1.Analysis of thermal environment and students thermal comfort in primary and secondary school classrooms in winter
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):168-172
Objective:
To evaluate the current situation of thermal environment in primary and secondary school classrooms during winter, and to analyze students thermal comfort needs, so as to provide a basis for improving classroom thermal environment.
Methods:
From December 16 to 26, 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 90 classrooms from 15 primary and secondary schools in centralized/air conditioned heating areas(Liaoning Province, Tianjin City, Shanghai City) and naturally ventilated areas(Anhui Province and Jiangxi Province)for on site environmental measurement. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 743 students. The differences between groups using the χ 2 test were compared. Based on actual measurement data, a predicted mean vote prepared percentage of dissatisfied (PMV-PPD) model for centralized/air conditioned classrooms and an adaptive model for naturally ventilated classrooms were established, and the thermal neutral temperature and comfort interval were calculated.
Results:
The average outdoor temperature during on site measurement was 4.00(0.20,7.00)℃. In classrooms with centralized or air conditioned heating systems, the measured average temperature was (19.33±2.59)℃, with a thermal comfort range of 20.35-25.35 ℃ and a thermal neutral temperature of 22.85 ℃. And 13.92% of students reported feeling cold, while 80.80% felt comfortable. In classrooms with natural ventilation, the measured average temperature was (12.26±1.83)℃, with a thermal neutral temperature of 19.67 ℃ and a thermal comfort range of 16.17-23.17 ℃. About 48.33% of students reported feeling cold, and 49.81 % felt comfortable.The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in shoe thickness, temperature sensation, relative humidity sensation and wind speed sensation between centralized/air conditioned heating areas ( χ 2= 7.01 , 31.47, 13.57, 13.80,all P <0.05). There were also statistically significant differences in school stage for primary and secondary school students, body mass index, classroom location for seat, temperature sensation, relative humidity sensation and wind speed sensation between naturally ventilated areas ( χ 2=42.13, 11.13, 11.04, 60.39, 29.27, 38.46,all P <0.05).
Conclusions
There are differences in thermal environment and students subjective thermal comfort in primary and secondary schools under different ventilation modes in winter. The temperature standards for heated classrooms should be revised, and differentiated environmental regulation strategies should be adopted based on different ventilation methods to improve students health and comfort levels.
2.Analysis of components absorbed into blood and brain of Lithocarpus litseifolius leaves
Huan LIU ; Zirong YI ; Ting HUANG ; Xiuhong LIU ; Yunyao YE ; Yuming MA ; Mengqi HU ; Nan ZHANG ; Wenhao YANG ; Yang LIU ; Guopeng WANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(7):889-894
OBJECTIVE To analyze the prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of Lithocarpus litseifolius leaves, so as to provide a reference for clarifying the pharmacological material basis of its prevention and treatment of central nervous system dis eases. METHODS The ethanol extract of L. litseifolius leaves, as well as the gastric lavage fluid and perfusion solution were prepared. Using rats as subjects, plasma samples of intestinal wall metabolism, intestinal flora metabolism and hepatic metabolism were prepared via in situ intestinal perfusion and closed intestinal loop method; while comprehensive metabolic plasma samples, brain tissue samples, and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected after intragastric administration. UPLC-HRMS technology was utilized to analyze and identify chemical components and prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of L. litseifolius leaves. RESULTS A total of 66 chemical constituents were identified in L. litseifolius leaves, primarily consisting of flavonoids, organic acids, and others. A total of 16, 13, 11, and 5 prototype components were identified in intestinal wall metabolism, intestinal flora metabolism, hepatic metabolism, and comprehensive metabolic plasma samples, respectively. Additionally, 4 prototype components were detected in brain tissue and 9 in cerebrospinal fluid. Phloridzin, trilobatin, phloretin-2- O -malonyl hexoside, and phloretin were identified as common components across all sample types. CONCLUSIONS Prototype components absorbed into blood and brain of L. litseifolius leaves, such as phloridzin, trilobatin, phloretin, and other components may serve as the pharmacological material basis for their therapeutic effects on central nervous system diseases.
3.Differences in chemical components and quality analysis of Gardenia jasminoides before and after processing with ginger
Lihua TANG ; Yu WU ; Xuedi HUANG ; Xiaolian HU ; Yi TANG ; Zilong CHEN ; Xiaofan XIAO ; Xide YE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(2):168-173
OBJECTIVE To analyze the differences in chemical components of Gardenia jasminoides before and after processing with ginger, and to evaluate the quality differences among different producing areas. METHODS Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the compositional differences of G. jasminoides before and after processing with ginger. The water content, total ash, and ethanol-soluble extract content of ginger- processed G. jasminoides were determined according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. High performance liquid chromatography was adopted to determine the contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ in ginger- processed G. jasminoides. RESULTS A total of 49 chemical components were identified from raw G. jasminoides and ginger- processed G. jasminoides, including 14 flavonoids, 15 iridoids, 10 organic acids, 2 alkaloids and 8 other compounds. Among them, 42 components were detected in raw G. jasminoides, 28 in ginger-processed G. jasminoides, and 21 components were common to both. After processing with ginger, raw G. jasminoides lost 21 components (including iridoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others), while 7 chemical components were added (including coumarins, organic acids, organic acid esters, and flavonoids). For the 15 batches of ginger-processed G. jasminoides, the water content ranged from 5.64% to 7.11%, total ash from 2.92% to 4.87%, and ethanol-soluble extract from 40.61% to 58.02%. The average contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ were 0.108 7, 0.542 2, 0.565 0, and 0.012 5 mg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS After processing with ginger, G. jasminoides loses 21 components, while 7 new components are added. Differences are observed in the water content, total ash, ethanol-soluble extract, and the contents of genipin gentiobioside, geniposide, crocin Ⅰ, and crocin Ⅱ of ginger-processed G. jasminoides from different producing areas. Notably, samples from Fujian exhibit high contents of genipin gentiobioside and ethanol-soluble extract, while samples from Jiangxi have a high content of crocin Ⅰ.
4.Expert consensus on neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitors for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (2026)
LI Jinsong ; LIAO Guiqing ; LI Longjiang ; ZHANG Chenping ; SHANG Chenping ; ZHANG Jie ; ZHONG Laiping ; LIU Bing ; CHEN Gang ; WEI Jianhua ; JI Tong ; LI Chunjie ; LIN Lisong ; REN Guoxin ; LI Yi ; SHANG Wei ; HAN Bing ; JIANG Canhua ; ZHANG Sheng ; SONG Ming ; LIU Xuekui ; WANG Anxun ; LIU Shuguang ; CHEN Zhanhong ; WANG Youyuan ; LIN Zhaoyu ; LI Haigang ; DUAN Xiaohui ; YE Ling ; ZHENG Jun ; WANG Jun ; LV Xiaozhi ; ZHU Lijun ; CAO Haotian
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(2):105-118
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.
5.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
6.Clinical efficacy analysis of transurethral resection of intramural ureteral tumors
Chen YE ; Yi WANG ; Ruixiang SONG ; Jinpeng ZHU ; Shuxiong ZENG ; Chuanliang XU ; Huiqing WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(4):683-688
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of treatment of intramural ureteral tumors via transurethral resection. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 26 patients with ureteral cancer who underwent transurethral resection of intramural ureteral tumors at the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from May 2020 to May 2023. All patients were treated using the “outer-wedge, inner-rotation” resection technique, with ureteral stents placed intraoperatively. Clinical indicators including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of postoperative hospital stay, ureteral stent indwelling duration, intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative pathological results, and bladder tumor recurrence rate were analyzed. Results All surgeries were successfully completed. The operation time was 45(35, 60) min, intraoperative blood loss was 5(3, 10) mL, length of postoperative hospital stay was 4(3, 5) d, and the ureteral stent indwelling duration was (33.8±9.7) d. All patients did not experience intraoperative complications, the postoperative hydronephrosis rate was 3.8%. Postoperative pathology confirmed urothelial carcinoma in all cases, including 6 cases of stage pTa, 16 cases of pT1, and 4 cases of pT2a. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 48 months. Intravesical recurrence occurred in 2 patients, and recurrence rate was 7.7%. There were no tumor-related deaths during the follow-up period. Conclusions Transurethral resection of intramural ureteral tumors is minimally invasive, resulting in less blood loss, and has low rates of postoperative complications such as hydronephrosis and hydroureter. It achieves favorable surgical outcomes while better preserving renal function.
7.Modified Taohe Chengqitang Regulates Notch/eNOS Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Hepatic Sinusoidal Capillarization
Chang SHAO ; Xiguang SUN ; Jiaxin HUANG ; Linmao YE ; Xiaofan LIANG ; Yi HE ; Junjie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(19):42-54
ObjectiveTo investigate whether modified Taohe Chengqitang (JTCT) treats liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic sinusoidal capillarization, and to verify whether its specific mechanism is related to the Homologous genes responsible for the notches along the edges of Drosophila wings(Notch) signaling pathway and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 mice were randomized into 5 groups: Control, model (5 mL·kg-1·3 d-1), low-dose JTCT, medium-dose JTCT, and high-dose JTCT (JTCT-L,JTCT-M,JTCT-H). Except the control group, the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) olive oil solution every 3 days for 4 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, JTCT-L, JTCT-M, and JTCT-H groups were administrated with JTCT by gavage at doses of 16.6, 33.3, and 66.6 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively, for 4 consecutive weeks (the control and model groups received equal volumes of normal saline by gavage). Primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were isolated from rat livers through in situ perfusion of collagenase, Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and selective removal of Kupffer cells. After verification of cell phenotype, LSECs were used for experiments. For cells at the logarithmic growth phase, the small interfering RNA(siRNA) kit was used to knock down the expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) through transient transfection. Subsequently, the Notch agonist Jagged-1 was applied. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to examine the cytotoxicity of JTCT on LSECs. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to measure the expression of molecules in the Notch and eNOS signaling pathways at mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Intracellular Ca2+ was labeled with the fluorescent probe Fluo-4 acetoxymethyl ester(Fluo-4/AM). ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited hepatic steatosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, lobular structural disorder, and fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the mouse liver tissue, significantly elevated serum levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) (P<0.01), significantly upregulated expression levels of Notch1, Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), Cluster of Differentiation 31(CD31), and von Willebrand factor(vWF) (P<0.01), and significantly downregulated phosphorylate(p)-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all the JTCT groups showed significantly reduced serum Hyp, ALT, and AST levels (P<0.01), downregulated expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the liver tissue, with the JTCT-H group showing the most significant changes (P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the LSEC-1day group, the LSEC-5day group exhibited significantly increased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly decreased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and sGC expression (P<0.01), and elevated intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the JTCT group showed decreased expression of Notch1, Hes1, CD31, and vWF (P<0.01), significantly increased p-eNOS/eNOS ratio (P<0.01), and significantly reduced intracellular Ca2+ concentration (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the expression of Notch1, Hes1, eNOS, p-eNOS, CD31, vWF, sGC, or intracellular Ca2+ concentration between the Jagged1 group and the Jagged1+JTCT group. Compared with the LSEC-5day group, the sGC knockout group (sGC-KO) showed significantly increased expression of CD31 and vWF (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in CD31 or vWF expression between the sGC-KO group and the sGC-KO+JTCT group. ConclusionJTCT inhibits the activation of the Notch signaling pathway and restores the activity of the eNOS signaling pathway to suppress sinusoidal capillarization of LSECs, thereby treating liver fibrosis.
8.Analyses of causes of death among hepatitis C patients in Hongkou District, Shanghai, 2012‒2024
Zuping GUO ; Jiaru LONG ; Chen ZHANG ; Jinghong YE ; Yi HUANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(4):284-288
ObjectiveTo systematically analyze the epidemiological characteristics and cause-of-death distribution among death cases with hepatitis C in Hongkou District of Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing healthcare resources allocation and targeted hepatitis C prevention and control measures. MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by integrating historical surveillance data from China Information System of Disease Prevention and Control and Shanghai Hongkou District Death Medical Registration System. Data on demographic characteristics, hepatitis C-related clinical and management records, and underlying causes of death for cases with hepatitis C between 2012 and 2024 in Hongkou District of Shanghai, were collected. Descriptive analyses were performed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and cause-of-death distribution of death cases, and comparative analyses were conducted across different subgroups. ResultsA total of 204 hepatitis C-related deaths were identified in Hongkou District, Shanghai, from 2012 to 2024. The average age at death was (69.49±12.75) years The majority decedents were males (71.57%) and retired (73.53%). The top three underlying causes of death were malignant tumors (45.10%), cerebrovascular diseases (15.20%) and cardiovascular diseases (12.25%), collectively accounting for 72.55% of all deaths. Deaths attributed to hepatitis C accounted for 9.80% (20/204), with a mean age at death of (63.41±11.81) years. No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportion of hepatitis C-attributed deaths across different subgroups (all P>0.05). The proportion of premature deaths was 55.88% (114/204), with a mean age at death of (60.02±6.89) years. The proportion of premature deaths was higher among males (60.27%), laboratory-diagnosed patients (62.69%), patients with other liver diseases (72.06%), and those non-compliant with follow-up (70.97%) compared to their respective counterparts (all P<0.05). Additionally, homemakers /unemployed patients (100.00%) and employed patients (88.89%) had a significantly higher proportion of premature deaths compared to retired patients (42.67%) (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of causes of death between the premature death group and the non-premature death group (χ2=14.93, P=0.048). The top three causes of premature deaths were malignant tumors (50.00%), hepatitis C (12.28%) and cerebrovascular diseases (10.53%). Regarding the proportion of deaths occuring prematurely, other viral hepatitis had the highest percentage (75.00%), followed by diabetes mellitus (71.43%) and hepatitis C (70.00%). ConclusionThe majority of death cases with hepatitis C were males and retirees in Hongkou District, Shanghai. The leading cause of death was malignant tumors, while hepatitis C ranked as the fourth underlying cause, as well as served as the second leading cause of premature death following malignant tumors. Premature death was closely associated with gender, occupation, diagnostic classification, presence of other liver diseases, and follow-up compliance, highlighting the importance of enhanced health management and targeted interventions among high-risk groups.
9.Application of Mitophagy in Regulating Ulcerative Colitis Based on "Spleen Dysfunction in Essence Distribution Leading to Endogenous Turbid Pathogens"
Xuli YANG ; Yanwei HAO ; Qiaobo YE ; Lingling YUAN ; Ruijie FANG ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):176-184
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving interactions among genetic, immune, and environmental factors, and remains incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial damage can trigger the abnormal release of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns (mtDAMPs), activating inflammatory pathways and thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response in UC. Mitophagy, a core mitochondrial quality control mechanism, can clear damaged mitochondria and effectively reduce the abnormal release of mtDAMPs and the accumulation of harmful substances, thereby mitigating inflammatory damage resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier function and in the prevention and intervention of UC. Notably, the function of the spleen governing transportation and transformation in traditional Chinese medicine shares similarities with the role of mitochondria in energy transformation and substance metabolism. Furthermore, the pathological state of the spleen failing in transportation and transformation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction, while the pathogenic characteristics of "endogenous turbid pathogen" align with the inflammatory cascade responses triggered by abnormal release of mtDAMPs. Based on this theoretical correlation, this paper aims to explore the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "spleen dysfunction in essence distribution leading to endogenous turbid pathogens" and mitophagy. Using the correlation as an entry point, the potential role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of UC was elucidated. Additionally, by considering the epidemiological characteristics of UC in the Southwest region of China, a new thinking for the treatment of UC from the perspective of turbid pathogens was proposed based on the "fortifying the spleen and resolving turbidity" method to provide theoretical support and research enlightenment for further exploring the prevention and treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine.
10.Identification of immune cell-related biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma using weighted gene co-expression network analysis
Dongyuan HE ; Bo CHEN ; Jingyao LIANG ; Haibo YE ; Xiaoxing YI ; Guangni LIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):751-758
Objective To identify immune cell-related biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Methods Based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, a gene co-expression network was constructed for the TCGA-LUAD dataset using the "WGCNA" R package, and genes were clustered into different modules. Concurrently, the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was applied to the tumor samples in the TCGA-LUAD dataset. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to evaluate the biological functions of genes within the most significantly correlated module. Candidate hub genes from the key module were intersected with a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to identify the final hub genes. The prognostic performance of these hub genes and their correlation with immune cell infiltration were validated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) algorithm. Finally, a multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted on the identified hub genes to construct a prognostic risk model. Results In the co-expression network, the brown module was found to be highly correlated with the ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and ESTIMATE Score. Five immune-related hub genes were identified: CD53, PLEK, SPI1, IL10RA, and C3AR1. Enrichment analysis of the brown module revealed that its genes were primarily enriched in GO terms such as "regulation of innate immune response" and KEGG pathways like the "NF-kappa B signaling pathway". Furthermore, the expression levels of these five hub genes were significantly and positively correlated with the infiltration abundance of various immune cells. The immune relevance of the model was validated by the Immunophenoscore (IPS) and the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score. Moreover, the established RiskScore demonstrated significant potential in predicting the response to immunotherapy. Conclusion These five immune-related key genes may serve as novel and effective potential therapeutic targets for LUAD immunotherapy, facilitating the development of personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with LUAD.


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