1.Research on the mechanism of neutrophil extracellular trap-related genes mediating the onset of oral squamous cell carcinoma and their prognostic markers
YU Haoyang ; ZHANG Rui ; SONG Hongquan
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(4):349-366
Objective:
To investigate the prognostic significance and biological functions of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods:
A total of 333 transcriptome datasets and 6 single-cell sequencing datasets of OSCC were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Based on 69 NETs related gene sets, univariate Cox and Lasso-Cox regression were used to construct a prognostic risk model for OSCC. The model's efficacy was evaluated through Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and risk scoring and nomogram analysis were conducted. Further, the relationship between NETs risk scores and angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell cycle was explored. Enrichment analysis was performed to annotate the functional characteristics of relevant pathways. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to screen for prognostic key genes. Candidate targets were validated through drug prediction and molecular docking assays. Single-cell RNA sequencing was utilized to characterize the expression profile of the key gene cathepsin G (CTSG) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Using pan-cancer and OSCC related data retrieved from the TCGA database, we analyzed the differences in CTSG expression between tumor tissues and normal tissues. Subsequently, immunohistochemical staining experiments were performed on tissue microarrays to validate its expression at the protein level.
Results:
A prognostic risk model based on six NETs related genes (F3, AKT1, CTSG, VNN3, MPO, and IL17A) was successfully established. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly shorter overall survival (OS) (P < 0.000 1). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the established model for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates was 0.718, 0.820, and 0.805, respectively. The NETs related risk score was identified as an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001), with the constructed nomogram demonstrating good calibration. The NETs related risk score correlated with angiogenesis (r = ˗0.20,, P < 0.001), EMT (r = 0.17, P < 0.01), G1/S phase transition (r = 0.11, P < 0.05), and G2/M phase transition (r = 0.17, P < 0.01). GSEA(gene set enrichment analysis)revealed that the high-risk group was significantly enriched in pathways including basal cell carcinoma, whereas the low-risk group exhibited significant enrichment in pathways such as alpha-linolenic acid metabolism (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with low expression of CTSG had a poorer prognosis (P < 0.001). Molecular docking assays demonstrated a stable binding interaction between CTSG and glutathione (binding energy: -7.4 kcal/mol). Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis further showed that CTSG was highly expressed in mast cell subsets but weakly expressed in malignant cells (P < 0.001). TCGA pan-cancer analysis revealed that CTSG is underexpressed in multiple cancer tissues, including OSCC (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that CTSG protein expression was lower in tumor tissues than in paracancerous tissues (P < 0.01).
Conclusion
The NETs related prognostic model established in this study exhibits robust predictive performance. CTSG was identified as a key prognostic gene, thereby providing a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for prognostic evaluation and targeted therapy of OSCC.
2.Plant-derived Exosome-like Nanovesicles in Biomedical Applications
Xu LIU ; Si-Rui LIU ; Jia-Yu MA ; Yu-Ting MOU ; Ting-Yu SHI ; Sheng HUANG ; Tian-Li SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1609-1621
Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs), characterized by a natural lipid bilayer membrane, have rapidly emerged as a prominent research frontier in medicine owing to their unique biological properties and robust therapeutic potential. This review comprehensively examines the biological profiles, mechanistic functions, and recent engineering advancements of PELNs. In terms of composition, PELNs are uniquely enriched in plant-specific glycolipids, phosphatidylserine, secondary metabolites, and highly stable 2'-O-methylated miRNAs. This distinct molecular makeup endows them with exceptional biocompatibility, negligible immunogenicity, and the capacity for cross-species molecular communication. Mechanistically, PELNs demonstrate profound anti-inflammatory efficacy by suppressing the NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways. They also serve as potent immune modulators, driving macrophage M1/M2 polarization and regulating T cell activity. Additionally, PELNs exhibit promising antitumor capabilities, targeting malignancies via reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, TRAIL pathway activation, and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Crucially, the plant miRNAs encapsulated within PELNs remain highly stable in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing them to selectively alter gene expression in specific gut microbiota communities. This interaction deeply influences host immunity and metabolism, highlighting the vital role in cross-species regulation. Advancements in bioengineering have further expanded the clinical utility of PELNs. Targeted delivery efficiency can be significantly amplified via surface functionalization (e.g., folate and RGD sequences) and state-of-the-art drug loading technologies such as sonication and electroporation. Consequently, engineered PELNs surpass traditional synthetic nanocarriers in penetrating natural physiological barriers, particularly for oral and transdermal drug administration. Despite these advantages, clinical translation is currently hindered by the lack of standardized isolation protocols, challenges in scalable manufacturing, and the need for robust quality control frameworks. Looking forward, the integration of multi-omics approaches and AI-driven “molecular fingerprinting”—coupled with the design of synthetic biomimetic vesicles—will be instrumental in overcoming these bottlenecks, ultimately establishing PELNs as a next-generation platform for precision medicine and targeted nanotherapeutic delivery.
3.Determination of prototype components and metabolites of Si-Ni-San in healthy and ulcerative colitis mice by an integrated targeted and pseudo-targeted UPLC-QqQ-MS method
Yanfang CAO ; Yuan ZHENG ; Yongshun CHEN ; Sihan LI ; Kai FENG ; Xingjia LI ; Rui SONG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2026;57(3):351-359
This study aimed to establish an analytical method capable of simultaneously quantifying the prototype components of Si-Ni-San and screening their metabolites to elucidate its tissue distribution and metabolic characteristics in an ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. To this end, an integrated analysis strategy based on UPLC-QqQ-MS was developed and validated, combining the targeted quantification of 12 prototype components with a pseudo-targeted metabolite screening technique based on ion pair list-triggered data-dependent acquisition. Samples were extracted with 80% methanol (100 mg/mL) and processed with internal standards. Separation was achieved on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS PFP column using a gradient elution with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate containing 0.1% formic acid. Analysis was performed using an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Methodological validation confirmed that all parameters met the requirements for bio-sample analysis. Application of this method revealed that the content of Si-Ni-San prototype components in the colon, liver, and kidneys of UC mice was significantly higher than that in healthy mice. Furthermore, the number of phase II metabolites was markedly greater than that of phase I metabolites in all tested samples. The results demonstrate the reliability of the established method and preliminarily reveal the tissue distribution characteristics of Si-Ni-San under UC conditions and its metabolism pattern dominated by phase II conjugation, which provides a methodological basis and experimental data for further in-depth research into its effective target tissues and pharmacodynamic material basis.
4.Clinical application of incretin-based drugs in weight reduction and research progress of novel agents
Chengsi LUO ; Rui GAO ; Yanjiao ZHU ; Xichao WU ; Shuai HE ; Zhiying SONG ; An’an LI ; Penglin ZHOU ; Yan LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2202-2207
Incretin-based drugs have demonstrated significant clinical value in weight management and the treatment of metabolic diseases by mimicking or enhancing endogenous incretin signaling. These agents primarily target multiple receptors including glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon, exerting weight-reducing effects through multiple mechanisms such as central appetite regulation, gastrointestinal function modulation, and peripheral metabolic improvement, while further ameliorating blood glucose, blood lipids, fatty liver, and cardiorenal metabolic risks. This review focuses on incretin-based drugs, systematically summarizing the key clinical application points and relevant research progress of domestically marketed and investigational candidate drugs in the field of weight reduction. Available evidence indicates that semaglutide and tirzepatide demonstrate substantial weight reduction with multiple metabolic benefits; domestic innovative drugs represented by mazdutide and ecnoglutide also exhibit favorable weight-reducing effects and safety profiles. Regarding safety, these agents are generally well-tolerated, with the most common adverse reactions being mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events, while potential risks including gallbladder events, pancreatitis, and mood changes require attention. In special populations, individualized assessment is warranted for use in children, elderly people, and pregnant women. Future research should focus on the screening of predictive biomarkers for efficacy, the development of long-acting oral formulations, and the accumulation of long-term safety follow-up data.
5.Effects of the myopia prevention and control guidance station on axial elongation in school-age children
Xuemei FU ; Jiang LIN ; Rui WANG ; Xinyao MAO ; Kaibo FANG ; Bingqing SONG
International Eye Science 2026;26(11):2038-2043
AIM: To evaluate the effects of the myopia prevention and control guidance station(MPCGS)on axial elongation in school-age children.METHODS:This was a prospective cohort study.Students enrolled in Grades 1 to 3 of primary schools in Qingyang District, Chengdu, in the first half of 2022 who completed continuous follow-up from 2022 to 2025 were included in this study. Among them, three schools that implemented the MPCGS in 2023 were assigned to the intervention group, and another three schools in the same district without MPCGS served as the control group. The intervention group received the school-hospital-family integrated model for myopia prevention and control,while the control group only received routine vision screening without such intervention measures.Students were categorized into three groups based on their grade in 2022: Group A(Grade 1), Group B(Grade 2), and Group C(Grade 3). Comparisons were stratified by grade, with independent samples t-tests used for intergroup analyses of annual axial elongation(ΔAL)between the intervention and control groups, and repeated-measures ANOVA(Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc test)used for intervention group comparisons across different time points.RESULTS:Totally 3 404 students were enrolled in this study, including 1 709 in the intervention group(897 males and 812 females, aged 7.64±0.88 y)and 1 695 in the control group(902 males and 793 females, aged 7.75±0.97 y). In the intervention group, there were 537 students in subgroup A(293 males and 244 females, aged 7.08±0.28 y), 721 in subgroup B(369 males and 352 females, aged 8.03±0.29 y), and 451 in subgroup C(235 males and 216 females, aged 9.07±0.30 y). In the control group, there were 559 students in subgroup A(295 males and 264 females, aged 7.05±0.28 y), 497 in subgroup B(269 males and 228 females, aged 8.04±0.30 y), and 639 in subgroup C(338 males and 301 females, aged 9.08±0.30 y). No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups within each grade(A, B, and C)at baseline age, sex, SE, AL, ΔSE(2022-2023), and ΔAL(2022-2023)(all P>0.05). During the first intervention year(2023-2024), intergroup comparisons revealed no significant differences in ΔAL between the intervention and control groups within Groups A, B, and C(all P>0.05). During the second intervention year(2024-2025), the intervention group showed significantly lower ΔAL than the control group within Groups A and B(PSymbol|@@0.001 and P=0.017, respectively), while no significant difference in ΔAL was detected in Group C(P=0.419). In the intervention group, there were significant differences in ΔAL at different time points among Groups A, B and C(all P<0.001). Compared with the first year before intervention, the ΔAL of each subgroup significantly decreased in the second year of intervention(all P<0.0167).CONCLUSION:The implementation of the school-hospital-family integrated MPCGS model was associated with slowed axial elongation. This association exhibited a time-dependent cumulative effect and was more pronounced in lower-grade children(grades 1-2).
6.Bidirectional association between sleep status and depressive symptoms among primary school students
WEI Liumei, DU Song, ZHOU Changyuan, DENG Rui, FENG Tianshu, MA Yinghua, DONG Bin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(10):1415-1419
Objective:
To analyze the bidirectional association between sleep status and depressive symptoms among primary school students, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing targeted intervention and health education on children s mental health.
Methods:
In December 2021, 1 787 students in grades 2 and 3 selected from three primary schools in a district of Tianjin by a convenient sampling method were investigated in a baseline questionnaire survey, which was followed by a one year follow up in December 2022. The survey content included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, etc., and the Children s Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children were used to assess students sleep quality, sleep duration, social jetlag and depressive symptoms. Linear regression model was applied to examine the association between sleep status and depressive symptoms score in primary school students, and cross lagged panel model was adopted to analyze the bidirectional association between sleep status and depressive symptoms.
Results:
At baseline, the sleep quality score among primary school students was 43.00(39.00, 47.00), the daily sleep duration was 9.42(9.12, 9.76) h, the social jetlag was 0.58( 0.29 , 0.92) h, and the depressive symptoms score was 5.00(2.00, 9.00). At the oneyear followup, the score of sleep quality among primary school students was 42.00(38.00, 47.00), the daily sleep duration was 9.43(9.12, 9.78)h, the social jetlag was 0.50 (0.25, 0.78)h, and the score of depressive symptoms was 4.00(2.00, 9.00). After adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, parental education level, and monthly family income, linear regression analyses showed that the baseline sleep quality score was positively associated with follow up depressive symptoms scores ( β =0.25) among primary school students, while baseline sleep duration ( β =-0.06) and baseline social jetlag ( β =-0.08) were both negatively associated with follow up depressive symptoms score (all P <0.05). Cross lagged regression models indicated that baseline sleep quality score positively predicted depressive symptoms score at the 1 year follow up ( β =0.10), and baseline depressive symptoms score positively predicted follow up sleep quality score ( β = 0.08 )(both P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is a bidirectional association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among primary school students. Improving sleep quality may help alleviate children s depressive symptoms.
7.Impact of Onset-to-Door Time on Endovascular Therapy for Basilar Artery Occlusion
Tianlong LIU ; Chunrong TAO ; Zhongjun CHEN ; Lihua XU ; Yuyou ZHU ; Rui LI ; Jun SUN ; Li WANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jianlong SONG ; Xiaozhong JING ; Adnan I. QURESHI ; Mohamad ABDALKADER ; Thanh N. NGUYEN ; Raul G. NOGUEIRA ; Jeffrey L. SAVER ; Wei HU
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(1):140-143
8.Comprehensive evaluation of powder-liquid double-chamber bag products: a systematic review
Fei SHU ; Rui SUN ; Kai SONG ; Yuanlin ZHANG ; Jiaming YAN ; Lixin SHU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(2):92-96
Objective To evaluate the advantages of powder-liquid double-chamber bag products compared with traditional powder injection. Methods The systematic review method was used to collect the literature on powder-liquid double-chamber bag, extract common evaluation indicators, evaluate the use value of powder-liquid double-chamber bag products, and conduct a comprehensive comparison with traditional powder injection products. Results A total of 23 articles were included in the literature. The effectiveness indicators used for evaluation were the stability of the liquid medicine, the accuracy of the preparation concentration, and the residual amount of the liquid medicine; the safety indicators were the incidence of insoluble particles and the incidence of punctures and scratches. The economic indicators were preparation cost, occupied volume of preparation supplies, waste weight, hospitalization cost and incidence of blood infection. The applicability indicators were preparation time, average occupation of medical staff, packaging weight and storage and transportation volume, environmental adaptability, and ease of waste disposal. Accessibility indicators are the number of manufacturers, raw material supply capacity, and patient affordability. Through the evaluation of literature evidence, it was found that the stability and concentration accuracy of the powder-liquid double-chamber bag were higher than those of the traditional powder injection, and the domestic supply had been achieved. The double-chamber bag method can reduce the infusion reaction and shorten the preparation time of the liquid medicine. Conclusion Compared with traditional powder injectabler products, powder-liquid double-chamber bags have advantages in the dimensions of effectiveness, safety, economy, suitability and innovation, and the accessibility dimension meets the requirements.
9.Cerebral endothelial 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase improves ischemia-induced cognitive impairment via interacting with protein phosphatase 2A.
Li ZHU ; Yi HUANG ; Jing JIN ; Rongjun ZOU ; Rui ZUO ; Yong LUO ; Ziqing SONG ; Linfeng DAI ; Minyi ZHANG ; Qiuhe CHEN ; Yunting WANG ; Wei WANG ; Rongrong HE ; Yang CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):314-330
The catalytic activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP) sulfurtransferase (MPST) converts 3MP to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing MPST and its impact on the brain remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals the neuroprotective role of endothelial MPST-generated H2S, regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing demonstrated that endothelial PP2A is associated with neurodegenerative disease pathways. Cerebral ischemic mice exhibited significant inactivation of endothelial PP2A, evidenced by the reduction of PP2Acα in the brain endothelium. Mice with endothelium-specific null PP2A (PP2AEC-cKO) exhibited neuronal loss, cognitive dysfunction, and long-term potentiation deficits. Postnatal inactivation of endothelial PP2A also contributes to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. However, regaining endothelial PP2A activity by overexpressing Ppp2ca rescued neuronal dysfunction. Mechanistically, PP2A deficiency is intricately linked to the MPST-H2S signaling pathway. A robust reduction in endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production followed PP2A deficiency. Exogenous H2S treatment and AAV-mediated overexpression of MPST in brain endothelial cells significantly mitigated neuronal dysfunction in PP2AEC-cKO mice. Furthermore, PP2A deficiency promotes an increase in calcium influx and calpain2 phosphorylation, subsequently leading to MPST degradation. The PP2A activator (FTY720) and MPST activator (3MP sodium) both remarkably restored endothelial MPST-dependent H2S production, subsequently rescuing ischemia-induced neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endothelial PP2A deficiency leads to MPST degradation by activating calpain2, thus damaging neuronal function.
10.Enhanced radiotheranostic targeting of integrin α5β1 with PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody): A strategy for prolonged tumor retention with fast blood clearance.
Siqi ZHANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Jiang WU ; Jieting SHEN ; Yuntao SHI ; Xingkai WANG ; Lin XIE ; Xiaona SUN ; Yuxuan WU ; Hao TIAN ; Xin GAO ; Xueyao CHEN ; Hongyi HUANG ; Lu CHEN ; Xuekai SONG ; Qichen HU ; Hailong ZHANG ; Feng WANG ; Zhao-Hui JIN ; Ming-Rong ZHANG ; Rui WANG ; Kuan HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):692-706
Peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals targeting integrin α5β1 show promise for precise tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, current peptide-based radioligands that target α5β1 demonstrate inadequate in vivo performance owing to limited tumor retention. The use of PEGylation to enhance the tumor retention of radiopharmaceuticals by prolonging blood circulation time poses a risk of increased blood toxicity. Therefore, a PEGylation strategy that boosts tumor retention while minimizing blood circulation time is urgently needed. Here, we developed a PEGylation-enabled peptide multidisplay platform (PEGibody) for PR_b, an α5β1 targeting peptide. PEGibody generation involved PEGylation and self-assembly. [64Cu]QM-2303 PEGibodies displayed spherical nanoparticles ranging from 100 to 200 nm in diameter. Compared with non-PEGylated radioligands, [64Cu]QM-2303 demonstrated enhanced tumor retention time due to increased binding affinity and stability. Importantly, the biodistribution analysis confirmed rapid clearance of [64Cu]QM-2303 from the bloodstream. Administration of a single dose of [177Lu]QM-2303 led to robust antitumor efficacy. Furthermore, [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 exhibited low hematological and organ toxicity in both healthy and tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, this study presents a PEGibody-based radiotheranostic approach that enhances tumor retention time and provides long-lasting antitumor effects without prolonging blood circulation lifetime. The PEGibody-based radiopharmaceutical [64Cu]/[177Lu]QM-2303 shows great potential for positron emission tomography imaging-guided targeted radionuclide therapy for α5β1-overexpressing tumors.


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