1.Proteomics combined with bioinformatics analysis of protein markers of dry eye
Yanting YANG ; Yajun SHI ; Guang YANG ; Haiyang JI ; Jie LIU ; Jue HONG ; Dan ZHANG ; Xiaopeng MA
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):104-111
AIM:To analyze differential proteins associated with the pathogenesis of dry eye(DE)using bioinformatics methods, in order to reveal their potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS: Articles published in PubMed and EMBASE databases from the inception of the database to August 31, 2023, that used proteomic methods to detect protein expression in clinical samples of dry eye were searched. Differential proteins were selected and further analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software for hub gene screening and module analysis. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis, gene ontology(GO)functional annotation, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed.RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were included, identifying 74 differentially expressed proteins. The most frequently occurring differential proteins were calgranulin A(SA1008), lipocalin-1(LCN1), lysozyme C(LYZ), mammaglobin-B(SCGB2A1), proline-rich protein 4(PRR4), transferrin(TF), and calgranulinB(S100A9). The top 10 hub genes were serum albumin(ALB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin 6(IL6), IL1B, IL8, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), alpha-1-antitrypsin(SERPINA1), IL10, complement component 3(C3), and lactotransferrin(LTF). Module analysis suggested MMP9 and PRR4 as seed genes. KEGG analysis showed that differential proteins were mainly enriched in the IL17 signaling pathway(61.9%).CONCLUSION: The results reveal potential molecular targets and pathways for DE and confirm the association between the pathogenesis of DE and inflammation. Further in-depth research is needed to confirm the significance of these biomarkers in clinical practice.
2.Hypoglycemic Effect and Mechanism of ICK Pattern Peptides
Lin-Fang CHEN ; Jia-Fan ZHANG ; Ye-Ning GUO ; Hui-Zhong HUANG ; Kang-Hong HU ; Chen-Guang YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):50-60
Diabetes is a very complex endocrine disease whose common feature is the increase in blood glucose concentration. Persistent hyperglycemia can lead to blindness, kidney and heart disease, neurodegeneration, and many other serious complications that have a significant impact on human health and quality of life. The number of people with diabetes is increasing yearly. The global diabetes prevalence in 20-79 year olds in 2021 was estimated to be 10.5% (536.6 million), and it will rise to 12.2% (783.2 million) in 2045. The main modes of intervention for diabetes include medication, dietary management, and exercise conditioning. Medication is the mainstay of treatment. Marketed diabetes drugs such as metformin and insulin, as well as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are effective in controlling blood sugar levels to some extent, but the preventive and therapeutic effects are still unsatisfactory. Peptide drugs have many advantages such as low toxicity, high target specificity, and good biocompatibility, which opens up new avenues for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. Currently, insulin and its analogs are by far the main life-saving drugs in clinical diabetes treatment, enabling effective control of blood glucose levels, but the risk of hypoglycemia is relatively high and treatment is limited by the route of delivery. New and oral anti-diabetic drugs have always been a market demand and research hotspot. Inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) peptides are a class of multifunctional cyclic peptides. In structure, they contain three conserved disulfide bonds (C3-C20, C7-C22, and C15-C32) form a compact “knot” structure, which can resist degradation of digestive protease. Recent studies have shown that ICK peptides derived from legume, such as PA1b, Aglycin, Vglycin, Iglycin, Dglycin, and aM1, exhibit excellent regulatory activities on glucose and lipid metabolism at the cellular and animal levels. Mechanistically, ICK peptides promote glucose utilization by muscle and liver through activation of IR/AKT signaling pathway, which also improves insulin resistance. They can repair the damaged pancrease through activation of PI3K/AKT/Erk signaling pathway, thus lowering blood glucose. The biostability and hypoglycemic efficacy of the ICK peptides meet the requirements for commercialization of oral drugs, and in theory, they can be developed into natural oral anti-diabetes peptide drugs. In this review, the structural properties, activity and mechanism of ICK pattern peptides in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism were summaried, which provided a reference for the development of new oral peptides for diabetes.
3.Data Mining of Medication Rules of Chinese Herbal Prescriptions for Oral Use in the Treatment of Venomous Snake Bites
Song-Jie ZHANG ; Dian-Hong LI ; Wei-Cai CAI ; Qing-Xiang WU ; Jian-Liang LIN ; Man-Guang LIANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):251-256
Objective Data mining method was used to analyze the Chinese herbal prescriptions for oral use in treating venomous snake bites collected from the major domestic literature databases and the surgery volume of Zhong Hua Yi Fang(Chinese Medical Prescriptions),so as to explore their potential prescription and medication rules,and to provide references for the treatment of venomous snake bites in the primary hospitals.Methods The Chinese herbal prescriptions for oral use in treating venomous snake bites were retrieved from the CNKI,VIP and Wanfang databases,and the ancient formulas for treating venomous snake bites were screened in the surgery volume of Zhong Hua Yi Fang(Chinese Medical Prescriptions).Excel software was used to extract the relevant information of the formulas,and R language was used to analyze the medication frequency,properties,flavors and meridian tropism of the herbs as well as their association rules and clustering analysis.Results A total of 187 prescriptions for oral use in treating venomous snake bite were obtained,involving 284 Chinese herbal medicines.The top 15 Chinese herbal medicines in decreasing sequence of medication frequency were Lobeliae Chinensis Herba,Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Paridis Rhizoma,Rehmanniae Radix,Coptidis Rhizoma,Scutellariae Radix,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Moutan Cortex,Hedyotis Diffusae Herba,Imperatae Rhizoma,Plantaginis Herba,and Scutellariae Barbatae Herba.The flavor of herbs in the prescription for the treatment of venomous snakebite was usually bitter,pungent and sweet,and their property was relatively cold.Most of the herbs had the meridian tropism of the liver meridian and lung meridian.The core prescription mainly composed of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Lobeliae Chinensis Herba,and Paridis Rhizoma was obtained after association rule analysis and cluster analysis.Conclusion The herbs for the treatment of venomous snake bites often have the actions of clearing heat and removing toxins,and the prescription is usually composed of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma,Lobeliae Chinensis Herba,Paridis Rhizoma together with the compatibility of medicines for clearing heat and cooling blood,extinguishing wind and arresting convulsion,clearing heat and promoting urination.
4.Study on the biological exposure limit of whole blood chromium in occupational hexavalent chromium compounds exposed population
Guiping HU ; Yali ZHANG ; Shiyi HONG ; Zekang SU ; Qiaojian ZHANG ; Li WANG ; Tiancheng WANG ; Shanfa YU ; Guang JIA
China Occupational Medicine 2024;51(2):129-137
ObjectiveTo analyze the exposure-response relationship of peripheral whole blood chromium level and lung function as well as genetic toxicity indicators in workers exposed to hexavalent chromium [Cr(Ⅵ)] compounds, and to propose a biological exposure limit of whole blood chromium for soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds-exposed workers. Methods A total of 515 workers from a dynamic occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds-exposed cohort in an enterprise from 2010 to 2017 were selected as the research subjects using a retrospective cohort study. A total of 918 followed-up results of research subjects and baseline data of a cohort were analyzed based on bibliometric analysis. The results include lung function tests, whole blood chromium level detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) detected by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, peripheral micronuclei frequency (MNF) detected by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtCN) detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results The results of bibliometric analysis showed that domestic and foreign studies on biological monitoring of Cr(Ⅵ) compounds increased year by year in the past 30 years, and whole blood chromium levels had a good correlation with the occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds exposure. The geometric mean of whole blood chromium levels in males and females among the occupational Cr(Ⅵ) compounds exposure cohort was 2.77 and 1.79 μg/L, respectively. A turning point appeared in 6.00 μg/L chromium in whole blood of the exposure-response curve of whole blood chromium levels with lung function indicators and genetic toxicity indicators. For each unit increase in the natural logarithm-transformed whole blood chromium level, the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased by 0.05 L, the FEV1/forced-vital-capacity decreased by 0.67%, the peak expiratory flow decreased by 0.15 L/s, the maximal mid-expiratory flow decreased by 0.09 L/s, the MNF increased by 0.149‰, the urinary 8-OHdG increased by 0.090 μg/g, and the mtCN increased by 0.013. When the whole blood chromium level was >6.00 μg/L, there was a significant increase in urinary 8-OHdG, MNF, and mtCN (all P<0.01). Conclusion The level of whole blood chromium can be used as a biomarker for occupational exposure to soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds. The preliminary biological exposure limit is set at 6.00 μg/L for whole blood chromium in workers exposed to soluble Cr(Ⅵ) compounds.
5.The Plant ATG8-binding Proteins
Feng-Juan ZHANG ; Hong-Juan JING ; Guang-Zhou ZHOU ; Shuai-Jia QIN ; Chu-Yan HAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(6):1371-1381
ATG8-binding proteins play a key role in autophagy, selective autophagy or non-autophagy process by interacting between ATG8 and the ATG8-interacting motif (AIM) or the ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM). There is great progress of ATG8-binding proteins in yeast and mammalian studies. However, the plant domain is still lagging behind. Therefore, the structure characteristics of plant ATG8 binding protein were firstly outlined. Unlike the single copy of ATG8 gene in yeast, many homologous genes have been identified in plant. The LIR/ AIM-docking site (LDS) of ATG8 protein contains W and L pockets and is responsible for binding to AIM. The ATG8 protein binds to UIM-containing proteins via UIM-docking site (UDS) instead of LDS. UDS is in the opposite position to LDS, so the ATG8 can bind both AIM and UIM proteins. Secondly, the structure and function of ATG8-binding proteins, especially the selective autophagy receptors, were systematically described. The protein NBR1 and Joka2, as proteaphagy receptors, guide ubiquitination protein aggregates to autophagosome for degradation by binding to AIM and ATG8 in Arabidopsis and tobacco, respectively. AtNBR1 also promotes plant immunity by binding the capsid protein of cauliflower mosaic virus and silencing suppressor HCpro of turnip mosaic virus, mediating pathogen autophagy. AtNBR1 still degrades chloroplast by microautophagy under photoinjure or chlorophagy during ibiotic stress. And the protein ORM mediates the degradation of plant immune receptor flagellin sensing 2 (FLS2) through AIM binding to ATG8. Interestingly, ATI1 and ATI2 participate in both chlorophagy and ERphagy. Otherwise, ER membrane protein AtSec62, soluble protein AtC53, and ubiquitin-fold modifier1-specific ligase 1 (UFL1) can be directly bound to ATG8 as ER autophagy receptors. As pexophagy receptor, AtPEX6 and AtPEX10 bind to ATG8 via AIM and participate in pexophagy. RPN10, as a 26S proteasome subunit, whose C-terminal UIM1 and UIM2 bind ubiquitin and ATG8, respectively, mediates the selective autophagy degradation of 26S proteasome inactivation when fully ubiquitinated. Plant-specific mitochondrial localization proteins FCS-like zinc finger (FLZ) and friendly (FMT) may also be mitophagy receptors. CLC2 binds to ATG8 via the AIM-LDS docking site and is recruited to autophagy degradation on the Golgi membrane. The tryptophan-rich sensory protein (TSPO) in Arabidopsis was involved in clearing free heme, porphyrin and plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2;7 (PIP2;7) through the combination of AIM and ATG8. The conformation of GSNOR1 changes during anoxia, exposing the interaction between AIM and ATG8, leading to selective degradation of GSNOR1. At last, the ATG8 binding proteins involved in autophagosome closure, transport and synthetic synthesis was summarized. For example, plant-specific FYVE domain protein required for endosomal sorting 1 (FREE1) is involved in the closure of autophagosomes during nutrient deficiency. Therefore, according to the recent research advances, the structure and function of plant ATG8-binding proteins were systematically summarized in this paper, in order to provide new ideas for the study of plant selective autophagy and autophagy.
6.Evaluation of drug local tolerance testing and analysis of common problems
Mei-Ling CHEN ; Qing-Li WANG ; Hong-Mei GUANG ; Lan CUI ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(1):139-143
Conducting local tolerance testing on parentaral drugs is of great significance for evaluating the clinical medication risks of drugs.Although relevant domestic and international guidelines provide detailed instructions on how to conduct local tolerance testing,it was found that some products still provide non-standard application materials,which affects the efficiency of drug development.This article summarizes the information on domestic and international guidance related to the local tolerance testing and elaborates on common problems based on specific application cases,with the aim of of providing reference for related work.
7.Diagnostic efficacy of optimized T-SPOT.TB in differentiating spinal tu-berculosis from other spinal infection
Ying ZHOU ; Xiao-Jiang HU ; Zhong-Jing JIANG ; Jun-Bao CHEN ; Guang ZHANG ; Hong-Qi ZHANG ; Yan-Bing LI ; Qi-Le GAO
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(2):148-154
Objective To explore the efficacy of T-cell spot test of tuberculosis infection(T-SPOT.TB)in the differential diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis(STB),and optimize diagnostic efficacy through the optimal cut-off value of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Methods Clinical data of patients with spinal infection in a hospi-tal from January 2010 to May 2019 were collected,including preoperative T-SPOT.TB test results,white blood cell count,C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,procalcitonin,and tuberculosis antibodies,etal.Clinical diagnosis was conducted based on diagnostic criteria.The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB in preoperative diagnosis of STB and other spinal infection was analyzed,and the diagnostic efficacy of the optimized T-SPOT.TB indicators was evaluated.Results A total of 132 patients were included in this study,out of whom 78 patients(59.09%)were diagnosed with STB,and 54(40.91%)were diagnosed with non-tuberculosis(non-TB)spinal in-fection.The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB in differential diagnosis of STB were 67.68%and 66.67%,respectively.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with non-TB spinal infection,the OR va-lue of T-SPOT.TB test in diagnosing STB was 4.188(95%CI:1.847-9.974,P<0.001).The optimized T-SPOT.TB evaluation index through ROC curve to determine the optimal cut-off values of ESAT-6,CFP-10,and CFP-10+ESAT-6 for differential diagnosis of STB and non-TB spinal infection were 12.5,19.5,and 36,respec-tively,and area under curve(AUC)values were 0.765 6,0.741 5,and 0.778 6,respectively,all with good diag-nostic efficacy.CFP-10+ESAT-6 had the highest AUC.CFP-10+ESAT-6 specific spot count had higher efficacy in the diagnosis of STB,with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.56%,higher than 67.42%of pre-optimized T-SPOT.TB.Conclusion T-SPOT.TB test has high diagnostic efficacy in differentiating STB from non-TB spinal infection.Posi-tivity in T-SPOT.TB test,especially with spot count of CFP-10+ESAT-6 over 36,indicates a higher likelihood of STB.
8.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.
9.Urine metabolomics study of Psoralea corylifolia in improving learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 mice
Yue QIAO ; Ao XUE ; Yue ZHANG ; Hong-dan XU ; Guang LI ; Ji-hui ZHAO ; Jing HU ; Ning ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):1010-1016
Urine nontargeted metabolomics technology was developed for investigating the effect and mechanism of improving learning and memory ability in APP/PS1 mice of
10.Effect of safflower yellow pigment injection combined with alprostadil on patients after coronary artery bypass grafting
Xin-Hua ZHANG ; Chun-Mei REN ; Li-Jie JIANG ; Wei-Guang YANG ; Hong-Ling SU ; Jing-Yu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2024;33(5):590-593
Objective:To investigate the effect of safflower yellow pigment injection combined with alprostadil on patients after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods:A total of 92 patients with coronary heart disease who received CABG in Department of Cardiovascular Surgery,Handan Central Hospital between September 2018 and September 2020 were selected.According to order of admission,they were divided into control group(n=46,from September 2018 to Sep-tember 2019,routine therapy+alprostadil after CABG)and study group(n=46,from October 2019 to September 2020,safflower yellow pigment injection based on control group),both groups were treated for 28d.On 3d after drug withdraw-al,therapeutic effect,cardiac function indexes,four myocardial enzyme spectrum and perioperative indexes were compared between two groups.Results:On 3d after drug withdrawal,compared with control group,patients in study group had sig-nificant higher total effective rate(73.9%vs.91.3%),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)[(55.77±4.48)%vs.(62.18±4.21)%](P=0.028,<0.001),and significant lower left atrial diameter(LAD)[(36.83±3.45)mm vs.(32.09±3.23)mm],left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)[(49.04±4.65)mm vs.(43.83±5.24)mm],levels of creatine kinase(CK)[(125.13±14.21)U/L vs.(62.56±8.42)U/L],lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)[(203.58±31.63)U/L vs.(156.07±22.26)U/L],aspartate aminotransferase(AST)[(44.25±12.98)U/L vs.(35.41±12.37)U/L]and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB)[(28.11±9.84)U/L vs.(17.59±7.41)U/L](P<0.001 all).Conclusion:The combination of safflower yellow pigment injection and alprostadil can improve the thera-peutic effect and heart function,and reduce myocardial injury in patients after CABG.

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