1.From Gene Expression to Transcriptome-wide Association Study: Development and Comparison of Methodology
Kun FANG ; Guozhuang LI ; Linting WANG ; Qing LI ; Kexin XU ; Lina ZHAO ; Zhihong WU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Nan WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(1):223-229
Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.
2.Construction and in vitro osteogenic activity study of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen
WANG Meng ; SUN Yifei ; CAO Xiaoqing ; WEI Yiyuan ; CHEN Lei ; ZHANG Zhenglong ; MU Zhao ; ZHU Juanfang ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):15-28
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (MSHA/Col) in improving the bone repair microenvironment and enhancing bone regeneration capacity, providing a strategy to address the insufficient biomimetic composition and limited bioactivity of traditional hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen (HA/Col) scaffolds.
Methods:
A high-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid-stabilized amorphous calcium magnesium strontium phosphate precursor (HPAA/ACMSP) was prepared. Its morphology and elemental distribution were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Recombinant collagen sponge blocks were immersed in the HPAA/ACMSP mineralization solution. Magnesium-strontium co-doped hydroxyapatite was induced to deposit within collagen fibers (experimental group: MSHA/Col; control group: HA/Col). The morphological characteristics of MSHA/Col were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its crystal structure and chemical composition were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The mineral phase content was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The scaffold's porosity, ion release, and in vitro degradation performance were also determined. For cytological experiments, CCK-8 assay, live/dead cell staining, alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of the MSHA/Col scaffold on the proliferation, viability, early osteogenic differentiation activity, late mineralization capacity, and gene and protein expression levels of key osteogenic markers [runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Ocn)] in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1).
Results:
HPAA/ACMSP appeared as amorphous spherical nanoparticles under TEM, with energy spectrum analysis showing uniform distribution of carbon, oxygen, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and strontium elements. SEM results of MSHA/Col indicated successful complete intrafibrillar mineralization. Elemental analysis showed the mass fractions of magnesium and strontium were 0.72% (matching the magnesium content in natural bone) and 2.89%, respectively. X-ray diffraction revealed characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals (25.86°, 31°-34°). Infrared spectroscopy results showed characteristic absorption peaks for both collagen and hydroxyapatite. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a mineral phase content of 78.29% in the material. The scaffold porosity was 91.6% ± 1.1%, close to the level of natural bone tissue. Ion release curves demonstrated sustained release behavior for both magnesium and strontium ions. The in vitro degradation rate matched the ingrowth rate of new bone tissue. Cytological experiments showed that MSHA/Col significantly promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation (130% increase in activity at 72 h, P < 0.001). MSHA/Col exhibited excellent efficacy in promoting osteogenic differentiation, significantly upregulating the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and proteins (Runx2, Col-Ⅰ, Opn, Ocn) (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The MSHA/Col scaffold achieves dual biomimicry of natural bone in both composition and structure, and effectively promotes osteogenic differentiation at the genetic and protein levels, breaking through the functional limitations of pure hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen. This provides a new strategy for the development of functional bone repair materials
3.Fabrication and evaluation of an inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel with dual capabilities of self-mineralization and osteoinduction
LIU Mingyi ; MIAO Xiaoyu ; CAI Yunfan ; WANG Yan ; SUN Xiaotang ; KANG Jingrui ; ZHAO Yao ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):29-40
Objective:
To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials.
Methods:
The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group
Results:
The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group.
Conclusion
The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.
4.Impact of hyperglycemia on liver fibrosis and end-stage liver disease in patients with comorbidities of chronic hepatitis B and steatotic liver disease
Xueli ZHANG ; Lina JIANG ; Meng LI ; Shuhong LIU ; Jingmin ZHAO
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):831-839
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathological features of patients with comorbidities of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and steatotic liver disease (SLD), to investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on the risk of liver fibrosis and end-stage liver diseases (ESLD), and to provide a basis for the clinical management of such population. MethodsA total of 668 adult patients with CHB-SLD confirmed by liver biopsy in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2011 to December 2019 were enrolled, and a retrospective cohort was established with the time of liver biopsy as the baseline and the onset of ESLD as the endpoint. All patients were followed up to March 31, 2024. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1∶4 to balance baseline features between groups, resulting in 82 patients in the hyperglycemia group and 281 in the non-hyperglycemia group. The two groups were compared in terms of metabolic profiles, laboratory markers, and histopathological features. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed quantitative data between two groups. The chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for advanced fibrosis (AF), and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional-hazards regression model were used to determine the influencing factors for the development of ESLD. ResultsCompared with the non-hyperglycemia group, the hyperglycemia group had a significantly higher number of factors for metabolic disorders, a significantly higher degree of hepatic steatosis, and a significantly higher detection rate of AF (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperglycemia was a risk factor for AF (odds ratio = 1.753, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.017 — 3.023, P=0.043). The survival analysis showed that hyperglycemia increased the risk of ESLD (χ2=4.340, P=0.037). The multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that hyperglycemia was a significant metabolic risk factor for ESLD in patients with AF (adjusted hazard ratio=3.208, 95%CI: 1.201 — 8.568, P=0.020). ConclusionHyperglycemia can increase the risk of AF and ESLD in CHB-SLD patients. Clinical monitoring and active management should be strengthened for patients who have already developed AF and hyperglycemia.
5.Association Between Obesity-Related Metabolic Indices and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Adults
Changfa HUANG ; Hao FAN ; Ze WEI ; Jing HAO ; Lijin LIU ; Su LIU ; Zhifa ZHENG ; Fei LIU ; Lina ZHAO ; Zhihong WU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;17(1):172-180
To investigate the association between obesity-related metabolic indices and the risk of knee osteoarthritis(KOA) in middle-aged and older Chinese adults(≥45 years) using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS). Data from two CHARLS survey waves(2011—2012 and 2015—2016) were analyzed. Obesity indices—including body mass index(BMI), waist circumference(WC), waist-to-height ratio(WHtR), visceral adiposity index(VAI), a body shape index(ABSI), body roundness index(BRI), lipid accumulation product(LAP), conicity index(CI), and Chinese visceral adiposity index(CVAI)-and metabolic indices-triglyceride glucose index(TyG), TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR-were collected. Covariates comprised demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health status. Three multivariate logistic regression models were constructed. Sex-subgroup analyses assessed heterogeneity, and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves with area under the curve(AUC) were used to evaluate diagnostic performance. Among 9527 participants, the prevalence of KOA was 9.59%(914/9527). After adjusting for confounders, linear regression revealed significant positive associations between KOA and BMI( BMI, BRI, LAP, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WHtR may serve as auxiliary indicators for KOA risk assessment in middle-aged and older women, but their standalone screening value remains modest. Clinical evaluation and integration with other risk factors are recommended for comprehensive risk stratification.
6.Analysis of the timeliness of anti-retroviral therapy among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases
SU Dehua ; CHEN Xiangyang ; LI Jun ; ZHAO Lina ; ZHANG Hemei ; ZHU Tingting ; HU Wenxue ; LAI Jiangyi
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):804-808
Objective:
To analyze the timeliness of antir-etroviral therapy (ART) and its influencing factors among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide a reference for improving the ART effect of HIV/AIDS cases.
Methods:
Newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Wenzhou City from 2016 to 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Demographic information, the situation of the first CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4 cell) test, baseline CD4 cell count, and ART situation were collected through the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The timely rate of ART was analyzed, and the influencing factors for timely ART among HIV/AIDS cases were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 4 500 newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Wenzhou City from 2016 to 2023 were included, among which 3 679 were males, accounting for 81.76%, and 821 were females, accounting for 18.24%. The median age was 46.24 (interquartile range, 26.23) years. Among these cases, 3 606 received timely ART, with a timely rate of 80.13%. The timely rate of ART increased from 57.54% in 2016 to 91.97% in 2023 (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that unmarried/divorced/widowed (OR=0.769, 95%CI: 0.641-0.922), detainees (OR=0.492, 95%CI: 0.269-0.900), untimely first CD4 cell test (OR=0.278, 95%CI: 0.234-0.330), baseline CD4 cell count ≥200 cells/µL (OR=0.709, 95%CI: 0.595-0.843) or undetected (OR=0.131, 95%CI: 0.080-0.213) were associated with a lower timeliness for ART among HIV/AIDS cases.
Conclusion
From 2016 to 2023, the timely rate of ART among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Wenzhou City showed an upward trend, which was mainly affected by marital status, case source, timeliness of the first CD4 cell test, and baseline CD4 cell count.
7.Expressions levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer and their correlation with prognosis
Chan LI ; Weiqin LYU ; Ting LI ; Junli ZHANG ; Lina ZHAO ; Changping YAN
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2439-2445
Objective To investigate the expression levels of microRNA-34a(miR-34a),β-catenin and pro-grammed death receptor-1(PD-L1)in cancer tissues of patients with cervical cancer(CC)and their correla-tion with patients' prognosis.Methods A total of 83 patients with CC admitted to Yuncheng Central Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from June 2021 to January 2024 were selected as the research objects.General data,CC tissue and adjacent normal tissue samples of all patients were collected.The mRNA expres-sion levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were detected by fluo-rescence quantitative PCR and compared.The expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 in CC tissues and adja-cent normal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of prognosis in CC patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 expression levels in CC pa-tients with poor prognosis.Results Compared with adjacent normal tissues,the expression level of miR-34a of the CC tissues was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).The positive expression rates of β-catenin and PD-L1 protein in CC tissues were higher than those of adjacent nor-mal tissues(89.16%vs.10.84%,78.31%vs.20.48%,x2=101.807,55.526,P<0.05).There were no sig-nificant differences in age and body mass index(BMI)between the good prognosis group and the poor progno-sis group(t=1.508,1.820,both P>0.05),while there were significant differences in International Federa-tion of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)stage and differentiation degree between the two groups(x2=8.451,9.115,both P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the expression level of miR-34a of the poor prognosis group was lower,while the expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1 were higher(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased expression of miR-34a was an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,while the increased expression levels of β-catenin and PD-L1,Ⅱ a and Ⅱ b FIGO staging and low differentiation were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 all had certain predictive value for the poor prognosis of CC patient,and the area under the curve(AUC)of the single detection was 0.765,0.836 and 0.797,respectively.The AUC of the combined detection was 0.914(Z=2.631,2.331,2.571,P=0.009,0.020,0.010).Conclusion The expression levels of miR-34a,β-catenin and PD-L1 mRNA affect the prognosis of CC patients.Increased expression of miR-34a is an protective factor for poor prognosis in CC patients,in-creased β-catenin and PD-L1 expressions are independent risk factors for poor prognosis in CC patients,and all three factors can be used as biomarkers to predict poor prognosis in CC patients,and the combined detection of the three has the highest prognostic value.
8.Retrospective epidemiological analysis of fungal infection of a hospital from 2018 to 2024
Zhihao LIU ; Yali LIU ; Lina GUO ; Yao WANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Xiuli XIE ; Wenjing LIU ; Renyuan ZHU ; Hongli SUN ; Hongtao DOU ; Dingding LI ; Lingli LIU ; Shuying YU ; Menglan ZHOU ; Qiwen YANG ; Yingchun XU ; Li ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(21):2588-2594
Objective To analyze the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital in the past 7 years,and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention and control strategies of fun-gal infection.Methods The fungal data and clinical data of related patients isolated from clinical samples in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from early January 2018 to the end of May 2024 were selected,and the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital were identified and described through multi-angle statistical analysis.Results A total of 4 479 patients with filamentous fungal infection were en-rolled.The proportion of male patients[57.5%(2 576/4 479)]was higher than that of female patients[42.5%(1 903/4 143)],mainly distributed in internal medicine,Intensive Care Unit(ICU)and emergency de-partment,among which internal medicine accounted for the highest proportion[50.0%(2 241/4 479)].About 90.0%of the specimens were from the lower respiratory tract,in addition to specimens from skin and soft tis-sue,tissue,ear and blood culture.In terms of seasonal distribution,there are more patients in winter.The fun-gi were mainly composed of Aspergillus,Mucor,Cerdosporium,Fusarium and Penicillium,among which As-pergillus was the most abundant,accounting for 74.6%of the total.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most a-bundant Aspergillus,accounting for 42.5%of the total Aspergillus(1 418/3 340).Among the related infec-tions caused by mold,Aspergillus was the most common in the lower respiratory tract,accounting for 76.8%.Among them,Aspergillus fumigatus accounted for the highest proportion(33.6%).98.6%of the molds infected the ear were Aspergillus,of which Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were the most common.Skin infections are mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum ca-nis.The results of in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the four common Aspergillus isolated in this hos-pital were sensitive to voriconazole,and amphotericin B had better antifungal activity against Mucorales in vitro.Conclusion Based on the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections in this hospital,it is recommended that special attention be paid to the admission of patients in the respiratory department during the peak infection period in autumn and winter.In the treatment of fungal infections in different regions and on different body parts,attention should be paid to the differences in the distribution of bacterial species.
9.Effect of carbon dioxide fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid on follicular helper T cells and B cell subsets in patients with advanced vitiligo
Lina ZHANG ; Chao LYU ; Zhixia FAN ; Xin WANG ; Juan SHEN ; Zhonglin ZHAO ; Jun′e FENG ; Guoying MIAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(5):1175-1181
Objective:To explore the effect of CO2 fractional laser combined with glucocorticoid(GC)on T follicular helper cell(Tfh)and B cell subsets in patients with advanced vitiligo(VL).Methods:Patients with advanced VL(128 cases)who were treated in Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering from August 2019 to March 2022 were selected as research objects,and divided into group A(64 cases,CO2 fractional laser combined with GC)and group B(64 cases,CO2 fractional laser)according to different treatment methods,clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.Another healthy subjects(64 cases)were selected as control group.Collected clinical data of the three groups of subjects for comparative analysis.Randomized walking model was used to evaluate the effect of CO2 fractional laser combined with GC on immune function and inflammatory response in patients with advanced VL.Results:Compared with group B,group A had a higher clinical total effective rate(P<0.05)and a lower probability of adverse reactions(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,proportion of Tfh2 and Tfh17 in group A had no significant difference(P>0.05),while proportion of Tfh2 and Tfh17 in group B still had significant difference(P<0.05);compared with group B,proportion of Tfh2 in group A after treatment was higher(P<0.05),while proportion of Tfh17 type was lower(P<0.05).After treat-ment,compared with control group,proportion of memory transformed B cell in group B was still significantly different(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,levels of IgA,IgE and IgM in group B were still significantly different(P<0.05);compared with group B,level of IgM in group A was higher after treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,compared with control group,levels of IL-21 and IL-1β in group B were still significantly different(P<0.05);compared with group B,level of IL-10 in group A after treatment was higher(P<0.05),while levels of IL-21 and IL-1β were lower(P<0.05).Evaluation results of random walking model showed that the improvement of immune function and inflammatory reaction in group A was better than that in group B.Conclusion:CO2 fractional laser combined with GC can improve the immune function and inflammatory reaction of patients with advanced VL better after treatment,and the probability of adverse reactions is lower.
10.The mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder between childhood trauma and relapse tendency in drug rehabilitation personnel with compulsory isolation
Shaobo LYU ; Liwei SUN ; Lina LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Suran GUO ; Junjuan GU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(2):164-168
Objective:To explore the impact of childhood trauma on drug relapse tendency, as well as the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:From March to May 2017, a total of 403 compulsory drug rehabilitation personnel were selected for a cross-sectional study and then were investigated by the general demography scale, drug relapse risk scale, childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), and PTSD checklist for DSM-5(PCL-5).SPSS 27.0 software and PROCESS 4.1 macro program were used for correlation analysis, regression analysis and Bootstrap-based mediation analysis.Results:The scores of negative emotions subscale of drug relapse risk scale, emotional abuse and emotional neglect subscales of CTQ had no significant gender differences(all P>0.05).There were gender differences in relapse tendency, childhood trauma, and PTSD total scores as well as other dimensions ( t/ Z=2.08-4.67, all P<0.05).There were pairwise positive correlations among the total score of the drug relapse risk scale(31.68±9.79), CTQ(39.90±12.13), and PCL-5(11(3, 24)) for compulsory isolation and rehabilitation personnel ( r=0.28, 0.36, 0.37, P<0.05).After controlling for gender, childhood trauma could significantly and positively predict drug relapse tendency( β=0.34, t=7.24, P<0.01), and PTSD played a mediating role between childhood trauma and drug relapse tendency, with the indirect effect of 0.11(95% CI=0.06-0.16). Conclusion:Childhood trauma can affect drug relapse tendency directly, and indirectly through PTSD.


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