1.PANoptosis: a New Target for Cardiovascular Diseases
Xin-Nong CHEN ; Ying-Xi YANG ; Xiao-Chen GUO ; Jun-Ping ZHANG ; Na-Wen LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1113-1125
The innate immune system detects cellular stressors and microbial infections, activating programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to eliminate intracellular pathogens and maintain homeostasis. Among these pathways, pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis represent the most characteristic forms of PCD. Although initially regarded as mechanistically distinct, emerging research has revealed significant crosstalk among their signaling cascades. Consequently, the concept of PANoptosis has been proposed—an inflammatory cell death pathway driven by caspases and receptor-interacting protein kinases (RIPKs), and regulated by the PANoptosome, which integrates key features of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. The core mechanism of PANoptosis involves the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, a macromolecular complex composed of three structural components: sensor proteins, adaptor proteins, and effector proteins. Sensors detect upstream stimuli and transmit signals downstream, recruiting critical molecules via adaptors to form a molecular scaffold. This scaffold activates effectors, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that culminate in PANoptosis. The PANoptosome is regulated by upstream molecules such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which function as molecular switches to control PANoptosis. Targeting these switches represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Furthermore, PANoptosis is influenced by organelle functions, including those of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes, highlighting organelle-targeted interventions as effective regulatory approaches. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, are profoundly impacted by PCD. Extensive crosstalk among multiple cell death pathways in CVDs suggests a complex regulatory network. As a novel cell death modality bridging pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis, PANoptosis offers fresh insights into the complexity of cell death and provides innovative strategies for CVD treatment. This review summarizes current evidence linking PANoptosis to various CVDs, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy, cardiotoxic injury, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, and vascular toxic injury, thereby providing critical clinical insights into CVD pathophysiology. However, the current understanding of PANoptosis in CVDs remains incomplete. First, while PANoptosis in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells has been implicated in CVD pathogenesis, its role in other cell types—such as vascular endothelial cells and immune cells (e.g., macrophages)—warrants further investigation. Second, although pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to activate the PANoptosome in infectious diseases, the stimuli driving PANoptosis in CVDs remain poorly defined. Additionally, methodological challenges persist in identifying PANoptosome assembly in CVDs and in establishing reliable PANoptosis models. Beyond the diseases discussed, PANoptosis may also play a role in viral myocarditis and diabetic cardiomyopathy, necessitating further exploration. In conclusion, elucidating the role of PANoptosis in CVDs opens new avenues for drug development. Targeting this pathway could yield transformative therapies, addressing unmet clinical needs in cardiovascular medicine.
2.Application of AI software for chromosomal aberration analysis in occupational health surveillance and radiation biological dose estimation
Yingyi PENG ; Qiuying LIU ; Zhifang LIU ; Zongjun ZHANG ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Kunjie HUANG ; Qiying NONG ; Na ZHAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(2):171-175
Objective To explore the feasibility of applying artificial intelligence (AI) technology in chromosomal aberration (CA) analysis for occupational health surveillance of radiation workers and in biological dose estimation during nuclear emergency responses. Methods Peripheral blood samples from healthy volunteers were irradiated in vitro with X-rays and cobalt-60 (⁶⁰Co) γ rays. Chromosome slides were prepared using an automated harvesting and dropping device. The data training and outcome evaluation of CA analysis was performed on the AI software using chromosome images from occupational medical examination of radiation workers from the current lab or chromosome slides from blood samples irradiated with X-rays. The trained AI software was then used to assist in CA analysis and biological dose estimation among occupational medical examination of radiation workers, with results compared with manual reading and actual exposure doses. Results The trained AI software achieved a CA recognition accuracy of 95.11%. In the occupational health examination of radiation workers, the positive CA detection rate using AI + manual review was 2.25% higher than that in manual reviewing alone. The errors in biological dose estimation for ⁶⁰Co γ rays and X-rays using AI + manual review analysis were 11.86% and 7.33%, respectively, both within the acceptable 20.00% error margin. Conclusion AI + manual review can be effectively applied in CA analysis for occupational health examination and biological dose estimation during nuclear emergencies, significantly improving analysis efficiency.
3.PES1 Repression Triggers Ribosomal Biogenesis Impairment and Cellular Senescence Through p53 Pathway Activation
Chang-Jian ZHANG ; Yu-Fang LI ; Feng-Yun WU ; Rui JIN ; Chang NIU ; Qi-Nong YE ; Long CHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1853-1865
ObjectiveThe nucleolar protein PES1 (Pescadillo homolog 1) plays critical roles in ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle regulation, yet its involvement in cellular senescence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the functional consequences of PES1 suppression in cellular senescence and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulatory role. MethodsInitially, we assessed PES1 expression patterns in two distinct senescence models: replicative senescent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and doxorubicin-induced senescent human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Subsequently, PES1 expression was specifically downregulated using siRNA-mediated knockdown in these cell lines as well as additional relevant cell types. Cellular proliferation and senescence were assessed by EdU incorporation and SA-β-gal staining assays, respectively. The expression of senescence-associated proteins (p53, p21, and Rb) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8) were analyzed by Western blot or qPCR. Furthermore, Northern blot and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar morphology. ResultsPES1 expression was significantly downregulated in senescent MEFs and HepG2 cells. PES1 knockdown resulted in decreased EdU-positive cells and increased SA‑β‑gal-positive cells, indicating proliferation inhibition and senescence induction. Mechanistically, PES1 suppression activated the p53-p21 pathway without affecting Rb expression, while upregulating IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 production. Notably, PES1 depletion impaired pre-rRNA maturation and induced nucleolar stress, as evidenced by aberrant nucleolar morphology. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that PES1 deficiency triggers nucleolar stress and promotes p53-dependent (but Rb-independent) cellular senescence, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining nucleolar homeostasis and regulating senescence-associated pathways.
4.Potential utility of albumin-bilirubin and body mass index-based logistic model to predict survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancer with liver metastasis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lianxi SONG ; Qinqin XU ; Ting ZHONG ; Wenhuan GUO ; Shaoding LIN ; Wenjuan JIANG ; Zhan WANG ; Li DENG ; Zhe HUANG ; Haoyue QIN ; Huan YAN ; Xing ZHANG ; Fan TONG ; Ruiguang ZHANG ; Zhaoyi LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiaorong DONG ; Ting LI ; Chao FANG ; Xue CHEN ; Jun DENG ; Jing WANG ; Nong YANG ; Liang ZENG ; Yongchang ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):478-480
5.Application of Targeted mRNA Sequencing in Fusion Genes Diagnosis of Hematologic Diseases.
Man WANG ; Ling ZHANG ; Yan CHEN ; Jun-Dan XIE ; Hong YAO ; Li YAO ; Jian-Nong CEN ; Zi-Xing CHEN ; Su-Ning CHEN ; Hong-Jie SHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1209-1216
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the application of targeted mRNA sequencing in fusion gene diagnosis of hematologic diseases.
METHODS:
Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of 105 patients with abnormally elevated eosinophil proportions and 291 acute leukemia patients from January 2015 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were analyzed and gene structural variants were detected by targeted mRNA sequencing.
RESULTS:
Among 105 patients with abnormally elevated eosinophil proportions, 6 cases were detected with gene structural variants, among which fusion gene testing results in 5 cases could serve as diagnostic indicators for myeloid neoplasms with eosinophilia. In addition, a IL3∷ETV6 fusion gene was detected in one patient with chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise specified. Among 119 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 38 cases were detected structural variants by targeted mRNA sequencing, accounting for 31.9%, which was significantly higher than 20.2% (24/119) detected by multiple quantitative PCR (P < 0.05). We also found one patient with AML had both NUP98∷PRRX2 and KCTD5∷JAK2 fusion genes. A total of 104 patients were detected structural variants by targeted mRNA sequencing in 172 cases with acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia who were tested negative by multiple quantitative PCR, with a detection rate of 60.5% (102/172).
CONCLUSION
Targeted mRNA sequencing can effectively detect fusion gene and has potential clinical application value in diagnosis and classificatation in hematologic diseases.
Humans
;
Hematologic Diseases/diagnosis*
;
RNA, Messenger/genetics*
;
Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics*
;
Sequence Analysis, RNA
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis*
6.Identification of rice htd1 allelic mutant and its regulatory role in grain size.
Yuqi YANG ; Zhining ZHANG ; Jun LIU ; Luyao TANG ; Yiting WEI ; Wen NONG ; Lu YIN ; Sanfeng LI ; Penggen DUAN ; Yuexing WANG ; Yuchun RAO
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(7):2789-2802
Rice is the world's largest food crop, and its yield and quality are directly related to food security and human health. Grain size, as one of the important factors determining the rice yield, has been widely concerned by breeders and researchers for a long time. To decipher the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size, we obtained a multi-tiller, dwarf, and small-grain mutant htd1 by ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutation from the Japonica rice cultivar 'Zhonghua 11' ('ZH11'). Genetic analysis indicated that the phenotype of htd1 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Using the mutation site map (Mutmap) method, we identified the candidate gene OsHTD1, which encoded a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase involved in the biosynthesis of strigolactone (SL). The SL content in htd1 was significantly lower than that in 'ZH11'. Cytological analysis showed that the grain size of the mutant decreased due to the reductions in the length and width of glume cells. The function of htd1 was further verified by the CRISPR/cas9 gene editing technology. The plants with the gene knockout exhibited similar grain size to the mutant. In addition, gene expression analysis showed that the expression levels of multiple grain size-related genes in the mutant changed significantly, suggesting that HTD1 may interact with other genes regulating grain size. This study provides a new theoretical basis for research on the regulatory mechanism of rice grain size and potential genetic resources for breeding the rice cultivars with high yields.
Oryza/growth & development*
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Mutation
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Edible Grain/growth & development*
;
Alleles
;
Plant Proteins/genetics*
;
Dioxygenases/genetics*
;
Lactones/metabolism*
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Genes, Plant
;
Gene Editing
;
CRISPR-Cas Systems
;
Phenotype
7.Clinical trial of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer
Xiao-Xue LI ; Yi ZHANG ; Shu-Yang YAO ; Jing-Ying NONG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(3):335-339
Objective To analyze the effect of tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and its influence on T lymphocyte immunity and survival prognosis.Methods Patients with NSCLC were divided into control group and treatment group according to different treatment methods.The control group was treated with platinum-containing dual-drug combined chemotherapy regimen(PC regimen:intravenous drip of pemetrexed 500 mg·m-2 on the 1st day and intravenous drip of carboplatin with area under plasma concentration-time curve(AUC)=5 mg·mL-1·min-1 on the 1st day;TP regimen:intravenous drip of taxol 135 mg·m-2 on the 1st day,and intravenous drip of carboplatin with AUC=5 mg·mL-1·min-1 on the 1st day to 3rd day).The treatment group was given tislelizumab 200 mg intravenously once every 3 weeks on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for 2 cycles by taking 3 weeks as 1 treatment cycle.The clinical efficacy,serum tumor markers levels,T lymphocyte immune function,progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)and occurrence of adverse drug reactions during treatment were compared between the two groups.Results There were 40 cases in control group and 40 cases in treatment group.After treatment,the total effective rates in control group and treatment group were 40.00%(16 cases/40 cases)and 62.50%(25 cases/40 cases),the disease control rates were 70.00%(28 cases/40 cases)and 90.00%(36 cases/40 cases),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)levels were(9.21±2.03)and(5.42±1.36)ng·mL-1,carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125)levels were(72.53±8.16)and(31.95±5.08)U·mL-1,carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)levels were(25.79±3.31)and(10.38±2.04)U·mL-1,cytokeratin19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA21-1)levels were(6.47±1.34)and(4.26±0.91)ng·mL-1,CD3+levels were(54.36±5.81)%and(61.85±4.96)%,CD4+levels were(31.28±2.93)%and(43.08±3.15)%,CD4+/CD8+were 1.43±0.40 and 1.91±0.46,survival rates were 47.37%(18 cases/38 cases)and 67.57%(25 cases/37 cases),PFS were 7.73 months(95%CI:6.42-9.03)and 9.75 months(95%CI:8.68-10.82),and OS were 8.96 months(95%CI:7.94-9.97)and 10.52 months(95%CI:9.78-11.27)respectively(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of gastrointestinal reactions,liver dysfunction,bone marrow suppression,hypothyroidism and non-infectious pneumonia between both groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion Tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy has a good effect in the treatment of stage Ⅲb-Ⅳ NSCLC,and it can effectively reduce the levels of serum tumor markers,improve the T lymphocyte immune function,and prolong the survival time of patients,with good safety.
8.Impact of Health Insurance Packaged Payment on Patients'Financial Burden and Satisfaction
Yanhong GUO ; Liangying ZHU ; Jian WANG ; Erdan HUANG ; Yanchun ZHANG ; Sheng NONG
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(7):42-46,58
Objective:To assess the impact of health insurance packaged payment in medical communities on the economicburden of patients,income and satisfaction of medical staff in counties.Methods:Using sample data from 2018-2022 from the national monitoring counties of medical communities,taking 2020 as the year of implementation of packaged payment,a double difference model was constructed with county population density and county per capita GDP as the control variables to assess the impact of packaged payment on the economic burden of patients,medical staff income and satisfaction in the county.Results:The packaged payment policy reduced the economic burden of patients to a certain extent and had a statistically significant positive effect on medical staff income in 2021,but it did not significantly increase the satisfaction of both supply and demand.Conclusion:The implementation of health insurance packaged payment of the MEC will not increase the economic burden of patients.It has a good pro-poor effect,and the income of medical staff has been improved to some extent,but there is still room for optimisation and improvement of the policy.
9.Impact of Health Insurance Packaged Payment on Patients'Financial Burden and Satisfaction
Yanhong GUO ; Liangying ZHU ; Jian WANG ; Erdan HUANG ; Yanchun ZHANG ; Sheng NONG
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(7):42-46,58
Objective:To assess the impact of health insurance packaged payment in medical communities on the economicburden of patients,income and satisfaction of medical staff in counties.Methods:Using sample data from 2018-2022 from the national monitoring counties of medical communities,taking 2020 as the year of implementation of packaged payment,a double difference model was constructed with county population density and county per capita GDP as the control variables to assess the impact of packaged payment on the economic burden of patients,medical staff income and satisfaction in the county.Results:The packaged payment policy reduced the economic burden of patients to a certain extent and had a statistically significant positive effect on medical staff income in 2021,but it did not significantly increase the satisfaction of both supply and demand.Conclusion:The implementation of health insurance packaged payment of the MEC will not increase the economic burden of patients.It has a good pro-poor effect,and the income of medical staff has been improved to some extent,but there is still room for optimisation and improvement of the policy.
10.Impact of Health Insurance Packaged Payment on Patients'Financial Burden and Satisfaction
Yanhong GUO ; Liangying ZHU ; Jian WANG ; Erdan HUANG ; Yanchun ZHANG ; Sheng NONG
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(7):42-46,58
Objective:To assess the impact of health insurance packaged payment in medical communities on the economicburden of patients,income and satisfaction of medical staff in counties.Methods:Using sample data from 2018-2022 from the national monitoring counties of medical communities,taking 2020 as the year of implementation of packaged payment,a double difference model was constructed with county population density and county per capita GDP as the control variables to assess the impact of packaged payment on the economic burden of patients,medical staff income and satisfaction in the county.Results:The packaged payment policy reduced the economic burden of patients to a certain extent and had a statistically significant positive effect on medical staff income in 2021,but it did not significantly increase the satisfaction of both supply and demand.Conclusion:The implementation of health insurance packaged payment of the MEC will not increase the economic burden of patients.It has a good pro-poor effect,and the income of medical staff has been improved to some extent,but there is still room for optimisation and improvement of the policy.

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