1.MicroRNA isomiRs reveal novel pathways linked to disease activity and fibrosis in MASLD
Christian BRION ; Stephen Aurelien HOANG ; Guangliang WANG ; Faridodin MIRSHAHI ; Jessie ANG ; Matthew Ray LONG ; Zheng ZHU ; Bhanu SAKHAMURI ; Molly Anderson SROUR ; Mohammad Shadab SIDDIQUI ; Amon ASGHARPOUR ; David John HAYES ; Neal Charles FOSTER ; David William SALZMAN ; Arun Jayant SANYAL
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):706-720
Background/Aims:
MicroRNA (miRNA) isoforms (isomiRs) broaden the regulatory landscape of canonical miRNAs, but their role in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains unknown. We aimed to characterize the hepatic isomiR landscape in MASLD and define their association with disease activity and fibrosis.
Methods:
Small RNA (sRNA) sequencing was performed on liver biopsies from 79 patients across the histological spectrum of MASLD. IsomiRs were annotated and quantified. Their association to disease activity and fibrosis score was assessed by differential expression, ordinal regression, and machine learning. Parallel mRNA sequencing and pathway enrichment were used to map isomiR–mRNA interactions and regulatory networks, which were validated against an independent dataset.
Results:
MiRNAs accounted for 75% of sRNAs in liver tissue, of which 67% were isomiRs. Across MASLD severity, 173 isomiRs correlated with disease activity and 58 with fibrosis stage. Key findings included a miR-122 isomiR uniquely targeting INSIG1 (cholesterol metabolism) and a miR-21 isomiR targeting PPARA and HMGCS2 (lipid and fibrosis pathways). Integration with mRNA data revealed 33 dysregulated pathways, including PPAR signaling, insulin resistance, and TGF-β response. Several novel isomiRs from miR-26b, let-7c, and miR-32 families were also linked to lipid metabolism and fibrosis progression.
Conclusions
IsomiRs represent the majority of hepatic miRNAs and uncover novel regulatory networks masked by canonical miRNA analysis. These findings provide new insights into the molecular heterogeneity of MASLD, highlight candidate pathways driving disease progression, and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for precision hepatology.
2.Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of cemental tear.
Ye LIANG ; Hongrui LIU ; Chengjia XIE ; Yang YU ; Jinlong SHAO ; Chunxu LV ; Wenyan KANG ; Fuhua YAN ; Yaping PAN ; Faming CHEN ; Yan XU ; Zuomin WANG ; Yao SUN ; Ang LI ; Lili CHEN ; Qingxian LUAN ; Chuanjiang ZHAO ; Zhengguo CAO ; Yi LIU ; Jiang SUN ; Zhongchen SONG ; Lei ZHAO ; Li LIN ; Peihui DING ; Weilian SUN ; Jun WANG ; Jiang LIN ; Guangxun ZHU ; Qi ZHANG ; Lijun LUO ; Jiayin DENG ; Yihuai PAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Aimei SONG ; Hongmei GUO ; Jin ZHANG ; Pingping CUI ; Song GE ; Rui ZHANG ; Xiuyun REN ; Shengbin HUANG ; Xi WEI ; Lihong QIU ; Jing DENG ; Keqing PAN ; Dandan MA ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Dong CHEN ; Liangjun ZHONG ; Gang DING ; Wu CHEN ; Quanchen XU ; Xiaoyu SUN ; Lingqian DU ; Ling LI ; Yijia WANG ; Xiaoyuan LI ; Qiang CHEN ; Hui WANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xuedong ZHOU ; Shaohua GE
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):61-61
Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans
;
Dental Cementum/injuries*
;
Consensus
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
;
Tooth Fractures/therapy*
3.Ionizing Radiation Alters Circadian Gene Per1 Expression Profiles and Intracellular Distribution in HT22 and BV2 Cells.
Zhi Ang SHAO ; Yuan WANG ; Pei QU ; Zhou Hang ZHENG ; Yi Xuan LI ; Wei WANG ; Qing Feng WU ; Dan XU ; Ju Fang WANG ; Nan DING
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1451-1457
4.Clinical characteristics of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy: a national multicenter study
Jiale GAO ; Yuanyuan2 YANG ; Zhengyang YANG ; Jiagang3 HAN ; Ang? LI ; Gang? LIU ; Yi? SUN ; Liting SUN ; Pengyu WEI ; Jianyong ZHENG ; Hongwei YAO ; Zhongtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(6):739-745
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 46 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were admitted to 6 medical centers, including Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University et al, from June 2021 to November 2022 were collected. There were 29 males and 17 females, aged (61±4)years. Patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and under-went radical total mesorectal excision during 6-12 weeks after radiotherapy. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinical characteristics between pCR and non-pCR patients;(2) postoperative complications and adverse reactions of pCR and non-pCR patients. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:(1) Comparison of clinical characteristics between pCR and non-pCR patients. Before neoadjuvant therapy, there were 14 cases aged ≥50 years and 6 cases aged <50 years in pCR patients, versus 25 cases and 1 case in non-pCR patients, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). After neoadjuvant therapy, cases in clinical stage T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 were 11, 1, 5, 3, 0 for pCR patients versus 7, 4, 2, 11, 2 for non-pCR patients, cases of tumor regression grade 1, 2, 3, 4 were 11, 8, 1, 0 for pCR patients versus 7, 14, 4, 1 for non-pCR patients, cases in low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk of neoadjuvant rectal scoring and grading were 20, 0, 0 for pCR patients versus 4, 18, 4 for non-pCR patients, respectively, showing significant differences in above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-2.256, -2.104, -5.458, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative complications and adverse reactions of pCR and non-pCR patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 cases of pCR patients and 5 cases of non-pCR patients, postoperative adverse reactions occurred in 11 cases of pCR patients and 10 cases of non-pCR patients, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with locally advanced rectal cancer patients aged ≥50 years, those aged <50 years have significant benefits from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Clinical T staging and magnetic resonance imaging-detected tumor regression grade after neoadjuvant therapy have predictive value for patients with pCR .
5.Clinical characteristics of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy: a national multicenter study
Jiale GAO ; Yuanyuan2 YANG ; Zhengyang YANG ; Jiagang3 HAN ; Ang? LI ; Gang? LIU ; Yi? SUN ; Liting SUN ; Pengyu WEI ; Jianyong ZHENG ; Hongwei YAO ; Zhongtao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(6):739-745
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of locally advanced rectal cancer patients with pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 46 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who were admitted to 6 medical centers, including Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University et al, from June 2021 to November 2022 were collected. There were 29 males and 17 females, aged (61±4)years. Patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and under-went radical total mesorectal excision during 6-12 weeks after radiotherapy. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinical characteristics between pCR and non-pCR patients;(2) postoperative complications and adverse reactions of pCR and non-pCR patients. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:(1) Comparison of clinical characteristics between pCR and non-pCR patients. Before neoadjuvant therapy, there were 14 cases aged ≥50 years and 6 cases aged <50 years in pCR patients, versus 25 cases and 1 case in non-pCR patients, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). After neoadjuvant therapy, cases in clinical stage T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 were 11, 1, 5, 3, 0 for pCR patients versus 7, 4, 2, 11, 2 for non-pCR patients, cases of tumor regression grade 1, 2, 3, 4 were 11, 8, 1, 0 for pCR patients versus 7, 14, 4, 1 for non-pCR patients, cases in low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk of neoadjuvant rectal scoring and grading were 20, 0, 0 for pCR patients versus 4, 18, 4 for non-pCR patients, respectively, showing significant differences in above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-2.256, -2.104, -5.458, P<0.05). (2) Postoperative complications and adverse reactions of pCR and non-pCR patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 cases of pCR patients and 5 cases of non-pCR patients, postoperative adverse reactions occurred in 11 cases of pCR patients and 10 cases of non-pCR patients, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with locally advanced rectal cancer patients aged ≥50 years, those aged <50 years have significant benefits from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy. Clinical T staging and magnetic resonance imaging-detected tumor regression grade after neoadjuvant therapy have predictive value for patients with pCR .
6.Application of artificial intelligence in HE risk prediction modelling and research advances
Liangji-Ang HUANG ; Dewen MAO ; Jinghui ZHENG ; Minggang WANG ; Chun YAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(3):289-294
Hepatic encephalopathy is a clinical syndrome of central nervous system dysfunction caused by liver insufficiency.It severely affects the quality of life of patients and may lead to death.Accurate prediction of the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy is crucial for early intervention and treatment.In order to identify the risk of hepatic encephalopathy in patients in advance,many studies have been devoted to efforts to develop tools and methods to identify the risk of hepatic encephalopathy as early as possible,so as to develop preventive and early management strategies.Most conventional hepatic encephalopathy risk prediction models currently assess the prob-ability of a patient developing hepatic encephalopathy by analysing factors such as clinical data and biochemical indicators,however,their accuracy,sensitivity and positive predictive value are not high.The application of artificial intelligence to clinical predictive modelling is a very hot and promising area,which can use large amounts of data and complex algorithms to improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis and prognosis.To date,there have been few studies using AI techniques to predict hepatic encephalopathy.Therefore,this paper reviews the research progress of hepatic encephalopathy risk prediction models,and also discusses the prospect of AI application in hepatic encephalopathy risk prediction models.It also points out the challenges and future research directions of AI in HE risk prediction model research in order to promote the development and clinical application of hepatic encephalopathy risk prediction models.
7.Secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. J218 from Anectochilus roxburhii
Xuhui HE ; Xiang-ang LI ; Meiyan CHEN ; Yiding WANG ; Rui WU ; Chengjian ZHENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice 2023;41(7):411-415
Objective To isolate the secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. J218 from Anectochilus roxburhii. Methods Different chromatographic methods, including Sephadex LH-20 and silica gel chromatography as well as HPLC, were used to isolate compounds from the EtOAc fraction of the solid fermentation of J218, and their structures were identified by spectral methods. Results Ten compounds were isolated from the fermentation of J218 and their structures were individually identified as kotanin(1), flavasperone(2), aurasperone B(3), fonsecinone B(4), fonsecinone D(5), ensidol A(6), fonsecinone A(7), fonsecinone C(8), aurasperone A(9), and fonsecinone F(10). Conclusion Most compounds isolated from endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. J218 in Anectochilus roxburhii were identified as dimeric naphthopyrones. These results suggest that this strain contains rich dimerization synthase, which could provide clues for the further exploration of the rational biosynthesis pathway of dimeric naphthopyrones in this strain.
8.Association between Socio-demographic Factors, Involvement Status in Gardening and Diet Quality among B40 Households in Taman Keramat, Kuala Lumpur
Ang Zheng Feng ; Norhasmah Sulaiman ; Baarathi Balasubramaniam ; Nurakmal Syahirah Mohamed Faidz
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.5):175-184
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihood of Malaysians and gardening activities have contributed positively to the diet quality. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with diet quality among
adults in AU2 Keramat, Kuala Lumpur. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved adults aged 18 to 59 via convenience sampling. The socio-demographic, physical activity level and involvement status in gardening were obtained
through a questionnaire, while food intake was from a single-day 24-hour diet recall. The diet quality was determined through Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (MHEI) and dietary misreporting was calculated using the Goldberg
cut-off method. Results: A total of 117 respondents (65.8% females, 35.2% males) with a mean age of 40.98 were
involved in this study. Findings showed that most respondents did not engage in gardening activities (72.6%) and
the prevalence of poor diet quality in this study was 89.7%, with a mean score of 44.51. The older respondents (r=
0.20, p= 0.034) and community gardeners (t= -2.63, p= 0.011) had a significantly higher diet quality but not home
gardeners (t= 0.12, p= 0.902). The respondents involved in gardening activity also had a significantly higher fruit
serving intake, Mann-Whitney U= 1045.00, p= 0.036) and lower total fat intake (t= 2.27, p= 0.025). Conclusion:
The diet quality of the respondents remains poor but community gardeners had significantly higher diet quality and
fruit intake while lower total fat intake. Interventions need to be developed to address the persistent poor diet quality
of adults in the community.
9.Research progress of the central nervous system leukemia in children
Ang WEI ; Huyong ZHENG ; Bin WANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2022;37(2):146-149
Acute leukemia (AL) is the most common tumor in childhood.With the improvement of risk stratification therapy, the complete remission rate of AL has been significantly improved.However, central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) remains the major cause of recurrence and death of leukemia.This study aims to review the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of CNSL in children, hoping to further improve the understanding.
10.Effects of 5-Aza-dC combined with chemotherapy regimens on the apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells
Ye JIN ; Ang LI ; Xuan ZHENG ; Hongjiao WU ; Guogui SUN ; Xuemei ZHANG
Clinical Medicine of China 2022;38(2):129-134
Objective:To investigate the effect of different chemotherapy drugs combined with DNA methylase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) on the apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells.Methods:In the prospective randomized controlled study, lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were treated with cisplatin plus paclitaxel (TP) or gemcitabine (GP) with or without 5-Aza-dC. According to different drug intervention methods, they were divided into control group, cisplatin combined with paclitaxel (TP) group, cisplatin combined with gemcitabine (GP) group, and 5-Aza-dC combined with TP group, 5-Aza-dC combined with GP group. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of A549 cells. Transwell migration and invasion assay were used to detect the effect that each group of drugs on the migration and invasion ability of A549 cells. Quantitative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to evaluate the effect of each treatment on the expression of apoptotic genes. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the degree of cell proliferation in different drug treatment groups, and LSD- t method was used for pairwise comparison within groups. Results:The inhibition rates of lung adenocarcinoma cells in the TP regimen at different time points at 24, 48, and 72 h were as follows (20.00±4.23) %, (35.00±2.80) %, and (56.00±3.11) %. The inhibition rate of 5-Aza-dC combined with TP regimen on lung adenocarcinoma cells was significantly increased, at different time points of 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively (38.00±3.80) %, (50.00±3.25) %, (93.00±4.33) %. The inhibition rates of cells at different time points at 24, 48, and 72 h in the GP regimen were (33.00±5.10) %, (54.00±3.80) %, and (74.00±2.82) %, respectively; while 5-Aza-dC combined with GP regimen could significantly reduce the rate of cell growth, the inhibition rates of cells at 24, 48, and 72 h different time points were as follows (54.00±3.00) %, (67.00±5.30) %, and (95.00±1.13) %. The inhibitory effect of the same drug on lung adenocarcinoma cells increased with time (TP group: F=35.93, P<0.001; 5-Aza-dC combined with TP group: F=97.33, P<0.001; GP group: F =41.73, P<0.001; 5-Aza-dC combined with GP group: F=79.00, P<0.001), and at different time points, the differences were statistically different (all P<0.05). 5-Aza-dC combined with TP and GP chemotherapy regimens can inhibit the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cell A549, and the inhibitory effect is stronger than that of TP or GP regimens alone. The expression of Caspase 8 was significantly elevated ( t=5.87, P=0.004) in cells treated with 5-Aza-dC combined with GP when compared with GP regimen alone. The expression of Caspase 8 ( t=3.94, P=0.017), Caspase 6 ( t=5.81, P=0.004) and BBC3 (BCL-2 binding component 3) ( t=6.53, P=0.003) were increased when drugged with 5-Aza-dC combined TP regimen compared with TP regimen alone. Conclusion:5-Aza-dC might serve as a chemotherapeutic sensitizer to increase the sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail