1.Mechanism of benzoapyrene-induced mitochondrial DNA damage mediated by PDX-1/TFAM pathway
Rong CUI ; Yi CHENG ; Li WANG ; Xiaohe ZHAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):575-581
Background Previous studies have found that exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can lead to functional impairment of the human pancreas. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) may play a role in regulating mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that BaP exposure may interfere with PDX-1 expression in human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (H6C7), thereby affecting mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). This process could induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, disrupt pancreatic development and function, and elevate the risk of diabetes onset. Objective To investigate the mechanism of BaP-induced mtDNA damage through disruption of the PDX-1/TFAM pathway in a H6C7 cell model. Methods A H6C7 cell injury model was established using different concentrations of BaP. Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). After 24 h of BaP exposure (5,10, and 20 μmol·L−1), cell morphological and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were observed via confocalmicroscopy, and PDX-1/TFAM protein expression levels were assessed. Bioinformatics analysis combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays was used to confirm PDX-1 directly targeting the TFAM promoter. Following PDX-1 overexpression or silencing in BaP treated cells, flow cytometry was used to evaluate viability and apoptosis, while Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measured PDX-1/TFAM expression and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-cn). Results The cell injury model demonstrated that, compared with the control group, BaP exposure reduced cell viability, disrupted membrane integrity, induced nuclear fragmentation, and decreased MMP. Protein expression levels of PDX-1 and TFAM were significantly downregulated in the 10 and 20 μmol·L−1 groups (P<0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that PDX-1 overexpression upregulated TFAM levels. Flow cytometry revealed that PDX-1 overexpression significantly reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.001), whereas PDX-1 silencing increased apoptosis rate (P<0.001). Compared with the BaP-only group, BaP+PDX-1 overexpression elevated TFAM protein and mRNA expression as well as mtDNA-cn (P<0.01), while BaP+siRNA-PDX-1 suppressed these parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion BaP exposure promotes apoptosis in human pancreatic cells. PDX-1, a key gene in pancreatic development, regulates the expression of TFAM, a core regulator of mitochondrial function. This interaction triggers changes in MMP and mtDNA-cn, activates the PDX-1/TFAM/mtDNA axis, and ultimately leads to pancreatic cell injury.
2.Mechanism of benzoapyrene-induced mitochondrial DNA damage mediated by PDX-1/TFAM pathway
Rong CUI ; Yi CHENG ; Li WANG ; Xiaohe ZHAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):575-581
Background Previous studies have found that exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can lead to functional impairment of the human pancreas. Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX-1) may play a role in regulating mitochondrial function. It is hypothesized that BaP exposure may interfere with PDX-1 expression in human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (H6C7), thereby affecting mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). This process could induce mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, disrupt pancreatic development and function, and elevate the risk of diabetes onset. Objective To investigate the mechanism of BaP-induced mtDNA damage through disruption of the PDX-1/TFAM pathway in a H6C7 cell model. Methods A H6C7 cell injury model was established using different concentrations of BaP. Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). After 24 h of BaP exposure (5,10, and 20 μmol·L−1), cell morphological and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were observed via confocalmicroscopy, and PDX-1/TFAM protein expression levels were assessed. Bioinformatics analysis combined with dual-luciferase reporter assays was used to confirm PDX-1 directly targeting the TFAM promoter. Following PDX-1 overexpression or silencing in BaP treated cells, flow cytometry was used to evaluate viability and apoptosis, while Western blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measured PDX-1/TFAM expression and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-cn). Results The cell injury model demonstrated that, compared with the control group, BaP exposure reduced cell viability, disrupted membrane integrity, induced nuclear fragmentation, and decreased MMP. Protein expression levels of PDX-1 and TFAM were significantly downregulated in the 10 and 20 μmol·L−1 groups (P<0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that PDX-1 overexpression upregulated TFAM levels. Flow cytometry revealed that PDX-1 overexpression significantly reduced apoptosis rate (P<0.001), whereas PDX-1 silencing increased apoptosis rate (P<0.001). Compared with the BaP-only group, BaP+PDX-1 overexpression elevated TFAM protein and mRNA expression as well as mtDNA-cn (P<0.01), while BaP+siRNA-PDX-1 suppressed these parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion BaP exposure promotes apoptosis in human pancreatic cells. PDX-1, a key gene in pancreatic development, regulates the expression of TFAM, a core regulator of mitochondrial function. This interaction triggers changes in MMP and mtDNA-cn, activates the PDX-1/TFAM/mtDNA axis, and ultimately leads to pancreatic cell injury.
3.Discussing the Theoretical Basis of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Tumors by Combining the Concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Modern Medicine
Yi YUAN ; Hui HE ; Rong CHEN ; Lei LI ; Licheng RAN ; Mingliang GUO ; Yajun WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(6):1642-1648
Acupuncture and moxibustion have their unique advantages in treating tumors,but the theoretical framework of acupuncture and moxibustion intervention in tumors needs to be improved,and the academic system still needs to be sorted out.In this paper,we try to describe the commonalities between Chinese medical theories and modern medical technologies in order to consolidate the theoretical foundation of acupuncture intervention in tumor.Specifically:① Acupuncture regulates immune function and energy metabolism,which is a specific form of tonifying the spleen and stomach to support positive qi.② Tumors belong to the broad definition of"sores and ulcers"in traditional Chinese medicine,which is a special kind of chronic inflammation,and acupuncture intervenes in tumors by intervening in inflammatory reactions from ulcers.③ Tumor is a"dynamic pseudo-organ"with yin and yang attributes and"life attributes".Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate various cells and factors in the tumor environment in a multi-targeted way,so as to make it tend to the state of yin and yang equilibrium.④ Acupuncture and moxibustion have unique advantages in the reduction of toxicity,enhancement of efficacy,tonicity,rejuvenation,treatment of complications,etc.,which complement the allopathic therapies of modern medicine,and can help to realize survival with tumors.
4.Influencing factors of postoperative complications of elderly patients with esophageal cancer with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ and construction of nomogram prediction model
Yifeng WANG ; Rong HUA ; Yi HE
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(3):261-266
Objective To investigate the influencing factors of postoperative complications with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ in elderly patients with esophageal cancer and construct a line graph prediction model.Methods 376 esophageal cancer patients who underwent radical esophagectomy in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects.According to the Claven Mindo surgical complication grading system,the groups were divided into two groups:Clavien Mindo grading Grade Ⅲ group(93 cases)and Clavien Mindo grading<Grade Ⅲ group(283 cases).Univariate analysis and multifactor Logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative complications of esophageal cancer with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ,and establish a risk prediction column chart model using R 3.5.1 software;The discrimination and calibration of the area verification model under the ROC curve;Use calibration curves and Hosmer Lemeshoe goodness of fit tests to evaluate the fit of the column chart model.Results 376 patients with esophageal cancer,93 patients with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ had complications,accounting for 24.73%.The results of univariate analysis showed that chronic respiratory disease,intraoperative blood loss,surgical time,ASA grading,prognostic nutritional index,and Charlson comorbidities index were significantly correlated with postoperative complications in elderly esophageal cancer patients with Clavien Dundo grading ≥ grade Ⅲ(P<0.05).The results of the logistic multiple regression model showed that intraoperative bleeding volume,surgical time,ASA grading,prognostic nutritional index,and Charlson Comorbidity Index were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in elderly esophageal cancer patients with Clavien Dundo grading≥grade Ⅲ(all P<0.05),Based on five variables,a nomogram prediction model for postoperative complications in elderly patients with esophageal cancer with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ was constructed.ROC curve analysis verified that the area under ROC curve was 0.835(0.794~0.876),indicating a good differentiation of the model.The calibration curve is drawn.The slope of the calibration curve is close to 1,and the predicted probability is basically consistent with the actual probability.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test,x2=5.737,df=8,P=0.676.The analysis results of decision curve show that the threshold probability is less than 0.8 and the net benefit rate is greater than 0.Conclusion The prediction model based on 5 independent risks can reliably predict the probability of postoperative complications with Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ Ⅲ,which is helpful to provide targeted preventive measures for high-risk patients and reduce the occurrence of complications with Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ.
5.Case report and literature review of myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridge
Xiao-qing KOU ; Yi-rong GAN ; Yun-long ZHANG ; Ding-xiong XIE ; Rui MAO ; Tian-xiang LIANG ; Xiao-li YANG ; Yan-zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):111-116
Medical therapy and surgical intervention are the two primary approaches for treating myocardial bridge.However,there remains controversy regarding the use of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and myocardial bridge unroofing.Here,we report a case of myocardial infarction following CABG in a patient with a myocardial bridge.The patient was admitted to Lanzhou First Peopie's Hospital with persistent chest pain,chest tightness,and shortness of breath lasting 2 hours.Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities.Electrocardiography(ECG)indicated extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Laboratory findings showed myoglobin levels of 140.1 ng/ml and troponin Ⅰ levels of 2.59 ng/ml,with no other significant abnormalities.The initial diagnosis was acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Emergency coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD).Emergency CABG using the left internal mammary artery to the LAD was performed,leading to symptomatic improvement,and the patient was discharged in stable condition.However,the patient experienced a recurrent myocardial infarction seven years post-surgery and received secondary preventive medical therapy.The patient is currently under ongoing follow-up care.CABG is an effective treatment for myocardial bridge.However,based on the case reported in this study,we recommend careful evaluation of whether a patient may benefit from CABG.
6.Case report and literature review of myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridge
Xiao-qing KOU ; Yi-rong GAN ; Yun-long ZHANG ; Ding-xiong XIE ; Rui MAO ; Tian-xiang LIANG ; Xiao-li YANG ; Yan-zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):111-116
Medical therapy and surgical intervention are the two primary approaches for treating myocardial bridge.However,there remains controversy regarding the use of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and myocardial bridge unroofing.Here,we report a case of myocardial infarction following CABG in a patient with a myocardial bridge.The patient was admitted to Lanzhou First Peopie's Hospital with persistent chest pain,chest tightness,and shortness of breath lasting 2 hours.Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities.Electrocardiography(ECG)indicated extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Laboratory findings showed myoglobin levels of 140.1 ng/ml and troponin Ⅰ levels of 2.59 ng/ml,with no other significant abnormalities.The initial diagnosis was acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Emergency coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD).Emergency CABG using the left internal mammary artery to the LAD was performed,leading to symptomatic improvement,and the patient was discharged in stable condition.However,the patient experienced a recurrent myocardial infarction seven years post-surgery and received secondary preventive medical therapy.The patient is currently under ongoing follow-up care.CABG is an effective treatment for myocardial bridge.However,based on the case reported in this study,we recommend careful evaluation of whether a patient may benefit from CABG.
7.Development and reliability and validity testing of the Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy
Yanyun ZHU ; Yanfang LUO ; Weili BAO ; Tao SHI ; Liufang WANG ; Yi DAI ; Tianyan ZUO ; Rong SU ; Zuoqin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(34):4682-4690
Objective:To develop the Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy and evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods:Based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms, a preliminary version of the Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy was developed through literature analysis, semi-structured interviews, and the Delphi method. After revising certain items in the pre-survey, convenience sampling was used to select patients who underwent bladder instillation chemotherapy in the Department of Urology Surgery of three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Yunnan Province from January to July 2024 as research subjects to test the reliability and validity of the scale.Results:A total of 168 questionnaires were distributed, and 162 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 96.429% (162/168). The Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy covered two areas of symptom severity and symptom distress, comprising five dimensions and 27 items. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the total scale was 0.953, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.806. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the four common factors for symptom severity contributed to 73.196% of the cumulative variance, while the single common factor for symptom distress accounted for 68.285% of the cumulative variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that all indicators met the fit criteria, indicating that the model possessed good goodness-of-fit. The content validity index at the scale level was 0.940, while the content validity index at the item level ranged from 0.833 to 1.000.Conclusions:The Symptom Assessment Scale for Patients Undergoing Bladder Irrigation Chemotherapy developed in this study demonstrates good reliability and validity, and is suitable for evaluating symptoms in patients undergoing bladder infusion chemotherapy.
8.Hashimoto's thyroiditis:Advances in immunological pathogenesis
Yi LI ; Zimei TANG ; Rong WANG ; Jie MING
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(9):2098-2105
Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by a diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes in thyroid tissue.In recent years,incidence of HT has gradually increased and is a major cause of hypothyroidism in popu-lations in areas with adequate iodine intake,which can affect the quality of life of patients.A large number of studies have suggested that cellular and humoral immunity,related immune molecules and other factors affecting the immune response together constitute a complex network of immune regulation involved in the development of HT.With the development of immunology and other disciplines,the study of the immunological pathogenesis of HT is crucial to uncover its specific diagnostic criteria and treatment,and therefore,many researchers have focused on this issue and proposed new ideas.In this article,we review the advances of research on immunolog-ical pathogenesis of HT.
9.Hashimoto's thyroiditis:Advances in immunological pathogenesis
Yi LI ; Zimei TANG ; Rong WANG ; Jie MING
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(9):2098-2105
Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by a diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes in thyroid tissue.In recent years,incidence of HT has gradually increased and is a major cause of hypothyroidism in popu-lations in areas with adequate iodine intake,which can affect the quality of life of patients.A large number of studies have suggested that cellular and humoral immunity,related immune molecules and other factors affecting the immune response together constitute a complex network of immune regulation involved in the development of HT.With the development of immunology and other disciplines,the study of the immunological pathogenesis of HT is crucial to uncover its specific diagnostic criteria and treatment,and therefore,many researchers have focused on this issue and proposed new ideas.In this article,we review the advances of research on immunolog-ical pathogenesis of HT.
10.Research progress on mechanism of curcumin in treatment of depression
Lin WANG ; Qi-fei PAN ; Wen-juan LONG ; Jia-rong DU ; Zhong-yang HU ; Xin-yao LI ; Yi-shu CHEN ; Dong-dong QIN ; Xiao-man LYU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1618-1623
Depression is a prevalent mental and emotional disor-der that often results in significant emotional disturbances,cog-nitive dysfunction,and memory impairments.It is characterized by a high incidence rate,a substantial disability burden,and limited therapeutic efficacy.Currently,the long-term use of medications for the treatment of depression can result in a range of adverse reactions,highlighting the urgent need to explore no-vel approaches that can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms while minimizing side effects.Curcumin,a natural polyphenolic compound derived from the rhizome of turmeric,demonstrates considerable potential in the prevention and treatment of depres-sion,owing to its diverse array of biological activities.In recent years,numerous studies have investigated the use of curcumin for the treatment of depression.This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms of action underlying curcumin's efficacy in treating depression.Specifically,it focu-ses on its ability to improve neurotransmitter imbalances,restore neural plasticity,alleviate neural damage,mitigate dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,regulate in-flammatory factors and neuroinflammatory signaling pathways,and inhibit oxidative stress.This review is intended to offer in-sights and methodological references for basic research on curcu-min,as well as for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.

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