1.Adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features: a case report and literature review
Mingchuan CHU ; Huimin SUN ; Hao WANG ; Jian SONG ; Yongshun GUO
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):64-68
[Objective] To investigate and summarize the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features. [Methods] The clinical diagnosis and treatment of a case of adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features admitled to Department of Urology, Weifang People's Hospital were reported.The clinical manifestations, pathological features, diagnosis and prognosis of the disease were analyzed in combination with relevant literature. [Results] A 34-year-old male patient was admitted due to scrotal distension and pain that had persisted for 6 months.Imaging examination showed a huge soft tissue tumor in the left adrenal region of the retroperitoneum with compression displacement of the left kidney, leading to obstruction of venous return in the left spermatic vein, which in turn caused varicose veins.The levels of serum renin, angiotensin, aldosterone, cortisol, and catecholamine were within normal ranges.Surgical resection of the tumor was performed, and postoperative pathological examination revealed that the tumor tissue was predominantly composed of rhabdoid cells, exhibiting positive immunohistochemical staining for INI 1, Syn, Calretinin and Vimentin.Genetic testing did not identify any deletion of SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 mutations.Therefore, the diagnosis was adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features.At the current 20-month follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis was observed.A review of the literature found that only 7 cases of this disease had been reported. [Conclusion] Adrenocortical carcinoma with rhabdoid features is a rare disease, and a definitive diagnosis is dependent upon pathological examination.Surgical resection remains the primary treatment.Long-term follow-up is essential, and further research is needed to evaluate the impact of adjuvant therapy.
2.Cardiomyocyte-specific long noncoding RNA Trdn-as induces mitochondrial calcium overload by promoting the m6A modification of calsequestrin 2 in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Xiaohan LI ; Ling LIU ; Han LOU ; Xinxin DONG ; Shengxin HAO ; Zeqi SUN ; Zijia DOU ; Huimin LI ; Wenjie ZHAO ; Xiuxiu SUN ; Xin LIU ; Yong ZHANG ; Baofeng YANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(2):329-346
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a medical condition characterized by cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload in cardiomyocytes have been recognized as biological hallmarks in DCM; however, the specific factors underlying these abnormalities remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of a cardiac-specific long noncoding RNA, D830005E20Rik (Trdn-as), in DCM. Our results revealed the remarkably upregulation of Trdn-as in the hearts of the DCM mice and cardiomyocytes treated with high glucose (HG). Knocking down Trdn-as in cardiac tissues significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the DCM mice. Conversely, Trdn-as overexpression resulted in cardiac damage resembling that observed in the DCM mice. At the cellular level, Trdn-as induced Ca2+ overload in the SR and mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. RNA-seq and bioinformatics analyses identified calsequestrin 2 (Casq2), a primary calcium-binding protein in the junctional SR, as a potential target of Trdn-as. Further investigations revealed that Trdn-as facilitated the recruitment of METTL14 to the Casq2 mRNA, thereby enhancing the m6A modification of Casq2. This modification increased the stability of Casq2 mRNA and subsequently led to increased protein expression. When Casq2 was knocked down, the promoting effects of Trdn-as on Ca2+ overload and mitochondrial damage were mitigated. These findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of DCM and suggest Trdn-as as a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Animals
;
Diabetic Cardiomyopathies/pathology*
;
RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*
;
Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Calsequestrin/genetics*
;
Calcium/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism*
;
Methyltransferases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mitochondria, Heart/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
3.Analysis of the adjustment of current eligibility criteria for alanine aminotransferase levels in blood screening in China
Le CHANG ; Ying YAN ; Huimin JI ; Huizhen SUN ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(4):465-473
[Objective] To obtain accurate data on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels among blood donors in China and to explore the necessity of adjusting the qualification criteria for ALT. [Methods] A collaborative study was conducted involving 26 blood centers and 7 central blood stations with an annual testing volume exceeding 100 000 samples. Between December 1 and 15, 2024, pre-donation ALT testing was suspended for 1-2 days for all whole blood donations. ALT levels were measured only post-donation using standard laboratory equipment and reagents. All transfusion-transmitted infectious disease-related serological and nucleic acid testing, including hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA testing, were performed. Within one week of testing completion, anonymized data on basic donor information, routine test results, and HEV RNA results were collected and statistically analyzed. [Results] A total of 21 345 blood donors were included in the study, with an ALT disqualification rate of 7.6% (1 623/21 345). The disqualification rate was 9.6% (1 453/15 205) for males and 2.8% (170/6 140) for females. There were significant regional variations in both the disqualification rates and levels of ALT, with Shaanxi Province exhibiting the highest disqualification rate (12.3%, 87/710) and Yunnan Province the lowest (2.9%, 19/652). Among the provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), Beijing recorded the lowest ALT levels. ALT levels varied across different age groups and genders. Among all samples tested by HEV RNA, the HEV RNA positive rate was 0.29‰ (6/21 003). HCV infection was found to directly affect ALT levels, while HBV, HIV, syphilis, and HEV infections did not significantly impact ALT disqualification rates. It is recommended to adjust the ALT qualification criteria to twice the upper limit of the clinical reference range, which would increase the number of eligible blood donations by 6.61% (1 293/19 550). [Conclusion] In China, the ALT levels of blood donors are correlated with gender, age, geographical region, and HCV infection status. Appropriately raising the ALT eligibility criteria to ≤100 U/L for male donors and ≤80 U/L for female donors could expand the pool of eligible donors and reduce the blood discard rate while ensuring blood safety.
4.Re-examination of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Dosage of Whole Formula in Yuejiuwan
Yanping HAN ; Yiyi ZHANG ; Huimin GAO ; Raorao LI ; Li YAO ; Zhaoxiang SUN ; Zhuo MA ; Huamin ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):223-233
Yuejuwan is a classic formula widely used by doctors to relieve liver and depression, with precise clinical efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The authors used bibliometric methods to collect and collate 495 ancient data related to Yuejuwan, and 105 valid data were screened out, involving 68 ancient Chinese medical books. After systematic verification of the origin of the formula of Yuejuwan, the main treatment symptoms, the principle of the formula, the composition of the drug, the dosage, the preparation method, the decoction method, and other information, the results showed that Yuejuwan originated from the Danxi Xinfa (《丹溪心法》) of the Yuan Dynasty by ZHU Zhenheng, and it is composed of five medicines, namely Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Massa Medicata Fermentata, and Gardeniae Fructus. In terms of drug base, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Gardeniae Fructus are in line with the records in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Massa Medicata Fermentata is used. The preparation method is as follows: Massa Medicata Fermentata and Gardeniae Fructus are fried, and Cyperi Rhizoma is roasted in vinegar. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is used in the raw form, and Atractylodis Rhizoma is prepared with rice swill. The formula can regulate Qi and relieve depression and broaden the middle and remove fullness. It is clinically used for the treatment of six types of depression syndromes, chest and diaphragm plumpness, abdominal distension and leg acid, acid swallowing and vomiting, eating and drinking disharmony, toothache, mouth and tongue sores, and other diseases. The most used dosage of the formula in the ancient records through the ages is converted into the modern dosage, namely 3.05 g Atractylodis Rhizoma, 3.05 g Cyperi Rhizoma, 3.05 g Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 3.05 g Massa Medicata Fermentata, and 3.05 g Gardeniae Fructus, and the daily dosage is 15.25 g. The converted dosage is similar to that recorded in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The formula is in pill form, and medicine should be taken with lukewarm boiled water after the meal. Through the excavation of the ancient literature related to Yuejuwan, the key information of the formula is identified, with a view to providing a more accurate reference for the clinical application of Yuejuwan and subsequent in-depth investigation.
5.Re-examination of Atractylodis Rhizoma and Dosage of Whole Formula in Yuejiuwan
Yanping HAN ; Yiyi ZHANG ; Huimin GAO ; Raorao LI ; Li YAO ; Zhaoxiang SUN ; Zhuo MA ; Huamin ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):223-233
Yuejuwan is a classic formula widely used by doctors to relieve liver and depression, with precise clinical efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The authors used bibliometric methods to collect and collate 495 ancient data related to Yuejuwan, and 105 valid data were screened out, involving 68 ancient Chinese medical books. After systematic verification of the origin of the formula of Yuejuwan, the main treatment symptoms, the principle of the formula, the composition of the drug, the dosage, the preparation method, the decoction method, and other information, the results showed that Yuejuwan originated from the Danxi Xinfa (《丹溪心法》) of the Yuan Dynasty by ZHU Zhenheng, and it is composed of five medicines, namely Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Massa Medicata Fermentata, and Gardeniae Fructus. In terms of drug base, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizom, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Gardeniae Fructus are in line with the records in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and Massa Medicata Fermentata is used. The preparation method is as follows: Massa Medicata Fermentata and Gardeniae Fructus are fried, and Cyperi Rhizoma is roasted in vinegar. Chuanxiong Rhizoma is used in the raw form, and Atractylodis Rhizoma is prepared with rice swill. The formula can regulate Qi and relieve depression and broaden the middle and remove fullness. It is clinically used for the treatment of six types of depression syndromes, chest and diaphragm plumpness, abdominal distension and leg acid, acid swallowing and vomiting, eating and drinking disharmony, toothache, mouth and tongue sores, and other diseases. The most used dosage of the formula in the ancient records through the ages is converted into the modern dosage, namely 3.05 g Atractylodis Rhizoma, 3.05 g Cyperi Rhizoma, 3.05 g Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 3.05 g Massa Medicata Fermentata, and 3.05 g Gardeniae Fructus, and the daily dosage is 15.25 g. The converted dosage is similar to that recorded in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The formula is in pill form, and medicine should be taken with lukewarm boiled water after the meal. Through the excavation of the ancient literature related to Yuejuwan, the key information of the formula is identified, with a view to providing a more accurate reference for the clinical application of Yuejuwan and subsequent in-depth investigation.
6.Clinicopathological Characteristics of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients with BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variants and Their Response to Neoadjuvant Targeted Therapy
Xingyu LIAO ; Huimin LIU ; Jie SUN ; Li HU ; Juan ZHANG ; Lu YAO ; Ye XU ; Yuntao XIE
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(6):491-495
Objective To analyze the proportion and clinicopathological characteristics of HER2-positive breast cancer patients with BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants, and their response to neoadjuvant anti-HER2 targeted therapy. Methods The clinicopathological data of 531 breast cancer patients with germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (201 with BRCA1 variants and 330 with BRCA2 variants) were analyzed. Results Among the 201 BRCA1 and 330 BRCA2 variants, 17 (8.5%) and 42 (12.7%) HER2-positive breast cancer cases were identified, respectively, accounting for 11.1% of all BRCA1/2-mutated breast cancers. Compared with BRCA1/2-mutated HR-positive/HER2-negative patients, HER2-positive patients did not present any significant differences in clinicopathological features; however, compared with triple-negative breast cancer patients, HER2-positive patients had a later onset age and lower tumor grade. Among the 17 patients who received neoadjuvant anti-HER2 targeted therapy, 10 cases achieved pCR (58.8%), whereas 7 cases did not (41.2%). Conclusion HER2-positive breast cancer accounts for more than 10% of BRCA1/2-mutated patients. Approximately 40% of these patients fail to achieve pCR after neoadjuvant targeted therapy. This phenomenon highlights the possibility of combining anti-HER2 targeted agents with poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.
7.Application of the Third-generation Intracavitary Combined With Interstitial Brachytherapy Applicator Template for Cervical Cancer
Xiang ZHOU ; Xiaodan HUANG ; Huimin XU ; Yi OUYANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):354-360
ObjectiveTo evaluate a third-generation applicator template for intracavitary combined with interstitial brachytherapy (IC-ISBT) suitable for locally advanced cervical cancer, aiming to improve therapeutic outcomes. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with stage IB3-ⅣB cervical cancer treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2023 to October 2023. Magnetic resonance imaging data before and after external beam radiation therapy were collected and analyzed. According to the residual tumor after external beam radiation, high-risk clinical target volumes (HR-CTV) were delineated, based on which a third-generation IC-ISBT applicator template was designed. The dosimetric and therapeutic differences between using this applicator template (template implantation group) and traditional freehand interstitial implantation (freehand implantation group) were further compared. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data from both groups to test the efficacy and safety of the two approaches. ResultsThe third-generation applicator template could accommodate different cervical structures and optimize needle path layout. The tumor volume in the template implantation group was significantly larger than in the freehand implantation group, showing statistical differences. In terms of dosimetric coverage (V100%), the template implantation group exhibited significant statistical differences compared with the freehand implantation group, demonstrating superior dose coverage. Additionally, the third-generation template showed advantages in protecting the rectum and sigmoid colon by potentially reducing high-dose points, while there were no significant differences in bladder dosimetry between the two methods. The primary cervical lesion remission rates were similar between the two groups. ConclusionThe third-generation IC-ISBT applicator template is scientifically and rationally designed, especially for patients with larger tumor volumes and later stages. It is easy to operate, highly reproducible, and shows significant advantages in dose distribution and protection of surrounding critical organs. The template has the potential to be widely applied as a routine treatment option.
8.Analysis of Dengue virus nucleic acid testing screening among blood donors in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, China
Xinru LIU ; Shaofang LU ; Ying YAN ; Jing DONG ; Ji WU ; Jie MA ; Le CHANG ; Huimin JI ; Huizhen SUN ; Mingwen DENG ; Xiaoqian GAO ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(12):1662-1668
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Dengue virus (DENV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and to evaluate the necessity of implementing nucleic acid testing (NAT) for blood donors during the rainy season (May-October). Methods: Prior to initiating donor screening, the Xishuangbanna Central Blood Center conducted in-house validation of reagent performance and participated in external quality assessment (EQA) organized by the National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL). During the surveillance period (August-October 2024), a total of 2 919 donor samples were screened using a 6-sample mini-pool NAT strategy. Daily internal quality controls were recorded. Samples that tested positive in pooled screening were deconvoluted and retested in duplicate; only those reactive in both replicate wells were sent to the NCCL for confirmatory testing. At NCCL, samples underwent re-testing using five domestic NAT reagents, as well as serological assays for NS1 antigen and DENV-specific IgG/IgM. Confirmed positive samples were further characterized by serotyping, envelope (E) gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood method. Results: The DENV NAT reagent demonstrated consistent detection of 40 copies/mL controls in individual donor (ID)-NAT test (mean CT: 35.61±0.40). During the 63-day quality control monitoring, DENV detection remained stable (mean CT: 22.53±0.72). The center achieved full marks in EQA assessments for 2023 and 2024. Three reactive pools were identified in initial screening, and subsequent individual testing confirmed three DENV RNA-positive donors (sample numbers: 2401, 2402, and 2403). The confirmatory test results from NCCL were: all five NAT platforms consistently detected DENV RNA in the three samples; for serological tests, 2 samples (2402, 2403) were positive for NS1 antigen, while all three samples were negative for both IgG and IgM antibodies. DENV serotyping reagents identified DENV-2 in all cases, which were further confirmed as DENV-2 Genotype Ⅱ-Cosmopolitan by E gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that samples 2401 and 2402 clustered with Southeast Asian strains (Thailand/MZ636802.1, Laos/PQ775621.1), while sample 2403 closely matched a previously reported local Yunnan strain (PV544686.1). Conclusion: DENV-2 infection was detected among blood donors in Xishuangbanna during the rainy season, indicating concurrent risks of imported and local transmission. We recommend implementing pooled NAT screening for blood donors in high-risk areas during dengue epidemic seasons, along with strengthened laboratory quality control, to enhance blood safety.
9.Application progress of machine learning in study on cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica
Jiarou WANG ; Lu ZHOU ; Huimin YUAN ; Yuhan SHENG ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Yang TANG ; Yan SUN ; Fengjie ZHENG ; Yuhang LI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(3):423-428
The scientific interpretation of the theory of medicinal properties of TCM is a research hotspot in the modernization of TCM. It is of great value to clarify the property and degree of cold and heat in Chinese materia medica for guiding clinical precise medication. In recent years, the research on the cold and heat properties of Chinese materia medica has been carried out at the animal, cell and molecular levels. Based on the objective material basis of medicinal properties, from the perspective of biological effects such as thermodynamics and multiomics; with the help of infrared thermal imaging and other technologies for analysis; forming a variety of research models such as "property-structure relationship". Related research has developed from a single material component or index to a new model that tends to integrate multi-source information and multi-dimensional data. However, how to deal with the problems of large sample size, strong redundancy, high heterogeneity, and how to integrate multi-dimensional information are still research difficulties. With its powerful computing and learning ability, machine learning can show good discrimination and prediction ability in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica, and play an important role in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica. At present, the most widely used algorithms are linear discriminant analysis, Logistic discriminant analysis, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest and so on. The data dimension of the existing research needs to be enriched, the algorithm has room for further optimization, and a more detailed discriminant model of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica needs to be established.
10.Diagnosis and treatment of the portal vein complications for children undergoing spilt liver transplantation
Kaining ZENG ; Qing YANG ; Jia YAO ; Hui TANG ; Binsheng FU ; Xiao FENG ; Haijin LYU ; Huimin YI ; Shuhong YI ; Yang YANG
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(1):63-69
Objective To investigate the diagnosis and treatment strategy of the portal vein complications in children undergoing split liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 88 pediatric recipients who underwent split liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Intraoperative anastomosis at the bifurcating site of the portal vein or donor iliac vein bypass anastomosis was performed depending on the internal diameter and development of the recipient's portal vein. A normalized portal venous blood stream monitoring was performed during the perioperative stage. After operation, heparin sodium was used to bridge warfarin for anticoagulation therapy. After portal vein stenosis or thrombosis was identified with enhanced CT or portography, managements including embolectomy, systemic anticoagulation, interventional thrombus removal, balloon dilatation and/or stenting were performed. Results Among the 88 recipients, a total of 10 children were diagnosed with portal vein complications, of which 4 cases were diagnosed with portal vein stenosis at 1 d, 2 months, 8 months, and 11 months after surgery, and 6 cases were diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis at intraoperative, 2 d, 3 d (n=2), 6 d, and 11 months after surgery, respectively. One patient with portal vein stenosis and one patient with portal vein thrombosis died perioperatively. The fatality related to portal vein complications was 2% (2/88). Of the remaining 8 patients, 1 underwent systemic anticoagulation, 2 underwent portal venous embolectomy, 1 underwent interventional balloon dilatation, and 4 underwent interventional balloon dilatation plus stenting. No portal venous related symptoms were detected during postoperative long term follow up, and the retested portal venous blood stream parameters were normal. Conclusions The normalized intra- and post-operative portal venous blood stream monitoring is a useful tool for the early detection of portal vein complications, the early utilization of useful managements such as intraoperative portal venous embolectomy, interventional balloon dilatation and stenting may effectively treat the portal vein complications, thus minimizing the portal vein complication related graft loss and recipient death.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail