1.Elevated SLC3A2 Expression Promotes the Progression of Gliomas and Enhances Ferroptosis Resistance through the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 Axis
Yuqian ZHENG ; Shaolong ZHOU ; Yiran TAO ; Zimin SHI ; Xiang LI ; Xudong FU ; Jian MA ; Weihua HU ; Wulong LIANG ; Xinjun WANG
Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(1):71-94
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to determine the impact of solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) on the malignant phenotype of gliomas and its role in regulating ferroptosis sensitivity.
Materials and Methods:
The malignant phenotype of glioma was assessed by cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, EdU assay, wound healing, and Transwell experiments. We further validated the impact of reduced SLC3A2 expression on the sensitivity to ferroptosis in glioma cells through Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, flow cytometry, western blotting, and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to explore how SLC3A2 affects glioma sensitivity to ferroptosis through the AKT/NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) axis. By establishing a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in BALB/c-nude mice, we investigated the growth of tumors following the knockout of SLC3A2 in glioma cells.
Results:
Downregulation of SLC3A2 suppressed the malignant phenotype of glioma by blocking the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes. On the other hand, loss of SLC3A2 not only downregulated SLC7A11 but also prevented the activation of the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis. These lead to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides, ultimately enhancing the susceptibility of glioma to ferroptosis.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that SLC3A2 is an oncogene in gliomas, promoting their occurrence and development. It plays a critical role in ferroptosis resistance through the AKT/NRF2/GPX4 axis.
2.Effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules and Its Polysaccharides and Flavonoids on Precocious Puberty in Young Mice
Hong SUN ; Fan LEI ; Chenggong LI ; Shixian HU ; Weihua WANG ; Bin REN ; Juan HAO ; Rui LUO ; Lijun DU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):95-103
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules (SBC) on sexual development in normal 3-week-old mice. MethodsThe experiment consisted of two parts. In the first part, mice were divided into four groups: The control group and the low, medium, and high-dose SBC groups (234.7, 469.4, 938.7 mg·kg-1, respectively). In the second part, mice were divided into four groups: Control group, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide (PRP) group, total flavonoids group, and SBC group, all receiving a dose of 469.4 mg·kg-1. After 7 days of administration, the vaginal opening of female mice and the descent of testes and scrotum in male mice, as well as the ovarian and testicular organ indices, were observed. After 4 weeks of administration, female and male mice were housed together for 2 days, and the pregnancy rate of females was monitored. After delivery, the pregnant female mice continued receiving the treatment for 4 weeks, and the sexual development of their offspring, including vaginal opening, testicular descent, and organ indices of ovaries and testes, was observed. Serum sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and growth hormone (GH) proteins in the hypothalamus was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group, there was no significant effect on the vaginal opening of female mice or the descent of testes in male mice after 7 days of SBC administration. After 4 weeks of administration, the pregnancy rate in the low-dose group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), but no significant effects were observed in the other groups. The three doses of SBC did not significantly affect the ovarian or testicular organ indices, and there was no significant upregulation in the expression of GnRH or GH in the hypothalamus. The primary component of SBC, Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide, significantly reduced the vaginal opening in female mice after 7 days of administration (P<0.05). After 4 weeks, the serum estradiol levels of non-pregnant female mice were decreased (P<0.05), but there was no significant effect on the expression of GnRH or GH proteins in the hypothalamus of either male or female mice. Additionally, there were no significant effects on precocious puberty indicators, such as vaginal opening and testicular descent, in the offspring mice. ConclusionSBC does not significantly promote precocious puberty in young mice, and it does not have any noticeable effects on the pregnancy rate of adult mice or the sexual development of their offspring.
3.Analysis of the dilemmas of the simplified ethical review procedure in practice
Benze HU ; Yuhong HUANG ; Xufang GU ; Weihua GUO ; Siyuan HU ; Yaqing YANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(1):46-51
In September 2023, the Measures for Scientific and Technological Ethics Review (Trial Implementation) was issued, revising the provisions related to the simplified procedure for ethical review in Chapter 3, Section 3. This revision of these provisions provides systematic guarantees for further optimizing ethical review work, ensuring that ethical review procedure is well-regulated, and improving scientific research efficiency. The “simplified procedure” does not mean reducing the quality and requirements of the review. Instead, based on always following internationally recognized ethical standards and emphasizing not violating national laws and regulations, improving the efficiency of ethical review and subsequent research work, and promoting the development of life sciences and medical research involving humans. In practical work, it introduces numerous new opportunities and challenges for the improvement of ethics review ability, such as new tests on the judgment and decision-making power of ethics committees, how to ensure the reliability and controllability of the conditions related to the simplified review procedure, and how to determine the basic conditions for adopting the simplified review procedure for review. Therefore, to actively respond to the challenges and possible risks brought by the simplified procedure review, efforts should be made to achieve three “unifications”, including the unification of researchers’ moral autonomy and the heteronomy of supervision implemented by relevant departments; the unification of the standard formulation of the simplified procedure review and the review work in practice; and the unification of ethical responsibility and legal responsibility.
4.Advances in the application of machine learning-related combined models in infectious disease prediction
Weihua HU ; Huimin SUN ; Yikun CHANG ; Jinwei CHEN ; Zhicheng DU ; Yongyue WEI ; Yuantao HAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):1085-1094
When the epidemiology of infectious diseases is more complex, it is often difficult for disease prediction studies based on a single model to capture the multidimensional nature of disease transmission. In recent years, combining different models to improve infectious disease prediction has gradually become a research trend and hotspot. Existing studies have shown that combined models usually have higher prediction performance and better generalization ability. The current combined models mainly combine machine learning and other models, including time-series models, dynamic models, etcetera. In addition, integrated learning that combines diverse machine learning techniques also holds significant importance across various research domains. This paper reviews the progress of applying combined models around machine learning in infectious disease prediction to promote the innovation and practice of combined models for infectious diseases and help to build smarter and more efficient infectious disease early warning and prediction methods and systems.
5.Progress in application of compartment model-related combined models in infectious disease prediction
Weihua HU ; Huimin SUN ; Yikun CHANG ; Jinwei CHEN ; Zhicheng DU ; Yongyue WEI ; Yuantao HAO
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1289-1296
Methods such as compartmental models, agent-based models, time series models, and machine learning can be used for the prediction of infectious disease incidence. When disease epidemics are complex, it is often difficult to use a single model to comprehensively and accurately capture the multi dimensional nature of the disease. Exploring the combined application of different models has gradually become a research trend and hotspot in recent years, and the prediction performance of combined models is often better than that of single ones. Current research related to combined models mainly focus on machine learning or compartmental models. In this review, we focus on the combination of compartmental models and other models, and summarize their combination principles, application progress, and advantages or disadvantages for the purpose of promoting the innovation and application of combined models for infectious disease incidence prediction, and establishing a more intelligent and efficient early warning and prediction method or systems for the prevention and control of infectious disease.
6.Based on Network Pharmacology to Explore the Mechanism of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in Treating Psycho-cardiological Disease
Weihua LEI ; Jinyong CAI ; Mengying ZHANG ; Qian ZHAO ; Wenjia WANG ; Shuiping ZHOU ; Yunhui HU ; Ruiming LI
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1188-1200
Objective Based on Network pharmacology to explore the mechanism of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in treating Psycho-cardiological disease.Methods To obtain the validated targets of the complete formulation of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills,data were sourced from databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP,and PubMed.Additionally,genes associated with Psycho-cardiological disease were retrieved from the Genecards database.Utilizing the Digital Intelligence Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Platform,network proximity was calculated for the obtained targets and genes.The potential targets of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills in the treatment of Psycho-cardiological disease conduct enrichment analysis,trace the source of medicinal materials and effective components absorbed into the blood.Results Obtained 192 targets for the Compound Danshen Dripping Pills,1137 genes for Psycho-cardiological disease,and the network proximity calculation showed a significant correlation between the two(Z-score=-6.5282).The enrichment analysis of the 95 potential targets predominantly reveals their association with several key pathways,including AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications,Lipid and atherosclerosis,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,the HIF-1 signaling pathway,TNF signaling.The traceability analysis indicates that 80 targets are associated with three distinct medicinal materials,10 targets are linked to two medicinal materials,and 5 targets are connected to a single medicinal material.95 targets are mainly related to 17 effective blood components such as salvianolic acid B,tanshinone ⅡA,and salvianolic acid A.The top 16 key genes were obtained by sorting the targets based on the Betweenness values corresponding to the blood components.The enrichment analysis of the key gene indicated that the treatment of Psycho-cardiological disease with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills is associated with the positive regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation and the hypoxia response.Additionally,it is linked to the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis,the relaxin signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis,and the TNF signaling pathway,etc.Conclusion The Compound Danshen Dripping Pills may improve Psycho-cardiological disease by regulating inflammatory response,oxidative stress,myocardial ischemia,neuroprotection,and neurotoxicity inhibition through components such as salvianolic acid B,tanshinone ⅡA,tanshinone Ⅰ,salvianolic acid A,protocatechuic acid,etc.
7.Comparison of the therapeutic effects of different splenectomy and devascularization procedures in the treatment of portal hypertension
Wenyu ZHAO ; Wenlei ZHAO ; Weihua CHANG ; Zhengyao CHANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Xinglong HU ; Feng LIANG ; Ruizhao QI
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2025;31(9):690-695
Objective:To analyze the efficacy of laparoscopic partial splenectomy and devascularization (LPSPD), open partial splenectomy and devascularization (OPSPD), laparoscopic total splenectomy and devascularization (LTSPD), and open total splenectomy and devascularization (OTSPD) in the treatment of portal hypertension.Methods:Clinical data of 128 patients with portal hypertension admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University and the General Surgery Department of the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 69 males and 59 females, aged 51.0±10.9 years. According to different surgical methods, patients were divided into four groups, namely the LPSPD group ( n=30), the OPSPD group ( n=32), the LTSPD group ( n=31), and the OTSPD group ( n=35). Operation time, postoperative hospitalization time, postoperative complications such as newly occurred PVT, etc of the four groups of patients were compared. Results:The operation times of the LPSPD, OPSPD, LTSPD and OTSPD group were 240.0 (180.0, 399.0), 209.5 (169.0, 259.0), 207.0 (175.3, 297.5) and 200.0 (162.0, 264.0) minutes, respectively. The postoperative hospital stays were 8.0 (7.0, 12.0), 10.0 (8.3, 11.8), 11.0 (9.0, 13.0) and 13.0 (11.0, 15.0) days, respectively. The incidences of newly occurred PVT after surgery were 3.3% (1/30), 3.1% (1/32), 19.4% (6/31), and 20.0% (7/35), respectively. The above indicators were compared among the four groups respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay of the LPSPD group was shorter than that of the LTSPD group [8.0 (7.0, 12.0) vs 11.0 (9.0, 13.0), d, Z=-3.93], and the postoperative hospital stay of the OPSPD group was also shorter than that of the OTSPD group [10.0 (8.3, 11.8) vs 13.0 (11.0, 15.0), d, Z=-3.56; all P<0.001]. The incidence of newly occurred PVT after surgery in the partial splenectomy group (LPSPD and OPSPD) was 3.2% (2/62), which was lower than that in the total splenectomy group [LTSPD and OTSPD, 19.7% (13/66), χ2=8.38, P=0.004]. Conclusion:Compared to total splenectomy, partial splenectomy might be favorable for the shortened postoperative hospital stay and lower incidence of newly occurred portal vein thrombosis.
8.Exploration and Practice on Building a Lifelong Training System for Innovative Medical Talents:Taking Zhejiang Cancer Hospital As an Example
Yanfei QIU ; Geling LI ; Yujing LI ; Weihua HUANG ; Qiqi DING ; Jiaqi HU
China Cancer 2025;34(7):552-556
Cultivating innovative medical talents is a key strategy for enhancing a hospital's core competitiveness.Taking Zhejiang Cancer Hospital as a case study,this paper constructs a lifelong training system for innovative medical talents based on the"Triple-Phase Cultivation Framework(three stages,four integrations,five mechanisms)".This system delineates the cultivation cycle in-to three stages aligned with talent development trajectories:the"30s Start-up Phase"(young talents under 35),the"40s Growth Phase"(core professionals under 45),and the"50s Breakthrough Phase"(academic leaders under 50).It implements a four-dimensional cultivation model integrating medicine with research,education,engineering/informatics,and industry.Furthermore,a com-prehensive guarantee mechanism is established,encompassing policies & systems,platform re-sources,project drivers,financial investment,and talent teams.Practice demonstrates that this system has significantly enhanced talent development effectiveness.Over the past five years,the hospital has established 2 academician workstations and recruited 10 academician teams.The annual number of postdoctoral researchers has surged from 4 in 2020 to 58 in 2024.A total of 71 innova-tive talents have been selected across three batches,with 69 recognitions in provincial/ministerial-level talent programs,placing the hospital among the leaders within hospitals directly under the Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission.Notably,the hospital achieved a"zero breakthrough"in in-dependently cultivating national-level talents,including recipients of the National Ten-Thousand Talent Program(Young Top Talents)and the Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program.The"Triple-Phase Cultivation Framework"establishes a replicable paradigm for nurturing innovative medical talents through its full-career-cycle approach,multidisciplinary integration,and systematic support mechanisms,offering valuable insights for talent strategies in specialized cancer hospitals.
9.Generation of a FAM50A knockout Beta-TC-6 cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and preparation of a FAM50A polyclonal antibody
Yaxua Qiu ; Xiangrui Meng ; Xiaoyan Xie ; Sitong Cheng ; Yufan Peng ; Siqi Liu ; Xue Zhao ; Zhangfeng Hu ; Junqiao Xing ; Weihua Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2105-2112
Objective:
To construct a Family with sequence similarity 50 member A(FAM50A) gene knockout mouse insulinoma pancreatic β-cell line Beta-TC-6 using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology and to prepare polyclonal antibodies specifically recognizing FAM50A.
Methods:
Two guide RNAs(sgRNAs) targeting the FAM50A gene were designed,and a recombinant plasmid expressing blue fluorescent protein(BFP) was constructed for gene knockout.The successfully constructed plasmid was transfected into Beta-TC-6 cells,and BFP-positive single cells were isolated for clonal expansion.The expanded monoclonal cell lines were genotyped by Sanger sequencing,and FAM50A protein expression was assessed by Western blot.Purified human recombinant FAM50A protein was used to immunize New Zealand rabbits for the preparation of a polyclonal antibody.The specificity of the prepared antibody was then validated using the successfully established FAM50A knockout cell line.
Results:
A monoclonal cell line with a successful knockout of the FAM50A gene was identified.Sanger sequencing confirmed base deletions at the target site.Western blot analysis showed a complete absence of FAM50A protein expression in this cell line.The prepared polyclonal antibody successfully recognized endogenous murine FAM50A protein in wild-type Beta-TC-6 cells and in hTERT-RPE1 cells overexpressing human FAM50A-GFP fusion protein,while no signal was detected in the FAM50A knockout cells.
Conclusion
This study successfully established a FAM50A gene knockout Beta-TC-6 cell model and generated a FAM50A polyclonal antibody,providing powerful tools for future research.
10.Risk factors and prognosis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis following herpes simplex virus encephalitis in children
Guohan YANG ; Fang FANG ; Changhong REN ; Xiaotun REN ; Bing HU ; Weihua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(6):649-654
Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis following herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSE) in children.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 83 children with HSE hospitalized at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2013 to June 2023. The clinical data, including demographics, clinical manifestations, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, auxiliary examinations, and treatment regimens, were collected. The prognoses of these children were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) scale, and pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL). These children were divided into 2 groups: those who developed secondary anti-NMDAR encephalitis and those who did not. Non-parametric tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and Logistic regression models were applied to identify risk factors for secondary anti-NMDAR encephalitis.Results:Among the 83 children with HSE, 23 children developed secondary anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The secondary anti-NMDAR encephalitis group exhibited a later age of onset compared to the non-secondary group (4.0 (2.2, 7.1) vs. 1.6 (0.8, 5.4) years, Z=2.19, P=0.028), lower GCS scores (8.0 (5.5, 11.5) vs. 14.0 (9.8, 15.0) points, Z=3.74, P<0.001), and worse prognostic outcomes as measured by mRS, PCPC scale and PedsQL (3.0 (2.0, 5.0) vs. 1.0 (0.3, 3.0) points, 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) vs. 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) points, 52.0 (17.0, 67.0) vs. 86.5 (53.3, 97.5) points, Z=3.48, 3.36, 3.09, all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis identified lower GCS scores during HSE as an independent risk factor for the secondary anti-NMDAR encephalitis ( OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.72-0.94, P=0.003). Conclusion:For the children with HSE who present low GCS scores, regular follow-ups are imperative in order to monitor for the potential development of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, thus facilitating early intervention and improving clinical outcomes.


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