1.Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of Demyelination in the Brain of Balb/c Mice Infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Zhen NIU ; Xiaojie WU ; Liang YANG ; Zhixuan MA ; Junxiong YANG ; Ying FENG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):293-300
ObjectiveTo investigate the demyelination induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC) infection in the brain of Balb/c mice and analyze the untargeted metabolomic changes in the corpus callosum, aiming to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. MethodsBalb/c mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n=6) and an infection group (n=6). The infection group was orally administered 30 third-stage larvae of AC, while the control group received an equal volume of saline. Body weight, visual function, and behavioral scores were measured on post-infection 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 days to assess neurological alterations. After 21 days, brain tissues were harvested for immunofluorescence staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy to examine morphological changes in brain myelin and retina. Metabolomics analysis was performed, and differential metabolites were identified using volcano plots and heatmaps. The distribution of fold changes and bar charts were used to profile the key metabolites. These differential metabolites were then subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and regulatory network analysis. ResultsOn the 9th day after AC infection, Balb/c mice showed a decline in neurological behavioral scores (P<0.05). By day 15, visual scores decreased (P<0.05), and by day 21, significant weight loss (P<0.001) and mortality were observed. Concurrently, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining revealed significant myelin damage in the corpus callosum and a marked reduction in oligodendrocytes (P<0.001). HE staining showed severe retinal ganglion cell damage. Metabolomic analysis revealed that glycerophospholipids were the most abundant differential metabolites, with steroids and sphingolipids being relatively less abundant. Cholesteryl ester CE (20:2) was significantly upregulated (P<0.001), while phosphatidylmethanol (18:0_18:1) was significantly downregulated (P<0.01). KEGG enrichment and regulatory network analyses demonstrated that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways like steroid biosynthesis, bile secretion, and cholesterol metabolism, and were involved in key metabolic pathways such as sphingolipid metabolism, neural signal regulation, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. ConclusionsAC infection affects the metabolic state of mice via multiple pathways, modifying the levels of metabolites crucial for myelination and myelin stability. Demyelination may be closely linked to the disruption of these key metabolic pathways, particularly the dysregulation of cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism, potentially playing a central role in demyelination onset. Furthermore, alterations in phospholipid metabolism and abnormal nerve signaling regulation may exacerbate myelin damage.
2.Mechanism of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang in improving renal injury induced by chemotherapy in mice based on Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Yu LIU ; Li-Ying ZHANG ; Ya-Feng QI ; Yang-Yang LI ; Shang-Zu ZHANG ; Qian XU ; Guo-Xiong HAO ; Fan NIU ; Yong-Qi LIU ; Zhi-Ming ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(5):703-707
Objective To study the effect and mechanism of action of Yi Sui Sheng Xue Fang(YSSX)in ameliorating chemotherapy-induced renal injury in mice through The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1)/Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2(NRF2)signalling pathway.Methods A mouse kidney injury model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carboplatin(40 mg·kg-1).C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group(0.9%NaCl),model group(kidney injury model)and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups(0.53,1.05 and 2.10 g·kg-1·d-1 YSSX by gavage for 7 d).Keap1 and Nrf2 were determined by Western blot;superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)activities were determined by spectrophotometry.Results The protein expression levels of Keap1 in blank group,model group and experimental-L,experimental-M,experimental-H groups were 0.26±0.02,0.64±0.03,0.59±0.01,0.45±0.05 and 0.34±0.02;the protein expression levels of Nrf2 were 0.69±0.06,0.35±0.01,0.36±0.01,0.48±0.02 and 0.56±0.01;the enzyme activities of catalase(CAT)were(572.49±912.92),(334.60±4.92),(402.76±9.80),(475.35±5.21)and(493.00±12.03)U·mg-1;glutathione(GSH)were(2.79±0.06),(0.51±0.01),(0.59±0.07),(1.29±0.04)and(1.70±0.08)μmol·L1;SOD were(477.00±4.32),(260.67±6.13),(272.67±2.87),(386.33±3.68)and(395.00±12.25)U·mL-1;MDA were(3.89±0.02),(7.32±0.03),(6.94±0.14),(4.60±0.01)and(4.34±0.02)nmol·mg prot-1.The differences of the above indexes in the model group compared with the blank group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001);the differences of the above indexes in experimental-M,experimental-H groups compared withe model group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.001).Conclusion YSSX can activate Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and regulate the oxidative stress state of the organism,thus improving the renal injury caused by chemotherapy in mice.
3.Sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex and autologous bone grafting for the treatment of hemifacial microsomia
Lai GUI ; Feng NIU ; Bing YU ; Jianfeng LIU ; Ying CHEN ; Xi FU ; Shixing XU ; Jia QIAO ; Qi JIN ; Yu HE ; Xuebing LIANG ; Lei CUI ; Fuhuan CHEN ; Qi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(3):249-257
Objective:To investigate a new method for the reconstruction of hemifacial microsomia by sagittal osteotomy of the affected mandibular outer cortex combined with bone graft of mandibular outer cortex from healthy side.Methods:From March 2006 to March 2023, the clinical data of patients with hemifacial microsomia admitted to the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis and surgical design were performed based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. All cases were operated under general anesthesia. The affected mandibular outer cortex was previously split by an intraoral approach, and then the mandibular outer cortex of appropriate shape and size on the healthy side was harvested and grafted into the split bone space according to the preoperative design, following by internal rigid fixation. Complications, facial appearance improvement, and patient satisfaction were followed up. Photographs were taken preoperative, immediately postoperative and at the long-term(last) postoperative follow-up, and the severity of the deformity was analyzed. CT data from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and long-term follow-up visits were imported into Surgicase Proplan medical three-dimensional image workstation in Dicom format. The mandible was reconstructed using Segmentation, and the thickness of the mandible was measured during pre-operative, immediate post-operative and long-term follow-up visits. Anova with repeated measurement design was used to compare measurements and LSD test was used for multiple comparisons. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used to statistically analyze malformation severity. P< 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 39 patients were included in this study, including 13 females and 26 males, with an average age of (22.21±4.57) years (15-27 years). All patients were followed up for an average of (45.56±39.41) months (6-153 months) after surgery. The grafted mandibular outer cortex grows well with the adjacent bone tissue, and the mandibular angle and mandibular body are significantly wider. Of the 39 cases, 1 developed an infection 1 year after surgery, the titanium plate was exposed, and the patient healed after debridement and removal of the immobilizing splint. The facial appearance of the other patients improved significantly. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and long term follow up of mandibular thickness measurements were compared in pairs, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The patient’s appearance satisfaction score: the preoperative score was [2.0(1.5, 2.0)] points, the immediate postoperative score was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points, the score of the last postoperative follow up was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points. There was statistical difference in satisfaction among the three groups ( P<0.01). The preoperative scores were compared with the scores of the immediate postoperative and the last postoperative follow-up respectively, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in satisfaction between the immediate postoperative score and the score of the last postoperative follow up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex is consistent with the features of mandibular anatomy, and provides a good condition for the grafting and healing of autogenous bone. Removing the outer cortex of the mandible on the healthy side not only increases the thickness of the affected side, but also decreases the width of the angle of the mandible on the healthy side, so as to effectively correct the asymmetric deformity of the mandible. The method is simple, with few complications and good results, and is one of the ideal treatments to correct hemofacial microsomia.
4.Three new sesquiterpenoids from the Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus
Bo-tao LU ; Yue-tong ZHU ; Xiao-ning LIU ; Hui-ying NIU ; Meng-yu ZHANG ; Wei-sheng FENG ; Yan-zhi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(4):997-1001
The
5.Healthcare-associated infection status and construction of a risk prediction model for coronary heart disease patients after percutaneous coronary in-tervention
Hui-Ying NIU ; Liu-Hua ZHAO ; Jia-Jing WU ; Yao-Feng GAO
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(11):1438-1444
Objective To evaluate healthcare-associated infection(HAI)status and influencing factors in coronary heart disease(CHD)patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)treatment,and construct a risk predic-tion model.Methods CHD patients who underwent PCI in a hospital from May 2019 to October 2023 were retro-spectively selected as the research subjects.Infection status of the CHD patients was analyzed.Patients were ran-domly divided into a modeling set and a testing set in a 7:3 ratio.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression ana-lyses were performed to analyze the data in the modeling set and determine the influencing factors for HAI in pa-tients.R software was used to construct and validate a nomogram model.Results A total of 858 CHD patients were included in the analysis,601 in the modeling set and 257 in the testing set.In the modeling set,41 cases were in the infected group and 560 cases in the non-infected group.The incidence of HAI in CHD patients after PCI treat-ment was 6.88%(59/858).Infection site were mainly upper respiratory tract and urinary tract.A total of 74 pathogens were isolated,including Gram-positive bacteria,Gram-negative bacteria,and fungi being 39,31,and 4 strains,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that old age,combined diabetes,high grade of New York Heart Association(NYHA)classification,and invasive procedures were all risk factors for HAI in CHD patients after PCI treatment(all P<0.05),while high mini-nutritional assessment short-form(MNA-SF)score was a protective fac-tor(P<0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)of the nomogram predic-tion model constructed based on the above five indicators was 0.894(95%CI:0.815-0.931),with a sensitivity of 89.0%and a specificity of 82.5%.The testing set data validation showed an AUC value of 0.879(95%CI:0.801-0.923),with a sensitivity of 87.5%and a specificity of 81.3%,which were comparable to the modeling set and presented the stability of the model.The H-L goodness of fit test showed no statistical significance(P>0.05),in-dicating that the model didn't exhibit overfitting.Calibration curve analysis showed that the model had good consis-tency.Decision curve analysis confirmed that the model had practical value in clinical practice.Conclusion The no-mogram model has a good predictive ability for HAI in CHD patients after PCI treatment,and can provide a simple and effective evaluation tool for medical staff to identify HAI high-risk individuals.
6.Sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex and autologous bone grafting for the treatment of hemifacial microsomia
Lai GUI ; Feng NIU ; Bing YU ; Jianfeng LIU ; Ying CHEN ; Xi FU ; Shixing XU ; Jia QIAO ; Qi JIN ; Yu HE ; Xuebing LIANG ; Lei CUI ; Fuhuan CHEN ; Qi CHEN
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(3):249-257
Objective:To investigate a new method for the reconstruction of hemifacial microsomia by sagittal osteotomy of the affected mandibular outer cortex combined with bone graft of mandibular outer cortex from healthy side.Methods:From March 2006 to March 2023, the clinical data of patients with hemifacial microsomia admitted to the Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative diagnosis and surgical design were performed based on clinical manifestations and imaging findings. All cases were operated under general anesthesia. The affected mandibular outer cortex was previously split by an intraoral approach, and then the mandibular outer cortex of appropriate shape and size on the healthy side was harvested and grafted into the split bone space according to the preoperative design, following by internal rigid fixation. Complications, facial appearance improvement, and patient satisfaction were followed up. Photographs were taken preoperative, immediately postoperative and at the long-term(last) postoperative follow-up, and the severity of the deformity was analyzed. CT data from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and long-term follow-up visits were imported into Surgicase Proplan medical three-dimensional image workstation in Dicom format. The mandible was reconstructed using Segmentation, and the thickness of the mandible was measured during pre-operative, immediate post-operative and long-term follow-up visits. Anova with repeated measurement design was used to compare measurements and LSD test was used for multiple comparisons. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used to statistically analyze malformation severity. P< 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 39 patients were included in this study, including 13 females and 26 males, with an average age of (22.21±4.57) years (15-27 years). All patients were followed up for an average of (45.56±39.41) months (6-153 months) after surgery. The grafted mandibular outer cortex grows well with the adjacent bone tissue, and the mandibular angle and mandibular body are significantly wider. Of the 39 cases, 1 developed an infection 1 year after surgery, the titanium plate was exposed, and the patient healed after debridement and removal of the immobilizing splint. The facial appearance of the other patients improved significantly. Preoperative, immediate postoperative and long term follow up of mandibular thickness measurements were compared in pairs, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The patient’s appearance satisfaction score: the preoperative score was [2.0(1.5, 2.0)] points, the immediate postoperative score was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points, the score of the last postoperative follow up was [4.0(4.0, 4.0)] points. There was statistical difference in satisfaction among the three groups ( P<0.01). The preoperative scores were compared with the scores of the immediate postoperative and the last postoperative follow-up respectively, and the differences were statistically significant( P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in satisfaction between the immediate postoperative score and the score of the last postoperative follow up ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The sagittal splitting osteotomy of the mandibular outer cortex is consistent with the features of mandibular anatomy, and provides a good condition for the grafting and healing of autogenous bone. Removing the outer cortex of the mandible on the healthy side not only increases the thickness of the affected side, but also decreases the width of the angle of the mandible on the healthy side, so as to effectively correct the asymmetric deformity of the mandible. The method is simple, with few complications and good results, and is one of the ideal treatments to correct hemofacial microsomia.
7.Model test study on treatment of Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ hemifacial microsomia with artificial condyle-mandibular distractor complex.
Ruilin ZHAO ; Xi FU ; Jia QIAO ; Yu HE ; Shixing XU ; Ying CHEN ; Bing YU ; Jianfeng LIU ; Feng NIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2023;37(10):1270-1275
OBJECTIVE:
To preliminarily verify the effectiveness of self-designed artificial condyle-mandibular distraction (AC-MD) complex in the treatment of Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ hemifacial microsomia (HFM) through model test.
METHODS:
Five children with Pruzansky type ⅡB and Ⅲ HFM who were treated with mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) between December 2016 and December 2021 were selected as the subjects. There were 3 boys and 2 girls wih an average age of 8.4 years (range, 6-10 years). Virtual surgery and model test of AC-MD complex were performed according to preoperative skull CT of children. The model was obtained by three-dimensional (3D) printing according to the children's CT data at a ratio of 1∶1. The occlusal guide plate was designed and 3D printed according to the children's toothpaste model. The results of the model test and the virtual surgery were matched in three dimensions to calculate the error of the residual condyle on the affected side, and the model test was matched with the actual skull CT after MDO to measure and compare the inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible.
RESULTS:
The error of residual condyle was (1.07±0.78) mm. The inclination rotation of the mandible, the distance between the condylar of the healthy side and the residual condyle of the affected side, and the lengthening length of the mandible after 3D printing model test were significantly larger than those after MDO ( P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
In the model test, the implantation of AC-MD complex can immediately rotate the mandible to the horizontal position and improve facial symmetry, and the residual condyle segment can be guided close to the articular fossa or the preset pseudoarticular position of the skull base after operation.
Male
;
Child
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Goldenhar Syndrome/surgery*
;
Mandible/surgery*
;
Osteogenesis, Distraction/methods*
;
Printing, Three-Dimensional
;
Facial Asymmetry/surgery*
8.Thrombospondin-2 Couples Pressure-Promoted Chondrogenesis through NF-jB Signaling
Jing NIU ; Fan FENG ; Songbai ZHANG ; Yue ZHU ; Runfang SONG ; Junrong LI ; Liang ZHAO ; Hui WANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Min ZHANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2023;20(5):753-766
METHODS:
Rat BMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified. The time-dependent expressions of TSP-2 and Sox9 in BMSCs under a dynamic mechanical pressure of 0–120 kPa at 0.1 Hz for 1 h were tested by qPCR and Western blotting. The role of TSP-2 in chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs under mechanical pressure was validated by using small interfering RNA. The impact of TSP-2 and mechanical pressure on chondrogenesis were detected and the downstream signaling molecules were explored using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Mechanical pressure stimulation of 0–120 kPa for 1 h significantly upregulated the expression of TSP-2 in BMSCs. The expression of the chondrogenesis markers Sox9, Aggrecan, and Col-II were all upregulated under dynamic mechanical pressure or TSP-2 stimulation. Additional exogenous TSP-2 may potentiate the chondrogenic effect of mechanical stimulation. After knock down TSP-2, the upregulation of Sox9, Aggrecan and Col-II under mechanical pressure was inhibited. The NF-jB signaling pathway responded to both dynamic pressure and TSP-2 stimulation, and the cartilage-promoting effect was blocked by an NF-jB signaling inhibitor.
CONCLUSION
TSP-2 plays an essential role in the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs under mechanical pressure. NF-jB signaling is involved in the mechano-chemical coupling of TSP-2 and mechanical pressure for the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs.
9.Characteristics of whole blood donors from 26 blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19:a multicenter study
Peng LI ; Youhua SHEN ; Wei GAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Jianling ZHONG ; Hao LI ; Lin BAO ; Ying WANG ; Xuefang FENG ; Tao SUN ; Xiaoqin CHEN ; Li LI ; Hongzhi JIA ; Shouguang XU ; Xiaobo CAI ; Wen ZHANG ; Qunying LAI ; Zhiqiang YU ; Zhenxing WANG ; Yanjun ZHOU ; Peng WANG ; Yanhua ZHANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Haiying NIU ; Hongli JING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2023;36(10):907-912
【Objective】 To analyze the basic characteristics of whole blood donors from blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. 【Methods】 After excluding invalid data, data related to the basic characteristics of whole blood donors collected from 26 blood stations in China during 2018 to 2021 were statistically analyzed, including the trend of total whole blood donors, the number of repeated blood donors, the frequency of blood donation, the average age of donors and the recruitment of first-time blood donors. 【Results】 Affected by the epidemic, 8 out of 14 indicators were with large variations, accounting for 57%. The overall growth rate of total whole blood donors during the epidemic was higher than before the epidemic (P<0.05).The number of repeated blood donors has shown an increased trend, with a higher number during the epidemic than before (P<0.05). The frequency of blood donation was lower during the epidemic than before(P<0.05).Average ages of blood donors and female blood donors fluctuated widely during the epidemic, both higher than those before the epidemic(P<0.05).The donation rate of first-time blood donors <25 years old and ≥25 years old varied widely and irregularly during the epidemic (both P<0.05). The percentage of first-time blood donors fluctuated irregularly during the epidemic, with overall percentage lower than that before the epidemic(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Whole blood donors from 26 blood stations increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, and some indicators in certain areas showed significant fluctuations during the epidemic.
10.A robust luminescent assay for screening alkyladenine DNA glycosylase inhibitors to overcome DNA repair and temozolomide drug resistance
Ying-Qi SONG ; Guo-Dong LI ; Dou NIU ; Feng CHEN ; Shaozhen JING ; Vincent Kam Wai Wong ; Wanhe WANG ; Chung-Hang LEUNG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2023;13(5):514-522
Temozolomide(TMZ)is an anticancer agent used to treat glioblastoma,typically following radiation therapy and/or surgical resection.However,despite its effectiveness,at least 50%of patients do not respond to TMZ,which is associated with repair and/or tolerance of TMZ-induced DNA lesions.Studies have demonstrated that alkyladenine DNA glycosylase(AAG),an enzyme that triggers the base excision repair(BER)pathway by excising TMZ-induced N3-methyladenine(3meA)and N7-methylguanine le-sions,is overexpressed in glioblastoma tissues compared to normal tissues.Therefore,it is essential to develop a rapid and efficient screening method for AAG inhibitors to overcome TMZ resistance in glio-blastomas.Herein,we report a robust time-resolved photoluminescence platform for identifying AAG inhibitors with improved sensitivity compared to conventional steady-state spectroscopic methods.As a proof-of-concept,this assay was used to screen 1440 food and drug administration-approved drugs against AAG,resulting in the repurposing of sunitinib as a potential AAG inhibitor.Sunitinib restored glioblastoma(GBM)cancer cell sensitivity to TMZ,inhibited GBM cell proliferation and stem cell char-acteristics,and induced GBM cell cycle arrest.Overall,this strategy offers a new method for the rapid identification of small-molecule inhibitors of BER enzyme activities that can prevent false negatives due to a fluorescent background.

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