1.Bioinformatic and Mendelian Randomization Analyses of Correlation Between Differentially Expressed Genes and Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Maolin LIU ; Xiaona SONG ; Yaqi LIU ; Shuxuan SHI ; Guohua SONG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(2):133-141
Objective Differentially expressed genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) were subjected to bioinformatic and Mendelian randomization analyses to elucidate their prognostic significance in OSCC. Methods The TCGA database and dataset GSE138206 were used to screen the common differential genes of OSCC, and their relationship was analyzed by using Mendelian randomization. The prognostic value of differential genes was further analyzed by Cox risk regression. The biological function of genes with high prognostic value was further evaluated by single gene differential analysis. Results A total of 147 common differential genes were screened from the two databases. Results of two-sample Mendelian randomization showed that GREM2 was associated with the increased risk of OSCC. In addition, SH3BGRL2 was associated with a decreased risk of OSCC, and DKK1, CCL11, and HOXC6 were considered as independent prognostic markers of OSCC. The predicted results of DKK1 were consistent with the actual results. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated the potential involvement of DKK1 in arachidonic acid and linoleic acid metabolism. Furthermore, DKK1 showed positive correlations with Tgd and Th2 cells, while displaying negative associations with PDC, Cytotoxic cells, Mast cells, CD8 T cells, TFH cells, B cells, T cells, and Th17 cells. Conclusion GREM2 is associated with an increased risk of OSCC. DKK1 is highly expressed in OSCC and associated with poor prognosis, which may be involved in regulating the metabolism of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid and immune cell invasion in OSCC.
2.Progress of cross-linking mass spectrometry based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology in the research of protein-protein interactions
Maolin WANG ; Yan LIU ; Fang YAN ; Guibin SUN
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(6):793-802
Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) technology has become a key tool for identifying protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and revealing the protein structures in living cells, tissues, or organelles. The XL-MS technology has demonstrated remarkable superiority compared with conventional methods for studying PPIs and protein structures. In the past few years, new cross-linker structures have been arising continuously. They have not only broadened the range of cross-linking reactions but also provided additional methods for the enrichment of cross-linking peptides. Moreover, owing to the advancement of computer software and artificial intelligence, cross - linking data search engines and visualization software have also been enhancing the speed and accuracy of cross-linking peptide identification. The evolution of cross-linkers and cross-linking peptide search engines has promoted the application of the XL-MS technology in the research on protein-protein interactions (PPIs) within organelles and even living cells and in the analysis of protein structures.
3.Prognostic comparison between pulmonary metastasectomy and combination immunotherapy with targeted molecular therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis:A propensity score matching analysis
Juxian SUN ; Chang LIU ; Xiandong TAO ; Yu YANG ; Hai JIN ; Shuqun CHENG ; Huazheng SHI ; Maolin YAN ; Jie SHI
Liver Research 2025;9(1):29-35
Background and aims:Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with pulmonary metastasis(PM)has a poor prognosis,and optimal treatment strategies remain controversial.This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with advanced HCC with PM who were treated with resection of pul-monary metastases versus those treated with targeted therapies combined with immunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of HCC patients with PM who underwent either pulmonary metastasectomy or immunotherapy combined with targeted therapies at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital,Changhai Hospital of Shanghai,Fujian Provincial Hospital,and West China Hospital of Sichuan University from September 2013 to October 2022.One-to-one propensity score matching(PSM)was employed to control the influence of potential confounders,and the survival outcomes were compared.Results:A total of 119 HCC patients with PM were included in this study.The overall survival(OS)of patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy was significantly longer than that of patients who received immunotherapy targeted combinations(OS:1-year,80.0%vs.59.3%;2-year,31.7%vs.20.3%;3-year,20.0%vs.0;P<0.001).After PSM,the long-term prognosis of the pulmonary metastasectomy group remained significantly better than that of the immunotherapy combination group(OS:1-year,87.0%vs.69.6%;2-year,34.8%vs.30.4%;3-year,21.7%vs.0;P=0.005).Multivariate analysis revealed that treat-ment allocation(hazard ratio(HR)=2.177,95%confidence interval(CI)=1.068-4.439)and hepatic tumor T stage(HR=2.342,95%CI=1.209-4.538)were independent risk factors for OS.Conclusions:Pulmonary metastasectomy was associated with improved survival compared to immu-notherapy combined with targeted therapies and may represent an optimal treatment option for highly selected HCC patients with resectable PM.
4.Study on the temporal expression of growth differentiation factor-15 and its mortality prognostic implications in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Bo PAN ; Weiyi MA ; Meng WANG ; Yanfen CHAI ; Songtao SHOU ; Xianfa LIU ; Yanhong OUYANG ; Jingjing HUANG ; Xinhuan DING ; Maolin XU ; Yawen PENG ; Haiyan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(8):1098-1105
Objective:To investigate the temporal expression of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF15) in the serum of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and explore the clinical significance of GDF15 in protecting cardiomyocytes in ACS.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 289 ACS patients admitted to the emergency departments from February to October 2023. Data on gender, age, troponin T (TnT), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), GDF15, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) within 30 minutes of admission were recorded. Differences in these indicators among different groups were compared. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of GDF15, TnT, and BNP for ACS. Among the patients, 15 exhibited a temporal expression pattern of GDF15, and their blood samples were re-measured using a GDF15 fluorescent quantitative immunochromatographic assay kit. Fifteen patients without temporal expression were randomly selected as controls, and their samples were also re-measured to exclude detection errors. Fifteen patients with temporal expression were included in the temporal expression group, and 15 without temporal expression were included in the non-temporal expression group. Laboratory indicators such as fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, creatinine, and uric acid were compared between the groups. Additionally, patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), coronary angiography results, echocardiography, Gensini score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and GRACE risk score were recorded to assess their correlation with GDF15 temporal expression. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27 software, with continuous data expressed as mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD) and compared using t-tests and χ2 tests. Results:The overall trend in ACS patients showed a higher proportion of males than females (73.36% vs. 26.64%). The oldest group was the Unstable Angina (UA) group, with a mean age of (63.98 ± 15.19) years, while the youngest group was the non-ACS chest pain group, with a mean age of (54.29 ± 16.39) years. A higher proportion of patients in the UA, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) groups had a history of smoking. The combination of GDF15 and TnT showed high diagnostic value for ACS, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.843, consistent with previous studies. Among all ACS patients, 15 exhibited a temporal expression pattern of GDF15, where GDF15 levels peaked at 4 hours, gradually decreased, and peaked again at 24 hours. Patients in the temporal expression group had higher LVEF and left ventricular end-systolic diameter compared to the non-temporal expression group. The Gensini score was lower in the temporal expression group, and the GRACE risk score was significantly lower in the temporal expression group (00.7±14.72) compared to the non-temporal expression group (116.1±23.46), with a statistically significant difference ( P = 0.0115). There were no significant differences in general characteristics (age, gender, BMI) or clinical biochemical indicators (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine, uric acid) between the temporal and non-temporal expression groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:GDF15 demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic predictive value in ACS. Patients with temporally dynamic expression of serum GDF15 exhibit milder myocardial injury and a lower probability of mortality. These findings provide novel therapeutic targets and research directions for further exploring the role of GDF15 in ACS management.
5.Effect of online and offline high definition transcranial direct current stimulation on finger motor skill learning in healthy adults:a randomized controlled trial
Maolin NIU ; Tan ZHAO ; Xiaoli LIU ; Feng GUO
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(8):957-964
Objective To investigate the effect of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation(HD-tDCS)at different stim-ulation timings(online and offline)on finger motor skill learning in healthy adults. Methods From March to November,2022,31 right-handed male participants were recruited from Shenyang Sport Uni-versity and randomly assigned to three groups,who received online,offline or sham HD-tDCS respectively dur-ing the three-day sequential visual isometric pinch task learning process.The daily motor skill learning gains,to-tal motor skill learning gains and speed-accuracy function(SAF)were observed. Results The daily motor skill learning gains increased in all the groups,and it was the best in the online group(F=24.692,P<0.001);the learning gains were better in the online group than in the offline group(t=4.732,P<0.001)and the sham group(t=3.839,P=0.004)on the third day.The total motor skill learning gains were ranked as the online group=the offline group>the sham group.SAF data indicated that the online group outper-formed both the offline and sham groups. Conclusion HD-tDCS can promote the finger motor skill learning in healthy adults,and online HD-tDCS is more effec-tive.
6.Gli2 regulates the activation of Hedgehog pathway in proliferation,metastasis,and epithelial mesenchymal transformation of Tca8113 cells
Maolin LIU ; Xiaotang WANG ; Xiaona SONG ; Yunhui MA ; Xiaoqi CHANG ; Gouhua SONG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(3):1-9
Objective To investigate the effects of Gli2 on the proliferation,growth,migration,and invasion of oral cancer cells(Tca8113)at the cellular level,and to clarify the molecular mechanism of how Gli2 regulation affects the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells.Methods Small interfering(si)RNA was used to inhibit Gli2 expression in Tca8113 cells.The effects of Gli2 on the proliferation,growth,migration,and invasion of Tca8113 cells were examined by CCK-8,platb cloning,and transwell chamber assay.Further qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to explore the mechanism of how Gli2 regulation effects the malignant proliferation and metastasis of Tca8113 cells.Results The mRNA and protein expression of Gli2 in oral cancer cells(Tca8113)increased.Interference of Gli2 expression inhibited the proliferation,growth,migration,and invasion of Tca8113 cells.Further experiments showed that interfering with Gli2 expression inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of key factors in the Hedgehog(Hh)pathway.In addition,interference of Gli2 expression significantly affected the mRNA and protein expression of key factors in epithelial mesenchymal transformation(EMT)pathways.Conclusions Gli2 is abnormally activated during oral cancer,and interference of Gli2 expression significantly inhibits the proliferation,growth,migration,and invasion of oral cancer cells.Gli2 influences the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells by regulating the Hh and EMT pathways.This study has provided a new way to elucidate the pathogenesis of oral cancer and new perspectives on the clinical treatment of oral cancer.
7.Differential expression profile in Neuro-2a cells infected by rabies virus
Xiaomin LIU ; Yidi GUO ; Xin GUO ; Yannan ZHANG ; Chongyang WANG ; Zichen WANG ; Danwei ZHANG ; Maolin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(8):1682-1690
Rabies is a zoonotic disease that poses a global public health threat.Rabies virus(RABV)is neurotropic and can cause severe neurological disorders and behavioral abnormalities in host,with a fatality rate nearly 100%.In order to identify the key genes for RABV affecting neuronal cell function,we established and analyzed the mRNA expression profile of Neuro-2a(N2a)cell in-fected with challenge virus standard(CVS)-11 by RNA sequencing(RNA-seq).Biological func-tions of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were determined by GO and KEGG enrichment a-nalysis.The results showed that there were 415 differentially expressed genes in N2a infected with CVS-11 strain,of which 89 were up-regulated and 326 were down-regulated.These genes were re-lated to a variety of biological processes,such as axon guidance pathway,cholesterol metabolism pathway,nitrogen metabolism pathway,and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis pathway,many of them have been shown to be closely associated with RABV infection.A total of 12 DEGs related to axon conduction,antigen processing and presentation pathways were selected and detected by real-time PCR,and their expression trends were consistent with the RNA-seq results.The genomic tran-scriptomic data on N2a cell under RABV infection will provide new clues for probing the mecha-nisms of RABV infection and transmission in the nervous system in the future.
8.Research progress on superficial modification of artificial ligaments to promote tendon bone healing
Zhengrong ZHAO ; Peng ZHOU ; Dongzi TIAN ; Maolin CAI ; Dengke LIU ; Taotao LIU ; Qiuming GAO
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(17):2508-2512
Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury is caused by strong violence,which can destabilize the knee joint,cause joint cartilage degeneration,meniscus injury,and in severe cases,develop osteoarthropathy.The gold standard for the treatment of ACLR injuries at this stage is arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament recon-struction(ACLR).In clinical practice,the LARS(Ligament advanced reinforcement system)artificial ligament made of polyethylene terephthalate(PET)as the material has a good effect in the short and medium term,but the long-term biological healing between the graft and the host bone is poor,and the real"ligamentization"requirement of the postoperative graft cannot be met.Coating-modified modification of artificial ligaments can improve their hydrophilicity and biocompatibility,which in turn can promote the healing of graft-bone tunnels.Tendon bone healing is a bone-derived progressive process from indirect insertion to direct insertion,which takes a relatively long time and is closely related to the prognosis and early rehabilitation effect of patients.This article reviews the progress of superficial modification of artificial ligaments to promote ACLR tendon bone healing.
9.Efficacy of Lenvatinib Combined with Anti–PD-1 Antibodies Plus Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study
Xiangye OU ; Junyi WU ; Jiayi WU ; Yangkai FU ; Zhenxin ZENG ; Shuqun LI ; Yinan LI ; Deyi LIU ; Han LI ; Bin LI ; Jianyin ZHOU ; Shaowu ZHUANG ; Shuqun CHENG ; Zhibo ZHANG ; Kai WANG ; Shuang QU ; Maolin YAN
Cancer Research and Treatment 2024;56(4):1207-1218
Purpose:
The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is extremely poor, and systemic therapy is currently the mainstream treatment. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib combined with anti–programmed cell death-1 antibodies and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (triple therapy) in patients with HCC and PVTT.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective multicenter study included patients with HCC and PVTT who received triple therapy, were aged between 18 and 75 years, classified as Child-Pugh class A or B, and had at least one measurable lesion. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rates, and disease control rates were analyzed to assess efficacy. Treatment-related adverse events were analyzed to assess safety profiles.
Results:
During a median follow-up of 11.23 months (range, 3.07 to 34.37 months), the median OS was greater than 24 months, and median PFS was 12.53 months. The 2-year OS rate was 54.9%. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 69.8% (74/106) and 84.0% (89/106), respectively; 20.8% (22/106) of the patients experienced grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events and no treatment-related deaths occurred. The conversion rate to liver resection was 31.1% (33/106), with manageable postoperative complications. The median OS was not reached in the surgery group, but was 19.08 months in the non-surgery group. The median PFS in the surgery and non-surgery groups were 20.50 and 9.00 months, respectively.
Conclusion
Triple therapy showed promising survival benefits and high response rates in patients with HCC and PVTT, with manageable adverse effects.
10.Research progress of heat shock protein 90 in breast cancer
Maolin GUO ; Chao ZHENG ; Lixiang YU ; Liyuan LIU ; Linfeng ZHAO ; Zhigang YU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2023;17(2):249-252
Breast cancer has become the most common malignant tumor in the world. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a kind of molecular chaperone which can promote protein folding and maintain protein stability. HSP90 includes HSP90α, HSP90β, GRP94 and TRAP1 subtypes. Previous studies have found that the level of HSP90 is significantly increased in malignant tumors such as breast cancer, and is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Meanwhile, the research on inhibitors targeting HSP90 has also attracted much attention. In this paper, we reviewed the expression of four HSP90 subtypes in breast cancer and their relationship with the clinicopathologic feature and prognosis of patients, discussed the research progress of specific inhibitors of HSP90 subtypes in breast cancer, and analyzed the application prospect of HSP90 as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis monitoring and therapeutic targets.

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