1.Effects of SPBC1604.04 Gene Deletion on Mitotic Cell Dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Jia-Ni XU ; Jia-Yi HE ; Lang-Lin ZHENG ; Shu-Rong HE ; Shuai MA ; Xiang DING ; Yi-Ling HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1471-1484
ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.
2.Effects of SPBC1604.04 Gene Deletion on Mitotic Cell Dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Jia-Ni XU ; Jia-Yi HE ; Lang-Lin ZHENG ; Shu-Rong HE ; Shuai MA ; Xiang DING ; Yi-Ling HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1471-1484
ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.
3.Construction and Validation of Outcome Indicators Set for Hybrid Type 1 Implementation Research: Based on the SMART Study
Lang LINGHU ; Yiyuan CAI ; Dong XU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):871-882
Using the hybrid type 1 implementation study "The Shared Medical Appointment for diabetes in China: an optimization trial(SMART)" as an example, this study introduces the methods of constructing and validating an outcome indicator set for hybrid type 1 studies. Based on principles such as comprehensiveness and operability, we selected the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework, the Implementation Outcomes Framework (IOF), and the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. After comparison and screening, an outcome evaluation indicator item pool was formed. Two rounds of expert consultation were conducted, and the content validity was evaluated using the item-level content validity index ( This study integrated the RE-AIM framework and three pre-evaluation dimensions from the IOF, forming an initial item pool for shared medical appointments (SMA) that included 8 dimensions (acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance), 14 secondary indicators, and 24 tertiary indicators. The response rate of the two rounds of expert consultation was 100%, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.90. The The outcome indicator set constructed in this study demonstrates good validity and operability, and the construction and validation process can serve as a reference for other researchers. Different implementation outcome frameworks have different applicable scenarios; researchers should select appropriate frameworks or integrate them according to their own needs to comprehensively evaluate outcomes and enhance the systematization and comparability of research.
4.The Association between Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat, Cardiometabolic Comorbidities and Cognitive Domain
Yu LUO ; Wen ZHOU ; Feifei HU ; Lang XU ; Yan ZENG ; Hongwei REN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(2):315-327
ObjectiveTo explore the association between metabolic score for visceral fat(METS-VF) and cardiometabolic multimorbidity(CMM) as well as cognitive function in the elderly population, revealing the role of METS-VF as an assessment tool in this population, and providing evidence and new perspectives for the early screening and intervention strategies of CMM and cognitive function. MethodsThis study is based on cross-sectional data from the Hubei memory and aging cohort study(HMACS), which includes elderly individuals aged 60 and above. The METS-VF index was calculated and divided into quartiles(Q1-Q4). CMM was assessed through a questionnaire, defining CMM as the coexistence of at least two of the following conditions: diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Standardized cognitive tests were used to evaluate overall cognition, memory, language, executive function, and attention. Logistic and Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the association between METS-VF and the risk of CMM as well as cognitive function. A restricted cubic spline was used to test the dose-response relationship, and subgroup analysis was conducted to assess the variation of METS-VF in different populations. Additionally, multinomial unordered logistic regression was used to evaluate the performance of METS-VF in predicting CMM morbidity patterns. ResultsA total of 3 790 elderly participants aged 60 and above were included. After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with the lowest quartile(Q1), the Q4 group of METS-VF was associated with a higher risk of CMM [OR=3.00,95%CI (2.18, 4.16)], and with lower scores in overall cognition [b=-0.12, 95%CI (-0.21,-0.04)], attention [b=-0.14, 95%CI (-0.24,-0.05)], and executive function [b=-0.10, 95%CI (-0.20,-0.00)]. Dose-response analysis did not show a nonlinear relationship between METS-VF and either CMM or cognitive function (P for nonlinear > 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that the male group with higher METS-VF had lower overall cognitive scores, while the female group showed lower executive function scores (P for interaction < 0.05 for both). Multinomial unordered logistic regression analysis indicated that the METS-VF index was associated with an increased risk of diabetes with coronary heart disease [OR=2.62,95%CI (1.66, 4.15)] or concomitant stroke [OR=2.66,95%CI (1.73, 4.09)], especially in the group with both diabetes and stroke and coronary heart disease, where the association between METS-VF and the risk was strongest. ConclusionsAn increased METS-VF is associated with a higher risk of CMM and lower scores in overall cognition, attention, and executive function in the elderly population. Diabetes may be a key driving factor in the multimorbidity model. The METS-VF index can serve as a dual-purpose tool for screening cardiovascular metabolic risks and assessing cognitive function.
5.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
Objective:
This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression.
Results:
Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability.
Conclusion
Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings.
6.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
Objective:
This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression.
Results:
Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability.
Conclusion
Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings.
7.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
Objective:
This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression.
Results:
Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability.
Conclusion
Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings.
8.Organizational Readiness for Change and Factors Influencing the Implementation of Shared Medical Appointment for Diabetes in Primary Healthcare Institutions
Wei YANG ; Yiyuan CAI ; Jiajia CHEN ; Run MAO ; Lang LINGHU ; Sensen LYU ; Dong XU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(2):479-491
The success of implementation research is closely tied to the institution's pre-implementation readiness. This study aims to explore the organizational readiness for change (ORC) and its influencing factors on primary healthcare settings in the implementation of the "Shared Medical Appointment for Diabetes (SMART) in China: design of an optimization trial" and to enhance ORC and provide insights to support the effective implementation of the program. Qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys were conducted to evaluate the ORC level and its influencing factors in 12 institutions implementing the SMART program. The Scale for Assessing the Institution's Readiness to Implement Evidence-Based Practices was utilized to measure ORC levels. Qualitative interviews were conducted among change implementers to gather information regarding the status of influencing factors. Thematic analysis was applied to extract factors from the interview data, and an assessment questionnaire was developed to measure the perceived impact of these factors. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was employed to identify the influencing factors of ORC and pathways leading to high-level ORC. Seventy implementers from 12 institutions, encompassing administrators, clinicians, and health managers, participated in the interviews and surveys. The median and interquartile of the ORC scores were 105.20 (101.23, 107.33). The fsQCA indicated that a clear understanding of specific tasks and responsibilities, the active engagement of key participants, sufficient preliminary preparation, and the use of audits and feedback mechanisms were critical pathways to a high-level ORC. Conversely, institutions lacking key participants, preliminary preparation, or marginal influence demonstrated a low-level ORC. Before implementing innovation, Coherence and Cognitive Participation were identified as critical factors in influencing ORC. Strong leadership from key participants played pivotal role in enhancing readiness for change and was essential for improving implementation fidelity and overall program success.
9.Localization and Content Validation of the Organizational Readiness of Implementing Evidence-based Practices Scale
Jiajia CHEN ; Yiyuan CAI ; Wei YANG ; Run MAO ; Lang LINGHU ; Dong XU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):765-776
This study aimed to localize the workplace readiness questionnaire (WRQ) and validate its applicability for assessing readiness for implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) in primary care settings in China. The localization of the instrument will provide a practical instrument for assessing organizational readiness for change (ORC). The WRQ was translateed into Chinese version using the modified Brislin translation model, and its cross-cultural validity, content validity, and generalizability were evaluated by the Delphi method, and the expert feedback was evaluated using the item-level content validity index (I-CVI), scale-level content validity index (S-CVI), and corrected Kappa value. The index weights were evaluated by the analytic hierarchical process (AHP). The target users of the scale were invited to quantitatively evaluate its item importance score (IIS), and the surface validity was evaluated by combining the qualitative feedback from their cognitive interviews. To clarify the purpose of the scale, we revised its name to the Organizational Readiness of Implementing Evidence-Based Practices (ORIEBP) Scale. The ORIEBP scale contained five dimensions, which were Change Context, Change Valence, Information Evaluation, Change Commitment, Change Efficiency, and 32 items. After two rounds of the Delphi method to refine the construction of three dimensions and expressions of 11 items, the I-CVI were from 0.73 to 1.00, the Kappa value were from 0.70 to 1.00, and the S-CVI was over 0.92. All evaluation matrices of the hierarchical analysis method met the requirement of consistency ratio (CR < 0.1), and the weights of five dimensions were 0.2083, 0.2022, 0.1907, 0.2193, and 0.1795, in sequence. Nine out of eleven experts identified that items were applicable to other readiness assessment scenarios. The IIS scores for the five dimensions and 32 items were ranged from 2.93 to 3.54, and 2.71 to 3.42, presenting good face validity. The cognitive interview results showed that professional expressions were complex to understand. This study validated the ORIEBP scale and has good content validity and generalizability. The scale can be further improved by expanding its scope of use and validating its structure validity and reliability in different settings.
10.Predicting Postoperative Progression of Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine Using Interpretable Radiomics Models
Siyuan QIN ; Ruomu QU ; Ke LIU ; Ruixin YAN ; Weili ZHAO ; Jun XU ; Enlong ZHANG ; Feifei ZHOU ; Ning LANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):144-156
Objective:
This study investigates the potential of radiomics to predict postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) after posterior cervical spine surgery.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 473 patients diagnosed with OPLL at Peking University Third Hospital between October 2006 and September 2022. Patients underwent posterior spinal surgery and had at least 2 computed tomography (CT) examinations spaced at least 1 year apart. OPLL progression was defined as an annual growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative CT images of the OPLL lesions, followed by feature selection using correlation coefficient analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. Univariable analysis identified significant clinical variables for constructing the clinical model. Logistic regression models, including the Rad-score model, clinical model, and combined model, were developed to predict OPLL progression.
Results:
Of the 473 patients, 191 (40.4%) experienced OPLL progression. On the testing set, the combined model, which incorporated the Rad-score and clinical variables (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.751), outperformed both the radiomics-only model (AUC = 0.693) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.620). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted probabilities and observed outcomes, and decision curve analysis confirmed the clinical utility of the combined model. SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis indicated that the Rad-score and age were key contributors to the model’s predictions, enhancing clinical interpretability.
Conclusion
Radiomics, combined with clinical variables, provides a valuable predictive tool for assessing the risk of postoperative progression in cervical OPLL, supporting more personalized treatment strategies. Prospective, multicenter validation is needed to confirm the utility of the model in broader clinical settings.

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