunofluorescence was used for protein localization of target genes;Replicate experiment was performed to verify the effect of CASC15/miR-144-3p/LRRC1 on the progression of HCC.In vivo experiment was performed to verify the effect of CASC15 on HCC progression.Results TCGA database and RT-qPCR assay showed high expression of CASC15,low expression of miR-144-3p,and high expression of LRRC1 in HCC tissues and cells(P<0.05).The results of cell function experiments on proliferation,inva-sion and migration showed that CASC15 and LRRC1 played a promoting role in tumor development,while miR-144-3p had an inhibi-tory effect,consistent with the results of apoptosis experiments(P<0.05).Cell function experiments showed that CASC15 inhibited miR-144-3p function,miR-144-3p inhibited LRRC1,and CASC15 bound to miR-144-3p,leading to the upregulation of LRRC1.The replicate experimental results indicated that CASC15 promoted LRRC1 expression through inhibiting miR-144-3p,thereby pro-moting HCC cell proliferation,invasion and migration,and inhibiting apoptosis.Conclusion CASC15 may promote HCC progression by regulating the miR-144-3p/LRRC1 axis.
9.Effects of ligustilide regulating RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway on biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells
Kaikai HAO ; Xiaomin WANG ; Zheng LIU ; Dongyang LIU ; Jing LI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(11):1164-1170
Objective To investigate effects of ligustilide(LIG)on proliferation,apoptosis,angiogenic mimicry and Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)/Rho associated coiled coil containing protein kinase 1(ROCK)signaling pathway in esophageal cancer cells.Methods Esophageal cancer cell line EC-109 was treated with LIG at concentrations of 0,12.5,25,50,100,and 200 μmol/L to detect cell activity,and the suitable concentration was selected for subsequent experiments.EC-109 cells were grouped into the control group,the LIG low,medium and high concentration groups(LIG-L,LIG-M and LIG-H groups),and the LIG-H+RhoA activator Naciclassine group(LIG-H+Naciclassine group).Edu was applied to detect cell proliferation,and flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.Angiogenetic mimicry was observed.Western blot assay was applied to detect expression levels of proteins related to cell proliferation and apoptosis,and RhoA,ROCK proteins.Nude mouse tumor transplantation experiment was applied to verify the effect of LIG on the growth of esophageal cancer tumors.Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect expression levels of angiogenesis related factors(VEGF),RhoA and ROCK proteins in transplanted tumors.Results Compared with the control group,the vascular mimicry tubular structure of EC-109 cells decreased sequentially in the LIG-L group,the LIG-M group and the LIG-H group.The positive rate of Edu,the expression levels of Cyclin D1,Ki67,Bcl-2,RhoA and ROCK reduced in turn.P21,cell apoptosis rate,the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 increased in sequence(P<0.05).Naciclasine,RhoA activator,partially reversed the effect of LIG on cell proliferation,apoptosis and vasculogenic mimicry of esophageal cancer cells.Nude mouse transplantation tumor experiment showed that compared with the control group,the growth rate of transplanted tumor showed down,tumor volume decreased and the expression levels of RhoA,ROCK and VEGF decreased in the LIG group(P<0.05).Conclusion Ligustilide inhibits the proliferation and angiogenic mimicry of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway,and promotes the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells.
10.Galangin inhibits the pyroptosis of macrophages mediated by NOD-like receptor proteins 3
Lingzhi SHEN ; Li LI ; Zhouxin YANG ; Dongyang GUO ; Changqin CHEN ; Jing YAN
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2024;31(1):28-33
Objective To investigate the effect of Galangin on pyroptosis of bone marrow derived macrophages(BMDMs).Methods BMDMs were cultured in vitro and divided into blank control group,model group and Galangin group with different concentrations.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)were used to construct the pyroptosis model.The effect of different concentrations of Galangin on the proliferation of BMDMs was detected by cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8).The level of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 p10 subunit(caspase-1 p10),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in supernatant and intracellular nucleotide NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)were detected by Western blotting.IL-1β in supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The cell death was observed by propidium iodide(PI)staining.High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the gene expression in the model group and Galangin groups at 20 μmol/L.Results There was no statistically significant difference between the 5,10,20,40,60,80 μmol/L Galangin groups on the proliferation level of BMDMs(all P>0.05),indicating that no significant effect of Galangin at 5,10,20,40,60,80 μmol/L was observed on the proliferation of BMDMs.So we selected Galangin at 5,10,20 μmol/L and treatment for 1,2 and 4 hours as the effects of different concentrations and time on the pyroptosis of BMDMs.Compared with blank control group,the expression of caspase-1 p10 and mature IL-1β protein and IL-1β in supernatant in model group were significantly increased(all P<0.05).Compared with model group,the expression of caspase-1 p10 and mature IL-1β protein and IL-1β in supernatant of Galangin at 5,10 and 20 μmol/L were significantly decreased[IL-1β protein expression(gray value):0.155±0.006,0.113±0.006,0.111±0.007 vs.1.000±0.000,caspase-1 p10 protein expression(gray value):0.207±0.044,0.160±0.008,0.082±0.008 vs.1.000±0.000,IL-1β(μg/L):99.80±10.36,85.21±8.78,26.53±4.56 vs.494.10±35.47,all P<0.05].There was no significant difference between the different concentration groups(all P>0.05),but with the extension of treatment time of Galangin,the inhibitory effect was enhanced.The inhibitory effect of Galangin at 20 μmol/L for 4 hours was the most obvious[IL-1β protein expression(gray value):0.186±0.004 vs.1.000±0.000,caspase-1 p10 protein expression(gray value):0.247±0.009 vs.1.000±0.000,IL-1β(μg/L):173.80±10.56 vs.653.80±76.02,all P<0.05].Treatment with 20 μmol/L Galangin for 4 hours could reduce the number of pyroptotic cell deaths(number of view:23.00±3.61 vs.67.67±15.63,P<0.05)and inhibited the expression of NLRP3 protein(gray value:0.178±0.025 vs.0.406±0.066,P<0.05).High-throughput sequencing showed that,compared with the model group,Galangin down-regulated the genes of Nlrp3,Nod2,IL-1β and up-regulated genes of Skp2(also known as Fbxl1),Fbxl20,Fbxl4,Fbxo32 and Fbxw7.Conclusion Galangin inhibited pyroptosis mediated by NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages.

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