1.Clinical diagnosis of drug-induced autoimmune-like hepatitis
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(3):542-546
Some patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) may present with similar features to patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and such cases are defined as drug-induced autoimmune-like hepatitis (DI-ALH). In 2022, the European Association for the Study of the Liver discussed the nomenclature, diagnosis, and treatment of DI-ALH and put forward expert opinions to establish the criteria for clinical diagnosis. However, the clinical diagnosis of DI-ALH remains complex and difficult, and there is no direct evidence for the link between drug intake and the body’s immune progression. Therefore, this article reviews the research advances in the diagnosis of DI-ALH from the four aspects of clinical phenotype, pathological diagnosis, diagnostic score, and clinical prognosis.
2.Cinobufagin Combined with Thalidomide/Dexamethasone Regimen in the Treatment of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma of Phlegm and Stasis Obstruction: A Retrospective Study
Weiguang ZHANG ; Haihua DING ; Biqing CHEN ; Xiangtu KONG ; Xingbin DAI ; Zuqiong XU ; Jing YANG ; Xixi LIU ; Chencheng LI ; Zhongxiao HU ; Xuejun ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(1):72-78
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of cinobufagin tablets combined with thalidomide/dexamethasone (TD) regimen in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) with phlegm and stasis obstruction. MethodsThe clinical data of 50 patients with NDMM of phlegm and stasis obstruction who were hospitalized at the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from June 1st, 2015 to July 31th, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into a control group (bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, 27 cases) and an observation group (cinobufagin tablets combined with TD regimen, 23 cases). The clinical efficacy and safety were compared between the two groups after two or three courses of treatment. The primary outcomes were clinical remission rate including overall response rate and deep remission rate, one-year and two-year overall survival rate, and adverse effects. The secondary outcomes were the proportion of plasma cells in bone marrow, hemoglobin, β2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bone pain score, and KPS functional status score (KPS score) before and after treatment. ResultsIn terms of clinical efficacy, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the overall response rate [the observation group 69.57%(16/23) vs the control group 70.37% (19/27)] and deep remission rate [the observation group 56.52% (13/23) vs the control group 55.56% (15/27)] between groups after the treatment. The one-year overall survival rates of the observation group and the control group were 90.9% and 92.4%, and the two-year overall survival rates were 81.8% and 80.9% respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups (P>0.05). During the treatment, no renal function injury occurred in both groups. The incidence of peripheral nerve injury in the observation group was 8.70%, which was lower than 48.15% in the control group (P<0.01). After the treatment, the proportion of myeloma plasma cells, β2-microglobulin, serum creatinine level, and bone pain score decreased, while the hemoglobin level and KPS score increased in both groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared between groups after treatment, the bone pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, while the KPS score was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe clinical efficacy of cinobufagin tablets combined with TD in the treatment of NDMM is equivalent to bortezomib/dexamethasone-containing regimen, but the former is more helpful in relieving the pain and improving the quality of life, and has better safety.
3.Construction of competitive endogenous RNA network mediated by lung ischemia-reperfusion core genes
Xiaofeng LI ; Mingzheng TANG ; Xixi LIU ; Ziqing SONG ; Guoxin ZHANG ; Kaiyin YANG ; Lingyun ZHANG
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(1):70-81
Objective To analyze the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Methods Original data of GSE145989 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database as the training set, and the GSE172222 and GSE9634 datasets were used as the validation sets, and the differentially-expressed genes (DEG) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and the core genes were screened, and the diagnostic values of these core genes and the immune infiltration levels of immune cells were evaluated. The ceRNA network was constructed and validated. The targeted drugs based on ceRNA network were assessed. Results A total of 179 DEG were identified, including 61 down-regulated and 118 up-regulated genes. GO analysis showed that DEGs were associated with multiple biological processes, such as cell migration, differentiation and regulation, etc. They were correlated with cell components, such as vesicle membrane, serosa and membrane raft, etc. They were also associated with multiple molecular functions, such as chemokine receptor, G protein-coupled receptor, immune receptor activity and antigen binding, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that DEG were involved in tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Wnt, interleukin (IL)-17 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways, etc. PPI network suggested that CD8A, IL2RG, STAT1, CD3G and SYK were the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The ceRNA network prompted that miR-146a-3p, miR-28-5p and miR-593-3p were related to the expression level of CD3G. The miR-149-3p, miR-342-5p, miR-873-5p and miR-491-5p were correlated with the expression level of IL-2RG. The miR-194-3p, miR-512-3p, miR-377-3p and miR-590-3p were associated with the expression level of SYK. The miR-590-3p and miR-875-3p were related to the expression level of CD8A. The miR-143-5p, miR-1231, miR-590-3p and miR-875-3p were associated with the expression level of STAT1. There were 13 targeted drugs for CD3G, 4 targeted drugs for IL-2RG, 28 targeted drugs for SYK and 3 targeted drugs for lncRNA MUC2. No targeted drugs were identified for CD8A, STAT1 and other ceRNA network genes. Conclusions CD8A, IL2RG, STAT1, CD3G and SYK are the core genes of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. The research and analysis of these core genes probably contribute to the diagnosis of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury and providing novel research ideas and therapeutic targets.
5.Principal component analysis of venous to arterial CO 2 content gap in septic shock patients
Xixi WAN ; Ruiting LIU ; Yuanyuan LI ; Li WENG ; Jinmin PENG ; Bin DU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(4):480-484
Objective:The principal components (PC) of venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide content diference [C(v-a)CO 2] were extraceted in septic shock patients, in orter to compare the contribution of the principal components to C(v-a)CO 2. Methods:Septic shock patients monitored by Swan Ganz floating catheter in the Medical Intensive Care Unit of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included in the retrospective study. All pairs of arterial and mixed-venous blood gases within 1 h before and after a flood challenge were included in the analyses. The principal component method was used to extract the components of C(v-a)CO 2. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the components and C(v-a)CO 2, and the correlation between the components and cardiac output. The differences of the components beween the 28-day survival group and 28-day death group were analyzed by univariate analysis. Results:A total of 504 pairs of blood gases in 104 septic shock patients were included in the analyses. The median age of patients was 62 years ( IQR, 48 to 71), and 59.6% (62/104) were men. Four principal components were extracted and the components account for 77.7% of variance. PC1 included PaO 2, PvO 2, SaO 2 and SvO 2. PC2 included pHa and pHv. PC3 included Hb and Hct. PC4 included PaCO 2 and PvCO 2. There was a significant difference in PC4 between the two group. PC4 could weakly predict the 28-day death (AUROC 0.634, 95% CI 0.527-0.741, P=0.015). Conclusions:In patients with infectious shock, arteriovenous [C(v-a)CO 2] consists of principal components of four dimensions: oxygenation, pH, Hb, and CO 2 partial pressure difference.Arterial CO 2 partial pressure difference [P(v-a)CO2] weakly predicts 28-d morbidity and mortality.
6.Expression and prognostic value of prohibitin in gastrointestinal cancers based on bioinformatics
Xiaofeng LI ; Xixi LIU ; Ziqing SONG ; Mingzheng TANG ; Hui CAI ; Lingyun ZHANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(16):1838-1848
Objective To explore the expression of prohibitin(PHB)in tumor tissues and analyze its effect on the prognosis of patients with digestive system malignant tumor(DT)and its mechanism.Methods ①The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)database were used to compare the expression of PHB in tumor tissues and normal tissues.②Five pairs of gastric cancer and adjacent tissues and 5 pairs of colon cancer and adjacent tissues were collected,and RT-qPCR was used to verify the mRNA expression levels.③ RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to verify the differential expression of PHB in normal gastric mucosa cells(GES-1),gastric cancer cells(AGS,MKN45 and HGC27),normal colon cells NCM-460 and human colon cancer cell line SW480.④R language was used to analyze the effect of PHB on the prognosis,tumor microenvironment,tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability of DT patients.⑤CIBERSORT algorithm was used to study the correlation between PHB expression in tumor tissues and tumor immune cell infiltration.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)was used to explore the biological function of PHB.⑥R language was used to analyze the relationship between PHB and drug sensitivity.Results ①PHB was highly expressed in colon cancer,cholangiocarcinoma,esophageal cancer,liver cancer,rectal cancer and gastric cancer(P<0.01).②RT-qPCR and Western blotting showed that PHB was highly expressed in the tissues and cell lines of gastric cancer(P<0.01)and colon cancer(P<0.01).③The differential expression of PHB was associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(P=0.002).In cholangiocarcinoma,gastric cancer,pancreatic cancer,liver cancer and esophageal cancer,PHB was positively correlated with tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability(P<0.05).④PHB was positively correlated with M2 macrophages in colon cancer(P=0.03).In cholangiocarcinoma,it was positively correlated with activated CD4+memory T cells(P<0.05).In esophageal carcinoma,it was positively correlated with activated hypertrophy(P=0.03).It was positively correlated with M0 and M2 macrophages and monocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma(P<0.05).It was positively correlated with resting dendritic cells,eosinophils and activated CD4+memory T cells in rectal cancer(P<0.05).It was positively correlated with M0 macrophages,activated mast cells,neutrophils,resting natural killer cells,activated CD4+memory T cells and follicular helper T cells in gastric cancer(P<0.05).⑤PHB was mainly enriched in class I receptors,PPAR and calcium signaling pathways(P<0.05).⑥ The expression of PHB was positively correlated with the sensitivity of 13 drugs,including ammonafide,prasinolide and abiraterone(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of PHB is significantly related to the infiltration of various immune cells in DT and poor prognosis in DT patients,which may become a new biomarker and potential immunomodulatory target of DT.
7.The correlation between the degree of devascularization of peripheral arteriovenous malformations and clinical outcomes after interventional embolization and sclerotherapy
Xueqiang FAN ; Bo MA ; Qiangqiang NIE ; Yisen DENG ; Xixi GUO ; Yuguang YANG ; Jianbin ZHANG ; Xia ZHENG ; Peng LIU ; Zhidong YE
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;39(11):861-864
Objective:To explore the relationship between the degree of devascularization and clinical outcomes after interventional embolization and sclerotherapy for peripheral arteriovenous malformations.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 37 patients with peripheral arteriovenous malformations admitted at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital from July 2021 to June 2023. All patients received the treatment of "nidus" and/or outflow veins embolization combined with sclerotherapy injection. Two experienced physicians evaluated the degree of devascularization before and after treatment, and conducted a correlation study with clinical outcomes after follow-up.Result:All 37 patients were symptomatic. Swelling and pain accounted for 75.7% of all the cases. Twenty-six patients received only one procedure, 3 patients received re-interventional treatments. The average follow-up time was(13.3±5.0)months. Clinical symptoms were completely relieved in 14 patients, and partial relief in 22 patients. The overall effective rate was 97%. There were 6 patients with degree of de vascularization<50% during procedure, 16 patients with degree of 50%-75%, and 5 patients with degree of 75%-90%, 10 cases with degree over 90%. Patients with devascularization degrees less than 60% can not achieve clinical symptom relief.Conclusions:There is a positive correlation between the degree of devascularization and clinical outcomes in the interventional embolization and sclerotherapy of peripheral arteriovenous malformations, and 60% of the degree of devascularization can serve as the "threshold" for effectiveness of treatment.
8.Mental health disparities in people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A cross-sectional study on physician-patient concordance and treatment regimens
Jinchuan SHI ; Zhongdong ZHANG ; Junyan ZHANG ; Yishu ZHANG ; Jiating QIU ; Fang LIU ; Daoyuan SONG ; Yanfang MA ; Lianmei ZHONG ; Hongxing WANG ; Xiaolei LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(18):2223-2232
Background::Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can profoundly affect the mental health of the people living with HIV (PLWH), with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. The disparities in neuropsychological problems evaluated by physicians and self-assessed by patients are still unknown.Methods::A total of 5000 PLWH and 500 physicians from 167 hospitals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from September 2022 to February 2023. 4-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) was used for the evaluation of depressive issues and anxiety issues by PLWH. Each physician assessed 10 PLWH under their care for the presence of depressive or anxiety issues. The primary outcomes of this study are the concordance rates on the depressive issues and anxiety issues evaluation between physicians and PLWH. The Cohen’s kappa test was used to assess the agreement between physicians and PLWH.Results::The concordance rate for the evaluation of depressive issues is 73.84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72.60-75.04%), and it is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% ( P <0.001). Similarly, the concordance rate for the evaluation of anxiety issues is 71.74% (95% CI: 70.47-72.97%), which is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% as per the null hypothesis ( P <0.001). The overestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 12.20% (95% CI: 11.32-13.14%), and for anxiety issues is 12.76% (95% CI: 11.86-13.71%). The mismatch rate for depressive issues is 26.16% (95% CI: 24.96-27.40%), and for anxiety issues is 28.26% (95% CI: 27.02-29.53%). The underestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 13.96% (95% CI: 13.03-14.95%), and for anxiety issues is 15.50% (95% CI: 14.52-16.53%). For the treatment regiments, PLWH sustained on innovative treatment regimen (IR) related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87, P = 0.003) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.76, P <0.001). PLWH switch from conventional treatment regimen (CR) to IR also related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.99). Conclusion::Nearly one in three PLWH had their condition misjudged by their physicians. The findings underscore the need for improved communication and standardized assessment protocols in the care of PLWH, especially during the acute phase of HIV infection.
9. Research progress of tenofovir alafenamide in blocking mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2023;28(5):578-582
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is an important intervention method. As a new nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has the characteristics of strong liver targeting and low peripheral blood exposure. Although it has been used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B widely, its application in blocking mother-to-child transmission of HBV is still limited. This paper reviews the characteristics of TAF, the effects of TAF on infants and pregnant women, in order to provide new ideas for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV.
10.Characterization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 and 8 in rat superior cervical ganglion and their changes following chronic intermittent hypoxia.
Xixi WEI ; Chaohong LI ; Chenlu ZHAO ; Baosheng ZHAO ; Yuzhen LIU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2023;43(7):1172-1178
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the expression and localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors 7 and 8 (mGluR7/8) in rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and their changes in response to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH).
METHODS:
We detected the expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG of 8-week-old male SD rats using immunohistochemistry and characterized their distribution with immunofluorescence staining. The expression of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the cytoplasm and nucleus was detected using Western blotting. A 6-week CIH rat model was established by exposure to intermittent hypoxia (6% oxygen for 30 s followed by normoxia for 4 min) for 8 h daily, and the changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured. The effect of CIH on expression levels of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG was analyzed using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Positive expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 were detected in rat SCG. mGluR7 was distributed in the neurons and small fluorescent (SIF) cells with positive staining in both the cytoplasm and nuclei, but not expressed in satellite glial cells (SGCs), nerve fibers or blood vessels; mGluR8 was localized in the cytoplasm of neurons and SIF cells, but not expressed in SGCs, nerve fibers, or blood vessels. Western blotting of the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of rat SCG further confirmed that mGluR7 was expressed in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus, while mGluR8 exists only in the cytoplasm. Exposure to CIH significantly increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure of the rats (all P < 0.001) and augmented the protein expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in the SCG (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
mGluR7 and mGluR8 are present in rat SCG but with different localization patterns. CIH increases blood pressure of rats and enhanced protein expressions of mGluR7 and mGluR8 in rat SCG.
Male
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Animals
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Superior Cervical Ganglion
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Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate
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Hypoxia

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