1.High-dose estrogen impairs demethylation of H3K27me3 by decreasing Kdm6b expression during ovarian hyperstimulation in mice.
Quanmin KANG ; Fang LE ; Xiayuan XU ; Lifang CHEN ; Shi ZHENG ; Lijun LOU ; Nan JIANG ; Ruimin ZHAO ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Juan SHEN ; Minhao HU ; Ning WANG ; Qiongxiao HUANG ; Fan JIN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(3):269-285
Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female
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Mice
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Demethylation/drug effects*
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Embryonic Stem Cells
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Estrogens/administration & dosage*
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Gene Expression/drug effects*
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Histones/metabolism*
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Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Oocytes
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Ovary/drug effects*
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Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
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Animals
2.Dentate Gyrus Morphogenesis is Regulated by an Autism Risk Gene Trio Function in Granule Cells.
Mengwen SUN ; Weizhen XUE ; Hu MENG ; Xiaoxuan SUN ; Tianlan LU ; Weihua YUE ; Lifang WANG ; Dai ZHANG ; Jun LI
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):1-15
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are reported as a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. The structural changes of brain regions including the hippocampus were widely reported in autistic patients and mouse models with dysfunction of ASD risk genes, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we report that deletion of Trio, a high-susceptibility gene of ASDs, causes a postnatal dentate gyrus (DG) hypoplasia with a zigzagged suprapyramidal blade, and the Trio-deficient mice display autism-like behaviors. The impaired morphogenesis of DG is mainly caused by disturbing the postnatal distribution of postmitotic granule cells (GCs), which further results in a migration deficit of neural progenitors. Furthermore, we reveal that Trio plays different roles in various excitatory neural cells by spatial transcriptomic sequencing, especially the role of regulating the migration of postmitotic GCs. In summary, our findings provide evidence of cellular mechanisms that Trio is involved in postnatal DG morphogenesis.
Animals
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Dentate Gyrus/metabolism*
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Mice
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Morphogenesis/physiology*
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Neurons/pathology*
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Cell Movement
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Autism Spectrum Disorder/pathology*
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Mice, Knockout
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Neural Stem Cells
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Male
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Neurogenesis
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Autistic Disorder/genetics*
3.Integrating explainable deep learning with multi-omics for screening progressive diagnostic biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma covering the "inflammation-cancer" transformation.
Saiyu LI ; Yiwen ZHANG ; Lifang GUAN ; Yijing DONG ; Mingzhe ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Huarong XU ; Wei XIAO ; Zhenzhong WANG ; Yan CUI ; Qing LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(9):101253-101253
Image 1.
4.Epidemiological characteristics of clustered vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks in Minhang District of Shanghai from 2018 to 2023
Zhiyin XU ; Lifang ZHAO ; Minhui ZHU ; Long CHEN ; Wanli CHEN ; Weibing WANG ; Yaxu ZHENG ; Xiaohua LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(9):737-741
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of clustered vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks in Minhang District of Shanghai, to identify the influencing factors of outbreak scale and duration of epidemic, and to provide scientific evidence for further strengthening surveillance early-warning efforts in key settings and for optimizing prevention and control measures. MethodsThe data for describing epidemiological characteristics of clustered vomitting and diarrhea outbreaks in Minhang District from 2018 to 2023 were collected, multivariable logistic regression models were applied to analyze the influencing factors for epidemic scale,and Spearman rank correlation analyses were applied to analyze the factors duration. ResultsA total of 136 clustered vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks were reported in Minhang District from 2018 to 2023, all occurring in school settings, with an overall attack rate of 0.90%. The outbreaks exhibited distinct seasonality, predominantly occurring from October to December (43.38%) and March to May (32.35%). The primary settings were preschools (45.59%) and elementary schools (44.12%), with students accounted for the majority of cases (99.48%). The predominant clinical manifestation was vomiting (90.44%), with person-to-person contact being the primary transmission route (98.53%). Norovirus genogroup Ⅱ was identified as the main pathogen (71.32%). Standardized terminal disinfection of outbreak sites (OR=0.39, 95%CI=0.20‒0.74) and effective isolation of affected classes (OR=0.23, 95%CI=0.09‒0.57) were significant protective factors for reducing outbreak scale. Both response time (r=0.64, P<0.001) and the number of case generations (r=0.71, P<0.001) showed positive correlations with outbreak duration. ConclusionSchools are the key settings for the prevention and control of clustered vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks in Minhang District, with peak occurring in autumn and spring. Early detection, timely reporting, and prompt response to outbreaks are crucial. Strengthening school-based surveillance systems and standardizing outbreak management protocols are of particular importance.
5.Redox-responsive nanoparticles reversing non-small cell lung cancer multidrug resistance via dual mechanisms
Feng ZHU ; Chaoting FU ; Yazhou WANG ; Zheng KUANG ; Lifang YIN
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):729-736
A redox-responsive hyaluronic acid-vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate nanoparticle loaded with paclitaxel (HA-SS-TPGS@PTX) was designed to investigate its mechanism for overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro. HA-SS-TPGS@PTX nanoparticles were prepared using an emulsion-ultrasonication method. Techniques such as flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were employed to study their effects on apoptosis induction, mitochondrial function, and the regulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in PTX-resistant lung cancer cells (A549/T). Results showed that HA-SS-TPGS@PTX nanoparticles significantly inhibited the proliferation of A549/T cells in vitro, with an IC50 of 1.35 μg/mL. The nanoparticles entered the cells via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. The high intracellular concentration of glutathione (GSH) triggered the release of PTX and TPGS, which subsequently induced a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to apoptosis. Meanwhile, HA-SS-TPGS@PTX also inhibited P-gp expression and ATP consumption, thereby blocking drug efflux. The design of HA-SS-TPGS@PTX provides a new strategy for overcoming MDR in NSCLC.
6.Progress of interruption of schistosomiasis transmission and prospects in Yunnan Province
Yun ZHANG ; Lifang WANG ; Xiguang FENG ; Mingshou WU ; Meifen SHEN ; Hua JIANG ; Jing SONG ; Jiayu SUN ; Chunqiong CHEN ; Jiaqi YAN ; Zongya ZHANG ; Jihua ZHOU ; Yi DONG ; Chunhong DU
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(4):422-427
Schistosomiasis was once hyper-endemic in Yunnan Province. Following concerted efforts for over 70 years, remarkable achievements have been made for schistosomiasis control in the province. In 2004, the Mid- and Long-term Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control in Yunnan Province was initiated in Yunnan Province, and the target for transmission control of schistosomiasis was achieved in the province in 2009. Following the subsequent implementation of the Outline for Key Projects in Integrated Schistosomiasis Control Program (2009—2015) and the 13th Five - year Plan for Schistosomiasis Control in Yunnan Province, no acute schistosomiasis had been identified in Yunnan Province for successive 12 years, and no local Schistosoma japonicum infections had been detected in humans, animals or Oncomelania hupensis snails for successive 6 years in the province by the end of 2020. The transmission of schistosomiasis was interrupted in Yunnan Province in 2020. This review summarizes the history of schistosomiasis, changes in schistosomiasis prevalence and progress of schistosomiasis control in Yunnan Province, and proposes the future priorities for schistosomiasis control in the province.
7.Explore the mechanism of Huangqi Jiedu decoction in the treatment of breast cancer syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic-incandescence based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology
Lingjia TIAN ; Zihao YIN ; Liang ZHOU ; Qin ZHANG ; Lixin LIANG ; Yongjie CAO ; Hua WANG ; Lifang LIU
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(3):360-365
Objective:To explore the mechanism of Huangqi Jiedu Decoction (HQJD) in the treatment of breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng deficiency and toxic incandescence by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The main active ingredients and targets of HQJD were screened through the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) systematic pharmacology database and analysis platform. The relevant targets of breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng-deficiency, toxic-incandescence were obtained using OMIM, GeneGards and Drugbank databases, and the relevant targets of HQJD for the treatment of breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic incandescence were obtained by intersection; The Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used to build the protein protein interaction (PPI) network and the " drug active component target disease" network on the basis of String 11.0 database, and the core active components and core targets of HQJD in treating breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic-incandescence were inferred according to the topological parameters. gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on core targets using R language; and molecular docking verification on the main active ingredients and core targets were conducted.Results:230 effective targets of active ingredients of HQJD were screened, and 15 467 active ingredients of breast cancer with syndrome of Zheng-deficiency/toxic-incandescence were obtained; 217 intersection targets; GO function enrichment analysis showed that the treatment of HQJD for breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic-incandescence mainly involved oxidative stress and cytochemical stress; The enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway showed that HQJD treatment of breast cancer with the syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic-incandescence was mainly related to phosphatidylinositol 3-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), interleukin-17 (IL-17) and other signal pathways. The molecular docking results showed that the main active ingredients such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, luteolin had good binding ability with core targets.Conclusions:HQJD has the characteristics of multi-component, multi target and multi pathway in the treatment of breast cancer with syndrome of Zheng-deficiency and toxic-incandescence, and its main mechanism may be related to PI3K-Akt, IL-17, P53 and other signal pathways.
8.Complete genome sequence and molecular characterization of a human respiratory syncytial virus subtype B strain isolated in Qinghai province
Lifang HE ; Mengqi YIN ; Shengcang ZHAO ; Zhijian TANG ; Youju LEI ; Jinying QI ; Deng TIAN ; Chunxiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(5):533-538
Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the complete genome of a strain of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) in Qinghai province in 2024.Methods:A total of 300 samples were collected during 2024 influenza surveillance in Qinghai province sentinel hospitals from patients with fever accompanied by severe respiratory infection symptoms. We used real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR) method to screen out HRSV subtype B (HRSVB) positive specimens, whole genome sequencing was performed on positivespecimens meeting the requirements for the sequencing. After downloading the global representative HRSVB genotypes at GenBank database, sequence alignment was performed, related evolutionary tree was built and the calculation and analyses of genetic distance were done, analyses of HRSVB sequencing of sequence homology of nucleotides, amino acids and amino acid mutation were performed.Results:The first strain in Qinghai, China/qinghai/2024-03 had a complete sequence of 15 140 bp nucleotides, with HRSV′s all structural characteristics, and subtype HRSVA prototype strain Long strains of nucleotide the lowest homology was 80.0%, and subtype HRSVB prototype strain nucleotide homology was above 94.7%. The result indicated that the first strain in Qinghai belonged to HRSVB subtype. Genetic evolution shows China/qinghai/2024-03 and USA/WA-S23450/2021 (OR326803.1) and Germany/2021 (OR795235.1) all belong to a branch, they have the closest relationship. Phylogenetic analysis of G gene showed that the strain belonged to BA9 genotype of HRSVB subtype, and the hypervariable regions of the genome were SH and G genes.Conclusions:In this study, the complete genome sequence of HRSV China/qinghai/2024-03 was obtained for the first time, and the basic molecular structural characteristics were elucidated, which filled the gaps in the gene and amino acid data of HRSV in our province, and also provided a basis for HRSV epidemiology.
9.Research Progress of Tumor Immunotherapy Target CD73 and Its Inhibitors
WANG Wenze ; CHEN Yuepeng ; CEN Lifang ; ZOU Yi ; XU Yungen
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(13):1864-1878
Adenosine has been proved to have immunosuppressive effect in many different diseases, and the activity of ecto-5’-nucleotidase(CD73) on the cell surface is the rate-limiting step of extracellular adenosine production. CD73 has a profound and lasting impact on tumor immune regulation of regulatory T cells, B cells, macrophages and natural killer cells. CD73-mediated adenosine pathway is significant in signal transduction during cancer progression in tumor microenvironment, making CD73 a novel immune checkpoint. Therefore, CD73 inhibition is a emergent and promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. At present, a variety of monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors have been in clinical development. This review comprehensively summarizes the frontier research progress of reported small molecule CD73 inhibitors, which can provide guidance for the investigation of novel CD73 inhibitors for cancer therapy.
10.Prediction of potential geographic distribution of Oncomelania hupensis in Yunnan Province using random forest and maximum entropy models
Zongya ZHANG ; Chunhong DU ; Yun ZHANG ; Hongqiong WANG ; Jing SONG ; Jihua ZHOU ; Lifang WANG ; Jiayu SUN ; Meifen SHEN ; Chunqiong CHEN ; Hua JIANG ; Jiaqi YAN ; Xiguang FENG ; Wenya WANG ; Peijun QIAN ; Jingbo XUE ; Shizhu LI ; Yi DONG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(6):562-571
Objective To predict the potential geographic distribution of Oncomelania hupensis in Yunnan Province using random forest (RF) and maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models, so as to provide insights into O. hupensis surveillance and control in Yunnan Province. Methods The O. hupensis snail survey data in Yunnan Province from 2015 to 2016 were collected and converted into O. hupensis snail distribution site data. Data of 22 environmental variables in Yunnan Province were collected, including twelve climate variables (annual potential evapotranspiration, annual mean ground surface temperature, annual precipitation, annual mean air pressure, annual mean relative humidity, annual sunshine duration, annual mean air temperature, annual mean wind speed, ≥ 0 ℃ annual accumulated temperature, ≥ 10 ℃ annual accumulated temperature, aridity and index of moisture), eight geographical variables (normalized difference vegetation index, landform type, land use type, altitude, soil type, soil textureclay content, soil texture-sand content and soil texture-silt content) and two population and economic variables (gross domestic product and population). Variables were screened with Pearson correlation test and variance inflation factor (VIF) test. The RF and MaxEnt models and the ensemble model were created using the biomod2 package of the software R 4.2.1, and the potential distribution of O. hupensis snails after 2016 was predicted in Yunnan Province. The predictive effects of models were evaluated through cross-validation and independent tests, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), true skill statistics (TSS) and Kappa statistics were used for model evaluation. In addition, the importance of environmental variables was analyzed, the contribution of environmental variables output by the models with AUC values of > 0.950 and TSS values of > 0.850 were selected for normalization processing, and the importance percentage of environmental variables was obtained to analyze the importance of environmental variables. Results Data of 148 O. hupensis snail distribution sites and 15 environmental variables were included in training sets of RF and MaxEnt models, and both RF and MaxEnt models had high predictive performance, with both mean AUC values of > 0.900 and all mean TSS values and Kappa values of > 0.800, and significant differences in the AUC (t = 19.862, P < 0.05), TSS (t = 10.140, P < 0.05) and Kappa values (t = 10.237, P < 0.05) between two models. The AUC, TSS and Kappa values of the ensemble model were 0.996, 0.954 and 0.920, respectively. Independent data verification showed that the AUC, TSS and Kappa values of the RF model and the ensemble model were all 1, which still showed high performance in unknown data modeling, and the MaxEnt model showed poor performance, with TSS and Kappa values of 0 for 24%(24/100) of the modeling results. The modeling results of 79 RF models, 38 MaxEnt models and their ensemble models with AUC values of > 0.950 and TSS values of > 0.850 were included in the evaluation of importance of environmental variables. The importance of annual sunshine duration (SSD) was 32.989%, 37.847% and 46.315% in the RF model, the MaxEnt model and their ensemble model, while the importance of annual mean relative humidity (RHU) was 30.947%, 15.921% and 28.121%, respectively. Important environment variables were concentrated in modeling results of the RF model, dispersed in modeling results of the MaxEnt model, and most concentrated in modeling results of the ensemble model. The potential distribution of O. hupensis snails after 2016 was predicted to be relatively concentrated in Yunnan Province by the RF model and relatively large by the MaxEnt model, and the distribution of O. hupensis snails predicted by the ensemble model was mostly the joint distribution of O. hupensis snails predicted by RF and MaxEnt models. Conclusions Both RF and MaxEnt models are effective to predict the potential distribution of O. hupensis snails in Yunnan Province, which facilitates targeted O. hupensis snail control.


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