1.Chemical consitituents and hypoglycemic activity of Qinhuai No. 1 Rehmannia glutinosa
Meng YANG ; Zhi-you HAO ; Xiao-lan WANG ; Chao-yuan XIAO ; Jun-yang ZHANG ; Shi-qi ZHOU ; Xiao-ke ZHENG ; Wei-sheng FENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):205-210
Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of
2.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
3.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
4.Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α Transcriptionally Activates TM4SF5 Through The DR1 Motif
Yi-Ming GUO ; Xiao-Fei ZHANG ; Han FENG ; Li ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1241-1251
ObjectiveHepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4A) is a critical transcription factor in the liver and pancreas. Dysfunctions of HNF4A lead to maturity onset diabetes of the young 1 (MODY1). Notably, MODY1 patients with HNF4A pathogenic mutations exhibit decreased responses to arginine and reduced plasma triglyceride levels, but the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the potential target genes transcriptionally regulated by HNF4A and explore its role in these metabolic pathways. MethodsA stable 293T cell line expressing the HNF1A reporter was overexpressed with HNF4A. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to analyze transcriptional differences. Transcription factor binding site prediction was then conducted to identify HNF4A binding motifs in the promoter regions of relevant target genes. ResultsRNA-seq results revealed a significant upregulation of transmembrane 4 L six family member 5 (TM4SF5) mRNA in HNF4A-overexpressing cells. Transcription factor binding predictions suggested the presence of five potential HNF4A binding motifs in the TM4SF5 promoter. Finally, we confirmed that the DR1 site in the -57 to -48 region of the TM4SF5 promoter is the key binding motif for HNF4A. ConclusionThis study identified TM4SF5 as a target gene of HNF4A and determined the key binding motif involved in its regulation. Given the role of TM4SF5 as an arginine sensor in mTOR signaling activation and triglyceride secretion, which closely aligns with phenotypes observed in MODY1 patients, our findings provide novel insights into the possible mechanisms by which HNF4A regulates triglyceride secretion in the liver and arginine-stimulated insulin secretion in the pancreas.
5.Efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Tao FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Guanghao ZHENG ; Xiaojuan LV ; Dingding YAN ; Yue FENG ; Hanmei LOU
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e10-
Objective:
This study aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin single-agent chemotherapy vs. CCRT with cisplatin combined with paclitaxel dualagent therapy. The primary outcomes are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM) and the occurrence of adverse events.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical CCRT. Patients were divided into groups A and B, treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups after 1:1 proportional propensity score matching.
Results:
Medical records of 1,203 patients were reviewed and 572 patients were finally included for propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, 121 pairs of patients were selected for analysis. The OS, PFS, LR and DM rates were 78.5% and 83.5% (p=0.417), 73.3% and 78.5% (p=0.312), 6.6% and 2.5% (p=0.123), 19% and 15.7% (p=0.497) for groups A and B, respectively. Further subgroup analysis according to stage and lymph node metastatic status showed no difference in survival between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute haematological toxicities was different between the two groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Cisplatin combined with paclitaxel CCRT couldn’t improve the survival rates of patients with LACC. However, the hematological toxicity of combination chemotherapy is more severe but controllable. Cisplatin single-agent therapy remains the first choice for CCRT. Further prospective studies are indicated to provide evidence for the efficacy of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in dual-agent concurrent therapy.
6.Efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Tao FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Guanghao ZHENG ; Xiaojuan LV ; Dingding YAN ; Yue FENG ; Hanmei LOU
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e10-
Objective:
This study aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin single-agent chemotherapy vs. CCRT with cisplatin combined with paclitaxel dualagent therapy. The primary outcomes are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM) and the occurrence of adverse events.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical CCRT. Patients were divided into groups A and B, treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups after 1:1 proportional propensity score matching.
Results:
Medical records of 1,203 patients were reviewed and 572 patients were finally included for propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, 121 pairs of patients were selected for analysis. The OS, PFS, LR and DM rates were 78.5% and 83.5% (p=0.417), 73.3% and 78.5% (p=0.312), 6.6% and 2.5% (p=0.123), 19% and 15.7% (p=0.497) for groups A and B, respectively. Further subgroup analysis according to stage and lymph node metastatic status showed no difference in survival between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute haematological toxicities was different between the two groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Cisplatin combined with paclitaxel CCRT couldn’t improve the survival rates of patients with LACC. However, the hematological toxicity of combination chemotherapy is more severe but controllable. Cisplatin single-agent therapy remains the first choice for CCRT. Further prospective studies are indicated to provide evidence for the efficacy of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in dual-agent concurrent therapy.
7.Efficacy and safety of cisplatin combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Tao FENG ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Guanghao ZHENG ; Xiaojuan LV ; Dingding YAN ; Yue FENG ; Hanmei LOU
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e10-
Objective:
This study aimed to compare outcomes and adverse events of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with cisplatin single-agent chemotherapy vs. CCRT with cisplatin combined with paclitaxel dualagent therapy. The primary outcomes are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM) and the occurrence of adverse events.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with FIGO 2009 stage IB1-IVA cervical squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical CCRT. Patients were divided into groups A and B, treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups after 1:1 proportional propensity score matching.
Results:
Medical records of 1,203 patients were reviewed and 572 patients were finally included for propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, 121 pairs of patients were selected for analysis. The OS, PFS, LR and DM rates were 78.5% and 83.5% (p=0.417), 73.3% and 78.5% (p=0.312), 6.6% and 2.5% (p=0.123), 19% and 15.7% (p=0.497) for groups A and B, respectively. Further subgroup analysis according to stage and lymph node metastatic status showed no difference in survival between the two groups. The incidence of grade 3–4 acute haematological toxicities was different between the two groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Cisplatin combined with paclitaxel CCRT couldn’t improve the survival rates of patients with LACC. However, the hematological toxicity of combination chemotherapy is more severe but controllable. Cisplatin single-agent therapy remains the first choice for CCRT. Further prospective studies are indicated to provide evidence for the efficacy of cisplatin plus paclitaxel in dual-agent concurrent therapy.
8.Lactate Transferase Function of Alanyl-transfer t-RNA Synthetase and Its Relationship With Exercise
Ying-Ying SUN ; Zheng XING ; Feng-Yi LI ; Jing ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1337-1348
Lactylation (Kla), a protein post-translational modification characterized by the covalent conjugation of lactyl groups to lysine residues in proteins, is widely present in living organisms. Since its discovery in 2019, it has attracted much attention for its role in regulating major pathological processes such as tumorigenesis, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. By mediating core biological processes such as signal transduction, epigenetic regulation, and metabolic homeostasis, lactylation contributes to disease progression. However, the lactylation donor lactyl-CoA has a low intracellular concentration, and the specific enzyme catalyzing lactylation is not yet clear, which has become an urgent issue in lactate research. A groundbreaking study in 2024 found that alanyl-transfer t-RNA synthetase 1/2 (AARS1/2), members of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) family, can act as protein lysine lactate transferases, modifying histones and metabolic enzymes directly with lactate as a substrate, without relying on the classical substrate lactyl-CoA, promoting a new stage in lactate research. Although exercise significantly increases lactate levels in the body and can induce changes in lactylation in multiple tissues and cells, the regulation of lactylation by exercise is not entirely consistent with lactate levels. Research has found that high-intensity exercise can induce upregulation of lactate at 37 lysine sites in 25 proteins of adipose tissue, while leading to downregulation of lactate at 27 lysine sites in 22 proteins. The level of lactate is not the only factor regulating lactylation through exercise. We speculate that the lactate transferase AARS1/2 play an important role in the process of lactylation regulated by exercise, and AARS1/2 should also be regulated by exercise. This review introduces the molecular biology characteristics, subcellular localization, and multifaceted biological functions of AARS, including its canonical roles in alanylation and editing, as well as its newly identified lactate transferase activity. We detail the discovery of AARS1/2 as lactylation catalysts and the specific process of them as lactate transferases catalyzing protein lactylation. Furthermore, we discuss the pathophysiological significance of AARS in tumorigenesis, immune dysregulation, and neuropathy, with a focus on exploring the expression regulation and possible mechanisms of AARS through exercise. The expression of AARS in skeletal muscle regulated by exercise is related to exercise time and muscle fiber type; the skeletal muscle AARS2 upregulated by long-term and high-intensity exercise catalyzes the lactylation of key metabolic enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha subunit (PDHA1) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2), reducing exercise capacity and providing exercise protection; physiological hypoxia caused by exercise significantly reduces the ubiquitination degradation of AARS2 by inhibiting its hydroxylation, thereby maintaining high levels of AARS2 protein and exerting lactate transferase function; exercise induced lactate production can promote the translocation of AARS1 cytoplasm to the nucleus, exert lactate transferase function upon nuclear entry, regulate histone lactylation, and participate in gene expression regulation; exercise induced lactate production promotes direct interactions between AARS and star molecules such as p53 and cGAS, and is widely involved in the occurrence and development of tumors and immune diseases. Elucidating the regulatory mechanism of exercise on AARS can provide new ideas for improving metabolic diseases and promote health through exercise.
9.Construction and application of the "Huaxi Hongyi" large medical model
Rui SHI ; Bing ZHENG ; Xun YAO ; Hao YANG ; Xuchen YANG ; Siyuan ZHANG ; Zhenwu WANG ; Dongfeng LIU ; Jing DONG ; Jiaxi XIE ; Hu MA ; Zhiyang HE ; Cheng JIANG ; Feng QIAO ; Fengming LUO ; Jin HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):587-593
Objective To construct large medical model named by "Huaxi HongYi"and explore its application effectiveness in assisting medical record generation. Methods By the way of a full-chain medical large model construction paradigm of "data annotation - model training - scenario incubation", through strategies such as multimodal data fusion, domain adaptation training, and localization of hardware adaptation, "Huaxi HongYi" with 72 billion parameters was constructed. Combined with technologies such as speech recognition, knowledge graphs, and reinforcement learning, an application system for assisting in the generation of medical records was developed. Results Taking the assisted generation of discharge records as an example, in the pilot department, after using the application system, the average completion times of writing a medical records shortened (21 min vs. 5 min) with efficiency increased by 3.2 time, the accuracy rate of the model output reached 92.4%. Conclusion It is feasible for medical institutions to build independently controllable medical large models and incubate various applications based on these models, providing a reference pathway for artificial intelligence development in similar institutions.
10.Expert consensus on the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System and the value of orientation of the "personal experience"
Qi WANG ; Yongyan WANG ; Wei XIAO ; Jinzhou TIAN ; Shilin CHEN ; Liguo ZHU ; Guangrong SUN ; Daning ZHANG ; Daihan ZHOU ; Guoqiang MEI ; Baofan SHEN ; Qingguo WANG ; Xixing WANG ; Zheng NAN ; Mingxiang HAN ; Yue GAO ; Xiaohe XIAO ; Xiaobo SUN ; Kaiwen HU ; Liqun JIA ; Li FENG ; Chengyu WU ; Xia DING
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(4):445-450
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a treasure of the Chinese nation, plays a significant role in maintaining public health. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council proposed for the first time the establishment of a TCM registration and evaluation evidence system that integrates TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials (referred to as the "Three-in-One" System) to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. Subsequently, the National Medical Products Administration issued several guiding principles to advance the improvement and implementation of this system. Owing to the complexity of its implementation, there are still differing understandings within the TCM industry regarding the positioning of the "Three-in-One" Registration and Evaluation Evidence System, as well as the connotation and value orientation of the "personal experience." To address this, Academician WANG Qi, President of the TCM Association, China International Exchange and Promotion Association for Medical and Healthcare and TCM master, led a group of academicians, TCM masters, TCM pharmacology experts and clinical TCM experts to convene a "Seminar on Promoting the Implementation of the ′Three-in-One′ Registration and Evaluation Evidence System for Chinese Medicinals." Through extensive discussions, an expert consensus was formed, clarifying the different roles of the TCM theory, "personal experience" and clinical trials within the system. It was further emphasized that the "personal experience" is the core of this system, and its data should be derived from clinical practice scenarios. In the future, the improvement of this system will require collaborative efforts across multiple fields to promote the high-quality development of the Chinese medicinal industry.


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