1.Transfer learning enhanced graph neural network for aldehyde oxidase metabolism prediction and its experimental application.
Jiacheng XIONG ; Rongrong CUI ; Zhaojun LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Runze ZHANG ; Zunyun FU ; Xiaohong LIU ; Zhenghao LI ; Kaixian CHEN ; Mingyue ZHENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):623-634
Aldehyde oxidase (AOX) is a molybdoenzyme that is primarily expressed in the liver and is involved in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. AOX-mediated metabolism can result in unexpected outcomes, such as the production of toxic metabolites and high metabolic clearance, which can lead to the clinical failure of novel therapeutic agents. Computational models can assist medicinal chemists in rapidly evaluating the AOX metabolic risk of compounds during the early phases of drug discovery and provide valuable clues for manipulating AOX-mediated metabolism liability. In this study, we developed a novel graph neural network called AOMP for predicting AOX-mediated metabolism. AOMP integrated the tasks of metabolic substrate/non-substrate classification and metabolic site prediction, while utilizing transfer learning from 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data to enhance its performance on both tasks. AOMP significantly outperformed the benchmark methods in both cross-validation and external testing. Using AOMP, we systematically assessed the AOX-mediated metabolism of common fragments in kinase inhibitors and successfully identified four new scaffolds with AOX metabolism liability, which were validated through in vitro experiments. Furthermore, for the convenience of the community, we established the first online service for AOX metabolism prediction based on AOMP, which is freely available at https://aomp.alphama.com.cn.
2.Silent information regulator 1:A potential target of semaglutide in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Shifan CHAI ; Xinru LI ; Yucai YE ; Junli SUN ; Hongyan CAI ; Zhaojun WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(20):3235-3239
BACKGROUND:Studies have found that glucagon-like peptide-1 and its analogues have a significant neuroprotective effect,and some drugs have been applied to the clinical stage Ⅲ study of Alzheimer's disease.However,the mechanism of its neuroprotective effect is still unclear,which needs to be further explored and clarified. OBJECTIVE:To screen out the genes related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the related targets of semaglutide for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease based on bioinformatics and network pharmacology analyses,to identify the potential target genes by comprehensive analysis of the two and to verify them at the cellular level. METHODS:Using DisGeNET database,differentially expressed genes between Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy population were screened out.The chemical structure formula and two-dimensional structure diagram of semaglutide were obtained using PubChem online database.GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was performed using DAVID online database.A protein-protein interaction network was constructed by using the STRING database.The HPA database was used to determine the distribution characteristics of the target proteins in various human tissues.Finally,western blot was used to detect relevant protein expression in HT22 cells after semaglutide intervention. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the dataset in DisGeNET database,3 374 differentially expressed genes between Alzheimer's disease patients and healthy people were obtained,and meanwhile,101 target genes of semaglutide potential drugs were obtained.There were 23 intersection genes between them.Ten key genes were identified based on the protein-protein interaction network,which were silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),CASP9,CCND1,CASP1,KEAP1,DLG4,CASP4,GRB2,GRIA1,and EDNRA.The results of GO gene functional annotation analysis of key genes showed that the positive regulatory activity of cysteine endopeptidase,the positive regulation of proteolysis,and the positive regulation of cysteine endopeptidase involved the cytoplasmic part of the apoptotic activity process;AMPA glutamate receptor complex,inflammatory complex,CARD domain binding,cysteine endopeptidase activity,and cysteine endopeptidase activity were involved in the apoptotic process.The results of KEGG signaling pathway analysis indicated that colorectal cancer,non-small cell carcinoma,and endometrial carcinoma were related to immune infiltration,inflammation and autophagic apoptosis.In addition,according to the association ranking of key genes and their distribution in different tissues of HPA online database,SIRT1 was identified as the most significant differential gene.The expression level of SIRT1 protein was significantly down-regulated in HT22 cells after β-amyloid protein 1-42 treatment,but it could be significantly increased after being treated with semaglutide.To conclude,SIRT1 may be a target gene for semaglutide in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
3.The predictive values of lung ultrasound score and Downes score for respiratory support strategies in newborns
Lei LI ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yu MA ; Jinhui HU ; Zhaojun PAN ; Rong WU
Chinese Journal of Neonatology 2024;39(2):90-94
Objective:To study the predictive values of lung ultrasound (LUS) score and Downes score in selecting respiratory support strategies for newborns with dyspnea.Methods:From September 2021 to July 2022, newborns admitted to our hospital with dyspnea were selected and assigned into the non-invasive respiratory support (N) group, invasive respiratory support (I) group and control (C) group based on the respiratory support strategies on admission. LUS scores and Downes scores at 6, 24, and 48 h after birth were recorded. ROC curves were drawn to determine the predictive values of LUS and Downes scores for respiratory support strategies.Results:A total of 263 cases were enrolled, including 105 cases in N group, 56 cases in I group and 102 cases in C group. The differences of LUS and Downes scores between the three groups at the same timepoint were statistically significant with I group had the highest scores, N group second and C group lowest ( P<0.05). LUS and Downes scores within each group at different timepoints were significantly different ( P<0.05).In all three groups, LUS and Downes scores were decreased with longer duration of treatment. LUS score, Downes score and PaO 2/FiO 2 were positively correlated with each other ( P<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of LUS score and Downes score predicting non-invasive respiratory support within 6 h after birth were 0.900 (95% CI 0.861-0.940, P<0.05) and 0.889 (95% CI 0.847-0.931, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 2.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting non-invasive respiratory support was 0.944 (95% CI 0.915-0.973, P<0.05). The AUC of LUS score and Downes score predicting invasive respiratory support were 0.979 (95% CI 0.963-0.995, P<0.05) and 0.831 (95% CI 0.760-0.902, P<0.05), respectively, with the same cutoff of 5.5. The AUC of the combination of LUS and Downes scores predicting invasive respiratory support was 0.985 (95% CI 0.972-0.998, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both LUS score and Downes score have certain predictive values for respiratory support strategies in newborns with dyspnea.
4.Hemodynamic evaluation and diagnostic value of SWI combined with ASL in acute ischemic stroke
Zhaojun DING ; Wengang LIU ; Junhao HUANG ; Rui CAO ; Zhixin LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2024;41(1):50-53
Objective To analyze the diagnostic utility of combining susceptibility-weighted imaging(SWI)with arterial spin labeling(ASL)in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods Fifty AIS patients who admitted to Yongchuan Hospital,Chongqing Medical University from July 2020 to July 2021 were selected.Scans were performed using a 3.0T MRI scanner,including sequences such as FLAIR,DWI,3D-TOF-MRA,3D-ASL,and SWI.The perfusion status of the infarction core,the grading of draining veins around the infarction core,compensation by collateral circulation,the occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation,and prognosis were assessed.Results The grading of draining veins around the infarction core was significantly correlated with NIHSS scores(r=0.869,P<0.05)and prognosis(r=0.825,P<0.05).In addition,significant correlations were found between the perfusion status of the infarction core and the occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation(r=0.873,P<0.05),compensation by collateral circulation and prognosis(r=0.883,P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of SWI and ASL provides accurate indications of the hemodynamic conditions around the infarction core in AIS patients,and it can accurately assess the prognosis of AIS patients,contributing valuable information for clinical diagnosis and the selection of treatment strategies.
5.Genetic stability analysis of two recombinant rotaviruses harboring foreign gene insertions within the NSP3 region
Shan LI ; Xiafei LIU ; Junjie YU ; Dandi LI ; Zhaojun DUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(1):1-6
Objective:To analyze the genetic stability of two recombinant rotaviruses (rLLR/NSP3 NLuc) and (rLLR/NSP3 CoV2/RBD) that are inserted and express exogenous genes for continuous passage and proliferation on MA104 cells.Methods:After measuring the titers of two recombinant rotavirus strains, they were transferred to the P2 generation according to MOI0.01. Subsequently, the previous generation of virus lysate was diluted and activated at 1∶100, and MA104 cells were continuously infected for 18 generations (P20). The virus titers of the P1, P5, P10, P15, and P20 generation of cell lysate were measured using indirect immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR identification and dsRNA PAGE silver staining were performed. The luciferase activity of rLLR/NSP3-NLUc was also detected.Results:No inserted fragment loss was found in the recombinant rotavirus rLLR/NSP3 NLuc within 20 generations, with recombinant virus titers ranging from 3.85~5.16 × 10 6 FFU/ml, with strong luciferase signals in each generation. The recombinant rotavirus rLLR/NSP3 CoV2/RBD showed loss of inserted fragments in the 6th generation, with infectivity titers ranging from 2.6 to 3.36 in the first 5 generations of the recombinant virus × 10 6 FFU/ml. Conclusions:The recombinant rotavirus with 582 bp NLuc inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene has good genetic stability, while the recombinant rotavirus with 885 bp RBD inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene was only stable in the first 5 generations, indicating that foreign genes can be inserted at the end of the NSP3 gene of the recombinant rotavirus, and the insert can express, but its stability requires more in-depth research.
6.Epidemiological characteristics of outbreaks of norovirus GII.17P17 acute gastroenteritis in China, 2022
Yanhui YANG ; Xiangyu KONG ; Qing ZHANG ; Lijiao CAO ; Shi CONG ; Jingxin LI ; Miao JIN ; Zhaojun DUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(1):58-66
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus (NoV) acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks caused by GII.17[P17] variant in China, 2022.Methods:Information and specimens of AGE outbreaks between January and December 2022 were collected. NoV RNA was detected in all specimens by real-time RT-PCR. The viral genome of the positive specimens were amplified, sequenced and analyzed.Results:Between January and December 2022, 360 AGE outbreaks were reported cumulatively, of which 266 outbreaks successfully obtained genotype results. GII.17 [P17] was one of the main genotypes and detected in 34 outbreaks (12.78%, 34/266), with the highest number of outbreaks detected in spring (6 outbreaks in March and 7 outbreaks in May), mainly in childcare facilities and primary schools (61.76%, 21/34). According to the result of NoV genotype analysis in different age groups, 14 strains of GII.17 [P17] in this study belonged to Cluster III b and SC III branch of Cluster III (Kawasaki308) in the capsid region and polymerase region, respectively, and both belonged to the same cluster as the variant strain (GZ41621 strain) that caused the NoV AGE outbreaks in China during the 2014/15 season. Compared to reference strains of Cluster I, Cluster II and Cluster III a, Cluster III b was provided with 22 amino acid mutations in VP1. The main amino acid changes in the subgroup of Cluster III b including the virus strains isolated in this study were at T294I and Q299R of antigen epitope A, an insertion mutation occurred at antigen epitope D, H353Q at the site I of the human histo-blood group antigen receptor binding site. The selection pressure analysis detected a large number of negative selection sites, indicating that negative selection plays an important role in the evolution of VP1 genes.Conclusions:GII.17 [P17] was one of the primary genotypes responsible for NoV diarrhea outbreaks in China in 2022. Phylogenetic analysis had revealed that it still belonged to the same cluster as the novel GII.17 [P17] variant (strain GZ41621) that caused NoV epidemics in China during the 2014/15 season, exhibiting minor amino acid variations at the potential epitope.
7.Study on recombinant adenovirus vector vaccine in G protein conserved domain of respiratory syncytial virus
Yi SHI ; Pengdi CHAI ; Zhaojun DUAN ; Qing ZHANG ; Xiangyu KONG ; Hong WANG ; Lili PANG ; Dandi LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(5):497-505
Objective:A recombinant adenoviral vector vaccine based on non-replicating human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), encoding the conserved domain of respiratory syncytial virus G protein (RSV-G) was constructed. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of this vaccine were subsequently evaluated in mice.Methods:The recombinant Ad5 vector plasmid (Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc) was constructed by inserted conserved domains of RSV A and RSV B. The recombinant adenovirus Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was rescued in HEK293A cells. The genome of virus Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was identified by multi-enzyme digestion, and the expression of Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc was verified by Western blot. Recombinant adenovirus was used to immunize BALB/c mice via intramuscular injection with signal dose, and then challenged with RSV Long strain at week 6. The levels of G specific IgG and antibody subtypes in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the level of neutralizing antibodies was determined by micro-neutralization assay. After challenge, the mice′s weight was recorded daily, the copies of RSV virus in the lung and nasal tissues were detected. Pathological changes in lung tissue were also examined.Results:Western blot and multi-enzyme digestion identification confirmed the successful rescue of the recombinant adenovirus. Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc elicit high titers of specific IgG, robust neutralizing antibodies, and a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response in mice. In comparison to unimmunized controls, mice immunized with Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc reduced the viral copies in both lung and nasal tissue, and exhibited only minimal pathological damage of lung tissue following RSV challenge. In conclusion, Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc induced robust immunogenicity and offers protective effects against RSV infection in murine models.Conclusions:Ad5-Gbcc-Gacc induce robust immunogenicity and can protect mice from RSV challenge, which lays a foundation for further development of RSV vaccine based on G protein.
8.Dynamic gut microbiome-metabolome in cationic bovine serum albumin induced experimental immune-complex glomerulonephritis and effect of losartan and mycophenolate mofetil on microbiota modulation
Shi WENYING ; Li ZHAOJUN ; Wang WEIDA ; Liu XIKUN ; Wu HAIJIE ; Chen XIAOGUANG ; Zhou XUNRONG ; Zhang SEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(4):562-577
Dynamic changes in gut dysbiosis and metabolomic dysregulation are associated with immune-complex glomerulonephritis(ICGN).However,an in-depth study on this topic is currently lacking.Herein,we report an ICGN model to address this gap.ICGN was induced via the intravenous injection of cationized bovine serum albumin(c-BSA)into Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats for two weeks,after which mycophenolate mofetil(MMF)and losartan were administered orally.Two and six weeks after ICGN establishment,fecal samples were collected and 16S ribosomal DNA(rDNA)sequencing and untargeted metabolomic were conducted.Fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)was conducted to determine whether gut normali-zation caused by MMF and losartan contributed to their renal protective effects.A gradual decline in microbial diversity and richness was accompanied by a loss of renal function.Approximately 18 genera were found to have significantly different relative abundances between the early and later stages,and Marvinbryantia and Allobaculum were markedly upregulated in both stages.Untargeted metabolomics indicated that the tryptophan metabolism was enhanced in ICGN,characterized by the overproduction of indole and kynurenic acid,while the serotonin pathway was reduced.Administration of losartan and MMF ameliorated microbial dysbiosis and reduced the accumulation of indoxyl conjugates in feces.FMT using feces from animals administered MMF and losartan improved gut dysbiosis by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B)ratio but did not improve renal function.These findings indicate that ICGN induces serous gut dysbiosis,wherein an altered tryptophan metabolism may contribute to its pro-gression.MMF and losartan significantly reversed the gut microbial and metabolomic dysbiosis,which partially contributed to their renoprotective effects.
9.Trends of Incidence and Age at Onset of Uterine Corpus Cancer in Jiangsu Cancer Registration Areas from 2009 to 2019
Weiwei LI ; Jianmei DONG ; Zhaojun MA ; Lili CHAI ; Xucheng QIN ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Weigang MIAO ; Ran TAO ; Renqiang HAN
China Cancer 2024;33(12):977-982
[Purpose]To investigate the trends of incidence and age at onset of uterine corpus can-cer in Jiangsu cancer registration areas from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]The continuous monitoring data of uterine corpus cancer from 2009 to 2019 were collected from 16 cancer registries in Jiang-su Province.The crude incidence rate,the age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC),crude and adjusted mean age,and standardized age-specific incidence composition were calculated.The average annual percentage change(AAPC)were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model.The linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship be-tween mean age at onset and year.The standardized age-specific incidence composition in 2009 and 2019 were compared.[Results]The ASIRC of uterine corpus cancer in all registration areas and in rural areas of Jiangsu Province showed upward trends with AAPC of 1.78%and 2.38%,re-spectively(P<0.05),but not showed in the urban areas(AAPC=1.30%,P>0.05).The crude mean age at onset increased from 56.48 years old in 2009 to 58.26 years old in 2019 with an average annual growth of 0.173 years old(P=0.001).After the population structure standardized,the trends disappeared in all registration areas.[Conclusion]From 2009 to 2019,the standardized incidence rates of uterine corpus cancer were on rise in Jiangsu cancer registration areas,especially in the age group of 50 to 59 years old.
10.Establishment and evaluation of a quantitative PCR-based assay for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum in skin biopsy specimens
Zhaojun YUAN ; Lele SUN ; Yuanhang SUN ; Yong ZHANG ; Yuanyuan CAO ; Xu SANG ; Zige LI ; Meng WANG ; Yanru CHENG ; Yanyan LI ; Qing PAN ; Fangfang BAO ; Hong LIU ; Furen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(11):1022-1028
Objective:To establish a rapid quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique for Mycobacterium marinum skin infections, and to analyze its clinical diagnostic efficiency. Methods:DNA was extracted from Mycobacterium marinum colonies and serially diluted (10 -1 to 10 -8). Twelve pairs of previously reported primers and probes, as well as 6 pairs of newly designed primers and probes in this study, were used for qPCR amplification to identify the most sensitive primers and probes for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Skin lesion tissues were collected from 72 patients with confirmed Mycobacterium marinum infections (experimental group) and 68 with other mycobacterial infections (control group) at Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in 2021. These skin tissues were subjected to qPCR amplification, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), acid-fast staining, and tissue culture to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results:The newly designed primers and probes targeting the mycobacterial enhanced infection locus 2 (Mel2) demonstrated the highest sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.86 copies/μl (cycle threshold value = 37) ; the qPCR amplification with the Mel2 primers/probes did not yield positive results when used for the detection of other mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium leprae and Staphylococcus spp) . Among the 72 patients in the experimental group, 44 were positive for qPCR with a sensitivity of 61.1% (95% CI: 49.6% - 71.5%), and 47 were positive for culture with a sensitivity of 65.2% (95% CI: 53.8% - 75.3%) ; all the 68 controls were negative for both qPCR and culture, with their specificities both being 100%. Among 65 patients subjected to IGRA, 31 were positive with a sensitivity of 47.7% (95% CI: 36.0% - 59.6%), while 16 out of 25 controls were negative for IGRA with a specificity of 64.0% (95% CI: 44.5% - 79.8%). Among 58 patients subjected to acid-fast staining, 37 were positive with a sensitivity of 63.8% (95% CI: 50.9% - 74.9%), and 52 out of 66 controls were negative for acid-fast staining with a specificity of 78.8% (95% CI: 67.5% - 86.9%). The combination of qPCR and culture resulted in a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Conclusion:In this study, a highly sensitive qPCR assay was developed for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum, and its combination with culture could further improve the detection sensitivity.

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