1.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.
2.Pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence study of teriflunomide tablets in healthy Chinese subjects
Li-Li LIN ; Yan JIANG ; Qin ZHANG ; Hui-Ling QIN ; Qian ZHANG ; Yang XU ; Wei LIANG ; Lin-Ying MENG ; Zhao-Xing CHU ; Wei HU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):425-429
Objective To compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of the two teriflunomide tablets in healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and fed conditions and to evaluate their bioequivalence and safety.Methods A randomized,open,single-dose,parallel trial design was used to enroll 31 and 32 healthy Chinese male subjects in the fasting and fed groups,who were randomized to a single oral dose of 14 mg of either reference or test preparation of teriflunomide tablets.The plasma concentrations of teriflunomide were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method,and Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software was used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters and perform bioequivalence analysis.Results Subjects received a single oral dose of the reference and test formulations of teriflunomide.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of teriflunomide in the fasting group were as follows:Cmax were(2.14±0.27)and(2.27±0.33)μg·mL-1,AUC0-72h were(105.70±11.20)and(107.72±11.77)μg·mL-1·h,tmax was 1.49 and 0.99 h;the main pharmacokinetic parameters of teriflunomide in the fed group were as follows:Cmaxwere(1.83±0.17)and(1.75±0.22)μg·mL-1,AUC0-72h were(102.66±9.18)and(101.57±13.01)μg·mL-1·h,tmax was 4.01 and 4.99 h.The 90%confidence intervals for the geometric means of Cmax and AUC0-72h for reference and test preparations in the fasting and fed groups were in the range of 80%to 125%.Conclusion The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the 2 formulations were similar under fasting and fed administration conditions,with good bioequivalence and safety;Postprandial administration may delay the time to peak of the drug.
3.Experimental study on quantitative evaluation of renal redox metabolism using chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging at 3.0 T MRI
Xintian YU ; Liang PAN ; Zhaoyu XING ; Wenxia MI ; Jie CHEN ; Wei XING
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2024;58(3):324-329
Objective:To explore the feasibility of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging at 3.0 T MRI in quantifying renal redox metabolism in vitro models and experimental animals.Methods:Redox metabolites in vitro models with physiological concentrations were prepared, including reduced metabolites (glutamate, alanine, glutathione) and oxidized metabolites (2-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, glutathione disulfide, ammonium hydroxide). CEST examinations were performed at 3.0 T MRI. The imaging parameters were as follows: CEST images with different saturation pulse intensity (B 1) (1, 2, 3, 4 μT) and a fixed radio frequency (RF) duration of 2 000 ms; CEST images with different RF durations (1 500 and 2 000 ms) were acquired with a fixed B 1 value of 2 μT to obtain the optimal scanning parameters. CEST examinations with optimized parameters were performed on the left kidneys of seven healthy rabbits, and the differences in magnetic resonance ratio asymmetry (MTR asym) between rabbit renal cortex and outer medulla were measured. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences. Results:The optimal B 1 for CEST examination of redox metabolites was 2 μT, and the optimal RF duration was 2 000 ms. The MTR asym peaks of glutathione disulfide, glutathione, glutamic acid, and alanine were at 3.75, 3.5, 3, and 1.5 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym peaks of pyruvate, 2-ketoglutarate, and ammonium hydroxide were at 1 ppm. The MTR asym peak values of reduced metabolites were higher than those of oxidized metabolites. When the B 1 value was 2 μT and the RF duration was 2 000 ms, the MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was (2.60±1.10) %, (2.86±1.32) %, (3.04±1.06) %, and (2.98±0.91) % at 1, 3, 3.5, and 3.75 ppm, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the outer medulla was (1.00±0.56) %, (2.43±0.94) %, (2.29±0.88) % and (1.98±0.58) %, respectively. The MTR asym signal of the renal cortex was higher than that of the outer medulla, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.04, P=0.023; t=2.56, P=0.043; t=3.50, P=0.013; t=3.45, P=0.014). Conclusion:CEST imaging at 3.0 T MRI can be used to quantitatively evaluate redox metabolism of healthy rabbit kidneys in vitro model and normal experimental rabbits.
4.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Perimenopausal Syndrome
Shiwan HU ; Haiyan LIANG ; Kun MA ; Xiaona MA ; Zihan FANG ; Wenpei BAI ; Xinmin LIU ; Hongtian LI ; Fengmei LIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Lihua QIN ; Min SHANG ; Ailuan LAI ; Xiuxiang TENG ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):234-242
Perimenopausal syndrome (MPS), a common endocrine system disease, is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in endocrinology, gynecology, and interdisciplinary fields of both Western and Chinese medicine to discuss the advantages and challenges of diagnosing and treating MPS with Western medicine, TCM, and integrative medicine. Experts at the conference believe that MPS is initiated by estrogen decline and rooted in deficiency, with the pathogenesis being imbalance between Yin and Yang in the kidney. The hormone replacement therapy in Western medicine for menopause can rapidly alleviate related symptoms by quickly restoring the estrogen level and timely detect and delay complications of menopause, whereas such a therapy has certain risks, necessitating close monitoring of adverse reactions. Moreover, the various contraindications and precautions limit the clinical application of the hormone replacement therapy. TCM has advantages in synergistically alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disorders, and emotional abnormalities of MPS without causing obvious adverse reactions. However, its efficacy is slower than the hormone replacement therapy, and the TCM evidence for preventing and treating complications of menopause remains unclear. Three suggestions were proposed for the future development of both Western and TCM for ameliorating MPS. First, an integrated diagnosis and treatment system for MPS with both Western and Chinese medicine should be established. Second, high-quality evidence-based interventions for MPS should be developed with TCM alone or in combination with Western medicine. Third, efforts should be made to promote the new TCM drug development and the interdisciplinary cooperation for treating MPS.
5.The Application of Lipid Nanoparticle-delivered mRNA in Disease Prevention and Treatment
Wei-Lun SUN ; Ti-Qiang ZHOU ; Hai-Yin YANG ; Lu-Wei LI ; Yu-Hua WENG ; Jin-Chao ZHANG ; Yuan-Yu HUANG ; Xing-Jie LIANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(10):2677-2693
In recent years, nucleic acid therapy, as a revolutionary therapeutic tool, has shown great potential in the treatment of genetic diseases, infectious diseases and cancer. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most advanced mRNA delivery carriers, and their emergence is an important reason for the rapid approval and use of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and the development of mRNA therapy. Currently, mRNA therapeutics using LNP as a carrier have been widely used in protein replacement therapy, vaccines and gene editing. Conventional LNP is composed of four components: ionizable lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) lipids, which can effectively load mRNA to improve the stability of mRNA and promote the delivery of mRNA to the cytoplasm. However, in the face of the complexity and diversity of clinical diseases, the structure, properties and functions of existing LNPs are too homogeneous, and the lack of targeted delivery capability may result in the risk of off-targeting. LNPs are flexibly designed and structurally stable vectors, and the adjustment of the types or proportions of their components can give them additional functions without affecting the ability of LNPs to deliver mRNAs. For example, by replacing and optimizing the basic components of LNP, introducing a fifth component, and modifying its surface, LNP can be made to have more precise targeting ability to reduce the side effects caused by treatment, or be given additional functions to synergistically enhance the efficacy of mRNA therapy to respond to the clinical demand for nucleic acid therapy. It is also possible to further improve the efficiency of LNP delivery of mRNA through machine learning-assisted LNP iteration. This review can provide a reference method for the rational design of engineered lipid nanoparticles delivering mRNA to treat diseases.
6.Efficacy and safety analysis of P-GemDOx regimen and stratified prognosis in patients with early extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma
Tongyao XING ; Weiting WANG ; Haorui SHEN ; Jiazhu WU ; Hua YIN ; Yue LI ; Li WANG ; Jinhua LIANG ; Jianyong LI ; Wei XU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(2):163-169
Objective:To assess the efficacy, safety, and related prognostic factors associated with the P-GemDOx regimen as a first-line treatment for patients with early-stage extranodal natural killer (NK) /T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on sixty early-stage ENKTL patients treated with the P-GemDOx regimen who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between August 2015 and May 2021. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare group differences, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in survival. Survival outcomes and prognostic factors were examined.Results:After completing 4 to 6 cycles of P-GemDOx chemotherapy, the overall response rate (ORR) was 88.3%, with forty-six patients (76.7% ) achieving complete response (CR). The 4-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were (66.3±7.1) % and (79.5±6.0) %, respectively. According to the PINK/PINK-E model, there was no significant difference in survival outcomes among risk groups. 23.3% of patients experienced progression of disease within 24 months (POD<24). OS estimates differed significantly ( P<0.001) between the POD<24 group ( n=14) and the POD≥24 group ( n=46). Analysis showed that SUVmax > 12.8 at diagnosis, non-single nasal cavity infiltration, and response less than CR after 4–6 cycles all had a significant association with POD24. We used these data as the basis for predicting POD<24 international prognostic index (POD24-IPI). Patients were stratified into low-risk (no risk factors), intermediate-risk (one risk factor), or high risk (two or three risk factors). These groups were associated with 4-year OS rate of 100%, (85.6±9.7) %, and (65.0±10.2) %, respectively ( P=0.014). The P-GemDOx regimen was well tolerated, with hematological toxicity being the main side effect. Conclusion:This study demonstrated that the P-GemDOx regimen is effective and safe in the first-line treatment of early-stage ENKTL, and POD24-IPI is a promising prognostic model.
7.Review of TiRobot orthopedic surgery robot applied in traumatic orthopaedics
Shen LIU ; Tong-Hao LEI ; Feng GU ; Xiang-Dang LIANG ; Xing WEI ; Yong-Hui LIANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(5):104-110
The composition and characteristics of TiRobot orthopaedic surgery robot were introduced,and its application in treating traumas was reviewed such as pelvic fracture,acetabular fracture,femoral neck fracture,intertrochanteric fracture,Achilles fracture and navicular fracture.The advantages and disadvantages of TiRobot orthopaedic surgery robot were analyzed when used in the field of traumatic orthopaedics.It's pointed out TiRobot orthopaedic surgery robot be optimized in terms of the existing technical shortcomings and application cost to promote its wide application in the field of traumatic orthopaedics.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(5):104-110]
8.Chidamide plus prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and thalidomide for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A multicenter phase II trial
Jinhua LIANG ; Li WANG ; Xiaodong WANG ; Guohui CUI ; Jianfeng ZHOU ; Tongyao XING ; Kaixin DU ; Jingyan XU ; Luqun WANG ; Rong LIANG ; Biyun CHEN ; Jian CHENG ; Haorui SHEN ; Jianyong LI ; Wei XU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(13):1576-1582
Background::Although the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) has undergone advancements during the past several years, the response rate and long-term effects with respect to patients with PTCL remain unsatisfactory—particularly for relapsed or refractory (R/R) patients. This phase II trial was designed to explore the efficacy and safety of an all-oral regimen of chidamide plus prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and thalidomide (CPCT) for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate the standard chemotherapy for a variety of reasons.Methods::We conducted a multicenter phase II clinical trial in which we combined chidamide (30 mg twice weekly) with prednisone (20 mg daily after breakfast), cyclophosphamide (50 mg daily after lunch), and thalidomide (100 mg daily at bedtime) (the CPCT regimen) for a total of fewer than 12 cycles as an induction-combined treatment period, and then applied chidamide as single-drug maintenance. Forty-five patients were ultimately enrolled from August 2016 to April 2021 with respect to Chinese patients at nine centers. Our primary objective was to assess the overall response rate (ORR) after the treatment with CPCT.Results::Of the 45 enrolled patients, the optimal ORR and complete response (CR)/CR unconfirmed (CRu) were 71.1% (32/45) and 28.9% (13/45), respectively, and after a median follow-up period of 56 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.5 months and 17.2 months, respectively. The five-year PFS and OS rates were 21.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9-34.5%) and 43.8% (95% CI, 28.3-59.3%), respectively. The most common adverse event was neutropenia (20/45, 44.4%), but we observed no treatment-related death.Conclusion::The all-oral CPCT regimen was an effective and safe regimen for R/R PTCL patients who could not tolerate standard chemotherapy for various reasons.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02879526.
9.Exploration of the SITU Yi's Treatment for Endometriosis Based on Data Mining
Wei-Lin ZHENG ; Heng WENG ; Xue-Fang LIANG ; Li-Xing CAO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(7):1890-1899
Objective To explore the treatment for endometriosis(EMs)by Professor SITU Yi,a Guangdong famous traditional Chinese medicine physician,thus to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of EMs in traditional Chinese medicine based on personalized knowledge graph analysis and data mining technology.Methods Based on the literature research achievements of diagnosis and treatment of EMs,the ontology knowledge tree of famous physician's principles,methods,prescriptions and medicines was established by user-computer integration method.The medical records of EMs patients treated by Professor SITU Yi in the outpatient department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from 2013 to 2019 were collected.After standardization of the data of medical records,the knowledge set was defined,the knowledge map of TCM diagnosis and treatment of EMs was constructed,and the symptom characteristics and medication rules for EMs were analyzed.Results The core symptoms of EMs patients were dysmenorrhea,chronic pelvic pain and infertility,with the predominated syndrome of blood stasis.The pathogenesis of EMs patients was mainly due to qi stagnation,kidney deficiency,and qi deficiency.Frequent itemset analysis yielded the core drug groups of"Corydalis Rhizoma,Cyperi Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Alba""Lycii Fructus,Taxilli Herba,Poria,Dioscoreae Rhizoma"and"Aurantii Fructus,Leonuri Herba".The EMs word cloud map constructed on the basis of knowledge element clustering and neural network algorithm showed that the drug combinations of"Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Rubra""Corydalis Rhizoma,Curcumae Radix""Cinnamomi Ramulus,Moutan Cortex,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Poria""Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Paeoniae Radix Rubra,Sparganii Rhizoma,Curcumae Rhizoma""Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Corydalis Rhizoma"and"Taxilli Herba,Cuscutae Semen"were commonly used for the treatment of EMs by Professor SITU Yi.The results of hierarchical clustering analysis and association network construction for Chinese medicinals,symptoms and syndromes showed that there were complex inner link among the syndromes,symptoms and medication.Conclusion For the treatment of EMs,Professor SITU Yi usually adopt the methods of activating blood to remove stasis and tonifying kidney,and also performs the periodic therapy and simultaneous application of purging and nourishing therapeutics.Knowledge graph analysis and data mining based on semantic web are helpful to unveil the tacit knowledge of clinical diagnosis and treatment experience of Professor SITU Yi,which can provide reference for the differentiation and treatment of EMs with Chinese medicine.
10.NING Wei-Min's Experience in Treating Chronic Migraine with the Method of Soothing Liver,Relieving Depression and Expelling Pathogens
Xue-Xing LIANG ; Jia LIN ; Wei-Min NING
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(11):3040-3044
This article summarized Professor Ning Wei-Min's experience in treating chronic migraine with the method of soothing liver,relieving depression and expelling pathogens.Chronic migraine is a common neurological disease with relatively high incidence.Currently,its treatment is mainly through oral administration of drugs,but there exist the disadvantages of unstable therapeutic effect,obvious adverse reactions after long-term medication,low treatment compliance,drug dependence,and easily ignorance of emotional co-morbidities such as anxiety and depression.Professor NING Wei-Min,a famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)physician of Guangdong Province,believes that chronic migraine affects the region along the meridians of the liver and gallbladder,and is closely related with the liver's function of ensuring the free movement of qi.Once the liver-qi stagnates,internal retention of phlegm and blood stasis easily induced,and persisting illness causes stagnant liver qi turning into heat,and then the headache will attack by the trigger of a variety of factors of external pathogens such as wind,cold,summer-heat,dampness and heat,as well as the emotional disorders,which leads to the stirring of liver-wind and the stagnation of phlegm-fire insidious pathogens in the meridian.For the treatment of chronic migraine,therapies of soothing liver,relieving depression and expelling pathogens can be utilized,and oral administration of Kaiyu Touxie Prescription combined with acupuncture is recommended.Kaiyu Touxie Prescription is composed of Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae Dahuricae Radix,Asari Radix et Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Curcumae Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Bombyx Batryticatus,Scorpio,Malloti Apeltae Radix Et Rhizoma,and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.Acupuncture is performed mainly on the acupoints along the meridians of the liver and gallbladder,such as Fengchi(GB20),Shuaigu(GB8),Toulinqi(GB15),Wangu(GB12),Xuanli(GB6),Yangbai(GB14),Yanglingquan(GB34),Taichong(LR3)and Xingjian(LR2),alternatively on acupoints of Waiguan(TE5),Hegu(LI4),Baihui(GV20),Touwei(ST8),etc.Professor NING Wei-Min's experience in treating chronic migraine with oral administration of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture based on the method of soothing liver,relieving depression and expelling pathogens will provide a reference for clinical treatment of chronic migraine.

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