1.Mechanism of the immediate analgesic effect of the"three methods and three points"tuina technique based on the IL-17F/IL-17RC signaling pathway and M1 microglia
Jinping CHEN ; Zhifeng LIU ; Tianyuan YU ; Hourong WANG ; Yingqi ZHANG ; Qian GUAN ; Yajing XU ; Zhenjie YANG ; Chula SA ; Runlong ZHANG ; Hanyu ZHANG ; Jiayue LIU ; Jiawei SUN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(1):116-123
Objective By observing the effects of"three methods and three points"tuina technique on the expression of interleukin-17F(IL-17F),interleukin-17 receptor C(IL-17RC),activator 1 of nuclear transcription factor-κB(Act1),tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6)and M1 microglial cell expression in the spinal dorsal horn of rats with mild chronic compressive injury(minor CCI)model,we explored the immediate analgesic mechanism of tuina on peripheral neuropathic pain(pNP).Methods Thirty-six SD rats were divided into the sham group,the model group and the tuina group according to the random number method,twelve rats in each group,and the minor CCI model was replicated by ligating the right sciatic nerve.The rats in the tuina group were subjected to pointing,plucking and kneading at the BL37,BL57 and GB34 points on the affected side using a tuina simulator,while the sham group and the model group were only grasped and restrained,and were intervened for one time.The mechanical pain test and cold plate test were used to evaluate the response of rats to mechanical stimulation and cold stimulation after immediate intervention.The protein expression of IL-17F and TRAF6 in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in each group was detected by Western blotting.The mRNA expression of IL-17F,IL-17RC,Act1 and TRAF6 in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in each group was detected by real-time PCR.The average fluorescence intensity of M1 microglia in the spinal dorsal horn of rats in each group was detected by immunofluorescence.Results Behavioral results showed that before intervention,compared with the sham group,paw mechanical withdraw threshold(PMWT)decreased and cold sensitivity threshold(CST)increased in the model group and the tuina group;after tuina intervention,PMWT in the tuina group was increased,and CST was decreased compared with the model group;after intervention,PMWT in the tuina group was increased,while CST was decreased(P<0.05).RT-PCR results showed that compared with the sham group,mRNA expression levels of IL-17F,IL-17RC,TRAF6 and Act1 in the spinal dorsal horn of the model group were increased;compared with model group,the mRNA expression levels of above indexes in the tuina group were decreased(P<0.05).Western boltting results showed that compared with the sham group,the expression levels of IL-17F and TRAF6 protein in the spinal dorsal horn of the model group were increased;compared with the model group,the expression levels of IL-17F and TRAF6 protein in the tuina group decreased(P<O.05).Immunofluorescence results showed that the mean fluorescence intensity of CD40 in the spinal dorsal horn of model group was enhanced compared with the sham group;compared with the model group,the mean fluorescence intensity of CD40 in the tuina group was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion The"three methods and three points"tuina technique can produce immediate analgesia by inhibiting the expression of IL-17F,IL-17RC,Act1,TRAF6 and the activation of M1 microglia in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord after one intervention.
2.UGT1A1 gene mutation spectrum with indirect hyperbilirubinemia in children
Ying SHEN ; Hongmei GUO ; Yucan ZHENG ; Bixia ZHENG ; Kunlong YAN ; Guiping KONG ; Qian LIN ; Yu JIN ; Zhifeng LIU ; Mei LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(2):119-124
Objective:To explore the relevancy between the uridine diphosphate-glucuronylgly-cosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene mutation and the phenotype of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in children.Methods:Sixteen cases with indirect hyperbilirubinemia who visited the Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2013 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into Gilbert syndrome (GS), Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II (CNS-II), and indirect hyperbilirubinemia groups unexplained by UGT1A1 gene mutations. The differences in gene mutation site information and general clinical data were compared. The association between gene mutation spectrum and bilirubin level was explored by t-test analysis.Results:Ten of the sixteen cases with indirect hyperbilirubinemia had GS, three had CNS-II, and three had indirect hyperbilirubinemia unexplained by UGT1A1 gene mutations. A total of six mutation types were detected, of which c.211G?>?A accounted for 37.5% (6/16), c.1456T?>?G accounted for 62.5% (10/16), and TATA accounted for 37.5% (6/16), respectively. Compared with the GS group, the CNS group had early disease onset incidence, high serum total bilirubin ( t ?=?5.539, P ?0.05), and indirect bilirubin ( t ?=?5.312, P ?0.05). However, there was no significant difference in direct bilirubin levels ( t ?=?1.223, P ?>?0.05) and age of onset ( t ?=?0.3611, P ?>?0.05) between the two groups. There was no significant correlation between the number of UGT1A1 gene mutations and serum bilirubin levels. Children with c.1456T?>?G homozygous mutations had the highest serum bilirubin levels. Conclusion:The common pathogenic variants of the UGT1A1 gene sequence are c.1456T?>?G, c.211G?>?A, and TATA, indicating that these site mutations are related to the occurrence of indirect hyperbilirubinemia and have important guiding significance for the etiological analysis of indirect hyperbilirubinemia in children.
3.Role of Mechanical Stimulation in Osteoclast Differentiation
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(4):775-782
The main types of bone tissue cells include osteoblasts,osteoclasts,and osteocytes,which work together with the extracellular matrix to maintain the structural integrity and functionality of the bone.Osteoclasts are specifically responsible for bone resorption,degrading the bone matrix through the release of acidic substances and proteolytic enzymes.Osteoclasts coordinate with osteoblasts to maintain bone homeostasis.An increased number of osteoclasts leads to an increased bone resorption,which can cause osteoporosis and other skeletal diseases;deficiency in osteoclast generation can lead to a weakened bone resorption and related diseases,such as osteopetrosis.Therefore,a precise regulation of osteoclast function plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of bone homeostasis.Previous studies have mostly explained and elaborated on the regulation of osteoclasts by various biological factors from a bio-chemical perspective.However,more and more studies have confirmed that mechanical stimulation plays an important role in the differentiation process of osteoclasts.This review focuses on the impact of mechanical stimulation on osteoclast differentiation,discusses the possible roles it may play,and explores the new discoveries and future development in this field.
4.Characteristics of blood microbiota in high altitude polycythemia patients by 16S rRNA gene sequencing
Pei HUANG ; He HUANG ; Shenwei XIE ; Yu WU ; Zhifeng ZHONG ; Huaping DONG ; Simin ZHOU ; Peng LI ; Jiaxin XIE
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(10):1075-1082
Objective To investigate the changes in blood microbiota in patients with high altitude polycythemia(HAPC)and the correlation with the risk of HAPC.Methods A cross-sectional trial was carried out among 41 HAPC patients(HAPC group)and 41 healthy plateau individuals(control group)who took physical examination in the Health Management Department of No.953 Hospital of PLA Army in 2021.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA(16S rRNA)gene in the blood smaples,and the composition and difference of the blood microbiota were compared and analyzed between the 2 groups.Results All the participants were male and Han people,and there were no significant differences in baseline data such as age,body mass index and plateau migration time between the 2 groups(P>0.05).The α-diversity of blood microbiota in the HAPC group,including the Simpson index(0.931±0.005 vs 0.907±0.008,P<0.05),Goods Coverage index(0.998±0.001 vs 0.997±0.001,P<0.001)and Pielou index(0.597±0.011 vs 0.567±0.009,P<0.05)were significantly higher than those in the control group.Meanwhile,obvious difference was observed in the β diversity between the 2 groups(P<0.01).The relative abundance analysis of bacteria showed that Pelomonas(0.046±0.004 vs 0.033±0.003,P<0.05),Azospirillum(0.046±0.006 vs 0.021±0.003,P<0.01),Acidovorax(0.032± 0.003 vs 0.019±0.002,Azospirillum(0.046±0.006 vs 0.021±0.003,P<0.01)and Acidovorax(0.032± 0.003 vs 0.019±0.002,P<0.05)were statistically higher in the HAPC group than the control group.LEfSe analysis showed that the characteristic blood microbiota of the HAPC group were α-Proteobacteria,and those of control group were Trichospiridae.Conclusion Significant changes are found in diversity,relative abundance and characteristic bacteria of the blood microbiota between the HAPC patients and healthy people at the high altitude,which might be closely associated with the occurrence and development of HAPC.
5.Structural characterization and mechanisms of macrophage immunomodulatory activity of a novel polysaccharide with a galactose backbone from the processed Polygonati Rhizoma
Su HONGNA ; He LILI ; Yu XINA ; Wang YUE ; Yang LI ; Wang XIAORUI ; Yao XIAOJUN ; Luo PEI ; Zhang ZHIFENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(7):1076-1090
A purified polysaccharide with a galactose backbone(SPR-1,Mw 3,622 Da)was isolated from processed Polygonati Rhizoma with black beans(PRWB)and characterized its chemical properties.The backbone of SPR-1 consisted of[(4)-β-D-Galp-(1]9→ 4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α/β-D-Glcp,with a branch chain of R1:β-D-Galp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galp-(1 → connected to the →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → via O-6,and a branch chain of R2:α-D-Glcp-(1 →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → connected to the →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → via O-6.Immunomodulatory assays showed that the SPR-1 significantly activated macrophages,and increased secretion of NO and cytokines(i.e.,IL-1β and TNF-α),as well as promoted the phagocytic activities of cells.Furthermore,isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC)analysis and molecular docking results indicated high-affinity binding between SPR-1 and MD2 with the equilibrium dissociation constant(KD)of 18.8 μM.It was suggested that SPR-1 activated the immune response through Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signaling and downstream responses.Our research demon-strated that the SPR-1 has a promising candidate from PRWB for the TLR4 agonist to induce immune response,and also provided an easily accessible way that can be used for PR deep processing.
6.Pathogenetic and genomic analysis of three cases of Streptococcus suis infection in Shenzhe
CHEN Qingliang ; ZHAO Lingguo ; WANG Yinqiu ; YU Quangqing ; HUANG Guangrun ; MA Zhifeng ; CHEN Zhen ; CHI Jing ; YANG Liang ; LEI Lei
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(3):309-
Objective To perform the pathogenic and genomics analyses on isolates of Streptococcus suis (Ss) from three human infections in Shenzhen, aiming to provide a basis for the prevention and control of Ss outbreaks. Methods The suspected bacterial strains from three blood plate cultures of three critically ill patients in three hospitals were subjected to biochemical identification, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), and real-time fluorescent PCR identification, resulting in the identification of three strains positive for Streptococcus suis serotype 2(SS2). Pure positive cultures were taken for an antimicrobial susceptibility test and extracted nucleic acids for whole-genome sequencing and analysis. The whole-genome sequencing and analysis included species identification, antibiotic resistance genes alignment, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), virulence genes alignment, and coregene-based phylogenetic tree analysis. Results The blood agar isolates from three patients were all identified as Ss, the VITEK 2 identified them as SS2, and MALDI-TOF-MS identified them as Ss. Real-time PCR results for the universal gene gdh and serotype 2 cps2 gene of Ss were both positive. The antimicrobial susceptibility test results showed that all three strains were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin, with variable sensitivity to tetracycline. Whole-genome sequencing results showed that all three strains were identified as Ss, including one ST7 strain and two ST1 strains. The virulence gene prediction results based on the VFDB database showed that all three strains were positive for mrp, sly, and cps, indicating high virulence gene characteristics. The analysis of the phylogenetic tree based on coregene showed that the three strains were in different evolutionary branches, with two ST1 strains having a closer evolutionary distance. Conclusions The pathogens responsible for these three critically ill patients were SS2, and all three strains were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin. Genetically, they all carried virulence genes that are found in highly virulent strains, while showed differences in MLST typing and phylogenetic tree analysis, indicating the presence of different genotypes of high pathogenicity SS2 in Shenzhen area and had caused sporadic cases, which requires high attention.
7.Matrix Stiffness Affects Mitochondrial Heterogeneity of Tibial Plateau Chondrocytes in Knee Osteoarthritis
Tianyou KAN ; Lingli HOU ; Hanjun LI ; Junqi CUI ; Yao WANG ; Lin SUN ; Liao WANG ; Zhifeng YU ; Mengning YAN
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2023;38(3):E521-E527
Objective To investigate the difference of matrix stiffness in different regions of tibial plateau in osteoarthritis (OA) and its effects on morphology of the cartilage and mitochondria. Methods The tibial plateau cartilage specimens of OA were obtained for nanoindentation test, transmission electron microscopy and histological analysis. The stiffness of cartilage matrix in different regions of OA tibial plateau was detected by nano-indentation. The morphology of cartilage mitochondria in different regions was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the changes of mitochondrial plane area, shape and ridge volume density were quantitatively analyzed. Cartilage injury in different regions of OA tibial plateau was observed by histological staining. Results The cartilage of OA tibial plateau showed regional heterogeneity, and the cartilage and mitochondria on medial side of varus knee OA were more severe, and the matrix stiffness was higher. The OA scores were positively correlated with matrix stiffness. There was also a significant correlation between OA scores and mitochondrial morphology: the higher OA scores, the larger and rounder mitochondrial plane area, and the lower cristae volume density. Conclusions The differences of tibial plateau revealed the correlation between cartilage matrix stiffness, OA scores and mitochondrial morphological parameters. The increased cartilage matrix stiffness may be the main cause of chondrocyte mitochondrial injury, and further aggravate the progression of OA.
8.Application of forward-return way in endoscopic resection for gastric fundus stromal tumor (with video)
Lu LIU ; Haimei GUO ; Ying SUN ; Shuang CAI ; Feng MIAO ; Yan ZHENG ; Yang YU ; Zhifeng ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2023;40(7):556-559
To evaluate the value of forward-return way in endoscopic resection for the treatment of gastric fundus stromal tumor, patients with gastric fundus stromal tumor in muscularis propria diagnosed by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography at the Department of Digestive Endoscopy of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from June 2020 to June 2021 were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients were treated with endoscopic full-thickness resection under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. The success of forward-return way, endoscopic procedure, operation performance, pathological classifications and complications were analyzed. A total of 12 patients were enrolled. All of them were confirmed as having stromal tumor by postoperative pathology, with 10 of very low risk and 2 of low risk. Forward-return way was successful in 9 patients and failed in 3 patients. Nine patients were successfully treated with endoscopic procedure eventually. No intraoperative bleeding occurred in any patient. In endoscopic resection, the scores of same direction of forward and backward, endoscopic field of view, and endoscopic body stability were all 2.00 points. Forward-return way has clinical application value for the endoscopic treatment of gastric fundus stromal tumor.
9.Cholinergic dysfunction-induced insufficient activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor drives the development of rheumatoid arthritis through promoting protein citrullination via the SP3/PAD4 pathway.
Changjun LV ; Minghui SUN ; Yilei GUO ; Wenxin XIA ; Simiao QIAO ; Yu TAO ; Yulai FANG ; Qin ZHANG ; Yanrong ZHU ; Yusufu YALIKUN ; Yufeng XIA ; Zhifeng WEI ; Yue DAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(4):1600-1615
Both cholinergic dysfunction and protein citrullination are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relationship between the two phenomena remains unclear. We explored whether and how cholinergic dysfunction accelerates protein citrullination and consequently drives the development of RA. Cholinergic function and protein citrullination levels in patients with RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were collected. In both neuron-macrophage coculture system and CIA mice, the effect of cholinergic dysfunction on protein citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) was assessed by immunofluorescence. The key transcription factors for PAD4 expression were predicted and validated. Cholinergic dysfunction in the patients with RA and CIA mice negatively correlated with the degree of protein citrullination in synovial tissues. The cholinergic or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) deactivation and activation resulted in the promotion and reduction of protein citrullination in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Especially, the activation deficiency of α7nAChR induced the earlier onset and aggravation of CIA. Furthermore, deactivation of α7nAChR increased the expression of PAD4 and specificity protein-3 (SP3) in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction-induced deficient α7nAChR activation, which induces the expression of SP3 and its downstream molecule PAD4, accelerating protein citrullination and the development of RA.
10.Exploration and practice on the "golden course" construction of high altitude military hygiene course in military medical university
Yu WU ; Huaijun TIAN ; Jiaxin XIE ; Simin ZHOU ; Zhifeng ZHONG ; Huaping DONG ; Pei HUANG ; Peng LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(11):1657-1660
High Altitude Military Hygiene is the professional core course of high-altitude medicine, which is significant to the cultivation of military medical talents urgently needed by plateau troops. Under the background of "golden course" construction and army curriculum reform, aiming at the problems such as outdated content of course materials, single teaching mode and insufficient capacity of practical courses, we actively explored the effective path of "golden course" construction, including the renovation of the curriculum-construction concept, the optimization and reorganization of the teaching content, the expansion of case teaching and equipment teaching methods, and the implementation of curriculum ideological and political education and examination reforms. The reform has further improved the learning effect of students and the level of curriculum construction, and also provided beneficial reference for the construction of similar courses in military colleges and universities.

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