1.Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mucin-rich salivary gland tumors
GUAN Weihang ; LIU Cangwei ; GUO Hao ; LI Jinwei ; WANG Dandan ; QIAO Chunyan ; NIE Mengdong ; QU Ming ; SHI Ce
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(6):606-619
This paper systematically elaborates on the key points of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors characterized by a substantial amount of extracellular mucus as a main or prominent feature, and clarifies the core differential features. The term "mucus-rich" specifically denotes that mucus is a major component of the tumor, rather than a focal or minor one. This phenomenon is associated with distinct histogenetic mechanisms: it may result from specific genetic mutations (e.g., AKT1 E17K in mucinous adenocarcinoma) that drive ductal epithelial differentiation into mucus-secreting cells, or from myoepithelial cells secreting glycosaminoglycans that form a myxoid stroma. Salivary gland tumors with abundant extracellular mucus include mucinous cystadenoma, sialadenoma papilliferum-like intraductal papillary tumors, mucinous myoepithelioma, pleomorphic adenoma with mucin-rich stroma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, mucin-rich salivary duct carcinoma and intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis of these tumors is complicated by the dual nature of extracellular mucus: while it is a defining feature of some entities, it can also obscure key diagnostic architectural features in others, leading to histological overlap and inconspicuous diagnostic areas. Given the frequent histological morphological overlap among these tumors, immunohistochemical findings and molecular characteristics have emerged as crucial differential diagnostic criteria. Core differential diagnostic points include the following: histologically, there must be meticulous identification of typical structures obscured by mucin (such as squamoid cells in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and apocrine features in salivary duct carcinoma); in immunohistochemical staining, CK20 is useful for distinguishing intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (positive) from mucinous adenocarcinoma (negative), while androgen receptor aids in differentiating salivary duct carcinoma (positive) from mucoepidermoid carcinoma (negative); and molecular testing plays a critical role in definitive diagnosis (e.g., the AKT1 E17K mutation for mucinous adenocarcinoma, MAML2 rearrangement for mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and MEF2C::SS18 fusion for microsecretory adenocarcinoma). This paper systematically summarizes the core pathological features and differential diagnostic points of mucin-rich salivary gland tumors, aiming to provide a practical reference for clinical pathological diagnosis.
2.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
3.Mechanism of Yizhi Qingxin Prescription in Regulating PKA/CaN Pathway to Improve Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice
Xiaochen GUO ; Jiangang LIU ; Dandan SHI ; Ziqi NING ; Yaoyao ZHANG ; Fang LIU ; Meixia LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):97-108
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Yizhi Qingxin prescription improves mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) through regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis and kinetic balance based on the protein kinase A (PKA)/calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty three-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice were randomly divided into a model group, a donepezil group(0.65 mg·kg-1), a low-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-L,2.6 g·kg-1), a medium-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-M,5.2 g·kg-1), and a high-dose Yizhi Qingxin prescription group (YQF-H,10.4 g·kg-1), with 12 mice in each group. Twelve C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background served as a normal group. Each treatment group received gavage administration daily, with the model and normal groups receiving equal volume of physiological saline. Intervention continued for 12 consecutive weeks. The learning and memory abilities of the mice were assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE)/Nissl staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial ultrastructure. Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester (Fluo-4 AM) Ca2+ probe was used to measure intracellular Ca2+ concentration in brain tissue. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of PKA, CaN, sodium/calcium/lithium exchanger (NCLX), mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), calmodulin (CaM), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), and phosphorylated dynamin-related protein 1 (serine 637 site) [p-Drp1(S637)] in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to measure the expression of PKA, CaN, CaM, NCLX, MCU, and Drp1 mRNAs. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the recognition index (RI) of the model group decreased (P0.01), and the number of crossings through the original platform area, the duration of stay in the target quadrant, and the distance were reduced (P0.01). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-DRP1 (ser637) significantly decreased (P0.05), and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly decreased (P0.05). The escape latency (EL) was prolonged (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level significantly increased (P0.01). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1, as well as the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1, significantly increased (P0.05). After intervention with Donepezil and Yizhi Qingxin prescription, compared with that in the model group, the RI of the treatment group significantly increased (P0.05), and the number of crossings through the platform and the duration of stay in the target quadrant significantly increased (P0.05). The protein expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) and the mRNA expression of PKA and NCLX significantly increased (P0.05). On the 4th and 5th days, the EL was shortened (P0.05), and the intracellular Ca2+ level decreased (P0.05). The protein expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 and the mRNA expression of CaN, MCU, and Drp1 significantly decreased (P0.05). ConclusionYizhi Qingxin prescription regulates the PKA/CaN pathway, upregulates the expression of PKA, NCLX, and p-Drp1 (ser637) proteins, reduces the expression of CaN, CaM, MCU, and Drp1 proteins, and regulates Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial dynamic balance, thereby enhancing the spatial learning and memory abilities of AD mice.
4.Analysis of a child with Osteo-oto-hepato-enteric syndrome and a literature review.
Dandan WANG ; Qianqian LI ; Hongxiang GUO ; Yongning CHEN ; Qingfei HAO ; Yanlei XU ; Xiuyong CHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(3):204-212
OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the phenotype and genotype of a neonate with Osteo-oto-hepato-enteric syndrome (O2HE) and review the literature.
METHODS:
A female neonate diagnosed with O2HE syndrome on December 13, 2024 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University was selected as the study subject, and her clinical characteristics were analyzed, and pathogenic variants were explored by whole exome sequencing (WES). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2025-KY-1038).
RESULTS:
The proband, a female infant, was delivered by Cesarean section at 36+1 weeks of gestation. Five days after birth, she had developed severe diarrhea, mild cholestasis, sensorineural hearing loss, and growth retardation. WES revealed that she has harbored novel compound heterozygous variants c.512delA (p.Lys171Serfs*64) and c.698C>A (p.Thr233Asn) of the UNC45A gene, which were inherited from her mother and father, respectively. A total of 8 English papers were retrieved, which involved 16 patients from 14 families. Combined with our case, the 17 patients included 13 (76.5%) females and 4 (23.5%) males. Four patients (23.5%) had consanguineous parents. One case was excluded from further genetic analysis due to co-morbidity with other genetic variants. The primary clinical features included diarrhea (87.5%), cholestasis (81.3%), sensorineural hearing loss (31.3%), bone fragility (37.5%), and developmental delay (50.0%). Bi-allelic compound heterozygous mutations were identified in 12 patients (75.0%), and homozygous variants in 4 (25.0%). These included missense, nonsense, frameshift and deletional variants. The c.710T>C (p.Leu237Pro) variant was identified for 5 times, 3 of which were in homozygote forms.
CONCLUSION
O2HE syndrome should be suspected in cases with diarrhea, cholestasis, and hearing abnormalities during early postnatal period. Genetic testing facilitate early identification, genetic diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
;
Female
;
Infant, Newborn
;
Male
;
Mutation
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Diarrhea, Infantile/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Phenotype
;
Fetal Growth Retardation
;
Hair Diseases
;
Facies
5.A systematic review of quality assessment tools for pediatric palliative care based on COSMIN guidelines
Sishan JIANG ; Qinqin CHENG ; Tingwei LUO ; Na ZHANG ; Junchen GUO ; Dongya LI ; Dandan LI ; Lihui ZHU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):611-618
Objective To evaluate the methodological quality and measurement attribute quality of the evaluation tool for pediatric palliative care quality assessment tools,and to provide references for medical staff to select the best assessment tools.Methods The PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CINAHL,Scopus,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database,VIP Database,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,GIN,NGC,NICE,NRAO,medlive,WHO,AAHPM,WHPCA,APHN were searched from inception to March 28,2024.Data were screened and extracted independently by 2 researchers.The consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments(COSMIN)checklist and quality criteria were employed to evaluate the methodological quality and psychometric properties of the included pediatric palliative care quality assessment tools.Finally,recommendations were formulated based on these evaluations.Results A total of 13 articles were included,involving 9 pediatric palliative care quality assessment tools.Among them,the PICU-QODD,PaPEQu and QCPCI demonstrated good content validity and internal consistency,and are recommended as Grade A.The remaining assessment tools are recommended as Grade B or C.Conclusion The PICU-QODD,PaPEQu and QCPCI are recommended for use,but further validation of their psychometric properties is still needed.
6.Mediating effect of pain beliefs on pain intensity and fear of disease progression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia
Dandan WAN ; Zheng WANG ; Huan DUAN ; Yige MA ; Ying GUO
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(4):1-7
Objective To analyse the mediating effect of the pain beliefs on pain and fear of disease progression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.Methods A convenience sampling method was employed to select hospitalised 220 patients with trigeminal neuralgia as research objects from 3 Grade IIIA hospitals.The selected study subjects were surveyed with a general information questionnaire,the numeric pain rating scale,pain beliefs and perceptions scale,and fear of disease progression short form.Structural equation model was used to verify the pathways that affected the pain and pain beliefs on fear of disease progression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.Results A total of 214 patients with trigeminal neuralgia completed the survey.The mean score of fear of disease progression was 33.38±8.47,the mean score of pain was 8.25±1.44,and the mean score of pain beliefs was-2(-9,8).Spearman correlation analysis showed that fear of disease progression was positively correlated with the pain beliefs(r=0.746,P<0.01)and pain(r=0.838,P<0.01),and the pain beliefs were positively correlated with pain intensity(r=0.704,P<0.01).Pain beliefs partially mediated between the pain and fear of disease progression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia,with a mediating effect of 0.442,a direct effect of 0.482,and a total effect of 0.924.The mediating effect accounted for 47.84%of the total effect.Conclusion Patients with trigeminal neuralgia generally have a critical state of psychologicol disfunction of fear of disease progression,with a moderate to severe pain,and moderate pain beliefs.Pain intensity in patients with trigeminal neuralgia not only directly affects fear of disease progression but also indirectly affects it through pain beliefs.
7.Ferritin-based GnRH nanoparticles for immunocastration in male BALB/c mice
Jinling GUO ; Dongyu LIU ; Yudie ZHANG ; Dandan YANG ; Yanan ZHAO ; Ying XU ; Congmei WU ; Yuhe YIN
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2292-2300
To develop a novel immunocastration vaccine for animals,researchers designed and syn-thesized the recombinant plasmid pET-30a-SF which could express the recombinant protein SF.This protein was then conjugated in vitro with the synthetic peptide STGP to prepare the SF-STGP nanoparticle vaccine,and its immunocastration effect on mice was studied.The Spy Catcher and ferritin amino acid sequences were connected via GGGGS,and after codon optimization for E.coli,the recombinant plasmid pET-30a-SF was constructed and transformed into E.coli for in-duced expression.The recombinant protein SF was purified using Ni-column affinity chromatogra-phy and characterized.The peptide STGP,composed of Spy Tag,GnRH,and PADRE connected by GGGS,was conjugated with the recombinant protein SF in vitro.The self-assembled nanoparticles were observed using transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and dynamic light scattering(DLS).The prepared SF-STGP nanoparticles were mixed with MONTANIDE ISA 206 VG at a 1∶1 ratio to form the vaccine,which was then subcutaneously injected into male BALB/c mice for immunocastration evaluation.The recombinant protein SF showed the highest soluble expression when induced at 18 ℃ with 0.25 mmol/L IPTG for 14 h,and the maximum conjugation efficiency with STGP was achieved at a 1∶8 molar ratio.TEM and DLS analyses revealed that both the re-combinant protein SF and SF-STGP could self-assemble into nanoparticles with average diameters of 16.2 nm and 17.8 nm,respectively.Mouse immunization results demonstrated that the SF-STGP nanoparticle vaccine generated specific GnRH antibodies after the first immunization,with the spe-cific antibody D45o reaching its peak at the 10 th week.The SF-STGP+ISA 206 immunization group showed a peak D450 value of 2.8,and the specific antibody levels in all immunization groups were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the SF-STGP nanoparticle vaccine effectively reduced serum testosterone levels in mice,with the testosterone concentration in the immunization groups being significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Compared to the control group,the immunization group exhibits testicular atrophy.The constructed SF-STGP nanoparticle vaccine proves to be a highly effective immunogen,capable of inducing testicular atrophy and reducing gonadal hormone concentrations,demonstrating excellent castration effects.This study provides new insights into immunocastration vaccines for mammals.
8.Anti-tumor effects of engineered exosomes for targeted drug delivery
Yueyou DAI ; Dandan GUO ; Qianqian WANG ; Baiyan WANG ; Shuying FENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(31):6753-6764
BACKGROUND:At present,chemotherapeutic drugs are mainly used for the treatment of tumors,but there are problems such as drug resistance and adverse reactions.The exosome drug delivery system not only avoids the toxicity of synthetic nanoparticles,but also increases the bioavailability and biocompatibility of the drugs.It can be modified by biological,physical,and chemical methods to form a new type of nano-drug delivery platform.OBJECTIVE:To review the construction strategy of exosome drug delivery system,the application status of exosome drug delivery system in tumor diseases and the current challenges.METHODS:PubMed and CNKI were searched with"exosomal,tumor,microvesicle,extracellular vesicles,engineered,therapeutics,characterization,isolation,drug delivery,targeting,modification strategies,physics,chemistry,biology"as English search terms and"exosomes,drug delivery,tumor"as Chinese search terms.A total of 132 articles were included for in-depth induction and discussion.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The technical methods of exosome extraction,including ultracentrifugation,filtration,and kit extraction,can efficiently isolate exosomes,but the process is complicated and time-consuming,and large-scale extraction of exosomes cannot be achieved.(2)Engineered exosomes can be divided into four categories:gene editing engineering,which improves function through genetic modification;endogenous engineering,using inflammatory factors and other pretreatment to enhance drug delivery;exogenously engineered to encapsulate drugs directly in exosomes;hybrid engineering,combining exosomes with lipid nanoparticles to form new particles.Some have entered clinical trials for cancer treatment,but most are at an early stage.In contrast,genetically engineered exosomes are considered as an important direction for future drug delivery due to their high targeting and customization potential.(3)There are still many limitations to realize the clinical transformation of engineered exosomes.At the technical level,large-scale production,purification,and drug loading efficiency are urgent to be solved.In production,high cost and batch stability affect its popularity.In terms of safety,immunogenicity and potential toxicity need to be comprehensively evaluated.Furthermore,the imperfect regulatory policies and the complexity of the approval process also constitute obstacles to its clinical translation.(4)In the future,it is necessary to promote the clinical translation process through technical innovation,cost control,safety improvement,and policy improvement.
9.Constructing a risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease based on aMAP score combined with RAR and PIV
Xiaohan JIANG ; Jie CAO ; Dandan LIU ; Dan XUE ; Zhiguo GUO
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(1):42-46
Objective To construt and validate a risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in patients with chronic liver disease based on age-male-ALBI-platelets(aMAP)score combined with RAR and PIV.Methods A total of 143 patients with chronic liver disease were divided into the HCC group(32 cases)and the non-HCC group(111 cases)according to whether HCC occurred.General clinical data,aMAP score and peripheral blood indicator level were compared between two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors of HCC in inpatients with chronic liver disease.A nomogram risk prediction model was constructed and validated.Results Compared with the non-HCC group,there were higher age,higher proportion of males,higher levels of total bilirubin(TBIL),red blood cell distribution width(RDW),neutrophil count(NEU)and monocyte count(MON),lower levels of albumin(ALB)and lymphocyte count(LYM),higher levels of aMAP score,RDW to ALB(RAR)and pan-immune inflammation value(PIV)in the HCC group(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression showed that higher levels of aMAP score,RAR and PIV were independent risk factors for HCC in inpatients with chronic liver disease(P<0.05).The area under receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)of the nomogram risk prediction model constructed based on above factors was 0.823(95%CI:0.747-0.899).The calibration curve showed that the predicted value was basically consistent with the actual observed value,and the Brier score was 0.125.The decision curve showed that the model had a clear positive net benefit.The AUC of internal validation of the prediction model by Bootstrap method was 0.823(95%CI:0.820-0.825),indicating that the model had a good degree of differentiation.Conclusion The nomogram risk prediction model based on aMAP score,RAR and PIV showed a good predictive performance of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease,which could benefits the individualized treatment and follow-up.
10.Risk factor analysis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with atrial fibrillation based on cardiac magnetic resonance
Jiangyu TIAN ; Lingjuan GUO ; Dandan YANG ; Jin GAO ; Zhengkai ZHAO ; Yong LIANG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(1):44-50
Objective To investigate the independent risk factors for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM)with atrial fibrillation(AF)based on cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)using logistic regression analysis.Methods We reviewed 80 patients diagnosed with HCM at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2023.Statistical differences in the CMR and clinical parameters between patients with HCM with and without AF were compared.The cut-off value of HCM with AF was obtained by receiver operator characteristic curve,and binary logistic regression analysis was performed on statistically significant variables to identify independent risk factors for HCM in patients with AF.Results Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the type of left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement(LGE),native T1 mapping value of the left ventricular myocardium without LGE,left atrial anteroposterior diameter,number of left ventricular LGE myocardial segments,and LGE in the basal anterior interventricular septum,mid anterior interventricular septum,and mid inferior interventricular septum were between HCM with and without AF(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis revealed that there were significant differences in left ventricular subendocardial LGE(P=0.048,OR=5.3,95%CI:0.642-43.311),native T1 mapping value of left ventricular myocardium without LGE≥1 247 ms(P=0.03,OR=5.7,95%CI:0.734-27.41),and left atrium anteroposterior diameter 50 mm(P=0.013,OR=6.9,95%CI:1.489-31.538)between HCM with and without AF.Conclusion Left ventricular subendocardial LGE,native T1 mapping value≥1 247 ms,and left atrium anteroposterior diameter≥50 mm are independent risk factors for HCM with AF.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail