1.Mechanisms and Molecular Networks of Hypoxia-regulated Tumor Cell Dormancy
Mao ZHAO ; Jin-Qiu FENG ; Ze-Qi GAO ; Ping WANG ; Jia FU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2267-2279
Dormant tumor cells constitute a population of cancer cells that reside in a non-proliferative or low-proliferative state, typically arrested in the G0/G1 phase and exhibiting minimal mitotic activity. These cells are commonly observed across multiple cancer types, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, and represent a central cellular component of minimal residual disease (MRD) following surgical resection of the primary tumor. Dormant cells are closely associated with long-term clinical latency and late-stage relapse. Due to their quiescent nature, dormant cells are intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies—such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy—that preferentially target rapidly dividing cells. In addition, they display enhanced anti-apoptotic capacity and immune evasion, rendering them particularly difficult to eradicate. More critically, in response to microenvironmental changes or activation of specific signaling pathways, dormant cells can re-enter the cell cycle and initiate metastatic outgrowth or tumor recurrence. This ability to escape dormancy underscores their clinical threat and positions their effective detection and elimination as a major challenge in contemporary cancer treatment. Hypoxia, a hallmark of the solid tumor microenvironment, has been widely recognized as a potent inducer of tumor cell dormancy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells sense and respond to hypoxic stress—initiating the transition into dormancy—remain poorly defined. In particular, the lack of a systems-level understanding of the dynamic and multifactorial regulatory landscape has impeded the identification of actionable targets and constrained the development of effective therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence indicates that hypoxia-induced dormancy tumor cells are accompanied by a suite of adaptive phenotypes, including cell cycle arrest, global suppression of protein synthesis, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy activation, resistance to apoptosis, immune evasion, and therapy tolerance. These changes are orchestrated by multiple converging signaling pathways—such as PI3K-AKT-mTOR, Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK, and AMPK—that together constitute a highly dynamic and interconnected regulatory network. While individual pathways have been studied in depth, most investigations remain reductionist and fail to capture the temporal progression and network-level coordination underlying dormancy transitions. Systems biology offers a powerful framework to address this complexity. By integrating high-throughput multi-omics data—such as transcriptomics and proteomics—researchers can reconstruct global regulatory networks encompassing the key signaling axes involved in dormancy regulation. These networks facilitate the identification of core regulatory modules and elucidate functional interactions among key effectors. When combined with dynamic modeling approaches—such as ordinary differential equations—these frameworks enable the simulation of temporal behaviors of critical signaling nodes, including phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), phosphorylated S6 (p-S6), and the p38/ERK activity ratio, providing insights into how their dynamic changes govern transitions between proliferation and dormancy. Beyond mapping trajectories from proliferation to dormancy and from shallow to deep dormancy, such dynamic regulatory models support topological analyses to identify central hubs and molecular switches. Key factors—such as NR2F1, mTORC1, ULK1, HIF-1α, and DYRK1A—have emerged as pivotal nodes within these networks and represent promising therapeutic targets. Constructing an integrative, systems-level regulatory framework—anchored in multi-pathway coordination, omics-layer integration, and dynamic modeling—is thus essential for decoding the architecture and progression of tumor dormancy. Such a framework not only advances mechanistic understanding but also lays the foundation for precision therapies targeting dormant tumor cells during the MRD phase, addressing a critical unmet need in cancer management.
2.Effectiveness and safety of augmentative plating technique in managing nonunion following intramedullary nailing of long bones in the lower extremity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cong-Xiao FU ; Hao GAO ; Jun REN ; Hu WANG ; Shuai-Kun LU ; Guo-Liang WANG ; Zhen-Feng ZHU ; Yun-Yan LIU ; Wen LUO ; Yong ZHANG ; Yun-Fei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(3):164-174
PURPOSE:
To methodically assess the effectiveness of augmentative plating (AP) and exchange nailing (EN) in managing nonunion following intramedullary nailing for long bone fractures of the lower extremity.
METHODS:
PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to gather clinical studies regarding the use of AP and EN techniques in the treatment of nonunion following intramedullary nailing of lower extremity long bones. The search was conducted up until May 2023. The original studies underwent an independent assessment of their quality, a process conducted utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were retrieved from these studies, and meta-analysis was executed utilizing Review Manager 5.3.
RESULTS:
This meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 661 participants, with 305 in the AP group and 356 in the EN group. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the AP group exhibited a higher rate of union (odds ratio: 8.61, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.12 - 17.99, p < 0.001), shorter union time (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.08, 95% CI: -1.79 - -0.37, p = 0.003), reduced duration of the surgical procedure (SMD: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.93 - -0.19, p = 0.003), less bleeding (SMD: -1.5, 95% CI: -2.81 - -0.18, p = 0.03), and a lower incidence of complications (relative risk: -0.17, 95% CI: -0.27 - -0.06, p = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the time for union in the AP group in nonisthmal and isthmal nonunion of lower extremity long bones was shorter compared to the EN group (nonisthmal SMD: -1.94, 95% CI: -3.28 - -0.61, p < 0.001; isthmal SMD: -1.08, 95% CI: -1.64 - -0.52, p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION
In the treatment of nonunion in diaphyseal fractures of the long bones in the lower extremity, the AP approach is superior to EN, both intraoperatively (with reduced duration of the surgical procedure and diminished blood loss) and postoperatively (with an elevated union rate, shorter union time, and lower incidence of complications). Specifically, in the management of nonunion of lower extremity long bones with non-isthmal and isthmal intramedullary nails, AP demonstrated shorter union time in comparison to EN.
Humans
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Bone Nails/adverse effects*
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Bone Plates/adverse effects*
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Femoral Fractures/surgery*
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Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/methods*
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Fractures, Ununited/surgery*
;
Lower Extremity/injuries*
3.Enhanced BBB penetration and microglia-targeting nanomodulator for the two-pronged modulation of chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
Ya WEI ; Xue XIA ; Xiaorong WANG ; Wenqin YANG ; Siqin HE ; Lulu WANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Yang ZHOU ; Feng CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Fu PENG ; Guobo LI ; Zheng XU ; Jintao FU ; Huile GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1098-1111
Intervention in chronically activated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low permeability of the blood‒brain barrier (BBB) and non-selective distribution in the brain severely restrict AD drugs' disease-modifying efficacy. Here, an immunosuppressant TREM2-lowing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and resveratrol co-loaded cationic liposome is developed as an immune reprogramming nanomodulator modified by acid-cleavable BBB-targeting peptide and microglia-targeting peptide (Res@TcMNP/ASO) for AD management. Res@TcMNP/ASO can enter brain endothelial cells via D-T7 peptides. Then D-T7 undergoes an acid-responsive cleavage, facilitating the escape of Res@MNP/ASO from endo/lysosomes to cross the BBB. The detached Res@MNP/ASO specifically targets M1-phenotype microglia via exposed MG1 peptides to prompt the simultaneous delivery of two drugs into activated microglia. This nanomodulator can not only restore the immune function of microglia through TREM2-lowing ASO but also mitigate the immune stimulation to microglia caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through resveratrol, thereby synergistically inhibiting the chronic activation of microglia to alleviate neuroinflammation in AD. Our results indicate that this combination treatment can achieve significant behavioral and cognitive improvements in late APP/PS1 mice.
4.Health Risks from Exposure to PM 2.5-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fumes Emitted from Various Cooking Styles and Their Respiratory Deposition in a City Population Stratified by Age and Sex.
Jun Feng ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Ke GAO ; Shui Yuan CHENG ; Wen Jiao DUAN ; Li Ying FU ; Jian Jia LI ; Shu Shu LAN ; Cui Lan FANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1230-1245
OBJECTIVES:
To characterize fine particulate matter (PM 2.5)-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emitted from different cooking fumes and their exposure routes and assess their health-associated impact to provide a reference for health risk prevention from PAH exposure across different age and sex groups.
METHODS:
Sixteen PM 2.5-bound PAHs emitted from 11 cooking styles were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The health hazards of these PAHs in the Handan City population (stratified by age and sex) were predicted using the incremental lifetime cancer risk ( ILCR) model. The respiratory deposition doses ( RDDs) of the PAHs in children and adults were calculated using the PM 2.5 deposition rates in the upper airway, tracheobronchial, and alveolar regions.
RESULTS:
The total concentrations of PM 2.5-bound PAHs ranged from 61.10 to 403.80 ng/m 3. Regardless of cooking styles, the ILCR total values for adults (1.23 × 10 -6 to 3.70 × 10 -6) and older adults (1.28 × 10 -6 to 3.88 × 10 -6) exceeded the acceptable limit of 1.00 × 10 -6. With increasing age, the ILCR total value first declined and then increased, varying substantially among the population groups. Cancer risk exhibited particularly high sensitivity to short exposure to barbecue-derived PAHs under equivalent body weights. Furthermore, barbecue, Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, Chinese cuisine, and Chinese fast food were associated with higher RDDs for both adults and children.
CONCLUSION
ILCR total values exceeded the acceptable limit for both females and males of adults, with all cooking styles showing a potentially high cancer risk. Our findings serve as an important reference for refining regulatory strategies related to catering emissions and mitigating health risks associated with cooking styles.
Humans
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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/analysis*
;
Cooking/methods*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Particulate Matter/analysis*
;
Adult
;
Child
;
Middle Aged
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Adolescent
;
Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis*
;
Young Adult
;
Child, Preschool
;
Aged
;
China
;
Inhalation Exposure
;
Age Factors
;
Sex Factors
;
Cities
;
Infant
5.Transfusion reactions in 711 pediatric patients:a retrospective analysis
Hongyu FU ; Zhichen ZHU ; Li FENG ; Yuqing GAO ; Jing LING
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(6):678-683
Objective To analyze the characteristics and related influencing factors of transfusion reactions in pediatric patients,so as to provide evidence for clinical treatment and prevention of transfusion reactions.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on children who received blood transfusions at our hospital from 2019 to 2023 in terms of the incidence,types,time of occurrence,and related influencing factors of transfusion reactions.Results A total of 69 926 transfusions were performed from 2019 to 2023,with 711 cases of transfusion reactions,resulting in an incidence of 1.02%.The inci-dence of transfusion reactions decreased annually from 2019(1.89%)to 2022(0.50%).The incidence of transfusion reac-tions to apheresis platelets,frozen plasma,suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells and cryoprecipitate coagulation fac-tor were 2.16%(551/25 565),0.50%(92/18 277),0.25%(65/25 679)and 0.74%(3/405),respectively,with a-pheresis platelet transfusion of a significantly higher incidence compared to other blood components(P<0.05).As of trans-fusion reaction types,allergic reactions accounted for 86.22%(613/711),febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions(FNHTR)accounted for 13.08%(93/711),and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions accounted for 0.70%(5/711).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that apheresis platelet transfusion was an independent risk factor for allergic reactions(P<0.05),while suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells transfusion was an independent risk factor for FNHTR(P<0.05).In terms of the occurrence time of transfusion reactions,compared to apheresis platelets and frozen plas-ma,transfusion reactions caused by suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells transfusion occurred later(apheresis platelets P<0.05,frozen plasma P<0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that blood components transfused are significant influencing factors for the characteristics of transfusion reactions in pediatric patients,affecting the incidence,types,and oc-currence time of transfusion reactions,which provides reference for clinical treatment and prevention of transfusion reactions.
6.TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children
Xi MING ; Liqun WU ; Ziwei WANG ; Bo WANG ; Jialin ZHENG ; Jingwei HUO ; Mei HAN ; Xiaochun FENG ; Baoqing ZHANG ; Xia ZHAO ; Mengqing WANG ; Zheng XUE ; Ke CHANG ; Youpeng WANG ; Yanhong QIN ; Bin YUAN ; Hua CHEN ; Lining WANG ; Xianqing REN ; Hua XU ; Liping SUN ; Zhenqi WU ; Yun ZHAO ; Xinmin LI ; Min LI ; Jian CHEN ; Junhong WANG ; Yonghong JIANG ; Yongbin YAN ; Hengmiao GAO ; Hongmin FU ; Yongkun HUANG ; Jinghui YANG ; Zhu CHEN ; Lei XIONG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(7):722-732
Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.
7.Identification and anti-inflammatory activity of chemical constituents and a pair of new monoterpenoid enantiomers from the fruits of Litsea cubeba
Mei-lin LU ; Wan-feng HUANG ; Yu-ming HE ; Bao-lin WANG ; Fu-hong YUAN ; Ting ZHANG ; Qi-ming PAN ; Xin-ya XU ; Jia HE ; Shan HAN ; Qin-qin WANG ; Shi-lin YANG ; Hong-wei GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1348-1356
Eighteen compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of
8.Analysis of the epidemic characteristics and disease burden of hospitalized children with viral myocarditis in China from 2016 to 2021
Luci HUANG ; Wei SHAO ; Lingyun GUO ; Yiliang FU ; Fei LI ; Hui XU ; Guoshuang FENG ; Lu GAO ; Zhengde XIE ; Yue YUAN ; Gang LIU ; Xiangpeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(4):432-438
Objective:This study aimed to provide basic data for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric viral myocarditis (VMC) in China through analyzing the epidemic characteristics and disease burden of pediatric inpatients with VMC from 2016 to 2021.Methods:We performed a descriptive statistical analysis to the age, genders, seasons, regions and hospitalization cost and days of pediatric VMC inpatients and the death. All of the information was obtained from 27 Children′s hospitals or Maternal and Child Health hospitals of 23 provinces of China from 2016 to 2021.Results:A total of 7 647 599 cases including 1 646 VMC inpatients were admitted into our study. The annual numbers of hospitalizations were 173, 227, 313, 301, 295 and 337, with the hospitalized constituent ratios being 14.9/100 000, 17.9/100 000, 23.0/100 000, 20.5/100 000, 26.5/100 000 and 26.4/100 000 from 2016 to 2021. In recent 6 years, the proportion of VMC hospitalizations had increased yearly ( P<0.001), and had associated with the onset age ( P<0.001). Aged 12-≤18 years owned the highest hospitalized constituent ratio. The Northeast of China owned the largest number of VMC inpatients, and the East second to it. Among the 1 646 VMC children, there were 68 deaths, with the hospitalized case fatality rate of 4.13%. There were no significant differences between genders, age, seasons, years and fatality rate of VMC inpatients. For the diseases burden, the median of hospitalization days of all VMC inpatients was 10 days (IQR 6, 21), and the median of hospitalization cost was 1 1 842.3 RMB (IQR 6 969.22, 19 714.78). The median of hospitalization days of deceased VMC children was only 1 day (IQR 1, 3), the median cost could be 8 874.03 RMB (IQR 5 277.94, 5 6 151.59). Conclusions:In this study, we found that proportion of hospitalization of VMC children increased year by year, adolescence might be a risk factor of VMC. The fatality of VMC inpatients could be up to 4.13%, and the death led to a huge economic burden of society, family and individuals.
9.Characteristics of myocardial injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated with pleural effusion and its influence on long-term prognosis
Guangren GAO ; Lianrong FENG ; Jinguo FU ; Run GUO ; Heping NIU ; Fengpeng LI ; Qianyu ZHANG ; Jun ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(2):197-201
Objective To explore the characteristics of myocardial injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)complicated by pleural effusion and its effect on long-term prognosis.Methods It was a prospective single-center study.Patients with AMI who were admitted to hospital within 15 days from symptom onset and performed echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR)during hospitalization were consecutively enrolled and assigned to the with-pleural effusion group and the without-pleural effusion group according to the echocardiography result.Baseline data,cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial injury index and echocardiography characteristics were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events(MACCE)was recorded through outpatient follow-up and telephone follow-up,including all-cause death,re-infarction,revascularization,rehospitalization for congestive heart failure and stroke.Cox regression analysis was performed to analyze influencing factors of all-cause death.Results Among 211 patients,31(14.7%)patients had pleural effusion and 180(85.3%)had no pleural effusion.Compared with the group without pleural effusion,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was larger,and left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography was lower in the group with pleural effusion(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in infarct size,left ventricular end-diastolic volume,left ventricular end-systolic volume,left ventricular ejection fraction and the presence of microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage between the two groups in CMR(all P>0.05).At a median follow-up of 31 months,MACCE occurred in 43(20.4%)patients,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(χ2=3.160,P=0.075).Six cases(2.8%)had all-cause death.The incidence of all-cause death was higher in the group with pleural effusion than that in the group without pleural effusion(9.7%vs.1.7%,P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of other adverse events between the two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced age and presence of pleural effusion were independent risk factors of all-cause death during follow-up.Conclusion Patients with AMI combined with pleural effusion have more severe myocardial injury and higher all-cause mortality.
10.Scapular motion and shoulder function in patients suffering from rotator cuff tears with typeⅢscapular dyskinesis
Lei LI ; Feng GAO ; Yifeng FU ; Jingyi SUN ; Chen HE ; Yi QIAN ; Sen GUO ; Hao XU ; Yue HAO ; Jinglun YANG ; Xiaohan ZHANG ; Yawei GONG ; Yingqi ZHAO ; Zhuang LIU ; Jingbin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2024;43(3):167-174
Objective To explore the differences in scapular motion and shoulder function between patients suffering from rotator cuff tears(RCT)with and without type Ⅲ scapular dyskinesis(SD).Meth-ods Between September 2021 and March 2023,sixteen patients suffering from rotator cuff tears with SD(SD group)and 17 counterparts without SD(non-SD group)were recruited from the Sports Hospital of the General Administration of Sport of China.Their scapular motion was assessed by measuring three parameters in the X-rays,including scapular spine line(LSS),scapular upward rotation angle(SU-RA),and coracoid upward shift distance(CUSD).Moreover,their shoulder range of motion in flexion,abduction and external rotation were recorded,and further evaluated using the Pain Visual Analog Scale(VAS)and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score(ASES).Results No significant differenc-es were found between the two groups in the average score of SURA,CUSD and LSS at 0°~30° shoul-der abduction,or in that of CUSD and LSS at 60°~90°shoulder abduction.However,the average SU-RA score of the SD group at 60°~90°shoulder abduction was significantly greater than the other group(P<0.05).The shoulder ranges of motion during active flexion,abduction and external rotation were significantly smaller in the SD group than in the non-SD group(P<0.05).Moreover,the average VAS score in the SD group was significantly higher than the non-SD group(P<0.05),while the average ASES score was significantly lower than the latter group(P<0.05).Conclusions RCT patients type III SD exhibits greater scapular upward rotation during shoulder abduction compared to those without SD.Moreover,the former patients suffer from more severe pain and have worse shoulder range of motion and functional performance than the latter.

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