1.Differences in scapular kinematics between healthy individuals and rotator cuff tear patients based on biplane X-ray
Zicheng GUO ; Jingyuan MENG ; Jiechao ZHANG ; Li DING ; Xiaoye TANG ; Lichao TIAN ; Yilin WANG ; Yong HE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):652-660
BACKGROUND:Due to the complex movement of the scapula,which is a six-degree-of-freedom activity in three-dimensional space,it is difficult to measure it accurately using traditional methods.The image and model matching technology based on dual-plane X-ray is a three-dimensional measurement method that has gradually developed and matured in recent years.Two high-speed cameras are used to project and shoot from orthogonal directions.Compared with a single perspective,this method has advantages in observation range and reduction of out-of-plane errors,and is suitable for the study of scapula kinematics.OBJECTIVE:X-ray biplane and image-model registration technology were used to explore the differences in scapular kinematics between normal individuals and patients with rotator cuff tears,providing a basis for the treatment and rehabilitation of rotator cuff tear patients.METHODS:From April 2023 to January 2024,10 patients with normal shoulders and 10 patients with rotator cuff tears who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The subjects underwent a shoulder CT scan to create a 3D model and a local scapular coordinate system.X-ray biplane images were taken during shoulder abduction with two C-arm machines.The 2D and 3D images were registered to compare scapular kinematic differences between the two groups at 0°,15°,30°,45°,60°,75°,and 90° of abduction,including scapular rotation angle and displacement distance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During shoulder abduction,the scapula of both groups showed upward rotation,but the upward rotation of the rotator cuff tear group was greater than that of the control group,and the difference was significant when the abduction was 30°-90°(P<0.01).At the same time,the scapula internal rotation of both groups gradually increased,but the rotator cuff tear group was significantly greater than the control group when the abduction was 45°-90°(P<0.01).In addition,the anteroposterior tilt of the scapula of the two groups was significantly different when the abduction was 15°-90°(P<0.01).The scapula posterior tilt of the control group gradually increased during abduction,while the scapula of the rotator cuff tear group tilted forward except for a slight posterior tilt at 15°-30° abduction.(2)In terms of displacement,the upward displacement of the rotator cuff tear group was less than that of the control group during abduction,and the difference was significant at 15°-90°(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in lateral and anterior-posterior displacement between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Rotator cuff tear can cause scapular dyskinesis,characterized by increased upward rotation,internal rotation,and abnormal forward tilt during shoulder abduction.Identifying and addressing scapular dyskinesis is crucial for treating rotator cuff tear.
2.Differences in scapular kinematics between healthy individuals and rotator cuff tear patients based on biplane X-ray
Zicheng GUO ; Jingyuan MENG ; Jiechao ZHANG ; Li DING ; Xiaoye TANG ; Lichao TIAN ; Yilin WANG ; Yong HE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):652-660
BACKGROUND:Due to the complex movement of the scapula,which is a six-degree-of-freedom activity in three-dimensional space,it is difficult to measure it accurately using traditional methods.The image and model matching technology based on dual-plane X-ray is a three-dimensional measurement method that has gradually developed and matured in recent years.Two high-speed cameras are used to project and shoot from orthogonal directions.Compared with a single perspective,this method has advantages in observation range and reduction of out-of-plane errors,and is suitable for the study of scapula kinematics.OBJECTIVE:X-ray biplane and image-model registration technology were used to explore the differences in scapular kinematics between normal individuals and patients with rotator cuff tears,providing a basis for the treatment and rehabilitation of rotator cuff tear patients.METHODS:From April 2023 to January 2024,10 patients with normal shoulders and 10 patients with rotator cuff tears who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The subjects underwent a shoulder CT scan to create a 3D model and a local scapular coordinate system.X-ray biplane images were taken during shoulder abduction with two C-arm machines.The 2D and 3D images were registered to compare scapular kinematic differences between the two groups at 0°,15°,30°,45°,60°,75°,and 90° of abduction,including scapular rotation angle and displacement distance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During shoulder abduction,the scapula of both groups showed upward rotation,but the upward rotation of the rotator cuff tear group was greater than that of the control group,and the difference was significant when the abduction was 30°-90°(P<0.01).At the same time,the scapula internal rotation of both groups gradually increased,but the rotator cuff tear group was significantly greater than the control group when the abduction was 45°-90°(P<0.01).In addition,the anteroposterior tilt of the scapula of the two groups was significantly different when the abduction was 15°-90°(P<0.01).The scapula posterior tilt of the control group gradually increased during abduction,while the scapula of the rotator cuff tear group tilted forward except for a slight posterior tilt at 15°-30° abduction.(2)In terms of displacement,the upward displacement of the rotator cuff tear group was less than that of the control group during abduction,and the difference was significant at 15°-90°(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in lateral and anterior-posterior displacement between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Rotator cuff tear can cause scapular dyskinesis,characterized by increased upward rotation,internal rotation,and abnormal forward tilt during shoulder abduction.Identifying and addressing scapular dyskinesis is crucial for treating rotator cuff tear.
3.PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Ranran FENG ; Yilin GUO ; Meilin CHEN ; Ziying TIAN ; Yijun LIU ; Su JIANG ; Jieyu ZHOU ; Qingluan LIU ; Xiayu LI ; Wei XIONG ; Lei SHI ; Songqing FAN ; Guiyuan LI ; Wenling ZHANG
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2025;59(1):68-83
Background:
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear.
Methods:
We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP).
Results:
We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin.
Conclusions
PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.
4.Differences in HER2-0 and HER2-low Breast Cancer: Androgen Receptor and Programmed Death Ligand 1 as Predictive Factors
Xiaoqi ZHANG ; Ciqiu YANG ; Yitian CHEN ; Junsheng ZHANG ; Peiyong LI ; Na HUANG ; Yilin CHEN ; Minting LIANG ; Weiming LV ; Zhongyu YUAN ; Jie LI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(1):23-36
Purpose:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified.
Methods:
We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR.
Results:
The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046).
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.
5.Advances in yeast biosynthesis of triterpenoids for cosmetic applications.
Yilin LI ; Shuai WANG ; Ying WANG ; Chun LI
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(9):3405-3425
Triterpenoids in cosmetic raw materials have attracted much attention due to their various skin-care effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties, showing broad application prospects. However, the conventional methods such as chemical synthesis and plant extraction for obtaining triterpenoid have problems like poor sustainability, which limit their application in large-scale production. In recent years, with the development of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, yeast synthesis of compounds has provided a green and sustainable alternative for the production of triterpenoids. This article reviews the research progress in the synthesis of triterpenoids and their derivatives in the cosmetic field and elaborates on the two main synthesis pathways (mevalonate and methylerythritol phosphate pathways) and their advantages and limitations in different microbial hosts. In addition, this article introduces the current status of the synthesis of triterpenoids and their derivatives in yeast, discusses the current strategies for increasing the yield, and looks ahead to the future development directions, aiming to promote the applications of triterpenoids in the cosmetic field.
Triterpenes/metabolism*
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Cosmetics/chemistry*
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Metabolic Engineering/methods*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics*
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Synthetic Biology
6.Research Progress of Glioma in China in 2024
Xiaoman KANG ; Junlin LI ; Wenlin CHEN ; Shanmu JIN ; Yilin LI ; Jiahui LIU ; Yulu GE ; Wenbo WU ; Jiaheng LI ; Yiming LIAN ; Yu WANG ; Wenbin MA
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(6):1437-1448
Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system in adults. Despite the standard treatment of surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the prognosis for high-grade glioma patients remains poor, highlighting the urgent need to further explore its pathogenesis and develop new therapeutic strategies. This article reviews the research progress in the field of glioma in China in 2024, covering tumorigenesis mechanisms, tumor immune microenvironment composition, advances in imaging techniques and novel imaging agents, improvements in surgical approaches, mechanisms of radio- and chemoresistance, and explorations of new therapeutic modalities. These studies provide a solid theoretical foundation for advancing clinical diagnosis and treatment of gliomas and may offer new opportunities to improve patient outcomes.
7.Danggui Shaoyaosan Combined with Yinchenhaotang Regulates Lipid Metabolism to Ameliorate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Yilin XU ; Liu LI ; Junju ZOU ; Hong LI ; Rong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):38-47
ObjectiveTo explore the regulatory effect and mechanism of Danggui Shaoyaosan combined with Yinchenhaotang on lipid metabolism in the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. MethodsTwenty-four MKR transgenic diabetic mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups: Model, low-dose (12.6 g·kg-1) Chinese medicine (concentrated decoction of Danggui Shaoyaosan combined with Yinchenhaotang), high-dose (25.2 g·kg-1) Chinese medicine, and Western medicine (metformin, 0.065 g·kg-1). Six FVB mice were used as the normal group. All groups were treated for 6 consecutive weeks. The mice in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage, and those in the normal group and model group received the same volume of distilled water. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, liver weight, glucose tolerance, liver function indicators, blood lipid levels, and pathological changes in the liver were evaluated for each group. Network pharmacology was employed to analyze the targets and pathways of Danggui Shaoyaosan combined with Yinchenhaotang in the treatment of T2DM complicated with MASLD. Molecular biological techniques were used to verify the enriched key targets. ResultsCompared with the model group, each treatment group showed reduced fasting blood glucose, body weight, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and liver weight (P<0.01). The high-dose Chinese medicine group was superior to the low-dose group in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and recovering glucose tolerance (AUC) and ALT (P<0.05), with the effect similar to that of the Western medicine group. Morphologically, Chinese medicine groups showed reduced lipid accumulation and alleviated pathological damage in the liver tissue, with the high-dose group demonstrating more significant changes. Network pharmacology results showed that Danggui Shaoyaosan combined with Yinchenhaotang may exert therapeutic effects through multiple targets such as fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), MYC oncogene (MYC), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Western blot showed that compared with the model group, the treatment groups demonstrated down-regulated protein levels of FAS and ACC (P<0.01) and up-regulated protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and UCP1 (P<0.01). Compared with the low-dose Chinese medicine group, the high-dose Chinese medicine group exhibited down-regulated protein levels of FAS and ACC and up-regulated protein levels of PGC-1α and UCP1 (P<0.05). ConclusionDanggui Shaoyaosan combined with Yinchenhaotang has the effect of ameliorating T2DM complicated with MASLD and can improve the liver lipid metabolism by up-regulating the protein levels of Fas and ACC and down-regulating the protein levels of PGC-1α and UCP1.
8.Differences in HER2-0 and HER2-low Breast Cancer: Androgen Receptor and Programmed Death Ligand 1 as Predictive Factors
Xiaoqi ZHANG ; Ciqiu YANG ; Yitian CHEN ; Junsheng ZHANG ; Peiyong LI ; Na HUANG ; Yilin CHEN ; Minting LIANG ; Weiming LV ; Zhongyu YUAN ; Jie LI ; Kun WANG
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(1):23-36
Purpose:
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified.
Methods:
We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR.
Results:
The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046).
Conclusion
There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.
9.Application of artificial intelligence in biomedical research
Jianyi LYU ; Chunxi WANG ; Sicheng LIU ; Yilin YE ; Congrui ZHANG ; Feiyang LI ; Zishan ZHANG ; Xiaoyan DU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(7):169-176
Rapid developments in biotechnology have led researchers to seek new method to improve the efficiency and accuracy of biomedical research and drug development,promoting interdisciplinary integration.Recent advancements in artificial intelligence(AI)technologies have brought unprecedented opportunities to this field.The integration of various AI models allows researchers to better utilize multi-omics data,identify disease phenotypes,interpret animal behavior,assess treatment effects,improve experimental designs,reduce the use of experimental animals,enhance animal facility management,and improve animal welfare.This article reviews the advancements in AI biomedical research over the past decade and discusses its contributions to disease phenotype identification,the selection and design of experimental animal models,animal behavior analysis,and animal facility management.It also points out the challenges related to data standardization,AI model selection and interpretability,the extrapolation process from AI models to animal experiments and clinical practice,as well as ethical considerations in using AI in sensitive areas involving human genetics and personalized medicine.This review aims to help researchers and practitioners in relevant fields understand the current state and opportunities of AI development,thus providing support for its broader application.
10.The research on the mechanism of microRNA-34a influencing the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by regulating the Wnt pathway
Hong LIU ; Yueyue ZHANG ; Yilin WANG ; Caili WANG ; Xiaomin WANG ; Min MAO ; Yan LI
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(8):785-790
Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-34a(miR-34a-5p)on the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Methods Human chronic B-cell leukemia MEC-1 cells were selected for experimentation.MEC cells were divided into two groups,group one:the p53 agonist group and the control group;group two:the control group,the miR-34a-5p mimic group and its corresponding negative control,the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group and its corresponding negative control,as well as the miR-34a-5p inhibitor+Wnt inhibitor XAV-939 group.The expression levels of miR-34a-5p in each group were measured using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR).Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay,while cell migration ability was evaluated using Transwell migration assay.Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the targeting relationships between p53 and miR-34a-5p,as well as between miR-34a-5p and Wnt1.Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expressions of β-catenin and Cyclin D1,which were key components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Results In MEC-1 cells:① compared with the control group,there was a increased miR-34a-5p expression and inhibited cell proliferation in the p53 agonist group(P<0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a negative regulatory correlation between miR-34a-5p and p53.② the miR-34a-5p mimic group showed significantly upregulated miR-34a-5p expression compared to the control group,leading to suppressed cell proliferation,reduced migration capability and decreased protein expressions of β-catenin and Cyclin D1(P<0.05).Conversely,the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group demonstrated significantly downregulated miR-34a-5p expression,resulting in enhanced cell proliferation,increased migratory capacity and upregulated protein levels of β-catenin and Cyclin D1 compared to those of the control group(P<0.05).③ A targeting relationship was observed between miR-34a-5p and Wnt1.④ Compared with the miR-34a-5p inhibitor group,the XAV-939 group exhibited significantly upregulated miR-34a-5p expression,markedly decreased numbers of migrated cells and substantially reduced protein expression levels of β-catenin and Cyclin D1(P<0.05).Conclusion miR-34a plays the role of a tumor suppressor gene in CLL.Overexpression of miR-34a can inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,reduce the proliferation activity and migration ability of cells,and promote cell apoptosis.

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