1.Effect of Oral Sodium Butyrate on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy via The Gut-muscle Axis in Antibiotic-pretreated CT26 Tumor-bearing Mice and Its Mechanism
Shu-Ling ZHANG ; Jun-Wei WANG ; Shi-Liang HU ; Tu-Tu WANG ; Shun-Chang LI ; Jia FAN ; Jun-Zhi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):724-739
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×107/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.
2.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
3.Multidimensional analysis of concurrent proximal bronchiolar adenoma and lung carcinoma
Lu-Yao LI ; Gong-Ming DONG ; Yun-Peng ZHANG ; Ting-Ting WANG ; Fu-Quan JIA ; Guan-Jun ZHANG
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2026;60(3):356-363
Bronchiolar adenoma (BA) is a rare type of lung tumor characterized by bilayered epithelial cells having a continuous basal layer and a luminal layer. It resembles mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) on frozen section, with difficulty in distinguishing the basal layer. Immunohistochemistry is the best choice for verifying the diagnosis. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize three cases of BA-combined carcinoma using clinical, histopathological, and genetic features. BA and carcinoma sections were subjected to next-generation sequencing, respectively. It was hypothesized that while different mutation forms matched different regions, BA and lung adenocarcinoma shared the same gene mutation when they co-occurred in the same location. BA with extensive carcinoma is extremely rare and presents diagnostic challenges due to its overlap with conditions such as MA. Because of its distinctive morphological characteristics, BA may be regarded as a low-grade malignancy, particularly during a confusing evaluation. A multifaceted examination of clinical, radiological, immunohistochemical, and genetic data is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
4.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
5.Impact of early invasive blood pressure monitoring on outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Xiaodong SONG ; Mingjun HUANG ; Jun LI ; Hang GUO ; Yao LUO ; Jin TAO ; Yuepeng HU ; Qiang ZHANG ; Xinya JIA ; Liu YANG ; Tangjuan ZHANG ; Dongqing DOU ; Jianliang CAO ; Hui ZHAO ; Genglei CAO ; Yabai KAN ; Xingxing LI ; Chao LAN
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(7):932-939
Objective:To investigate the impact of early invasive arterial blood pressure (IBP) monitoring on survival and neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed 44 OHCA patients receiving ECPR between January 2021 and January 2023. Patients were divided into: Early intervention group : IBP established within 3 min of ECMO initiation; Late intervention group : IBP established after ICU admission. Baseline characteristics, ECMO parameters, and clinical outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression (adjusted for age, initial rhythm, etc.) and Spearman's correlation were used.Results:This study included a total of 44 patients treated with OHCA and ECPR, divided into an early intervention group of 23 cases and a late intervention group of 21 cases. The early intervention group showed significantly higher: Survival to discharge (43.5% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05), Good neurological recovery (CPC 1-2: 34.8% vs. 9.5%, P<0.05).Early intervention independently predicted survival (adjusted OR=18.84, 95% CI:1.97-179.98, P=0.01). Stratified analysis by pH (cutoff 7.0) demonstrated consistent benefits in both pH>7.0 ( aOR=0.392, 95% CI:0.106-0.678) and pH≤7.0 subgroups ( aOR=0.385, 95% CI: 0.075-0.695; interaction P=0.183). Early IBP positively correlated with CPC scores ( ρ=0.40, P=0.007). Conclusions:Early IBP monitoring significantly improves survival and neurological outcomes in OHCA-ECPR patients, supporting its integration into standardized protocols.
6.Anesthetic Management Process of Pregnancy Complicated With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Report of One Case.
Si CHEN ; Chong WEI ; Jia-Li TANG ; Jun YING ; Li-Jian PEI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(3):487-491
Pregnancy complicated with acute myeloid leukemia is uncommon,requiring the collaborative management by specialists from departments of hematology,obstetrics,anesthesiology,and neonatology for both the parturient and the neonate.This article reports an anesthesic management process of a parturient woman with acute myeloid leukemia and reviews relevant literature published in recent years to systematically summarize the approach for anesthesia-related perinatal management of such patients.
Humans
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Female
;
Pregnancy
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications*
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Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic
;
Adult
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Anesthesia, Obstetrical/methods*
7.Validation and Forensic Application of a Domestic Human DNA Quantitative De-tection Kit
Jing CHEN ; Ya-Ping WANG ; Yun-Peng FENG ; Xiao-Xin HU ; Zhen-Jun JIA ; Hong-Di LIU ; An-Xin YAN ; Yong-Jiu LI ; Zhu PENG ; Zhi-Fang LIU ; Jian-Gang CHEN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(3):252-259
Objective To verify the efficacy of a domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in detecting the total human DNA concentration,male DNA concen-tration in mixed male/female DNA samples,the degree of DNA degradation and inhibitor tolerance.Methods Samples with different concentrations,different male/female ratios,different concentrations of inhibitors,and different degradation degrees were tested using the domestic human DNA quantification kit based on real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.This kit was compared with a similar product on the market and was applied to the detection of DNA from real cases.Results This human DNA quan-tification kit can effectively detect human DNA as low as 0.001 65 ng/μL,and 6.25 pg/μL of male DNA in mixed samples with a male-to-female ratio of 1∶15 000.Even when the sample contains as high as 400 ng/μL of humic acid or 1 000 μmol/L of hemin alone,the DNA concentration can still be accurately detected.The degradation index can effectively characterize the degradation degree of the sample.This kit has been successfully applied in forensic practice.Conclusion This human DNA quan-tification kit is accurate and reliable in detection.It can accurately reflect the degradation of DNA and inhibitor tolerance.It has good performance in quantitative accuracy,determination of the male/female ratio in mixed samples,and inhibitor tolerance.It has application potential in forensic case examination.
8.Fluorescent Probe Development for Rapid Detection of Tiletamine Based on Cop-per Nanozyme and Molecular Imprinting Technology
Jia-Hao LI ; Jiang LING ; Zi-Hao CAI ; Zi-Yuan ZHENG ; Yan-Jun DING
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):355-363
Objective To develop a rapid detection method for tiletamine that is easy to operate and low-cost under the premise of ensuring sensitivity and accuracy,to assist in carrying out rapid screening and drug control work on-site.Methods This study integrates dual-ligand copper nanozymes with mo-lecular imprinting technology.Initially,copper nanozymes were synthesized using readily available raw materials at 120℃.Subsequently,specific cavities were imprinted on their surface at room temperature using a sol-gel method to construct a novel fluorescent sensing probe.This probe was characterized and methodologically validated,and then applied to the detection of actual samples.Results The developed probe exhibited stable fluorescence properties,strong anti-interference capability,and excellent specificity and sensitivity,with a detection limit of 5 ng/mL and a quantitative concentration range from 15 to 500 ng/mL.It enabled the rapid detection of tiletamine in real samples such as blood and e-cigarette oil.Conclusion This fluorescent probe can be used for rapid detection and on-site preliminary screening of tiletamine in various types of samples.It significantly improves the detection efficiency and reduces analysis costs,showing high research value and broad application prospects.
9.Risk assessment of pleural metastasis in patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer based on a serum tumor markers Nomogram model
Shengmei LI ; Jun JIA ; Xiuqing MA ; Caihua FENG ; Huiping QING
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(16):1984-1989,1994
Objective To establish a Nomogram model based on serum tumor markers to assess the risk of pleural metastasis in patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer,and to validate the constructed model.Methods A to-tal of 140 patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer in the hospital from January 2022 to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into the metastasis group(36 cases)and the non-metastasis group(104 cases)based on whether pleural metastasis occurred.Clinical data of patients in the two groups were col-lected,and the levels of serum tumor markers[carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cancer antigen(CA)125,CA15-3,CA19-9]of patients in the two groups were detected simultaneously.The risk factors affecting pleural metastasis in patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer were screened,and the risk of pleural metastasis in patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer was evaluated by constructing a Nomogram model based on serum tumor markers,and the constructed prediction model was validated.Results The proportion of smoking history,maximum tumor diameter≥4 cm,lymph node metastasis and low differentiation in metastatic group were higher than those in non-metastatic group(P<0.05).Compared with non-metastatic group,serum CEA,CA125,CA15-3 and CA19-9 levels in metastatic group were higher(P<0.05).Multiuariate Logistic regression analysis showed that lymph node metastasis,low differentiation and abnormal increase of CEA,CA125,CA15-3 and CA19-9 levels were independent risk factors for pleural metastasis in stage Ⅲ lung cancer patients(P<0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Nomogram model constructed based on serum tumor markers was 0.896(95%CI:0.812-0.991),which proved that the model had good predic-tive efficacy.The calibration curve of the model confirmed that there was a good agreement between the pre-dicted risk and the actual risk,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit curve test x2=1.602,P=0.638.The results of the decision curve analysis show that this model could achieve a relatively high net benefit with-in the range of 0%to 80%.Conclusion The Nomogram model based on serum tumor markers can effectively evaluate the risk of pleural metastasis in patients with stage Ⅲ lung cancer,and has good calibration,goodness of fit and clinical practicability.
10.Value of color Doppler ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography in predicting the recurrence risk of breast cancer after operation
Huan WANG ; Jun WANG ; Qiuping WANG ; Jia LI ; Xinxing LIANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2025;19(5):666-670
Objective:To assess the effectiveness of combining color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) with shear wave elastography (SWE) in forecasting the likelihood of breast cancer (BC) recurrence.Methods:From Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2024, we gathered data on 92 BC patients admitted to Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Shanxi Cancer Hospital, focusing on their lesion characteristics. Each patient underwent CDU and SWE examinations pre-surgery and was monitored for a year. Based on BC recurrence, patients were categorized into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. We compared CDU imaging and hemodynamic features of BC between these groups and evaluated SWE elastic modulus values. To assess the agreement between CDU, SWE, and their combined use in predicting BC recurrence and pathological diagnosis, we employed the Kappa test. Additionally, we plotted ROC curves to analyze the predictive power of CDU, SWE, and their combination in assessing BC recurrence risk. Results:Among the 92 BC patients studied, 38 experienced recurrence, while 54 did not. CDU examination revealed that the non-recurrence group exhibited significantly larger tumor maximum diameter, higher peak systolic velocity (PSV), a higher proportion of aspect ratio ≥ 1, irregular margins, calcification, and increased vascular abundance, compared to the recurrence group ( t/ χ2=17.188, 18.491, 6.099, 15.374, 14.526, 19.318, P<0.05). Additionally, the vascular resistance index (RI) was lower in the non-recurrence group ( t=-26.429, P<0.05). SWE results indicated that the recurrence group had higher average (E mean), maximum (E max), and minimum (E min) elastic moduli compared to the non-recurrence group ( t=14.39, 12.34, 8.29, P<0.05). CDU and SWE predictions showed substantial agreement with pathological results, with Kappa values of 0.66 and 0.69, respectively ( P<0.05). The combination of CDU and SWE predictions demonstrated excellent concordance with pathological outcomes ( Kappa=0.91, P<0.05). In terms of predicting BC recurrence risk, CDU and SWE had accuracies of 83.70% and 84.21%, respectively. The ROC curve analysis showed AUC values of 0.830 for CDU, 0.847 for SWE, and 0.955 for their combination. Sensitivity was 0.870 for CDU, 0.852 for SWE, and 0.963 for the combination. Specificity was 0.789 for CDU, 0.842 for SWE, and 0.947 for the combination. Positive predictive values were 78.95% for CDU, 84.21% for SWE, and 94.74% for the combination, while negative predictive values were 87.04% for CDU, 85.19% for SWE, and 96.30% for the combination. The AUC for CDU in predicting post-operative BC recurrence risk was not significantly different from SWE ( χ2=0.04, P>0.05), but the combined prediction AUC was significantly higher than individual predictions ( χ2=8.00, 7.04, P<0.05) . Conclusion:The predictive value of CDU and SWE combined examination for the recurrence risk of BC is better than that of single examination, and it is suggested that the combined examination method should be popularized in clinic.

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