1.Clinical correlation of P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasomes in prostatic hyperplasia tissue
Xuanzhen ZHOU ; Chen HUANG ; Changying MEI ; Yingzhi CHEN ; Zixiang LIU ; Weiqi YIN ; Zejun YAN
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(11):986-992
Objective The aim of this study is to detect the expression of purinergic 2X7 receptor(P2X7R)and the NLRP3 inflammasome in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)tissues and to analyze the clinical correlations.Methods Twelve patients undergoing surgery for BPH were enrolled.Based on the presence or absence of inflammatory cell infiltration in HE-stained tissue sections,the patients were divided into inflammation group and non-inflammation group.Preoperative routine ex-aminations excluded surgical contraindications,and International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)questionnaires,urinary flow rate measurements,expressed prostatic secretions(EPS)analysis,and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)tests were conducted.Prostate tissues obtained during surgery were subjected to HE staining,immunofluorescence/Western blot to detect the expression of NLRP3,P2X7R,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and immunofluorescence to assess lymphocyte infiltra-tion.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze correlations between the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R in prostate tissues and indicators including Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,lymphocyte count,IPSS score,urinary flow rate,EPS,and PSA.Results In BPH tissues,the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated(P<0.05).The ex-pression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated with Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,and lym-phocyte count(P<0.05).NLRP3 and P2X7R expression levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count in EPS,but showed no correlation with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA(P<0.05).Conclusion P2X7R and NLRP3 in prostate tissues exacerbate local inflammatory responses,which may be an important mecha-nism in BPH development.However,they are not correlated with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA.
2.Study on the value of the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets for the diagnosis and staging of patients with colorectal cancer
Huihui SHAO ; Linlin QU ; Ruibo LIU ; Wei XU ; Quan WANG ; Weiqi CUI ; Yuwen HUANG ; Haocheng LI ; Chunhe ZHAO ; Liang HE
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(5):590-596
Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.
3.Direct measurement assessment study of internal exposure dose of nuclear medicine staff expose to 131I
Lihua HUANG ; Pan LIU ; Tianlu ZOU ; Xiaohua MIAO ; Qishan ZHENG ; Senxin ZHENG ; Weiqi WEI
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(10):777-780
Objective:To understand the current situation of occupational internal exposure dose research using direct measurement method in China, and to explore the occupational internal dose level of nuclear medicine staff.Methods:From 2023 to April 2024, search on platforms such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Medical Journal Network, to collect research literature on the internal exposure dose monitoring of nuclear medicine staff and discuss the internal exposure dose assessment method. According to the literature reported thyroid 131I activity level at the measuring time, the internal exposure dose level was estimated using the method recommended by GBZ 129-2016. Results:According to existing research reports on direct measurement using portable γ spectrometers, 6.1% of nuclear medicine workers may receive a 131I dose greater than 1 mSv/a. Conclusion:It is necessary to conduct periodic continuous monitoring for personnel whose internal exposure dose may greater than 1 mSv/a, and it is necessary to explore the feasibility of periodic internal exposure monitoring method carried out by hospitals.
4.Association between matrix GLA protein and influencing factors of idiopathic calcium oxalate stones and construction of a prediction model
Xiaoke HUANG ; Qingfeng TANG ; Weiqi LAI ; Jiang ZHU ; Yuanyou ZHONG ; Xiaobo HU ; Shiwei YANG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(7):757-761
Objective To investigate the role of matrix GLA protein(MGP)in the pathogenesis of idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stones(ICOS),and to find potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease evaluation.Methods A total of 120 patients admitted to our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were prospectively included,of which 60 patients with ICOS were in the calculus group and 60 patients without calculus were in the control group.Serum biochemical indexes and immunohistochemical scores of the two groups were detected,urinary MGP levels were determined by ELISA,and MGP mRNA and protein expression in renal papilla tissues were detected by qPCR and Western blot.The independent risk factors of ICOS were screened by Logistic regression analysis,and the prediction model was drawn by nomogram.Results Compared with control group,urinary MGP content in calculus group was decreased[(1 805.91±244.44)pg/ml vs.(2 014.79±252.14)pg/mnl,P<0.05).Expression of MGP mRNA and MGP protein in renal papillae decreased(0.89±0.15 vs.1.00±0.00,P=0.001)and decreased(0.87±0.18 vs.1.00±0.00,P<0.05).MGP immunohistochemical scores of renal tissue were decreased[4(2-6)scores vs.6(4-8)scores,P<0.001].Multivariate analysis showed that urinary calcium(OR=1.370),urinary MGP(OR=1.127),renal papilla MGP relative expression level(OR=27.532)and renal tissue MGP immunohistochemical score(OR=1.359)were independent risk factors for ICOS.Area under ROC curve of the nomogram prediction model built based on the above factors is 0.839,indicating that the model has good differentiation ability in risk prediction.Conclusion MGP is closely related to the pathogenesis of ICOS.Urinary and renal tissue MGP levels may be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease assessment of ICOS.
5.Direct measurement assessment study of internal exposure dose of nuclear medicine staff expose to 131I
Lihua HUANG ; Pan LIU ; Tianlu ZOU ; Xiaohua MIAO ; Qishan ZHENG ; Senxin ZHENG ; Weiqi WEI
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(10):777-780
Objective:To understand the current situation of occupational internal exposure dose research using direct measurement method in China, and to explore the occupational internal dose level of nuclear medicine staff.Methods:From 2023 to April 2024, search on platforms such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Medical Journal Network, to collect research literature on the internal exposure dose monitoring of nuclear medicine staff and discuss the internal exposure dose assessment method. According to the literature reported thyroid 131I activity level at the measuring time, the internal exposure dose level was estimated using the method recommended by GBZ 129-2016. Results:According to existing research reports on direct measurement using portable γ spectrometers, 6.1% of nuclear medicine workers may receive a 131I dose greater than 1 mSv/a. Conclusion:It is necessary to conduct periodic continuous monitoring for personnel whose internal exposure dose may greater than 1 mSv/a, and it is necessary to explore the feasibility of periodic internal exposure monitoring method carried out by hospitals.
6.Association between matrix GLA protein and influencing factors of idiopathic calcium oxalate stones and construction of a prediction model
Xiaoke HUANG ; Qingfeng TANG ; Weiqi LAI ; Jiang ZHU ; Yuanyou ZHONG ; Xiaobo HU ; Shiwei YANG
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(7):757-761
Objective To investigate the role of matrix GLA protein(MGP)in the pathogenesis of idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stones(ICOS),and to find potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease evaluation.Methods A total of 120 patients admitted to our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were prospectively included,of which 60 patients with ICOS were in the calculus group and 60 patients without calculus were in the control group.Serum biochemical indexes and immunohistochemical scores of the two groups were detected,urinary MGP levels were determined by ELISA,and MGP mRNA and protein expression in renal papilla tissues were detected by qPCR and Western blot.The independent risk factors of ICOS were screened by Logistic regression analysis,and the prediction model was drawn by nomogram.Results Compared with control group,urinary MGP content in calculus group was decreased[(1 805.91±244.44)pg/ml vs.(2 014.79±252.14)pg/mnl,P<0.05).Expression of MGP mRNA and MGP protein in renal papillae decreased(0.89±0.15 vs.1.00±0.00,P=0.001)and decreased(0.87±0.18 vs.1.00±0.00,P<0.05).MGP immunohistochemical scores of renal tissue were decreased[4(2-6)scores vs.6(4-8)scores,P<0.001].Multivariate analysis showed that urinary calcium(OR=1.370),urinary MGP(OR=1.127),renal papilla MGP relative expression level(OR=27.532)and renal tissue MGP immunohistochemical score(OR=1.359)were independent risk factors for ICOS.Area under ROC curve of the nomogram prediction model built based on the above factors is 0.839,indicating that the model has good differentiation ability in risk prediction.Conclusion MGP is closely related to the pathogenesis of ICOS.Urinary and renal tissue MGP levels may be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease assessment of ICOS.
7.Clinical correlation of P2X7R and NLRP3 inflammasomes in prostatic hyperplasia tissue
Xuanzhen ZHOU ; Chen HUANG ; Changying MEI ; Yingzhi CHEN ; Zixiang LIU ; Weiqi YIN ; Zejun YAN
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(11):986-992
Objective The aim of this study is to detect the expression of purinergic 2X7 receptor(P2X7R)and the NLRP3 inflammasome in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)tissues and to analyze the clinical correlations.Methods Twelve patients undergoing surgery for BPH were enrolled.Based on the presence or absence of inflammatory cell infiltration in HE-stained tissue sections,the patients were divided into inflammation group and non-inflammation group.Preoperative routine ex-aminations excluded surgical contraindications,and International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)questionnaires,urinary flow rate measurements,expressed prostatic secretions(EPS)analysis,and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)tests were conducted.Prostate tissues obtained during surgery were subjected to HE staining,immunofluorescence/Western blot to detect the expression of NLRP3,P2X7R,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and immunofluorescence to assess lymphocyte infiltra-tion.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze correlations between the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R in prostate tissues and indicators including Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,lymphocyte count,IPSS score,urinary flow rate,EPS,and PSA.Results In BPH tissues,the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated(P<0.05).The ex-pression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated with Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,and lym-phocyte count(P<0.05).NLRP3 and P2X7R expression levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count in EPS,but showed no correlation with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA(P<0.05).Conclusion P2X7R and NLRP3 in prostate tissues exacerbate local inflammatory responses,which may be an important mecha-nism in BPH development.However,they are not correlated with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA.
8.Study on the value of the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets for the diagnosis and staging of patients with colorectal cancer
Huihui SHAO ; Linlin QU ; Ruibo LIU ; Wei XU ; Quan WANG ; Weiqi CUI ; Yuwen HUANG ; Haocheng LI ; Chunhe ZHAO ; Liang HE
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(5):590-596
Objective:To analyze the values of platelet transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and SMAD family member 2 (Smad2) in patients′ peripheral platelets for CRC diagnosis and staging.Methods:Retrospective case-control study. Tumor tissues, paratumor tissues and peripheral blood samples were collected from 248 CRC patients (147 males, 101 females; age 21-93 years) diagnosed in the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 10th, 2020, to March 10th, 2025. Peripheral blood samples were also collected from 40 colorectal adenomatous polyp patients (21 males, 19 females; age 22-74 years) and 75 healthy individuals (43 males, 32 females; age 18-81 years) during the same period. Tissue homogenates and platelets were isolated using tissue disruption and gradient centrifugation, respectively. Total RNA was respectively extracted from tissues and platelets, and the expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 were quantified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) expressed as relative quantity 2 -ΔΔCt. Differences of TGF-β and Smad2 expression were compared between CRC tissues and adjacent tissues, as well as among CRC patients, polyp patients, and healthy controls. The relationship of platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression with pathological features includingtumor stage, pathological type, and metastasis were analyzed. The efficiency of platelet TGF-β, Smad2, and their combination in diagnosing CRC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in CRC tumor tissues[1.09 (0.45, 2.00), 2.93 (0.78, 6.73)] were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues[0.81 (0.27, 1.50), 1.29 (0.40, 2.63)] ( Z TGF-β=4.54, Z Smad2=6.67, both P<0.001). The expression levels of TGF-β and Smad2 in platelets of CRC patients[2.73(1.53, 4.38), 3.16 (1.58, 4.38)] were significantly higher than those in the colorectal polyp group[1.23(0.70, 2.54), 1.16(0.78, 2.27)] and the healthy control group[0.96(0.51, 1.88), 0.92 (0.55, 1.88)] ( H TGF-β=59.71, H Smad2=78.74, both P<0.001). Platelet TGF-β expression increased progressively with tumor stage (stage 1-4) ( P<0.05), while platelet Smad2 levels were higher in metastatic CRC compared with non-metastatic cases ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing CRC when combining platelet TGF-β and Smad2 was 0.81[95%Confidence interval( CI) 0.77—0.86], which was 0.90 (95% CI 0.86—0.93) if adding serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Conclusion:Platelet TGF-β and Smad2 expression correlates with the diagnosis and staging of CRC, demonstrating potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for colorectal malignancies.
9.Colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation: a clinicopathological analysis of eight cases
Qi WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Cong TAN ; Shujuan NI ; Dan HUANG ; Bin CHANG ; Weiqi SHENG ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(4):370-376
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features of colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation (CAED).Methods:Eight cases of CAED diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from January 2017 to August 2023 were collected. The histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular and prognostic features of 8 CAED cases were analyzed. The relevant studies were also reviewed.Results:Among the eight patients, there were six males and two females, with an average age of 58 years (range: 29-77 years, median age: 61.5 years). Preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were elevated in five patients (14.0-286.6 μg/L). Four tumors were located in the colon, and four tumors in the rectum. Two patients were clinically staged as advanced stage (stage Ⅳ), and distant metastasis occurred at the initial diagnosis (one case had liver metastasis, and the other had lung, bone and multiple lymph nodes metastases). Six patients were clinically staged as locally-advanced stage (Stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Three of them developed distant metastases after surgery (one case had liver metastasis, one case had lung metastasis, and one case had peritoneal metastasis). Additionally, two patients died at 9 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. The tumors were composed of various proportions of adenocarcinoma components with enteroblastic differentiation (30%-100%) and classical tubular adenocarcinoma components. The component with enteroblastic differentiation exhibited morphology similar to embryonic intestinal epithelium: cuboidal or columnar tumor cells arranged in tubular, papillary, cribriform, or solid nest patterns, with clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells expressed at least one oncofetal protein (SALL4, Glypican-3, and AFP). In addition, focal squamous differentiation was observed in 3 cases (3/8). Compared to the primary tumor, both CAED and squamous differentiation components were increased in the metastatic tumors. Based on the sequencing results of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF of the primary and/or metastatic tumors, 5 cases were wild-type, while KRAS exon 2 (G13D) mutations were identified in 2 cases.Conclusions:CAED is a rare colorectal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Accurate pathological diagnosis is prognostically valuable. The histological features of enteroblastic differentiation, elevated serum AFP levels, and the expression of oncofetal proteins play an important role in the tumor diagnosis.
10.18F-Florzolotau PET Imaging of Abnormal tau Protein Deposition in Alzheimer's Disease
Fangyang JIAO ; Jiaying LU ; Ming LI ; Qi HUANG ; Weiqi BAO ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Zizhao JU ; Qianhua ZHAO ; Yihui GUAN ; Chuantao ZUO ; Huiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(5):426-430,438
Purpose To explore the value of the new generation tau PET tracer 18F-Florzolotau in Alzheimer's disease(AD)at different stages.Materials and Methods Twenty-five MCI patients and sixty-one AD patients with positive β-amyloid status in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from February 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively enrolled with 18F-Florzolotau PET imaging and demographic and clinical data.The pre-processed PET images were analyzed by SPM two-sample t-test between MCI and AD groups,and the standardized uptake value ratios(SUVR)were extracted from the region of interest defined by SPM analysis(P<0.001);scaled subprofile model/principal component analysis was used to construct the different tau related patterns(MCItauRP,ADtauRP)and calculate the corresponding expression values.The classification efficiency of SUVR and MCItauRP,ADtauRP expression values was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results Compared with MCI patients,tau protein deposition of AD patients was increased mainly in the bilateral temporal,occipital lobe(P<0.001),and the SUVR of these brain region in the AD group was higher than that in the MCI group(Z=-3.164,P<0.00l);the expression values of MCItauRP and ADtauRP were significantly different between the AD group and MCI group(t=3.72,Z=-3.51;both P<0.001),and these expression values of AD patients were higher than those in the MCI group;the accuracy of tauRP expression values and SUVR for the differentiation between the AD and MCI group were 61.63%,65.12%and 65.12%,respectively;the sensitivity was 88.00%,96.00%and 100.00%,respectively;the specificity was 50.82%,52.46%and 50.82%,respectively.Conclusion The new tau PET can identify and distinguish the differences in tau protein deposition between AD and MCI patients.However,the classification and diagnosis efficiency is not high.In the future,it is necessary to find a more ideal analysis method.

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