1.Pathophysiological Evolution and Syndrome-Based Stratified Treatment of Qi Deficiency with Stagnation in Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression
Jing LONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Wenbo HUANG ; Feng YU ; Yifang JIANG ; Zhuoling DAI ; Chong XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1109-1113
The concept of "qi deficiency with stagnation" refers to a pathological state characterized by the depletion of primordial qi, impaired qi transformation, and the development of internal stagnation. Under the cyclic chemotherapy regimen in oncology, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression follows a progressive pathological course from qi deficiency to increasing stagnation. This sequential evolution from mild to severe myelosuppression closely aligns with the dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment framework of "qi deficiency with stagnation". "Qi deficiency" reflects the gradual depletion of qi, blood, and essence, while "stagnation" refers to the accumulation of phlegm, turbid dampness, and blood stasis. These two components interact reciprocally, forming a vicious cycle where deficiency leads to stagnation, and stagnation further damages the healthy qi. In the early stage of mild myelosuppression, chemotoxicity begins to accumulate in the bone marrow, leading to qi consumption, blood deficiency, yin injury, and the gradual formation of turbid phlegm and damp stagnation. In the advanced stage of severe myelosuppression, the accumulation of toxicity causes qi sinking, exhaustion of essence, and marrow depletion, along with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. Treatment strategies should be based on syndrome differentiation, with an emphasis on assessing the severity of the condition, balancing deficiency and excess, and achieving both symptomatic relief and root cause resolution.
2.Tongxie Yaofang Regulates Expression of NKG2DL to Enhance Anti-tumor Effect of NK Cells in Colon Cancer under Chronic Stress
Yan'e HU ; Yuqing HUANG ; Yi YANG ; Yifang JIANG ; Xi FU ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):103-111
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on the function of tumor-related natural killer (NK) cells under chronic stress and explore the possible molecular mechanism. MethodFifty SPF-grade BABL/C male mice were randomized into normal, model, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (6.825, 13.65, and 27.3 g·kg-1, respectively) Tongxie Yaofang groups, with 10 mice in each group. Other groups except the blank group were subjected to 7 days of chronic restraint stress, and then forced swimming and tail suspension tests were carried out to evaluate the modeling performance. After the successful modeling, rats in Tongxie Yaofang groups were administrated with low-, medium-, and high-doses of Tongxie Yaofang by gavage, while those in the other groups were administrated with normal saline by gavage. After 14 days, each group of mice was inoculated with subcutaneous colon cancer to establish the model of colon cancer under chronic stress. The pathological changes of the tumor tissue in each group of mice were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The content of CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue of mice was measured by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the content of molecules associated with NK cell activation in the peripheral blood. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ polypeptide-related sequences A and B (MICA+MICB) and UL-16-binding protein 1 (ULBP1) in the tumor tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content and an increase in corticosterone (CORT) content in the serum (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Tongxie Yaofang increased the 5-HT content and decreased the CORT content (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the modeling increased the tumor volume and weight (P<0.05), while Tongxie Yaofang inhibited such increases with no statistical significance. The tumor cells in the model group presented neat arrangement, irregular shape, uneven size, obvious atypia, common nuclear division, and small necrotic area, and blood vessels were abundant surrounding the tumor cells. Compared with the model group, Tongxie Yaofang groups showed sparse arrangement of tumor cells, different degrees of patchy necrosis areas in the tumor, and karyorrhexis, dissolution, and nuclear debris in the necrotic part. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced CD49b-positive cells in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Tongxie Yaofang increased CD49b-positive cells (medium dose P<0.01, high dose P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the modeling lowered the serum levels of granzymes-B (Gzms-B), perforin (PF), interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, low-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF, Gzms-B, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and medium-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of Gzms-B, PF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, high-dose Tongxie Yaofang elevated the serum levels of PF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group presented down-regulated protein level of ULBP1 (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of ULBP1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and medium- and high-dose Tongxie Yaofang up-regulated the protein level of MICA+MICB (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionTongxie Yaofang may promote NK cell activation by up-regulating the expression of MICA+MICB and ULBP1, thereby delaying the progression of colon cancer under chronic stress.
3.Visually amplification-free rapid detection of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid based on CRISPR/Cas13a
Nan ZHAO ; Yong QI ; Wei LI ; Yingqing MAO ; Wenjing LIU ; Yifang HAN ; Erxin ZHANG ; Yingjia XU ; Ruichen LYU ; Yuxin JIANG ; Yuzhen LAI ; Jiameng LI ; Wanpeng SHEN ; Yue SONG ; Yuexi LI
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(6):658-666
Objective:Based on the specific cleavage and non-specific "trans-cleavage" activities of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein(CRISPR/Cas13), we established a visually amplification-free rapid detection technique of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. This technique is easily processed with a low detection limit and good specificity.Methods:According to the 2019-nCoV gene sequence, specific CRISPR RNAs were screened and designed by bioinformatics analysis, and then synthesized as universal signal-strained RNA transcription targets in vitro to establish and optimize the reaction system. Moreover, the 2019-nCoV pseudoviral nucleic acid was used as a standard substance to evaluate the detection limit. A total of 65 positive samples were collected from various 2019-nCoV variants, while 48 negative samples included other clinically common respiratory pathogens, such as influenza A virus, influenza B virus, human parainfluenza virus, Klebsiella pneumonia, etc. All samples were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR), digital PCR, and the method established in this study. The sensitivity and specificity of the newly established method were analyzed and evaluated. Results:With the newly established technique, the detection time for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid could be minimized to 6 minutes. In addition, the detection limit was 14 copies/μl when assisted by the displaying instrument, whereas it increased to 28 copies/μl with the naked eye. This technique had a sensitivity and specificity of 98.5% (66/67) and 100% (46/46) respectively, showing no statistically significant difference compared to the gold standard qPCR( P=1). Conclusions:This study has successfully established a CRISPR/Cas13a-based visually rapid detection technique for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. This technique offers the advantages of a simple process, convenient operation, low environmental operating requirements, a detection limit close to qPCR, and a strong potential for on-site testing applications.
4.Intervention Effect and Mechanism of Tongxie Yaofang-Containing Serum on Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Colon Cancer HCT116 Cells
Yifang JIANG ; Yan'E HU ; Yi YANG ; Xi FU ; Jie ZHU ; Fengming YOU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;25(10):3221-3229
Objective To observe the effect of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum on the cell cycle and apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells,and to explore its possible biological mechanism.Methods Colon cancer HCT116 cells were divided into blank group and Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum group with different concentrations.Cell proliferation and activity detection-8(CCK8)was used to detect the effect of each group on the viability of HCT116 cells at 24,48 and 72 h;Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cycle arrest of HCT116 cells induced by different concentrations of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum;Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of Cell Cycle Regulatory Protein P21(P21),Cyclin B1,cyclin-dependent protein kinases-1(CDK1),B-lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-related X protein(Bax),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt)and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)after different concentrations of Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum intervention.Results CCK8 showed that compared with the 10%blank group,10%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum had a significant inhibitory effect on the viability of HCT116 cells only at 48 h(P<0.01);Compared with the 20%blank group,20%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could inhibit the viability of HCT116 cells at 48 and 72 h(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the increase of blank serum will not inhibit the viability of HCT116 cell,so 10%blank serum and 48 h were selected as the drug control and intervention time in the subsequent experiment.Flow Cytometry showed that,compared with the blank group,10%and 20%Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could arrest HCT116 cell cycle in G2/M phase after 48 h of intervention(P<0.01),and induce HCT116 cell apoptosis.At the same time,Western blot showed that Tongxie Yaofang-containing serum could increase the expression of P21 and Bax to varying degrees,and reduces Cyclin B1,CDK1,Bcl-2,p-PI3K,p-Akt expression(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Tongxie Yaofang can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon cancer HCT116 cells,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
5.Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Sishenwan-containing Serum on Aerobic Glycolysis in Human Colon Cancer Cells
Yifang JIANG ; Ya HUANG ; Chong XIAO ; Shuwen ZHOU ; Lili ZHENG ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(19):26-33
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Sishenwan-containing serum on aerobic glycolysis in human colon cancer HCT116 cells. MethodCell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cell viability of colon cancer HCT116 cells after treatment with Sishenwan-containing serum (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) for 24, 48, 72 h. The concentration of lactic acid, the content of intracellular glucose, and the activity of hexokinase (HK) and fructose-6-phosphate kinase (PFK) in the cell culture medium were detected by the micro-method. The content of glucose transporter 1 (GluT1) mRNA was detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The protein expression of GluT1 and methyltransferase-like 3 (MettL3) was detected by Western blot. The expression of GluT1 in cells was detected by immunofluorescence and the level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation was detected by colorimetry. ResultCompared with the normal serum, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% Sishenwan-containing serum had no significant effect on the viability of HCT116 cells at 24 h, while 10% Sishenwan-containing serum showed a significant inhibitory effect on the viability of HCT116 cells at 48 h (P<0.05). Hence, 10% Sishenwan-containing serum was used in subsequent experiments, and the intervention time was 48 h. Compared with the normal serum, 10% Sishenwan-containing serum could reduce lactate production (P<0.05), down-regulate glucose uptake (P<0.05), and blunt the activities of HK and PFK, the key rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis (P<0.05). Meanwhile, 10% Sishenwan-containing serum could decrease the expression of GluT1 protein (P<0.01) and mRNA (P<0.05) and reduce the proportion of cells expressing GluT1 (P<0.01). Compared with the normal serum, Sishenwan-containing serum also decreased the protein content of MettL3 (P<0.05) and the methylation level of m6A RNA (P<0.01). ConclusionSishenwan can inhibit glycolysis in colon cancer cells, and its inhibitory mechanism may be related to reducing MettL3 overexpression, inhibiting m6A RNA methylation, and down-regulating GluT1 and the activities of intracellular aerobic glycolysis-related enzymes such as HK and PFK.
6.Genetic features of a case with mosaic ring chromosome 4 and a review of the literature.
Canling MA ; Yingying WANG ; Na ZHEN ; Changxi SHAO ; Daoling ZHANG ; Yan JIANG ; Yu DU ; Yifang JIA
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(1):105-109
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic basis, clinical phenotype and pathogenesis for a child with mosaicism ring chromosome 4.
METHODS:
Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood chromosomal karyotype G banding analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were carried out for the child, in addition with a review of the literature.
RESULTS:
The child was born full-term with low birth weight, facial dysmorphism, patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect. His karyotype was determined as mos46,XY,r(4)(p16.3q35.2)[259]/45,XY,-4[25]/47,XY,r(4)(p16.3q35.2), +r(4)(p16.3q35.2)[8]/46,XY,der(4)del(4)(p16.3)inv(4)(p16.3q31.1)[6]/46,XY,dic?r(4;4)(p16.3q35.2;p16.3q35.2)[4]/48,XY,r(4)(p16.3q35.2),+r(4)(p16.3q35.2)×2[3]/46,XY,r(4)(p1?q2?)[2]; CMA result was arr[GRCH37]4p16.3(68 345-2 981 614)×1; FISH result was 45,XY,-4[12]/45,XY,-4×2,+mar1.ish r1(4)(WHS-,D4Z1+)[1]/ 46,XY,-4,+mar1.ishr1(4)(WHS-,D4Z1+)[73]/46,XY,-4,+mar2.ishr2(4)(WHS-,D4Z1++)[1]/47,XY,-4,+mar1×2.ishr1(4) (WHS-, D4Z1+)×2[4]/46,XY,del(4)(p16.3).ish del(4)(p16.3)(WHS-,D4Z1+)[9].
CONCLUSION
In this case, the ring chromosome 4 as a de novo variant has produced a number of cell lines during embryonic development and given rise to mosaicism. The clinical phenotype of ring chromosome 4 is variable. The instability of the ring chromosome itself, presence of mosaicism, chromosome breakpoint and range of deletion and/or duplication may all affect the ultimate phenotype.
Humans
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Pregnancy
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Female
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Ring Chromosomes
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In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
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Karyotyping
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Karyotype
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Mosaicism
7.Tongxie Yaofang Regulates T Lymphocyte Subsets to Improve Immune Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer Under Chronic Stress
Yi YANG ; Yane HU ; Yifang JIANG ; Ningning CHEN ; Ran YAN ; Jie ZHU ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(12):46-54
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Tongxie Yaofang on the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer in mice under chronic stress and the underlying mechanism. MethodA total of 40 male SPF BABL/C mice were randomized into normal group, stress group, Tongxie Yaofang group (13.65 g·kg-1), and Tongxie Yaofang-stress group (13.65 g·kg-1), with 10 in each group. Chronic restraint stress was induced in mice and administration (ig) of Tongxie Yaofang began after 7 days of stress. On the 14th day, forced swim and tail suspension tests were used to examine the behavioral changes of mice after stress and the subcutaneous colorectal tumor was implanted in each group of mice. The effect of this prescription on the body mass and tumor volume of mice was observed. After the last administration, mouse serum and tumor samples were collected. The content of T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+) in tumor was detected by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry and levels of corticosterone (CORT) in peripheral blood, and interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-6, and IL-10 in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(IκB) kinase α/β (IKKα/β), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)α (IκBα), NF-κB p65, and phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB p65 was measured by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group, the stress group had large tumor volume (P<0.05), low content of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.05, P<0.01), high content of CD8+, low content of T helper 1 (Th1)-secreted IFN-γ (P<0.05), high content of T helper 2 (Th2)-secreted IL-10 (P<0.05) and CORT (P<0.05), high protein expression of p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, and IKKα/β (P<0.05), and low protein expression of IκBα (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the Tongxie Yaofang group showed slow tumor growth, high content of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.01), low content of CD8+ (P<0.05), high content of Th1-secreted IL-2 and IFN-γ (P<0.05), low content of Th2-secreted IL-6 and IL-10 (P<0.05), low content of CORT, low protein expression of p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, and IKKα/β (P<0.05), and high protein expression of IκBα (P<0.01). Tongxie Yaofang-stress group demonstrated slower tumor growth, higher content of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ (P<0.01), smaller content of CD8+ (P<0.05), higher content of IL-2 and IFN-γ (P<0.05), lower content of IL-6, IL-10 (P<0.05), and CORT (P<0.05), lower protein expression of p-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, and IKKα/β (P<0.05,P<0.01), and higher protein expression of IκBα (P<0.01) than the stress group. ConclusionTongxie Yaofang can delay the growth of colorectal cancer under chronic stress and alleviate the deterioration of the immune microenvironment, possibly by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway, regulating the function of T lymphocyte subsets, and thus suppressing the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors.
8.Effect of Berberine Combined with Evodiamine on Migration and Invasion of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Ningning CHEN ; Yifang JIANG ; Yi YANG ; Ziyi ZHAO ; Fengming YOU ; Ran YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(24):98-104
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of berberine combined with evodiamine on the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer HCT116 and RKO cells and to explore the underlying mechanism. Methodcell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to examine the proliferation of HCT116 and RKO cells treated by berberine (30 μmol·L-1), evodiamine (0.8 μmol·L-1), and combination of two (30 μmol·L-1+0.8 μmol·L-1), respectively. Scratch assay and Transwell assay were employed to detect the migration and invasion of HCT116 and RKO cells treated with berberine, evodiamine, and the combination, separately. In addition, the protein expression of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), neural cadherin (N-cadherin), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) in HCT116 and RKO cells treated with the berberine, evodiamine, and the combination was respectively measured by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group, berberine alone and evodiamine alone had no significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCT116 and RKO cells, while the combination showed significant inhibition (P<0.01). Berberine alone and evodiamine alone had no remarkable influence on the expression of PI3K, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin in HCT116 and RKO cells, but the combination significantly reduced the expression of PI3K and N-cadherin (P<0.01) and increased the expression of E-cadherin (P<0.01) in HCT116 and RKO cells. Evodiamine alone also significantly suppressed the expression of Akt protein in HCT116 and RKO cells (P<0.05), but the suppression was weaker than that of the combination. ConclusionThe combination of berberine and evodiamine can significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer HCT116 and RKO cells and the two show synergy. The mechanism is the likelihood that the combination down-regulates the expression of PI3K and Akt.
9.Diagnosis and treatment of esophageal foreign body: Operation or endoscopy?
Menghua XUE ; Juan WANG ; Jie QI ; Yifang ZHU ; Wuping WANG ; Tao JIANG ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2022;29(02):206-210
Objective To summarize our experience in the treatment of esophageal foreign bodies. Methods A retrospective analysis of 149 patients of esophageal foreign bodies in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from December 2011 to May 2019 was carried out, including 75 (50.3%) females and 74 (49.7%) males with an average age of 57 (2-85) years. Results There were 146 patients confirmed by endoscopy, and 3 patients were not found foreign body. Among the confirmed patients, 127 patients were removed by gastroscope and 19 patients were treated by operation. Esophageal foreign bodies are mainly related to the types of food. Jujube seed is the most common food foreign body in the northwest China. The injury rate of mucosal was 47.54% within 48 hours. The complication rate of taking out the foreign body after 48 hours was 100.0%. The success rate by endoscopy decreased (P=0.005), if the foreign body combined perforation. There was no statistical difference between the neck and other parts when using ultra-fine gastroscope (P=0.157). Conclusion The sharper the foreign body is, the easier the perforation is. The earlier the foreign body is removed, the less complications are. The size of the foreign body determines the difficulty of endoscopic removal. Gastroscopy is the first choice for diagnosis and treatment, especially ultra-fine gastroscopy, and the foreign bodies that cannot be removed by endoscopy need surgical treatment.
10.mTORC2/RICTOR exerts differential levels of metabolic control in human embryonic, mesenchymal and neural stem cells.
Qun CHU ; Feifei LIU ; Yifang HE ; Xiaoyu JIANG ; Yusheng CAI ; Zeming WU ; Kaowen YAN ; Lingling GENG ; Yichen ZHANG ; Huyi FENG ; Kaixin ZHOU ; Si WANG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Shuai MA ; Jing QU ; Moshi SONG
Protein & Cell 2022;13(9):676-682

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