1.High Expression of INF2 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression
Hai-Biao WANG ; Man LIN ; Fu-Sang YE ; Jia-Xin SHI ; Hong LI ; Meng YE ; Jie WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):194-208
ObjectiveINF2 is a member of the formins family. Abnormal expression and regulation of INF2 have been associated with the progression of various tumors, but the expression and role of INF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. HCC is a highly lethal malignant tumor. Given the limitations of traditional treatments, this study explored the expression level, clinical value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC in order to seek new therapeutic targets. MethodsIn this study, we used public databases to analyze the expression of INF2 in pan-cancer and HCC, as well as the impact of INF2 expression levels on HCC prognosis. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of INF2 in liver cancer cells and human HCC tissues. The correlation between INF2 expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed using public databases and clinical data of human HCC samples. Subsequently, the effects of INF2 expression on the biological function and Drp1 phosphorylation of liver cancer cells were elucidated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Finally, the predictive value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC were further analyzed through database and immunohistochemical experiments. ResultsINF2 is aberrantly high expression in HCC samples and the high expression of INF2 is correlated with overall survival, liver cirrhosis and pathological differentiation of HCC patients. The expression level of INF2 has certain diagnostic value in predicting the prognosis and pathological differentiation of HCC. In vivo and in vitro HCC models, upregulated expression of INF2 triggers the proliferation and migration of the HCC cell, while knockdown of INF2 could counteract this effect. INF2 in liver cancer cells may affect mitochondrial division by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and mediate immune escape by up-regulating PD-L1 expression, thus promoting tumor progression. ConclusionINF2 is highly expressed in HCC and is associated with poor prognosis. High expression of INF2 may promote HCC progression by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression, and targeting INF2 may be beneficial for HCC patients with high expression of INF2.
2.Characterization of the genetic evolution of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae in selected areas of Qinghai
Zhi LI ; Hai-ning ZHANG ; Xue-yong ZHANG ; Hong DUO ; Xiu-ying SHEN ; Hong YIN ; Yong FU ; Zhi-hong GUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):419-426
The study was aimed at identifying the diversity of tick species in selected areas of Qinghai,to analyze the genetic differentiation characteristics of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR),and to provide the theoretical basis for SFGR prevention and control in the region.The 16S rRNA gene was used for molecular biological identification of 446 collected tick samples,and the infection characteristics of SFGR in tick samples were determined according to the SFGR outer membrane protein A(ompA)gene.Haplotype analysis,phylogenetic tree construction,and estimation of differentiation times for SFGR were conducted in DNASP v6,IQ-tree v2.2.0,and BEAST v2.7.4 software.The obtained 446 tick samples belonged to three categories:(1)Haemaphy-salis spp.,including Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis(n=192)and H.danieli(n=37);(2)Dermacentor spp.,including Dermacentor ever-estianus(n=121),D.nuttalli(n=55),and D.silvarum(n=36);and(3)Hyalomma marginatum(n=5).Rickettsia raoultii was de-tected in D.everestianus,D.silvarum,D.nuttalli,H.qinghaiensis,and H.danieli,with infection rates of 95.9%,80.6%,69.1%,4.1%,and 2.7%,respectively.R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 was found only in D.silvarum and D.nuttalli,with infection rates of 5.6%and 1.8%,respectively.The Candidatus R.gannanii F107 was found in H.danieli and H.qinghaiensis,with infection rates of 16.2%and 7.8%,respectively.Ca.R.hongyuanensis was detected only in H.qinghaiensis,with a prevalence of 16.3%.The prevalence of R.aeschlimannii was 20%and 2.7%in Hy.marginatum and H.danieli,respectively.Haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism analy-ses revealed 13 haplotypes in R.raoultii,with haplotype H13 as the dominant haplotype(42/192);seven haplotypes in Ca.R.ganna-nii F107,with haplotype H4 as the dominant haplotype(4/18);and three haplotypes in Ca.R.hongyuanensis,with haplotype H1 as the dominant haplotype(11/13).The phylogenetic tree indicated that the sequences of R.raoultii in selected areas of Qinghai and R.rhipicephali clustered into one branch;Ca.R.hongyuanensis and Ca.R.gannanii F107 clustered into one branch;and R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 clustered into one branch with R.sibirica.Estimates of differentiation time revealed that the mean differentiation time for the six Rickettsia was approximately 2 000 Mya(95%CI:1 999.08-2 001.02 Mya).The tick species distributed in selected ar-eas of Qinghai are diverse,and this study provides the first report of Hy.marginatum in Qinghai Province.SFGR significantly varied in prevalence among tick species and showed high genetic diversity.
3.Diagnostic Techniques and Risk Prediction for Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Song HOU ; Lin-Shan ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin HONG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Cai-Li ZHANG ; Yan ZHU ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2585-2601
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.
4.Enrichment Analysis and Deep Learning in Biomedical Ontology: Applications and Advancements.
Hong-Yu FU ; Yang-Yang LIU ; Mei-Yi ZHANG ; Hai-Xiu YANG
Chinese Medical Sciences Journal 2025;40(1):45-56
Biomedical big data, characterized by its massive scale, multi-dimensionality, and heterogeneity, offers novel perspectives for disease research, elucidates biological principles, and simultaneously prompts changes in related research methodologies. Biomedical ontology, as a shared formal conceptual system, not only offers standardized terms for multi-source biomedical data but also provides a solid data foundation and framework for biomedical research. In this review, we summarize enrichment analysis and deep learning for biomedical ontology based on its structure and semantic annotation properties, highlighting how technological advancements are enabling the more comprehensive use of ontology information. Enrichment analysis represents an important application of ontology to elucidate the potential biological significance for a particular molecular list. Deep learning, on the other hand, represents an increasingly powerful analytical tool that can be more widely combined with ontology for analysis and prediction. With the continuous evolution of big data technologies, the integration of these technologies with biomedical ontologies is opening up exciting new possibilities for advancing biomedical research.
Deep Learning
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Biological Ontologies
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Humans
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Big Data
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Biomedical Research
5.Research Progress in the Function and Regulation of Sirtuin 3 in Sepsis-Related Diseases.
Jun-Jie LI ; Hong MEI ; Xin-Xin LIU ; Kun YU ; Bang-Hai FENG ; Bao FU ; Song QIN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(4):601-610
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection,with a high mortality rate.Sirtuin 3,a deacetylase within mitochondria,plays an important regulatory role in cellular metabolism,oxidative stress,and inflammatory responses.In recent years,significant progress has been made in the study of the function and regulatory role of sirtuin 3 in sepsis-related diseases.Research has shown that sirtuin 3 can alleviate organ damage caused by sepsis by regulating mitochondrial function,reducing oxidative stress,and inhibiting inflammatory responses.The specific mechanisms include the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics,activation of antioxidant enzyme systems,and inhibition of inflammatory mediator expression.In addition,sirtuin 3 plays a protective role in the pathological process of sepsis by interacting with multiple signaling pathways.This article summarizes the functions and regulatory mechanisms of sirtuin 3 in various sepsis-related diseases,aiming to provide new targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in the future.
Sepsis/metabolism*
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Sirtuin 3/physiology*
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Humans
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Animals
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Oxidative Stress
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Mitochondria/metabolism*
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Signal Transduction
6.OBE-based Design of Biochemistry Teaching:Taking the Teaching of"Classification and Specificity of Enzymes"as an Example
Hua HAI ; Li-Yan NA ; Ming-Lei HE ; Hong-Ze YANG ; Li-Ming JIN ; Chun-Bin LI ; Hua JIN ; Quan ZHOU ; De-Fu ZHI
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):903-913
Biochemistry,as a fundamental course for science and engineering majors related to biology and chemistry,holds a significant position in the curriculum.The course team at Dalian Minzu University is committed to teaching innovation,adopting the outcome-based education(OBE)concept for teaching de-sign and incorporating ideological and political elements,in order to achieve the dual goals of knowledge transmission and value guidance.The team has established a three-dimensional teaching goal of"knowl-edge,morality,and ability",covering"consolidating core knowledge,cultivating moral sentiment,and enhancing innovation ability".Through a multi-dimensional integrated teaching method of"three integra-tions and five combinations",multiple rounds of teaching practice have been carried out in the applied chemistry major using"classification and specificity of enzyme"as an example.The output of teaching re-sults and survey questionnaires show that students highly recognize the teaching design and its"process-based learning"evaluation method,fully reflecting the student-centered teaching idea.Research has shown that OBE design combined with ideological and political elements can effectively promote students' knowl-edge acquisition,moral growth,and innovation ability improvement in the course of Biochemistry.This teaching design not only helps students construct correct worldviews,outlooks on life,and values,but also significantly enhances their innovative thinking and practical abilities.This teaching design can not only ef-fectively improve the teaching quality of the course,but also provide new perspectives and ideas for the teaching design of Biochemistry,realizing the organic integration of professional knowledge imparting and i-deological and political education,and has certain innovation and practical significance.
7.OBE-based Design of Biochemistry Teaching:Taking the Teaching of"Classification and Specificity of Enzymes"as an Example
Hua HAI ; Li-Yan NA ; Ming-Lei HE ; Hong-Ze YANG ; Li-Ming JIN ; Chun-Bin LI ; Hua JIN ; Quan ZHOU ; De-Fu ZHI
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):903-913
Biochemistry,as a fundamental course for science and engineering majors related to biology and chemistry,holds a significant position in the curriculum.The course team at Dalian Minzu University is committed to teaching innovation,adopting the outcome-based education(OBE)concept for teaching de-sign and incorporating ideological and political elements,in order to achieve the dual goals of knowledge transmission and value guidance.The team has established a three-dimensional teaching goal of"knowl-edge,morality,and ability",covering"consolidating core knowledge,cultivating moral sentiment,and enhancing innovation ability".Through a multi-dimensional integrated teaching method of"three integra-tions and five combinations",multiple rounds of teaching practice have been carried out in the applied chemistry major using"classification and specificity of enzyme"as an example.The output of teaching re-sults and survey questionnaires show that students highly recognize the teaching design and its"process-based learning"evaluation method,fully reflecting the student-centered teaching idea.Research has shown that OBE design combined with ideological and political elements can effectively promote students' knowl-edge acquisition,moral growth,and innovation ability improvement in the course of Biochemistry.This teaching design not only helps students construct correct worldviews,outlooks on life,and values,but also significantly enhances their innovative thinking and practical abilities.This teaching design can not only ef-fectively improve the teaching quality of the course,but also provide new perspectives and ideas for the teaching design of Biochemistry,realizing the organic integration of professional knowledge imparting and i-deological and political education,and has certain innovation and practical significance.
8.Characterization of the genetic evolution of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae in selected areas of Qinghai
Zhi LI ; Hai-ning ZHANG ; Xue-yong ZHANG ; Hong DUO ; Xiu-ying SHEN ; Hong YIN ; Yong FU ; Zhi-hong GUO
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):419-426
The study was aimed at identifying the diversity of tick species in selected areas of Qinghai,to analyze the genetic differentiation characteristics of tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae(SFGR),and to provide the theoretical basis for SFGR prevention and control in the region.The 16S rRNA gene was used for molecular biological identification of 446 collected tick samples,and the infection characteristics of SFGR in tick samples were determined according to the SFGR outer membrane protein A(ompA)gene.Haplotype analysis,phylogenetic tree construction,and estimation of differentiation times for SFGR were conducted in DNASP v6,IQ-tree v2.2.0,and BEAST v2.7.4 software.The obtained 446 tick samples belonged to three categories:(1)Haemaphy-salis spp.,including Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis(n=192)and H.danieli(n=37);(2)Dermacentor spp.,including Dermacentor ever-estianus(n=121),D.nuttalli(n=55),and D.silvarum(n=36);and(3)Hyalomma marginatum(n=5).Rickettsia raoultii was de-tected in D.everestianus,D.silvarum,D.nuttalli,H.qinghaiensis,and H.danieli,with infection rates of 95.9%,80.6%,69.1%,4.1%,and 2.7%,respectively.R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 was found only in D.silvarum and D.nuttalli,with infection rates of 5.6%and 1.8%,respectively.The Candidatus R.gannanii F107 was found in H.danieli and H.qinghaiensis,with infection rates of 16.2%and 7.8%,respectively.Ca.R.hongyuanensis was detected only in H.qinghaiensis,with a prevalence of 16.3%.The prevalence of R.aeschlimannii was 20%and 2.7%in Hy.marginatum and H.danieli,respectively.Haplotype and nucleotide polymorphism analy-ses revealed 13 haplotypes in R.raoultii,with haplotype H13 as the dominant haplotype(42/192);seven haplotypes in Ca.R.ganna-nii F107,with haplotype H4 as the dominant haplotype(4/18);and three haplotypes in Ca.R.hongyuanensis,with haplotype H1 as the dominant haplotype(11/13).The phylogenetic tree indicated that the sequences of R.raoultii in selected areas of Qinghai and R.rhipicephali clustered into one branch;Ca.R.hongyuanensis and Ca.R.gannanii F107 clustered into one branch;and R.sibirica subsp.sibirica BJ-90 clustered into one branch with R.sibirica.Estimates of differentiation time revealed that the mean differentiation time for the six Rickettsia was approximately 2 000 Mya(95%CI:1 999.08-2 001.02 Mya).The tick species distributed in selected ar-eas of Qinghai are diverse,and this study provides the first report of Hy.marginatum in Qinghai Province.SFGR significantly varied in prevalence among tick species and showed high genetic diversity.
9.Effect of hand hygiene intervention on healthcare-associated case infection incidence from 2014 to 2022
Jia-Yan DING ; Rui-Hong SHEN ; Wen-Qin ZHOU ; Ya-Yun YUAN ; Mei HUANG ; Ya YANG ; Bing-Chao CAI ; Hai-Qun BAN ; Xiao-Fang FU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(2):208-213
Objective To observe the effect of multi-modal hand hygiene(HH)intervention on HH compliance,as well as the relationship between HH compliance and the healthcare-associated(HA)case infection incidence.Methods From 2014 to 2022,the infection control team in a tertiary first-class hospital implemented multi-modal HH intervention for health care workers(HCWs).The changing trend of HH monitoring data,the correlation be-tween HH compliance rate and HA case infection incidence were analyzed retrospectively.Results The consump-tion of HH products in the wards showed a stable upward trend;HH compliance rate increased from 64.98%in 2014 to 85.01%in 2022(P<0.001),and HA case infection incidence decreased from 1.21%to 0.83%(P<0.05).HH compliance rate was negatively correlated with HA case infection incidence(r=-0.369,P=0.027).HH compliance rates in different regions and job posts in each quarter were increased(P<0.001).For 5 different HH moments in each quarter,HH compliance rate fluctuated slightly before sterile manipulation and after touching patient;presented rising trend after touching surroundings around patient,and decreased before touching patient and after touching patient's body fluid since 2020(P<0.001).Conclusion Multi-modal HH intervention can im-prove the HH compliance of HCWs,improving their HH awareness is conducive to reducing HA case infection incidence.
10.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

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