1.Allogeneic lung transplantation in miniature pigs and postoperative monitoring
Yaobo ZHAO ; Ullah SALMAN ; Kaiyan BAO ; Hua KUI ; Taiyun WEI ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiaoting TAO ; Xinzhong NING ; Yong LIU ; Guimei ZHANG ; He XIAO ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Chang YANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Kaixiang XU ; Kun QIAO ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):95-105
Objective To explore the feasibility and reference value of allogeneic lung transplantation and postoperative monitoring in miniature pigs for lung transplantation research. Methods Two miniature pigs (R1 and R2) underwent left lung allogeneic transplantation. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity tests and blood cross-matching were performed before surgery. The main operative times and partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) after opening the pulmonary artery were recorded during surgery. Postoperatively, routine blood tests, biochemical blood indicators and inflammatory factors were detected, and pathological examinations of multiple organs were conducted. Results The complement-dependent cytotoxicity test showed that the survival rate of lymphocytes between donors and recipients was 42.5%-47.3%, and no agglutination reaction occurred in the cross-matching. The first warm ischemia times of D1 and D2 were 17 min and 10 min, respectively, and the cold ischemia times were 246 min and 216 min, respectively. Ultimately, R1 and R2 survived for 1.5 h and 104 h, respectively. Postoperatively, in R1, albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) decreased, and alanine aminotransferase increased; in R2, ALB, GLB and aspartate aminotransferase all increased. Urea nitrogen and serum creatinine increased in both recipients. Pathological results showed that in R1, the transplanted lung had partial consolidation with inflammatory cell infiltration, and multiple organs were congested and damaged. In R2, the transplanted lung had severe necrosis with fibrosis, and multiple organs had mild to moderate damage. The expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 increased in the transplanted lungs. Conclusions The allogeneic lung transplantation model in miniature pigs may systematically evaluate immunological compatibility, intraoperative function and postoperative organ damage. The data obtained may provide technical references for subsequent lung transplantation research.
3.Metabolic dysfunction in patients following DAA-induced viral cure for HCV infection: A non-negligible risk to liver-related health: Editorial on “Adverse impact of metabolic dysfunction on fibrosis regression following direct-acting antiviral therapy: A multicenter study for chronic hepatitis C”
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):658-661
5.Metabolic dysfunction in patients following DAA-induced viral cure for HCV infection: A non-negligible risk to liver-related health: Editorial on “Adverse impact of metabolic dysfunction on fibrosis regression following direct-acting antiviral therapy: A multicenter study for chronic hepatitis C”
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):658-661
6.Screening and analysis of key genes in alkali burn-induced corneal injury in rabbits:based on transcriptomic and bioinformatic technologies
Jialin LIU ; Xinrong ZHAO ; Dongmei CHEN ; Yun HUA ; Siyao ZHANG ; Yan CHANG ; Lu QI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(10):769-775
Objective To screen and analyze key genes in rabbit corneal alkali burns based on transcriptomics se-quencing technology and bioinformatics techniques.Methods Thirty healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly di-vided into 2 groups(n=15 per group):The control group received no intervention,while the alkali burn group underwent corneal alkali burn modeling.Histological evaluation of corneal tissues was performed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)stai-ning.Transcriptome sequencing was conducted for library construction and sequencing.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified using DESeq2,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Ency-clopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed to screen hub genes,and RT-PCR was employed to validate mRNA expression levels of key genes.Results HE staining revealed orderly arranged corneal stromal layers and scattered stromal cells in the control group,whereas the alkali burn group exhibited stromal edema,thickened collagen fibers with loose/disorganized alignment,and increased fibroblast and inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared to the control group,1 827 significant DEGs were identified in the alkali burn group,including 1 495 upregulated and 332 downregulated genes.GO analysis showed biological processes such as immune response,plasma membrane,and identical protein binding.KEGG analysis indicated that DEGs were enriched in pathways related to cancer,lipid and atherosclerosis,and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction.The PPI network screened 11 key genes:neutrophil cytosolic factor 1(NCF1),neutrophil cytosolic factor 2(NCF2),matrix metallopeptidase 2(MMP2),ma-trix metallopeptidase 9(MMP9),interleukin-1α(IL-1α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(CXCL8),cluster of differentiation 4(CD4),C-C motif ligand 2(CCL2)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF).RT-PCR valida-tion revealed that the mRNA expression levels of key genes in the corneal tissues of the alkali burn group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05),consistent with the transcriptomic sequencing results.Conclusion Based on the rabbit corneal alkali burn model,this study identified 11 key genes(NCF1,NCF2,MMP2,MMP9,IL-1α,IL-1β,IL-6,CXCL8,CD4,CCL2 and TNF)through transcriptomics and bioinformatics analysis.
7.Studies on the Design and Activity of Anticancer Peptides Based on the Weak Acidic Microenvironment of Tumors
Yue-Qi NIE ; Miao JIANG ; Hui-Yan WU ; Chang-Hao DING ; Wei REN ; Jun-Yi CHANG ; Ke CHEN ; Shao-Long DU ; Peng ZHANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1380-1391
Lung cancer poses a serious threat to global public health security.Chemotherapy,as the main strategy for cancer treatment,faces challenges such as high toxicity and drug resistance.Anticancer peptides have the potential of being developed into new anticancer drugs due to their advantages of broad-spectrum anticancer activity,rapid action,and difficulty in generating drug resistance,but they also face shortcomings such as weak activity and strong toxic side effects.The weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors(pH 6.5-6.8)provides a good idea for the design of anticancer peptides of high-efficiency and low-toxicity.Previously,we designed the acid-sensitive antibacterial peptide pHly-1 using the wolf spider(Lycosa singoriensis)toxin Lycosin-Ⅰ as a template.In this study,we found that pHly-1 also had acid-sensitive anticancer activity.Further alanine scanning analysis of pHly-1 was carried out,and we ob-tained a mutant pHTP-2 with better acid sensitivity,whose IC50(half maximal inhibitory concentration)against A549 cells was 15.68 μmol/L at pH 6.6 and was greater than 100 μmol/L at pH 7.4.At pH 6.6,pHTP-2 could act on various lung cancer cell lines and induce the death of A549 cells by rapid ly-sis;at pH 7.4,500 μmol/L pHTP-2 had weak toxicity to red blood cells(the hemolysis rate was ap-proximately 38%)and primary myocardial cells(the inhibition rate was 49.7%,with P<0.05).Analy-sis of its charge,particle size,morphology,and secondary structure showed that at pH 6.6,the histidine in the sequence of pHTP-2 was protonated,increasing the positive charge(P<0.01),decreasing the hy-drated particle size(P<0.05)and forming an α-helical structure to induce membrane lysis of A549 cells.At pH 7.4,it was deprotonated,the positive charge decreases,a β-sheet structure was formed and self-aggregation occurred,limiting its effect on the A549 cell membrane and showing weak activity.In summary,pHTP-2 could respond to the weakly acidic microenvironment of tumors to exert selective cyto-toxic activity,effectively overcoming the shortcomings of anticancer peptides such as low efficiency and high toxicity.Our findings suggest that it is a high-quality lead molecule for anticancer drugs.
8.Effects of target-oriented liquid therapy on the treatment outcomes of skin grafting in patients with severe burns
Zheng CHANG ; Xiaoguo LIU ; Wenbo LU ; Weibin MA ; Canjin QIU ; Hua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2025;32(11):1634-1639
Objective:To investigate the effects of target-oriented liquid therapy on the treatment outcomes of skin grafting in patients with severe burns.Methods:A total of 60 patients with severe burns (total burn area over 20%, and deep second-degree burn area ≥ 10%) who were scheduled for skin graft surgery at the Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from January 2019 to January 2022 were included in this cohort study. The patients were randomly divided into a control group (conventional fluid therapy) and an observation group (target-oriented fluid therapy) using a random number table method, with 30 patients in each group.The levels of lactate (Lac) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were compared between the two groups. The usage of colloid and crystalloid fluids, urine output, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results:At the end of the surgery, the levels of Lac and cTnI in the observation group were (1.13 ± 0.22) mmol/L and (0.95 ± 0.25) μg/L, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(1.52 ± 0.34) mmol/L, (1.10 ± 0.31) μg/L; t = 5.24, 0.83, P < 0.001, P = 0.044]. The differences in Lac and cTnI levels in the observation group were (0.53 ± 0.36) and (0.13 ± 0.07), respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the control group [(0.23 ± 0.16), (0.02 ± 0.01), t = -4.17 and -3.45, P < 0.001, P = 0.001]. The volumes of colloid and crystalloid fluids and the length of hospital stay in the observation group were (960.25 ± 153.32) mL, (1 680.52 ± 253.08) mL, and (51.36 ± 17.25) days, respectively. These values were significantly lower or shorter than those in the control group [(1 459.73 ± 203.41) mL, (2 401.89 ± 301.23) mL, (81.05 ± 25.08) days, t = 10.74, 10.04, 5.34,all P < 0.001]. The incidences of postoperative infection, pneumonia, and arrhythmia in the observation group were 33.33% (10/30), 16.67% (5/30), and 16.67% (5/30), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [63.33% (19/30), 46.67% (14/30), 30.00% (15/30); χ2 = 5.41, 6.24, 7.50, P = 0.020, P = 0.013, P = 0.006]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in acute lung injury, heart failure, and myocardial injury between the two groups ( χ2 = 1.36, 1.92, 0.29; P = 0.243, 0.166, 0.592). Conclusions:Compared with traditional fluid replacement therapy, target-oriented fluid therapy has a more significant therapeutic effect on patients with severe burns. It not only reduces fluid usage and the length of hospital stay but also decreases the incidence of infection, pneumonia, and arrhythmia in these patients.
9.Risk Factor and Risk Prediction Modeling of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors
Liang XIE ; Chang LIU ; Jianhua LI ; Jianhui LI ; Xin HAO ; Haiyang HUA
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):598-604
Objective To analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs) and construct a risk prediction model. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent electronic colonoscopy were collected. The clinical information on patients with and without RNETs were compared, and potential risk factors for RNETs were identified. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the relevant risk factors and construct a risk prediction model. Results Among 164 patients, 66 were diagnosed with RNETs, and 98 who did not have such a condition were randomly selected. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, fatty liver, anxiety and depression, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significant factors influencing the occurrence of RNETs (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age (P=0.015), anxiety and depression (P=0.031), cholesterol level (P=0.009), fatty liver (P=0.001), and CEA (P<0.001) as independent risk factors for RNETs. The participants were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio. The training set was used to construct a nomogram-based risk prediction model, and the testing set was used for internal validation. The area under the curve values for the training and testing sets were 0.843 and 0.772, respectively (P>0.05). These findings indicate a good discriminative performance. The calibration curves for the training and testing sets were in good agreement with the 45° standard line, which suggests that the predicted probabilities were consistent with the actual outcomes. Decision curve analysis showed that the model provided a high net benefit within a threshold range of 0.2 to 0.7 for clinical decision making. Conclusion Young age, fatty liver, high CEA levels, high cholesterol levels, and anxiety and depression are independent risk factors for RNETs. The nomogram model constructed based on these risk factors exhibits a strong capability to predict the occurrence of RNETs, and clinical intervention can be considered based on the predicted probability values.
10.The Near-infrared II Emission of Gold Clusters and Their Applications in Biomedicine
Zhen-Hua LI ; Hui-Zhen MA ; Hao WANG ; Chang-Long LIU ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2068-2086
Optical imaging is highly valued for its superior temporal and spatial resolution. This is particularly important in near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1 000-3 000 nm) imaging, which offers advantages such as reduced tissue absorption, minimal scattering, and low autofluorescence. These characteristics make NIR-II imaging especially suitable for deep tissue visualization, where high contrast and minimal background interference are critical for accurate diagnosis and monitoring. Currently, inorganic fluorescent probes—such as carbon nanotubes, rare earth nanoparticles, and quantum dots—offer high brightness and stability. However, they are hindered by ambiguous structures, larger sizes, and potential accumulation toxicity in vivo. In contrast, organic fluorescent probes, including small molecules and polymers, demonstrate higher biocompatibility but are limited by shorter emission wavelengths, lower quantum yields, and reduced stability. Recently, gold clusters have emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with potential applications in biocatalysis, fluorescence sensing, biological imaging, and more. Water-soluble gold clusters are particularly attractive as fluorescent probes due to their remarkable optical properties, including strong photoluminescence, large Stokes shifts, and excellent photostability. Furthermore, their outstanding biocompatibility—attributed to good aqueous stability, ultra-small hydrodynamic size, and high renal clearance efficiency—makes them especially suitable for biomedical applications. Gold clusters hold significant potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging. Atomic-precision gold clusters, typically composed of tens to hundreds of gold atoms and measuring only a few nanometers in diameter, possess well-defined three-dimensional structures and clear spatial coordination. This atomic-level precision enables fine-tuned structural regulation, further enhancing their fluorescence properties. Variations in cluster size, surface ligands, and alloying elements can result in distinct physicochemical characteristics. The incorporation of different atoms can modulate the atomic and electronic structures of gold clusters, while diverse ligands can influence surface polarity and steric hindrance. As such, strategies like alloying and ligand engineering are effective in enhancing both fluorescence and catalytic performance, thereby meeting a broader range of clinical needs. In recent years, gold clusters have attracted growing attention in the biomedical field. Their application in NIR-II imaging has led to significant progress in vascular, organ, and tumor imaging. The resulting high-resolution, high signal-to-noise imaging provides powerful tools for clinical diagnostics. Moreover, biologically active gold clusters can aid in drug delivery and disease diagnosis and treatment, offering new opportunities for clinical therapeutics. Despite the notable achievements in fundamental research and clinical translation, further studies are required to address challenges related to the standardized synthesis and complex metabolic behavior of gold clusters. Resolving these issues will help accelerate their clinical adoption and broaden their biomedical applications.

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