1.Pharmacological effects of Yindan Pinggan capsules in treating intrahepatic cholestasis
Shu-xin CAO ; Feng HUANG ; Fang WU ; Rong-rong HE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):417-426
This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Yindan Pinggan capsules (YDPG) on intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC) through animal experiments, while utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to explore its potential mechanisms. Initially, the therapeutic effect of YDPG on an
2.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
3.Isolation and Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus in Nude Mice with Squamous Skin Scurfs
Zhihao KONG ; Xiaofeng WEI ; Lingzhi YU ; Liping FENG ; Qi ZHU ; Guojun SHI ; Chen WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(3):368-375
Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.
4.Influence of exosomes derived from RBC suspension in different storage durations on the prognosis of traumatic brain injury
Tong LI ; Jingge LIAN ; Mingming ZHAO ; Yujie KONG ; Feng YIN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1016-1022
Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients often experience massive bleeding and require blood transfusion. However, the storage duration of the transfused blood may affect the prognosis of these patients. This study explored the influence of exosomes derived from fresh and aged blood on the prognosis of rats with TBI, so as to provide theoretical support for the blood transfusion management of TBI patients. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from red blood cell (RBC) suspensions stored for 1 week and 5 weeks using ultracentrifugation method. The size, morphology and surface markers of the exosomes were identified by nanoparticle flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting, respectively. A rat model of TBI was constructed using a mechanical impactor for brain injury. After the successful establishment of the model, exosomes from RBC suspensions stored for 1 week and 5 weeks were injected into the extracellular space of rat brain cells using a stereotactic syringe. Cerebral edema at day 1, 3, 7 and 14 were recorded through cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Magnetic tracing technology (the tracer was Gd-DTPA solution) was used to evaluate the drug metabolism level in the extracellular space of brain cells of TBI rats. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging was scanned every 15 or 30 minutes, and the recording lasted for a total of 240 minutes. The magnetic images were imported into the 3D-Slicer software in Dicom data format for analysis. Mass spectrometry technology was used to analyze the differential proteins of exosomes from RBC suspensions stored for 1 week and 5 weeks, and functional prediction was carried out to explore the possible mechanisms by which exosomes affect the prognosis of TBI. Results: After injection of exosomes into TBI rats, the areas of cerebral edema on the day 1, 3, 7, and 14 were all significantly higher in the rats treated with exosomes from 5-week-stored RBC suspensions, with peak cerebral edema occurring at day 3. The diffusion volume of the tracer was significantly higher in TBI rats than in normal rats, which implied there was a disorder in the structure of the traumatic brain tissue in TBI rats. Compared with the rats injected with exosomes from 1-week-stored RBC suspensions, those treated with exosomes from 5-week-stored RBC suspensions showed increased tracer diffusion volume within 120 minutes. Mass spectrometry analysis identified 81 differentially expressed proteins between exosomes from RBC suspensions stored for 5 weeks vs 1 week. Among them, 93.83% (76/81) proteins had increased expression levels. The neurodegeneration-related pathways were among the most enriched pathways for upregulated proteins. Conclusion: The exosomes from aged RBC suspensions can lead to exacerbated cerebral edema, disrupted extracellular space, and suppressed metabolic rate in TBI rats, suggesting that transfusion of aged RBC suspensions may have adverse effects on TBI patients.
6.Preparation modification strategies for clinical treatment drugs of Parkinson's disease
Meng-jiao HE ; Yi-fang XIAO ; Xiang-an-ni KONG ; Zhi-hao LIU ; Xiao-guang WANG ; Hao FENG ; Jia-sheng TU ; Qian CHEN ; Chun-meng SUN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):574-580
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. At present, levodopa and other drugs are mainly used for dopamine supplementation therapy. However, the absorption of levodopa in the gastrointestinal tract is unstable and its half-life is short, and long-term use of levodopa will lead to the end-of-dose deterioration, dyskinesia, the "ON-OFF" phenomenon and other symptoms. Therefore, new preparations need to be developed to improve drug efficacy, reduce side effects or improve compliance of patients. Based on the above clinical needs, this review briefly introduced the preparation modification strategies for the treatment of PD through case analysis, in order to provide references for the research and development of related preparations.
7.Interpretation of China′s fungal infection management policy
Jiajia FENG ; Weihua KONG ; Likai LIN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(1):7-9
Fungal infections are a growing public health threat, especially as the at-risk population for invasive fungal disease expanding and antifungal resistance emerging.In 2022, the World Health Organization released the first fungal priority pathogens list, aiming to encourage countries to strengthen the response to fungal infections.As one of the first countries to issue and implement the National Action Plan to Contain Antimicrobial Resistance in the world, China has attached great importance to the management of fungal infections.A series of actions and efforts have been made, including improving the legal and regulatory system related to the prevention and treatment of fungal infections, strengthening the management of clinical application of antifungal drugs, improving the diagnosis and treatment ability of fungal infections and the standardization of diagnosis and treatment, establishing a monitoring and evaluation system for fungal infections and drug resistance.Initial results have been achieved.In the future, under the guidance of the new national action plan to contain antimicrobial resistance, the level of diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections will be further improved to reduce the occurrence of fungal infections and the spread of antifungal resistance.
8.Effectiveness and Safety of Qiaoqi Formula (翘芪组方) for Mild Influenza: A 36-case Randomized Controlled Trial
Desong KONG ; Feng ZHAO ; Yanliang ZHANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Jinghua ZHANG ; Ye YANG ; Guoxue ZHU ; Leilei GONG ; Xiaosong GU ; Heming YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):710-715
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Qiaoqi Formula (翘芪组方) for mild influenza. MethodsA randomized controlled study was designed, recruiting 74 patients with mild influenza, who were randomly divided into trial group and control group. The trial group took Qiaoqi Formula orally, 40ml each time, twice a day; the control group took Lianhua Qingwen Capsules (连花清瘟胶囊) orally, 1.4 g each time, three times a day. Both groups were treated for 3 consecutive days and follow-up for 4 consecutive days after treatment. The time for fever reduction including onset of fever reduction, complete fever reduction time, fever reduction rates at 24, 48 and 72 hours, improvement of influenza symptoms, total traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, and safety indicators in two groups after treatment were recorded. ResultsSixty-five patients were ultimately included, including 36 in the trial group and 29 in the control group. Onset time of fever reduction in the trial group was (15.49±23.47) h, the complete fever reduction time (21.37±30.06)h, and the 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, fever reduction rate was 77.14%, 88.57%, 91.42% respectively. The above indicators of the control group showed as (17.58±20.38)h, (24.30±21.87)h, 61.29%, 90.32%, 96.77% respectively, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). On the 7th day after treatment, the total score of TCM syndromes in trial group and control group decreased compared to those before treatment (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cure rate, significant effective rate, effective rate, and total effective rate of TCM syndromes between groups (P>0.05). On the 4th day, the lymphocyte ratio of patients in the control group was higher than before treatment, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine of both groups before and after treatment were within the normal range. The main adverse reactions in both groups were mild headache and dizziness, and no serious adverse reactions observed. ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of Qiaoqi Formula in treating mild influenza is equivalent to Lianhua Qingwen Capsules, which can shorten the fever reduction time, improve clinical symptoms, and no adverse events observed during the study.
9.Epidemiological characteristics and strategies for prevention and elimination of malaria in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China from 1949 to 2021
Shi, L.M. ; Liu, S.Z. ; Dou, X.J. ; Liu, X.Y. ; Feng, E.Q. ; Liang, J.W. ; Kong, X.L. ; Ji, F.Y.
Tropical Biomedicine 2024;41(No.2):134-141
Malaria is an insect-borne disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes or the importation of
Plasmodium-infected blood, posing a serious threat to human health and life safety. This study aims
to analyze the incidence of malaria in Qingdao at various stages from 1949 to 2021, to collate the
control measures taken at different epidemic stages to assess the effectiveness of malaria control, and
to identify a set of malaria control strategies suitable for Qingdao, while providing Chinese experience
for other countries or cities in their malaria elimination efforts. A retrospective survey was used to
collect information on malaria cases, control measures and prevention and control effects in Qingdao
from 1949 to 2021, and to evaluate malaria control strategies and measures in Qingdao. 704 155 cases
have been reported from 1949 to 2021, with three epidemic peaks: the incidence rate was 1715.9/100
000 in 1961, 1409.7/100 000 in 1965, and the most severe case occurred in 1972, with an incidence
rate of 1635.6/100 000 and a case count exceeding 90 000. Throughout the various stages of malaria
epidemics, Qingdao has effectively eliminated indigenous malaria by implementing diverse preventive
and control measures. Since the last indigenous case of Plasmodium vivax was reported in 2002, all
locally reported cases have been imported, mainly by returning migrant workers from Africa. This study
examines a range of malaria prevention and control strategies and interventions that are appropriate
for Qingdao. These measures have enabled Qingdao to successfully eliminate malaria and maintain
malaria-free status for more than 20 years. These measures can also serve as a reference for similarly
situated cities in Africa and Southeast Asia.
10.Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase: Possible Functions and Mechanisms
Xin-Rong LU ; Yong-Liang TONG ; Wei-Li KONG ; Lin ZOU ; Dan-Feng SHEN ; Shao-Xian LÜ ; Rui-Jie LIU ; Shao-Xing ZHANG ; Yu-Xin ZHANG ; Lin-Lin HOU ; Gui-Qin SUN ; Li CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(5):985-999
Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) is widely distributed in various organisms. The first reported ENGase activity was detected in Diplococcus pneumoniae in 1971. The protein (Endo D) was purified and its peptide sequence was determined in 1974. Three ENGases (Endo F1-F3) were discovered in Flavobacterium meningosepticum from 1982 to 1993. After that, the activity was detected from different species of bacteria, yeast, fungal, plant, mice, human, etc. Multiple ENGases were detected in some species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Trichoderma atroviride. The first preliminary crystallographic analysis of ENGase was conducted in 1994. But to date, only a few ENGases structures have been obtained, and the structure of human ENGase is still missing. The currently identified ENGases were distributed in the GH18 or GH85 families in Carbohydrate-Active enZyme (CAZy) database. GH18 ENGase only has hydrolytic activity, but GH85 ENGase has both hydrolytic and transglycosylation activity. Although ENGases of the two families have similar (β/α)8-TIM barrel structures, the active sites are slightly different. ENGase is an effective tool for glycan detection andglycan editing. Biochemically, ENGase can specifically hydrolyze β‑1,4 glycosidic bond between the twoN-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) on core pentasaccharide presented on glycopeptides and/or glycoproteins. Different ENGases may have different substrate specificity. The hydrolysis products are oligosaccharide chains and a GlcNAc or glycopeptides or glycoproteins with a GlcNAc. Conditionally, it can use the two products to produce a new glycopeptides or glycoprotein. Although ENGase is a common presentation in cell, its biological function remains unclear. Accumulated evidences demonstrated that ENGase is a none essential gene for living and a key regulator for differentiation. No ENGase gene was detected in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and three other yeast species. Its expression was extremely low in lung. As glycoproteins are not produced by prokaryotic cells, a role for nutrition and/or microbial-host interaction was predicted for bacterium produced enzymes. In the embryonic lethality phenotype of the Ngly1-deficient mice can be partially rescued by Engase knockout, suggesting down regulation of Engase might be a solution for stress induced adaptation. Potential impacts of ENGase regulation on health and disease were presented. Rabeprazole, a drug used for stomach pain as a proton inhibitor, was identified as an inhibitor for ENGase. ENGases have been applied in vitro to produce antibodies with a designated glycan. The two step reactions were achieved by a pair of ENGase dominated for hydrolysis of substrate glycoprotein and synthesis of new glycoprotein with a free glycan of designed structure, respectively. In addition, ENGase was also been used in cell surface glycan editing. New application scenarios and new detection methods for glycobiological engineering are quickly opened up by the two functions of ENGase, especially in antibody remodeling and antibody drug conjugates. The discovery, distribution, structure property, enzymatic characteristics and recent researches in topical model organisms of ENGase were reviewed in this paper. Possible biological functions and mechanisms of ENGase, including differentiation, digestion of glycoproteins for nutrition and stress responding were hypothesised. In addition, the role of ENGase in glycan editing and synthetic biology was discussed. We hope this paper may provide insights for ENGase research and lay a solid foundation for applied and translational glycomics.


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