1.Analysis of Differential Compounds of Poria cocos Medicinal Materials by Integrated Qualitative Strategy Based on UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jiayuan WANG ; Xiaohan FAN ; Xiaoxiao WEI ; Rong CAO ; Jin WANG ; Lei WANG ; Fengqing XU ; Shunwang HUANG ; Deling WU ; Hongsu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):148-156
ObjectiveTo establish a rapid analytical method for identifying the differential components in Poria cocos medicinal materials based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), combined with mass defect filtering(MDF) and molecular network integration techniques. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used for MS data acquisition and identification of P. cocos medicinal materials, with the help of MDF for the study of cleavage behavior and structural identification of triterpenoids. According to the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns of each component, global natural product social molecular network(GNPS) was established, and Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to screen molecular clusters with similar structures and the the structure of main compound classes were identified and confirmed. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to screen the differential components of the five P. cocos medicinal materials with the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05 as the criteria. ResultsA total of 66 compounds were identified by database comparison, 8 compounds were newly identified by MDF, 28 compounds were newly identified by GNPS, and a total of 102 chemical compounds were identified, including 43 triterpenoids, 16 saccharides, 26 amino acids and peptides, 3 nucleosides, and 14 other compounds. Triterpenoids were predominant in Poriae Cutis and wild Fushen, amino acids and peptides were the most abundant in Poria and cultivated Fushen, carbohydrates were the most abundant in Poriae Cutis. Type Ⅰ and Ⅱ triterpenoids had higher amounts in Poria and cultivated Fushen, type Ⅲ triterpenoids were more abundant in Poriae Cutis, all four types of triterpenoids were higher in Fushenmu, and type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ triterpenoids were higher in wild Fushen. A total of 12 common differential chemical constituents were screened, including serine, guanosine, gallic acid, 2-octenal, maltotriose, trametenolic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid E and G, but the relative contents of them varied significantly among different medicinal materials. ConclusionAmong the five P. cocos medicinal materials, the types of constituents are generally similar, but their relative contents differed significantly among these medicinal materials, especially in the distribution of triterpenoids. The integration of UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, MDF and GNPS can provide a reference for the rapid qualitative analysis of other Chinese medicines.
2.Analysis of Differential Compounds of Poria cocos Medicinal Materials by Integrated Qualitative Strategy Based on UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jiayuan WANG ; Xiaohan FAN ; Xiaoxiao WEI ; Rong CAO ; Jin WANG ; Lei WANG ; Fengqing XU ; Shunwang HUANG ; Deling WU ; Hongsu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):148-156
ObjectiveTo establish a rapid analytical method for identifying the differential components in Poria cocos medicinal materials based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbital trap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), combined with mass defect filtering(MDF) and molecular network integration techniques. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used for MS data acquisition and identification of P. cocos medicinal materials, with the help of MDF for the study of cleavage behavior and structural identification of triterpenoids. According to the similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns of each component, global natural product social molecular network(GNPS) was established, and Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to screen molecular clusters with similar structures and the the structure of main compound classes were identified and confirmed. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to screen the differential components of the five P. cocos medicinal materials with the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 and P<0.05 as the criteria. ResultsA total of 66 compounds were identified by database comparison, 8 compounds were newly identified by MDF, 28 compounds were newly identified by GNPS, and a total of 102 chemical compounds were identified, including 43 triterpenoids, 16 saccharides, 26 amino acids and peptides, 3 nucleosides, and 14 other compounds. Triterpenoids were predominant in Poriae Cutis and wild Fushen, amino acids and peptides were the most abundant in Poria and cultivated Fushen, carbohydrates were the most abundant in Poriae Cutis. Type Ⅰ and Ⅱ triterpenoids had higher amounts in Poria and cultivated Fushen, type Ⅲ triterpenoids were more abundant in Poriae Cutis, all four types of triterpenoids were higher in Fushenmu, and type Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ triterpenoids were higher in wild Fushen. A total of 12 common differential chemical constituents were screened, including serine, guanosine, gallic acid, 2-octenal, maltotriose, trametenolic acid, dehydroeburicoic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, poricoic acid E and G, but the relative contents of them varied significantly among different medicinal materials. ConclusionAmong the five P. cocos medicinal materials, the types of constituents are generally similar, but their relative contents differed significantly among these medicinal materials, especially in the distribution of triterpenoids. The integration of UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, MDF and GNPS can provide a reference for the rapid qualitative analysis of other Chinese medicines.
3.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
4.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
5.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
6.A Preliminary Study on the Construction and Visualization of Knowledge Graph for the Ancient Chinese Medical Book Ling Shu
Ying-Xuan CHEN ; Wei-Hao XIE ; Fan CHEN ; Qian XU ; Rong-Yao LI ; Zhen-Hu CHEN ; Xiu-Feng LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):782-790
Objective To explore the construction and visualization for knowledge graph of Ling Shu(Spiritual Pivot),with a view to providing ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient Chinese medical books.Methods Using the professional idea of constructing knowledge graphs for reference,text mining technology was applied to construct the thesaurus,and then word division,entity recognition,and relationship extraction for the original text of Ling Shu were performed to get the elements of knowledge graph construction.The graph database Neo4j was used for the storage and query of the knowledge graph,and then the visual display of the knowledge graph was achieved.Results The 1 216 high-quality words consisting of the thesaurus of Ling Shu were obtained,and the construction of the knowledge graph of the theory of Ling Shu was realized.The constructed knowledge graph basically displayed the traditional Chinese medicine theories such as the correlation of visceral manifestations with essence qi,and the relationship between emotions and the five-zang organs described in Ling Shu,which made the retrieval and utilization of the related entities and relationships possible,and provided ideas for the structured storage and display of the theoretical knowledge of the ancient books of Chinese medicine.Conclusion The knowledge graph construction technology can be used to obtain the Chinese medicine theoretical knowledge graph of Ling Shu,and to display the knowledge connections of yin-yang and the five elements,and the internal organs and meridians expressed in the Ling Shu.The construction of the knowledge graph and its storage in the graph database enable the knowledge graph involved in the text of Ling Shu to be displayed in the form of visualized semantic network graph,and also make the embedding of other search systems such as the semantic search and semantic wiki possible,which will be helpful for the development of Chinese medicine intelligent medical services.
7.Autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia in a Tibetan family caused by HINT1 gene variation and literature review
Xifang RU ; Rong ZHAO ; Yanbin FAN ; Shuang WANG ; Yilin YE ; Beiyu XU ; Chunde LI ; Zhen HUANG ; Hui XIONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(2):128-133
Objective:To summarize the characteristics of autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia (ARAN-NM) caused by HINT1 gene mutation. Methods:Retrospective case summary.Clinical data of 2 Tibetan siblings diagnosed with ARAN-NM in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital in August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.A review of literature reporting relevant Chinese patients was conducted.Results:The proband and her elder brother were aged 13 and 19, respectively.Both developed abnormal gait at the age of 11, followed by varus, claudication, and weak thumb strength.The proband also had neuromyotonia.Physical examinations showed that the proband and her elder brother had decreased muscle strength of the extremities, mainly in the thumbs and distal ends of lower limbs.The distal muscles of the proband′s lower extremities and the muscles of both hands of the proband′s elder brother were atrophied.Both feet showed talipes equinovarus in the proband and her elder brother.The proband′s electromyography (EMG) showed peripheral nerve injuries (motor and sensory axonal involvement, especially in distal ends) and myotonic potentials.The trio-whole exon sequencing detected homozygous pathogenic variation in HINT1 gene in both the proband and her elder brother, who were diagnosed as ARAN-NM based on c. 169A>G (p.K57E). After the Carbamazepine treatment, the proband′s neuromyotonia, numbness and weakness were relieved.Both the proband and her elder brother underwent orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation.Their foot deformities and gait were significantly improved.Two Chinese literatures (2 patients) and four English literatures (8 patients) were retrieved.Including the proband and her elder brother in this study, there were 12 ARAN-NM patients, 10 of whom had clinical data.The ages of onset and diagnosis were 2-16 (1 case unknown) and 13-33 years old, respectively.Myasthenia was present in 9 patients, especially in distal ends.Eight patients were complicated with neuromyotonia, nine patients with muscle atrophy, seven patients with foot deformity, and two patients with sensory disturbance.Creatine kinase(CK) was elevated in all 9 patients tested or CK.EMG showed neurogenic injuries in all patients and neuromyotonia discharge in six patients.Three patients were treated with Carbamazepine, and some symptoms were relieved.Missense/nonsense mutations were found in the 12 patients, and the high-frequency variation was c. 112T>C (p.C38R). Conclusions:ARAN-NM is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by HINT1 gene mutation.There is no ethnic difference in clinical manifestations, mainly distal limb weakness with neuromyotonia.Carbamazepine can alleviate some symptoms, and orthopaedic surgery can improve foot deformity and gait.
8.Expert consensus on clinical application of 177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer
Guobing LIU ; Weihai ZHUO ; Yushen GU ; Zhi YANG ; Yue CHEN ; Wei FAN ; Jianming GUO ; Jian TAN ; Xiaohua ZHU ; Li HUO ; Xiaoli LAN ; Biao LI ; Weibing MIAO ; Shaoli SONG ; Hao XU ; Rong TIAN ; Quanyong LUO ; Feng WANG ; Xuemei WANG ; Aimin YANG ; Dong DAI ; Zhiyong DENG ; Jinhua ZHAO ; Xiaoliang CHEN ; Yan FAN ; Zairong GAO ; Xingmin HAN ; Ningyi JIANG ; Anren KUANG ; Yansong LIN ; Fugeng LIU ; Cen LOU ; Xinhui SU ; Lijun TANG ; Hui WANG ; Xinlu WANG ; Fuzhou YANG ; Hui YANG ; Xinming ZHAO ; Bo YANG ; Xiaodong HUANG ; Jiliang CHEN ; Sijin LI ; Jing WANG ; Yaming LI ; Hongcheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(5):844-850,封3
177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.
9.Cardamomine attenuates cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines in rats by regulating Notch/NF-κB signal pathway mediated pyroptosis
Xiao-Lei YU ; Wen-Xin LI ; Pan-Pan CHEN ; Yun-Fei LIANG ; Yan-Rong CUI ; Hai-Jing JIAO ; Fan XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1277-1281
Objective To investigate the protective effect of cardamomine(CAR)on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in rats by regulating the pyroptosis mediated by Notch/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signal pathway.Methods The rat model of cardiotoxicity was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin(DOX).The model rats were randomly divided into DOX group,CAR-L group,CAR-H group and Jagged1 group.Another 10 rats were taken as the control group.The control group and the DOX group were given the same amount of 0.9%NaCl.The CAR-L group and CAR-H group were given 40 and 80 mg·kg-1 CAR by gavage,respectively.The Jagged1 group was given 80 mg·kg-1 CAR+and 25 ng·kg-1 Jagged1 by gavage once a day for 4 weeks.Myocardial injury markers creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)and troponin Ⅰ(cTn Ⅰ)were detected by kit.The expression of pyroptosis protein Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and desquamate D(GSDM-D)were observed by immunohistochemistry.The expression of Notch1 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)protein in myocardial tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results The levels of CK-MB in control group,DOX group,CAR-L group,CAR-H group and Jagged1 group were(48.51±5.39),(175.93±13.27),(106.83±9.73),(83.71±8.39)and(126.08±9.74)U·L-1;the levels of cTn Ⅰ were(1.95±0.18),(12.46±1.83),(7.15±0.64),(4.13±0.38)and(8.01±0.78)ng·mL-1;the average optical density of NLRP3 protein were 0.19±0.07,0.36±0.05,0.25±0.05,0.21±0.03 and 0.31±0.06;the average optical density of GSDM-D were 0.18±0.04,0.43±0.06,0.24±0.03,0.19±0.04 and 0.32±0.05.There were significant differences in the above indexes between DOX group and control group(all P<0.05).There were significant differences in the above indexes between CAR-L group,CAR-H group and DOX group(all P<0.05),and there were significant differences between CAR-L group and CAR-H group(all P<0.05).The above indexes in Jagged1 group were significantly different from those in CAR-H group(all P<0.05).Conclusion CAR can improve myocardial injury in DOX cardiotoxic rats,reduce oxidative stress,inflammatory reaction and pyroptosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Notch/NF-κB pathway.
10.Drug metabolism and excretion of14Cbirociclib in Chinese male healthy subjects
Quan-Kun ZHUANG ; Hui-Rong FAN ; Shi-Qi DONG ; Bin-Ke FAN ; Ming-Ming LIU ; Ling-Mei XU ; Li WANG ; Xue-Mei LIU ; Fang HOU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(14):2118-2123
Objective To evaluate the characteristics of the mass balance and pharmacokinetics of[14 C]birociclib in Chinese male healthy volunteers after a single oral administration.Methods This study used a 14 C labeled method to investigate the mass balance and biological transformation of birociclib in human.Subjects were given a single oral dose of 360 mg/50 pCi of[14 C]birociclib suspension after meals.The blood,urine,and fecal samples were collected at specified time points/intervals after administration.The radiation levels of 14 C labeled birociclib-related compounds in the blood,plasma,urine,and feces were analyzed using liquid scintillation counting.In addition,a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and on-line/off-line isotope detectors was used to obtain radioactive isotope metabolite spectra of plasma,urine,and fecal samples,and high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to identify the main metabolites.Results A total of 6 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.The median peak time of radioactive components in plasma was 5.00 h and the average terminal elimination half-life was 43.70 h after administration.The radioactive components were basically excreted and cleared from the body within 288.00 hours after administration,and average cumulative recovery rate of radioactive drugs was(94.10±8.19)%.The radioactive drugs were mainly excreted through feces,accounting for(84.60±7.10)%of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Urine was the secondary excretory pathway,accounting for 9.41%of the dose of radioactive drugs administered.Metabolic analysis indicated that the prototype drug was the main radioactive components in plasma samples.The main metabolites in plasma were RM4(XZP-5286),RM6(XZP-3584),and RM7(XZP-5736).The drugs were mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites.In addition to prototype drugs,a total of 9 metabolites were identified and analyzed in plasma,urine,and fecal samples,all of which were phase 1 metabolites.The main metabolic and clearance pathways of drugs in the body were deethylation,diisopropylat ion,oxidation,etc.Conclusion After a single oral administration of[14C]birociclib suspension to healthy subjects,it was mainly cleared from the body in the form of prototype drugs and metabolites,with feces as the main excretory pathway and urine as the secondary excretory pathway.Drugs mainly undergo metabolic reactions in the body,such as deethylation,diisopropylation,and oxidation.The subjects were well tolerance after administration.

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