1.Long-Term Real-World Outcomes of Tenofovir Alafenamide in Chronic Hepatitis B: Detailed Analysis of Treatment-Naive and Experienced Patients
Yu-Xuan SONG ; Guang-Jun SONG ; Hui MA ; Bo FENG ; Yan-Di XIE
The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology 2025;85(1):64-72
Background/Aims:
This study assessed the long-term efficacy and safety of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) in real-world settings.
Methods:
Patients who were candidates for TAF treatment and were followed up at 12-week intervals over 192 weeks were enrolled in this study.
Results:
One hundred and forty-four patients (50 treatment-naive and 94 treatment-experienced) were included in this study. The cumulative incidence rates of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma at 192 weeks were 3.9% and 0.7%, respectively. In treatment-naive patients, the rates of a virological response, HBeAg conversion, and HBsAg loss at 192 weeks were 100%, 33.3%, and 2%, respectively. The treatment-naive patients exhibited higher baseline HBsAg levels than the treatment-experienced patients (4.31 log10IU/mL vs. 3.97 log10IU/mL). A significant decrease in the HBsAg levels from the baseline was observed at 144 and 192 weeks in the treatment-naive patients (p=0.01). The baseline body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (p=0.02) and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL (p=0.04) were identified as predictive factors for a decrease in HBsAg ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at 48 weeks. The eGFR levels were consistently lower in the treatment-experienced patients throughout the study. Although the treatment-naive patients showed no abnormal increases in urinary URBP, the treatment-experienced patients showed elevated urinary β2MG and NAG levels at the baseline, which decreased over the treatment course. The total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were similar in both groups.
Conclusions
Prolonging the TAF treatment duration enhances the virological response rate. The decline in HBsAg levels was more significant in the treatment-naive patients than in the treatment-experienced patients. The baseline BMI <25 kg/m2 and HBsAg <3.3 log10IU/mL were predictive factors for a significant decline in HBsAg at 48 weeks. TAF has high renal safety and no significant impact on lipid levels.
2.Ultrasound-based radiogenomics: status, applications, and future direction
Si-Rui WANG ; Yu-Ting SHEN ; Bin HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):95-111
Radiogenomics, an extension of radiomics, explores the relationship between imaging features and underlying gene expression patterns. This field is instrumental in providing reliable imaging surrogates, thus potentially representing an alternative to genetic testing. The rapidly growing area of radiogenomics that utilizes ultrasound (US) imaging seeks to elucidate the connections between US image characteristics and genomic data. In this review, the authors outline the radiogenomics workflow and summarize the applications of US-based radiogenomics. These include the prediction of gene variations, molecular subtypes, and other biological characteristics, as well as the exploration of the relationships between US phenotypes and cancer gene profiles. Although the field faces various challenges, US-based radiogenomics offers promising prospects and avenues for future research.
3.Analysis of hemolysis‑associated acute myeloid leukemia genes obtained using weighted gene co‑expression network analysis and a Mendelian randomization study
Rui ZHANG ; Yan ZANG ; Linguo WAN ; Hui YU ; Zhanshan CHA ; Haihui GU
Blood Research 2025;60():24-
Purpose:
We used bioinformatics methods and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the hub genes involved in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their causal relationship with hemolysis, to explore a new direction for molecular biology research of AML.
Methods:
We first differentially analyzed peripheral blood samples from 62 healthy volunteers and 65 patients with AML from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and intersected them with genes sourced from weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and the GeneCards database to obtain target genes. Target genes were screened using protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and ROC curves to identify genes associated with AML. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between genes and immune cells and the relationship between toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and AML using MR.
Results:
We compared peripheral blood expression profiles using an array of 62 healthy volunteers (GSE164191) and 65 patients with AML (GSE89565) (M0:25; M1:11; M2:10; M3:1; M4:7; M4 eo t [16;16] ou inv [16]:4; M5:6; M6:1) and obtained 7,339 DEGs (3,733 upregulated and 3,606 downregulated). We intersected these DEGs with 4,724 genes from WGCNA and 1,330 genes related to hemolysis that were identified in the GeneCards database to obtain 190 target genes. After further screening these genes using the PPI network, we identified TLR4, PTPRC, FCGR3B, STAT1, and APOE, which are closely associated with hemolysis in patients with AML. Finally, we found a causal relationship between TLR4 and AML occurrence using MR analysis (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
We constructed a WGCNA-based co-expression network and identified hemolysis-associated AML genes.
4.The introduction on standards system of the pharmaceutical packaging materials in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition
CHEN Lei ; YU Hui ; WANG Yan ; ZHANG Jun ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):067-076
The standard of Pharmaceutical packaging materials is an important part of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This article focuses on working background, general idea, working process, main framework, and its role and significance of the pharmaceutical packaging materials standards system in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition.
5.Application of CRISPR/Cas System in Precision Medicine for Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Hui-Ling LIN ; Yu-Xin OUYANG ; Wan-Ying TANG ; Mi HU ; Mao PENG ; Ping-Ping HE ; Xin-Ping OUYANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):279-289
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a distinctive subtype, characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Due to its high inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity, TNBC poses significant chanllenges for personalized diagnosis and treatment. The advant of clustered regular interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has profoundly enhanced our understanding of the structure and function of the TNBC genome, providing a powerful tool for investigating the occurrence and development of diseases. This review focuses on the application of CRISPR/Cas technology in the personalized diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. We begin by discussing the unique attributes of TNBC and the limitations of current diagnostic and treatment approaches: conventional diagnostic methods provide limited insights into TNBC, while traditional chemotherapy drugs are often associated with low efficacy and severe side effects. The CRISPR/Cas system, which activates Cas enzymes through complementary guide RNAs (gRNAs) to selectively degrade specific nucleic acids, has emerged as a robust tool for TNBC research. This technology enables precise gene editing, allowing for a deeper understanding of TNBC heterogeneity by marking and tracking diverse cell clones. Additionally, CRISPR facilitates high-throughput screening to promptly identify genes involved in TNBC growth, metastasis, and drug resistance, thus revealing new therapeutic targets and strategies. In TNBC diagnostics, CRISPR/Cas was applied to develop molecular diagnostic systems based on Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, each employing distinct detection principles. These systems can sensitively and specifically detect a variety of TNBC biomarkers, including cell-specific DNA/RNA and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). In the realm of precision therapy, CRISPR/Cas has been utilized to identify key genes implicated in TNBC progression and treatment resistance. CRISPR-based screening has uncovered potential therapeutic targets, while its gene-editing capabilities have facilitated the development of combination therapies with traditional chemotherapy drugs, enhancing their efficacy. Despite its promise, the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas technology remains in its early stages. Several clinical trials are underway to assess its safety and efficacy in the treatment of various genetic diseases and cancers. Challenges such as off-target effects, editing efficiency, and delivery methods remain to be addressed. The integration of CRISPR/Cas with other technologies, such as 3D cell culture systems, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to further advance precision medicine for TNBC. These technological convergences can offer deeper insights into disease mechanisms and facilitate the development of personalized treatment strategies. In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas system holds immense potential in the precise diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. As the technology progresses and becomes more costs-effective, its clinical relevance will grow, and the translation of CRISPR/Cas system data into clinical applications will pave the way for optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies for TNBC patients. However, technical hurdles and ethical considerations require ongoing research and regulation to ensure safety and efficacy.
6.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
7.Exploring the inhibitory effect and mechanism of isorhamnetin therapy on oral squamous cell carcinoma based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
YU Fangfang ; ZHOU Jingjing ; YANG Jie ; QU Huijuan ; HUI Guangyan
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(1):14-23
Objective :
To explore the mechanism of isorhamnetin (Iso) in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods and to verify it in vitro.
Methods :
The key targets were obtained by constructing the PPI protein interaction network based on the common intersection targets of Iso-OSCC. At the same time, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the related signaling pathways of the intersection targets. Iso and core targets were also analyzed through molecular docking and visualization. Colony formation assay and Transwell assay were used to identify the effect of Iso on the proliferation and invasion of Cal-27 cells. Western blot was used to analyze the regulatory effects of different concentrations of Iso on estrogen receptor-1 (ESR1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit-1 (PIK3R1), Src tyrosine kinase (SRC), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway proteins.
Results:
A total of 269 potential intersection targets of Iso-regulated OSCC were obtained. According to the degree obtained by topological analysis, PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, ESR1, and other core targets were screened out. KEGG analysis showed that 165 signaling pathways were enriched in the intersection targets of Iso-OSCC, among which the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway played an important role in the treatment of OSCC with Iso. Molecular docking results showed that the absolute value of binding energy between target proteins PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, ESR1, and Iso was high. After Cal-27 cells were treated with Iso, the number of cell colony formations, the number of transmembrane cells, and the expression of PIK3R1, ESR1, SRC, p-PI3K, and p-AKT were negatively correlated with the increase in Iso concentration (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Iso can inhibit PI3K/AKT signal transduction and influence the expression of PIK3R1, AKT1, SRC, and ESR1 proteins, thereby inhibiting the occurrence and development of OSCC.
8.Analysis of changes and influencing factors of activation rate of peripheral blood monocytes after liver transplantation
Yu GONG ; Hui WU ; Jie ZHU ; Ting WANG ; Xiaowu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):101-107
Objective To analyze the effect of the activation rate of peripheral blood monocytes on the recovery of patients after liver transplantation and to initially explore the possible influencing factors for differences in monocyte activation rates. Methods A total of 139 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from September 2020 to June 2023 at Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were selected. The proportion of CD14+HLA-DR+ monocytes in peripheral blood was defined as the monocyte activation rate. The difference in monocyte activation rates between postoperative day 7 (POD7) and postoperative day 1 (POD1) was calculated as Δ, and patients were divided into Δ>0 group (n=73) and Δ<0 group (n=66). The two groups were compared in terms of complete blood count, liver and kidney function, coagulation indicators, infection indicators, ICU length of stay, total length of hospitalization, and 90-day mortality. Changes in the proportions of different monocytes subsets (Mo0, Mo1, Mo2, and Mo3) and HLA-DR expression in peripheral blood on POD1 and POD7 were detected using flow cytometry. Results The ICU length of stay in the Δ<0 group was significantly longer than that in the Δ>0 group (18[12, 26] days vs 14[10, 20.5] days, P=0.018). On POD1, the proportion of Mo0 in the Δ>0 group was significantly lower than that in the Δ<0 group (P<0.05); on POD7, the proportion of Mo0 in the Δ>0 group was significantly lower than that in the Δ<0 group (P<0.001), while the proportions of Mo1, Mo2, and Mo3 were significantly higher than those in the Δ<0 group (P<0.001). Compared to POD1, the HLA-DR expression level of Mo0 in peripheral blood of patients with liver transplantation significantly decreased on POD7 (P<0.01), while there was no significant difference in HLA-DR expression levels of Mo1, Mo2, and Mo3. Conclusions Increased proportion of Mo0 (CD14lowCD16−HLA-DRlow) among peripheral blood monocyte subsets may be one of the influencing factors for the differences in monocyte activation rates in patients with liver transplantation. The difference in monocyte activation rate can serve as a new clinical indicator for assessing changes in the immune status and postoperative recovery of patients with liver transplantation.
9.Exploration of the Pathways for Inheritance and Innovation in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Its Own Thinking
Qianfeng CHEN ; Hui JIAN ; Shaomin CHENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Songren YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(2):114-118
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) thinking serves as a comprehensive cognitive approach of TCM in recognizing and solving problem. It encompasses specific techniques (methods)and particular structures (patterns) in application. Its essential characteristics include the holistic view of "harmony between humanity and nature", the dialectical perspective of "differences and similarities in disease treatment", and the practical outlook of "unity of knowledge and action". The methods of TCM thinking emphasizes the integration of multiple cognitive approaches, forming various modes of thinking such as TCM holistic thinking, TCM four-dimensional thinking, TCM Xiang (象) and numerical thinking, and TCM clinical thinking. Currently, TCM faces both opportunities and challenges. TCM thinking plays a crucial role in the inheritance and innovation pathways of TCM, such as "cultivating medicine through culture", "leading medicine through pharmaceutical practices", "boosting industries with pharmaceuticals", and "benefiting the people through industry". At the same time, integrating TCM and modern technology not only enriches the connotation of TCM thinking, but also advances the innovation of TCM theories, addressing challenges in complex disease treatment, health management, and preventive healthcare. This integration promotes the continued prosperity of the TCM and accelerates its internationalization.
10.Applications of Vaterite in Drug Loading and Controlled Release
Xiao-Hui SONG ; Ming-Yu PAN ; Jian-Feng XU ; Zheng-Yu HUANG ; Qing PAN ; Qing-Ning LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):162-181
Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail