1.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
2.Research progress of biomaterial-mediated brain-computer interfaces in neural rehabilitation
Xiangxiang YU ; Jie SHI ; Yucheng CHEN ; Lifeng CHENG ; Liangcan HE ; Kai LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):213-220
Neurological disorders such as post-stroke hemiplegia, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson disease represent a major global health burden. Brain-computer interface (BCI), which creates direct communication pathways between the nervous system and external devices, offers a promising strategy for functional restoration. The long-term efficacy of such BCI fundamentally depends on the performance of biomaterials at the neural interface. Ideal materials must concurrently satisfy biocompatibility, electrical conductivity, enduring chemical stability, and mechanical compatibility with brain tissue. This review systematically outlines the application of conductive polymers, inorganic nanomaterials, natural biomaterials, and composites in BCI, with a focus on how advanced designs, such as bionic and encapsulated electrodes, improve signal fidelity and surgical feasibility through structural innovation. It further summarizes key material-modification techniques and analyzes the complex foreign-body response orchestrated by microglia, astrocytes, and peripheral immune cells. Finally, it provides insights into future research directions and clinical translation of BCI-based neurorehabilitation, while highlighting critical challenges including long-term biosafety and the establishment of standardized evaluation frameworks, aiming to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and effective clinical deployment.
3.Correlation of mitochondrial genetic differentiation and spatial variables of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Jing SONG ; Yuwan HAO ; Zaogai YANG ; Xinping SHI ; Siqi NING ; Hongqiong WANG ; Chunhong DU ; Jihua ZHOU ; Zongya ZHANG ; Kai LI ; Shizhu LI ; Yi DONG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):54-59
Objective Objective To analyze the potential spatial factors affecting the genetic differentiation of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 13 administrative villages were selected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province as O. hupensis snail sampling sites. At least 200 snails were collected in each site, and the spatial variable data of each site were recorded, including longitude, latitude and altitude. Thirty active and Schistosoma japonicum uninfected O. hupensis snails were selected from each sampling site by means of the crawling method and the cercarial shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from O. hupensis snails. Following PCR amplification, purification of PCR amplification products and sequencing, the gene sequences of O. hupensis snail samples were spliced and edited using the DNAstar software and the NCBI database to yield the complete mitochondrial sequences of O. hupensis snails at each sampling site, and the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni was calculated at each sampling site. The geographical coordinates of each sampling site were marked using the software ArcGIS 10.2, and the straight-line geographical distance between each sampling site was calculated. The altitude difference, longitude difference and latitude difference between each sampling site were calculated using the Excel software, and the correlation between the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni and each spatial variable matrix was examined by using the Mantel test at 13 sampling sites in Yunnan Province. Results Among the 13 O. hupensis snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province, the largest mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Caizhuang Village, Midu County (26.244 2), and the largest geographical distance was seen between Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (272.64 km). The highest altitude difference was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1 086.10 m), and the largest longitude difference was found between Qiandian Village, Eryuan County and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (1.86°), while the largest latitude difference was measured between Leqiu Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1.81°). In addition, the mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was positively correlated with altitude at 13 snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province (r = 0.542 8, P < 0.001), and showed no significant correlations with geographical distance (r = 0.093 4, P > 0.05), longitude (r = −0.199 5, P > 0.05) or latitude (r = 0.205 7, P > 0.05). Conclusion Altitude may be a potential spatial factor affecting the genetic differentiation of O. hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province.
4.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
5.Recombinase polymerase amplification combined with a lateral flow dipstick for rapid and visual detection of Plasmodium vivax
Shi-hui LI ; Chun-hua GAO ; Fu-rong WEI ; Duo-quan WANG ; Xiao-kai JIA ; Jing ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Feng SHI
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):413-418
To achieve rapid and visual detection of Plasmodium vivax,a detection method based on recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)technology and lateral flow dipstick(LFD)was established and evaluated.Targeting the conserved sequence of the P.vivax 18S rRNA gene(GenBank:DQ660817.1)as the target sequence,primers and probes were designed with Primer Premier 5,and the P.vivax recombinant plasmid(pUCPv)was constructed as the standard.A sensitive and specific RPA-LFD-based rapid visual detection method for P.vivax nucleic acids was established.The plasmid standard was serially diluted 10-fold to concentrations of 1×103,1×102,1×101,1×10?,and 1×10?1 copies/μL for sensitivity testing.To evaluate specificity,whole blood DNA samples from patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum,Plasmodium malariae,Plasmodium ovale,or Leishmania donovani,as well as healthy participants,were tested by RPA-LFD.Additionally,The assay′s accuracy was evaluated by testing whole blood DNA samples from 24 confirmed P.vivax-infected patients.This study successfully established a sensitive,specific,and rapid visual RPA-LFD method for detecting P.vivax nucleic acids.The assay can complete P.vivax detection within 20 minutes under isothermal conditions at 39 ℃,achieving a sensitivity of 1 copy/μL.There is no significant cross reaction with parasites such as other Plasmodium species and L.donovani,and the specificity is 100%.All 24 DNA samples from confirmed P.vivax patients were detected,showing a 100%detection rate.The developed RPA-LFD assay exhibits excellent sensitivity and specificity,requires only simple heating equipment,and is user-friendly.This rapid visual detection method is particularly suitable for P.vivax screening in low-resource settings.
6.Mechanism of emodin improving cardiac hypertrophy in mice based on p38/ERK pathway
Jia SHI ; Sai-Ge SUN ; Yi-Lin HE ; Li XU ; Long-Xing LIU ; Zi-Jie GE ; Xiao-Yi ZOU ; Yu MA ; Yao-Cheng DING ; Kai QIAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1245-1252
Aim Mouse model of myocardial hypertro-phy was established via intraperitoneal injection of iso-proterenol(ISO)in mice.This approach allows for an in-depth investigation into the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of emodin,offering novel in-sights and directions for the improvement of myocardial hypertrophy.Methods The mice were randomly di-vided into the following groups:control group(CON),emodin group(EMO),MAPK activator control group(EMO+Ani),model group(ISO),treatment group(ISO+EMO),and activator intervention group(ISO+EMO+Ani).After treatment with emodin and inter-vention with MAPK activator,the heart weight ratio and cardiac size of each group were observed.Hematoxy-lin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the patho-logical changes in cardiac tissue,and kits were utilized to measure the levels of GSH,LDH,and MDA in the serum.Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression levels of inflammatory and oxidative factors,as well as p-p38,p-ERK,p38,and ERK in cardiac tis-sue.Results Emodin can significantly inhibit the production of myocardial inflammatory and oxidative factors induced by ISO,thereby effectively alleviating the degree of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis.Af-ter the p38/ERK signaling pathway was specifically ac-tivated by farnesol,the improvement effect of emodin on myocardial hypertrophy was weakened.Further comparison revealed that,compared with the myocardi-al hypertrophy pathological model group,the pathologi-cal protein expression levels in the farnesol-treated group showed no significant difference,and were even higher in some indicators.Conclusion Emodin can effectively inhibit the release of inflammatory factors and improve the state of oxidative stress by modulating the p38/ERK signaling pathway,thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on myocardial hypertrophy.
7.Analysis of Allergen Distribution in 4775 Patients in Mentougou District of Beijing
Jinfeng SHI ; Lisha LI ; Kai GUAN
Journal of Medical Research 2025;54(4):58-63
Objective To analyze the sensitization spectrum of common inhaled allergens for respiratory allergic diseases in Mento-ugou district of Beijing,and explore the safety of domestic intradermal test reagents.Methods A total of 19 kinds of inhaled allergen re-agents were used to conduct intradermal test in patients with suspected or definite respiratory allergic diseases(bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis with bronchial asthma)who visited Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Beijing Jingmei Group General Hospital from January 2018 to October 2021.The trends of age,gender and distribution of allergens were compared,and the safety of domestic in-tradermal test reagents were observed.Results A total of 4775 patients were conducted,the positive rate of intradermal test was 52%(2483/4775);the top 5 inhaled allergen positive rates were indoor dust with 29.78%(1422/4775),summer and autumn pollen Ⅰ with 28.06%(1340/4775),dust mite with 23.54%(1124/4775),kochia scoparia with 20.52%(980/4775),spring pollen Ⅱ with 18.03%(861/4775).The positive rate of intradermal test decreased with the increase of age.Patients with respiratory allergic diseases often combined a variety of substances allergy.Before and after CO VID-19 infection,the positive rate of allergens decreased significantly after scientific protection.Adverse effect was observed in 7 patients,the severity of the adverse reaction was all level Ⅰ.Conclusion The inhaled allergens are mainly dust,pollen and dust mite.The main allergens have not changed significantly from 2018 to 2021.Scien-tific protection can effectively reduce the incidence of allergic diseases.Domestic intradermal reagents has high safety and can serve the clinic well.
8.Clinical value of indocyanine green fluorescence navigation in single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Xiaodong WANG ; Kai ZHANG ; Xing WANG ; Long REN ; Kaihang SHI ; Tao JIN ; Zhenwei SHEN ; Kai LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(8):1718-1725
Background and Aims:Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)has become increasingly popular due to its minimal invasiveness and cosmetic advantages,but challenges remain in biliary identification and limited operative space.Indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence navigation enables real-time visualization of the biliary tract and may enhance surgical safety and efficiency.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application value of ICG fluorescence navigation in single-incision LC.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 59 patients with benign gallbladder diseases who underwent elective single-incision LC at Yixing Hospital affiliated to Jiangsu University from January 2023 to December 2024.Patients were divided into a fluorescence group(n=27)and a white-light group(n=32)according to whether ICG fluorescence navigation was applied.The two groups were compared in terms of Calot's triangle dissection time,operative time,intraoperative blood loss,surgeon satisfaction,hospital stay,and postoperative complications.Results:No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).In the fluorescence group,the cystic duct,common hepatic duct,and common bile duct were all successfully visualized.Compared with the white-light group,the fluorescence group had significantly shorter Calot's triangle dissection time[(25.56±3.49)min vs.(38.81±5.59)min],shorter operative time[(44.67±3.06)min vs.(61.31±4.96)min],and less intraoperative blood loss[(13.44±1.70)mL vs.(14.50±2.11)mL](all P<0.05),with significantly higher surgeon satisfaction(P<0.05).No intraoperative bile duct injury,conversion to three-port surgery,or postoperative complications occurred in either group.Conclusion:ICG fluorescence navigation can significantly improve biliary identification efficiency in single-incision LC,shorten operative time,reduce blood loss,and enhance surgeon satisfaction,demonstrating promising clinical application prospects.
9.In vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucine aminopeptidase(LAP)in Echinococcus multilocularis
Jia-yu CHEN ; Yao DAI ; Shun-juan WANG ; Yang XIAO ; Xin-zong YAN ; Tong LIU ; Zhi-hao YUAN ; Kai-li SHI ; Run-le LI ; Feng TANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(1):23-31
This study was aimed at developing an in vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucyl aminopeptid-ase(LAP)from Echinococcus multilocularis and comparing it with the chemical chromogenic substrate enzyme activity assay.Through the establishment of reaction conditions for the fluorescent substrate-based in vitro enzyme activity assay,we com-pared the differences between the fluorescent substrate L-Leucine-7-amido-4-methylocoumarin(Leu-AMC)and the chemical chromogenic substrate L-Leucine-4-nitroanilide(Leu-pNA)through molecular docking,inhibition rates,and precision measures.Molecular docking revealed that the fluorescent substrate Leu-AMC had higher affinity for the protein than the chemical chromogenic substrate Leu-pNA.Through analysis of the effects of varying reaction conditions on fluorescence intensi-ty,we optimized the fluorescent substrate enzyme activity assay to demonstrate favorable performance at a reaction temperature of 37℃,a pH of 9.0,a protein concentration of 800 nmol/L,and a reaction duration of 60 minutes.Leu-AMC exhibited significant and distinct responses at a 5 μmol/L substrate concentration,under varying substrate conditions.The fluo-rescent substrate assay demonstrated more significant intergroup differences than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay when various inhibitors were added.This study established a fluorescence-based enzyme activity assay for leucyl aminopeptidase from Echinococcus multilocularis by using Leu-AMC as the substrate;this method demonstrated a more significant intergroup difference and sensitivity than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay.
10.Comparative study on diagnostic efficacy of 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging with zero echo time versus high resolution computed tomography for pulmonary nodule detection and Lung-RADS classification in sub-health populations
Li-jun YANG ; Kai SU ; Peng-fei YANG ; Ming-xia JIANG ; Rong-ping SHI ; Huan-pu GE ; Qiong WU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(9):52-59
Objective To explore the efficacy differences between 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging with zero echo time(3T MRI ZTE)and high resolution computed tomography(HRCT)in the detection of pulmonary nodules and the classification diagnosis of the lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)in sub-health populations.Methods Clinical and imaging data of 93 patients with pulmonary nodules(126 nodules in total)admitted to some hospital from July to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The 126 nodules were categorized into a benign nodule group(n=51)and a malignant nodule group(n=75)using pathological findings as the gold standard.All the patients underwent examinations by 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT to compare the detection rates of the two measures for pulmonary nodules;the missed and misdiagnosis rates of 3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were contrasted with the postoperative pathological diagnosis results as the gold standard;comparison analyses of 3T MRI ZTE signs and HRCT signs were performed between the two groups and the patients with different Lung-RADS grades;3T MRI ZTE,HRCT and Lung-RADS grading were compared with the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve in terms of diagnosis efficacy for pulmonary nodules,and the consistency analysis was carried out.Results No discernible statistical variation was observed in the detection rates of pulmonary nodules between 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT(P>0.05).Lung-RADS grading had the highest rates of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis,and 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT had similar detection rates.The malignant nodule group was different from the benign nodule group in the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcifica-tion,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign,with the differences being statistically signi-ficant(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 3,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size,spiculation sign,lobulation sign,calcification,pleural indentation sign,cavity sign and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4A,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differen-ces in terms of lesion size,calcification,boundary and bronchial cut-off sign(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4B,the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs had significant differences in terms of lesion size and calcification(all P<0.05).For the patients of Lung-RADS grade 4X,there were no significant differences found between the 3T MRI ZTE and HRCT signs(all P>0.05).HRCT had the highest sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,AUC value,predictive values and Kappa value for benign and malignant nodules,3T MRI ZTE had the values slightly lower than those of HRCT,and Lung-RADS grading had the lowest values when compared with HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE.Conclusion HRCT and 3T MRI ZTE are complementary for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules,and the differences in imaging signs between them show graded dependence.3T MRI ZTE and HRCT have no significant differences in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules,while HRCT gains advanta-ges in differentiating benign and malignant pulmonary nodules,and references are provided for the screening and clinical early diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):52-59]

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