1.TAZ WW Domain-Mediated Regulation of Gluconeogenesis and Tumorigenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Interaction with the Glucocorticoid Receptor
Hongxiang HUANG ; Jinhong CHEN ; Xingyu TAO ; Peiyuan ZHONG ; Yanqiu MENG ; Sujuan PENG ; Wanying LUO ; Zhiyong HE ; Shuai LUO ; Xie ZHU ; Zhihui LU ; Li CHEN ; Yangyang LIU
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2026;41(2):267-287
Background:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, characterized by poor prognosis due to its high proliferative and invasive potential. Tumor metabolic reprogramming, particularly involving glucose metabolism, is essential for tumor survival. This study investigates the role of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in regulating gluconeogenesis and promoting tumorigenesis in HCC.
Methods:
TAZ expression in HCC was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and validated in clinical samples and cell lines. TAZ was overexpressed or silenced in HCC cell lines to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression and prognostic relevance of the gluconeogenesis-related genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) were examined, along with their correlation with TAZ expression. Tumor growth was assessed in nude mice. Interactions between TAZ and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.
Results:
TAZ was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. TAZ overexpression enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and promoted migration and invasion. In contrast, PCK1 and G6PC were downregulated in HCC and showed a negative correlation with TAZ expression.
Conclusion
TAZ modulates gluconeogenesis and accelerates tumor growth, whereas its knockdown attenuates tumor progression. TAZ interacts with GR, suppressing its transcriptional activity on gluconeogenic gene promoters.
2.Analysis of factors influencing frequent episodes in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a national multicenter cross-sectional study
Jing TIAN ; Yifeng GUO ; Xiaoyan LUO ; Yuan LIANG ; Ping LI ; Jinping CHEN ; Yao LU ; Jianping TANG ; Yunsheng LIANG ; Ying GAO ; Qiufang QIAN ; Hong SHU ; Hongxiang CHEN ; Pingshen FAN ; Xiuping HAN ; Hua QIAN ; Qinfeng LI ; Ming LI ; Shengchun WANG ; Ying LIU ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):943-951
Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.
3.Explore the feasibility of subsegmentectomy in clinical application
Fei QI ; Hongxiang FENG ; Yu HAN ; Fei XIAO ; Yuhui SHI ; Chaoyang LIANG ; Deruo LIU ; Fanjia KONG ; Zhenrong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;41(1):10-15
Objective:Analyze the imaging and clinical data of cases undergoing thoracoscopic subsegmental resection for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) with a diameter≤2 cm, and explore the clinical outcomes of subsegmental resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 58 patients who underwent thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to July 2024. Three-dimensional reconstruction technology was used for surgical planning before the operation, and thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy was performed, including single lung subsegmentectomy(Group 1), multiple lung subsegmentectomy(Group 2), and combined segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy(Group 3).Results:All patients successfully completed the surgery, with 23 cases of single lung subsegmentectomy, 6 cases of multiple lung subsegmentectomy, and 29 cases of combined segmentectomy and subsegmentectomy. The median intraoperative blood loss was 30.0(20.0, 30.0)ml, the average operation time was(2.03±0.68) h, the average pathological size of the nodules was(10.53±4.45) mm, and the average postoperative tube retention was(2.55±0.92) days. There were 6 cases of postoperative complications, including pulmonary air leakage in 2 cases, cerebral embolism in 1 case, pulmonary embolism in 1 case, pulmonary infection in 1 case, and atrial fibrillation in 1 case. All patients had negative surgical margins in the postoperative pathology. Group 1 had less average intraoperative blood loss than Group 2, with statistically significant differences( P=0.027). Surgical procedures for the upper lobe of the lung mainly involve the resection of combined segments and subsegments, while those for the lower lobe primarily consist of single segmentectomy. Conclusion:Subsegmentectomy is an effective surgical approach when the nodule is small and a clear margin can be ensured, allowing for better preservation of remaining lung tissue. Bleeding during multiple subsegmentectomies is greater than that in single subsegmentectomy and combined segmentectomy with subsegmentectomy, which may be related to the more complex vascular variations in multiple subsegmentectomies.
4.Comparative study on video laryngoscopy and traditional direct laryngoscopy in neonatal endotracheal intubation teaching for undergraduate clinical medicine students
Hongxiang GUO ; Jing CHEN ; Lijun LIU ; Xin XU ; Song FENG ; Qingfei HAO
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(8):606-609
Objective:To compare the effectiveness of video laryngoscopy and traditional direct laryngoscopy in neonatal endotracheal intubation teaching.Methods:A total of 52 undergraduate clinical interns in the Department of Neonatology at the First Clinical School of Medicine of Zhengzhou University in June 2024 were selected.The participants were randomly divided into a video laryngoscopy group and a traditional direct laryngoscopy group.After the training,skill assessments were conducted.And a questionnaire was used to evaluate whether there were differences in terms of teaching arrangement, teaching methods, classroom interaction, and teachers' attitudes.Results:The skill assessment score of the video laryngoscope group was (72.85 ± 3.36) points, significantly higher than that of the direct laryngoscope group[(65.81 ± 2.80) points], with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The glottis recognition rate in the video laryngoscope group (88.46%) was higher than that in the direct laryngoscope group (61.54%) ( P<0.05).The intubation success rate in the video laryngoscope group (69.23%) was also higher than that in the direct laryngoscope group (38.7%) ( P<0.05). The results of the teaching satisfaction survey questionnaire showed that the satisfaction ratio for teaching methods in the video laryngoscope group was higher than that in the direct laryngoscope group ( P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of teaching arrangements, classroom interaction, assessment and evaluation methods, and teacher attitudes ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Using video laryngoscopy for teaching helps interns better master neonatal tracheal intubation skills and is worth promoting.
5.Predictive value of the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in infants with retinopathy of prematurity
Hongxiang GUO ; Jing CHEN ; Lijun LIU ; Xiuyong CHENG ; Qingfei HAO
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(10):725-728
Objective:To explore the value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)in early prediction of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).Methods:The medical records of 325 preterm infants with a gestational age <32 weeks who were admitted to the Neonatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1,2019 to December 31,2019 were retrospectively reviewed.The complete blood cell results at 7-10 days of age were collected,including white blood cell,neutrophil,lymphocyte,monocyte,and platelet counts.The NLR,lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR),and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors associated with ROP.The receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to evaluate the value of NLR in the early prediction of ROP.Results:A total of 325 infants were involved,including 110(33.8%)with ROP and 215(61.2%)without ROP.The gestational age,birth weight,platelet count,lymphocyte count,and LMR were significantly lower in the ROP group( P<0.05),whereas the neutrophil count and NLR were found to be significantly higher( P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that small gestational age,low birth weight,and high NLR were major risk factors for the development of ROP.The sensitivity and specificity of NLR in early predicting ROP were 90.1% and 74.4%,respectively. Conclusion:The NLR at the first week after birth can serve as a simple method for early prediction of the development of ROP.
6.Analysis of factors influencing frequent episodes in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a national multicenter cross-sectional study
Jing TIAN ; Yifeng GUO ; Xiaoyan LUO ; Yuan LIANG ; Ping LI ; Jinping CHEN ; Yao LU ; Jianping TANG ; Yunsheng LIANG ; Ying GAO ; Qiufang QIAN ; Hong SHU ; Hongxiang CHEN ; Pingshen FAN ; Xiuping HAN ; Hua QIAN ; Qinfeng LI ; Ming LI ; Shengchun WANG ; Ying LIU ; Hua WANG ; Lin MA
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(10):943-951
Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.
7.Imaging longitudinal study of coronary artery plaques in elderly men with coronary artery disease and myocardial bridges
Xue ZHENG ; Jinjin CUI ; Xinjiang WANG ; Guanzhong LIU ; Bingqi KANG ; Peng TIAN ; Hongxiang YAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):173-177
Objective To evaluate the longitudinal imaging features of coronary artery plaques in elderly male patients with CHD and myocardial bridges and explore the longitudinal changing pat-terns.Methods A total of 117 elderly male CHD patients who underwent two examinations of coronary computed tomography angiography in our medical center from January 2018 to Septem-ber 2023 were enrolled in this study.Then 216 small plaques(0.1-50 mm3 in size)were subjec-ted,and classified into the proximal myocardial bridge group(98 plaques)and other heart part group(118 plaques)according to the site of the plaques.Plaque volume,plaque composition vol-ume,FAI,and CT-derived fraction flow reserve(CT-FFR)were calculated and recorded.Results In the 2 groups of plaques,there were no statistically differences in the plaque length,plaque nec-rotic core volume,and FAI derived from the second examination than the baseline one(P>0.05).The plaque volume,intra-plaque fibers,and dense calcified volume of plaques in the second exami-nation were significantly greater than those at baseline,and CT-FFR was obviously smaller than the baseline level in both groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).In the proximal myocardial bridge group,the intra-plaque fibrofat volume in the second examination was significantly larger than that of baseline,while opposite phenomenon was observed in the plaques of the other heart part group(P<0.05).The annual changing rates of intraplaque fibrofat volume and FAI were significantly higher in the proximal myocardial bridge group than the other heart part group[0.51%(-0.32%,0.51%)vs 0.02%(-0.46%,0.20%),P=0.046;0.55%(-2.44%,1.76%)vs 0.33%(-1.36%,2.63%),P=0.044].Conclusion In elderly male patients,the intraplaque fibrofat vol-ume,FAI and CT-FFR are more likely to change in the proximal plaques of the left anterior de-scending artery myocardial bridge than the plaques of other parts of heart,so the proximal plaques of the left anterior descending artery need more clinical attention and early intervention.
8.Predictive value of serum Lp-PLA2 level for high-risk coronary plaques in elderly males
Jinjin CUI ; Keyu WANG ; Xinwei CHANG ; Fang LI ; Hongxiang YAO ; Xue ZHENG ; Jian ZHAO ; Guanzhong LIU ; Xinjiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(7):836-840
Objective To investigate the value of serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)for predicting high-risk coronary plaques in elderly males.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 46 elderly males aged ≥60 years undergoing health check-ups and coro-nary computed tomography angiography in our hospital between May and July 2024.Their general clinical data were collected.Artificial intelligence software was used to analyze coronary calcium scores and plaque characteristics.The participants were divided into a high-risk plaque group(n=15)and a non-high-risk plaque group(n=31).The differences were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for high-risk coronary plaques.ROC curve was plotted to determine the predictive value of serum Lp-PLA2 for high-risk plaques,and its AUC value was calculated.Results The high-risk plaque group had significantly larger proportions of smoking history and hyperlipidemia,and higher level of homocysteine and Lp-PLA2 than the non-high-risk plaque group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Multiva-riate logistic regression analysis indicated that Lp-PLA2 was an independent risk factor for high-risk coronary plaques(HR=1.030,95%CI:1.008-1.053,P<0.05).ROC curve analysis revealed that the AUC value of Lp-PLA2 in predicting high-risk coronary plaques was 0.833(95%CI:0.694-0.927,P<0.01),with a sensitivity of 93.3%,a specificity of 71.0%,a positive predictive value of 62.5%,and a negative predictive value of 100%.Conclusion Serum Lp-PLA2 is of signif-icant value in predicting high-risk coronary plaques in elderly men.
9.Application of cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial strain technology in elderly men with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Xue ZHENG ; Bingqi KANG ; Jinjin CUI ; Guanzhong LIU ; Xinjiang WANG ; Xue YANG ; Shuxia WANG ; Ping ZHU ; Hongxiang YAO
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(5):548-553
Objective To explore the application value of CMR myocardial strain technique in eld-erly males with HCM.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 elderly male pa-tients who underwent CMR examination at the Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2020 to December 2024.According to being diagnosed with HCM or not,they were divided into a HCM group(24 cases)and a control group(26 cases).Post-processing soft-ware CVI42 was used to obtain two sets of basic functional and strain parameters of the left ven-tricle(LV)and left atrium(LA).The parameters of LV included LV mass,LV mass index(LV massi),global longitudinal strain(GLS),and so on,while the parameters of LA included minimum LA volume(LAV),minimum LA volume index(LA VI),LA passive strain(εe),LA peak early negative strain rate(SRe)and LA peak late negative strain rate(SRa),etc.The two sets of LV and LA parameters of basic functional and strain were compared between the two groups.Results The HCM group had significant higher LV mass and LV massi and minimum LAV and LAVI,but lower GLS,εe,SRe and SRa in 2D and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography than the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).The AUC value of 2D GLS,SRa,and logistic regres-sion model in predicting HCM was 0.887(95%CI:0.766-0.959),0.740(95%CI:0.597-0.854),and 0.929(95%CI:0.820-0.983),respectively,with a sensitivity of 76.92%,57.69%,and 84.62%,and a specificity of 70.83%,83.33%,and 91.67%,respectively.The logistic regression model demonstrated higher AUC value,sensitivity,and specificity than 2D GLS and SRa.Conclusion CMR myocardial strain technology is of significant diagnostic value for elderly male patients with HCM.
10.The Mechanism of Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A in Invasion and Metastasis of Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Hongxiang LIU ; Xihai LIU ; Minjian CHEN ; Weide ZHONG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(4):639-650
[Objective]This study aims to investigate the effects of methionine sulfoxide reductase A(MSRA)on the proliferation,apoptosis,invasion,and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)through cellular and animal experiments to elucidate its potential biological mechanisms,providing new molecular targets and strategies for the treatment of ccRCC.[Methods]MSRA-overexpressing cell lines were constructed with transfection.The effects of MSRA on the proliferation,apoptosis,invasion,and migration of ccRCC cells were assessed through proliferation assays,colony formation assays,apoptosis assays,wound healing assays,and invasion assays.Further,the mechanisms and related signaling pathways were explored via ROS detection,RT-qPCR,and Western blot.Subsequently,a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model was employed to verify the effect of MSRA on ccRCC tumor growth and metastasis at the animal level to explore its potential molecular mechanisms.[Results]The mRNA and protein expressions of MSRA in OS-RC-2 and 786-O cell lines were low(RT-qPCR:0.57±0.09,0.56±0.04;WB:0.26±0.13,0.24±0.09).RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments confirmed the successful construction of OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(RT-qPCR:108.04±1.80;WB:117.01±20.19)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(973.45±51.37;WB:190.34±30.13)overexpressed cell lines,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Proliferation assays showed reduced proliferation in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(72 h:1.246±0.003)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(72 h:1.468±0.001),with significant differences(P<0.001).Colony formation assays revealed a decrease in colony numbers in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(0.090±0.002)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(0.080±0.002),with significant differences(P<0.001).Apoptosis assays demonstrated increased apoptosis rates in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(2.013±0.116)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(4.767±0.199),with significant differences(P<0.001).Wound healing assays indicated less migration distance in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(0.643±0.028)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(0.603±0.034),with significant differences(P<0.001).Transwell assays showed a reduction in the numbers of penetrative cells in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(16.80±2.28)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(21.40±4.78),with significant differences(P<0.001).Fluorescence assays indicated a decreased ROS levels in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(50.59±6.24)and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(62.87±5.35),with significant differences(P<0.001).Western blot analysis showed a decrease in the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin,and an increase in the expression of E-cadherin in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(P<0.001).Western blot analysis revealed a significant decrease in the expression levels of p-ERK1/2 and p-SMAD3 in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA and 786-O-pLVSO2-MSRA(P<0.001).Animal experiments showed reduced tumor volumes in OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA(155.00±50.46),with significant differences(P<0.001).Western blot analysis of tumor tissues from animals confirmed the decreased expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin,and the increased expression of E-cadherin,with significant differences(P<0.001).IHC experiments of OS-RC-2-pLVSO2-MSRA tumors revealed a decrease in the expression of Ki-67,N-cadherin,and Vimentin,and an increase in the expression of E-cadherin,with significant differences(P<0.001).[Conclusion]MSRA overexpression inhibits ROS expression in ccRCC,suppresses the EMT process,and consequently inhibits the proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of ccRCC.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail