1.From Gene Expression to Transcriptome-wide Association Study: Development and Comparison of Methodology
Kun FANG ; Guozhuang LI ; Linting WANG ; Qing LI ; Kexin XU ; Lina ZHAO ; Zhihong WU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):223-229
Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.
2.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
3.Fabrication and evaluation of an inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel with dual capabilities of self-mineralization and osteoinduction
LIU Mingyi ; MIAO Xiaoyu ; CAI Yunfan ; WANG Yan ; SUN Xiaotang ; KANG Jingrui ; ZHAO Yao ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):29-40
Objective:
To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials.
Methods:
The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group
Results:
The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group.
Conclusion
The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.
4.Impact of hyperglycemia on liver fibrosis and end-stage liver disease in patients with comorbidities of chronic hepatitis B and steatotic liver disease
Xueli ZHANG ; Lina JIANG ; Meng LI ; Shuhong LIU ; Jingmin ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):831-839
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathological features of patients with comorbidities of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and steatotic liver disease (SLD), to investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the risk of liver fibrosis and end-stage liver diseases (ESLD), and to provide a basis for the clinical management of such population. MethodsA total of 668 adult patients with CHB-SLD confirmed by liver biopsy in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019 were enrolled, and a retrospective cohort was established with the time of liver biopsy as the baseline and the onset of ESLD as the endpoint. All patients were followed up to March 31, 2024. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1∶4 to balance baseline features between groups, resulting in 82 patients in the hyperglycemia group and 281 in the non-hyperglycemia group. The two groups were compared in terms of metabolic profiles, laboratory markers, and histopathological features. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups. The chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for advanced fibrosis (AF), and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional-hazards regression model were used to determine the influencing factors for the development of ESLD. ResultsCompared with the non-hyperglycemia group, the hyperglycemia group had a significantly higher number of factors for metabolic disorders, a significantly higher degree of hepatic steatosis, and a significantly higher detection rate of AF (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperglycemia was a risk factor for AF (odds ratio = 1.753, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.017 — 3.023, P=0.043). The survival analysis showed that hyperglycemia increased the risk of ESLD (χ2=4.340, P=0.037). The multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that hyperglycemia was a significant metabolic risk factor for ESLD in patients with AF (adjusted hazard ratio=3.208, 95%CI: 1.201 — 8.568, P=0.020). ConclusionHyperglycemia can increase the risk of AF and ESLD in CHB-SLD patients. Clinical monitoring and active management should be strengthened for patients who have already developed AF and hyperglycemia.
5.Forensic detection of processed pork products based on STR markers
Bo YANG ; Qiong JIA ; Wenhua MA ; Jun HE ; Lina JIA ; Hao NIE ; Zhiguang WANG ; Jian YE ; Fan YANG ; Xingchun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;40(4):423-427,433
Objective To verify the applicability of a pig STR multiplex amplification system for detecting processed foods containing pork and their digestive samples,and to evaluate its potential in food safety and forensic biological evidence analysis.Methods DNA profiles were obtained using the pig STR amplification system from food samples with different levels of processing(raw pork,boiled pork,fried pork,and sausage)and from digestive samples(rat gastric contents).The influence of processing methods on DNA integrity was assessed.The uniformity of large-scale processed ham products,the consistency of DNA profiles from different parts of the same sample,and the DNA degradation patterns after rat digestion were examined.Results STR profiling of pig DNA was successful in all tested samples.Short fragments showed high amplification stability,while long fragment signals weakened with increasing processing complexity.In processed ham products,DNA profiles were consistent across all sampled parts,with fragment drift within±0.5 bp.Analysis of rat gastric contents showed slight DNA degradation within 2 hours;after 3 hours,long fragment signals weakened,and after 4 hours,some loci signals were lost.Conclusion The pig STR multiplex amplification system exhibits excellent performance in detecting processed pork products and their digestive samples.It can meet the requirements of food traceability and forensic biological evidence analysis for processed pork,providing new insights for the advancement of forensic testing techniques in this field.
6.The value of double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT features combined with serum lung cancer autoantibodies in the diagnosis of stage ⅠA lung cancer
Xuewen ZHAO ; Xuejun LI ; Yufei ZHAO ; Lina ZHANG ; Jianhong ZHAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(10):1639-1642,1673
Objective To investigate the value of double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT features combined with serum lung cancer autoantibodies in the diagnosis of stage ⅠA lung cancer.Methods The data of 168 patients with suspected stage ⅠA lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed,and all of them underwent double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT and serum lung cancer autoantibodies examination before treatment.Based on the pathological results as the gold standard,the patients were divided into stage ⅠA lung cancer(119 cases)and benign lesion(49 cases),the diagnostic value of double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT features,serum lung cancer autoantibodies alone and combined both methods in stage ⅠA lung cancer was analyzed.Results Compared with the non-iterative reconstruction CT,the iterative reconstruction CT had significantly lower noise values and significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio and image quality scores(P<0.05).The maximum enhanced CT value and the maximum difference between pre-and post-enhanced CT in stage ⅠA lung cancer were lower than those in benign lesion(P<0.05).The levels of tumor protein 53(p53),stem cell transcription factor 2(SOX2),tumor testicular antigen 7(GAGE7),tumor antigen 4-5(GBU4-5),melanoma antigen A1(MAGE A1),and human carcinoma antigen(CAGE)were higher in stage ⅠA lung cancer than those in benign lesion(P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT,serum lung cancer autoantibodies,and the combination of both in the diagnosis of stage ⅠA lung cancer were 0.818[95%confidence interval(CI)0.744-0.893],0.744(95%CI 0.655-0.832),and 0.876(95%CI 0.807-0.945),respectively.Conclusion Double low-dose iterative reconstruction CT features combined with serum lung cancer autoantibodies has high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of stage ⅠA lung cancer.
7.Effect of carbon dioxide fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid on follicular helper T cells and B cell subsets in patients with advanced vitiligo
Lina ZHANG ; Chao LYU ; Zhixia FAN ; Xin WANG ; Juan SHEN ; Zhonglin ZHAO ; Jun′e FENG ; Guoying MIAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1175-1181
Objective:To explore the effect of CO2 fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid(GC)on T follicular helper cell(Tfh)and B cell subsets in patients with advanced vitiligo(VL).Methods:Patients with advanced VL(128 cases)who were treated in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering from August 2019 to March 2022 were selected as research objects,and divided into group A(64 cases,CO2 fractional laser combined with GC)and group B(64 cases,CO2 fractional laser)according to different treatment methods,clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.Another healthy subjects(64 cases)were selected as control group.Collected clinical data of the three groups of subjects for comparative analysis.Randomized walking model was used to evaluate the effect of CO2 fractional laser combined with GC on immune function and inflammatory response in patients with advanced VL.Results:Compared with group B,group A had a higher clinical total effective rate(P<0.05)and a lower probability of adverse reactions(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,proportion of Tfh2 and Tfh17 in group A had no significant difference(P>0.05),while proportion of Tfh2 and Tfh17 in group B still had significant difference(P<0.05);compared with group B,proportion of Tfh2 in group A after treatment was higher(P<0.05),while proportion of Tfh17 type was lower(P<0.05).After treat-ment,compared with control group,proportion of memory transformed B cell in group B was still significantly different(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,levels of IgA,IgE and IgM in group B were still significantly different(P<0.05);compared with group B,level of IgM in group A was higher after treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,levels of IL-21 and IL-1β in group B were still significantly different(P<0.05);compared with group B,level of IL-10 in group A after treatment was higher(P<0.05),while levels of IL-21 and IL-1β were lower(P<0.05).Evaluation results of random walking model showed that the improvement of immune function and inflammatory reaction in group A was better than that in group B.Conclusion:CO2 fractional laser combined with GC can improve the immune function and inflammatory reaction of patients with advanced VL better after treatment,and the probability of adverse reactions is lower.
8.The mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder between childhood trauma and relapse tendency in drug rehabilitation personnel with compulsory isolation
Shaobo LYU ; Liwei SUN ; Lina LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Suran GUO ; Junjuan GU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(2):164-168
Objective:To explore the impact of childhood trauma on drug relapse tendency, as well as the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:From March to May 2017, a total of 403 compulsory drug rehabilitation personnel were selected for a cross-sectional study and then were investigated by the general demography scale, drug relapse risk scale, childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), and PTSD checklist for DSM-5(PCL-5).SPSS 27.0 software and PROCESS 4.1 macro program were used for correlation analysis, regression analysis and Bootstrap-based mediation analysis.Results:The scores of negative emotions subscale of drug relapse risk scale, emotional abuse and emotional neglect subscales of CTQ had no significant gender differences(all P>0.05).There were gender differences in relapse tendency, childhood trauma, and PTSD total scores as well as other dimensions ( t/ Z=2.08-4.67, all P<0.05).There were pairwise positive correlations among the total score of the drug relapse risk scale(31.68±9.79), CTQ(39.90±12.13), and PCL-5(11(3, 24)) for compulsory isolation and rehabilitation personnel ( r=0.28, 0.36, 0.37, P<0.05).After controlling for gender, childhood trauma could significantly and positively predict drug relapse tendency( β=0.34, t=7.24, P<0.01), and PTSD played a mediating role between childhood trauma and drug relapse tendency, with the indirect effect of 0.11(95% CI=0.06-0.16). Conclusion:Childhood trauma can affect drug relapse tendency directly, and indirectly through PTSD.
9.Consistency of ultrasound diagnosis of abnormal placenta in singleton pregnancy and its relationship with adverse pregnancy outcome
Jing ZHAO ; Qian ZHANG ; Wei FENG ; Lina ZHANG ; Xianquan SHI
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(6):64-69
Objective:To explore ultrasound technique in relationship between three common abnormal placentas in singleton pregnancy,which included battledore placenta,velamentous placenta and circumvallate placenta,and clinically adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on the case documents of 330 singleton patients with abnormal placenta admitted and confirmed at Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to December 2024.Based on the morphology of abnormal placenta and the location of the umbilical cord attached to the placenta,they were divided into battledore placenta group(126 cases),velamentous placenta group(139 cases),and circumvallate placenta group(65 cases).Additionally,197 pregnant women with normal placenta who gave birth during the same period were selected as the normal placenta group.The perinatal outcomes of abnormal placenta and normal placenta were compared.Results:The coincidence rates of ultrasound diagnosis for the three abnormal placentas,which included battledore placenta,velamentous placenta and circumvallate placenta,were respectively 40.5%(51/126),46.0%(64/139)and 58.5%(38/65).The proportions of adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by three abnormal placentas were respectively 49.2%,69.8%and 47.7%,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=12.857,53.575,7.258,P<0.005).The quantity of adverse pregnancy outcome caused by velamentous placenta was the largest,which included increase of cesarean section rate,premature birth,fetal growth restriction,placental adhesions,postpartum hemorrhage,and neonatal asphyxia.Conclusion:All three kinds of abnormal placenta can increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.It is important to pay attention to the situation of placenta in ultrasound during pregnancy,so as to make early diagnosis,and guide clinical work to adopt effective measures,which can reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
10.Establishment and comparison of 3 compassion fatigue risk prediction models for obstetrics and gynaecology nurses based on machine learning
Rui ZHAO ; Wenqi FAN ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Lina GE
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(3):347-354
Objective To compare the performance of 3 risk prediction models based on machine learning in predicting the risk of compassion fatigue among obstetrics and gynaecology nurses.Methods Using the convenience sampling method,1 323 obstetrics and gynaecology nurses from 11 tertiary hospitals in 9 cities were selected from December 2022 to March 2023,and were randomly divided into a training set and a test set according to 7∶3 ratio.Compassion Fatigue Scale,Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire and Emotional Intelligence Scale were used for the survey.A total of 3 types of risk prediction models were constructed for the factors affecting the compassion fatigue of obstetrics and gynaecology nurses,namely,Logistic Regression,Decision Tree,and Random Forest.The accuracy,precision,specificity,sensitivity,Fl score and AUC were used to compare the predictive performance of the 3 models.Results Finally 1 276 maternity nurses completed the survey.All 3 models showed that nature of employment,years of experience,mindfulness and emotional intelligence were independent risk factors for compassion fatigue in obstetrics and gynaecology nurses(P<0.05).The results of model comparison showed that the accuracy of Logistic regression,decision tree and random forest were 0.804,0.806,0.796;the precision was 0.821,0.827,0.823;the sensitivity was 0.956,0.949,0.939;the Fl score was 0.883,0.884,0.877;the AUC was 0.704(95%CI:0.701~0.713),0.760(95%CI:0.751~0.771),0.742(95%CI:0.723~0.762)respectively.Conclusion The risk prediction model of factors affecting compassion fatigue among obstetrics and gynaecology nurses constructed by decision tree performed the best,and the predictive performance was better than that of the random forest and logistic regression models.The multi-model effectively predicts the risk of compassion fatigue in obstetrics and gynecology nurses,explores the interaction of influencing factors in multiple dimensions,and it can inform the early identification and prevention of compassion fatigue and the development of related interventions.


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