1.Characteristics of imprinted differentially methylated regions in preeclampsia placenta
Huijun TANG ; Xiaojun JIA ; Xinzhi ZHAO ; Weiping YE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):65-71
Objective To investigate the characteristics of imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs) in placentas and their correlation with preeclampsia (PE). Methods A total of 43 healthy pregnant women (control group) and 33 pregnant women with PE (PE group) at Shanghai Putuo Maternity and Infant Hospital and International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected. A total of 3 362 CpG sites in 62 iDMRs were analyzed in 76 placenta and 5 maternal blood samples using BisCap targeted bisulfite resequencing (BisCap-seq) assays. The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs were assessed for their methylation levels and methylation linkage disequilibrium (MLD). Imprinted methylation haplotype blocks (iMHBs) were constructed based on MLD. The methylation levels and variablility of CpG sites and iMHBs were compared among the healthy placenta, PE placenta and blood samples. Results The CpG sites in the CpG islands of the iDMRs exhibited intermediate methylation, with adjacent sites displaying high MLD (methylation levels: 0.35-0.65, D’ > 0.8). A total of 185 iMHBs were constructed using these coupled CpG sites, 60 placenta-specific iMHBs and 38 somatic iMHBs were found to be differentially methylated in the placenta compared with maternal blood (Padj<0.05). Twenty-seven iMHBs were identified with differentially variable methylation patterns in the placenta. The iMHBs methylation was unchanged in the PE placentas compared to the healthy placentas. Twenty-seven differentially methylated cytosines (DMCs) were identified outside the iMHBs structure, among which the methylation levels of 19 CpG sites showed statistically significant differences between the PE group and the control group (Padj<0.05). The quantitative results of placental compositions of maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) using placenta-specific haplotype (PSH) were highly correlated with those estimated by a deconvolution methodology (r=0.973, P<0.01). Conclusions The genomic imprinting features in the PE placentas were obvious, and PSH could be a potential marker of the placenta to quantify the placental compositions of maternal plasma cfDNA.
3.Current status of human immunodeficiency virus testing and residual risk in 17 provincial blood centers in China from 2015 to 2024
Siqi WU ; Ying LIU ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yujun LI ; Binbin ZOU ; Lin WANG ; Fei TANG ; Weiping FENG ; Yanhong WAN ; Yanyan LIU ; Ying LI ; Chen XIAO ; Tao WEN ; Hanshi GONG ; Shan FU ; Wenjia HU ; Yan QIU
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025;43(10):590-598
Objective:To analyze the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening status and the resulting residual risk (RR) among blood donors across 17 provincial blood centers in China.Methods:This study used a cross-sectional study. Data on HIV infection markers per 100 000 first-time donors (FD) and repeat donors (RD) from January 2015 to December 2024 were extracted from the National Blood Establishment Performance Comparison Information Management System. Questionnaires were used to collect each center′s HIV screening strategy, algorithm, serological test (ST) kit manufacturers, gray-zone setting for ST, and nucleic acid test (NAT) modality, method, and platform. The incidence-window-period model was used to calculate the residual risk for first-time donors (RR FD), repeat donors (RR RD), and total donors (RR TD) at each center. Horizontal and vertical analysis of RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD across centers and years were performed. Results:All 17 centers applied the same HIV screening strategy which was two rounds of ST followed by one round of NAT. Eight of them operated a single screening algorithm, six employed two algorithms and three used three. Eleven centers used both imported and domestic ST kits, five relied on domestic ST kits only, and one used imported ST kits only, while four centers never set a grey zone for ST throughout the decade. For NAT modalities, eight centers adopted both individual nucleic acid test (ID-NAT) and minipool nucleic acid test (MP-NAT), eight used MP-NAT only and one used ID-NAT only. Seven centers combined transcription mediated amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nine used PCR only and one used TMA only, and fourteen centers ran both imported and domestic NAT systems, two used imported systems only and one used a domestic system only. Over the ten-year period, the mean RR FD across the centers ranged from 2.22 to 12.33 per 10 6 person-years, RR RD from 0.83 to 3.29 per 10 6 person-years and RR TD from 1.59 to 9.29 per 10 6 person-years, with center Z4 consistently showing the lowest values for all three metrics and center U4 recording the highest RR FD and RR TD, while center D2 had the highest RR RD. In 2024 compared with 2015, eleven centers achieved a lower RR FD and ten centers achieved lower RR RD and RR TD. The RR FD and RR TD of centers W2 and U4 displayed pronounced fluctuations and an upward trend in recent years. Conclusions:The 17 provincial blood centers maintain consistent HIV screening strategies, while demonstrating variations in screening algorithm, ST kit manufacturers, NAT modalities, methods, and platform. And the RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD differ across centers. Although most centers show declining trend in RR over the ten-year period, some centers exhibite data fluctuations with a rising trend, suggesting potential for further optimization of HIV screening protocols.
4.A novel screening approach for identifying key genes involved in the regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis
Shengwen WANG ; Wenbin TANG ; Junxiao SHI ; Weiping ZHANG ; Chunchun WEI
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(9):745-753
Aim To systematically elucidate the molecular regulatory network of thermogenic function in brown adipose tissue(BAT)through multi-omics integrative analysis,to discover novel thermogenic regulatory genes and provide novel therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.Methods A novel methodology for screening key genes regulating thermogenesis in BAT was constructed:First,differential expression analysis was performed on bulk RNA-seq data from murine BAT.Genes meeting the thresholds of ABS(log2FoldChange)>1 and Padj<0.05 were identified as differentially expressed genes.Intersectional analysis was then applied to obtain consensus upregulated and downregulated gene sets.Subsequently,scRNA-seq data of brown adipocytes were partitioned into high-expression group and low-expression group based on the expression levels of candidate genes.Differential analysis and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were conducted between these groups to assess the correlation between candidate genes and thermogenic function.Finally,ex-perimental validation of selected candidate genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Results Bioinformatics analysis identified 65 thermogenesis-positive correlated genes and 7 thermogenesis-negative corre-lated genes.Subsequent quantitative PCR validation demonstrated that candidate genes Mfsd2a,Me1,Slc25a34,Pfkp,Ankrd9,Hsd17b12,Aldoa,Ctsz and Pcyt2 exhibited upregulation exceeding 5-fold,while Pid1 and Angpt1 showed down-regulation over 50%.All observed expression changes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.01)through rigorous hypothesis testing.These findings highlight the potential involvement of these genes in thermogenic regulation,warranting further functional investigations to elucidate their molecular mechanisms in energy metabolism pathways.Conclusions This study established a novel"computational screening → in silico knockout → experimental validation"paradigm for tar-get discovery,systematically unveiling the molecular network involved in BAT thermogenic regulation.This methodology is equally applicable for identifying key regulatory genes in other physiological or pathological processes.The study identi-fied 11 core genes that may play pivotal regulatory roles during BAT thermogenic activation,which could potentially offer novel pharmacological intervention targets to improve energy metabolism and treat obesity-related complications.
5.Mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes regulating autophagy of hepatic stellate cells
Zhenkun CHEN ; Shiwei ZHU ; Jingnan XIAO ; Weiping TANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(25):5296-5303
BACKGROUND:Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells release a large amount of exosomes to participate in various pathophysiological processes,but the impact and precise mechanism of exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells have not been fully elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To explore the targeted regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells through miR-15a-5p.METHODS:Adipose tissue was collected from inguinal region of 8-week male C57BL/6 mice.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted by collagenase digestion.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation.Mouse liver tissue was obtained,and hepatic stellate cells were isolated and extracted using collagenase perfusion digestion and density gradient centrifugation.The experiment was divided into two groups.In control group,hepatic stellate cells were cultured alone for 48 hours.In the exosome group,hepatic stellate cells were co-cultured with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for 48 hours.The effects of exosomes on hepatic stellate cell proliferation,activation,autophagy,and expression of fibrosis markers were detected by western blot assay,RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence staining.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the effect of exosomes on the mRNA and protein expression of miR-15a-5p and the downstream signaling pathway Bcl-2,Beclin-1,and Rubicon in hepatic stellate cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the ratio of autophagy markers LC3-Ⅱ expression decreased,the number of autophagosome was also significantly decreased,and the intracellular lipid droplets were regenerated,simultaneously,cell volume diminished with the weakening of proliferation in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group,indicated that the hepatic stellate cell activation was significantly inhibited.(2)Compared with the control group,the expressions of α-smooth actin and type Ⅰ collagen were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression of miR-15a-5p was significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P<0.01).At the same time,the expression of its downstream target gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon were significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P<0.01).The results indicate that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibits the expression of Bcl-2 in hepatic stellate cells by targeting miR-15a-5p and increases the expression of downstream autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon,thereby inhibiting the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.
6.A novel screening approach for identifying key genes involved in the regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis
Shengwen WANG ; Wenbin TANG ; Junxiao SHI ; Weiping ZHANG ; Chunchun WEI
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(9):745-753
Aim To systematically elucidate the molecular regulatory network of thermogenic function in brown adipose tissue(BAT)through multi-omics integrative analysis,to discover novel thermogenic regulatory genes and provide novel therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.Methods A novel methodology for screening key genes regulating thermogenesis in BAT was constructed:First,differential expression analysis was performed on bulk RNA-seq data from murine BAT.Genes meeting the thresholds of ABS(log2FoldChange)>1 and Padj<0.05 were identified as differentially expressed genes.Intersectional analysis was then applied to obtain consensus upregulated and downregulated gene sets.Subsequently,scRNA-seq data of brown adipocytes were partitioned into high-expression group and low-expression group based on the expression levels of candidate genes.Differential analysis and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were conducted between these groups to assess the correlation between candidate genes and thermogenic function.Finally,ex-perimental validation of selected candidate genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Results Bioinformatics analysis identified 65 thermogenesis-positive correlated genes and 7 thermogenesis-negative corre-lated genes.Subsequent quantitative PCR validation demonstrated that candidate genes Mfsd2a,Me1,Slc25a34,Pfkp,Ankrd9,Hsd17b12,Aldoa,Ctsz and Pcyt2 exhibited upregulation exceeding 5-fold,while Pid1 and Angpt1 showed down-regulation over 50%.All observed expression changes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.01)through rigorous hypothesis testing.These findings highlight the potential involvement of these genes in thermogenic regulation,warranting further functional investigations to elucidate their molecular mechanisms in energy metabolism pathways.Conclusions This study established a novel"computational screening → in silico knockout → experimental validation"paradigm for tar-get discovery,systematically unveiling the molecular network involved in BAT thermogenic regulation.This methodology is equally applicable for identifying key regulatory genes in other physiological or pathological processes.The study identi-fied 11 core genes that may play pivotal regulatory roles during BAT thermogenic activation,which could potentially offer novel pharmacological intervention targets to improve energy metabolism and treat obesity-related complications.
7.Mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes regulating autophagy of hepatic stellate cells
Zhenkun CHEN ; Shiwei ZHU ; Jingnan XIAO ; Weiping TANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(25):5296-5303
BACKGROUND:Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells release a large amount of exosomes to participate in various pathophysiological processes,but the impact and precise mechanism of exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells have not been fully elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To explore the targeted regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on autophagy of hepatic stellate cells through miR-15a-5p.METHODS:Adipose tissue was collected from inguinal region of 8-week male C57BL/6 mice.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted by collagenase digestion.Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation.Mouse liver tissue was obtained,and hepatic stellate cells were isolated and extracted using collagenase perfusion digestion and density gradient centrifugation.The experiment was divided into two groups.In control group,hepatic stellate cells were cultured alone for 48 hours.In the exosome group,hepatic stellate cells were co-cultured with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for 48 hours.The effects of exosomes on hepatic stellate cell proliferation,activation,autophagy,and expression of fibrosis markers were detected by western blot assay,RT-qPCR,and immunofluorescence staining.RT-qPCR and western blot assay were used to detect the effect of exosomes on the mRNA and protein expression of miR-15a-5p and the downstream signaling pathway Bcl-2,Beclin-1,and Rubicon in hepatic stellate cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the ratio of autophagy markers LC3-Ⅱ expression decreased,the number of autophagosome was also significantly decreased,and the intracellular lipid droplets were regenerated,simultaneously,cell volume diminished with the weakening of proliferation in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group,indicated that the hepatic stellate cell activation was significantly inhibited.(2)Compared with the control group,the expressions of α-smooth actin and type Ⅰ collagen were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression of miR-15a-5p was significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P<0.01).At the same time,the expression of its downstream target gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expressions of autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon were significantly increased in hepatic stellate cells of the exosome group(P<0.01).The results indicate that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibits the expression of Bcl-2 in hepatic stellate cells by targeting miR-15a-5p and increases the expression of downstream autophagy genes Beclin-1 and Rubicon,thereby inhibiting the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.
8.Current status of human immunodeficiency virus testing and residual risk in 17 provincial blood centers in China from 2015 to 2024
Siqi WU ; Ying LIU ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yujun LI ; Binbin ZOU ; Lin WANG ; Fei TANG ; Weiping FENG ; Yanhong WAN ; Yanyan LIU ; Ying LI ; Chen XIAO ; Tao WEN ; Hanshi GONG ; Shan FU ; Wenjia HU ; Yan QIU
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025;43(10):590-598
Objective:To analyze the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening status and the resulting residual risk (RR) among blood donors across 17 provincial blood centers in China.Methods:This study used a cross-sectional study. Data on HIV infection markers per 100 000 first-time donors (FD) and repeat donors (RD) from January 2015 to December 2024 were extracted from the National Blood Establishment Performance Comparison Information Management System. Questionnaires were used to collect each center′s HIV screening strategy, algorithm, serological test (ST) kit manufacturers, gray-zone setting for ST, and nucleic acid test (NAT) modality, method, and platform. The incidence-window-period model was used to calculate the residual risk for first-time donors (RR FD), repeat donors (RR RD), and total donors (RR TD) at each center. Horizontal and vertical analysis of RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD across centers and years were performed. Results:All 17 centers applied the same HIV screening strategy which was two rounds of ST followed by one round of NAT. Eight of them operated a single screening algorithm, six employed two algorithms and three used three. Eleven centers used both imported and domestic ST kits, five relied on domestic ST kits only, and one used imported ST kits only, while four centers never set a grey zone for ST throughout the decade. For NAT modalities, eight centers adopted both individual nucleic acid test (ID-NAT) and minipool nucleic acid test (MP-NAT), eight used MP-NAT only and one used ID-NAT only. Seven centers combined transcription mediated amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nine used PCR only and one used TMA only, and fourteen centers ran both imported and domestic NAT systems, two used imported systems only and one used a domestic system only. Over the ten-year period, the mean RR FD across the centers ranged from 2.22 to 12.33 per 10 6 person-years, RR RD from 0.83 to 3.29 per 10 6 person-years and RR TD from 1.59 to 9.29 per 10 6 person-years, with center Z4 consistently showing the lowest values for all three metrics and center U4 recording the highest RR FD and RR TD, while center D2 had the highest RR RD. In 2024 compared with 2015, eleven centers achieved a lower RR FD and ten centers achieved lower RR RD and RR TD. The RR FD and RR TD of centers W2 and U4 displayed pronounced fluctuations and an upward trend in recent years. Conclusions:The 17 provincial blood centers maintain consistent HIV screening strategies, while demonstrating variations in screening algorithm, ST kit manufacturers, NAT modalities, methods, and platform. And the RR FD, RR RD, and RR TD differ across centers. Although most centers show declining trend in RR over the ten-year period, some centers exhibite data fluctuations with a rising trend, suggesting potential for further optimization of HIV screening protocols.
9.The impact of lymph node dissection on textbook outcomes of intrahepatic cholangiocarci-noma and prognostic analysis
Tingfeng HUANG ; Hongzhi LIU ; Kongying LIN ; Shichuan TANG ; Jun FU ; Qizhu LIN ; Ruilin FAN ; Weiping ZHOU ; Jingdong LI ; Jiangtao LI ; Yongyi ZENG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(7):944-951
Objective:To analyze the impact of lymph node dissection on textbook outcomes (TO) and the prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 376 ICC patients who underwent hepatectomy in 4 medical centers, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from December 2011 to December 2017 were collected. There were 242 males and 134 females, aged 57(range, 48-63)years. According to the criteria of TO, patients were classified as two cate-gories, including patients achieving TO and not achieving TO. Measurement data with normal distri-bution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test, Yates adjusted chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the non-parameter rank sum test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Logistic regression model. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curve. Survival analysis was conducted using the Log-rank test. Results:(1) TO situations. Of the 376 ICC patients who underwent hepatectomy, 199 cases achieved TO, including 40 cases with lymph node dissection and 159 cases without lymph node dissection, 177 cases did not achieve TO, including 76 cases with lymph node dissection and 101 cases without lymph node dissection. (2) Influencing factors for TO after hepatectomy of ICC patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that lymph node dissection, microvascular invasion, nerve invasion and the volume of intraoperative blood loss >800 mL were independent risk factors for achieving TO after hepatec-tomy of ICC patients ( odds ratio=2.22, 2.95, 3.58, 4.09,95% confidence interval as 1.34-3.69, 1.43-6.07, 1.40-9.17, 1.35-12.43, P<0.05). Of the 116 patients with lymph node dissection, 40 cases achieved TO, 103 cases achieved R 0 resection, 38 cases had postoperative complications, 67 cases had delayed hospital stay. The above indicators were 159, 255, 41, 65 of 260 patients without lymph node dissection. There were significant differences in the above indicators between patients with and without lymph node dissection ( χ2=22.90, 15.16, 13.95, 37.78, P<0.05). (3) Follow-up. All the 376 patients were followed up for 19(range, 1-74)months. Of 199 patients achieving TO, the 1-, 2-and 3-year survival rates of 40 patients with lymph node dissection were 54.0%, 36.6% and 26.1%, respectively, versus 67.7%, 42.7% and 34.4% of 159 patients without lymph node dissection, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=1.89, P>0.05). Of 177 patients not achieving TO, the 1-, 2-and 3-year survival rates of 76 cases with lymph node dissection were 58.9%, 25.7% and 10.3%, respectively, versus 53.0%, 28.5% and 17.2% of 101 cases without lymph node dissection, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.25, P>0.05). Conclusions:Lymph node dissec-tion, microvascular invasion, nerve invasion and the volume of intraoperative blood loss >800 mL are independent risk factors for achieving TO after hepatectomy of ICC patients. Lymph node dissec-tion may increase the postoperative complication rate, prolong the hospital stay and decrease the rate of achieving TO. However, it does not affect the prognosis of patients.
10.Nursing care of a patient with multiple organ granulomatous obstructive lesion complicated with abdominal abscess caused by clonorchiasis
Weiping TANG ; Tingting YU ; Yu ZHOU ; Hongyan NI ; Qianqian CHEN
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(35):2789-2794
Objective:To summarize the nursing experience of a patient with multiple organ granulomatous obstructive disease complicated with abdominal abscess caused by clonorchiasis.Methods:A patient with multiple organ granulomatous obstructive lesions and abdominal abscess caused by liver fluke infection was admitted in the Hospital of the Yangtze River Shipping inAugust 2023. Personalized nursing measures were implemented including early risk identification and early warning nursing of nutritional support treatment and related complications; early risk identification and nursing of septic shock; nursing care of preventing drainage tube blockage; personalized liquid therapy nursing.Results:The patient, female, was 15 years old. On the 53rd day, the patient′s gastrointestinal function and biliary imaging returned to normal, and his hemodynamics, nutritional indexes and other vital signs returned to normal. She got better and was discharged from hospital, and continued to be treated with anti-parasitic infection outside the hospital.Conclusions:In view of the key and difficult nursing problems of patients with multiple organ granulomatous obstructive lesions complicated with abdominal abscess caused by clonorchiasis infection, implementing personalized and comprehensive nursing measures can improve the prognosis of patients and promote rehabilitation.

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