1.Evaluation of Pulmonary Air-Blood Barrier Damage in Ulcerative Colitis Inflammatory Cancer Transformation Model Mice:Based on the "Lung-Intestine Correlation" Theory
Huiyan XU ; Haimei ZHANG ; Xinyu ZHAN ; Fanwu WU ; Yongsen JIA ; Chenxi WU ; Lingyu KONG ; Xin YAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):776-783
ObjectiveTo dynamically observe and evaluate the damage to the pulmonary air-blood barrier in mice during the inflammatory cancer transformation process of ulcerative colitis (UC) based on the "lung-intestine correlation" theory. MethodsSixty-five C57BL/6 mice were divided into a normal group (n=25) and a model group (n=40) using a random number table. Azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) method was used to establish a mouse model of UC inflammation cancer transformation in the modeling group. According to the tissue collection time points at 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15 weeks, the normal group mice were randomly divided into the normal 5w, 8w, 11w, 13w, and 15w groups. The model group mice, 10 mice of which died after the first cycle of DSS administration, were randomly divided into model 5w, 8w, 11w, 13w, and 15w groups. During the experiment, the general condition of the mice was observed daily, and their body weight was measured weekly. At the corresponding tissue collection time points, the colon length of each group was measured. Histopathology of mouse lung and colon tissues was examined using HE staining. Immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in the positive expression of tight junction protein (ZO-1), vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), and cytoskeletal protein (F-actin) in lung and colon tissues. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-associated X protein (Bax), and Cysteine aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3) in lung tissues. Western Blot was employed to measure protein levels of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin in lung tissues. ResultsCompared to the normal group at the same time point, the mice in the model group at each time point generally had poorer conditions, with weight loss and shortened colon length (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the model 5w group, there was significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue; in the model 8w group, there was mild atypical hyperplasia; in the model 11w group, the crypt structure was disordered, and moderate to severe atypical hyperplasia occurred; in the model 13w and 15w groups, tumors appeared. Pulmonary interstitial lesions, inflammation, vasculitis, and fibrosis were observed at all stages of UC inflammation cancer transformation. The protein levels of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin, as well as Bcl-2 mRNA expression in lung tissue decreased during the acute inflammatory recovery period, atypical hyperplasia period, and canceration period, while the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA increased; the expressions of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin proteins in colon tissue decreased during the acute inflammatory recovery period, atypical hyperplasia period, and canceration period (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared to the model 5w group, the ZO-1 and F-actin protein levels and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in lung tissue in the other model groups increased in the atypical hyperplasia period and canceration period, while the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA decreased; the expression of ZO-1 protein in colon tissue increased in the canceration period, and the expression of VE-cadherin protein decreased in the atypical hyperplasia period (P<0.01 or P<0.05). ConclusionIn the process of "inflammatory response-atypical hyperplasia-carcinogenesis" in UC inflammatory cancer transformation mice, there were damage to air-blood barrier.
2.Mechanism study of SIRT3 alleviating oxidative-stress injury in renal tubular cells by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis via regulating mitochondrial redox balance
Yaojun LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU ; Yunfei SHAN ; Huhai ZHANG ; Pan XIE ; Liying ZOU ; Lingyu RAN ; Huanping LONG ; Lunli XIANG ; Hong HUANG ; Hongwen ZHAO
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):86-94
Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H2O2 and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H2O2, 110 μmol/L H2O2 and 150 μmol/L H2O2. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H2O2, and siSIRT3+H2O2. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2•−) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H2O2 decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O2•− did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O2•− level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H2O2 group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O2•− levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H2O2 group, the siSIRT3+H2O2 group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O2•− levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
3.Biomechanical characteristics of lower extremities during counter movement jump in male patients with functional ankle instability
Zilong WANG ; Xin MENG ; Zhiqi ZHANG ; Yu XIE ; Lingyue MENG ; Qiuxia ZHANG ; Lingyu KONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):478-485
BACKGROUND:As the end bearing joint of the human body,the ankle joint bears the top-down pressure of the body,which leads to the ankle joint is easy to be damaged in the movement,can induce functional ankle instability,which negatively affects daily life.The study of lower extremity biomechanics in patients with functional ankle instability during counter movement jump is of great significance for scientific training,prevention of ankle injury,and clinical rehabilitation after injury. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the kinetics and kinematics of lower limbs in the longitudinal jumping of functional ankle instability population. METHODS:From March to September 2023,15 male patients with functional ankle instability and 15 healthy people,aged 22-28 years old,were recruited in Soochow University.All subjects completed counter movement jump experiment.Vicon infrared high-speed motion capture system and Kistler three-dimensional force measuring table were used to simultaneously collect the lower limb kinematics and kinetics indexes of the two groups of subjects at the take-off stage of counter movement jump,the instant off the ground,the initial landing moment and the peak moment of vertical ground reaction force. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)At the instant off the ground,the affected side of the functional ankle instability group showed smaller knee internal rotation moment(P=0.020)and smaller ankle internal rotation moment(P=0.009)compared with the affected side of the healthy control group.(2)At the moment of landing,the affected side of the functional ankle instability group showed a smaller hip flexion angle than the affected side of the healthy control group(P=0.039).Compared with the healthy control group,functional ankle instability group showed smaller hip abduction angle(P=0.022),smaller knee varus angle(P=0.010),larger knee external rotation angle(P=0.021),smaller ankle varus angle(P=0.004),and smaller external ankle rotation angle(P=0.008).(3)At the peak of vertical ground reaction force,functional ankle instability group showed a smaller ankle varus angle than healthy control group(P=0.044).(4)The results showed that the lower limb biomechanical characteristics of the patients with functional ankle instability were abnormal compared with the healthy people during counter movement jump,which mainly showed the changes of the kinematics and kinetics indexes of the lower limb joints in the sagittal plane and the frontal plane at the moment of lift-off and landing.These changes reflect that people with functional ankle instability adopt rigid take-off and landing patterns when performing counter movement jump,tend to transfer the load of the affected ankle joint to other joints of the lower limb,and show compensatory phenomenon of the healthy lower limb.Therefore,detection and correction of abnormal biomechanical features should be a part of rehabilitation training for those with functional ankle instability.
4.Value of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI in predicting ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ICD
Lingyu SONG ; Jian LI ; Chuang ZHANG ; Manman YANG ; Guoxing ZHANG ; Xiaoya SU ; Xiangmin SHI
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):132-135
Objective To investigate the application value of late gadolinium enhancement(LEG)at cardiac MRI in predicting ventricular arrhythmia(VA)events in patients after implantation of ICD.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 16 patients at high risk of sudden cardi-ac death after ICD implantation and LEG examination in the First and the Sixth Medical Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2020 to March 2024.According the occurrence of VA events receiving appropriate ICD therapy during the follow-up period,they were divided into post-operative VA group(7 cases)and non-VA group(9 cases).The correlation of clinical baseline fea-tures and LEG features with VA events was analyzed.Results The ratios of transmural enhance-ment and myocardial medium enhancement were obviously higher in the VA group than the non-VA group(71.4%vs 11.1%,P=0.035;85.7%vs 22.2%,P=0.041).Multivariate logistic regres-sionanalysis showed that transmural enhancement(OR=5.000,95%CI:0.150-166.589,P=0.368)and myocardial medium enhancement(OR=7.000,95%CI:0.217-226.005,P=0.272)were not independent factors influencing VA occurrence.ROC curve analysis indicated that the combined prediction of transmural enhancement and myocardial media enhancement and the pre-diction of transmural enhancement alone had better diagnostic efficacy(P<0.05).Conclusion LEG has clinical value in predicting postoperative VA events in patients after ICD implantation.
5.Roles of the glymphatic system in ischemic stroke
Danli QIU ; Shenghai GAO ; Lingyu ZHANG ; Honghong JI ; Pengfei WANG
International Journal of Cerebrovascular Diseases 2025;33(7):528-533
The glymphatic system is an important pathway for fluid drainage and metabolic waste clearance in the central nervous system. Its core mechanism involves the active cerebrospinal fluid-interstitial fluid circulation process mediated by perivascular spaces and aquaporin-4 channels located on astrocytic endfeet. This process is crucial for eliminating neurotoxic substances such as β-amyloid and tau proteins, as well as maintaining homeostasis in the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that dynamic changes in the glymphatic system are associated with recovery after ischemic stroke. This article elaborates on the role of the glymphatic system in ischemic stroke and evaluates its potential value as a novel therapeutic target, providing new insights for post-stroke treatment strategies.
6.Dynamics of HIV reservoir and α4β7 cells in patients with different immune reconstitution outcomes during long-term antiretroviral therapy
Lingyu GAO ; Xueji LI ; Yanmei JIAO ; Mengmeng QU ; Zheng XU ; Jijing SHI ; Baopeng YANG ; Luxue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(4):285-292
Objective:To investigate immunological non-responders (INRs) and immunological responders (IRs) during long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART), and study the dynamics of HIV reservoir and α4β7 cells in INRs and IRs and their correlation.Methods:Twenty-six patients with chronic HIV infection who received ART for 5 years were included. They were divided into INRs (CD4 + T cell counts≤350 cells/μl, n=9) and IRs (CD4 + T cell counts≥500 cells/μl, n=17) based on immune reconstitution outcomes. The percentages and numbers of α4β7 cells in both groups at baseline, ART 1, 3, and 5 years were detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of HIV DNA and cell-associated HIV RNA were quantified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR during the same periods. HIV viral decay, α4β7 cells dynamics, and their correlations with T cells were compared at baseline, ART 1, 3 and 5 years between the two groups. Results:Over 5 years of ART, INRs exhibited higher HIV reservoir levels compared to IRs, but the decline trend was not slow. The counts of α4β7 cell were lower and the growth trend was slow in INRs ( P<0.05). α4β7 cell counts were strongly positively correlated with CD4 + T cell counts at all timepoints (Year 1: r=0.887; Year 3: r=0.878; Year 5: r=0.887; P all <0.001), while showing significantly negative correlations with activated CD38 + HLA-DR + CD4 + T cells (Year 1: r=-0.619, P=0.001), CD38 + HLA-DR + CD8 + T cells (Year 1: r=-0.517; Year 5: r=-0.532; P all <0.01), and PD-1 + CD4 + T cells (Year 1: r=-0.476, Year 5: r=-0.390, P all <0.05). Conclusions:During long-term ART, INRs maintained higher HIV reservoir and lower α4β7 cell counts compared with IRs, and decreased α4β7 cells may be associated with disease progression.
7.Effects of fractionated low-dose ionizing radiation on differentially expressed genes in ferroptosis of human bronchial epithelial cells
Min ZHANG ; Lingyu ZHANG ; Yashi CAI ; Huixian LI ; Yanting CHEN ; Guanyou CHEN ; Xin LAN ; Changyong WEN ; Weixu HUANG ; Jianming ZOU ; Huifeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):310-317
Objective To investigate the effects of fractionated low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) on the ferroptosis in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells as well as the associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), biological processes, and signaling pathways. Methods HBE cells were exposed to different single doses of X-ray irradiation (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mGy) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The change in cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Cells were irradiated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 mGy X-rays 5 times, with 48 h between each irradiation and a dose rate of 50 mGy/min. Cells were harvested 24 h after irradiation for the measurement of the expression of ferroptosis-related genes SLC7A11 and GPX4 at the mRNA and protein levels, cellular iron content, and the expression of FTH1 and FTL mRNAs. High-throughput sequencing was used to screen for the DEGs in each dose group, followed by Gene Ontology-Biological Process (GO-BP) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Results Compared with the control group, single-dose LDIR significantly increased cell proliferation at 75 mGy after 24 h (P < 0.05), at 50, 75, and 100 mGy after 48 h (P < 0.05), and at 75 and 100 mGy after 72 h (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, at the end of the fifth fractionated LDIR, SLC7A11 and GPX4 mRNAs decreased at all doses (P < 0.05), SLC7A11 protein decreased at all doses, GPX4 protein decreased at 25 and 100 mGy, iron content increased at all doses, and FTH1 and FTL mRNAs decreased at all doses (P< 0.05). Sequencing analysis identified 248, 30, and 291 DEGs and 10, 2, and 9 ferroptosis-associated genes at the three doses compared to the control. Gene Ontology-Biological Process analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in biological processes such as response to lipids, cell death, and response to unfolded proteins. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, lipids and atherosclerosis, ferroptosis, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and FoxO signaling pathway. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in ferroptosis, fatty acid degradation, and glutathione metabolism. Conclusion Fractionated low-dose radiation induced ferroptosis in HBE cells, and DEGs were predominantly enriched in biological processes and signaling pathways related to inflammation, ferroptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress.
8.Chinese version of the Menopause Perception Scale and its reliability and validity test
JI Yongzhi ; CHEN Tingzhi ; ZHANG Bingjie ; HAN Lingyu ; JIANG Enshe
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):722-726
Objective:
To translate the Menopause Perception Scale (MPS) into Chinese, and evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the MPS.
Methods:
The MPS was translated back-translated, culturally adapted and pre-tested according to the Brislin translation model to develop the Chinese version of MPS. The menopausal women from five communities were selected using simple random sampling to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of MPS. Content validity was evaluated based on expert ratings, criterion-related validity was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) as the criterion. Structural validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's α, and split-half reliability and test-retest reliability were calculated.
Results:
Totally 430 questionnaires were allocated, and 414 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 96.28%. The Chinese version of the MPS consisted of 18 items across four dimensions: acceptance, sexual perception, normalization, and support perception. The item-level content validity index ranged from 0.833 to 1.000, and the scale-level content validity index average was 0.924. The correlation coefficients between the scores of each dimension and the total scores of the Chinese version of the MPS and the Chinese version of the MRS ranged from 0.529 to 0.790 (all P<0.05). Exploratory factor analysis extracted four common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 64.502%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit, with a root mean square error of approximation of 0.052, root mean square residual of 0.053, comparative fit index of 0.958, Tucker-Lewis index of 0.950, goodness of fit index of 0.908, incremental fit index of 0.958, and relative fit index of 0.884. The Cronbach's α of the Chinese version of the MPS was 0.916, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.845, and the test-retest reliability was 0.906.
Conclusion
The Chinese version of the MPS demonstrates good reliability and validity, and can be used to assess the perceptions and attitudes of menopausal women in China toward menopause.
9.The role of CAF in chemotherapy resistance of gastric cancer: organoid models study
Ruoxin LI ; Linteng ZHANG ; Lingyu ZHANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(8):597-605
Objective:To explore the effects of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in gastric cancer microenvironment on the proliferation of gastric cancer organoids and the sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Tissue specimens of 6 patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgical resection in Fujian Cancer Hospital from June 2022 to January 2024 were collected from the biobank. Organoids derived from gastric cancer and isolated tumor tissue CAF and paracancerous tissue normal fibroblasts (NF) were constructed by the primary tissue culture method. The morphology of organoids and fibroblasts was observed under microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect the expressions of gastric cancer markers in organoids. The expression levels of fibroblast related markers were detected by using immunofluorescence, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting methods. A co-culture model of gastric cancer organoids and fibroblasts was constructed by using the Transwell chamber and then was divided into 3 groups: NF and gastric cancer organoids co-culture group (NF co-culture group), CAF and gastric cancer organoids co-culture group (CAF co-culture group), and gastric cancer organoid separate culture group (separate culture group). Different concentrations of oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were applied to the co-culture system of fibroblasts and gastric cancer organoids. The morphology of gastric cancer organoids in each group was observed under microscope, and the relative viability of the organoids was detected by using the CellTiter-Glo 3D luminescence method. CAF and NF of 3 patients who successfully constructed organoids were collected for transcriptome sequencing, and the differentially expressed genes (with |log 2 fold change| > 0 and P < 0.05) between CAF and NF were analyzed. Pathway enrichment analysis of the upregulated differentially expressed genes in CAF was performed by using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Results:The organoids of 4 patients were successfully constructed, among which 3 organoids with relatively consistent results and covering the heterogeneity of the disease were performed for further analysis. After HE staining, microscopic observation showed that the morphological characteristics of the organoids were homogeneous with those of gastric cancer tissues. IHC method detection showed that both organoids and primary tumor tissues both expressed gastric cancer markers CDX2, Villin, and CK20. Inverted microscopic observation revealed that NF was morphologically similar to CAF, but NF had fewer cytoplasmic protrusions. RT-qPCR method, immunofluorescence and Western blotting detections showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and Vimentin in CAF were all higher than those in NF, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Inverted microscope observation showed that after co-cultured for 96 h, the size of organoids in CAF co-culture group [(308±61) μm] was larger than that in NF co-culture group [(155±33) μm] and separate culture group [(91±17) μm], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). CellTiter-Glo 3D luminescence assay showed that the relative viability of organoids in the CAF co-culture group was enhanced after 96 h of co-culture compared with NF co-culture group and separate culture group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the relative viability between NF co-culture group and separate culture group ( P > 0.05). With the increase of the concentrations of oxaliplatin, 5-FU and paclitaxel, the relative activity of organoids after drug effect for 96 h in the 3 groups gradually decreased. The relative viability of the organoids in CAF co-culture groups treated with 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L oxaliplatin, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μmol/L 5-FU, and 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μmol/L paclitaxel was higher than that of the other 2 groups, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that compared with NF, there were 893 differentially expressed genes with upregulated mRNA expression and 424 differentially expressed genes with downregulated mRNA expression in CAF. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the upregulated differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the calcium signaling pathway. Conclusions:CAF can promote the proliferation ability of gastric cancer organoids and decrease the sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, which may be related to the calcium signaling pathway.


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