1.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
4.Enhancing Disciplinary Development Through Journal Columns: Taking the "Clinical Practice Guidelines"Column in Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital as an Example
Meihua WU ; Hui LIU ; Qi ZHOU ; Qianling SHI ; Na LI ; Yule LI ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Kehu YANG ; Jinhui TIAN ; Long GE ; Bin MA ; Xiuxia LI ; Xuping SONG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1315-1324
To explore the role of the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" column and others in the We collected papers published by the Lanzhou University Evidence-Based Medicine Center team in the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" column and others from 2018 to 2025. These publications were analyzed across multiple dimensions, including authorship and institutional affiliations, citation metrics, and research themes and content. A total of 59 papers were included in the analysis, with authors representing 70 domestie and international research institutions. The cumulative citation count was 639, with the highest single-paper citation frequency reaching 101. The average citation per paper was 10.8, and total downloads exceeded 30 000. The content focused on key themes such as guideline terminology, development methodology, guideline evaluation, and dissemination and implementation. The evolution of research topics progressed from critiques of common misconceptions and hot topies in the field to multidimensional evaluations of thecurrent state of Chinese guidelines, culminating in the fommulation of industry standards for guidelines. These contributions have provided critical references for translating guideline theory into practice in China and have garnered widespread attention and discussion among scholars in the field. The "Clinical Practice Guidelines" column and others in the
5.Development and influential factor analysis of pharmacy outpatient departments in 714 Chinese tertiary healthcare institutions
Long MEI ; Sa LI ; Yuqing ZHANG ; Shuo ZHOU ; Zengwei ZHAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Qunhong SHEN ; Jiancun ZHEN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(4):385-389
OBJECTIVE To investigate the basic situation of developing pharmacy outpatient departments in Chinese tertiary medical institutions and analyze the influencing factors. METHODS The research targeted the pharmacy outpatient department managers of hospitals and conducted a survey through Sojump in March 2023. Various independent variables were selected from the hospital’s own characteristics, the management of the pharmacy outpatient departments, and the construction of the pharmacist team for Logistic and linear regression analysis, with the aim of separately analyzing the factors influencing the establishment of pharmacy outpatient departments and the factors affecting the total number of patients served by these departments throughout the year 2022. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 1 304 medical institutions of different levels nationwide participated in this survey, with 714 tertiary hospitals. Among the tertiary hospitals, 377 (52.80%) had established pharmacy outpatient departments, including 321 grade-A tertiary hospitals, 48 grade-B tertiary hospitals and 8 other tertiary hospitals. The 377 tertiary hospitals collectively operated 1 739 pharmacy outpatient departments, covering 19 specialized fields, with the highest proportion found in the cardiovascular field (including anticoagulation) at 16.45%. Tertiary hospitals in North China, Central China, East China and South China regions had more pharmacy outpatient departments. The establishment of pharmacy outpatient departments was found to be influenced by tertiary grade-B status (P=0.010) and the annual outpatient volume of the hospital (P=0.008), although the impact was relatively small. The factors influencing the number of patients served by pharmacy outpatient departments were the annual outpatient volume of the hospital (P=0.042) and the number of pharmacists engaged in clinical pharmacy work (P=0.004). The proportion of tertiary hospitals in China that have established pharmacy outpatient departments is insufficient. It is necessary to further accelerate the construction of pharmacy outpatient departments and appropriately expand the talent pool of hospital pharmacy teams based on the needs of pharmacy outpatient departments and patients, in order to meet the requirements of medical practice and patient care.
6.Exploration of Thoughts and Possible Therapeutic Mechanism of Treating Male Infertility from the Perspective of Spleen and Kidney by Regulating Intestinal Flora
Nian-Wen HUANG ; Bin WANG ; Ji-Sheng WANG ; Huan-Zhou BI ; Juan-Long FENG ; Long-Ji SUN ; Hai-Song LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):776-781
Based on the literature study,the thoughts and possible therapeutic mechanism in treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora were explored.Disturbance of intestinal flora is one of the important factors leading to the development of male infertility,and the spleen and kidney have certain similarities to intestinal flora in the physiological function and pathological changes.Moreover,tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen can regulate the intestinal flora by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria,inhibiting the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria,and protecting the barrier of the intestinal mucosa.Therefore,the possible therapeutic mechanisms in treating male infertility with the prescriptions for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen to regulate intestinal flora are as follows:inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors to reduce the inflammatory reaction of testicular tissues;improving the antioxidant capacity to alleviate the damage of spermatozoa caused by oxidative stress,and improving the bad mood to alleviate the impact of psychological stress on the reproductive system.The exploration of the thoughts for treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora may provide a new entry point for modern Chinese medicine clinical treatment of male infertility.
7.The relationship between activities of daily living and mental health in community elderly people and the mediating role of sleep quality
Heng-Yi ZHOU ; Jing LI ; Dan-Hua DAI ; Yang LI ; Bin ZHANG ; Rong DU ; Rui-Long WU ; Jia-Yan JIANG ; Yuan-Man WEI ; Jing-Rong GAO ; Qi ZHAO
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(2):143-150
Objective To explore the relationship and internal path between activities of daily living(ADL),sleep quality and mental health of community elderly people in Shanghai.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among community residents aged 60 years and older seeing doctors in community health care center of five streets in Shanghai during Sept to Dec,2021 using convenience sampling.Activities of Daily Living(ADL),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10)were adopted in the survey.Single factor analysis,correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.The effect relationship between the variables was tested using Bootstrap's mediated effects test.Results A total of 1 864 participants were included in the study.The average score was 15.53±4.47 for ADL,5.60±3.71 for PSQI and 15.50±6.28 for K10.The rate of ADL impairment,poor sleep quality,poor and very poor mental health of the elderly were 23.6%,27.3%,11.9%and 4.9%,respectively.ADL and sleep quality were all positively correlated with mental health(r=0.321,P<0.001;r=0.466,P<0.001);ADL was positively correlated with sleep quality(r=0.294,P<0.001).Multiple linear results of factors influencing mental health showed that ADL(β= 0.457,95%CI:0.341-0.573),sleep quality(β =0.667,95%CI:0.598-0.737)and mental health were positively correlated(P<0.001).Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between ADL and mental health(95%CI:0.078-0.124)with an effect size of 33.0%.Conclusion Sleep quality is a mediator between ADL and mental health among community elderly people.Improving ADL and sleep quality may improve mental health in the population.
8.Study on the Prevalence Difference between Northwest Dryness Syndrome and Blood Stasis Syndrome of Coronary Heart Disease and the Correlation with Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events
Xintong LI ; Peng LI ; Changgeng FU ; Linzi LONG ; Jingya ZHOU ; Jiawei HU ; Yutai ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(12):1255-1261
ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence difference between northwest dryness syndrome and blood stasis syndrome of coronary heart disease (CAD) and their correlations with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MethodsThe medical records including general information and risk factors for vascular diseases (gender, age, smoking history, diabetes history, hypertension history, chronic kidney disease history and body mass index), laboratory indicators (fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, etc.) of 499 CAD patients in the Department of Cardiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Medical University from November 1st, 2015 to September 30th,2020 were collected, and whether they suffered from northwest dryness syndrome or blood stasis syndrome was judged. The incidence of MACE was followed up for one year. The differences of cardiovascular risk factors between the northwest dryness syndrome and blood stasis syndrome of CAD were compared, and the correlation with MACE was analyzed. ResultsAmong the 499 CAD patients, there were 128 cases (25.65%) of simple blood stasis syndrome, 33 cases (6.61%) of simple northwest dryness syndrome, 209 cases (41.88%) of northwest dryness syndrome plus blood stasis syndrome, and 129 (25.85%) cases of not blood statis syndrom either northwest dryness syndrome. Univariate regression analysis showed that smoking history, diabetes history, fasting blood glucose abnormality, triglyceride abnormality, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol abnormality were positively correlated with northwest dryness syndrome in CAD patients (OR>1, P<0.05), while smoking history, abnormal triglyceride and abnormal high density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively correlated with blood stasis syndrome in CAD patients (OR>1, P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the history of diabetes, abnormal triglyceride and abnormal high density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively correlated with northwest dryness syndrome of CAD (P<0.05). Smoking history, abnormal triglycerides and abnormal high density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively correlated with blood stasis syndrome (P<0.05). Association rule analysis showed that the confidence of CAD patients with northwest dryness syndrome complicated with blood stasis syndrome was 86.36%, and that of patients with blood stasis syndrome complicated with northwest dryness syndrome was 62.02%. Among the 499 patients, 96 had MACE in one year, accounting for 19.24% of the total. Logistics regression analysis showed that the correlation with incidence of MACE in CAD patients within one year from strong to weak was northwest dryness syndrome plus blood stasis syndrome [OR = 5.113, 95%CI (3.118, 8.387), P<0.001)], blood stasis syndrome[OR = 4.630, 95%CI (2.394, 8.955), P<0.001], northwest dryness syndrome [OR = 4.395, 95%CI (2.642, 7.309), P<0.001]. ConclusionBlood stasis syndrome is the main syndrome type of CAD in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. CAD patients with northwest dryness syndrome are more likely to have blood stasis syndrome, and most suffer from both northwest dryness syndrome and blood stasis syndrome simultaneously. There is the strongest correlation between northwest dryness syndrome plus blood stasis syndrome and 1-year occurrence of MACE in CAD.
9.Verification of a method for measurement of tritium in liquid effluent of nuclear power plants
Hongshen DING ; Wanbing ZHAO ; Mengyu FU ; Lin ZHENG ; Long ZHOU ; Xufeng LI ; Weidong LIU ; Xianchen YU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(3):293-298
Objective To explore the method for measurement of tritium in nuclear power plant liquid effluent purified by a mixed ion-exchange resin, to verify the feasibility of the method by experiments, and to provide technical support for the development of standard methods for the measurement of tritium in liquid effluent of nuclear power plants. Methods The purification effect of the mixed ion-exchange resin was determined by measuring the quenching factor, conductivity, and β-nuclide adsorption efficiency of the samples purified using the resin. A comparison was made between the ion-exchange resin method and the atmospheric distillation method for tritium determination. The precision and accuracy of the method were verified by calculating the relative standard deviation and the recovery in repeated measurement of samples with different activity concentrations and spiked samples. Results There were no significant differences in quenching factor, conductivity, and tritium activity concentration between the two methods. The adsorption efficiencies of EC20MB resin for common β-nuclides such as carbon, iron, nickel, strontium, yttrium, and cesium ranged from 99.28% to 99.88%. Repeated measurement of the same sample showed relative standard deviations of 5.2%-9.4% and recoveries of 86.8%-107%. Conclusion There were no significant differences between the results of the ion-exchange resin purification method and the atmospheric distillation method. The precision and accuracy of the method met the requirements of the ecological and environmental management authorities for monitoring tritium in liquid effluent from nuclear power plants. This method can be widely used in daily monitoring work.
10.Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of The Temporal Heterogeneity in Lung Cell Carcinogenesis Induced by Benzo(a)pyrene
Hai-Tao ZHOU ; Wei YAO ; Cao-Zhe CUI ; Xiao-Tong ZHOU ; Xi-Long LIANG ; Cheng-Bing QIN ; Lian-Tuan XIAO ; Zhi-Fang WU ; Si-Jin LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(6):1458-1470
ObjectiveTemporal heterogeneity in lung cancer presents as fluctuations in the biological characteristics, genomic mutations, proliferation rates, and chemotherapeutic responses of tumor cells over time, posing a significant barrier to effective treatment. The complexity of this temporal variance, coupled with the spatial diversity of lung cancer, presents formidable challenges for research. This article will pave the way for new avenues in lung cancer research, aiding in a deeper understanding of the temporal heterogeneity of lung cancer, thereby enhancing the cure rate for lung cancer. MethodsRaman spectroscopy emerges as a powerful tool for real-time surveillance of biomolecular composition changes in lung cancer at the cellular scale, thus shedding light on the disease’s temporal heterogeneity. In our investigation, we harnessed Raman spectroscopic microscopy alongside multivariate statistical analysis to scrutinize the biomolecular alterations in human lung epithelial cells across various timeframes after benzo(a)pyrene exposure. ResultsOur findings indicated a temporal reduction in nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, and carotenoids, coinciding with a rise in glucose concentration. These patterns suggest that benzo(a)pyrene induces structural damage to the genetic material, accelerates lipid peroxidation, disrupts protein metabolism, curtails carotenoid production, and alters glucose metabolic pathways. Employing Raman spectroscopy enabled us to monitor the biomolecular dynamics within lung cancer cells in a real-time, non-invasive, and non-destructive manner, facilitating the elucidation of pivotal molecular features. ConclusionThis research enhances the comprehension of lung cancer progression and supports the development of personalized therapeutic approaches, which may improve the clinical outcomes for patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail