1.Mechanism of Mingshi Prescription in Regulating Opn4-dopamine Axis to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Delay Myopia Progression
Baohua LI ; Zefeng KANG ; Lulu WANG ; Xin YAN ; Jianquan WANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Bobiao NING ; Shanshan YE ; Mengyu LIU ; Yipeng SHI ; Danyu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):58-67
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine (Opn4-DA) axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the retina and sclera, thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a form-deprived myopia group (FDM group), an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group (ipRGCs group), a Mingshi Prescription group (MSF group, 5.2 g·kg-1), and an ipRGCs + MSF group (5.2 g·kg-1). Except for the normal group, all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally, the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling, the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice, eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina, choroid, and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4, CHOP, and GRP78 in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining (IF) was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction (P<0.05) and a significant increase in axial length (P<0.05). The retinal layers were thinner, the number of ganglion cells was reduced, and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length (P<0.05), more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal, choroidal, and scleral layers, lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina (P<0.05), and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length (P<0.05), with improved cellular number, arrangement, and thickness in ocular tissues, increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina (P<0.05), and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera (P<0.05). Similarly, the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group (P<0.05). ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice, thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes, softens the fascia, and restores ocular rhythm.
2.Intervention effect and mechanism of Wuwei baogan pill on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yan WANG ; Cuiqing CHEN ; Yan XU ; Yipeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1345-1350
OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Wuwei baogan pill on mice with non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS The mice were given high-fat and high-sugar diet for 19 weeks to induce NAFLD model. The model mice were randomly grouped into model group, positive control group (polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules, 23.30 mg/kg), Wuwei baogan pill low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (0.11, 0.23, 0.45 g/kg), with 8 mice in each group; the normal group was additionally set up without modeling. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically, and model group and normal group were given constant volume of normal saline, once a day, for consecutive 4 weeks. After the last administration, glucose metabolism (including fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index), liver function [liver index, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),liver tissue pathological score], lipid metabolism [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were measured; the pathological morphology of liver tissue, as well as fibrosis, lipid droplet formation, and glycogen synthesis were observed; the levels of free fatty acid (FFA) in serum and inflammatory factors in liver tissue [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β] were detected; the expressions of insulin receptor substrate/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ glycogen synthase kinase 3β (IRS/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β) signaling pathway-related protein in liver tissue were investigated. RESULTS After intervention with high-dose Wuwei baogan pill, liver index of NAFLD mice, serum levels of ALT, AST, FFA, TC, TG and LDL-C, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in liver tissue, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index, liver tissue pathological score, proportions of fibrotic staining area and lipid droplet staining area all significantly decreased (P<0.05); the level of HDL-C, proportion of glycogen staining area, the phosphorylation of IRS1, PI3K, AKT and GSK3β protein increased significantly (P<0.05); the degree of liver cell necrosis and steatosis was reduced, and the fibrotic lesions were alleviated. The above indexes of mice were improved in Wuwei baogan pill low-dose and medium-dose groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in some indexes. CONCLUSIONS Wuwei baogan pill can regulate lipid and glucose metabolism disorders in the liver of NAFLD mice, and improve liver injury, the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of IRS/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.
3.Intervention effect and mechanism of Wuwei baogan pill on mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yan WANG ; Cuiqing CHEN ; Yan XU ; Yipeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1345-1350
OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Wuwei baogan pill on mice with non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS The mice were given high-fat and high-sugar diet for 19 weeks to induce NAFLD model. The model mice were randomly grouped into model group, positive control group (polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules, 23.30 mg/kg), Wuwei baogan pill low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups (0.11, 0.23, 0.45 g/kg), with 8 mice in each group; the normal group was additionally set up without modeling. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically, and model group and normal group were given constant volume of normal saline, once a day, for consecutive 4 weeks. After the last administration, glucose metabolism (including fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index), liver function [liver index, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),liver tissue pathological score], lipid metabolism [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were measured; the pathological morphology of liver tissue, as well as fibrosis, lipid droplet formation, and glycogen synthesis were observed; the levels of free fatty acid (FFA) in serum and inflammatory factors in liver tissue [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β] were detected; the expressions of insulin receptor substrate/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ glycogen synthase kinase 3β (IRS/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β) signaling pathway-related protein in liver tissue were investigated. RESULTS After intervention with high-dose Wuwei baogan pill, liver index of NAFLD mice, serum levels of ALT, AST, FFA, TC, TG and LDL-C, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in liver tissue, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index, liver tissue pathological score, proportions of fibrotic staining area and lipid droplet staining area all significantly decreased (P<0.05); the level of HDL-C, proportion of glycogen staining area, the phosphorylation of IRS1, PI3K, AKT and GSK3β protein increased significantly (P<0.05); the degree of liver cell necrosis and steatosis was reduced, and the fibrotic lesions were alleviated. The above indexes of mice were improved in Wuwei baogan pill low-dose and medium-dose groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in some indexes. CONCLUSIONS Wuwei baogan pill can regulate lipid and glucose metabolism disorders in the liver of NAFLD mice, and improve liver injury, the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of IRS/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.
4.An evaluation of carrier detection for Spinal muscular atrophy using digital PCR assay
Yousheng YAN ; Chianru TAN ; Meng ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Yipeng WANG ; Xinwen CHEN ; Chenghong YIN ; Yong GUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(1):20-24
Objective:To assess the effectiveness and feasibility of carrier detection for Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by using digital PCR assay.Methods:Peripheral blood samples were collected from 214 pregnant women who were routinely screened for SMA carriers, of which 204 were randomly selected samples and 10 were samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Samples with known copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were randomly mixed into the experiment to validate the performance of the digital PCR assay. The copy numbers of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 and SMN2 exons 7 and 8 in peripheral blood samples were detected by digital PCR assay. The results of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were compared with those of the quantitative PCR method to assess the reliability and clinical performance of the digital PCR assay. Results:Among the 204 random samples, digital PCR has detected five samples with simultaneous heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8, three samples with heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 8 only, and 196 samples with no deletion of SMN1 exons 7 and 8. Ten samples with known SMN1 exons 7 and 8 copy numbers were detected with the expected values. The digital PCR test results were fully consistent with that of the quantitative PCR. Conclusion:The results of digital PCR for the detection of copy number variation of SMN1 exons 7 and 8 were consistent with qPCR. Digital PCR assay was able to clearly distinguish the copy number of the target genes, therefore can be used for SMA carrier screening. Moreover, it can also detect copy number of SMN2 exons 7 and 8, which can provide more information for genetic counseling.
5.Analysis on the Medication Law of Gu Shizhe in the Treatment of Insomnia Based on Data Mining
Hanbo MA ; Zhaoyang WANG ; Yang FANG ; Yipeng YUAN ; Shizhe GU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(2):59-63
Objective To discuss the medication law of Professor Gu Shizhe in the treatment of insomnia based on various data mining techniques.Methods Clinical information of patients of Professor Gu was collected from the hospital management information system of outpatient clinic of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(BUCM)and BUCM Famous Elderly TCM Inheritance Research Integrated Platform from January 2018 to October 2022.Professor Gu's books,such as Zhi Zhen Zhi Yao,and Gu Jisheng,Gu Shizhe Yi An Yi Hua Jing Cui,and the medical records from CNKI were screened.WPS Office 5.2.1 was used to build a database of medicine data for Professor Gu's TCM prescriptions,and R 4.2.1 was used for descriptive analysis and Apriori association rule analysis.SPSS Statistics 26.0 was used for clustering analysis,combined with theoretical analysis,to extract Professor Gu's medication law and characteristics in the treatment of insomnia.Results A total of 307 prescriptions were included,involving 250 kinds of Chinese materia medica,among which 30 were high-frequency drugs.The top 5 most frequently used were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle,Fossilizid,Poria,Bupleuri Radix,and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.The meridians were mainly liver and lung meridian,and the properties were mainly warm and cold,and the tastes were mainly sweet and bitter.Five core drug groups were obtained by clustering analysis,including Xiaochaihu Decoction,Erchen Decoction,Huanglian Wendan Decoction,Suanzaoren Decoction,Xiaoyao Powder and other prescriptions.Conclusion The characteristics of Professor Gu's treatment of insomnia are to reconcile Shaoyang,clear the heart and soothe the mind;pay attention to yin and yang,regulate the liver;pay attention to the liver,gallbladder,spleen and stomach;the main idea of syndrome differentiation is to reconcile Shaoyang,run the Shaoyang cardinal,and at the same time regulate qi and benefit qi and nourishes yin.
6.Chinese expert consensus on targeted and immunotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer
Ping JIANG ; Zi LIU ; Lichun WEI ; Yunyan ZHANG ; Fengju ZHAO ; Xiangkun YUAN ; Yipeng SONG ; Jing BAI ; Xiaofan LI ; Baosheng SUN ; Lijuan ZOU ; Sha LI ; Yuhua GAO ; Yanhong ZHUO ; Song GAO ; Qin XU ; Xiaohong ZHOU ; Hong ZHU ; Junjie WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(10):893-901
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) refers to the simultaneous treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the effect of radiotherapy is enhanced with low-dose chemotherapy, which can reduce tumor recurrence and metastasis and improve clinical prognosis of patients. At present, the main factors for the increase of radiosensitivity of concurrent chemotherapy is that concurrent chemotherapy prevents the repair of tumor cells, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy act on different cell cycles and have synergistic effects. However, even for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) who have undergone CCRT, the 5-year survival rate is only 60%, which is still not ideal. In order to improve the efficacy, researchers have conducted a series of exploratory studies, which consist of the combination of targeted drugs and immunodrugs, and neoadjuvant regimens before CCRT, etc. Although targeted or immunologic drugs are effective treatment of LACC, in view of the lack of large-scale evidence-based medical evidence, multi-center prospective and randomized phase III clinical trials and high-level articles are needed to improve the level of evidence-based medicine. This consensus summarizes several key evidence-based medical studies published recently, especially the clinical research progress in targeted and immunological therapies, providing reference for domestic peers.
7.Causal relationship between sex steroid hormones and myopia:a Mendelian randomization study
Baohua LI ; Zefeng KANG ; Mingming ZHANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Jianquan WANG ; Danyu LI ; Mengyu LIU ; Yipeng SHI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(12):961-966
Objective To analyze the causal relationship between serum sex steroid hormone levels and myopia with the Mendelian randomization(MR)methods.Methods Sex hormone genetic tools classified by sex were publicly availa-ble summarized statistical data from the Genome-wide association study(GWAS)of the UK Biobank Consortium on sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG),total testosterone(TT),bioavailable testosterone(BT),and estradiol(E2).The GWAS summarized statistical data for myopia were obtained from publicly available data published by the FinnGen Consorti-um R10.All data were downloaded from April 18 to April 31,2024 from the corresponding databases and analyzed.All re-sults from the MR study were mainly analyzed by inverse-variance weighting(IVW)method.Results The study showed that a higher serum SHBG level in European increased the risk of myopia development in women(IVW,OR=1.152,95%CI:1.014-1.308,P=0.029);low serum TT level(IVW,OR=0.821,95%CI:0.697-0.967,P=0.018)and serum BT lev-el(IVW,OR=0.820,95%CI:0.691-0.972,P=0.022)increased the risk of myopia development in women.There was no causal relationship between serum SHBG,TT,and BT levels and myopia in men.There was no causal effect between E2 level and myopia in women and men.The stability of our findings was supported by sensitivity analysis.Conclusion In-creased serum SHBG level and decreased serum TT and BT levels are associated with an increased risk of myopia in women,whereas no such association is found in men.There is no causal relationship between E2 and myopia.
8.Comparative study of transfection of tumor antigen NY-ESO-1 circRNA with a novel cationic lipid-like material C1 to stimulate IFN-γ production in T cells
Hong ZHOU ; Yipeng MA ; Xiaojuan WANG ; Fenglan LIU ; Bin LI ; Dongjuan QIAO ; Xiaojun XIA ; Peigen REN ; Mingjun WANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(9):771-777
Objective:To express NY-ESO-1 epitopes using circular RNA (circRNA) and construct circRNA cancer vaccines using a novel lipid-like material C1, and to evaluate the transfection efficiency and T cell activation potential at cellular level.Methods:In vitro transcription was used to synthesize mRNA and circRNA expressing EGFP and NY-ESO-1 epitopes. Then, they were transfected into COS7 cells and the expression of target proteins were detected in vitro. Lipid-like material C1 and commercial transfection agent TransIT-mRNA were used as delivery systems for mRNA NY-ESO-1 and circRNA NY-ESO-1, and their delivery efficiency was compared. Results:The expression of EGFP was observed under fluorescence microscopy after transfection of mRNA EGFP and circRNA EGFP into COS7 cells for 24 h. The secretion of IFN-γ by T cell receptor-engineered T (TCR-T) cells targeting NY-ESO-1/HLA-A2 was stimulated by COS7-A*02: 01 cells transfected with mRNA NY-ESO-1 and circRNA NY-ESO-1. Compared with mRNA NY-ESO-1, circRNA NY-ESO-1 was able to express the target antigen and stimulate the target cells to release IFN-γ more persistently. The delivery efficiency of C1 material was better than that of commercial transfection reagents when COS7 cells were transfected in vitro. Conclusions:Compared with the linear mRNA, transfection of COS7-A*02: 01 cells with circRNA can lead to more efficient and durable activation of T cells, suggesting that it could be a more suitable candidate for clinical treatment of tumors in the future. The lipid-like material C1 can effectively deliver linear mRNA and circular RNA molecules. This study provides reference for further research on circRNA tumor vaccines.
9.Surgical treatment strategy for acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries
Jianji WANG ; Runqiao LI ; Jiazhen MEI ; Yongliang ZHONG ; Yu XIA ; Chengnan LI ; Zhiyu QIAO ; Haiou HU ; Yipeng GE ; Junming ZHU
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;40(11):660-663
Objective:To explore surgical strategies for acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries.Methods:From January 2019 to March 2023, a total of 29 patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries were included in the study. All patients underwent emergency surgery, with simultaneous intraoperative neck incision and replacement of the unilateral or bilateral carotid arteries. Among them, there were 19 males with a mean age of(49.57±2.14)years old. Preoperative brain CT indicated abnormalities in 15 cases, transient neurological dysfunction occurred in 5 cases, and syncope in 1 case.Results:Procedures included ascending aorta replacement in 10 cases, Bentall procedure in 18 cases, and Wheat procedure in 1 case. Arch operations involved partial arch replacement in 3 cases and Sun’s procedure in 26 cases. Simple left carotid artery replacement was performed in 6 cases, simple right carotid artery replacement in 19 cases, and bilateral carotid artery replacement in 4 cases. Cerebral protection measures during circulatory arrest included unilateral cerebral perfusion in 24 cases and bilateral cerebral perfusion in 5 cases. The mean operation time was(7. 6±0. 3) h, with a mean cardiopulmonary bypass time of(196. 3±8. 7) min, aortic cross-clamp time of(113.2±6.4) min, ischemic time 12(5-16.5) min, and lowest temperature of(26.3±0.4)°C. One patient experienced in-hospital mortality. Postoperatively, new neurological dysfunction occurred in 2 cases, including 1 case with coma and permanent neurological deficit.Conclusion:In patients with acute type A aortic dissection involving severe stenosis or occlusion of the carotid arteries, simultaneous carotid artery replacement via neck incision during aortic surgery is a safe and reliable surgical approach.
10.Targeted Inhibition of p21 Promotes the Growth of Breast Cancer Cells and Impairs the Tumor-Killing Effect of the Vaccinia Virus
Xiaoyuan JIA ; Yujia ZHAO ; Qiang LI ; Xiaming LU ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Hui WANG ; Ziyi SHI ; Yipeng XU ; Biao HUANG ; Fang HUANG ; Yigang WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2024;27(5):293-304
Purpose:
Vaccinia virus is widely used as an oncolytic agent for human cancer therapy, and several versions of vaccinia virus have demonstrated robust antitumor effects in breast cancer. Most vaccinia viruses are modified by thymidine kinase (TK) deletion. The function of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in breast cancer remains controversial. We explored the impact of p21 gene knockdown (KD) on breast cancer cells and whether p21 KD interferes with the antitumor effect of TK-negative vaccinia virus.
Methods:
p21 KD MDA-MB-231 and p21 KD MCF-7 cells were prepared, and cell proliferation and migration rates were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scratch healing assays. The tumor growth of xenografts originating from p21KD MDA-MB-231 cells and control cells was compared in a mouse model. The colony formation and sphere-forming abilities of p21 KD breast cancer cells were also determined using low-melting agarose and serum-free culture. The tumorkilling effect of the vaccinia virus was determined in breast cancer cells and mouse models using an MTT assay and tumor cell xenografts.
Results:
p21 KD increased the growth and migration of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells and promoted the cell growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in mice, while decreasing the colony formation and sphere formation abilities. Expression of TK was reduced in p21 KD MDAMB-231 cells. Oncolytic effects of both wild-type and TK-deleted vaccinia viruses were attenuated in p21KD MDA-MB-231 cells. The tumor-killing effect of TK-deleted vaccinia virus was also weakened in xenografted mice bearing p21 KD MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusion
Targeted inhibition of p21 accelerates the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells and impairs the tumor-killing effect of vaccinia virus, suggesting that p21 levels in cancer cells interfere with vaccinia virus oncolytic therapy.

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