1.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
2.Severe Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma Presenting as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report
Jianhua LI ; Wei HUANG ; Qing ZHANG ; Weiyuan LUO ; Yanqiong WU ; Xiukai CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):115-119
Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma(IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive type of lymphoma with diverse and nonspecific clinical manifestations, often leading to misdiagnosis. This article reports a case of IVLBCL in a middle-aged male patient who initially presented with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). The patient exhibited progressive hypoxemia and PAH, showing poor response to standard PAH therapy. Laboratory tests indicated a hyperinflammatory state and significantly elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, while imaging revealed diffuse bilateral lung lesions. Random skin biopsy identified atypical B lymphocytes within subcutaneous capillaries, confirming the diagnosis of IVLBCL. Following treatment with the ZR-CHOP regimen, the patient's symptoms and laboratory parameters improved markedly. By reviewing relevant literature, this article systematically outlines the diagnostic and therapeutic process of this case, aiming to provide insights for the clinical recognition of such rare presentations.
3.Toosendanin enhances the efficacy of cytosine arabinoside against acute myeloid leukemia by regulating autophagy via the mTORC1 signaling pathway
Xianfeng OUYANG ; Jianhua KANG ; Ying GUO ; Yan HUANG ; Wei JIANG ; Jianguo YAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(17):2264-2271
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of toosendanin in enhancing the antileukemic activity of cytosine arabinoside against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway.METHODS Female NSG immunodeficient mice were used to establish an AML model via a single γ-ray irradiation followed by a single tail-vein injection of a U937 cell suspension. The effects of cytosine arabinoside (2.5 mg/kg), toosendanin (1.0 mg/kg), and cytosine arabinoside+toosendanin (2.5 mg/kg+1.0 mg/kg) on body weight, survival time, peripheral blood routine indicators, histopathological morphology, and the expressions of autophagy-related proteins were explored. Using U937 cells as the subject, the effects of cytosine arabinoside (1 μmol/L), toosendanin (160 nmol/L), and cytosine arabinoside+toosendanin (1 μmol/L+160 nmol/L) on the expressions of autophagy-related proteins, mTORC1 signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNAs were investigated. The targeting relationship between toosendanin and the selective autophagy ligand 1 (also known as p62) was validated, and the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, as well as molecular docking, were performed. A p62 -knockdown U937 stable cell line was constructed, and the underlying mechanism of toosendanin-induced sensitization was verified.RESULTS Animal experiments confirmed that the combination of toosendanin and cytosine arabinoside significantly improved body weight, survival time and peripheral blood routine indicators in AML mice ( P <0.05), alleviated pathological changes such as leukemic cell infiltration and focal necrosis in bone marrow, liver, and spleen tissues, and modulated the expressions of autophagy-related proteins. Cell experiments confirmed that toosendanin could reverse cytosine arabinoside-induced activation of the autophagy cascade (manifested by downregulation of the protein expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B and Beclin-1, upregulation the protein expression of p62), and might inhibit the expression of the downstream Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) complex (including ULK1, ULK2, autophagy-related protein 13, and FAK family interacting protein of 200 kDa) by activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway ( P <0.05). The sensitizing effect of toosendanin was associated with the inhibition of autophagy and the regulation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway; it could stably bind to p62 via hydrophobic interactions. Mechanism verification experiments indicated that upon p62 knockdown, toosendanin was no longer able to activate the mTORC1 signaling pathway or inhibit autophagy.CONCLUSIONS Toosendanin may enhance chemo-sensitivity of AML cells to cytosine arabinoside by directly targeting the p62 protein, which subsequently activates the mTORC1 signaling pathway, and thereby suppresses cytosine arabinoside-induced protective autophagy.
4.Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of chronic venous diseases in the elderly
Yu ZHAO ; Jichun ZHAO ; Lan ZHANG ; Jianhua HUANG ; Pingfan GUO ; Tao WANG ; Yongjun LI ; Haiyang WANG ; Quan CHEN
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(6):1097-1108
The incidence of chronic venous disease(CVD)is significantly higher in the elderly population compared to non-elderly individuals,with more severe disease manifestations.Additionally,elderly CVD patients often have comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular diseases,making the evaluation process more complex and increasing treatment difficulty.Currently,there are no established recommendations in China for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in individuals aged 60 and above.Against this backdrop,the Peripheral Vascular Disease Management Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Society has developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Venous Disease in the Elderly based on domestic and international guidelines,relevant evidence-based medical research,and the physiological and clinical characteristics of the elderly population in China.This consensus aims to provide an important reference for improving the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in elderly patients in China.
5.Regulation of methyltransferase METTL3 on radiotherapy sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells
Qingzhe MENG ; Junhong HUANG ; Xinjie YANG ; Huan LI ; Zihui YANG ; Jun WANG ; Yahui LI ; Rong LIU ; Jianhua WEI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(2):206-213
Objective:To study the influence of methyltransferases like 3(METTL3)on the radiosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells(OSCCs).Methods:The apoptosis level of OSCCs CAL27,SCC9 and SCC15 treated with X-ray radiation doses of 2,4 and 8 Gy respectively was compared by flow cytometry,the expression of methylated gene RNA and protein in the cells were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot.m6A in the cells was quantified by LC/LC-MS method.qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the expression of methylated gene RNA and protein in the cells.Flow cytometry was used to examine the cell apoptosis level of CAL27 and SCC15 cells treated with METTL3 overexpression and knockdown respectively.The clone forma-tion of CAL27 and SCC15 cells after knockdown and overexpression of target genes followed by radiation treatment was observed by clonogenic assays.Results:The apoptosis rate of all the cell lines increased with the increase dose of radiation at each dose,CAL27 cells showed the highest and SCC15 showed the lowerst apoptosis rate.The RNA and protein expression levels of METTL3 in CAL27 were significantly lower than those of SCC15.m6A quantification showed that the methylation modification in CAL27 cells was lower than that in SCC15.The expression of METTL3 was increased in CAL27 and SCC15 cells after radiation treatment.Knockdown of METTL3 increaced the apoptosis rate and decreased the clonogenesity,overession of METTL3 the decreaced the ap optosis rate and increased the clonogenecity of the cells.Conclusion:Regulation of METTL3 can affect the radiotherapy sensitivity of OSCCs,METTL3 may become a new target for radiosensitization of OSCCs.
6.Efficacy of Guanxinning Tablets as an adjunctive treatment for coronary heart disease complicated by insomnia in older adult patients
Na HUANG ; Xiongsheng LYU ; Jianhua MEI
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(2):172-176
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Guanxinning Tablets as an adjunctive treatment for coronary heart disease complicated by insomnia in older adult patients. Methods:A total of 80 patients with coronary heart disease complicated by insomnia, admitted to The Second People's Hospital of Lishui between December 2021 and December 2023, were selected for this study. A randomized, controlled trial design was used, with patients randomly assigned to either the control group or the observation group ( n = 40/group). The control group received conventional treatment along with basic sleep-promoting interventions, while the observation group received Guanxinning Tablets in addition to the treatment provided to the control group. The treatment duration for both groups was 8 weeks. The therapeutic effects, frequency and duration of angina attacks, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, Seattle Angina Questionnaire score, serum levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:The clinical efficacy of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group ( Z = 2.07, P < 0.05). After treatment, the frequency and duration of angina attacks in the observation group were (1.02 ± 0.31) times/d and (1.35 ± 0.27) min, both of which were significantly lower and shorter than those in the control group [(1.54 ± 0.40) times/d, (1.71 ± 0.36) min, t = -6.50, -5.06, both P < 0.05]. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score in the observation group was (5.93 ± 1.28), which was significantly lower than that in the control group [(7.33 ± 2.05), t = -3.66, P < 0.05]. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire scores for all dimensions in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( t = 2.81, 2.30, 2.97, 4.76, 4.24, all P < 0.05). The levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the observation group were (13.48 ± 3.60) mg/L and (15.53 ± 3.83) μg/L, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(16.26 ± 4.51) mg/L, (20.38 ± 3.92) μg/L, t = -3.05, -5.60, both P < 0.05]. The vascular endothelial growth factor level in the observation group was (128.26 ± 16.67) ng/L, which was significantly higher than that in the control group [(105.78 ± 14.35) ng/L, t = 6.46, P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:Guanxinning Tablets, as an adjunctive treatment for coronary heart disease complicated by insomnia, can significantly improve outcomes in older adults by alleviating angina symptoms, enhancing sleep quality, and reducing inflammatory responses, without increasing the incidence of drug-related adverse reactions.
7.Lycopene activates the LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway to mediate mitochondrial activity af-fecting myocardial microvascular remodeling
Ting LUO ; Zhan LI ; Shan LI ; Jianhua ZHOU ; Yan HUANG ; Fengbo FU
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(2):108-116
Aim To investigate the effects of lycopene on myocardial microvascular remodeling and elucidate its underlying mechanisms via the LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway.Methods 50 SD rats were selected to establish a coronary microcirculation disorder model and divided into sham,model and low/mid/high concentration lycopene groups.Left ven-tricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)in rats were detected using echocardiography,creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)were detected using ELISA,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9),matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and PI3K/Akt pathway related protein expression were detected using Western blot,and liver X receptor α(LXRα)and liver X receptor β(LXRβ)expression were detected using immunohistochemical staining.In vitro,a hypoxia model of myo-cardial microvascular endothelial cells(MCMEC)was established,with groups including control,hypoxia,hypoxia+low/mid/high concentration lycopene,LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor group and mitochondrial fission inhibitor group.Cell viability was detected using CCK-8,LXRα and LXRβ were detected using immunofluorescence,superoxide dismutase(SOD),reactive oxygen species(ROS),VEGF and PDGF levels were detected using ELISA,mitochondrial function-re-lated proteins(Drp1,Fis1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,PINK1,Parkin and Opa1)and MMP-9,MMP-2 and PI3K/Akt pathway related proteins were detected using Western blot,and myocardial tissue injury was evaluated using HE staining.Results Compared with the sham group,the model group exhibited severe myocardial injury,with increased levels of LVEDD,LVESD,CK and LDH,decreased LVEF and LVFS,downregulated expression of VEGF,PDGF,MMP-9 and MMP-2,de-creased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt,and downregulated expression of LXRα and LXRβ.In cells,com-pared with the control group,the hypoxia group showed decreased cell viability,downregulated expression of VEGF,PDGF,MMP-9,and MMP-2,and decreased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt.Lycopene treatment could ef-fectively reverse the above changes and increase the expression of LXRα and LXRβ.Moreover,lycopene could also re-verse and modulate the characteristic alterations of Drp1,Fis1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,PINK1,Parkin and Opa1 induced by LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitors or mitochondrial fission inhibitors.Conclusion Lycopene enhances mitochondrial activi-ty,reduces oxidative stress and improves myocardial microvascular remodeling by activating the LXR/PI3K/Akt pathway.
8.Feasibility and safety of surgery in patients with stageⅣ esophageal cancer following first-line therapies
Yan HUANG ; Hong YANG ; Kongjia LUO ; Yuhong LI ; Feng WANG ; Mian XI ; Qiaoqiao LI ; Jianhua FU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(2):185-190
Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of surgical intervention for patients with stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer who demonstrated tumor regression following first-line treatment.Methods:This was a descriptive case series. The inclusion criteria for surgery were as follows: (1) an initial diagnosis of stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer, i.e. cT4b or cM1; (2) the presence of residual tumor following first-line therapy deemed potentially resectable upon reassessment; and (3) sufficient organ function to tolerate surgical procedures. Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 63 patients with stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer who underwent surgery following first-line therapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2014 and December 2023. Of these patients, 12 were initially staged as IVA, and 51 as IVB. Post-treatment restaging revealed that 9 patients achieved a clinical complete response, while 3 were downstaged to stage Ⅰ, 14 to stage Ⅱ, 24 to stage Ⅲ, and 13 to stage ⅣB (with regression of distant metastatic lesions enabling curative resection). Surgical approaches included right thoracic esophagectomy ( n=55), left thoracic esophagectomy ( n=4), and transmediastinal esophagectomy ( n=4). Additionally, 7 patients required extended organ resection. Two-field lymph node dissection was performed in 49 patients, while 14 underwent three-field lymph node dissection. Postoperative management varied: 31 patients received no adjuvant therapy, 11 underwent immunochemotherapy, 8 received immunotherapy alone, 8 underwent chemotherapy, 4 received chemoradiotherapy, and 1 received combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), with secondary endpoints including surgical outcomes and postoperative complications. Results:All 63 patients successfully underwent surgery without intraoperative mortality. R0 resection was achieved in 58 cases (92.1%), while R1 and R2 resections were performed in 1 case (1.6%) and 4 cases (6.3%), respectively. The mean operative time was 357±135 minutes. Postoperative complications were observed in 27 cases (42.9%), with 9 cases (14.3%) classified as Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or Ⅴ. One patient (1.6%) died perioperatively. The median follow-up duration was 21 months (range: 4–107 months). The median OS was 64.8 months (95% CI: 50.9–78.6 months), and the median PFS was 68.0 months (95% CI: 53.9–82.3 months). Among 24 patients with supraclavicular lymph node metastases, 6 experienced recurrence and 8 died. Of 25 patients with abdominal metastases, 3 had recurrence and subsequently died. All 4 patients with lung metastases and both patients with bone metastases experienced recurrence and death.Conclusions:Surgical intervention is a feasible and safe treatment option for selected patients with stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer who demonstrate the potential for curative resection following first-line therapy.
9.Exosome Linc00665 regulates radiotherapy resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma by regulating T cell immunoreactivity
Huan LI ; Junhong HUANG ; Yating HU ; Yahui LI ; Zihui YANG ; Zhenyan ZHAO ; Xinjie YANG ; Jianhua WEI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(6):744-749
Objective:To investigate the function and mechanism of exosome Linc00665 in modulating CD8+T cell immunoreactivity to promote radiotherapy resistance in OSCC.Methods:HOEC,SCC9 and SCC9-RR exosomes were extracted and identified,and the expression of Linc00665 was detected by qRT-PCR in cell lines and exosomes.The expression of TNF-α,IFN-γ,perforin and granzyme B in each treatment group was detected by ELISA(PBS,SCC9 exo,SCC9-RR exo).The killing ability of CD8+T cells against SCC9 cells in each treatment group was detected by CCK-8 assay.The targets of Linc00665 were further bioinformatically ana-lyzed and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.The expression of Linc00665,miR-28-5p and PD-1 in CD8+T cells was exogenous-ly regulated,the expression of immunoreactive factors in the supernatants of each treatment group was detected by ELISA(NC,sh-Linc00665,miR-28-5p inhibitor,sh-PD-1),and the killing ability of cells in each group was detected by CCK-8 method.Results:The concentrations of TNF-α,IFN-γ,perforin and granzyme B in the supernatants of cell culture in the SCC9-RR exo/CD8+T group were significantly decreased compared with those in the PBS/CD8+T group and the SCC9 exo/CD8+T group(P<0.05),and the kill-ing ability of the cells in the SCC9-RR exo group was significantly decreased compared with those in the PBS group and the SCC9 exo group(P<0.05),suggesting that SCC9-RR exo could inhibit the tumor killing ability of CD8+T cells.qRT-PCR results suggested that Linc00665 was highly expressed in the SCC9-RR cell line as well as exosome(P<0.05).It was further verified by bioinformat-ics analysis that Linc00665 could regulate PD-1 expression via miR-28-5p,thereby modulating CD8+T cell immunoreactivity to pro-mote OSCC radiotherapy resistance.Conclusion:Exosome Linc00665 regulates CD8+T cell immunoreactivity through miR-28-5p/PD-1 axis to promote OSCC radiotherapy resistance.
10.Multi-center Study on Specific IgE Antibodies to Alternaria Alternata and Aspergillus Fumigatus in Sera of Clinical Allergy Patients in Selected Provinces in China
Chao XU ; Xingyuan ZHU ; Caizhi HUANG ; Hong ZHU ; Shu WANG ; Hongxia YUAN ; Pengfei ZHAO ; Ji YAN ; Jianhua MA ; Chunlei KUANG ; Yanli XIE ; Rongcai WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Sheng LIANG ; Qunying WANG ; Yingsha DUAN ; Yiwu ZHENG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(3):13-17
Objective To investigate the prevalence of specific IgE antibodies against Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus in serum samples from clinical allergy patients across selected provinces in China.Methods Data on specific IgE antibodies for Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.were collected from 20 hospital laboratories in 17 cities spanning 11 provinces.The study analyzed the levels of specific IgE and their variations across different provinces and seasons.Results A total of 27 471 cases of Alternaria A.and 32 843 cases of Aspergillus F.specific IgE data were included.The national average positive rate of Alternaria A.IgE was 10.40%,with the highest rate of 22.68%in Jiangsu and the lowest rate of 2.06%in Guangxi.For Aspergillus F.specific IgE,the average positive rate was 4.24%,with Hubei province having the highest rate(7.25%)and Hunan province the lowest(1.23%).The difference in IgE levels for both Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.among provinces were statistically significant(H=9 955,16 993,all P<0.0001).Among patients,5.85%had Alternaria A.specific IgE levels at grade 3 or above,while only 0.57%had Aspergillus F.specific IgE levels at this level.When examining seasonal variations using data from Liaoning,Hunan and Anhui provinces,significant seasonal changes were observed for both Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.IgE antibodies(HAlternaria A=347.6,338.0,401.3,HAspergillus F=196.6,133.7,231.7,all P<0.0001).Conclusion The sensitization to Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.exhibits distinct geographical characteristics and vary significantly with seasons.Given the relatively high IgE levels associated with Alternaria A.,it should be given adequate clinical attention.

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