1.Reactive and Enzyme-activated Probe Strategies for Imaging Acute Kidney Injury
Ru-Long CHEN ; Ting-Fei XIE ; Jin-Xin ZHANG ; Jia-Ting CHEN ; Jie LI ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Ji-Hong CHEN ; Lin-Tao CAI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1622-1637
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent and life-threatening clinical syndrome characterised by a rapid decline in renal function and diverse pathological etiologies. The condition has been demonstrated to be associated with elevated mortality rates and an increased risk of progression to chronic kidney disease. At present, clinicians depend heavily on conventional functional markers, such as serum creatinine and urine output, for the diagnosis and staging of the disease. It is evident that these conventional indicators characteristically manifest a considerable temporal delay and only undergo modification subsequent to considerable tissue damage. This severely restricts the timeframe for early detection and timely therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, standard markers fail to provide specific biological information regarding the underlying cellular injury mechanisms. The utilisation of advanced probe technologies in molecular imaging offers a robust alternative to overcome these inherent diagnostic limitations.This comprehensive review systematically evaluates recent progress in the design and application of two primary categories of molecular imaging tools for acute kidney disease, specifically reactive probes and enzyme-activated probes. Reactive probes are engineered to specifically interact with redox-active chemical species, including hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, hypochlorous acid, and sulfur dioxide. Because oxidative stress constitutes a primary early event in acute renal tubular damage, these probes enable researchers and clinicians to visualize early cellular injury and radical accumulation well before global renal functional decline becomes evident. We discuss the application of these reactive probes across multiple imaging modalities including fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and photoacoustic techniques. Photoacoustic imaging combines high spatial resolution with deep tissue penetration and has successfully demonstrated the ability to provide diagnostic alerts up to 12 h before any detectable rise in serum creatinine levels. Additionally, specific reactive probes have shown promising translational potential when tested by high-throughput screening in clinical human urine samples. Enzyme-activated probes target the specific catalytic activity of disease-relevant enzymes. These include well-documented renal tubular structural biomarkers such as NAG, GGT, and ALP, along with apoptosis-related caspases and specific nitroreductases. By responding only to enzymatic cleavage, these tools provide highly specific and pathology-directed imaging readouts. Recent structural design strategies in this field have advanced significantly beyond single-enzyme detection. Researchers are now focusing on sophisticated dual-target recognition to minimize background noise, multimodal integration to cross-validate imaging signals, and theranostic applications where probes simultaneously deliver diagnostic feedback and therapeutic agents to injured tissues. Nanotechnology serves as a fundamental enabler for realizing these advanced probe functions. By precisely optimizing nanoparticle parameters such as hydrodynamic size, surface charge, and targeting ligands, researchers can achieve amplified signal output, highly precise kidney delivery, and protection against premature degradation in the systemic circulation. For example, modifying surface charges can significantly enhance the active uptake of nanoprobes by damaged renal tubular epithelial cells.While preclinical probe development has progressed rapidly, moving these technologies into routine clinical practice remains a major challenge. We analyze the translational feasibility and current obstacles from biological, technological, and regulatory perspectives. Although biological targets such as KIM-1, FAP, and ALP have been validated in extensive patient cohorts, practical barriers severely limit their immediate clinical application. These obstacles involve complex changes in in vivo pharmacokinetics. During an acute injury episode, the extreme drop in the glomerular filtration rate alters probe clearance and can cause unwanted systemic accumulation or confusing background imaging signals. Other major hurdles include a lack of comprehensive long-term toxicity data and the absence of standardized manufacturing protocols to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Future successful translation will require rigorous multi-center clinical studies to confirm the true diagnostic value of these probes over traditional markers. Researchers must also establish strict standardization of imaging procedures and comprehensive safety evaluations. Ultimately, this review provides a thorough reference framework for designing clinically translatable molecular probes and building a precision diagnostic imaging system for acute kidney injury.
2.The Prognostic Value of Tumor-infiltrating NK cells in Patients with Endometri-al Cancer Subtype of No Specific Molecular Profile
Liping ZHANG ; Chengbin XIE ; Xueping LIN ; Di CAI ; Ting DING ; Hongying YI ; Qiaoying ZHU
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(7):598-604
Objective:To identify tumor-infiltrating immune cells that affect the prognosis of endometrial cancer(EC)with no specific molecular profile(NSMP)subtypeand to establish an integrated prognostic model based on immune cells.Methods:Gene expression data,whole exome sequencing data,and corresponding clinical infor-mation for EC patients were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.The CIBERSORTx algorithm was used to evaluate the infiltration levels of 22 types of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,along with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identi-fy immune cells with prognostic values.A prognostic nomogram was subsequently developed based on significant immune cells and clinicopathological parameters.Results:A total of 169 EC patients classified as NSMP subtype-swere included in this study.Among them 123 patients(72.8%)were aged<70 years,and 152 patients(89.9%)had type Ⅰ tumors.Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the proportion of plasma cells(P<0.001),M1 macrophages(P=0.038)and activated NK cells(P=0.01)were significantly associated with overall survival.Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the proportion of activated NK cells(proportion ≥0.027:HR 0.23,95%CI 0.08-0.66,P=0.006),age(≥70 years:HR4.59,95%CI 1.80-11.70,P=0.001)and tumor stage(stage Ⅱ:HR3.87,95%CI 1.18-12.70,P=0.026;stage Ⅲ:HR 6.08,95%CI 1.69-21.87,P=0.006;Ⅳ stage:HR 10.81,95%CI 3.07-38.08,P<0.001)are independent prognostic indicators for NSMP tumors.A nomogram model was estab-lished by combining activation of NK cells,tumor stage and patient age.Internal cross-validation showed that the integrated prognostic model exhibited good predictive ability for the overall survival rates of patients(P<0.001).Conclusions:Elevated tumor-infiltrating activated NK cells serve as an independent prognostic indicator for NSMP-subtype EC patients.When integrated with tumor stage and age,they form a robust multivariable prognos-tic model with superior predictive power.
3.Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on the real experience of prehabilitation among cancer patients
Lina CAI ; Xinbo WANG ; Yehua XIE ; Yaoyao CAI ; Ting SUN ; Hengyu ZHENG ; Xianghong YE
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(18):2395-2403
Objective:To systematically synthesize the real experiences of cancer patients undergoing prehabilitation and provide a reference for the development of targeted prehabilitation programs.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases for qualitative studies on the prehabilitation experiences of cancer patients. The quality of the included studies was appraised, and the findings were integrated using a Meta-aggregative approach. The search covered publications up to June 30, 2024.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, yielding 76 themes. These were synthesized into 12 categories and further integrated into four integration results: heavy physical and psychological burden with low adherence to programs; positive cognition supported by multiple factors leads to high adherence under appropriate interventions; unmet practical needs require urgent attention; physical and psychological benefits are sustained and influential.Conclusions:Multiple factors affect patients' adherence to prehabilitation, and unmet needs are common. Future research should aim to identify barriers and meet patients' needs.
4.Meta-synthesis of qualitative studies on the real experience of prehabilitation among cancer patients
Lina CAI ; Xinbo WANG ; Yehua XIE ; Yaoyao CAI ; Ting SUN ; Hengyu ZHENG ; Xianghong YE
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(18):2395-2403
Objective:To systematically synthesize the real experiences of cancer patients undergoing prehabilitation and provide a reference for the development of targeted prehabilitation programs.Methods:A systematic search was conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP, China Biology Medicine disc, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases for qualitative studies on the prehabilitation experiences of cancer patients. The quality of the included studies was appraised, and the findings were integrated using a Meta-aggregative approach. The search covered publications up to June 30, 2024.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, yielding 76 themes. These were synthesized into 12 categories and further integrated into four integration results: heavy physical and psychological burden with low adherence to programs; positive cognition supported by multiple factors leads to high adherence under appropriate interventions; unmet practical needs require urgent attention; physical and psychological benefits are sustained and influential.Conclusions:Multiple factors affect patients' adherence to prehabilitation, and unmet needs are common. Future research should aim to identify barriers and meet patients' needs.
5.The Prognostic Value of Tumor-infiltrating NK cells in Patients with Endometri-al Cancer Subtype of No Specific Molecular Profile
Liping ZHANG ; Chengbin XIE ; Xueping LIN ; Di CAI ; Ting DING ; Hongying YI ; Qiaoying ZHU
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(7):598-604
Objective:To identify tumor-infiltrating immune cells that affect the prognosis of endometrial cancer(EC)with no specific molecular profile(NSMP)subtypeand to establish an integrated prognostic model based on immune cells.Methods:Gene expression data,whole exome sequencing data,and corresponding clinical infor-mation for EC patients were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.The CIBERSORTx algorithm was used to evaluate the infiltration levels of 22 types of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,along with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identi-fy immune cells with prognostic values.A prognostic nomogram was subsequently developed based on significant immune cells and clinicopathological parameters.Results:A total of 169 EC patients classified as NSMP subtype-swere included in this study.Among them 123 patients(72.8%)were aged<70 years,and 152 patients(89.9%)had type Ⅰ tumors.Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the proportion of plasma cells(P<0.001),M1 macrophages(P=0.038)and activated NK cells(P=0.01)were significantly associated with overall survival.Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the proportion of activated NK cells(proportion ≥0.027:HR 0.23,95%CI 0.08-0.66,P=0.006),age(≥70 years:HR4.59,95%CI 1.80-11.70,P=0.001)and tumor stage(stage Ⅱ:HR3.87,95%CI 1.18-12.70,P=0.026;stage Ⅲ:HR 6.08,95%CI 1.69-21.87,P=0.006;Ⅳ stage:HR 10.81,95%CI 3.07-38.08,P<0.001)are independent prognostic indicators for NSMP tumors.A nomogram model was estab-lished by combining activation of NK cells,tumor stage and patient age.Internal cross-validation showed that the integrated prognostic model exhibited good predictive ability for the overall survival rates of patients(P<0.001).Conclusions:Elevated tumor-infiltrating activated NK cells serve as an independent prognostic indicator for NSMP-subtype EC patients.When integrated with tumor stage and age,they form a robust multivariable prognos-tic model with superior predictive power.
6.Creation and Exploration of the"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"Disci-pline Construction Model for Forensic Medicine in the New Era
Zhi-Wen WEI ; Hong-Xing WANG ; Jun-Hong SUN ; Hao-Liang FAN ; Hong-Liang SU ; Le-Le WANG ; Wen-Ting HE ; Zhe CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-Jie GUO ; Ji LI ; Geng-Qian ZHANG ; Xin-Hua LIANG ; Jiang-Wei YAN ; Qiang-Qiang ZHANG ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Jun XIE ; Bo-Feng ZHU ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):25-29
Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.
7.Study on Reentry Strategy and Results of Blood Donors with Single Reagent Reactivity in Wuhan Area.
Ting-Ting XU ; Qin YU ; Song-Qing KE ; Yan CAI ; Song-Li XIE ; Jing XIONG ; Lei ZHAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(2):530-537
OBJECTIVE:
To study the results, re-donation situation and characteristics of single-reagent reactive blood donors who were put into the reentry strategy in Wuhan area, explore the rationality and effectiveness of the current reentry strategy, and provide data support for the improvement of the reentry process of blood donors.
METHODS:
From January 2020 to December 2023, blood donors who conform the reentry criteria and voluntarily applied for returning to Wuhan Blood Center were tested and the results were analyzed. According to the reentry strategy, serological testing and nucleic acid testing were carried out in parallel, serological testing was performed by ELISA with reagents from two different manufacturers, and the primary reactive samples were tested by double-well retest, and HBV/HCV/HIV nucleic acid detection was performed by RT-PCR with an individual donor test mode. Supplementary HBcAb testing was applied for HBV single reagent reactivity by chemiluminescence method. Supplementary TP-WB testing was applied for returning blood donors with repeated TP single reagent reactivity. If returning blood donors with HIV single reagent reactivity were repeated single reagent reactivity, the samples were sent to local CDC for confirmatory test.
RESULTS:
7 098 blood donors were qualified for reentry, 716 donors voluntarily applied for reentry, 436 donors successfully reentry, 251 donors entered the next round, 29 donors could not reentry. The reentry rates for the past four years were 66.67%(42/63), 54.73%(81/148), 60.71%(136/224) and 62.99%(177/281), respectively. Up to December 31, 2023, 275 donors donated blood again, and the donation rates for past four years were 76.19%(32/42), 72.84%(59/81), 61.76%(84/136) and 56.50%(100/177), respectively. After donating blood, 31 donors were disqualified again by blood screening and subjected to permanent deferral. The results of returning to the team had statistical differences in reentry items, educational level, age, and marriage(P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The current reentry strategy adopted by the blood donation and supply institution can effectively retain part of blood donors, reduce the negative emotions of blood donors and increase blood resources.
Humans
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Blood Donors
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China
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Hepatitis B
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Hepatitis C
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Male
8.RXRα modulates hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by targeting CaMKKβ-AMPKα axis.
Lijun CAI ; Meimei YIN ; Shuangzhou PENG ; Fen LIN ; Liangliang LAI ; Xindao ZHANG ; Lei XIE ; Chuanying WANG ; Huiying ZHOU ; Yunfeng ZHAN ; Gulimiran ALITONGBIEKE ; Baohuan LIAN ; Zhibin SU ; Tenghui LIU ; Yuqi ZHOU ; Zongxi LI ; Xiaohui CHEN ; Qi ZHAO ; Ting DENG ; Lulu CHEN ; Jingwei SU ; Luoyan SHENG ; Ying SU ; Ling-Juan ZHANG ; Fu-Quan JIANG ; Xiao-Kun ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3611-3631
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl4 and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.
9.Dynamic observation on capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells induced by Echinococcus multilocularis infection
Renjie ZHANG ; Jun XIE ; Fanna WEI ; Xiaojin MO ; Peng SONG ; Yuchun CAI ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Lin LIN ; Ting ZHANG ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(1):34-43
Objective To investigate the capillarization of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and its association with hepatic fibrosis during the development of alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the mechanisms underlying the role of LSEC in the development and prognosis of hepatic injuries and hepatic fibrosis caused by alveolar echinococcosis. Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into a control group and 1-, 2- and 4-week infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection groups was intraperitoneally injected with 2 000 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, while each mouse in the control group was given an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline using the same method. All mice were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks post-infection and mouse livers were collected. The pathological changes of livers were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and hepatic fibrosis was evaluated through semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining-positive areas. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition were examined using immunohistochemical staining of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), and the fenestrations on the surface of LSECs were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Primary LSECs were isolated from mouse livers, and the mRNA expression of LSEC marker genes Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf was quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results Destruction of local liver lobular structure was observed in mice 2 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis protoscoleces, and hydatid cysts, which were surrounded by granulomatous tissues, were found in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection. Semi-quantitative analysis of Masson’s trichrome staining showed a significant difference in the proportion of collagen fiber contents in mouse livers among the four groups (F = 26.060, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of collagen fiber contents was detected in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group [(11.29 ± 2.58)%] than in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining revealed activation of a few HSCs and ECM deposition in mouse livers 1 and 2 weeks post-infection, and abundant brown-yellow stained α-SMA and COL1A1 were deposited in the lesion areas in mouse livers 4 weeks post-infection, which spread to surrounding tissues. Semi-quantitative analysis revealed significant differences in α-SMA (F = 7.667, P < 0.05) and COL1A1 expression (F = 6.530, P < 0.05) in mouse levers among the four groups, with higher α-SMA [(7.13 ± 3.68)%] and COL1A1 expression [(13.18 ± 7.20)%] quantified in mouse livers in the 4-week infection group than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant differences in the fenestration frequency (F = 37.730, P < 0.001) and porosity (F = 16.010, P < 0.001) on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups, and reduced fenestration frequency and porosity were observed in the 1-[(1.22 ± 0.48)/μm2 and [(3.05 ± 0.91)%] and 2-week infection groups [(3.47 ± 0.10)/μm2 and (7.57 ± 0.23)%] groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the average fenestration diameter on the surface of mouse LSECs among the four groups (F = 15.330, P < 0.001), and larger average fenestration diameters were measured in the 1-[(180.80 ± 16.42) nm] and 2-week infection groups [(161.70 ± 3.85) nm] than in the control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, there were significant differences among the four groups in terms of Stabilin-1 (F = 153.100, P < 0.001), Stabilin-2 (F = 57.010, P < 0.001), Ehd3 (F = 31.700, P < 0.001), CD209b (F = 177.400, P < 0.001), GATA4 (F = 17.740, P < 0.001), and Maf mRNA expression (F = 72.710, P < 0.001), and reduced mRNA expression of Stabilin-1, Stabilin-2, Ehd3, CD209b, GATA4 and Maf genes was quantified in three infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions E. multilocularis infections may induce capillarization of LSECs in mice, and result in a reduction in the expression of functional and phenotypic marker genes of LSECs, and capillarization of LSECs occurs earlier than activation of HSC and development of hepatic fibrosis.
10.Research hotspot and visualization analysis of mobile medical application in monitoring cardiac function of patients with heart disease
Min GAO ; Shuhong WAN ; Chong CHENG ; Fengyuan LONG ; Li XIE ; Lingling CAI ; Ting GE
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(5):651-655
Objective:To analyze the research hotspots of the application of mobile health in cardiac function monitoring of patients with heart disease and to conduct a visual analysis.Method:Subject field retrieval was carried out based on Web of Science Core Collection. The retrieval time range was set from 2000 to 2022, and the type of paper was limited to treatise. The retrieved literatures were imported into Endnote 7 for screening, and the repetitive and unrelated literatures were excluded. A total of 291 literatures were included in this study. Open refine 2.8 was used for data cleaning of synonyms and then VOSviewer 1.6.18 was used for visualization analysis of country/region, author and keywords.Results:Research reports on the application of mobile medical in the field of cardiac function monitoring in patients with heart disease have been growing steadily since 2005, and the number of articles published in the field increased rapidly from 2020 to 2021. The top five countries with the highest number of publications were the United States (71) , Australia (20) , China (18) , the United Kingdom (14) and Sweden (13) . The cooperation and exchange among global researchers were relatively close, but they were still dominated by regional cooperation and had not formed a large core group of authors. A total of 71 high-frequency keywords were included, and the top five were mhealth (30 times) , heart failure (27 times) , smartphone (26 times) , telemedicine (15 times) and mobile phone (17 times) . Each cluster keyword was related to each other, which represented the current research hotspot content respectively.Conclusions:At present, number of publications in China ranks first in the world, but there is still a big gap compared with the United States. The development and optimization of monitoring equipment and mobile medical APP have become the focus and hot topics.

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