2.Role of KMT2C in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances induced liver cancer: A network toxicology and Mendelian randomization analysis
Nan OUYANG ; Wei XU ; Feng DONG ; Ze ZHU ; Xiaoqiong WU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(12):1510-1519
Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the environment. Epidemiological studies have shown that PFAS exposure is closely associated with liver dysfunction and an increased risk of liver cancer. Some animal and cell experiments have also revealed its hepatotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity; however, the related carcinogenic mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Objective To explore the potential molecular mechanism of PFAS-induced liver cancer, identify the key causal genes, and specifically evaluate the causal association and expression changes of KMT2C in this process, as well as the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and to provid a theoretical basis for mechanistic studies and molecular target discovery in PFAS-related liver cancer. Methods Toxicity prediction was performed on six representative PFAS. Potential target genes of PFAS were identified by integrating results from SwissTargetPrediction, STITCH, and TargetNet databases. Liver cancer-related genes were retrieved from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). The intersection of PFAS targets and liver cancer-related genes was used to obtain core genes. A compound-gene-disease regulatory network was constructed, and a protein–protein interaction network was established using STRING database. A core gene network was visualized based on node degree values. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to explore biological functions and enriched signaling pathways. Subsequently, two-sample Mendelian randomization was employed to assess potential causal relationships between candidate genes and hepatocellular carcinoma, enabling the identification of key genes. Molecular docking analysis using AutoDock was conducted to evaluate the binding stability between KMT2C and PFAS, and TCGA data were used to validate the differential expression of KMT2C between hepatocellular carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. Results PFAS exhibited multisystem toxicity and posed significant risks of liver injury and carcinogenesis. A total of 266 PFAS target genes and
3.Transcutaneous bilirubin curves in healthy neonates based on multicenter remote monitoring data
Bi ZE ; Xiaoyue DONG ; Jin WANG ; Chuan NIE ; Jiajun ZHU ; Fang GUO ; Falin XU ; Chunhui YANG ; Bizhen SHI ; Zhankui LI ; Xinhua ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Bin YI ; Xiuying TIAN ; Lejia ZHANG ; Jun TANG ; Xinlin HOU ; Jiahua XU ; Guoying HUANG ; Shuping HAN ; Wenhao ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1318-1324
Objective:To establish 30-day of age transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) reference curves for healthy neonates, and to investigate regional variations in bilirubin dynamics.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 220 950 healthy neonates born at a gestational age of 35-<42 weeks, with a birth weight ≥2 000 g, who did not receive phototherapy within 60 h after birth were recruited. All of them underwent remote TcB monitoring using the Bilibaby remote jaundice monitoring system between August 1 st, 2020 and December 31 st, 2024 in 426 hospitals. TcB data were collected within the period from birth to 30-day of age. The P40, P75, and P95 of TcB values were calculated, and dynamic TcB curves for 30-day of age were constructed. Patterns of bilirubin change, rates of change, and transition outcomes were described. Regional comparisons between South and North were conducted using linear mixed-effects models for TcB trajectories and Pearson′s chi-square test for outcome differences. Results:A total of 220 950 neonates were included, of whom 101 711 (46.03%) were female. Gestational age at birth was (38.75±1.12) weeks, and birth weight was (3 272±417) g. TcB levels increased rapidly within 3-day of age, peaked at 4-6-day of age, with peak values at P40, P75, and P95 of 200.6, 239.7 and 275.4 μmol/L (11.8, 14.1 and 16.2 mg/dl), respectively. TcB levels gradually declined thereafter and stabilized after 13-day of age, with values at P40, P75, and P95 fluctuating between 147.9-159.8, 190.4-200.6, and 231.2-239.7 μmol/L (8.7-9.4, 11.2-11.8, 13.6-14.1 mg/dl), respectively. Notably, among neonates categorized as low-or low-intermediate-risk within 3-day of age, 6 700 (12.76%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. Before 13-day of age, TcB levels in the southern regions were consistently higher than those in the northern regions ( P=0.039); from 14 to 30 days of age, the overall TcB levels had no statistically difference, but the temporal changes in TcB still showed regional differences (degrees of freedom=3, all interaction P<0.05). Among neonates classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, 25 326 were from southern regions, of whom 4 254 (16.80%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk between 4 and 30 days of age. In northern regions, 27 193 neonates were classified as low-or low-intermediate risk within 3-day of age, among whom 2 446 (8.99%) progressed to intermediate-high or high risk. The risk progression between the 2 regions had statistically difference ( χ2=716.49, P<0.001). Conclusions:A TcB percentile curve for neonates within 30-day of age was established, revealing that both the overall TcB level and its temporal trend were higher in southern than in northern newborns. These findings provide baseline data to support continuous management of neonatal jaundice.
4.Investigation on ventilator use and management in secondary and tertiary medical institutions in Sichuan Province
Zheng-hua LIANG ; Si-mei WANG ; Qiu-yu LIU ; Jin-long XU ; Ze-fang LIU ; Dan WEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(3):75-80
Objective To investigate the current situation of the ventilator use and management in secondary and tertiary medical institutions in Sichuan Province to provide references for management and training of ventilator users.Methods A questionnaire survey involving in 235 nurses from 13 secondary and tertiary medical institutions in Sichuan Province was conducted in terms of general information of the respondents,pipeline connection and parameter setup of ventilators,cleaning,sterilization and maintenance of ventilators,identification and treatment of ventilator alarms and hospital-acquired infection prevention and control.Results The results showed 20.4%of the respondents were nurses from critical care departments,and 79.6%of the respondents underwent the training for using the ventilator in their department;91.9%of the respondents could conduct ventilator self-testing by connecting the simulated lungs after the ventilator was switched on;66.4%of the respondents indicated that the initial parameters of the ventilator were set by the doctor;60.9%of the respondents proved that the performance monitoring and routine maintenance of the ventilator were carried out by the nurse;63.4%of the respondents showed disposable lines were commonly used in the departments.There were 89.8%of the respondents said the daily sterilization and management of the ventilator were performed by the nurse;46.0%of the respondents expressed the external surface of the ventilator was disinfected mainly with gamma disinfectant wipes;44.7%of the respondents indicated the external surface of the ventilator was sterilized every day;48.5%of the respondents said the internal airway of the ventilator was disinfected;57.0%of the respondents proved the disinfection was conducted after the expiratory flow sensors were used by any patient.There were 74.5%of the respondents that had paid attention to the ventilator waveform,and by the ventilator waveform only 21.3%were correct in determining whether there was secretion or fluid in the circuit and 22.1%in clarifying whether there was air leakage in the circuit.There were 59.1%of the respondents indicated that the closed suction tube was replaced once every 24 h;71.1%of the respondents could perform airbag pressure monitoring by the special pressure gauge.Conclusion Most of the nurses from secondary and tertiary medical institutions in Sichuan Province can use ventilators correctly,who have problems in disinfection specifications,infection prevention and control or recognition of ventilation waveform.It's suggested the training be strengthened to enhance the clinical nursing staffs in ventilator management.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):75-80]
5.Problems and suggestions of medical equipment and devices in plateau field conditions
Lei LIANG ; Jiang-hui HAO ; Ze-rui ZHANG ; Feng ZHOU ; Can-hua XU ; Tao ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(3):86-89
The characteristics of plateau field conditions and the application of the medical equipment and devices were summarized.The influences of plateau field conditions on the use and maintenance of the medical equipment and devices were pointed out,and some countermeasures were put forward accordingly.The causes for the problems were analyzed,and some suggestions were proposed from the aspects of top-level design,standard and personnel training.References were provided for the use and maintenance of medical equipment and devices during stationed field training and support for military operations other than war in plateau field areas.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):86-89]
6.Clinical effects of Huayu Ditan Linao Decoction combined with Suhexiang Pills on elderly patients with cerebral hemorrhage in convalescent stage
Xian-kun ZHU ; Tian-yu LI ; Kai-qin LI ; Ze-ling DONG ; Guang-xian MIAO ; Ying LIU ; Ping XU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2229-2233
AIM To explore the clinical effects of Huayu Ditan Linao Decoction combined with Suhexiang Pills on elderly patients with cerebral hemorrhage in convalescent stage.METHODS One hundred and ten patients were randomly assigned into control group(55 cases)for 1-month intervention of both conventional treatment and rehabilitation training,and observation group(55 cases)for 1-month intervention of Huayu Ditan Linao Decoction,Suhexiang Pills,conventional treatment and rehabilitation training.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome score,NIHSS score,FMA score,BI index,cerebrovascular function indices(dynamic resistance,average flow velocity,peripheral resistance,average flow rate),serum inflammatory indices(IL-6,hs-CPR,TNF-α)and serum oxidative stress indices(SOD,MDA)were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P<0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome score,NIHSS score,dynamic resistance,peripheral resistance,serum inflammatory indices,MDA(P<0.05),and increased FMA score,BI index,average flow velocity,average flow rate,SOD(P<0.05),especially for the observation group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For the elderly patients with cerebral hemorrhage in convalescent stage,Huayu Ditan Linao Decoction combined with Suhexiang Pills can enhance clinical effects,improve limb functions and nerve functions,regulate serum inflammatory and oxidative stress indice,and promote prognosis.
7.Construction of Human-derived Chondrocyte PIEZO2 Overexpressing Cell Line and Identification of Osteoarthritis Phenotype
Bo-Yang XU ; Yi-Fei FAN ; Yu-Qing DU ; Meng-Ze SUN ; Jun-Yan WANG ; Jin CHENG ; Ying-Fang AO ; Xiao-Qing HU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):871-878
To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the mechanosensitive ion channel PI-EZO2 in osteoarthritis(OA),we developed a lentiviral vector for endogenous PIEZO2 overexpression and established a stable PIEZO2-high-expressing immortalized human primary chondrocyte line.By map-ping the open reading frame of the PIEZO2 locus and designing sequence-specific sgRNA,we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 synergistic activation mediator(SAM)system to precisely integrate transcriptional ac-tivation elements into the PIEZO2 promoter region.Lentiviral-mediated targeted genomic integration en-sured endogenous PIEZO2 overexpression,confirmed by mCherry fluorescence tracing coupled with flow cytometric sorting,which revealed membrane-specific localization of PIEZO2 protein(localization effi-ciency:78.49%).Quantitative PCR demonstrated a 17-fold upregulation of PIEZO2 mRNA,while Western blotting validated enhanced membrane-localized protein expression.Strikingly,PIEZO2-overex-pressing chondrocytes exhibited hallmark OA metabolic phenotypes compared to wild-type controls:typeⅡ collagen mRNA expression decreased to 50%of baseline levels,whereas matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13)mRNA surged by 20-fold.These alterations recapitulated the pathological matrix metabolic phenotype observed in biomechanical OA models induced by cyclic mechanical stress(10%strain,0.5 Hz,8 h/day for 2 consecutive days).Collectively,we successfully generated a human chondrocyte model with stable PIEZO2 overexpression,which faithfully mirrors mechanotransduction-driven OA progression.This engineered cellular system provides a robust platform for dissecting PIEZO2-mediated mechanosig-naling networks and advancing targeted therapeutic discovery.
8.Drug delivery systems based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the management of hepatic diseases.
Boyan LIU ; Wenshi LIU ; Miao XU ; Tongyi ZHAO ; Bingxin ZHOU ; Ruilin ZHOU ; Ze ZHU ; Xuchun CHEN ; Zhiye BAO ; Keke WANG ; Heran LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):809-833
The liver performs multiple life-sustaining functions. Hepatic diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma, pose significant health and economic burdens globally. Along with the advances in nanotechnology, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibiting diversiform size and shape, distinct morphological properties, and favorable physico-chemical features have become an ideal choice for drug delivery systems and inspire alternative thinking for the management of hepatic diseases. Initially, we introduce the physiological structure of the liver and highlight its intrinsic cell types and correlative functions. Next, we detail the synthesis methods and physicochemical properties of MSNs and their capacity for controlled drug loading and release. Particularly, we discuss the interactions between liver and MSNs with respect to the passive targeting mechanisms of MSNs within the liver by adjusting their particle size, pore diameter, surface charge, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, and surface functionalization. Subsequently, we emphasize the role of MSNs in regulating liver pathophysiology, exploring their value in addressing liver pathological states, such as tumors and inflammation, combined with multi-functional designs and intelligent modes to enhance drug targeting and minimize side effects. Lastly, we put forward the problems, challenges, opportunities, as well as clinical translational issues faced by MSNs in the management of liver diseases.
9.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Jiang-Ming ZHANG ; Ze-Qian WANG ; Cun-Lian XU ; Pai DENG ; Yang WU ; Min-Jun QI ; Lu-Mei MA ; Wei-Qing YAO ; Dong LIU ; Dong-Mei LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):935-942
Objective To explore the risk factors for 28-day mortality of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)patients and to develop a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted,involving 184 patients with SA-AKI admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA between January 2017 and December 2022.Patients were categorized into survival(n=135)and non-survival(n=49)groups based on 28-day mortality.Clinical data were collected,and statistically significant risk factors were preliminarily screened.Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of SA-AKI patients.A nomogram predictive model was constructed using these factors,and internally validated with the Bootstrap method.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated to verify the predictive value and accuracy of the model.Results The 28-day mortality rate among 184 SA-AKI patients was 26.6%(49/184).Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)(OR=16.393,95%CI 4.317-62.254,P<0.001),high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(OR=1.097,95%CI 1.036-1.161,P=0.002),low oxygenation index(OR=0.992,95%CI 0.986-0.998,P=0.015),low neutrophil count(OR=0.912,95%CI 0.860-0.968,P=0.002)and low fibrinogen concentration(OR=0.733,95%CI 0.549-0.978,P=0.034)as independent risk factors.The prediction model equation was P=1/1+e-logit(P),logit(P)=-1.626+2.797×MODS+0.092×AP ACHE Ⅱ+(-0.311)×fibrinogen+(-0.092)×neutrophil count+(-0.008)×oxygenation index.Internal validation with 1000 Bootstrap resamples showed high consistency between predicted and actual values.ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.911(95%CI 0.868-0.955,P<0.05)for the model,with 93.9%sensitivity and 78.5%specificity at a cut-off of 0.194.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed good calibration(P=0.62),and decision-making curve analysis demonstrated clinical utility within the high-risk threshold range(0.1-0.9).Conclusions MODS,high APACHE Ⅱ score,low oxygenation index,low neutrophil count,and low fibrinogen concentration are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.The developed nomogram risk prediction model may provide important guidance for predicting 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.
10.Effect of different layers of masseter on the bony structure of facial lateral area
Yu-Qi ZHAO ; Jin-Rui JIANG ; Jin-Ran CHEN ; Ze-Chuan WANG ; Hou-En ZHOU ; Wen-Di XU ; Liu-Jun YONG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):208-213
Objective To observe the morphology of the superficial,middle,and deep layers of the masseter muscle and related bony structures in the lateral facial region of adults through gross anatomy,and to probe into the effects of these muscle layers on the bony structures of the lateral facial region.Methods The bilateral masseter muscles of 12 adult cadavers were exposed,and the superficial,middle,and deep layers were separated and measured for muscle length,tendon length,and muscle belly length.After the masseter muscles were stripped,the total thickness was measured,and the mandible and zygomatic arch were exposed to measure the angle of the mandibular angle,thickness of the zygomatic arch,and width of the zygomatic arch.Observations were made of the masseter tuberosities,and statistical analysis was conducted on their interrelations.Results The zygomatic arch thickness was positively correlated with the length of superficial,middle and deep masseter muscles and the length of superficial and middle masseter belly(r superficial masseter length=0.624,r middle masseter length=0.787,r deep masseter length=0.423,r superficial masseter belly length=0.493,r middle masseter belly length=0.548).The width of the zygomatic arch was positively correlated with the lengths of the superficial and middle muscle layers and the middle muscle belly length(r superficial masseter length=0.527,r middle masseter length=0.521,r middle masseterbelly length=0.437).The angle of the mandibular angle was only negatively correlated with the middle muscle belly length(r=-0.422).The tuberosities of the superficial and middle masseter muscles were not affected by the corresponding muscle layers;However,the tuberosity of the deep masseter was negatively correlated with the length of the deep muscle and the length of the deep tendon(r deep masseter length=-0.543,r deep masseter tendon length=-0.443).Conclusion In the masseter muscle layers of Chinese individuals,the superficial and middle layers have the most significant impact on the bony structures structures of the lateral facial region.These findings are of guiding significance for the remodeling of structures in the lateral facial region.

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