1.Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked in a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced immune-mediated liver injury
Zhenzhen PAN ; Ling XU ; Xianru ZHU ; Zihao FAN ; Yaling CAO ; Yinkang MO ; Sai YAN ; Feng REN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(1):134-142
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of DEAD-box helicase 3 X-linked (DDX3X) in immune-mediated liver injury (ILI), and to clarify its mechanism by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-dependent apoptotic pathway and its association with the clinical progression of hepatitis B. MethodsMice were given injection of concanavalin A (ConA) via the caudal vein to establish a model of ILI, PBS (control group) and different concentrations of ConA were injected into the tail vein of hepatocyte-specific DDX3X-knockout mice (DDX3XΔHep and DDX3X-flox mice (DDX3Xfl/fl), respectively.. The log-rank survival analysis, measurement of the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HE staining of liver tissue were performed to assess liver injury, and qRT-PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and DDX3X in liver tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA, 100 mg/kg) was performed to inhibit ERS. Serum samples (n=30) and liver tissue samples (n=6) were collected from healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and hepatitis B virus-associated liver failure (HBV-LF) patients; ELISA was used to measure the serum level of DDX3X, and qRT-PCR/Western Blot was used to analyze the expression of targets in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the control group of mice, the expression of DDX3X in the liver of mice induced by ConA was significantly increased after liver injury (P<0.05), and hepatocyte-specific DDX3X knockout increased the 72-hour survival rate of mice by 55% (compared with 20% in the DDX3Xfl/fl group), with significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT and AST (P<0.000 1) and the expression levels of the ERS markers GRP78 and CHOP (P<0.05). After ERS was inhibited by 4-PBA, there was alleviation of liver injury (with reductions in ALT and AST, P <0.001) and a reduction in DDX3X expression (P<0.01). The analysis of clinical samples showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of liver DDX3X in CHB patients and HBV-LF patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (all P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the serum level of DDX3X in HBV-LF patients (P<0.000 1). ConclusionDDX3X exacerbates ILI by regulating the ERS-dependent apoptotic pathway (GRP78/CHOP), and its expression is associated with the progression of hepatitis B. Therefore, it can be used as a potential therapeutic target.
2.Mechanism and therapeutic targets of angiopoietin-like protein 4 in diabetic retinopathy
Jingrong FENG ; Yan LI ; Xiaocao REN ; Jixin LI ; Yu MA ; Wenfang ZHANG ; Yi YANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(5):785-791
Diabetic retinopathy(DR)remains the leading cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)therapies are limited by inadequate response in some patients and the necessity for repeated intravitreal injections, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4), a multifunctional secreted protein, has emerged as a critical regulator in the pathogenesis and progression of DR, positioning it as a promising interventional target. This review systematically elaborates the biological characteristics of ANGPTL4, with a focus on its expression dynamics, molecular mechanisms, and regulatory networks rolesin the development of DR. Furthermore, the prospects of ANGPTL4-targeted therapeutic strategies are discussed, aiming to offer new insights and directions for understanding DR pathogenesis, advancing multi-target drug development, and improving clinical management.
3.A case report of premature ovarian insufficiency caused by a novel FANCL mutation(c.1033G>A)and in vitro functional validation
Yi-qing LIU ; Shu-ting REN ; Yun-cheng PAN ; Feng ZHANG ; Xiao-jin ZHANG ; Yan-hua WU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(2):270-276,291
Objective To investigate the characteristics of a novel FANCL mutation identified in a patient with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and to explore its potential functional impacts in vitro.Methods A novel FANCL heterozygous mutation c.1033G>A(p.Glu345Lys)was screened in a patient with POI using whole exome sequencing(WES),which was found to be inherited from a mother who had undergone early menopause.The authenticity of the mutation was identified by Sanger sequencing and the conserved nature of the mutation site was predicted by software.Overexpressing FANCL mutant and wildtype plasmids were constructed and transiently transfected into HEK293T cell lines,and the effect of the mutation was detected by qPCR,immunofluorescence and Western blot.Results The mutation site of FANCL was located within the Ring domain of FANCL,which was highly conserved across multiple species.The mutant showed no significant change in mRNA expression level,while the protein expression level was significantly down-regulated.In vitro cellular experiments further revealed that the mutation leads to decreased expression levels by reducing protein stability.Conclusion A FANCL c.1033G>A mutation was found and it may cause disease in the POI patient due to decreased protein stability.
4.Metformin attenuates insulin resistance by activating hypothalamic MC4R in high-fat diet-fed rats
Yan LI ; Haohao ZHANG ; Yanqi REN ; Lihui FENG ; Youqin WANG ; Lu ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(8):1467-1476
AIM:To explore the central mechanisms by which metformin(Met)attenuates insulin resistance in high-fat diet(HF)-fed rats.METHODS:Forty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal chow(NC)group,HF group,HF+Met group,and HF+Met+SHU9119[melanocortin 4 receptor(MC4R)antagonist]group,with 10 rats per group.Treatments with HF and Met lasted for 12 weeks,while SHU9119 was injected for the last 10 d.Skeletal muscle AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)ex-pression and activity were measured,along with mitochondria oxidative stress markers,mitochondrial function and quanti-ty.Systemic and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity were assessed using the average glucose infusion rate from 60 to 120 min(GIR60-120)and 2-deoxyglucose uptake(DGU)during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.RESULTS:The rats in HF group exhibited significantly reduced expression and activity of AMPK/SIRT1 in skeletal muscles(P<0.05).More-over,mitochondrial oxidative stress markers,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malondialdehyde(MDA),were marked-ly elevated(P<0.05),and the activity of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase(GPX)and manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD)was significantly decreased in HF group(P<0.05).There was also a notable decline in the activity of citrate synthase(P<0.05),a marker of mitochondrial oxidative capacity,and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in HF group.These changes were correlated with significantly decreased GIR60-120 and DGU(P<0.05).Notably,Met treat-ment(HF+Met)restored the AMPK/SIRT1 expression and activity,improved mitochondrial function,and reduced oxida-tive stress,leading to improved insulin sensitivity(P<0.05).However,these beneficial effects of Met were reversed by the MC4R antagonist SHU9119 in HF+Met+SHU9119 group.CONCLUSION:Treatment with Met enhances skeletal muscle AMPK/SIRT1 expression and activity,reverses mitochondrial dysfunction,and improves insulin resistance in HF-fed rats.These effects might be mediated through the activation of hypothalamic MC4R.
5.Experimental study on the decontamination ability of different cleaning waters for surgical instruments
Bing-qing LIAO ; Xiao-mei REN ; Jing-rong WEI ; Yan GAO ; Zhong-jin YAN ; Xiao-feng LI ; Bin LI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(7):610-613
Objective To analyze differences of purified water,softened water,and concentrated softened water on the decontamination effects for surgical instruments,so as to provide a reliable reference for the selection of cleaning water for surgical instruments.Methods The physical and chemical indexes and components of concentrated softened water,softened water,and purified water were detected,and their cleaning effects for instrument were compared.The decontamination cleaning experiment was conducted in three hospitals with different types of cleaning water using mini cleaning machines,and the differences in the decontamination time were analyzed.The cleaning and decontamination experiments on contaminated instruments was performed using a spray cleaning and disinfection device,and the cleaning effects of instruments with different types of cleaning water were analyzed.Results Calcium content and hardness of the three types of cleaning water were all at a low level,which can avoid scale adhesion for cleaning surgical instruments.There were statistically significant differences in the pH value,conductivity,and contents of calcium,sodium and chloride among the three cleaning waters(P<0.05).The purified water was weakly acidic,and its conductivity,hardness,and contents of calcium,sodium and chloride were all at low levels.The softened water and concentrated softened water were weakly alkaline,with high levels of conductivity and sodium content and low level of chloride.There were statistically significant differences in the decontamination time of the purified water,softened water and concentrated softened water among hospitals(P<0.05).Under the same contamination condition of surgical instruments,there was a statistically significant difference in the qualified rate of instruments cleaning in the upper and lower cleaning baskets with different cleaning waters(P<0.05).Conclusion Concentrated softened water and softened water have high sodium content,and their decontamination and cleaning abilities are significantly stronger than those of the purified water.Purified water has poorer effects in instruments cleaning for its deionized property.Using concentrated softened water or softened water in the surgical instrument cleaning process can achieve effects of reducing consumption and increasing efficiency,which is conducive to improving cleaning efficiency and quality.
6.Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting the failure of reaching hemoglobin A1c target in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Xu GUO ; Guimao YANG ; Xia ZHANG ; Yan SUI ; Xuebing CHENG ; Hong LIU ; Yaxing WU ; Jian FENG ; Yanfeng REN
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(7):481-486
Objective To construct a nomogram prediction model for predicting hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients.Methods A total of 936 inpatients with T2DM admitted to the Department of Endocrinology of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the research objects and divided into the non-standard group(HbA1c≥7%,n=801)and the standard group(HbA1c<7%,n=135).Univariate analysis was used to screen the related factors of HbA1c failure.Logistic regression multivariate model was used to analyze the influencing factors of HbA1c failure in T2DM patients.The R language was used to construct a nomogram,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)was used to evaluate the predictive ability of the model.The C-index and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration of the model.Results There were statistically significant differences in triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,direct bilirubin,urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR),self-monitoring of blood glucose(SMBG),meat and vegetable pairing,hot pot,whole grain and animal viscera consumption between the two groups(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that TG(OR 1.699,95%CI 1.298~2.222),UACR(OR 1.003,95%CI 1.001~1.005),SMGB(OR 0.480,95%CI 0.313~0.735),more meat and less vegetables(OR 1.432,95%CI 1.062~1.931)were the influencing factors of HbA1c failure.The AUC of the nomogram prediction model based on the influencing factors was 0.711,with C-index 0.710(95%CI 0.663~0.758)and good calibration(χ2=11.185,P=0.191).Conclusions The nomogram prediction model for HbA1c failure in T2DM patients established based on TG,UACR,SMGB,meat and vegetarian mix has good discrimination and calibration,which can provide certain reference value for warning of poor blood glucose control.
7.Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition)and their series interpretation(11):introduction and examples of pharmacovigilance impact research
Xiaolu NIE ; Haibo SONG ; Jingtian REN ; Jinan YAN ; Jiarui WU ; Siyan ZHAN ; Feng SUN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(11):1233-1243
Pharmacovigilance impact research(PIR),as an important application field of pharmacoepidemiology,has attracted continuous attention in recent years from drug regulatory authorities,pharmaceutical manufacturers,and the academic community both domestically and internationally.This paper provides an interpretation of PIR based on the Guide for Methodology in Pharmacoepidemiologic Research(2nd edition).First,an overview of the implications of PIR will be provided,focusing on the pathways of pharmacovigilance activities and the significant importance of conducting PIR.Second,it reviews commonly used study designs and presents illustrative case examples.Building on this,the specific statistical considerations relevant to PIR were discussed.Finally,the challenges and prospects of conducting pharmacovigilance impact studies in a scientific and standardized manner are summarized.Compared with the previous edition,the 2nd edition has expanded the application scenarios of pharmacoepidemiology to include new areas such as PIR.Drawing on the guideline content and practical experience,this paper provides a detailed introduction and case analysis of PIR,serving as a reference for researchers engaged in this field.
8.Analysis of Risk Factors for Chemotherapy Induced Myelosuppression and Construction of Prediction Models for Myelosuppression Based on Logistic Regression Analysis in Cancer Patients
Dongyan LIU ; Yan LIU ; Zhiming REN ; Feng WANG ; Yong WANG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2025;46(8):108-114
Objective To study the risk factors of myelosuppression after the chemotherapy in patients with malignant tumors,and to construct a Logistic regression prediction model based on the risk factors.Methods Clinical information of 80 chemotherapy patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University during 2021.01-2022.12 was anonymously collected,and the obtained clinical data were used for Logistic regression univariate analysis with the use of SPSS19.0 software to identify the risk factors related to chemotherapy induced myelosuppression.The risk factors were tested in Logistic multi-factor regression analysis and the Logistic regression analysis prediction models were constructed.In addition,clinical information of 40 patients was collected to test the prediction model,then the ROC curve,AUC value and Youden index were obtained.Results Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,bone metastases,alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),serum creatinine clearance(CCr),serum creatinine(Cr),concurrent radiotherapy(CRT),concurrent immunotherapy(IO),and the recent surgery were associated with the bone marrow suppression after the chemotherapy(P<0.05).The AUC values of the ROC curves of the corres-ponding models were 0.745,0.755 and 0.791,respectively,indicating that the risk of bone marrow suppression was higher when the predictive model p-value was greater than the above values.The Youden indices of the corresponding models were 0.677,0.713 and 0.769,respectively,indicating that the prediction performance of the model was better.Conclusion Age,serum creatinine clearance,liver function,the recent surgery,bone metastasis,concurrent radiotherapy/immunotherapy,and serum creatinine clearance are related to the incidence of chemotherapy induced myelosuppression.When p≥0.745(leukocytes),p≥0.755(platelets),and p≥0.791(anemia)through the predictive model calculations,the risk of leukocyte,platelets,and the anemia-related myelosuppression are significantly increased(≥95%),and appropriate preventive measures are recommended.
9.Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition)and their series interpretation(11):introduction and examples of pharmacovigilance impact research
Xiaolu NIE ; Haibo SONG ; Jingtian REN ; Jinan YAN ; Jiarui WU ; Siyan ZHAN ; Feng SUN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(11):1233-1243
Pharmacovigilance impact research(PIR),as an important application field of pharmacoepidemiology,has attracted continuous attention in recent years from drug regulatory authorities,pharmaceutical manufacturers,and the academic community both domestically and internationally.This paper provides an interpretation of PIR based on the Guide for Methodology in Pharmacoepidemiologic Research(2nd edition).First,an overview of the implications of PIR will be provided,focusing on the pathways of pharmacovigilance activities and the significant importance of conducting PIR.Second,it reviews commonly used study designs and presents illustrative case examples.Building on this,the specific statistical considerations relevant to PIR were discussed.Finally,the challenges and prospects of conducting pharmacovigilance impact studies in a scientific and standardized manner are summarized.Compared with the previous edition,the 2nd edition has expanded the application scenarios of pharmacoepidemiology to include new areas such as PIR.Drawing on the guideline content and practical experience,this paper provides a detailed introduction and case analysis of PIR,serving as a reference for researchers engaged in this field.
10.NFKBIE: Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Immunity in Colorectal Cancer: Insights from Pan-cancer Analysis.
Chen Yang HOU ; Peng WANG ; Feng Xu YAN ; Yan Yan BO ; Zhen Peng ZHU ; Xi Ran WANG ; Shan LIU ; Dan Dan XU ; Jia Jia XIAO ; Jun XUE ; Fei GUO ; Qing Xue MENG ; Ren Sen RAN ; Wei Zheng LIANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1320-1325

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