1.Obesity-driven oleoylcarnitine accumulation in tumor microenvironment promotes breast cancer metastasis-like phenotype.
Chao CHEN ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Lingling QI ; Haoqi LEI ; Xuefei FENG ; Yingjie CHEN ; Yuanyuan CHENG ; Defeng PANG ; Jufeng WAN ; Haiying XU ; Shifeng CAO ; Baofeng YANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Xin ZHAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1974-1990
Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer and is associated with breast cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which alterations in systemic metabolism affect tumor microenvironment (TME) and consequently influence tumor metastasis remains inadequately understood. Herein, we found that perturbations in circulating metabolites induced by obesity promote metastasis-like phenotypes in breast cancer. Oleoylcarnitine (OLCarn) concentrations were elevated in the serum of obese mice and humans. Administration of exogenous OLCarn induces metastasis-like characteristics in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, OLCarn directly interacts with the Arg176 site of adenylate cyclase 10 (ADCY10), leading to the activation of ADCY10 and enhancement of cAMP production. Mutations at Arg176 prevent OLCarn from binding to ADCY10, disrupting the ADCY10-mediated activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. This activation promotes transcription factor 4 (TCF4)-dependent kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) transcription, thereby driving breast cancer metastasis. Conversely, the neutralization of both ADCY10 and KIFC1 through knockdown or pharmacological inhibition abrogates the oncogenic effects mediated by OLCarn. Hence, obesity-induced systemic environmental changes lead to the aberrant accumulation of OLCarn within the TME, making it a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for breast cancer.
2.Differences in acute mountain sickness between first-time and multiple plateau entrants and its impact on psychological stress
Tingting WEN ; Min XU ; Shuhui LIN ; Dongyou ZHANG ; Pengli MENG ; Hongqin SUN ; Zi YANG ; Defeng MENG
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(11):2600-2604
Objective To investigate the differences in acute mountain sickness between individuals en-tering the plateau for the first time and those with multiple plateau experiences,and to examine the impact on psychological stress.Methods A total of 2 337 young plateau-acclimatized individuals from an acclimatization rotation area during November 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the study subjects.Those entering the plateau for the first time were classified into Group A(n=425),while those with previous plateau experience(at least one prior visit)were classified into Group B(n=1 912).Differences were analyzed between the two groups in terms of general characteristics,as well as acute mountain sickness(AMS)scores,Self-Rating De-pression Scale(SDS)scores,Symptom Checklist-90(SCL-90)scores,and various vital signs at the following time points:before entering the plateau(T0),on the 1st day(T1),4th day(T2),7th day(T3),and 10th day(T4)after entering the plateau.Results Group A was younger than Group B,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).At T1,T2,and T3,AMS scores in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B(P<0.05).At T4,there was no statistically significant difference in AMS scores between the two groups(P>0.05).At T1,T2,and T3,blood oxygen saturation was lower and heart rate higher in Group A than in Group B,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).After high-altitude acclimatization,no statistically significant differences in blood oxygen saturation or heart rate were observed between the groups at T4(P>0.05).At T1,there were no statistically significant differences in systolic or diastolic blood pres-sure between the groups(P>0.05).At T2,both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).At T3 and T4,after high-altitude acclimatization,systolic blood pressure de-creased in both groups but remained higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).On the SDS scale,men-tal-emotional and somatic symptom scores were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.001).On the SCL-90,all nine symptom factor scores were higher in Group A than in Group B(P<0.05).Conclusion Indi-viduals entering high-altitude areas for the first time experience more severe acute mountain sickness and more pronounced psychological stress.Therefore,enhanced monitoring,psychological counseling,and tailored pre-vention and treatment strategies should be implemented.
3.Identification and experimental validation of biomarkers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension based on bioinformatics and machine learning
Yan YANG ; Chunrong TAO ; Youjun ZHU ; Cong ZHANG ; Defeng LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(9):948-958
Objective To identify the key biomarkers for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH)using bioinformatics,and validate their clinical significance.Methods High-throughput sequencing data analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in COPD-PAH.Functional enrichment analysis was then conducted to explore the biological functions of these DEGs.Machine learning methods,including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),random forest(RF),and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE),were utilized to screen 5 potential biomarkers.Single-cell analysis was performed to reveal the expression patterns of these key genes in macrophages.The clinical significance of these biomarkers was further validated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)data.A mouse model of COPD-PAH was established using hypoxia exposure.Sixteen mice(either sexes,8 weeks old,weighing 20~22 g)were randomly divided into a hypoxia group[O2(10.0±0.5)%,COPD-PAH,n=8]and a normoxia group(COPD,n=8).Immunofluorescence assay was used to label the key biomarkers,and their expression levels were quantified.Results A total of 28 DEGs(|Log2FC|≥2,P<0.05)were identified in COPD-PAH patients.Functional enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in COPD were primarily associated with major histocompatibility complex(MHC)Ⅱ and cell division,and involved in lysosomes,oxidative phosphorylation,and cell cycle pathways(P<0.05).Machine learning identified 5 potential biomarkers(GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1,and GPNMB),and subsequent single-cell analysis revealed that these markers exhibited reverse expression patterns during disease progression.A nomogram model constructed based on PBMC data yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.907 in diagnosing COPD-PAH.GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1 and GPNMB were significantly upregulated in the COPD-PAH group(P<0.05).Conclusion GRN,KLF4,SHTN1,LRP1 and GPNMB are identified as key biomarkers for the prediction and diagnosis of COPD-PAH,which providing new insights for the clinical and treatment of the condition.
4.Effect of nourishing yin and tonifying yang method on inflammatory response and bone metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis
Lingyun MA ; Defeng LIU ; Airu LIU ; Nana ZHANG ; Jiatong SONG ; Weiyu BIAN ; Yujuan JI ; Yunyan JI ; Wendong LI ; Xiu'e CHI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):312-317
Objective:To investigate the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying yang method on inflammatory response and bone metabolism in patients with T2DM complicated with osteoporosis (OP).Methods:A randomized controlled trial. From January 2022 to December 2023,80 patients with T2DM and OP in our hospital were selected as the observation objects, and they were divided into two groups by random number table method, with 40 cases in each group.On the basis of conventional treatment, the control group chewed vitamin D calcium chewable tablets, and the observation group added nourishing yin and tonifying yang Chinese medicine.Both groups were treated for 6 months. TCM syndrome scores were performed before and after treatment ;the levels of fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2 hPG and HbA1c were detected by intelligent blood glucose monitor;the levels of serum neutrophils and lymphocytes were detected by automatic blood analyzer, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated;the levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by automatic chemiluminescence analyzer, the levels of type I procollagen amino terminal propeptide (PINP), type I collagen carboxy terminal peptide β special sequence (β-CTX) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3] were detected by ELISA;Bone mineral density (BMD) was detected by bone mineral density detector. The adverse reactions during treatment were observed and recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 92.5 %(37/40) in the observation group and 75.0 % (30/40) in the control group,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=4.50, P=0.034).After treatment, the scores of soreness and weakness of waist and knees, soreness and pain of waist and back, clear and long urine, pale tongue and white coating in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t=3.11, 3.75, 3.51, 3.74, P<0.01);the levels of serum FPG, 2 hPG and HbA1c in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t=3.11,3.20,3.39, P<0.01).The levels of serum NLR (2.63 ± 0.68 vs. 3.24 ± 0.79, t=3.70), IL-1β [(81.65 ± 8.30) ng/L vs. (89.03 ± 8.98) ng/L, t=3.82] and TNF-α [(35.14 ± 5.11) μg/L vs. (39.96 ± 5.38) μg/L, t=4.11] in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of PINP [(29.83 ± 3.92) ng/L vs. (34.02 ± 4.03) ng/L, t=4.71] and β-CTX [(21.30 ± 3.95 ) ng/L vs. (25.32 ± 4.18) ng/L, t=4.42] in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01), the levels of 25-(OH)D3 [(42.86 ± 5.12) μg/L vs. (38.08 ± 4.55) μg/L, t=4.41] and BMD [(0.90 ± 0.18) g/cm 3vs. (0.78 ± 0.16) g/cm 3, t=3.15] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01).During the treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 12.5% (5/40) in the observation group and 10.0 % (4/40) in the control group,there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.13, P=0.723). Conclusion:The method of nourishing yin and tonifying yang can effectively improve the TCM syndromes of T2DM patients with OP, reduce the levels of blood glucose and inflammatory factors, improve bone metabolism, improve clinical efficacy and have good treatment safety.
5.Scutellarin reduces apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in intervertebral disc degeneration of rat models
Na LI ; Peng ZHANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Wei LIN ; Defeng LIU ; Jihui ZHENG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(9):1158-1164
Objective To investigate the effects of scutellarin(SCU)on apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and the Janus kinas 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(JAK2/STAT3)signaling pathway in intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD)model rats.Methods IVDD rats were randomly divided into IVDD group,SCU low and high dose groups(SCU-L,SCU-H groups),SCU high dose+JAK2 activator bispecific protein phosphatase 19(DUSP19)group(SCU-H+DUSP19 group)and control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was applied to detect inflammatory factors and oxidative stress level in intervertebral disc tissues.Eosin stai-ning(HE)staining microscopy was used to observe pathological damage of intervertebral disc tissue.Transferase mediated dUTP notch end labeling(TUNEL)staining microscopy was applied to detect apoptosis of nucleus pulpo-sus cells in intervertebral disc tissue.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway related proteins.Results Animals in the IVDD group were suffered from partial rupture of the fibrous ring in the intervertebral disc tissue,abnormal shrinkage of the nucleus pulposus structure with reduction of nucleus pul-posus cells and blurred boundary with the fibrous ring.The level of TNF-α,IL-1β,ROS and apoptosis rate of nu-cleus pulposus cells,the expression of Bax,cleaved caspase-3,p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3 were all elevated and the expression of SOD,type Ⅱ collagen,and polysaccharides decreased(P<0.05).The morphology,cell structure,density of fibrous ring and nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc tissue of the SCU-L and SCU-H groups were improved as compared to IVDD group.The degeneration was alleviated to varying degrees.The level of TNF-α,IL-1β,ROS,apoptosis rate of nucleus pulposus cells and the expression of Bax,cleaved caspase-3,p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3 were all reduced and the expression of SOD,type Ⅱ collagen,and polysaccha-rides significantly increased(P<0.05).DUSP19 partially reverses the effect of SCU on apoptosis of IVDD rats.Conclusions SCU may alleviate apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells in IVDD rats.
6.Plasmodium falciparum malaria with acute abdominal pain as the first symptom: a case report
Dongyou ZHANG ; Na LI ; Wenqi ZHOU ; Lei ZHANG ; Qi LIANG ; Defeng MENG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(2):219-220
Plasmodium falciparum malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, is an Anopheles mosquito-transmitted infectious diseases, which predominantly occurs in tropical areas of Africa. P. falciparum malaria is characterized by complex and atypical clinical manifestations, and high likelihood of misdiagnosis and missing diagnosis, and may be life-threatening if treated untimely. This case report presents the diagnosis and treatment of a P. falciparum malaria case with acute abdominal pain as the first symptom.
7.Single-port inflatable mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy versus functional minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: A propensity score matching study
Qian WANG ; Huibing LIU ; Luchang ZHANG ; Defeng JIN ; Zhaoqing CUI ; Haiyang NI ; Yutao WEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(11):1625-1631
Objective To compare the efficacy of mediastinoscope-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy (MATHE) and functional minimally invasive esophagectomy (FMIE) for esophageal cancer. Methods Patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy at Jining No.1 Hospital from March 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively included. The patients were divided into a MATHE group and a FMIE group according to the procedures. The patients were matched via propensity score matching (PSM) with a ratio of 1 : 1 and a caliper value of 0.2. The clinical data of the patients were compared after the matching. Results A total of 73 patients were include in the study, including 54 males and 19 females, with an average age of (65.12±7.87) years. There were 37 patients in the MATHE group and 36 patients in the FMIE group. Thirty pairs were successfully matched. Compared with the FMIE group, MATHE group had shorter operation time (P=0.022), lower postoperative 24 h pain score (P=0.031), and less drainage on postoperative 1-3 days (P<0.001). FMIE group had more lymph node dissection (P<0.001), lower incidence of postoperative hoarseness (P=0.038), lower white blood cell and neutrophil counts on postoperative 1 day (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the bleeding volume, R0 resection, hospital mortality, postoperative hospital stay, anastomotic leak, chylothorax, or pulmonary infection between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the FMIE, MATHE has shorter operation time, less postoperative pain and drainage, but removes less lymph nodes, which is deficient in oncology. For some special patients such as those with early cancer or extensive pleural adhesions, MATHE may be a suitable surgical method.
8.Efficacy of three plasma exchange methods in improving renal insufficiency after kidney transplantation and the in-duction of plasma exchange related adverse reactions:a comparative study
Defeng ZHANG ; Aiping ZHANG ; Baoyong TIAN ; Xiuxiu WANG ; Shuai PANG ; Shuhong YU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(7):742-747
Objective To compare the efficacy of double filtration plasmapheresis(DFPP),centrifugal therapeutic plasma exchange(cTPE)and centrifugation-filtration plasmapheresis(CFPP)in improving renal insufficiency after kidney transplantation,as well as the differences in inducing plasma exchange-related adverse reactions.Methods Clinical data from 46 patients who underwent plasma exchange after renal transplantation in our hospital were retrospectively collected,and patiens were divided into DFPP group(n=33),cTPE group(n=7)and CFPP group(n=6).Changes in peripheral blood creatinine,albumin,hemoglobin,platelets,fibrinogen levels and urine volume before and after TPE were compared and analyzed among the three groups.Results Among the DFPP group,cTPE group and CFPP group,the creatinine after TPE decreased by(31.40±25.38)%,(58.91±19.75)%and(39.44±28.64)%,respectively,with cTPE group significant-ly higher than the DFPP group(P<0.05),but no significant differences between the DFPP group and cTPE group(P>0.05);the urine volume after TPE increased by(49.33±30.03)%,(54.62±39.32)%and(68.89±23.00)%,showing no significant differences(P>0.05);the hemoglobin after TPE decreased by(11.97±5.94)%,(20.17±5.75)%and(9.65±8.75)%,respectively,with the cTPE group significantly higher than the DFPP group and CFPP group(P<0.05),but no significant difference between the DFPP group and CFPP group(P>0.05).The platelet count after TPE decreased by(37.88±18.39)%,(24.56±12.36)%and(21.40±12.51)%,respectively,with no significant differences between the three groups(P>0.05);the fibrinogen after TPE decreased by(0.57±0.20)%,(0.14±0.06)%and(0.26±0.22)%,re-spectively,with the DFPP group significantly higher than the cTPE group(P<0.05),but the CFPP group had no significant difference with cTPE group or DFPP group(P>0.05);the albumin after TPE decreased by(11.41±5.97)%,(14.67±6.52)%and(25.18±5.10)%,respectively,with cTPE group and DFPP group significantly lower than the CFPP group(P<0.05,P<0.001),but with no significant difference between the DFPP group and cTPE group(P>0.05).Conclusion The effect of three plasma exchange methods varies on renal function,anemia and coagulation function of patients after kid-ney transplantation.It is necessary to consider the the patient's disease characteristics and treatment needs,as well as the laboratory′s technical conditions and plasma supply when selecting TPE methods.
9.Relationship between serum reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and surgical outcomes in Micro-TESE
Chenyao DENG ; Defeng LIU ; Wenhao TANG ; Lianming ZHAO ; Haocheng LIN ; Jiaming MAO ; Zhe ZHANG ; Yuzhuo YANG ; Haitao ZHANG ; Hui JIANG ; Kai HONG
Journal of Modern Urology 2023;28(12):1032-1037
【Objective】 To investigate the relationship between serum reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and outcomes of micro-testicular sperm extraction (Micro-TESE). 【Methods】 Clinical data of 1 091 patients treated in our hospital during Jan. and Dec.2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sperm concentration,the patients were divided into non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) group (group A,n=418),normal sperm concentration group (group B,n=615),mild to moderate oligospermia group (group C,n=18),severe oligospermia group (group D,n=18),and obstructive azoospermia group (group E,n=22). In group A,244 cases treated with Micro-TESE were grouped into the sperm-acquired group (Micro-TESE positive group,n=82) and non-sperm-acquired group (Micro-TESE negative group,n=162),and according to the pathological types of testicular tissue,the patients were divided into normal testicular tissue with hypospermatogenesis group (HYPO group,n=129),maturation arrest group (MA group,n=10),and support-only cell syndrome group (SCO group,n=122). Differences in semen parameters and reproductive hormone levels were compared,and relationship between reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and Micro-TESE outcomes was determined with Pearson correlation analysis. 【Results】 In the sperm concentration subgroup,the testicular volume of group A was lower than that of group B and group E (P<0.05); the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in group A were the highest (P<0.05),but the level of testosterone (T) was the lowest (P<0.05); the levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and serum inhibin B (INHB) in group A were lower than those in group B and group E (P<0.05),the normal sperm morphology rate in group B was higher than that in group A and group E (P<0.05); the percentage of forward moving sperm in group B was the highest (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that sperm concentration,normal sperm morphology rate,and percentage of forward moving sperm were negatively correlated with age,FSH,LH (P<0.05),and positively correlated with testicular volume,T,AMH,and INHB (P<0.05). NOA patients were grouped according to testicular histology and pathology. The INHB in the SCO group was the smallest of the three groups (P<0.05); the FSH and LH levels in the SCO group were higher than those in the MA group (P<0.05),while the 17β-estradiol (E
10.The effect of different doses of butorphanol tartrate prophylactic analgesia on postoperative pain in gynecological laparoscopic surgery
Mingjie ZHANG ; Zhongliang SUN ; Defeng SUN
Journal of Chinese Physician 2023;25(11):1630-1634
Objective:To observe the effect of pre injection of three different doses of butorphanol tartrate on postoperative pain in gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A prospective study was conducted on 172 patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from April to December 2022. According to the random number table method, patients were divided into B1 group, B2 group, and B3 group. These three groups were given 10, 20, and 30 μ g/kg butorphanol tartrate 15 minutes before surgery, respectively. Ramsay sedation score at 10 minutes after patient administration, the pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores and Bruggrmann Comfort Scale (BCS) for resting and active states at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery, hemodynamic parameters at different time points during surgery, postoperative use of adjuvant analgesics and effective number of compressions for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Resultsl:There was no statistically significant difference in general characteristics among the three groups of patients (all P>0.05). At 10 minutes after administration, there was a statistically significant difference in Ramsay scores between groups B2 and B3 compared to group B1 (all P<0.05). At 12 and 24 hours after surgery, the resting NRS score of B3 group was lower than that of B2 group and B1 group, and B2 group was lower than B1 group (all P<0.05); At 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, the NRS scores of postoperative activity in the B2 and B3 groups were lower than those in the B1 group (all P<0.05); At 6 and 12 hours after surgery, the NRS score of the B3 group was lower than that of the B2 group (all P<0.05). At 6 and 24 hours after surgery, there was a statistically significant difference in BCS between groups B2 and B3 compared to group B1 (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the hemodynamic parameters at each time point during surgery, the effective number of PCIA compressions within 48 hours after surgery, and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions among the three groups of patients (all P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of postoperative addition of analgesics among the three groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intravenous injection of 15 minutes before gynecological laparoscopic surgery 30 μg/kg butorphanol tartrate can achieve good analgesic effects with fewer adverse reactions, and can be used as a priority dose for preventive analgesia in gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

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