1.Effects of SPBC1604.04 Gene Deletion on Mitotic Cell Dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Jia-Ni XU ; Jia-Yi HE ; Lang-Lin ZHENG ; Shu-Rong HE ; Shuai MA ; Xiang DING ; Yi-Ling HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1471-1484
ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.
2.Effects of SPBC1604.04 Gene Deletion on Mitotic Cell Dynamics in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Jia-Ni XU ; Jia-Yi HE ; Lang-Lin ZHENG ; Shu-Rong HE ; Shuai MA ; Xiang DING ; Yi-Ling HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1471-1484
ObjectiveMitochondria are not only the central organelles responsible for cellular energy metabolism but also play essential roles in regulating cell cycle progression and cytoskeletal dynamics. In recent years, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that mitochondrial homeostasis is closely associated with mitotic progression and cytokinesis. Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a classical and well-established model organism. Because its cell cycle regulatory mechanisms are highly conserved throughout evolution, its genetic background is clearly defined, and experimental manipulation is efficient and convenient, it has been extensively applied in studies of cell growth, division, and reproductive mechanisms. The SPBC1604.04 gene encodes a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial carrier protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This gene is located on chromosome II and spans 1 018 base pairs in length. It encodes a protein consisting of 238 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 31.03 ku. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that this protein is responsible for the transport of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) into mitochondria. However, the effects of SPBC1604.04 gene deletion on mitotic cell dynamics under different temperature conditions have not been fully elucidated. MethodsThe SPBC1604.04 deletion strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe was used as the experimental model. Fluorescent protein markers were constructed in the deletion background to label mitochondria, microtubules, actin, myosin, the nuclear envelope, and chromosomes. Live-cell imaging was performed using a TCS-SP8 laser scanning confocal microscope under normal temperature conditions (25℃) and heat stress conditions (37℃). Time-lapse microscopy was applied to dynamically monitor mitochondrial morphology and distribution, spindle assembly and elongation, chromosome segregation, as well as the formation and constriction of the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. ImageJ software was used for quantitative measurements, including microtubule length during mitosis, spindle length at different mitotic stages, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity as an indicator of mitochondrial content, actomyosin ring length, nuclear envelope area, and chromosome segregation timing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare phenotypic differences between the wild-type and SPBC1604.04 deletion strains at both temperature conditions. Through these analyses, we systematically investigated the impact of SPBC1604.04 deletion on mitotic cell dynamics in fission yeast under both normal physiological conditions and temperature stress. ResultsAt 25℃, compared with wild-type cells, the SPBC1604.04Δ strain exhibited a pronounced tendency toward mitochondrial fragmentation, accompanied by abnormal mitochondrial content and a significant reduction in mitochondrial fluorescence intensity. These observations suggest impaired mitochondrial homeostasis under normal growth conditions. In addition, the constriction time of actomyosin ring during cytokinesis was markedly prolonged, indicating that deletion of SPBC1604.04 affects the dynamics of the contractile machinery. However, no obvious defects were observed in spindle assembly, spindle elongation, or chromosome segregation. Under heat stress at 37℃, mitochondrial morphology in the SPBC1604.04Δ strain showed a tendency to recover toward a continuous tubular network structure. Mitochondrial content was restored, fluorescence intensity increased, and the constriction time of the actomyosin ring returned to levels comparable to those of wild-type cells. These results indicate that the mitotic defects observed at normal temperature are partially or fully alleviated under heat stress conditions. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that deletion of the SPBC1604.04 gene leads to abnormal mitochondrial content in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The mitochondrial carrier protein SPBC1604.04 participates in regulating actomyosin ring constriction during mitosis but does not appear to be directly involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics or chromosome segregation. Our findings provide key experimental evidence for understanding the functional link between the SPBC1604.04 gene, mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitotic regulation.
3.The application value of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm in ultra-low dose abdominal CT scanning
Xing TANG ; Yuncheng LI ; Hongmin SHU ; Weishu HOU ; Jun WANG ; Xiaohu LI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):758-762
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of various strength levels of deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithms for improving non-contrast abdominal CT image quality at ultra-low radiation doses, by comparing ultra-low-dose DLIR images with low-dose filtered back projection (FBP) images. MethodsA prospective collection of 85 patients undergoing non-contrast abdominal CT scans was performed, and a self-controlled study method was employed to conduct low-dose (LD) group and ultra-low-dose (ULD) group scans. The LD group used a noise index of 10 and employed FBP for image reconstruction (LD-FBP group). The ULD group used a noise index of 30 and employed DLIR at different levels (low, medium, high), resulting in three subgroups of reconstructed images: ULD-DLIR-L, ULD-DLIR-M, and ULD-DLIR-H. For each group, CT values, standard devia-tion (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured and calculated for the liver, spleen, kidneys, aorta, psoas major, and subcutaneous fat. Effective dose (ED) was also recorded. Two radiologists independently performed subjective evaluations of image quality using a 5-point scale. ResultsCompared with the LD-FBP group, the ULD-DLIR-L group showed significantly lower SNR and CNR values in the liver, spleen, kidneys, aorta, and psoas major (P<0.001), while the ULD-DLIR-H group exhibited significantly higher values (P<0.001). The difference of SNR and CNR values for the ULD-DLIR-M group showed no statistically significant difference. For subjective evaluation, the scores of the ULD-DLIR-L and ULD-DLIR-M groups were lower than those of the LD-FBP group, while there was no statistically significant difference in scores between the ULD-DLIR-H group and the LD-FBP group. The ED value of the ULD group was approximately 88% lower than that of the LD group. ConclusionCompared with the LD-FBP group, the ULD-DLIR-H group significantly reduces SD values while increasing SNR and CNR values, effectively improving the image quality of non-contrast abdominal CT scans.
4.Incidental findings from cell-free fetal DNA-based non-invasive prenatal testing: Research progress on maternal tumors.
Zhuangping ZHANG ; Xinni SHU ; Yaping HOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(4):301-306
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on fetal free DNA is a non-invasive technique to screen for common fetal aneuploidies by analyzing cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in the peripheral blood of pregnant women. This technique has opened a new era of prenatal screening for its high safety and reliability. In recent years, it has been shown that NIPT can not only screen for fetal aneuploidies, but may also reveal maternal genomic abnormalities. The incidental detection of maternal tumors has aroused widespread concern in the clinical settings. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize the research progress of NIPT technique in incidental detection of maternal tumors, and to discuss its clinical significance, technical challenges, and future development direction. It has been found that multiple chromosome aneuploidies (MCAs) in NIPT detection is one of the important biomarkers suggesting occult maternal malignant tumors. In this paper, the relevant progress of NIPT technique in the incidental discovery of maternal tumors were reviewed in order to provide a reference for individualized and standardized application of NIPT technique in maternal health monitoring.
Humans
;
Female
;
Pregnancy
;
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/blood*
;
Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*
;
Incidental Findings
;
Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods*
;
Aneuploidy
;
Fetus/metabolism*
5.Timing selection for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage after panretinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Hongru MA ; Xinyi HOU ; Chenglin FU ; Chunhua DAI ; Jing ZHANG ; Meng XIN ; Shu LIU
International Eye Science 2026;26(9):1578-1584
Panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)is the first-line treatment for severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).Its therapeutic efficacy varies due to multiple patient-specific systemic and ocular factors. Despite standardized PRP, some patients fail to show adequate regression of neovascularization and subsequently develop vitreous hemorrhage(VH). In such cases, pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)effectively clears the hemorrhage, restores transparency of the ocular media, supplement PRP, and delays the progression of PDR, thus becoming a critical intervention. With recent advances in surgical techniques, concepts, and equipment, early PPV intervention for VH following PRP has emerged as a growing research focus. Nevertheless, consensus remains lacking regarding its indications, optimal timing, and surgical protocols. This article systematically reviews relevant domestic and international studies, summarizing the surgical timing, approaches, and prognoses of PPV for VH in PDR patients after PRP, aiming to provide evidence-based reference for clinical decision-making and reduce the risk of PDR-related blindness.
6.Clinical features and risk factors of plastic bronchitis associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Junli DING ; Jiao LI ; Jiantao ZHOU ; Junwei GU ; Chenyang XU ; Yulin ZHU ; Shu HOU ; Shujuan WU ; Shenggang DING
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(8):1478-1485
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and to construct a predictive model. MethodsPropensity score matching (1∶4 nearest neighbor matching) was used to balance baseline data between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors. Various machine learning algorithms were applied to build predictive models, and model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, decision curves, and calibration curves. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was used for model interpretation. ResultsAfter matching, baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Compared with the non-PB group, the PB group had significantly longer fever duration, higher incidence of pleural effusion and right upper lobe involvement, and higher levels of procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and red blood cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (all P<0.05), while lymphocyte and eosinophil counts in blood were significantly lower (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that PCT>0.207 μg/L, LDH>386.25 U/L, right upper lobe involvement, and red blood cell count in BALF>1 500×10⁶ were independent risk factors. Among machine learning models, the gradient boosting machine (GBM) model achieved an area under the curve of 0.786 in the validation set, demonstrating the best generalization ability. SHAP analysis validated the importance of the above variables. ConclusionThe four indicators above have independent predictive value for PB occurrence, and the GBM model shows certain clinical risk stratification capability.
7.Prognostic value and immunomodulatory role of DNAJC5B in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Junxi HU ; Qingwen LIU ; Jiaqi HOU ; Jie YOU ; Shuyu TIAN ; Hao KONG ; Xiaolin WANG ; Yusheng SHU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(10):1634-1639
Objective To explore the role of DNAJC5B in immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Using the ESCC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, genes correlated with DNAJC5B expression were identified through Pearson correlation analysis. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were utilized to analyze the expression of DNAJC5B in different T-cell subsets. The prognostic value of DNAJC5B was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, and Cox proportional hazards models. Results DNAJC5B was highly expressed in patients with advanced-stage ESCC, particularly in males. GO and KEGG analyses revealed a significant correlation between DNAJC5B expression and immune-related processes, such as the adaptive immune response and cell surface receptor signaling pathways. Single-cell analysis results indicated that DNAJC5B expression was positively correlated with immune function, with DNAJC5B predominantly accumulating in CD8+ T cells. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the median survival time for patients with high DNAJC5B expression was 681 days, significantly shorter than the 1 361 days for patients with low expression (P<0.05). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate independent prognostic analyses demonstrated that DNAJC5B was an independent risk factor, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 3.577 and 4.114, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion DNAJC5B may play a crucial immunomodulatory role in ESCC, particularly in regulating CD8+ T-cell function and tumor immune escape. These findings support the potential of DNAJC5B as a biomarker for the treatment and prognostic assessment of ESCC.
8.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
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Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
10.Association of plasma 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes
Hongjuan YANG ; Hong SHU ; Qian HOU ; Ying WANG ; Lichan TAO
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(6):666-674
Objective:To explore the predictive value of mitochondrial oxidative stress biomarkers 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patient with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. T2DM patients without cardiovascular symptoms who were admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between April 2018 and May 2022 were enrolled. According to the HFA-PEFF score, the enrolled patients were divided into three groups: the T2DM group (HFA-PEFF score ≤1), the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction suspected positive group (HFA-PEFF score 2-4), and the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction positive group (HFA-PEFF score ≥5). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association of plasma 8-OHdG level and mtDNA copy number with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with T2DM. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive ability of plasma 8-OHdG level and its combination with baseline clinical data for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in T2DM patients, and stratified analysis was performed by sex, age, diabetes duration and hemoglobin A1c levels.Results:A total of 163 T2DM patients without cardiovascular symptoms, aged (54.0±8.7) years, including 93 males (57.1%), were enrolled. Compared with T2DM group, patients in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction suspected positive and positive groups (44.59 (27.72, 55.58) μg/L vs. 93.23 (59.58, 129.80) μg/L vs. 101.91 (71.39, 137.39) μg/L, P<0.05) had significantly higher plasma 8-OHdG levels, while mtDNA copy number showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups (both P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounder factors, elevated plasma 8-OHdG level were independently associated with both suspected positive left ventricular diastolic dysfunction ( OR=1.036, 95% CI 1.019-1.053, P<0.001) and positive left ventricular diastolic dysfunction ( OR=1.035, 95% CI 1.018-1.053, P<0.001). mtDNA copy number showed no significant association with T2DM accompanied by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction ( P>0.05). Stratified analysis indicated that elevated plasma 8-OHdG level was significantly associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in different age, sex, diabetes course and hemoglobin A1c levels subgroups (all P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that the combination of baseline clinical data with 8-OhdG level ( AUC=0.871, 95% CI 0.814-0.928, P<0.001) is more effective in predicting asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in T2DM patients than 8-OHdG ( AUC=0.783, 95% CI 0.704-0.861, P<0.001) or baseline clinical data ( AUC=0.736, 95% CI 0.647-0.826, P=0.001) alone. Conclusion:The mitochondrial oxidative stress biomarker 8-OHdG combined with baseline clinical data has good predictive value for asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in T2DM patients, and is expected to be a biomarker to identify diabetes mellitus with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction.

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