1.Identification of a Fusobacterial RNA-binding protein involved in host small RNA-mediated growth inhibition.
Pu-Ting DONG ; Mengdi YANG ; Jie HU ; Lujia CEN ; Peng ZHOU ; Difei XU ; Peng XIONG ; Jiahe LI ; Xuesong HE
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):48-48
Host-derived small RNAs are emerging as critical regulators in the dynamic interactions between host tissues and the microbiome, with implications for microbial pathogenesis and host defense. Among these, transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have garnered attention for their roles in modulating microbial behavior. However, the bacterial factors mediating tsRNA interaction and functionality remain poorly understood. In this study, using RNA affinity pull-down assay in combination with mass spectrometry, we identified a putative membrane-bound protein, annotated as P-type ATPase transporter (PtaT) in Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), which binds Fn-targeting tsRNAs in a sequence-specific manner. Through targeted mutagenesis and phenotypic characterization, we showed that in both the Fn type strain and a clinical tumor isolate, deletion of ptaT led to reduced tsRNA intake and enhanced resistance to tsRNA-induced growth inhibition. Global RNA sequencing and label-free Raman spectroscopy revealed the phenotypic differences between Fn wild type and PtaT-deficient mutant, highlighting the functional significance of PtaT in purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Furthermore, AlphaFold 3 prediction provides evidence supporting the specific binding between PtaT and Fn-targeting tsRNA. By uncovering the first RNA-binding protein in Fn implicated in growth modulation through interactions with host-derived small RNAs (sRNAs), our study offers new insights into sRNA-mediated host-pathogen interplay within the context of microbiome-host interactions.
Fusobacterium nucleatum/growth & development*
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RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
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Bacterial Proteins/genetics*
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RNA, Bacterial/metabolism*
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Humans
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RNA, Transfer/metabolism*
3.Gene silencing of Nemo-like kinase promotes neuralized tissue engineered bone regeneration.
Mengdi LI ; Lei LEI ; Zhongning LIU ; Jian LI ; Ting JIANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):227-236
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the role of gene silencing or overexpression of Nemo-like kinase (NLK) during the process of neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and to explore the effect of NLK downregulation by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on promoting neuralized tissue engineered bone regeneration.
METHODS:
NLK-knockdown hBMSCs were established by transfection of siRNA (the experimental group was transfected with siRNA silencing the NLK gene, the control group was transfected with control siRNA and labeled as negative control group), and NLK-overexpression hBMSCs were established using lentivirus vector transfection technique (the experimental group was infected with lentivirus overexpressing the NLK gene, the control group was infected with an empty vector lentivirus and labeled as the empty vector group). After neurogenic induction, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of neural-related gene, and Western blot as well as immunofluorescence staining about several specific neural markers were used to evaluate the neural differentiation ability of hBMSCs.6-week-old male nude mice were divided into 4 groups: ① β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) group, ② β-TCP+ osteogenic induced hBMSCs group, ③ β-TCP+ siRNA-negative control (siRNA-NC) transfection hBMSCs group, ④ β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group. Four weeks after the subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis models were established, the osteogenesis and neurogenesis were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining and tissue immunofluorescence assay. Statistical analysis was conducted by independent sample t test.
RESULTS:
After gene silencing of NLK by siRNA in hBMSCs, neural-related genes, including the class Ⅲ β-tubulin (TUBB3), microtubule association protein-2 (MAP2), soluble protein-100 (S100), nestin (NES), NG2 proteoglycan (NG2) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), were increased significantly in NLK-knockdown hBMSCs compared with the negative control group(P < 0.05), and the expression levels of TUBB3 and MAP2 of the NLK silencing group were also increased. Oppositely, after NLK was overexpressed using lentivirus vector transfection technique, TUBB3, MAP2, S100 and NG2 were significantly decreased in NLK-overexpression hBMSCs compared with the empty vector group (P < 0.05), and the expression level of TUBB3 was also decreased. 4 weeks after the subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis model was established, more mineralized tissues were formed in the β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group compared with the other three groups, and the expression of BMP2 and S100 was higher in the β-TCP+ siRNA-NLK transfection hBMSCs group than in the other groups.
CONCLUSION
Gene silencing of NLK by siRNA promoted the ability of neural differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro and promoted neuralized tissue engineered bone formation in subcutaneous ectopic osteogenic models in vivo in nude mice.
Bone Regeneration/genetics*
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Animals
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*
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Humans
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RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*
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Tissue Engineering/methods*
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Cell Differentiation
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Mice, Nude
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Gene Silencing
;
Mice
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Male
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics*
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Transfection
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Cells, Cultured
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Lentivirus/genetics*
4.Effects of Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction on osteoclast activity in a mouse osteoporosis model induced by aromatase inhibitors
Dongqing PU ; Dandan FENG ; Mengdi ZHANG ; Bingwei LIU ; Guangxi SHI ; Hanhan CHEN ; Jingwei LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(14):2861-2867
BACKGROUND:Although aromatase inhibitors significantly improve the clinical benefit of patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer,its associated adverse event-osteoporosis seriously affects the quality of life of patients.Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction can effectively prevent the occurrence of aromatase inhibitor-induced osteoporosis,but its mechanism of action is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction on osteoclast activity in a mouse model of osteoporosis induced by aromatase inhibitors and relevant mechanisms.METHODS:Sixty 8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,high-,medium-and low-dose Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction,and positive control group,with 10 mice in each group.Bilateral ovaries were removed to establish postmenopausal animal models in all the groups except for the sham operation group.After 1 week of recovery,letrozole was injected subcutaneously to establish postmenopausal osteoporosis models via subcutaneous injection of letrozole(an aromatase inhibitor).The high-,medium-and low-dose Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction groups were intragastrically given 19.24,9.62 and 4.81 g/kg/d Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction(once a day),respectively.The positive control group was given alendronate 5mg/kg once a week.After 3 months of administration,Micro-CT was used to detect tibial bone mineral density and bone microstructure.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining of the femur were performed.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and osteoprotectin in the femur.ELISA was used to detect the serum levels of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,the model group showed a significant decrease in bone mineral density,sparse and fractured trabecular morphology,and a significant increase in serum levels of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b,indicating that the model of aromatase inhibitor-induced osteoporosis was successfully constructed.(2)Compared with the model group,the high-,medium-,and low-dose Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction groups showed significant improvement in bone mineral density and bone microstructure,thickening and densification of trabecular morphology,significantly decreased serum levels of carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b,a decrease in the number of osteoclasts and the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand proteins,and an increase in the expression of osteoprotegerin.To conclude,Huangqi Bushen Huoxue Decoction may regulate the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway,inhibit osteoclast activity,improve trabecular morphology and bone microstructure,and increase bone mineral density,thus preventing the occurrence and development of aromatase inhibitor-induced osteoporosis.
5.Meta synthesis of communication of diseases between cancer patients and minor children
Xiaoyu GUO ; Yingying LI ; Yuli LI ; Mengdi LIU ; Yanqiu GAO ; Zhenmei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4691-4698
Objective:To conduct evidence synthesis on disease communication between parents and their minor children from the perspective of parents with cancer, so as to provide information for clinical healthcare providers to deliver improved health education to patients and their children.Methods:Computer retrieval was implemented in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data. The search period was from January 1, 2000 to March 6, 2025. The literature was assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research. The JBI aggregative integration method was employed for the Meta-synthesis.Results:A total of nine articles were included. Thirty-two results were extracted, divided into ten categories, and integrated into five results, namely willingness to communicate illness, factors influencing communicating willingness, disease communication strategies, supporting children's coping, and perceptions of illness information.Conclusions:Disease communication between cancer parents and their minor children is influenced by multiple factors and exhibits complex diversity. Healthcare providers should fully understand and accurately recognize the distinct approaches of parents with cancer, offering guidance, advice, and encouragement whenever possible, and should dynamically provide timely medical support and assistance tailored to the evolving needs of patients throughout different stages of their disease treatment.
6.A scoping review on the current status and influencing factors of adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in postoperative breast cancer patients
Mengdi CAO ; Yanyan WANG ; Jing LI ; Xing LI ; Zezhao WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4743-4749
Objective:To conduct a scoping review on the current status and influencing factors of adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors among postoperative breast cancer patients, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for developing targeted interventions.Methods:A comprehensive search was conducted in both Chinese and English databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, for literature published up to August 31, 2024, related to adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in breast cancer survivors. Eligible articles were screened, and data were extracted to analyze adherence levels. Influencing factors were mapped to the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify and analyze key behavioral determinants.Results:A total of 15 articles were included: nine quantitative and six qualitative. Overall, adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors among postoperative breast cancer patients was found to be suboptimal. A total of 25 influencing factors were identified and categorized into eight theoretical domains: knowledge (lymphedema awareness) ; skills (coping strategies, time since surgery) ; beliefs about capabilities (self-efficacy, illness perception, unawareness of tumor stage, surgical type, symptom distress) ; beliefs about consequences (outcome expectations, attitudes) ; emotions (negative emotions, fatigue, age) ; behavior regulation (self-regulation, exercise habits, behavioral control) ; social influences (social support, family support, marital status, behavioral cues) ; environmental context and resources (healthcare access, ethnicity, professional supervision, financial status, employment situation) .Conclusions:Adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in postoperative breast cancer patients remains unsatisfactory, with influencing factors being multifaceted, diverse, and overlapping. Future efforts should focus on uncovering the potential interrelationships among these factors to enhance adherence and support long-term self-management in this population.
7.Optimization of Molding Process and Determination of Volatile Components Assay in Compound Shexiang Huangqi Dropping Pills by A Central Composite Design-Response Surface Method
Mengdi SHAO ; Shuyan ZHANG ; Qi ZHENG ; Chunhui CHANG ; Jiahao LI ; Yunke ZHANG ; Yongyan JIA
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(1):88-95
Objective The molding process of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills was optimized by central composite design and response surface method,the determination of volatile components in the compound by gas chromatography was established in order to improve the quality standard of the compound.Methods Single factor method was used to select the optimum range of matrix type,the ratio of matrix to liquid,and drop distance of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills;Appearance traits,a difference of pill weight,and dissolution time were used as evaluation indexes,the optimum forming process conditions of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills were optimized by central composite design and response surface method;Three batches of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills were taken as test samples and determined by gas chromatography;The gas chromatographic column was HP-5 sillica capillary column,the inlet temperature was 260 ℃,the temperature was programmed,and the detector temperature was 300 ℃,the split ratio was 10∶1,nitrogen was selected as the carrier gas with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1.Results The optimum forming process conditions of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills were selected by central composite design and response surface method as a matrix:matrix=0.99,drug:matrix=0.55,drop distance=6.00,and the comprehensive score were 0.845 2.Under these conditions,the quality of the prepared dropping pills was the best;The chromatographic peaks of borneol,muscone,and ligustilide reached the baseline separation;the linear ranges of the three components were 0.327-1.962,0.140-0.840,0.710 5-4.263 μg(all r>0.999);The average recoveries were 92.30%(RSD=1.65%,n=6),101.28%(RSD=0.81%,n=6)and 98.99%(RSD=0.65%,n=6);The average contents of the three components were 0.201 7,0.084 7 and 1.382 9 mg·g-1,respectively.Conclusions The forming process is stable and feasible,which can provide a reference for the development and application of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills;The gas chromatography method established can simultaneously determine the contents of borneol,muscone,and ligustilide in compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills,which can be used for quality control of compound Shexiang Huangqi dropping pills.
8.A scoping review on the current status and influencing factors of adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in postoperative breast cancer patients
Mengdi CAO ; Yanyan WANG ; Jing LI ; Xing LI ; Zezhao WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4743-4749
Objective:To conduct a scoping review on the current status and influencing factors of adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors among postoperative breast cancer patients, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for developing targeted interventions.Methods:A comprehensive search was conducted in both Chinese and English databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, for literature published up to August 31, 2024, related to adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in breast cancer survivors. Eligible articles were screened, and data were extracted to analyze adherence levels. Influencing factors were mapped to the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify and analyze key behavioral determinants.Results:A total of 15 articles were included: nine quantitative and six qualitative. Overall, adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors among postoperative breast cancer patients was found to be suboptimal. A total of 25 influencing factors were identified and categorized into eight theoretical domains: knowledge (lymphedema awareness) ; skills (coping strategies, time since surgery) ; beliefs about capabilities (self-efficacy, illness perception, unawareness of tumor stage, surgical type, symptom distress) ; beliefs about consequences (outcome expectations, attitudes) ; emotions (negative emotions, fatigue, age) ; behavior regulation (self-regulation, exercise habits, behavioral control) ; social influences (social support, family support, marital status, behavioral cues) ; environmental context and resources (healthcare access, ethnicity, professional supervision, financial status, employment situation) .Conclusions:Adherence to lymphedema prevention behaviors in postoperative breast cancer patients remains unsatisfactory, with influencing factors being multifaceted, diverse, and overlapping. Future efforts should focus on uncovering the potential interrelationships among these factors to enhance adherence and support long-term self-management in this population.
9.Analysis of the change trend in the burden of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021
Jiachen WANG ; Siyi HE ; Mengdi CAO ; Yi TENG ; Qianru LI ; Nuopei TAN ; Yujie WU ; Tingting ZUO ; Tianyi LI ; Yuanjie ZHENG ; Wanqing CHEN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(2):213-222
Objective:To investigate the change trend in the burden of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system (esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer) in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021.Methods:The descriptive epidemio-logic method was conducted. The number of new cases, crude incidence rate, age-standardized incidence rate, the number of deaths, crude mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021 of the Global Burden of Disease were collected. The age-standardized rate was calculated based on the standardized demographics of the whole world in the Global Burden of Disease for the year 2021. Observation indicators: (1) The incidence of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021; (2) the mortality of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021; (3) the change trend of age-standardized incidence rate of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021; (4) the change trend of age-standardized mortality rate of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021. The Joinpoint regression model was constructed for trend analysis, specifically to calculate the annual percentage change, average annual percentage change (AAPC), and their 95% confidence interval ( CI) for age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for each cancer type at different time periods. Results:(1) The incidence of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021. The number of new cases of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer in the Chinese population changed from 207 495, 407 471, 158 389, 37 818 and 96 434 in 1990 to 320 805, 611 799, 658 321, 118 665 and 196 637 in 2021. The crude incidence rates of the above cancer types changed from 17.64/100 000, 34.64/100 000, 13.46/100 000, 3.21/100 000, 8.20/100 000 in 1990 to 22.55/100 000, 43.00/100 000, 46.27/100 000, 8.34/100 000, 13.82/100 000 in 2021. The new cases of esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer all showed an increasing trend, with absolute changes of 54.61%, 50.15%, 315.64%, 213.78%, and 103.91%, respectively. (2) The mortality of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021. The number of deaths of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer in the Chinese population changed from 210 821, 374 066, 119 303, 38 883 and 94 937 in 1990 to 296 443, 445 013, 275 129, 119 602 and 172 068 in 2021. The crude death rates of the above cancer types changed from 17.92/100 000, 31.80/100 000, 10.14/100 000, 3.31/100 000, 8.07/100 000 in 1990 to 20.84/100 000, 31.28/100 000, 19.34/100 000, 8.41/100 000, 12.09/100 000 in 2021. Death cases of esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer all showed an increa-sing trend, with absolute changes of 40.61%, 18.97%, 130.61%,207.59%, and 81.24%, respectively. (3) The change trend of age-standardized incidence rate of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021. The change trends of age-standardized incidence rates of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer in the Chinese population were divided into 5, 5, 4, 5, and 5 periods, respectively, and the AAPCs of age-standardized incidence rates of the above cancer types were -1.60% (95% CI as -1.78% to -1.42%), -1.60% (95% CI as -1.78% to -1.43%), 1.66% (95% CI as 1.39% to 1.94%), 0.72% (95% CI as 0.36% to 1.08%), and -0.31% (95% CI as -0.39% to -0.23%). (4) The change trend of age-standardized mortality rate of 5 common malignant tumors of digestive system in the Chinese population from 1990 to 2021. The change trend of age-standardized mortality rates of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer in the Chinese population were divided into 5, 5, 4, 5, and 4 periods, respectively, and the AAPC of age-standardized mortality rates for each of the above mentioned cancer types were -1.96% (95% CI as -2.03% to -1.90%), -2.44% (95% CI as -2.50% to -2.38%), -0.49% (95% CI as -0.58% to -0.41%), 0.56% (95% CI as 0.48% to 0.63%), and -0.68% (95% CI as -0.89% to -0.52%). Conclusions:From 1990 to 2021, the disease burden of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and liver cancer in the Chinese population show a downward trend. The standardized incidence of colorectal cancer shows an upward trend, and the standardized mortality rate shows a downward trend. The disease burden of pancreatic cancer shows an upward trend.
10.Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of the treatment delay for lymphedema in breast cancer patients
Ruiqing LI ; Xing LI ; Yanyan WANG ; Ying LI ; Wei LIU ; Lulu ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Mengdi CAO ; Yaqing LIU
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(34):2655-2663
Objective:To investigate the current status of treatment delay and analyze its influencing factors in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.Methods:Using convenience sampling, 218 patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema from The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April 2024 and January 2025 were enrolled. The General Information Questionnaire, Lymphedema Self-Management Support Scale for Breast Cancer Survivors (LSMS-BCs), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire for Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema (BIPQ-BCRL), Perceived Barriers to Health Care-Seeking Decision-Chinese (PBHSD-C), and Health Literacy Scale for Chronic Patients (HLSCP) were used to conduct a cross-sectional survey. Logistic regression identified predictors of treatment delay, with model fit assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Discriminative ability was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.Results:The study included 218 female BCRL patients, aged (58.31 ± 10.54) years. Among 218 patients, 76 experienced treatment delay, the incidence of treatment delay was 34.8% (76/218). Independent risk factors included junior high school education or below, no regular arm circumference measurement, low self-management support scores, low illness perception scores, high perceived barriers to healthcare-seeking scores, and low health literacy scores (Wald χ2 values were 7.75-15.15, all P<0.05). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated good model fit ( χ2=6.21, P>0.05). The combined predictive model demonstrated significantly better discrimination than individual factors, the area under the curve of ROC was 0.846 ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The incidence of treatment delay is relatively high among breast cancer-related lymphedema patients. Nursing staff should pay special attention to patients with a junior high school education or below, no regular arm circumference measurement, low LSMS-BCs scores, low BIPQ-BCRL scores, high PBHSD-C scores and low HLSCP scores, implement timely interventions to reduce treatment delay in lymphedema patients.

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