1.Identification of core genes of osteoarthritis by bioinformatics
Xuekun ZHU ; Heng LIU ; Hui FENG ; Yunlong GAO ; Lei WEN ; Xiaosong CAI ; Ben ZHAO ; Min ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(3):637-644
BACKGROUND:At present,osteoarthritis has become a major disease affecting the quality of life of the elderly,and the therapeutic effect is poor,often focusing on preventing the disease process,and the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is still not fully understood.Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to explore the main pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and related mechanisms of gene coding regulation. OBJECTIVE:To screen core differential genes with a major role in osteoarthritis by gene expression profiling. METHODS:Datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO):GSE114007,GSE117999,and GSE129147.Differential genes in the GSE114007 and GSE117999 data collections were screened using R software,performing differential genes to weighted gene co-expression network analysis.The module genes most relevant to osteoarthritis were selected to perform protein interaction analysis.Candidate core genes were selected using the cytocape software.The candidate core genes were subsequently subjected to least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and COX analysis to identify the core genes with a key role in osteoarthritis.The accuracy of the core genes was validated using an external dataset,GSE129147. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 477 differential genes were identified,265 differential genes associated with osteoarthritis were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis,and 8 candidate core genes were identified.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis finally yielded a differential gene ASPM with core value that was externally validated.(2)It is concluded that abnormal gene ASPM expression screened by bioinformatics plays a key central role in osteoarthritis.
2.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.
3.Discussion on right lung volume reduction techniques in lung transplantation surgery
Hongyi WANG ; Yixing LI ; Jinteng FENG ; Heng ZHAO ; Yanpeng ZHANG ; Shan GAO ; Jizhao WANG ; Shuo LI ; Guangjian ZHANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(6):907-913
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of different right lung volume reduction techniques when the donor lung is oversized and mismatched with the recipient. Methods Clinical data of 10 recipients who underwent right lung volume reduction lung transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from October 2022 to June 2024 were collected, including gender, age, primary disease type, and type of transplantation. A retrospective analysis was performed on postoperative complications within 90 days, duration of mechanical ventilation, hospital stay, and survival status to explore the impact of different volume reduction techniques on the survival rate of lung transplant recipients. Results A total of 10 right lung volume reduction recipients were included in this study, with 2 cases of upper lobe reduction, 7 cases of middle lobe reduction, and 1 case of lower lobe reduction. Three recipients developed airway complications (one each with upper, middle, and lower lobe reduction). The 30-day survival rate was 90% and the 1-year survival rate was 70%. One recipient with upper lobe reduction died of septic shock during the perioperative period, one with lower lobe reduction died of airway anastomotic fistula 2 months after surgery, and one with middle lobe reduction died of renal insufficiency 1 year after surgery. All 7 recipients with middle lobe reduction successfully passed the perioperative period, with one case of airway anastomotic stenosis (1/7). The average duration of mechanical ventilation was 71 hours, and the average hospital stay was 26 days. The 30-day survival rate was 7/7, and the 1-year survival rate was 6/7. Conclusions Middle lobe reduction in right lung transplantation surgery has the advantages of low incidence of airway complications, good safety, and minimal loss of lung function, and may be a better right lung volume reduction option with potential for application.
4.Effects and mechanism of rhubarb Tangluo pill on liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats
Dong AN ; Yong-Lin LIANG ; Yan-Kui GAO ; Feng-Zhe YAN ; Min BAI ; Si-Chen ZHAO ; Zhong-Tang LIU ; Xiao NIE
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1282-1286
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of rhubarb Tangluo pill on liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods ZDF(fa/fa)rats were given high-fat diet to induce type 2 diabetes model,and were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(0.18 g·kg-1 metformin)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(0.54,1.08 and 2.16 g·kg-1 rhubarb Tangluo pill),with 8 rats in each group.Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were selected as control group.The control group and model group were given equal volume of pure water once a day for 12 weeks.An oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed after administration.Fasting blood glucose level,body mass and liver mass of rats were measured and liver index was calculated.The contents of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(GOT),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)in serum were detected.The histomorphologic changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining.The protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1(p-IRS1),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)were detected by Western blotting.Results After administration,the fasting blood glucose levels of control group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H group were(4.71±0.45),(29.9±2.97),(15.28±4.52)and(13.84±1.55)mmol·L-1,respectively;the liver index were 2.31±0.46,4.03±0.18,3.37±0.23 and 3.38±0.24;the relative expression level of p-IRS1 protein were 1.00±0.36,4.00±0.11,1.62±0.27 and 1.90±0.17,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-Akt protein were 1.00±0.25,0.21±0.04,0.73±0.15 and 0.54±0.04,respectively;GLUT4 protein relative expression levels were 1.00±0.11,0.40±0.08,0.86±0.04 and 0.70±0.06,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion Rhubarb Tanglu pill can effectively improve glycolipid metabolism and liver injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of IRS1/Akt signaling pathway.
5.Methods and Challenges for Identifying and Controlling Confounding Factors in Traditional Chinese Medicine Observational Studies
Guozhen ZHAO ; Ziheng GAO ; Chen ZHAO ; Huizhen LI ; Ning LIANG ; Bin LIU ; Qianzi CHE ; Haili ZHANG ; Yixiang LI ; Feng ZHOU ; He LI ; Bo LI ; Nannan SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(22):120-126
As a supplement to randomized controlled trials, observational studies can provide evidence for the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment measures. They can also study influencing factors of diseases, etiology, and prognosis. However, there is a confounding effect due to the lack of randomization, which seriously affects the causal inference between the study factors and the outcome, resulting in confounding bias. Therefore, identifying and controlling confounding factors are key issues to be addressed in TCM observational studies. According to the causal network and the characteristics of TCM theory, confounding factors can be categorized into measured and unmeasured confounding factors. In addition, attention must be paid to identifying confounding factors and intermediate variables, as well as the interaction between confounding factors and study factors. For methods of controlling confounding factors, measured confounding factors can be controlled by stratification, multifactor analysis, propensity scores, and disease risk scores. Unmeasured and unknown confounding factors can be corrected using instrumental variable methods, difference-in-difference methods, and correction for underlying event rate ratios. Correcting and controlling confounding factors can ensure a balance between groups, and confounding bias can be reduced. In addition, methods such as sensitivity analysis and determination of interactions make the control of confounding factors more comprehensive. Due to the unique characteristics of TCM, observational studies of TCM face unique challenges in identifying and controlling confounding factors, including the ever-changing TCM treatment measures received by patients, the often-overlooked confounding effects in the four diagnostic information of TCM, and the lack of objective criteria for TCM evidence-based diagnosis. Some scholars have already conducted innovative explorations to address these issues, providing a methodological basis for conducting higher-quality TCM observational studies, so as to obtain more rigorous real-world evidence of TCM and gradually develop quality evaluation criteria for OS that are consistent with the characteristics of TCM.
6.Rapid health technology assessment of ulinastatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis
Zihui ZHENG ; Zinan ZHAO ; Feng GAO ; Wenying LI ; Han YUAN ; Baige ZHANG ; Liping YANG ; Pengfei JIN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(21):2676-2683
OBJECTIVE To conduct rapid health technology assessment (HTA) of ulinastatin (UTI), and to evaluate the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of UTI in the treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS Retrieved from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang database, CBM and official websites of HTA institutions, the systematic review (SR)/meta-analysis, economic evaluation and HTA reports of UTI in the treatment of AP were collected from the inception to Apr. 2024. Two researchers independently conducted screening, quality evaluation and data extraction according to the admission and exclusion criteria, and descriptive analysis was adopted to analyze and summarize the data. RESULTS A total of 19 studies were included, involving 15 SR/meta-analysis and 4 economic studies, and no HTA report was retrieved. In the treatment of AP, UTI showed clear advantages over conventional treatment alone in terms of improving the overall effective rate, shortening the recovery time of amylase, reducing the time required to relieve abdominal pain and distension, lowering the mortality rate, and decreasing the average hospital stay. Compared to other positive drugs (carbendate mesylate, octreotide, somatostatin, etc.), its efficacy is similar, with a favorable safety profile. As far as the current research was concerned, UTI had obvious economic advantages over other positive drugs. CONCLUSIONS UTI is safe and effective in the treatment of AP, and has economic advantages.
7.Current status of indoor microbial pollution and evaluation of air purifier effectiveness in Xi'an
Ling CHANG ; Feng ZHANG ; Ping LIU ; Fan GAO ; Jian HU ; Ge MI ; Yonggang ZHAO ; Dong LIU ; Qian LIU ; Xinmiao LIU ; Xiaoyan WU ; Jinlong MA
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(6):59-62
Objective To investigate the current situation and health effects of indoor microbial pollution in Xi'an, to analyze the purification effect of air purifiers on indoor microbial pollution, and to provide reference for improving the indoor environment. Methods Through stratified random sampling, 20 families from rural areas and 20 families from upwind and downwind urban areas respectively were selected from Xi'an. Data was collected by questionnaire surveys and on-site environmental sampling. Non-parametric analysis and correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results Overall, the standard-exceeding rate of total count of bacteria was 5.00%. The medians of the total count of bacteria and fungi were 312.50 cfu/m3 and 260.00 cfu/m3, respectively. In terms of health effects, the correlation between rhinitis and cold with total bacterial count was statistically significant (P<0.05), with the correlation coefficients of 0.182 and 0.223, respectively. Purification effect of air purifiers on microbial pollution was statistically significant (P<0.05). After opening for 2 hours, the total numbers of bacteria and fungi decreased significantly. Conclusion The occurrence risk of colds and rhinitis is increased by indoor microbial pollution. Air purifiers have a certain effect on decreasing the total number of bacteria and fungi. It is recommended to use air purifiers with high CADR of particulate matter, double-layer filter and sterilization and dehumidification function, and replace the filters regularly to reduce indoor microbiological contamination.
8.A Case Report and Literature Review of A Child with Refractory Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis Treated with Tocilizumab
Weiqin ZHANG ; Huawei ZHAO ; Zhenzhen WANG ; Feng GAO ; Zhefeng YUAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(6):834-838
OBJECTIVE
To explore the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in the treatment of refractory anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children, and to provide reference for the treatment of this disease.
METHODS
The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment, safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in a case of refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis in Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were analyzed retrospectively, and the relevant literature was reviewed.
RESULTS
The clinical symptoms of the patient were not improved after 2 doses of methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin and 6 doses of rituximab. After 6 doses of tocilizumab, the modified Rankin scale(mRS) score was improved without adverse reactions.
CONCLUSION
Tocilizumab, as a escalation second-line immunotherapy, is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis. It is one of the potential therapeutic means.
9.Implicit and explicit measures of loyalty assessment among military cadets
Xuerong LIU ; Yu ZHAN ; Wei LI ; Libin ZHANG ; Mengxue ZHAO ; Xinyan GAO ; Zhiyi CHEN ; Zhengzhi FENG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(3):203-208
Objective To explore the relevant relationship and specificity between the implicit and explicit loyalty of military cadets in order to provide a theoretical basis and objective indicators for a more comprehensive and objective assessment for individual loyalty.Methods E-Prime 2.0,a classic implicit association paradigm was employed to construct an implicit association loyalty test for 64 military cadets.Simultaneously,an explicit loyalty measurement was conducted using the Chinese Military Personnel Loyalty Scale.Results ① Significant implicit effect was observed in the loyalty assessment of military cadets,indicating a general tendency to perceive higher levels of personal loyalty and lower levels of loyalty to external entities.② Explicit loyalty assessment revealed that the participants had the highest loyalty score towards the Party,the Nation,and the People(4.79±0.34),followed by the loyalty score to their profession(4.38±0.53),and the relatively lower loyalty score towards the unit and leaders(4.03±0.83).Among the 3 dimensions of loyalty,the normative loyalty score ranked highest,while continuance loyalty score took lower.③ There were no correlations among the scores of loyalty to the Party,the Nation,and the People(r=-0.030,P=0.823),to the profession(r=-0.047,P=0.728),to the unit(r=0.050,P=0.710),or to the leaders(r=0.043,P=0.749).Conclusion The implicit effect in the loyalty assessment is significant in military cadets,and there is no significant correlation between explicit and implicit loyalty measurements.Thus,we cannot rely solely on explicit measurements to assess their loyalty attitudes.
10.Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of nasointestinal ileus tube in the operation of extensive adhesive small bowel obstruction
Feng GAO ; Yanbin DU ; Tiankuo KOU ; Jianping SHAO ; Tao CHEN ; Lei ZHAO
International Journal of Surgery 2024;51(1):27-31
Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of placing a nasointestinal ileus tube (NTI) during extensive adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO) surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical and follow-up data of 60 patients with extensive ABO admitted to the Department of General Surgery of Daxing District Hospital of Capital Medical University from April 2019 to April 2021, of which 30 patients underwent intraoperative NIT intraintestinal alignment (observation group) and 30 patients who did not undergo NIT intraintestinal alignment (control group) during the same period. There were 12 males and 18 females in the observation group. There were 16 males and 14 females in the control group. The operation time, gastrointestinal function recovery time, discharge time, total effective rate and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups, and the quantitative data of the recurrence rate of intestinal obstruction at 24 months after surgery were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), and the t-test was used for comparison between groups. Numerological data were presented as cases (percentage) [ n (%)], and chi-square tests were used for comparison between groups. Results:All patients were successfully completed the surgery and discharged from the hospital. There was no statistically significant difference in total effective rate between the control group and the observation group( χ2=3.16, P=0.237). The surgical time in the observation group was slightly longer than that in the control group [(110.6±4.6) min vs (94.3±2.5) min, t=17.27, P=0.001]. The recovery time of gastrointestinal function and hospitalization time in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group[(8.13±1.00) d vs (8.70±0.70) d, t=2.53, P=0.014; (12.83±1.57) d vs (13.67±1.03) d, t=0.03, P=0.018]. The incidence of postoperative complications was lower than that in the control group (10% vs 30%, P=0.028), and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:Intraoperative application of NIT is safe and effective, and can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of postoperative intestinal obstruction.


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