1.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
4.Plasma miRNA testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter real-world study
Jie HU ; Ying XU ; Ao HUANG ; Lei YU ; Zheng WANG ; Xiaoying WANG ; Xinrong YANG ; Zhenbin DING ; Qinghai YE ; Yinghong SHI ; Shuangjian QIU ; Huichuan SUN ; Qiang GAO ; Jia FAN ; Jian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):350-354
Objective To explore the application of plasma 7 microRNA (miR7) testing in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This study is a multicenter real-world study. Patients with single hepatic lesion (maximum diameter≤2 cm) who underwent plasma miR7 testing at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, and Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2019 and December 2024 were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into very early-stage HCC group and non-HCC group, and the clinical pathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. The value of plasma miR7 levels, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) in the differential diagnosis of very early-stage HCC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). In patients with both negative AFP and DCP (AFP<20 ng/mL, DCP<40 mAU/mL), the diagnostic value of plasma miR7 for very early-stage HCC was analyzed. Results A total of 64 528 patients from 4 hospitals underwent miR7 testing, and 1 682 were finally included, of which 1 073 were diagnosed with very early-stage HCC and 609 were diagnosed with non-HCC. The positive rate of miR7 in HCC patients was significantly higher than that in non-HCC patients (67.9% vs 24.3%, P<0.001). ROC curves showed that the AUCs for miR7, AFP, and DCP in distinguishing HCC patients from the non-HCC individuals were 0.718, 0.682, and 0.642, respectively. The sensitivities were 67.85%, 43.71%, and 44.45%, and the specificities were 75.70%, 92.78%, and 83.91%, respectively. The pairwise comparison of AUCs showed that the diagnostic efficacy of plasma miR7 detection was significantly better than that of AFP or DCP (P<0.05). Although its specificity was slightly lower than AFP and DCP, the sensitivity was significantly higher. Among patients negative for both AFP and DCP, miR7 maintained an AUC of 0.728 for diagnosing very early-stage HCC, with 67.82% sensitivity and 77.73% specificity. Conclusions Plasma miR7 testing is a potential molecular marker with high sensitivity and specificity for the differential diagnosis of small hepatic nodules. In patients with very early-stage HCC lacking effective molecular markers (negative for both AFP and DCP), miR7 can serve as a novel and effective molecular marker to assist diagnosis.
5.Analysis of the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate
Wei HE ; Zhao-Guang XU ; Wei-Shen LIN ; Fa-Sheng HE ; Jian-Xin ZHANG ; Yi-Qiang ZHOU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(2):148-152
Objective To investigate the risk factors for delayed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate.Methods Total of 135 patients of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,including 85 males and 50 females,ranged from 19 to 80 years old.All cases were treated with locking plates.The patients were divided into union group and delayed union group ac-cording to the condition of fracture union.The risk factors of delayed healing were determined by univariate analysis of 14 factors that might affect fracture healing first,then the factors with significance were analyzed by binary Logistic regression.Results There were 13 patients of delayed union,and the rate of delayed union was 9.63%.Univariate analysis showed that delayed union was associated with age,smoking,reduction method,anemia and time of preoperative preparation.Regression analysis showed thatage[OR=0.849,95%CI(0.755,0.954),P=0.006],smoking[OR=0.020,95%CI(0.002,0.193),P=0.001],reduction method[OR=23.924,95%CI(2.210,258.943),P=0.009],anemia[OR=0.016,95%CI(0.001,0.289),P=0.005]were the con-tributory factors for delayed union.Conclusion Young age,smoking,closed reduction and anemia are the risk factors for de-layed union of extra-articular fractures of the middle and lower third of the tibia treated by locking plate.
6.Establishment of an artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on deep learning for recognizing gastric lesions and their locations under gastroscopy in real time
Xian GUO ; Ying-Yang WU ; Ai-Rui JIANG ; Chao-Qiang FAN ; Xue PENG ; Xu-Biao NIE ; Hui LIN ; Jian-Ying BAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(10):849-854
Objective To construct an artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on deep learning for dynamically recognizing gastric lesions and their locations under gastroscopy in real time,and to evaluate its ability to detect and recognize gastric lesions and their locations.Methods The gastroscopy videos of 104 patients in our hospital was retrospectively analyzed,and the video frames were manually annotated.The annotated picture frames of lesion category were divided into the training set and the validation set according to the ratio of 8∶2,and the annotated picture frames of location category were divided into the training set and the validation set according to the patient sources at the ratio of 8∶2.These sets were utilized for training and validating the respective models.YoloV4 model was used for the training of lesion recognition,and ResNet152 model was used for the training of location recognition.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and location recognition accuracy of the auxiliary diagnostic model were evaluated.Results A total of 68 351 image frames were annotated,with 54 872 frames used as the training set,including 41 692 frames for lesion categories and 13 180 frames for location categories.The validation set consisted of 13 479 frames,comprising 10 422 frames for lesion categories and 3 057 frames for location categories.The lesion recognition model achieved an overall accuracy of 98.8%,with a sensitivity of 96.6%,specificity of 99.3%,positive predictive value of 96.3%,and negative predictive value of 99.3% in validation set.Meanwhile,the location recognition model demonstrated an top-5 accuracy of 87.1% .Conclusion The artificial intelligence assisted diagnosis model based on deep learning for real-time dynamic recognition of gastric lesions and their locations under gastroscopy has good ability in lesion detection and location recognition,and has great clinical application prospects.
7.Radiofrequency ablation on prosthetic valve for atrial tachycardia after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Hong-Xiao LI ; Bi-Jun HUANG ; Lu-Xin WANG ; Xing-Xu WANG ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Yan HE ; Jian-Qiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(4):232-235
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative for addressing aortic valve-related pathologies.However,the occurrence of rapid arrhythmias linked to TAVR procedures is progressively drawing scrutiny.Presently,pharmacologic interventions constitute the mainstay of managing atrial arrhythmias related to TAVR,while the potential of ablation as a viable treatment modality remains undefined.Notably,in cases where the arrhythmia's genesis is presumed to be intricately linked to the prosthetic valve,the practicality and safety of ablation procedures remain unverified.Our institution has successfully ventured into radiofrequency ablation for a distinctive patient presenting with this intricate condition,thereby tentatively affirming the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation administered on the surface of prosthetic valves.
8.National bloodstream infection bacterial resistance surveillance report(2022): Gram-positive bacteria
Chaoqun YING ; Yunbo CHEN ; Jinru JI ; Zhiying LIU ; Qing YANG ; Haishen KONG ; Haifeng MAO ; Hui DING ; Pengpeng TIAN ; Jiangqin SONG ; Yongyun LIU ; Jiliang WANG ; Yan JIN ; Yuanyuan DAI ; Yizheng ZHOU ; Yan GENG ; Fenghong CHEN ; Lu WANG ; Yanyan LI ; Dan LIU ; Peng ZHANG ; Junmin CAO ; Xiaoyan LI ; Dijing SONG ; Xinhua QIANG ; Yanhong LI ; Qiuying ZHANG ; Guolin LIAO ; Ying HUANG ; Baohua ZHANG ; Liang GUO ; Aiyun LI ; Haiquan KANG ; Donghong HUANG ; Sijin MAN ; Zhuo LI ; Youdong YIN ; Kunpeng LIANG ; Haixin DONG ; Donghua LIU ; Hongyun XU ; Yinqiao DONG ; Rong XU ; Lin ZHENG ; Shuyan HU ; Jian LI ; Qiang LIU ; Liang LUAN ; Jilu SHEN ; Lixia ZHANG ; Bo QUAN ; Xiaoping YAN ; Xiaoyan QI ; Dengyan QIAO ; Weiping LIU ; Xiusan XIA ; Ling MENG ; Jinhua LIANG ; Ping SHEN ; Yonghong XIAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024;17(2):99-112
Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System(BRICS)were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI). WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units,and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus( n=1 147,36.3%),coagulase-negative Staphylococci( n=928,29.3%), Enterococcus faecalis( n=369,11.7%), Enterococcus faecium( n=296,9.4%)and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci( n=192,6.1%). The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci(MRCNS)were 26.4%(303/1 147)and 66.7%(619/928),respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome,rifampin,compound sulfamethoxazole,linezolid,minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%(2/369),and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions( χ2=14.578, P=0.002),while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions( χ2=15.195, P=0.002). The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals( χ2=13.519 and 12.136, P<0.001). The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions(per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022)were higher than those in economically less advanced regions(per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan)( χ2=9.969 and 7.606, P=0.002和0.006). Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China, Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time;the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China,with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.
9.Mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate in the treatment of undifferentiated thyroid cancer
Chunmei MA ; Duo HAN ; Huiying ZHANG ; Lei YANG ; Dihua LI ; Qicheng ZHANG ; Yan WANG ; Ke XU ; Qiang JIA ; Wei ZHENG ; Jian TAN ; Zhaowei MENG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(11):966-977
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of benzyl isothiocyanate(BITC) in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC).Methods:Using network pharmacological analysis, key targets of BITC and ATC were screened, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. In order to validate the findings, AutoDock software was used to dock BITC and ATC key targets. BITC was applied to two ATC cell lines(8505C and CAL-62). Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell apoptosis. Autophagy inhibitors hydroxychloroquine sulfate(HCQ) and 3-methyladenine(3MA) were used in combination with BITC. Real-time quantitative PCR was conducted to detect the gene level of LC3B, while Western blotting was utilized to examine the expression of NF-κB, LC3B Ⅱ, Beclin-1, and Bcl-2. In animal experiments, a mouse tumor model was constructed using CAL-62 cells, treated with intraperitoneal injections of BITC(100 mg/kg) and normal saline respectively, administered every other day for a total of 21 days. Immunoblotting of tumor tissue was performed to detect the expression of LC3B Ⅱ, Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and NF-κB.Results:A total of 10 key targets with binding energies≤-4.0 kcal/mol were identified. KEGG analysis showed that these genes are mainly involved in NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis. BITC inhibited ATC cells with IC50 values of 27.56 μmol/L for 8505C and 28.30 μmol/L for CAL-62. The expression levels of NF-κB, Beclin-1, and Bcl-2 decreased, while LC3B Ⅱ and LC3B gene expression increased. Combining 3MA with BITC enhanced cell inhibition LC3B Ⅱ expression. HCQ increased LC3B Ⅱ expression without enhancing cell and viability inhibition. In the mouse tumor model, compared to the control group, the treatment group had higher LC3B Ⅱ and lower Bcl-2, Beclin-1, and NF-κB levels.Conclusion:BITC could inhibit the growth of ATC cells in vitro and in vivo, disrupt the autophagy degradation, and inhibit the NF-κB pathway.
10.The anti-reproductive active compound gossypol:Progress in research
Ling LI ; Shi-Qiang XU ; Jian YANG
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(3):254-260
Gossypol is a natural product extracted from cotton seeds,roots and stems,once used as a male contraceptive and lat-er found with an anti-tumor effect.Recent studies show that it has an antiviral effect after structurally modified.This review focuses on the status quo of present studies on the effects of gossypol and its derivatives in anti-reproduction and anti-PCa,with an introduction of the application of the new compounds obtained from structural modification of gossypol in the treatment of PCa.

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