1.Causal relationship between circulating inflammatory cytokines and bone mineral density based on two-sample Mendelian randomization
Shuai CHEN ; Jie JIN ; Huawei HAN ; Ningsheng TIAN ; Zhiwei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(8):1556-1564
BACKGROUND:Many recent studies have shown a close relationship between inflammatory cytokines and osteoporosis and bone mineral density(BMD).However,the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD has not been fully revealed. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and BMD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS:The single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were selected from the open database of genome-wide association studies(GWAS)as instrumental variables.The GWAS data about BMD were from the Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium,involving a total of 32 735 individuals of European ancestry.Inverse variance weighting was used as the primary analysis to evaluate the causal effect.Weighted median,MR Egger regression,simple mode,and weighted mode methods were used to supplement the explanation.We used the MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO method to conduct a pleiotropy test,the Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was heterogeneity in the results,and the leave-one-out method was used to evaluate the stability of the results.In addition,to more accurately assess the causality,the Bonferroni-corrected test was used to identify inflammatory cytokines that have a strong causal relationship with BMD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to the results of the inverse variance weighting method,we found a positive causal relationship between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD[β=0.075,95%confidence interval(CI):0.033-0.117,P=0.000 5),while a negative causal relationship between interleukin-17 and lumbar spine BMD(β=-0.083,95%CI:-0.152 to-0.014,P=0.018).There might be a negative causal relationship between tumor necrosis factor b and femoral neck BMD(β=-0.053,95%CI:-0.088 to-0.018,P=0.003),while a positive causal relationship between basic fibroblast growth factor and femoral neck BMD(β=0.085,95%CI:0.016-0.154,P=0.015).There might be a negative causal relationship between macrophage inflammatory protein-1a and total body BMD(β=-0.056,95%CI:-0.105 to-0.007,P=0.025).There was a negative causal relationship between interleukin-5(β=-0.019,95%CI:-0.031 to-0.006,P=0.004),stromal cell-derived factor-1a(β=-0.022,95%CI:-0.038 to-0.005,P=0.010),hepatocyte growth factor(β=-0.021,95%CI:-0.041 to-0.002,P=0.030),interleukin-4(β=-0.016,95%CI:-0.032 to-0.001,P=0.034)and heel BMD,while a positive causal relationship between nerve growth factor(β=0.019,95%CI:0.002-0.036,P=0.033),granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(β=0.011,95%CI:0.000-0.022,P=0.050),and heel BMD.Meanwhile,after the Bonferroni-corrected test,there was a strong positive causal effect between interleukin-8 and lumbar spine BMD(P=0.000 5).And consistent directional effects for all analyses were observed in MR Egger,weighted median,simple mode,and weighted mode methods.(2)Sensitivity analyses revealed no heterogeneity,pleiotropy,or outliers for the causal effect of circulating inflammatory cytokines on BMD.
2.Exploration of the comprehensive management practice pathway for long-term prescription medications in psychiatry
Mengxi NIU ; Pengfei LI ; Xue WANG ; Shanshan LIU ; Yanxiang CAO ; Hongyan ZHUANG ; Hu WANG ; Li BAI ; Huawei LI ; Fei PAN ; Sha SHA ; Qing’e ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(19):2366-2371
OBJECTIVE To explore comprehensive management and potential issues associated with long-term prescriptions medications of psychiatry, in order to provide a reference for the comprehensive management of long-term prescriptions of psychiatry in psychiatric hospitals and other medical institutions’ pharmacies. METHODS Starting from the applicable principles for long-term prescriptions of psychiatry, this study introduced the standardized assessment and precautions before issuing long-term prescriptions, the formulation and adjustment of the drug list, as well as the rational management of the long-term prescriptions. It also analyzed potential issues that may arise in the comprehensive management of long-term prescription medications and proposed corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Prior to initiating long-term prescriptions, a standardized assessment should be conducted on patients from the aspects of their psychiatric condition and long-term potential risk factors, pharmacological treatment plans and other non-pharmacological therapies, physical illnesses. Additionally, healthcare providers should fulfill their obligation to inform patients or their family members. The comprehensive management of long-term prescription medications should be jointly established and improved by multiple departments, and the formulation of drug catalogs should avoid including drugs with potential social harm or medication risks while complying with policy requirements. Furthermore, measures such as adding special identifiers to long-term prescriptions, providing patients with reminders about (No.YGLX202537) prescription expiration, or offering online consultations can also effectively enhance the rationality of medication use under long-term prescriptions. Currently, the implementation of long-term prescriptions in psychiatry remains challenged by inconsistencies in prescription duration, incomplete coverage of diagnostic categories, poor patient adherence, and the risk of deviation in clinical assessments. In this regard, measures such as collaborating with multiple departments to strengthen long-term prescription information management, providing matching pharmaceutical services, ensuring the quality and rationality of long-term prescription implementation, and using modern methods to screen high-risk patients can be taken to improve patient medication compliance and safety.
3.The natural history of the relationship between OTOF mutation-related genotypes and audiological phenotypes.
Lei HAN ; Liheng CHEN ; Sha YU ; Yuxin CHEN ; Luoying JIANG ; Shuang HAN ; Jiake ZHONG ; Luo GUO ; Huawei LI ; Yilai SHU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):379-385
Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common sensory disorders. In recent years, auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders caused by mutations in the OTOF gene have garnered significant attention worldwide, marking it as the first deafness gene with breakthroughs in gene therapy. Most patients with OTOF gene mutations present with stable, congenital, or prelingual onset of hearing loss, which can range from severe to profound and even complete hearing loss. However, a minority of patients may exhibit mild to moderate progressive hearing loss or temperature-sensitive hearing loss. This review further explores the genotype-phenotype relationship of the OTOF gene based on reported cases in China and abroad. Additionally, we analyze the characteristics of the natural history of OTOF gene mutations within the Chinese population. This study aims to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hearing loss associated with OTOF gene mutations.
Humans
;
Mutation
;
Phenotype
;
Genotype
;
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics*
;
Membrane Proteins/genetics*
4.Evolution-guided design of mini-protein for high-contrast in vivo imaging.
Nongyu HUANG ; Yang CAO ; Guangjun XIONG ; Suwen CHEN ; Juan CHENG ; Yifan ZHOU ; Chengxin ZHANG ; Xiaoqiong WEI ; Wenling WU ; Yawen HU ; Pei ZHOU ; Guolin LI ; Fulei ZHAO ; Fanlian ZENG ; Xiaoyan WANG ; Jiadong YU ; Chengcheng YUE ; Xinai CUI ; Kaijun CUI ; Huawei CAI ; Yuquan WEI ; Yang ZHANG ; Jiong LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5327-5345
Traditional development of small protein scaffolds has relied on display technologies and mutation-based engineering, which limit sequence and functional diversity, thereby constraining their therapeutic and application potential. Protein design tools have significantly advanced the creation of novel protein sequences, structures, and functions. However, further improvements in design strategies are still needed to more efficiently optimize the functional performance of protein-based drugs and enhance their druggability. Here, we extended an evolution-based design protocol to create a novel minibinder, BindHer, against the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It not only exhibits super stability and binding selectivity but also demonstrates remarkable properties in tissue specificity. Radiolabeling experiments with 99mTc, 68Ga, and 18F revealed that BindHer efficiently targets tumors in HER2-positive breast cancer mouse models, with minimal nonspecific liver absorption, outperforming scaffolds designed through traditional engineering. These findings highlight a new rational approach to automated protein design, offering significant potential for large-scale applications in therapeutic mini-protein development.
5.Biomanufacturing driven by engineered organisms.
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):1-78
This article reviews the review articles and research papers related to biomanufacturing driven by engineered organisms published in the Chinese Journal of Biotechnology from 2023 to 2024. The content covers 26 aspects, including chassis cells; gene (genome) editing; facilities, tools and methods; biosensors; protein design and engineering; peptides and proteins; screening, expression, characterization and modification of enzymes; biocatalysis; bioactive substances; plant natural products; microbial natural products; development of microbial resources and biopesticides; steroidal compounds; amino acids and their derivatives; vitamins and their derivatives; nucleosides; sugars, sugar alcohols, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and glycolipids; organic acids and monomers of bio-based materials; biodegradation of polymeric materials and biodegradable materials; intestinal microorganisms, live bacterial drugs and synthetic microbiomes; microbial stress resistance engineering; biodegradation and conversion utilization of lignocellulose; C1 biotechnology; bioelectron transfer and biooxidation-reduction; biotechnological environmental protection; risks and regulation of biomanufacturing driven by engineered organisms, with hundreds of technologies and products commented. It is expected to provide a reference for readers to understand the latest progress in research, development and commercialization related to biomanufacturing driven by engineered organisms.
Biotechnology/methods*
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Gene Editing
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Genetic Engineering
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Metabolic Engineering
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Protein Engineering
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Biosensing Techniques
6.Development of a postoperative recurrence prediction model for stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer patients using multimodal data based on machine learning
Di ZHANG ; Yi WU ; Yu XU ; Shuai WANG ; Yue HU ; Huawei CHEN ; Nana HU ; Rong HE ; Xueling TONG ; Mengxia LI
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(14):1602-1611
Objective To develop a machine learning model integrating preoperative chest CT radiomic features with clinical data for predicting 5-year postoperative recurrence risk in stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients undergoing surgical resection.Methods A total of 217 patients with pathologically confirmed stage Ⅰ NSCLC(selected from 778 initially screened cases based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria)treated in Army Medical Center of PLA between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled,including 53 recurrence cases and 164 non-recurrence cases within 5-year follow-up.They were randomly divided into a training set(n=173)and a validation set(n=44)in a ratio of 8:2.Radiomic models were established based on extracted features from tumor-dominant regions of interest(ROI)on CT images,while clinical models were developed using demographic characteristics and preoperative laboratory examinations.A combined model was further constructed by integrating both feature sets,and model performance was compared to identify the optimal predictive model.Results This study screened the features from non-contrast CT images and ultimately selected 7 radiomic features for constructing radiomic model.Among 6 machine learning algorithms,the adaptive boosting(Adaboost)model demonstrated the best overall predictive performance,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.866(95%CI:0.808~0.923;accuracy:0.832,specificity:0.884)in the training set and of 0.806(95%CI:0.630~0.983;accuracy:0.795,specificity:0.971)in the validation set.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified 4 clinical features for clinical model construction.The clinical model achieved an AUC value of 0.874(95%CI:0.821~0.928;accuracy:0.827,specificity:0.891)in the training set and 0.813(95%CI:0.677~0.948;accuracy:0.636,specificity:0.600)in the validation set.By integrating the 7 radiomic features and 4 clinical features using a feature-level fusion strategy,the combined model exhibited further improved predictive performance,with an AUC value of 0.953(95%CI:0.924~0.983;accuracy:0.884,specificity:0.860)and 0.852(95%CI:0.729~0.976;accuracy:0.682,specificity:0.629),respectively in the training set and the validation set.Conclusion The combined model integrating preoperative CT radiomic features with clinical risk factors may provide an evidence-based framework for evaluating 5-year postoperative recurrence risk in stage Ⅰ NSCLC patients.
7.Clinical Diagnostic Value of CT Combined with MR in Grading Sacroiliac Joint Lesions in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Xuenan WU ; Huawei SU ; Man LI
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(10):106-112
Objective To explore the value of CT combined with MRI(hereinafter referred to as combined diagnosis)in diagnosing sacroiliac joint lesions in ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods A retrospective study selected CT and MRI examination data from 102 AS patients with sacroiliac joint lesions admitted to the Third People's Hospital of Haikou,Hainan Province between January 2021 and July 2023.The study compared the grading and detection rates of various signs using CT,MRI,and combined diagnosis.Results MRI showed higher detection rates for AS sacroiliac joint lesions in grades I-II,bone marrow edema,tendon and ligament attachment point inflammation,subchondral cartilage destruction,synovial thickening,and subchondral fat deposition compared to CT(P<0.05).In contrast,CT demonstrated higher accuracy in detecting joint surface sclerosis,subchondral bone erosion/destruction,and joint surface hyperplasia compared to MRI(P<0.05).Combined diagnosis showed significantly higher grading and detection rates of AS sacroiliac joint lesion signs compared to MRI or CT alone(P<0.05).Conclusion MRI has high detection rates for early AS sacroiliac joint lesions,CT exhibits high sensitivity for joint surface hyperplasia,sclerosis,erosion,and destruction,and combined diagnosis demonstrates superior efficacy compared to MRI or CT individually.
8.Study on gene therapy for DPOAE and ABR threshold changes in adult Otof-/- mice.
Zijing WANG ; Qi CAO ; Shaowei HU ; Xintai FAN ; Jun LV ; Hui WANG ; Wuqing WANG ; Huawei LI ; Yilai SHU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;38(1):49-56
Objective:This study aims to analyze the threshold changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response(ABR) in adult Otof-/- mice before and after gene therapy, evaluating its effectiveness and exploring methods for assessing hearing recovery post-treatment. Methods:At the age of 4 weeks, adult Otof-/- mice received an inner ear injection of a therapeutic agent containing intein-mediated recombination of the OTOF gene, delivered via dual AAV vectors through the round window membrane(RWM). Immunofluorescence staining assessed the proportion of inner ear hair cells with restored otoferlin expression and the number of synapses.Statistical analysis was performed to compare the DPOAE and ABR thresholds before and after the treatment. Results:AAV-PHP. eB demonstrates high transduction efficiency in inner ear hair cells. The therapeutic regimen corrected hearing loss in adult Otof-/- mice without impacting auditory function in wild-type mice. The changes in DPOAE and ABR thresholds after gene therapy are significantly correlated at 16 kHz. Post-treatment,a slight increase in DPOAE was observeds,followed by a recovery trend at 2 months post-treatment. Conclusion:Gene therapy significantly restored hearing in adult Otof-/- mice, though the surgical delivery may cause transient hearing damage. Precise and gentle surgical techniques are essential to maximize gene therapy's efficacy.
Mice
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Animals
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Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous/physiology*
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Hearing/physiology*
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Ear, Inner
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Hearing Loss/therapy*
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Genetic Therapy
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Auditory Threshold/physiology*
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Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem/physiology*
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Membrane Proteins
9.Study on injectable chitosan hydrogel with tendon-derived stem cells for enhancing rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing.
Huawei WEN ; Qingsong ZHANG ; Ming TANG ; Ya'nan LI ; Hongfei TAN ; Yushun FANG
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2024;38(1):91-98
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the effect of chitosan (CS) hydrogel loaded with tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs; hereinafter referred to as TDSCs/CS hydrogel) on tendon-to-bone healing after rotator cuff repair in rabbits.
METHODS:
TDSCs were isolated from the rotator cuff tissue of 3 adult New Zealand white rabbits by Henderson step-by-step enzymatic digestion method and identified by multidirectional differentiation and flow cytometry. The 3rd generation TDSCs were encapsulated in CS to construct TDSCs/CS hydrogel. The cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of TDSCs in the hydrogel after 1-5 days of culture in vitro, and cell compatibility of TDSCs/CS hydrogel was evaluated by using TDSCs alone as control. Another 36 adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=12): rotator cuff repair group (control group), rotator cuff repair+CS hydrogel injection group (CS group), and rotator cuff repair+TDSCs/CS hydrogel injection group (TDSCs/CS group). After establishing the rotator cuff repair models, the corresponding hydrogel was injected into the tendon-to-bone interface in the CS group and TDSCs/CS group, and no other treatment was performed in the control group. The general condition of the animals was observed after operation. At 4 and 8 weeks, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of tendon forming related genes (tenomodulin, scleraxis), chondrogenesis related genes (aggrecan, sex determining region Y-related high mobility group-box gene 9), and osteogenesis related genes (alkaline phosphatase, Runt-related transcription factor 2) at the tendon-to-bone interface. At 8 weeks, HE and Masson staining were used to observe the histological changes, and the biomechanical test was used to evaluate the ultimate load and the failure site of the repaired rotator cuff to evaluate the tendon-to-bone healing and biomechanical properties.
RESULTS:
CCK-8 assay showed that the CS hydrogel could promote the proliferation of TDSCs ( P<0.05). qPCR results showed that the expressions of tendon-to-bone interface related genes were significantly higher in the TDSCs/CS group than in the CS group and control group at 4 and 8 weeks after operation ( P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of tendon-to-bone interface related genes at 8 weeks after operation were significantly higher than those at 4 weeks after operation in the TDSCs/CS group ( P<0.05). Histological staining showed the clear cartilage tissue and dense and orderly collagen formation at the tendon-to-bone interface in the TDSCs/CS group. The results of semi-quantitative analysis showed that compared with the control group, the number of cells, the proportion of collagen fiber orientation, and the histological score in the TDSCs/CS group increased, the vascularity decreased, showing significant differences ( P<0.05); compared with the CS group, the proportion of collagen fiber orientation and the histological score in the TDSCs/CS group significantly increased ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the number of cells and vascularity ( P>0.05). All samples in biomechanical testing failed at the repair site during the testing process. The ultimate load of the TDSCs/CS group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference compared to the CS group ( P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
TDSCs/CS hydrogel can induce cartilage regeneration to promote rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing.
Rabbits
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Animals
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Rotator Cuff/surgery*
;
Chitosan
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Hydrogels
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Rotator Cuff Injuries/surgery*
;
Wound Healing
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Tendons/surgery*
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Collagen
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Stem Cells
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
10.The Development and Equivalence Analysis of Mandarin Tracking of Noise Tolerance Test Materials
Yuqing ZHENG ; Jiamin GONG ; Pengfei GUAN ; Jialing FENG ; Yongtao XIAO ; Ting FAN ; Aqiang DAI ; Roujia ZHOU ; Huawei LI ; Yunfeng WANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2024;32(4):302-307
Objective To develop and evaluate the equivalence of the Mandarin test material for tracking of noise tolerance(TNT)test.Methods Six different speech materials were developed(themes including daily life,entertainment,family,festivals,outdoors,and school).Four-minute TNT tests were measured in 21 normal hear-ing subjects using six different test materials.For each session,the tolerable noise level(TNL)and TNT scores were acquired and calculated for 3 time windows(31~240 s,31~120 s,151~240 s).Results Statistic analysis showed significant differences in the TNL(F=43.611,P<0.05)among the normal hearing listeners.There were statistically significant differences in standardize z-scored TNT scores of the six different materials in the three time windows(P<0.05).Post-hoc comparisons revealed that all significant differences involved the family and daily life themes.Conclusion Entertainment,festival,outdoors and school themed test materials can serve as the materials of Mandarin tracking of noise tolerance test and can be appied in research and clinical testing.

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