1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.Applications of Vaterite in Drug Loading and Controlled Release
Xiao-Hui SONG ; Ming-Yu PAN ; Jian-Feng XU ; Zheng-Yu HUANG ; Qing PAN ; Qing-Ning LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):162-181
Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.
3.Current status of eating behaviors and its predictive role in overweight and obese of adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):53-57
Objective:
To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents.
Methods:
Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents.
Results:
The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.
4.Application of boron-containing polyethylene as maze wall lining shielding for a 10 MV medical accelerator room
Yajing SONG ; Jing SU ; Shihua TAO ; Zechen FENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):73-76
Objective To evaluate the ambient dose equivalent rates of photons and neutrons inside and outside the door of a 10 MV accelerator room, and to report the shielding effect of boron-containing polyethylene as maze wall lining. Methods The ambient dose equivalent rates of photons and neutrons inside and outside the door of an accelerator room were taken as the research subject. The Kersey, Falcão, and modified Kersey methods were used to calculate the ambient dose equivalent rates of neutrons and neutron capture gamma rays inside and outside the door of the room before and after renovation. Measurements were made using an X-ray/γ-ray dose rate instrument and a neutron ambient dose equivalent rate meter. Calculated and measured results were compared. Results Before renovation, the measured neutron dose rate inside the door was 409 μSv/h, while the calculated values were 323 μSv/h (Kersey method), 428 μSv/h (Falcão method), and 219 μSv/h (modified Kersey method). The Falcão method yielded a value closest to the measured value, while the Kersey and the modified Kersey methods underestimated the value by 21% and 46%, respectively. After the installation of boron-containing polyethylene plates, the measured neutron dose rate inside the door was 190 μSv/h, with a 54% reduction. The neutron and photon ambient dose equivalent rates outside the door were 5.8 μSv/h and 6.0 μSv/h, respectively, before renovation, and 0.14 μSv/h and 1.6 μSv/h, respectively, after renovation. Conclusion For a 10 MV accelerator room, neutron shielding and protection measurements are necessary, especially for rooms with short mazes. The Falcão method provides the best estimate of neutron dose rates inside and outside the door. Using boron-containing polyethylene plates as maze wall lining is an economical and effective shielding method.
5.Application value of machine learning models based on CT radiomics for assessing split renal function
Junjie ZOU ; Ruidong LI ; Hu SONG ; Feng WANG ; Ning DING ; Kongyuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):108-113
Objective Based on the radiomics features extracted from the unenhanced CT images of the lower abdomen, a variety of machine learning models were constructed to explore their application value in the assessment of split renal function. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the unenhanced CT images from 240 single kidneys in patients with clinically suspected renal dysfunction. Based on the results of single-photon emission computed tomography renal dynamic imaging, the cases were classified into the normal glomerular filtration rate group (n=118) and the decreased glomerular filtration rate group (n=122). The region of interest was outlined on the unenhanced CT images and the radiomics features were extracted. The features were selected by correlation analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and the machine learning models were constructed based on the algorithms of decision tree, support vector machine, random forest, logistic regression, and extreme gradient boosting. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to compare the performance of different models. Results Sixteen radiomics features were selected for constructing the machine learning models. The support vector machine model showed relatively high performance for the assessment of split renal function on the test set, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.883 (95% confidence interval: 0.804-0.961), an accuracy of 0.778, a sensitivity of 0.811, and a specificity of 0.743. Conclusion The machine learning models constructed based on unenhanced CT radiomics can be used to preliminarily assess split renal function, which provides an innovative, convenient, and safe method for clinical diagnosis and has positive significance for treatment.
6.Research progress on advance care planning for elderly patients with chronic diseases
Yongpeng SUN ; Song LI ; Kangli SHI ; Guiying FENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(3):281-288
With the continuous intensification of aging, chronic diseases among the elderly have become a widely concerned public health issue. In the terminal stage, they often lose the ability to express their medical care wishes autonomously, leading to a disconnect between medical decision-making and the actual needs of the patients and increasing their physical and psychological suffering. With the rapid aging process in China, the incidence of chronic diseases in the elderly is continuously rising, which has become a serious public health problem. Studies have shown that advance care planning (ACP) has achieved remarkable results in maintaining the dignity of life for terminal chronic disease patients, improving patients’ quality of life, as well as alleviating the physical, mental, and economic burdens on their families. Therefore, the implementation of ACP is crucial for elderly patients with chronic diseases. This paper reviewed the concept of ACP, as well as application effects, challenges and limitations, and corresponding recommendations and countermeasures of ACP in elderly patients with chronic diseases, with a view to providing a solid theoretical and practical basis for the application of ACP in elderly population with chronic diseases in China.
7.Analysis of characteristics of adverse drug reactions in a hospital from 2021 to 2023
Yan WANG ; Ming FANG ; Hongwei SONG ; Chao ZHONG ; Feng XU ; Ting ZHOU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(4):200-204
Objective To analyze the characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADR) reported in Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus, Shanghai Jiaotong University from 2021 to 2023, to provide reference for promoting rational clinical drug use. Methods ADR data reported in our hospital were collected retrospectively, including patients’ basic information, drugs causing adverse reactions, types of adverse reactions and outcomes. Descriptive analysis methods were used to summarize and analyze the data. Results A total of 979 cases of ADR were reported in our hospital from 2021 to 2023. The highest proportion of patients with ADR occurred in the age range of 31 to 50, and more male patients (63.5%). The top five drugs involved with adverse reactions were antibiotics (48.8%), Chinese medicine injections(19.2%), vitamins(7.5%), Chinese traditional medicine(7.2%), equine tetanus immunoglobulin(6.3%). Among antibiotics, cefuroxime, ceftazidime and cefotiam were the majority. The organs/systems involved in all ADR were mainly skin and accessories damage (55.4%). The clinical manifestations were rash, itching, and maculopapular rash. Conclusion From 2021 to 2023, the most common drugs causing adverse drug reactions in our hospital were mainly antibacterial drugs, and the rational clinical use of antibacterial drugs still needs to be concerned.
8.Research progress on the role of advanced glycosylation end products in ocular diseases
Xiaoqi GONG ; Jiaojiao FENG ; Yibo HAN ; Jike SONG ; Hongsheng BI
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):906-911
The excessive accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products(AGEs), the end products of non-enzymatic glycosylation reactions, can be involved in the pathological processes of various ocular diseases through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the key role of AGEs in diabetic keratopathy, cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)and diabetic retinopathy(DR). It was found that AGEs activate signalling pathways such as NADPH oxidase, MAPK and NF-κB by binding to the receptor RAGE, leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation, release of inflammatory factors, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, which in turn induces delayed corneal healing, cross-linking of lens proteins, optic nerve degeneration, formation of choroidal neovascularisation(CNV), and blood-retinal barrier(BRB)disruption. For example, in diabetic keratopathy, AGEs delay wound healing via the ROS/NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle axis; in cataract, ascorbic acid-mediated cross-linking of lens proteins due to AGEs directly impairs lens transparency; and in DR, AGEs exacerbate microvascular damage by regulating vasucular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression and pericyte apoptosis. In addition, this article discusses the advances and limitations of AGEs detection techniques, such as the potential application of lens AGEscan fluorescence assay in screening for diabetic complications, and the need to develop tissue-specific assays for aqueous humour and vitreous. For therapeutic strategies, the research directions of inhibiting AGEs production, blocking RAGE signalling pathway and developing anti-glycosylation drugs are proposed to emphasise their clinical value in delaying disease progression. This review not only integrates the molecular mechanisms and clinical associations of AGEs in ocular diseases, but also provides a theoretical basis for targeted interventions, which is of great significance in exploring novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
9.Analysis of the layout and shielding effectiveness of medical accelerator vaults
Yajing SONG ; Zengyun NIU ; Yongzhong MA ; Shihua TAO ; Zechen FENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(2):204-208
Objective To analyze the layout and shielding effectiveness of medical accelerator vaults, and to provide a reference for the layout, shielding design, and optimization of protection of medical accelerator vaults. Methods Four medical accelerator radiotherapy vaults were selected. The layouts of these vaults were compared with the layout requirements in the radiation therapy protection standards. For each vault, the dose rates at four points of interest outside the shielding were calculated, including the primary shielding area, secondary shielding area, maze outer wall, and lateral shielding area. These values were then compared with the actual measurements obtained using a dose rate meter. Results All four vaults were located on the ground floor of the building and included a maze, with the auxiliary rooms all placed outside the treatment rooms. However, one vault was not located at one end of the building, and in another vault, the control room was exposed to direct irradiation of the useful beam. The calculated dose rates outside the primary shielding area ranged from 0.04 μSv/h to 0.62 μSv/h, while the measured values ranged from 0.10 μSv/h to 0.66 μSv/h, with the measured values being higher than the calculated ones. The calculated dose rates outside the secondary shielding area ranged from
10.Research on the Correlation between Balance Function and Core Muscles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Si-Jia LI ; Qing YUE ; Qian-Jin LIU ; Yan-Hua LIANG ; Tian-Tian ZHOU ; Xiao-Song LI ; Tian-Yang FENG ; Tong ZHANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):264-275
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the correlation between balance function and core muscle activation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), compared to healthy individuals.
Methods:
A total of 24 AIS patients and 25 healthy controls were recruited. The limits of stability (LOS) test were conducted to assess balance function, while surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of core muscles, including the internal oblique, external oblique, and multifidus. Diaphragm thickness was measured using ultrasound during different postural tasks. Center of pressure (COP) displacement and trunk inclination distance were also recorded during the LOS test.
Results:
AIS patients showed significantly greater activation of superficial core muscles, such as the internal and external oblique muscles, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Diaphragm activation was lower in AIS patients during balance tasks (p < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in COP displacement between the groups, trunk inclination was significantly greater in the AIS group during certain tasks (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
These findings suggest distinct postural control patterns in AIS patients, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to improve balance and core muscle function in this population.


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