1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.Correlation between brain white matter lesions and insulin resistance in non-diabetic elderly individuals based on magnetic resonance imaging
Mei LI ; Fang YUAN ; Xizi XING ; Feng XIE ; Hua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(1):96-101
Objective To investigate the relationship between brain white matter lesions (WML) and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index in non-diabetic elderly individuals based on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods A total of 523 non-diabetic elderly individuals aged ≥ 60 years were selected from Jinan, Shandong Province, China from June 2018 to December 2019. According to the quartiles of TyG index, there were 133 participants in the first quartile (Q1) group, 127 in the second quartile (Q2) group, 132 in the third quartile (Q3) group, and 131 in the fourth quartile (Q4) group. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate paraventricular, deep, and total WML volumes, as well as Fazekas scores. Results Compared with Q1, Q2, and Q3 groups, Q4 group showed significant increase in periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (P < 0.05). The proportion of participants with a Fazekas score ≥ 2 in the periventricular, deep, and total WML was higher in the Q4 group compared with the Q1 and Q2 groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of participants with a Fazekas score ≥ 2 in deep WML was higher in Q4 group than in Q3 group (P < 0.05). TyG index was significantly positively correlated with periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (r = 0.401, 0.405, and 0.445, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, TyG index was still significantly positively correlated with periventricular, deep, and total WML volumes (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with Q1 group, the risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in periventricular WML was 1.950-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.154-3.294, P = 0.013) in Q3 group and 3.411-fold (95% CI: 1.984-5.863, P < 0.001) in Q4 group, the risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in total WML was 2.529-fold (95%CI: 1.444-4.430, P = 0.001) in Q3 group and 4.486-fold (95%CI: 2.314-8.696, P < 0.001) in Q4 group. The risk of Fazekas score ≥ 2 in deep WML was 2.953-fold (95%CI: 1.708-5.106, P < 0.001) in Q4 group compared with Q1 group. Conclusion Increased TyG index is an independent risk factor for WML in non-diabetic elderly individuals.
3.Identification of Alumen and Ammonium alum Based on XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA Combined with Chemometrics
Bin WANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Huangsheng ZHANG ; Jian FENG ; Hanxi LI ; Guorong MEI ; Jiaquan JIANG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):178-186
ObjectiveTo establish the multi-technique characteristic profiles of Alumen by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis(TG-DTA), and to explore the spectral characteristics for rapid identification of Alumen and its potential adulterant, Ammonium alum. MethodsA total of 27 batches of Alumen samples from 8 production regions were collected for preliminary identification based on visual characteristics. The PDF standard cards of XRD were used to differentiate Alumen from A. alum, and the XRD characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and then the common peaks were screened. Based on hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the characteristic information that could be used for identification of Alumen was selected with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. FTIR characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and key wavenumbers for identification were screened by HCA and OPLS-DA with VIP value>1. Meanwhile, the thermogravimetric differences between Alumen and A. alum were analyzed by TG-DTA, and the thermogravimetric traits that could be used for identification were screened. ResultsAlumen and A. alum could not be effectively distinguished by traits alone. However, by comparing the PDF standard cards of XRD, 15 batches of Alumen and 12 batches of A. alum could be distinguished. In the XRD profiles, 10 characteristic peaks were confirmed, corresponding to diffraction angles of 14.560°, 24.316°, 12.620°, 32.122°, 17.898°, 34.642°, 27.496°, 46.048°, 40.697° and 21.973°. In the FTIR profiles, 4 wavenumber ranges(399.193-403.050, 1 186.010-1 471.420, 1 801.190-2 620.790, 3 612.020-3 997.710 cm-1) and 12 characteristic wavenumbers(1 428.994, 1 430.922, 1 432.851, 1 434.779, 1 436.708, 1 438.636, 1 440.565, 1 442.493, 1 444.422, 1 446.350, 1 448.279, 1 450.207 cm-1) were identified. In the TG-DTA profiles, there were characteristic decomposition peaks of ammonium ion and mass reduction features near 555.34 ℃ for A. alum. These characteristics could serve as important criteria for distinguishing the authenticity of Alumen. ConclusionXRD, FTIR and TG-DTA can be used to rapidly detect Alumen and A. alum, and combined with the discriminant features selected through chemometrics, the rapid and accurate identification of Alumen and A. alum can be achieved. The research findings provide new approaches for the rapid identification of Alumen.
4.Identification of Alumen and Ammonium alum Based on XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA Combined with Chemometrics
Bin WANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Huangsheng ZHANG ; Jian FENG ; Hanxi LI ; Guorong MEI ; Jiaquan JIANG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):178-186
ObjectiveTo establish the multi-technique characteristic profiles of Alumen by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis(TG-DTA), and to explore the spectral characteristics for rapid identification of Alumen and its potential adulterant, Ammonium alum. MethodsA total of 27 batches of Alumen samples from 8 production regions were collected for preliminary identification based on visual characteristics. The PDF standard cards of XRD were used to differentiate Alumen from A. alum, and the XRD characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and then the common peaks were screened. Based on hierarchical clustering analysis(HCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the characteristic information that could be used for identification of Alumen was selected with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. FTIR characteristic profiles of Alumen were established, and key wavenumbers for identification were screened by HCA and OPLS-DA with VIP value>1. Meanwhile, the thermogravimetric differences between Alumen and A. alum were analyzed by TG-DTA, and the thermogravimetric traits that could be used for identification were screened. ResultsAlumen and A. alum could not be effectively distinguished by traits alone. However, by comparing the PDF standard cards of XRD, 15 batches of Alumen and 12 batches of A. alum could be distinguished. In the XRD profiles, 10 characteristic peaks were confirmed, corresponding to diffraction angles of 14.560°, 24.316°, 12.620°, 32.122°, 17.898°, 34.642°, 27.496°, 46.048°, 40.697° and 21.973°. In the FTIR profiles, 4 wavenumber ranges(399.193-403.050, 1 186.010-1 471.420, 1 801.190-2 620.790, 3 612.020-3 997.710 cm-1) and 12 characteristic wavenumbers(1 428.994, 1 430.922, 1 432.851, 1 434.779, 1 436.708, 1 438.636, 1 440.565, 1 442.493, 1 444.422, 1 446.350, 1 448.279, 1 450.207 cm-1) were identified. In the TG-DTA profiles, there were characteristic decomposition peaks of ammonium ion and mass reduction features near 555.34 ℃ for A. alum. These characteristics could serve as important criteria for distinguishing the authenticity of Alumen. ConclusionXRD, FTIR and TG-DTA can be used to rapidly detect Alumen and A. alum, and combined with the discriminant features selected through chemometrics, the rapid and accurate identification of Alumen and A. alum can be achieved. The research findings provide new approaches for the rapid identification of Alumen.
5.Expert consensus on prognostic evaluation of cochlear implantation in hereditary hearing loss.
Xinyu SHI ; Xianbao CAO ; Renjie CHAI ; Suijun CHEN ; Juan FENG ; Ningyu FENG ; Xia GAO ; Lulu GUO ; Yuhe LIU ; Ling LU ; Lingyun MEI ; Xiaoyun QIAN ; Dongdong REN ; Haibo SHI ; Duoduo TAO ; Qin WANG ; Zhaoyan WANG ; Shuo WANG ; Wei WANG ; Ming XIA ; Hao XIONG ; Baicheng XU ; Kai XU ; Lei XU ; Hua YANG ; Jun YANG ; Pingli YANG ; Wei YUAN ; Dingjun ZHA ; Chunming ZHANG ; Hongzheng ZHANG ; Juan ZHANG ; Tianhong ZHANG ; Wenqi ZUO ; Wenyan LI ; Yongyi YUAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Fang ZHENG ; Yu SUN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):798-808
Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation(CI) serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system(Favorable, Marginal, Poor). The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss(such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1) and syndromic hereditary hearing loss(such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome), which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans
;
Cochlear Implantation
;
Prognosis
;
Hearing Loss/surgery*
;
Consensus
;
Connexin 26
;
Mutation
;
Sulfate Transporters
;
Connexins/genetics*
6.Cyclometalated iridium(III) complex based on isoquinoline alkaloid synergistically elicits the ICD response and IDO inhibition via autophagy-dependent ferroptosis.
Yuan LU ; Shan-Shan WANG ; Meng-Ya LI ; Rong LIU ; Meng-Fan ZHU ; Liang-Mei YANG ; Feng-Yang WANG ; Ke-Bin HUANG ; Hong LIANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):424-437
The development of anticancer drugs to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an ongoing challenge. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has garnered considerable interest worldwide as a promising synergistic modality for cancer chemoimmunotherapy. However, only few drugs or treatment modalities can trigger an ICD response and none of them exert a considerable clinical effect against TNBC. Therefore, new agents with potentially effective chemoimmunotherapeutic response are required. In this study, five new cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes containing isoquinoline alkaloid CˆN ligands were designed and synthesized. Among them, Ir-1 exhibited the highest in vitro cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, Ir-1 could trigger autophagy-dependent ferroptosis and a subsequent ferroptosis-dependent ICD response as well as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibition via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in MDA-MB-231 cells. When immunocompetent BALB/c mice were vaccinated with Ir-1-treated dying TNBC cells, antitumor CD8+ T-cell response and Foxp3+ T-cell depletion were induced, resulting in long-lasting antitumor immunity in TNBC cells. Moreover, combination therapy with Ir-1 and anti-PD1 could substantially augment in vivo therapeutic effects. Based on these results, Ir-1 is a promising candidate for chemoimmunotherapy against TNBC and its effects are mediated synergistically via ICD induction and IDO blockage.
7.Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Dementia: Evidence Triangulation from a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies and Mendelian Randomization Study.
Di LIU ; Mei Ling CAO ; Shan Shan WU ; Bing Li LI ; Yi Wen JIANG ; Teng Fei LIN ; Fu Xiao LI ; Wei Jie CAO ; Jin Qiu YUAN ; Feng SHA ; Zhi Rong YANG ; Jin Ling TANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):56-66
OBJECTIVE:
Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal.
METHODS:
We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies (GWASs) was performed. Genetic correlation and Bayesian co-localization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence.
RESULTS:
Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. IBD was significantly associated with dementia (risk ratio [ RR] =1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; I 2 = 84.8%) and VD ( RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.18-5.70; only one study), but not with AD ( RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.96-4.13; I 2 = 99.8%). MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia (dementia: odds ratio [ OR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; AD: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.01; VD: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07). In addition, genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia.
CONCLUSION
Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk. The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
Humans
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications*
;
Dementia/etiology*
;
Observational Studies as Topic
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
8.Laboratory Diagnosis and Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of the First Imported Case of Lassa Fever in China.
Yu Liang FENG ; Wei LI ; Ming Feng JIANG ; Hong Rong ZHONG ; Wei WU ; Lyu Bo TIAN ; Guo CHEN ; Zhen Hua CHEN ; Can LUO ; Rong Mei YUAN ; Xing Yu ZHOU ; Jian Dong LI ; Xiao Rong YANG ; Ming PAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):279-289
OBJECTIVE:
This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF.
METHODS:
Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus.
RESULTS:
LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response.
CONCLUSION
The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.
Humans
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China/epidemiology*
;
Genome, Viral
;
Lassa Fever/virology*
;
Lassa virus/classification*
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Molecular Epidemiology
;
Phylogeny
9.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
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Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
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Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
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Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
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Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*
10.Effects of understory environmental factors on understory planting of medicinal plants.
Ding-Mei WEN ; Hong-Biao ZHANG ; Feng-Yuan QIN ; Chao-Qun XU ; Dou-Dou LI ; Bao-Lin GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1164-1171
Understory planting of medicinal plants is a new planting mode that connects Chinese herbal medicine(CHM) with forest resources.The complex and variable understory environmental factors will inevitably affect the yield and quality of understory CHM.This research summarized the research progress on understory planting of medicinal plants based on forest types and environmental factors within the forest from the perspectives of understory light, air temperature and humidity, soil characteristics, and the interaction between crops within the forest.The results showed that the complex and variable light, temperature and humidity, and soil factors(such as fertility, acidity and alkalinity, and microorganisms) under the forest could affect the yield and quality of medicinal plants to varying degrees through physiological activities such as photosynthesis and respiration, resulting in a significant increase or decrease in yield and quality compared to open field cultivation.In addition, the competition or mutual benefit between different crops within the forest could lead to differences in the yield and quality of understory medicinal plants compared to open field cultivation.A reasonable combination of planting could achieve resource sharing and complementary advantages.Therefore, conducting systematic research on the effects of understory environmental factors on the yield and content of medicinal plants with different growth and development characteristics can provide theoretical guidance and technical references for formulating comprehensive strategies for understory planting of medicinal plants, such as selecting suitable medicinal plant varieties, optimizing planting density, and conducting reasonable forest management, thus contributing to the sustainable development and ecological protection of CHM.
Plants, Medicinal/growth & development*
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Forests
;
Soil/chemistry*
;
Environment
;
Ecosystem
;
Temperature

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