1.The application prospects of adeno-associated virus vectors in liver fibrosis
Suyu XIAO ; Sisi YAO ; Qing LI ; Tingzheng ZHAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):972-979
Liver fibrosis is a critical pathological stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, and it is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. There are currently limited clinical treatment methods for liver fibrosis, and gene therapy has attracted increasing attention as a promising intervention strategy. Owing to its advantages of low immunogenicity, strong tissue tropism, and long-term gene expression, adeno-associated virus (AAV) has become an ideal vector for gene therapy. This article systematically reviews the structural and functional features of AAV, the tissue-targeting properties of different serotypes, and the methods for preparation and purification of recombinant AAV and focuses on the advances in the application of AAV-mediated gene overexpression, gene silencing, gene editing, and cellular reprogramming in mechanism research and intervention of liver fibrosis, as well as the challenges in clinical translation and corresponding strategies. AAV-mediated gene therapy is expected to provide novel tools and strategies for the precise treatment and mechanism study of liver fibrosis.
2.Hypoxia characteristics and prognostic significance of glioblastoma MES-like subpopulation through multi-transcriptomics sequencing
Tao CHEN ; Fan YANG ; Shuai WANG ; Min LUO ; Zexuan YAN ; Caidie TANG ; Yun NING ; Sisi YANG ; Ruofei CAO ; Zhengbo LI ; Xuanyu FANG ; Xiaohong YAO
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(16):1904-1912
Objective To analyze the composition characteristics and biological functions of tumor cell subpopulations in glioblastoma(GBM)through multi-transcriptomics sequencing technology,and explore the hypoxia characteristics and spatial localization features of the mesenchymal-like(MES-like)tumor cell subpopulation in GBM and the influence on malignant biological behaviors.Methods Multi-transcriptomics sequencing data,including single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data(18 patients),bulk RNA sequencing(bulk RNA-seq)and spatial transcriptomics(ST)data of GBM,were employed to define cell subpopulations in GBM,and Gene Ontology(GO)and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)were utilized to analyze their functions.The proportions and locations of cell subpopulations in bulk RNA-seq data were evaluated with BayesPrism deconvolution.Immunofluorescence assay was conducted for verification on 12 paraffin samples of GBM from patients who visited the neurosurgical department of our hospital from 2015 to 2023 and met the pathological diagnostic criteria for GBM(10 males and 2 females,at an average age of 53.50 years and a median age of 54.50 years).pySCENIC was applied to predict specific transcription factors of tumor cell subpopulations.Results Tumor cells in GBM were highly heterogeneous,and could be mainly divided into 4 subpopulations:astrocyte-like(AC-like),neural progenitor-like(NPC-like),oligodendrocyte progenitor-like(OPC-like)and MES-like.Differential gene analysis found that the MES-like tumor cells highly expressed vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),adrenomedullin(ADM),N-myc downstream regulated 1(NDRG1),insulin like growth factor binding protein 5(IGFBP5),and A-kinase anchoring protein 12(AKAP12)(P<0.001).pySCENIC transcription factor prediction found that the high-active transcription factors of the MES-like tumor cells were AT-rich interaction domain 3A(ARID3A),FOS like 2,AP-1 transcription factor subunit(FOSL2),endothelial PAS domain protein 1(EPAS1),CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta(CEBPD),and CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta(CEBPB)(P<0.05).GO and GSEA enrichment analyses found that the MES-like tumor cells were enriched in hypoxia-related pathways,especially the pathway of cell responses to hypoxia levels(NES=2.437,P<0.001).BayesPrism deconvolution showed that the MES-like tumor cells mainly existed in PAN(Pseudopalisading cells around necrosis)and perinecrotic zone.Immunofluorescence assay confirmed CD44+(CD44 antigen)MES-like tumor cells were mainly located in hypoxia areas with highly expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha(HIF1α)(P<0.01).Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the MES-like tumor cells were significantly correlated with the adverse prognosis of GBM patients(HR=1.71,95%CI:1.38~2.11,P<0.001).Conclusion Tumor cells in GBM are of highly heterogeneity.They could be mainly divided into 4 subpopulations:AC-like,NPC-like,OPC-like and MES-like.MES-like tumor cells,mainly locating in PAN and perinecrotic zone,are characterized by hypoxia,which can promote the malignant progression of GBM.
3.Effect of Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction combined with acupuncture on glucose and lipid metabolism and cytokines in patients with overweight/obese type 2 diabetes mellitus
Wenlan GAO ; Wenyan WANG ; Sisi LI ; Xuefei WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Feng TAO ; Gan CAI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(1):29-35
Objective:To investigate the effect of Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction combined with acupuncture on glucose and lipid metabolism and cytokines in patients with overweight/obese T2DM.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 104 patient with overweight/obese T2DM who were admitted to the Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to March 2023 were selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into the control group (52 cases) and the combination group (52 cases). The control group was given conventional symptomatic treatment and treated with acupuncture. On this basis, the combination group was treated with Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction. The two groups were compared in terms of efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, glucose metabolism indicators, islet function indicators, lipid metabolism indicators, cytokines, and blood glucose control. Results:The total effective rate was 90.38% (47/52) in the combined group and 73.08% (38/52) in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=5.22, P=0.022). After treatment, the TCM syndrome score (13.21±1.48 vs. 18.54±2.01, t=15.40) of the combination group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.001). After treatment, the combination group FPG [(6.05 ± 1.01) mmol/L vs. (7.26 ± 1.13) mmol/L, t=5.73], 2 hPG [(8.23 ± 1.12) mmol/L vs. (10.41 ± 1.26) mmol/L, t=9.54], HbAlc [(5.84 ± 0.84) % vs. (6.31 ± 0.93) %, t=2.84] and HOMA-IR (2.57 ± 0.26 vs. 2.86 ± 0.30, t=3.75) were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), and HOMA-β (61.34 ± 6.75 vs. 56.69 ± 5.72, t=5.87) was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). After treatment, the combination group TC, TG and LDL-C were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 10.25, 5.35, 3.51, respectively, P<0.01), HDL-C was higher than that of the control group ( t=11.59, P<0.01). After treatment, the combination group CTRP12 [(296.05 ± 30.11) ng/L vs. (280.23 ± 28.44) ng/L, t=2.76], FGF-21 [(184.12 ± 19.05) μg/L vs. (170.04 ± 17.03) μg/L, t=2.77], Nesfatin1 [(0.92 ± 0.10) μg/L vs. (0.77±0.08) μg/L, t=5.99] and lipidin levels [(4.89±0.51) mg/L vs. (4.12±0.48) mg/L, t=8.58] were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The combined group composite endpoint achievement rate was 53.85% (28/52), the 12-week HbA1c achievement rate was 80.77% (42/52), and the rate of no weight increase was 84.62% (44/52). The control group's composite endpoint achievement rate was 34.62% (18/52), the 12-week HbA1c achievement rate was 61.54% (32/52), and the rate of no weight increase was 67.31% (35/52). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 3.90, 4.69, 4.27, respectively, and the P values were 0.048, 0.030, 0.039, respectively). The adverse reactions of the two groups were mainly mild nausea, skin rash and pruritus, the incidence of which was 15.38% (8/52) in the combination group and 9.62% (5/52) in the control group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.79, P=0.374). Conclusion:The therapeutic effect of Qinggan Bupi Jiangtang Decoction combined with acupuncture on overweight/obese T2DM patients is relatively clear, and it can regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism and cytokines of patients.
4.Analysis of Mechanism of Exosomes of BMSC Modified with Bushen Yisui Capsules on Promoting Differentiation and Maturation of OLN-93 Oligodendrocytes via Regulating miR-15b/Wnt Signaling Pathway
Sisi LIU ; Chunyu LI ; Chen LI ; Haixin LI ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):115-125
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC-exos) modified with Bushen Yisui capsule(BSYS)-containing serum on promoting the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 oligodendrocytes by regulating miR-15b/Wnt signaling pathway. MethodsOLN-93 cells were divided into 5 groups, including the normal(NC) group, BMSC-exos group, BSYS-BMSC-exos group, BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p inhibitor-exos group, and BSYS-BMSC+LV-miR-15b-5p NC-exos group. DiR staining was used to observe the uptake of Exos by OLN-93 cells. The effective dosage of BSYS-BMSC-exos on OLN-93 cells was assessed by cell proliferation and activity assay(CCK-8). Stable BMSCs lentiviral transfection strains were established to inhibit miR-15b-5p expression in both BMSCs and their exos, and transfection efficiency was verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detection of miR-15b-5p. The expressions of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase(CNPase) and myelin proteolipid protein(PLP) in OLN-93 cells were detected by immunocytochemistry(ICC) and Western blot. The mRNA expressions of miR-15b-5p and Wnt3a in OLN-93 cells were detected by Real-time PCR, and the protein expression of Wnt3a was measured by Western blot. The expression levels of key molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway of OLN-93 cells, including glycogen synthase kinase(GSK)-3β, β-catenin, and T-cell specific transcription factor 4/transcription factor 7-like 2(TCF4/TCF7L2), were measured by Real-time PCR and Western blot. ResultsDiR-labeled Exos were efficiently taken up by OLN-93 cells. The CCK-8 assay results indicated that 20 mg·L-1 of BSYS-BMSC-exos exhibited the most significant effect in enhancing OLN-93 cell viability(P<0.01) and this dosage was selected for subsequent experiments. Following lentiviral transfection of BMSCs, Real-time PCR results revealed that miR-15b-5p was significantly suppressed in BMSCs(P<0.01), and miR-15b-5p was also notably inhibited in BSYS-BMSC-exos(P<0.01). ICC analysis further revealed an increase in the number of differentiated, mature CNPase and PLP-positive cells following BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment(P<0.01). Western blot results demonstrated that the protein expression of CNPase and PLP was significantly enhanced with BSYS-BMSC-exos treatment(P<0.01). Additionally, BSYS-BMSC-exos also increased the expression levels of miR-15b-5p and p-β-catenin proteins in OLN-93 cells, while decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt3a, as well as the mRNA expressions of β-catenin and TCF4/TCF7L2, and the protein expression level of p-GSK-3β(Ser9) was significantly reduced(P<0.05, P<0.01). After the transfection of miR-15b-5p inhibitor into BSYS-BMSC-exos, the above effects were significantly diminished(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBSYS-BMSC-exos facilitate the differentiation and maturation of OLN-93 cells, and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of miR-15b-5p in OLN-93 cells, which inhibits the expression of Wnt3a and thereby suppresses the Wnt signaling pathway.
5.Study on the application effect of logistic regression prediction model for stress ulcer after cerebral hemorrhage based on serum indicators
Lixiang WANG ; Yue ZHENG ; Chanchan FANG ; Sisi YE ; Yang ZHANG ; Yun LI
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(6):1312-1318
Objective To construct a logistic regression prediction model for stress ulcer(SU)after cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 230 patients with cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 were prospectively selected as the study subjects.They were randomly di-vided into a training group and a validation group using a random number table method,with 115 patients in each group.The incidence of postoperative SU was statistically compared between the two groups.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(Lasso)and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of SU after cerebral hemorrhage,and a logistic regression prediction model was established and valida-ted.Results The incidence of SU was 19.13%in the training group and 20.00%in the validation group.In-crement of age,blood loss≥30 mL,higher levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),heat shock protein 70(HSP70)and HSP90 were identified as independent risk factors for SU after cerebral hemorrhage(P<0.05),while lower levels of Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)score and albumin(Alb)were protective factors(P<0.05).The prediction model was logit(P)=0.409×age+1.288×blood loss-1.335×GCS score-1.126×Alb+0.452×NLR+1.483×HSP70+1.593×HSP90-10.325.The areas under the receiver operat-ing characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC)for the training group and the validation group were 0.845(95%CI:0.765-0.906)and 0.855(95%CI:0.777-0.913),respectively.The sensitivities were 81.82%and 90.91%,and the specificities were 76.34%and 70.97%,respectively.Conclusion A logistic regression prediction model was successfully constructed,which has certain predictive value for SU after cerebral hemorrhage.
6.Predictive value of systemic immune-inflammation index combined with albumin for the severity of community-acquired pneumonia in elderly patients
Yanni RAN ; Jingdi DIAO ; Xiaofeng DONG ; Sisi LI ; Guozhen ZHA
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(7):1581-1585
Objective To investigate the predictive value of systemic immune-inflammation index(SII)combined with albumin(ALB)in the severity of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP)in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 184 elderly patients with CAP in the Respiratory and E-mergency Medicine departments of the hospital from January 2023 to May 2024.According to the 2016 Chi-nese Adult CAP Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines,patients were divided into severe CAP group(n=76)and non-severe CAP group(n=108).Basic information of patients was collected,routine blood tests and blood biochemical parameters were collected within 24 hours after admission,and the differences in SII,SIRI,hyper-sensitive CRP,and ALB were compared between the two groups.The ROC curve was applied to calculate the area under the curve and analyze the value of SII,SIRI,hypersensitive CRP,and ALB in predicting severe CAP.Results In terms of inflammation indicators,SII,SIRI,hs-CRP,and neutrophil count in the severe CAP group were higher than those in the non-severe CAP group(P<0.05),while lymphocyte count was lower than that in the non-severe CAP group(P<0.05).In terms of blood biochemistry,serum creatinine and BUN in the severe CAP group were higher than those in the non-severe CAP group,while ALB was lower than that in the non-severe CAP group(P<0.05).Binary logistic regression analysis showed that SII and ALB were in-dependent influencing factors for the severity of CAP in elderly patients(P<0.05).The ROC curve showed that the AUC of SII and ALB for predicting severe CAP in the elderly was 0.863 and 0.906,respectively,and the combined AUC was 0.937(0.904,0.970),with a sensitivity of 0.842 and a specificity of 0.880.Conclusion SII combined with ALB can serve as a predictor for early disease severity in elderly patients with CAP.
7.Application and progress of artificial intelligence in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters
Zhaoyang ZHAO ; Huilin LI ; Yanfeng SHANG ; Sisi MENG ; Shaofeng HAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):787-791
This review summarizes the applications and advancements of artificial intelligence(AI)in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters. Retinal vascular parameters, including vessel diameter, fractal dimension, vascular tortuosity, branching angles, and vessel density, are important indicators for assessing changes in the retinal vascular network structure. These parameters are not only related to various ophthalmic diseases but also reflect the conditions of systemic diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This article provides a detailed discussion on the advantages of AI technology in the automated identification and quantification of retinal vascular parameters, particularly in improving measurement efficiency and accuracy, and enabling the early detection and monitoring of various diseases. Additionally, the challenges faced by AI in the analysis of retinal vascular parameters were discussed, such as data standardization and insufficient sample diversity, and proposes directions for future research. By thoroughly analyzing the application of AI in retinal vascular parameter analysis, this article aims to offer new perspectives and methods for clinical diagnosis and early intervention of diseases, holding significant clinical significance and application prospects.
8.Huangqin decoction inhibits colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation by improving gut microbiome-mediated metabolic dysfunction.
Lu LU ; Yuan LI ; Hang SU ; Sisi REN ; Yujing LIU ; Gaoxuan SHAO ; Weiwei LIU ; Guang JI ; Hanchen XU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):101138-101138
Colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation poses a major risk to patients with colitis. Patients with chronic intestinal inflammation have an approximately 2-3 folds increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Unfortunately, there is currently no effective intervention available. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is frequently clinically prescribed for treating patients with colitis, and its active ingredients have effective antitumour efficacy. Nonetheless, the mechanism of HQD-mediated prevention of colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation remains unclear. A strategy integrating metagenomic, lipidomic, and messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing analysis was used to investigate the regulatory effects of HQD on the gut microbiome, metabolism and potential mechanisms involved in colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation. Our study revealed that HQD suppressed colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation, which was associated with enhanced intestinal barrier function, decreased the inflammatory response, and regulation of the gut microbiome. Notably, cohousing experiments revealed that the transfer of the gut microbiome from HQD-treated mice largely inhibited the pathological transformation of colitis. Moreover, gut microbiome transfer from HQD-treated mice primarily resulted in the altered regulation of fatty acid metabolism, especially the remodeling of arachidonic acid metabolism, which was associated with the amelioration of pathological transformation. Arachidonic acid metabolism and the key metabolic enzyme arachidonic acid 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12) were affected by HQD treatment, and no obvious protective effect of HQD was observed in Alox 12 -/- mice, which revealed that ALOX12 was a critical mediator of HQD protection against colorectal inflammatory cancer transformation. In summary, multiple omics analyses were applied to produce valuable data and theoretical support for the application of HQD as a promising intervention for the transformation of inflammatory CRC.
9.Lutein-naringin combination inhibits APAP liver injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated by SPHK1
Huimin LIU ; Yangyang PAN ; Sisi PU ; Jianhui ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Libin WANG ; Liang LI ; Zhiyong ZHANG ; Meng WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2273-2281
This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of the luteolin-naringenin combination(LN)on liver injury induced by acetaminophen(APAP).Forty-eight Kunming mice were randomly allocated into six groups:a normal control group,an APAP-induced liver injury model group,a positive drug treatment group,and three LN treatment groups with low,medium,and high doses.After the final drug administration,the mice were fasted for 12 hours prior to eu-thanasia for sample collection.Serum transaminase activity,oxidative stress indices,and hematoxy-lin-eosin(HE)staining were assessed to evaluate the effects of LN on APAP-induced hepatic inju-ry.Additionally,Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the expression levels of sphingo-sine kinase 1(SPHK1)and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-related proteins,thereby elucida-ting the potential mechanisms by which LN mitigates APAP-induced liver injury.The results dem-onstrated that varying concentrations of LN effectively ameliorated serum aminotransferase activi-ty and oxidative stress levels induced by APAP in a dose-dependent manner.Histopathological ex-amination via HE staining revealed significant improvement in APAP-induced liver tissue injury following treatment with different concentrations of LN.Furthermore,Western blot analysis indi-cated that the protein expressions of SPHK1,CHOP,p-IRE1α,ATF6,p-PERK,p-eIF2α,and ATF4 were markedly reduced after administration of various concentrations of LN.The results demonstrate that LN exhibits a significant protective effect against APAP-induced liver injury by inhibiting the SPHK1-mediated aberrant expression of ERS-related molecules.This study high-lights the importance of targeting SPHK1 in the treatment of APAP liver injury and provides a no-vel therapeutic approach through the multi-target and multi-pathway combination of monomers.
10.Reflection on promoting the research capacity of professional master's students in oncology regarding artificial intelligence and big data in the context of the new medical education
Jianguo ZHOU ; Ying CAI ; Wei HU ; Sisi HE ; Xiaoxia GOU ; Zhongwen LI ; Xiao LIU ; Yuju BAI ; Hu MA
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(2):160-165
With the development of science and technology worldwide, the blooming of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data has brought new opportunities and challenges to the promotion of the research capacity of professional master's students in oncology. The construction of the new medical education in China aims to cultivate high-level medical talents with comprehensive multidisciplinary skills and innovative abilities to flexibly solve complex problems at the frontier of medicine. In this context, professional master's students in oncology, who are facing problems such as low scientific research output and uneven quality and needing improving scientific research literacy, have been required to develop into compound talents with both clinical and research prowess. To cultivate and promote the research capacity of professional master's students in oncology, the key steps include accelerating the construction of AI education and databases, highlighting the cultivation of their scientific research capacity, implementing and fostering the cultivation of innovative ability and scientific research thinking, piloting joint cultivation models by engineering universities and medical universities, emphasizing the construction of the curriculum and teacher team for oncology, piloting the multidisciplinary mode and COME mode, and establishing a multidisciplinary cooperation network.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail