1.Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
Yong-Lang WANG ; Si-Si CHEN ; Qi-Long LI ; Yu GONG ; Xin-Yue DUAN ; Ye-Hui DUAN ; Qiu-Ping GUO ; Feng-Na LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):820-835
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
2.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
3.Influencing factors of bone nonunion after intramedullary needle operation for tibial fracture
Shao-Wei CHEN ; Wen-Bo LI ; Jie SHI ; Wei-Duo YANG ; Yu-Xiang ZHANG ; Fu-Hui WANG ; Qiu-Ming GAO
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(10):927-930
Intramedullary needle(IMN)has the advantages of high healing rate and low incidence of complications in treatment of tibial fracture,and has become one of the most commonly used fixation methods for the treatment of tibial fracture.However,due to the patient's own factors,fracture location and fracture type,infection and surgical treatment,bone nonunion after IMN still occurs in clinic.Bone nonunion leads to the increase of medical cost and prolonged the hospitalization time of patients,which causes great pain to patients,and also brings great challenges to the treatment of orthopedic surgeons.Therefore,this paper reviews the influencing factors of bone nonunion after IMN for tibial fracture,in order to provide reference for clinical treatment.
4.A randomized positive parallel-controlled clinical study of Dibai Yijing Formula for the treatment of male infertility with essence deficiency in the kidney and damp-heat type in the essence chamber
Shuang WU ; Chao-Qian CHEN ; Yun-Zhi LI ; Qiu-Jian FENG ; Hui LÜ ; Xiao-Jing AN ; Jun GUO
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(11):1019-1024
Objective:This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Dibai Yijing Formula(DYF)in the treat-ment of male infertility with essence deficiency in the kidney and damp-heat in the essence chamber(Abbreviation:kidney deficiency and damp-heat type).Methods:This study employed a randomized,controlled clinical trial design,recruiting 72 male patients with infertility due to kidney deficiency and damp-heat type.Patients were randomly assigned to an treatment group(36 patients)and a control group(36 patients)using a random number table.The control group received oral Clomiphene Citrate Capsules(50 mg,twice daily),while the treatment group received oral DYF(one dose daily,200 ml each time,30 minutes after breakfast and dinner).Both groups underwent a 12-week treatment period.After treatment,sperm concentration(SC),percentage of progressively motile sperms(PR),total sperm motility[PR+percentage of non-progressively motile sperms(NP)],and semen volume(SV)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Additionally,the total score of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score and sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and pregnancy outcomes of the patients'spouses were compared between the two groups.Results:Three patients dropped out from the treatment group and four from the control group.There were no statistically sig-nificant differences in semen parameters between the two groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the patients in the treatment group showed significant difference in the percentage of SC([19.42±5.30]x 106/ml vs[10.75±2.41]x 106/ml),PR([27.72±6.62]%vs[20.04±4.10]%),PR+NP([49.86±10.68]%vs(33.74±5.58)%],DFI([12.33±3.43]%vs[15.06±3.98]%)and TCM symtom score([7.45±1.82]vs[13.85±1.91]),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The patients in the control group showed significant difference in the percentage of SC([19.56±5.24]× 106/ml vs[11.31±2.08]× 106/ml)and TCM symptom score([12.81±1.86]vs[14.06±1.64]).But no significant changes were observed in the PR([21.75±5.93]%vs[20.05±4.67]%),PR+NP([34.23±7.15]%vs[32.35±4.09]%),SV([3.19±1.08]ml vs[3.12±1.13]ml),and DFI([15.11±4.76]%vs[15.51±4.35]%)were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Improve-ments in PR,PR+NP,TCM symptom score and DFI in the treatment group were better than those in the control group after treatment(P<0.05);the differences in SC and SV and spousal pregnancy in the treatment group were not statistically significant compared with those in the control group(P>0.05).No serious adverse events occurred in both groups during the treatment period.Conclusion:The treatment of male infertility with DYF is effective and safe.
5.Treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitor for newly-diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia: a domestic multi-centre retrospective real-world study
Xiaoshuai ZHANG ; Bingcheng LIU ; Xin DU ; Yanli ZHANG ; Na XU ; Xiaoli LIU ; Weiming LI ; Hai LIN ; Rong LIANG ; Chunyan CHEN ; Jian HUANG ; Yunfan YANG ; Huanling ZHU ; Ling PAN ; Xiaodong WANG ; Guohui LI ; Zhuogang LIU ; Yanqing ZHANG ; Zhenfang LIU ; Jianda HU ; Chunshui LIU ; Fei LI ; Wei YANG ; Li MENG ; Yanqiu HAN ; Li'e LIN ; Zhenyu ZHAO ; Chuanqing TU ; Caifeng ZHENG ; Yanliang BAI ; Zeping ZHOU ; Suning CHEN ; Huiying QIU ; Lijie YANG ; Xiuli SUN ; Hui SUN ; Li ZHOU ; Zelin LIU ; Danyu WANG ; Jianxin GUO ; Liping PANG ; Qingshu ZENG ; Xiaohui SUO ; Weihua ZHANG ; Yuanjun ZHENG ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(3):215-224
Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.
6.Analysis and summary of clinical characteristics of 289 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in Zhejiang Province
Gaixiang XU ; Weimei JIN ; Baodong YE ; Songfu JIANG ; Chao HU ; Xin HUANG ; Bingshou XIE ; Huifang JIANG ; Lili CHEN ; Rongxin YAO ; Ying LU ; Linjie LI ; Jin ZHANG ; Guifang OUYANG ; Yongwei HONG ; Hongwei KONG ; Zhejun QIU ; Wenji LUO ; Binbin CHU ; Huiqi ZHANG ; Hui ZENG ; Xiujie ZHOU ; Pengfei SHI ; Ying XU ; Jie JIN ; Hongyan TONG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(6):549-555
Objective:To further improve the understanding of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), we retrospectively analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, treatment status, and survival status of patients with PNH in Zhejiang Province.Methods:This study included 289 patients with PNH who visited 20 hospitals in Zhejiang Province. Their clinical characteristics, comorbidity, laboratory test results, and medications were analyzed and summarized.Results:Among the 289 patients with PNH, 148 males and 141 females, with a median onset age of 45 (16-87) years and a peak onset age of 20-49 years (57.8% ). The median lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level was 1 142 (604-1 925) U/L. Classified by type, 70.9% (166/234) were classical, 24.4% (57/234) were PNH/bone marrow failure (BMF), and 4.7% (11/234) were subclinical. The main clinical manifestations included fatigue or weakness (80.8%, 235/289), dizziness (73.4%, 212/289), darkened urine color (66.2%, 179/272), and jaundice (46.2%, 126/270). Common comorbidities were hemoglobinuria (58.7% ), renal dysfunction (17.6% ), and thrombosis (15.0% ). Moreover, 82.3% of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy, 70.9% required blood transfusion, 30.7% used immunosuppressive agents, 13.8% received anticoagulant therapy, and 6.3% received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 10-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.4% (95% CI 78.0% -91.3% ) . Conclusion:Patients with PNH are more common in young and middle-aged people, with a similar incidence rate between men and women. Common clinical manifestations include fatigue, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and recurrent thrombosis. The 10-year OS of this group is similar to reports from other centers in China.
7.Stress analysis of trabecular hip prosthesis stem implantation
Bo LI ; Li-Lan GAO ; Ya CHEN ; Shu-Hong LIU ; Ya-Hui HU ; Lin-Wei LYU ; Jin-Duo YE ; Chun-Qiu ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2024;45(3):29-35
Objective To analyze the stresses in implanted titanium solid and bone trabecular prosthesis hip replacements.Methods A femur model was built inversely based on Mimics software,and optimized using Geomagic software,and then materialized by SolidWorks software.The osteotomized femur was assembled with the metal femoral stem to form a model,and then the model was imported into ABAQUS for finite element calculation.The upper femur was divided into four regions in different states of integration:medial proximal point(small trochanter region),lateral proximal region(large trochanter region),proximal point of the femoral stem(region around the mid-portion of the styloid process)and distal region(around the end of the styloid process and distal portion).Calculations were carried out over the femoral stresses before and after implantation of titanium solid and trabecular prostheses under gait and stair-climbing loads and the interfacial stresses when the region was unintegrated.The type of deformation at the bone interface was analyzed by means of a stress ellipsoid.Results At the small trochanter region,the stress shielding rates of the trabecular prosthesis under gait and stair climbing loads were reduced by 20.5%and 14.7%compared to the titanium solid prosthesis,respectively.In case of different integration states of the titanium solid prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 10.842 MPa and 12.900 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 7.050 MPa and 6.805 MPa,respectively;in case of different integration states of the trabecular prosthesis,the interface tensile stresses under the gait and stair climbing loads were up to 3.858 MPa and 4.389 MPa,and the shear stresses reached 4.156 MPa and 3.854 MPa,respectively.Under the 2 different loads,the inboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened toward the sides and the bone interface showed tensile deformation;the outboard shear stress ellipsoid of the interface opened up and down and had compressive deformation.Conclusion After total hip arthroplasty,the overall performance of the trabecular prosthesis is better than that of the titanium solid prosthesis.The unintegrated edges of the prosthesis-bone interface are susceptible to stress concentrations and distortion which may result in occurrence of failures.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):29-35]
8.Impact of short-peptide exclusive enteral nutrition therapy on physical growth and nutritional status in children with Crohn's disease
Min YANG ; Run-Qiu WU ; Wen-Xin CHEN ; Xue QIAO ; Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(9):933-939
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of short-peptide exclusive enteral nutrition(EEN)therapy in inducing remission during active Crohn's disease(CD)in children,as well as changes in physical growth and nutritional indicators before and after treatment.Methods A prospective study included 43 children with active CD who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology,Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to January 2024.The participants were randomly divided into a medication treatment group(13 children)and a short-peptide+medication treatment group(30 children).The changes in the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index(PCDAI)scores,physical growth,and nutritional indicators before and after treatment were analyzed in both groups.Results The PCDAI scores in the short-peptide+medication treatment group were lower than those in the medication treatment group after treatment(P<0.05).The Z-scores for weight-for-age,body mass index,and albumin levels were higher in the short-peptide+medication treatment group compared to the medication treatment group(P<0.05).In the patients with moderate to severe CD,total protein levels in the short-peptide+medication treatment group were significantly higher than those in the medication treatment group(P<0.05).Conclusions Short-peptide EEN therapy can induce clinical remission in children with active CD and promote their physical growth while improving their nutritional status.
9.A multicenter retrospective cohort study on the attributable risk of patients with Acinetobacter baumannii sterile body fluid infection
Lei HE ; Dao-Bin JIANG ; Ding LIU ; Xiao-Fang ZHENG ; He-Yu QIU ; Shu-Mei WU ; Xiao-Ying WU ; Jin-Lan CUI ; Shou-Jia XIE ; Qin XIA ; Li HE ; Xi-Zhao LIU ; Chang-Hui SHU ; Rong-Qin LI ; Hong-Ying TAO ; Ze-Fen CHEN
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(1):42-48
Objective To investigate the attributable risk(AR)of Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)infection in criti-cally ill patients.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult patients in inten-sive care unit(ICU).Patients with AB isolated from sterile body fluid and confirmed with AB infection in each cen-ter were selected as the infected group.According to the matching criteria that patients should be from the same pe-riod,in the same ICU,as well as with similar APACHE Ⅱ score(±5 points)and primary diagnosis,patients who did not infect with AB were selected as the non-infected group in a 1:2 ratio.The AR was calculated.Results The in-hospital mortality of patients with AB infection in sterile body fluid was 33.3%,and that of non-infected group was 23.1%,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.069).The AR was 10.2%(95%CI:-2.3%-22.8%).There is no statistically significant difference in mortality between non-infected pa-tients and infected patients from whose blood,cerebrospinal fluid and other specimen sources AB were isolated(P>0.05).After infected with AB,critically ill patients with the major diagnosis of pulmonary infection had the high-est AR.There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between patients in the infected and non-infec-ted groups(P>0.05),or between other diagnostic classifications.Conclusion The prognosis of AB infection in critically ill patients is highly overestimated,but active healthcare-associated infection control for AB in the ICU should still be carried out.
10.Study on the toxicity characteristics of a clinical bloodstream isolate of Salmonella Telelkebir
En-Hui ZHENG ; Yu-Feng QIU ; Jian-Hui CHEN ; Ya-Dong GAO ; Meng-Ying HUANG ; Qu-Wen LI ; Jie LIN ; Shun-Tai WENG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(1):31-39
The ICR(Institute of Cancer Research)mouse infection model was constructed to study the pathogenicity of Sal-monella Telelkebir serotype,and the pathogenic identification of mouse isolates was carried out.Observe the bacterial excretion cycle,evaluate the pathogenicity of Salmonella serotype to mice,and calculate the LD50 by the changes in clinical characteris-tics,histopathology and tissue bacterial load of infected mice;by flight mass spectrometry,biochemical identification,serotype identification,molecular typing and other experiments,compared with human isolates;virulence gene analysis was carried out by PCR experiment and whole genome sequencing.The LD50 of Salmonella Telelkebir is 2.67 × 108 CFU/mL;curling and fluffing may occur 0.5 h after infection;autopsy of dead mice showed that the small intestine was severely congested,with more bubbles and fluid accumulation,cecal necrosis,liver apical degeneration and necrosis,necrotic foci on the surface of the kidney and spleen atrophy;the bacterial load of spleen,kidney,lung,liver and jejunum in mice reached its peak at 3 days after infection,while that of heart at 6 days;the bacterial excretion time of the high-dose group exceeded 100 days;The level of CD3 in tissues increased with increasing dose,with inflammatory cell infiltration,myocardial capillary dilation and hyperemia,large area of vacuoles,degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes,obvious enlargement of splenic sinus,blurred zoning,thickening of glomerular basement membrane,partial exfoliation of ciliated epithelium,atrophy and exfoliation of jejunal villi;PCR and whole genome sequencing revealed Salmonella-related virulence genes such as cdtB,plt A and pltB.This study was the first to successfully establish the ICR mouse model of Salmonella Telelkebir,demonstrating that this serotype of Salmonella has some pathogenicity.

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