1.Cerebral endothelial 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase improves ischemia-induced cognitive impairment via interacting with protein phosphatase 2A.
Li ZHU ; Yi HUANG ; Jing JIN ; Rongjun ZOU ; Rui ZUO ; Yong LUO ; Ziqing SONG ; Linfeng DAI ; Minyi ZHANG ; Qiuhe CHEN ; Yunting WANG ; Wei WANG ; Rongrong HE ; Yang CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):314-330
The catalytic activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP) sulfurtransferase (MPST) converts 3MP to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing MPST and its impact on the brain remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals the neuroprotective role of endothelial MPST-generated H2S, regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing demonstrated that endothelial PP2A is associated with neurodegenerative disease pathways. Cerebral ischemic mice exhibited significant inactivation of endothelial PP2A, evidenced by the reduction of PP2Acα in the brain endothelium. Mice with endothelium-specific null PP2A (PP2AEC-cKO) exhibited neuronal loss, cognitive dysfunction, and long-term potentiation deficits. Postnatal inactivation of endothelial PP2A also contributes to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. However, regaining endothelial PP2A activity by overexpressing Ppp2ca rescued neuronal dysfunction. Mechanistically, PP2A deficiency is intricately linked to the MPST-H2S signaling pathway. A robust reduction in endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production followed PP2A deficiency. Exogenous H2S treatment and AAV-mediated overexpression of MPST in brain endothelial cells significantly mitigated neuronal dysfunction in PP2AEC-cKO mice. Furthermore, PP2A deficiency promotes an increase in calcium influx and calpain2 phosphorylation, subsequently leading to MPST degradation. The PP2A activator (FTY720) and MPST activator (3MP sodium) both remarkably restored endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production, subsequently rescuing ischemia-induced neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endothelial PP2A deficiency leads to MPST degradation by activating calpain2, thus damaging neuronal function.
2.Artificial intelligence in prostate cancer.
Wei LI ; Ruoyu HU ; Quan ZHANG ; Zhangsheng YU ; Longxin DENG ; Xinhao ZHU ; Yujia XIA ; Zijian SONG ; Alessia CIMADAMORE ; Fei CHEN ; Antonio LOPEZ-BELTRAN ; Rodolfo MONTIRONI ; Liang CHENG ; Rui CHEN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(15):1769-1782
Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as the second most prevalent malignancy among men worldwide. Early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prognosis prediction of PCa play a crucial role in improving patients' survival rates. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the utilization of deep learning (DL) algorithms, has brought about substantial progress in assisting the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction of PCa. The introduction of the foundation model has revolutionized the application of AI in medical treatment and facilitated its integration into clinical practice. This review emphasizes the clinical application of AI in PCa by discussing recent advancements from both pathological and imaging perspectives. Furthermore, it explores the current challenges faced by AI in clinical applications while also considering future developments, aiming to provide a valuable point of reference for the integration of AI and clinical applications.
Humans
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Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis*
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Male
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Artificial Intelligence
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Deep Learning
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Prognosis
3.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.
4.Measurement method and current application of medication adherence in patients with chronic respiratory diseases
Rui MA ; Zhouye ZHUANG ; Haomin ZHU ; Pei ZHANG ; Pingyu CHEN ; Tiantian TAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2073-2077
Medication adherence is an important indicator for assessing whether patients follow medical advice during treatment, and its level directly affects disease control and the quality of life of patients. Therefore, accurate and effective assessment is essential for chronic disease management and intervention. This paper takes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, two types of chronic respiratory diseases, as representative to review the existing measurement methods and current application status of medication adherence. It is found that the existing assessment methods for medication adherence can be categorized into objective measurement methods and subjective measurement methods. Objective measures include drug concentration monitoring, pill counting, and electronic medication devices, which generally offer high accuracy. Subjective measures include physician assessments, inhalation technique evaluations, and questionnaires. While these methods are straightforward and easy to implement, their accuracy is often influenced by the subjective factors of assessors of patients, which may lead to biased results. Currently, there is still a lack of a universally accepted “gold standard” for evaluating medication adherence. Selecting the appropriate measurement method requires a comprehensive consideration of factors such as research objectives, disease type, patient characteristics, and data availability to ensure the validity and reliability of the assessment results.
5.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
6.Characteristics and management experience of pregnancy after bariatric surgery: analysis of four cases
Yanyan FENG ; Yunshan ZHU ; Rui CHEN ; Xiaoqian WANG ; Zhenyu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(2):150-154
Objective:To summarize the characteristics and management experience of pregnancy after bariatric surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on four pregnant patients who had undergone pre-pregnant bariatric surgery and delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, from January 2021 to December 2023. The analysis included the type of bariatric surgery, the interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and neonatal birth conditions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used.Results:Among the four patients, two were primiparas and two were multiparas. All patients were obese (body mass index≥27.5 kg/m2) before undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Before the current pregnancy, three patients had a normal body mass index, while one patient remained obese (body mass index 30.5 kg/m2). The interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy exceeded one year for three patients (14, 14, and 60 months, respectively), while one patient became pregnant 10 months after surgery. Three patients developed normocytic anemia in early pregnancy, with the lowest hemoglobin levels of 101 to 106 g/L. After nutritional guidance and medication, hemoglobin levels returned to normal before delivery. One patient experienced a threatened late miscarriage at 26 weeks of gestation, which was successfully managed with tocolytic therapy. One patient was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 27 weeks of gestation and achieved satisfactory blood glucose control through dietary and exercise guidance. Oral glucose tolerance tests for all four patients showed low fasting blood glucose levels (3.8-4.5 mmol/L) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels (3.5-6.1 mmol/L). All four patients delivered at term, with no cases of small for gestational age infants.Conclusions:Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is prone to maternal nutrient deficiencies and blood glucose fluctuations. Multidisciplinary collaborative management and individualized nutritional guidance are recommended to reduce the risk of related complications.
7.Associations of age and nail-tract bone density with postoperative stability in proximal femoral nail anti-rotation-Ⅱ fixation for geriatric intertrochanteric fractures: a finite-element analysis
Yufeng GE ; Chen YI ; Dongchen YAO ; Yu LI ; Rui ZHANG ; Ling WANG ; Yong XUN ; Minghui YANG ; Shiwen ZHU ; Xinbao WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(9):806-812
Objective:To investigate how age and nail-tract volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) are associated with postoperative mechanical performance of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA-Ⅱ) fixation for geriatric intertrochanteric fractures using a finite-element analysis.Methods:Fifteen elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of the femur were selected for this study. They were 11 females and 4 males and divided into 5 groups based on their ages ( n=3): 55-year-old, 65-year-old, 75-year-old, 85-year-old, and 95-year-old groups. After three-dimensional models of the proximal femur were constructed using the preoperative CT data of their healthy contralateral hip, 31-A1.2 fractures of the AO/OTA type were created and PFNA-Ⅱ fixations simulated. Two loading schemes were created: graded quasi-static axial loads (700 N, 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N) were applied to compute equivalent plastic strain volumes in the femoral head region; displacement-controlled loading was applied to failure to derive load-displacement curves for stiffness and the maximum failure load. Nail-tract vBMD and regional hip vBMDs were measured by quantitative CT. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the associations of age and nail-tract vBMD with the aforementioned mechanical indicators. Results:Under the same load, compared with the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, the plastic strain unit volumes of the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups increased significantly. Under a load of 700 N, no plastic strain was observed in the fracture models in the 55-year-old, 65-year-old, and 75-year-old groups, while an average plastic strain of approximately 50 mm 3 was observed in the fracture models in the 85-year-old group. Under a load of 2,800 N, the high strain areas in the fracture models in the 85-year-old and 95-year-old groups were mainly concentrated at the tip of the head nail and the junction between the head nail and the main nail. Load-displacement curves showed a marked reduction in the failure load in patients aged ≥85 years. Under loads of 1,400 N, 2,100 N, and 2,800 N, there was a strong association between the nail-tract vBMD and the volume of the plastic strain unit ( r=-0.82, -0.88, -0.89, respectively), which was stronger than those for total-hip vBMD. Conclusions:Finite-element analysis indicates that age and nail-tract vBMD are closely related to local plastic strain and overall stiffness of the proximal femur after PFNA-Ⅱ fixation for the geriatric intertrochanteric fractures. Patients aged ≥85 years old are more prone to plastic yielding, which compromises fixation stability.
8.Research progress of WD repeat and FYVE domain-containing protein 1(WDFY1)
Xiaoqing ZHU ; Siqi LI ; Cheng TIAN ; Rui HE ; Lei FEI ; Yongwen CHEN ; Xiaoyong HUANG
Immunological Journal 2025;41(4):279-284
WDFY1 is a member of the protein family containing the WD repeat and FYVE structural domains,acting as a junction that assists the recruitment of downstream molecules by Toll-like receptor 3/4(TLR3/TLR4)and promotes the body's natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial immune response.In recent years,the role of WDFY1 has been successively reported in various disease models,such as neurological diseases,autophagy and tumors.This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of WDFY1 research,encompassing its expression distribution,cell biological function and its role in disease development,and take a prospect on the potential of WDFY1 as a target in rheumatoid arthritis.
9.Latent profiles and influencing factors of knowledge,attitude and practice of ideology,politics in nursing undergraduate courses
Jing CHEN ; Yanxin XU ; Rui LI ; Xuan REN ; Shuyi ZHU ; Jiawen HUO ; Aoxiang LUO
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):16-23
Objective To investigate the types of latent profiles and influencing factors of knowledge,attitudes and practice(KAP)in curriculum-based ideological and political education in undergraduate nursing students and to provide evidence for design of ideological and political courses tailored to different types of nursing undergraduates.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 671 undergraduate nursing students from our school between March and July 2024.Data were collected using a general data survey form,a KAP questionnaire on nursing curriculum-based ideological and political education,a professional identity survey for nursing undergraduates,and the Jefferson empathy scale nursing student edition(JSPE-NS).Latent profile analysis(LPA)was conducted using 22 items of the KAP questionnaire as observed variables,and a logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influencing factors of different KAP latent profiles in ideological and political education.Results A total of 663 nursing undergraduate students completed the survey.They spread in three latent groups:a mediocre group(172/663,25.9%),a competent group(378/663,57.0%),and an exceptional group(113/663,17.1%).From a single-child family,grade point average(GPA),professional identity and empathy were identified as the factors that influenced KAP latent profiles in curriculum based ideological and political education among the undergraduate nursing students(all P<0.05).Conclusion There exists a heterogeneity in KAP in curriculum based ideological and political education among the undergraduate nursing students.Nursing educators should develop targeted enhancement measures according to the characteristics of latent profile groups therefore to facilitate the comprehensive development of the undergraduate nursing students.
10.Exon Sequencing of HNF1β in Chinese Patients with Early-Onset Diabetes
Siqian GONG ; Hong LIAN ; Yating LI ; Xiaoling CAI ; Wei LIU ; Yingying LUO ; Meng LI ; Si-min ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Lingli ZHOU ; Yu ZHU ; Qian REN ; Xiuying ZHANG ; Jing CHEN ; Jing WU ; Xianghai ZHOU ; Xirui WANG ; Xueyao HAN ; Linong JI
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):321-330
Background:
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) due to variants of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) (MODY5) has not been well studied in the Chinese population. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence and evaluate the application of a clinical screening method (Faguer score) in Chinese early-onset diabetes (EOD) patients.
Methods:
Among 679 EOD patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age at diagnosis ≤40 years), the exons of HNF1β were sequenced. Functional impact of rare variants was evaluated using a dual-luciferase reporter system. Faguer scores ≥8 prompted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for large deletions. Pathogenicity of HNF1β variants was assessed following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines.
Results:
Two rare HNF1β missense mutations (E105K and G454R) were identified by sequencing in five patients, showing functional impact in vitro. Another patient was found to have a whole-gene deletion by MLPA in 22 patients with the Faguer score above 8. Following ACMG guidelines, six patients carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant were diagnosed with MODY5. The estimated prevalence of MODY5 in Chinese EOD patients was approximately 0.9% or higher.
Conclusion
MODY5 is not uncommon in China. The Faguer score is helpful in deciding whether to perform MLPA analysis on patients with negative sequencing results.

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