1.Circadian mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic dysfunction induced by chronic PM2.5 exposure
Wenqing ZHANG ; Biao WU ; Jianshu GUO ; Dongxia FAN ; Ge WANG ; Lu YU ; Chihang ZHANG ; Xianying LIAO ; Xihao DU ; Yuquan XIE ; Jinzhuo ZHAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(8):926-935
Background Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms of its interaction with the endogenous circadian system remain incompletely understood. Objective To investigate whether chronic PM2.5 exposure interferes with the rhythmic expression of the cardiac circadian clock, thereby disrupting downstream antioxidant defenses and metabolic homeostasis, and ultimately driving cardiometabolic dysfunction. Methods Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a PM2.5 exposure group (PM group) and a filtered air control group (FA group). Whole-body exposure was conducted for 8 weeks in a meteorological environmental animal exposure system. Samples were collected at six distinct zeitgeber time (ZT) points post-exposure. The 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and serum lipid profiles were monitored. Rhythm parameters were derived via cosinor analysis to compare differences in Midline statistic of rhythm (Mesor), amplitude, and phase between the two groups. The rhythmic expression of core circadian clock genes and antioxidant genes in the myocardium was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Myocardial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and downstream pathway protein expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot (WB), respectively. The expression changes of the clock gene retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) were assessed at both the mRNA and protein levels. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships among myocardial RORα expression, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress indicators. Results Compared to the FA group, mice in the PM group exhibited a blunted circadian rhythm in blood pressure, characterized by sustained elevation throughout the day. Chronic PM2.5 exposure showed a significant interaction with ZT on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (F-interaction=9.11, 5.70, and 6.02, respectively; P<0.05), as well as on serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (F-interaction=16.32, 11.12, 15.39, and 28.09, respectively; P<0.05). Cosinor analysis further revealed that the Mesor values of T-CHO, TG, and LDL-C were significantly increased (P<0.05), while that of HDL-C was significantly decreased in the PM group (P<0.05). The oscillation amplitudes of SBP, DBP, and MAP showed a decreasing trend, whereas those of TG and LDL-C were significantly increased (P<0.05). Furthermore, SBP, T-CHO, and HDL-C all exhibited a significant phase delay (P<0.05). Mechanistically, PM2.5 exposure significantly suppressed the expression of the positive circadian regulator RORα in the myocardium, leading to disordered rhythmic expression of core clock genes (Bmal1, Clock, Per1/2, and Cry1/2). This exposure also inhibited the rhythmic expression of antioxidant genes (GPX1, SOD2, and CAT), resulting in increased ROS generation and elevated expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) proteins. Correlation analysis further revealed that myocardial RORα expression level was negatively correlated with T-CHO, TG, and LDL-C (r=−0.55, −0.63, and −0.51, respectively; P<0.001), and positively correlated with HDL-C (r=0.37, P=0.010), and antioxidant genes GPX1, SOD2, and CAT expression (r=0.34, 0.35, and 0.56, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion Chronic PM2.5 exposure induces cardiometabolic dysfunction by suppressing myocardial RORα expression. This suppression disrupts the cardiac circadian clock and the diurnal balance of oxidative stress, triggering oxidative damage and elevating expression of CaMKII/NADPH pathway proteins. Collectively, these alterations precipitate the loss of cardiac metabolic rhythms and subsequent functional impairment.
2.Establishment and related factors analysis of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma organoids
Zijun GONG ; Jiaying LIU ; Kun FAN ; Sheng SHEN ; Wenqing QIU ; Xuanming LUO ; Houbao LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(4):604-609
Objective To establish a cell bank of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC)-derived organoids and investigate the key factors influencing the organoids generation. Methods The tumor samples from patients with portal cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) were used to isolate cells, and these cells were cultured using three-dimensional (3D) technique to establish ECC organoids. Histological characteristics of the organoids were evaluated and identified through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry stainings. The success rates of organoids generation from different tumor types were compared. And clinical characteristics of patients between successful and failure culture groups were compared. Results The success rates of organoids establishment from pCCA and dCCA were all low, with 42.4% (14/33), 51.9% (14/27), respectively. The tumor was larger in successful group than that in failure group (P<0.001); there was no statistical difference in tumor differentiation status, microvascular invasion, and perineural invasion between the two groups. Conclusions The successful rate of ECC-derived organoids establishment is low, and larger tumor has higher successful culture rate.
3.Application of competency models in public hospital recruitment
Wenqing FAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Ziwei LI ; Mengling LIU ; Shengchao JIANG ; Yanji CAI ; Fan ZHONG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):755-758
Recruitment is a critical part of human resource management.Conducting recruitment with competency models can significantly enhance match candidates to positions.This paper outlines the theoretical support for competency models.By analyzing the construction process of competency models in public hospitals and their application in recruitment,it aims to explore problems in the implementation of competency models in recruitment and provide suggestions.
4.Application of competency models in public hospital recruitment
Wenqing FAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Ziwei LI ; Mengling LIU ; Shengchao JIANG ; Yanji CAI ; Fan ZHONG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):755-758
Recruitment is a critical part of human resource management.Conducting recruitment with competency models can significantly enhance match candidates to positions.This paper outlines the theoretical support for competency models.By analyzing the construction process of competency models in public hospitals and their application in recruitment,it aims to explore problems in the implementation of competency models in recruitment and provide suggestions.
5.Qualitative Study of Primary Caregiver Load Experience in Colorectal Stoma Patients
Wenqing DAI ; Jingrong WANG ; Xia XIN ; Hui FAN ; Xianzhen JIN
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;35(3):273-276
To deeply explore the load experience of primary caregivers of colorectal stoma patients, analyze their psychological load, understand their load experience when caring for patients, so as to provide theoretical basis for promoting patients’ home rehabilitation and continuous nursing. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the primary caregivers of 10 patients with permanent stoma in a tertiary hospital in Xi’an using a phenomenological research method, and the data were summarized and refined by Colaizzi 7-step analysis. A total of four themes were extracted: complex emotional reactions, lack of knowledge about stoma care, a huge care load on the shoulder, and social and financial support needed. The primary caregivers of colorectal stoma patients have a certain degree of care load in the daily care of the patients. Health care professionals should pay attention to the psycho-emotional changes of these individuals and take targeted interventions to reduce the psychological load of the caregivers and improve the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers.
6.Application of immune combination therapy in MSS/pMMR-type colorectal cancer: current status and future perspectives
Xiaoling ZHANG ; Wenxuan FAN ; Yunyi DU ; Yan ZHANG ; Fei SU ; Wenqing HU ; Jun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):725-736
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in malignant solid tumors with remarkable efficacy. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs have shown significant therapeutic effects only in patients with highly microsatellite unstable/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic CRC and these patients are only a minority of all CRC patients. In contrast, the majority of patients, those with microsatellite stable (MSS)/mismatch repair-complete (pMMR)-type metastatic CRC, could hardly benefit from ICI monotherapies, and immune combination therapies have become the key to solveing this clinical challenge. This article introduces the common patterns and possible mechanisms of immune-combination therapies for MSS/pMMR-type CRC, the exploration and progress made in the application of immune-combination therapies, as well as the possible predictive markers of efficacy of immune therapies. The prospects and directions of ICIs in the treatment of MSS/pMMR-type CRC are also discussed.
7.Application of immune combination therapy in MSS/pMMR-type colorectal cancer: current status and future perspectives
Xiaoling ZHANG ; Wenxuan FAN ; Yunyi DU ; Yan ZHANG ; Fei SU ; Wenqing HU ; Jun ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):725-736
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in malignant solid tumors with remarkable efficacy. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), ICIs have shown significant therapeutic effects only in patients with highly microsatellite unstable/mismatch repair-deficient metastatic CRC and these patients are only a minority of all CRC patients. In contrast, the majority of patients, those with microsatellite stable (MSS)/mismatch repair-complete (pMMR)-type metastatic CRC, could hardly benefit from ICI monotherapies, and immune combination therapies have become the key to solveing this clinical challenge. This article introduces the common patterns and possible mechanisms of immune-combination therapies for MSS/pMMR-type CRC, the exploration and progress made in the application of immune-combination therapies, as well as the possible predictive markers of efficacy of immune therapies. The prospects and directions of ICIs in the treatment of MSS/pMMR-type CRC are also discussed.
8.Research Progress on Mechanisms and Optimization Methods for Toxicity Induced by Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Yanli JIA ; Xiaoyu LI ; Houwu FAN ; Wenqing DUAN ; Lixia HU ; Jian ZHOU ; Fengming RAN ; Shuang DONG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2024;51(7):606-612
Since the approval of gemtuzumab ozogamicin,an antibody-drug conjugate(ADC)targeting CD33 in 2000,13 ADC drugs have been approved by the FDA.Although these drugs have clearly improved the survival of patients with various types of advanced cancers,their significant toxicity has compromised their therapeutic benefits.The adverse reactions of ADC drugs are complex and include on-target and off-target toxicities,where the payload drug is a determining factor.Antibody and linker may also affect the degree of toxicity.Combination therapy becomes an important strategy in anticancer treatment because of its increased efficiency,but treatment-related adverse reactions also increase accordingly.This review comprehensively analyzes the toxicity mechanisms of current ADC drugs and proposes various optimization strategies,including but not limited to optimizing linker molecules,upgrading antibody design,and changing drug administration strategies,to improve the overall safety profile of ADC drugs.
9.Experimental Study on Inhibitory Effect of Yiqi Jiedu Recipe on Proliferation,Migration and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells Through TGF-β1/SMAD3 Signaling Pathway
Lipei GUO ; Wenqing ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Hongjian SHI ; Yingchun HE ; Xianwen WANG ; Jingying FAN
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(7):935-943
Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Jiedu Recipe(YQ)on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells,and to explore its mechanisms of action on proliferation,migration,and invasion through the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.Methods(1)The 5-8F cells were divided into four groups:solvent control group,YQ 0.5 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and 5-fluorouracil 2 μg·mL-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using real-time cell analysis(RTCA).Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using the Western Blot method.(2)The 5-8F cells were divided into five groups:solvent control group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1 group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and LY3200882 10 μmol·L-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using RTCA.Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using Western Blot.(3)The nude mice were randomly assigned into the model group,YQ group,and 5-fluorouracil group.Subcutaneous injection of 5-8F cell suspension was performed to establish the xenograft nude mouse model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.After the tumors reached a certain size,the 5-fluorouracil group received intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fu once every 2 days,while the other groups were orally administered corresponding drugs once a day for three consecutive weeks.Tumor volume was measured every 3 days.Western Blot was conducted to assess the protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,and N-cadherin in the tissues of each group.Results Compared with the solvent control group,the proliferation curves of 5-8F cells in the YQ(0.5 mg·mL-1,1.0 mg·mL-1)groups showed a decrease.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were both reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expression of β-catenin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 all decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the transplanted tumor volume of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the YQ group significantly decreased(P<0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of β-catenin and N-cadherin in the transplanted tissues of the YQ group was significantly downregulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of E-cadherin protein was significantly upregulated(P<0.01).After the addition of the activator and inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling pathway,compared with the YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,the TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group showed a significant increase in the expression of TGF-β1,SMAD3,β-catenin,and N-cadherin proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01)and obvious enhancement of the abilities of cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(P<0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Jiedu Recipe can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion by regulating the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.
10.The safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction: a multicenter study
Jun YOU ; Zhaojian NIU ; Lin FAN ; Kuan WANG ; Yongliang ZHAO ; Quan WANG ; Su YAN ; Li YANG ; Changqing JING ; Jiang YU ; Wu SONG ; Lu ZANG ; Jiadi XING ; Wenqing HU ; Fenglin LIU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2023;22(3):355-362
Objective:To investigate the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic pro-ximal gastrectomy (LPG) for proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 385 patients with proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction who underwent LPG in the 15 medical centers, including the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University et al, from January 2014 to March 2022 were collected. There were 304 males and 81 females, aged (63±9)years. Of the 385 patients, 335 cases undergoing LPG were divided into the laparoscopic group and 50 cases undergoing open proximal gastrectomy were divided into the open group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up; (3) stratified analysis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. The operation time, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, cases with postoperative pathological staging as stage 0?Ⅰ and stage Ⅱ?Ⅲ, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative early complications were (212±96)minutes, 270, 65, 177, 107, 10(range, 8?14)days, 40 in patients of the laparoscopic group, with 51 cases missing the data of postoperative pathological staging. The above indicators were (174±90)minutes, 39, 11, 22, 28, 10(range, 8?18)days, 10 in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in the opera-tion time and postoperative pathological staging between the two groups ( t=2.62, χ2=5.93, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the reconstruction of digestive tract, duration of post-operative hospital stay, postoperative early complications between the two groups ( χ2=0.19, Z=0.40, χ2=2.50, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up. Of the 385 patients,202 cases were followed up during the post-operative 12 months, including 187 cases in the laparoscopic group and 15 cases in the open group. Cases with reflux esophagitis, cases with esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 48, 11 in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus 5, 2 in patients of the open group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). The body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb) at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (130±15)g/L, (40±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (132±14)g/L, (41±4)g/L in patients of the laparoscopic group, versus (21±3)kg/m 2, (121±19)g/L, (37±5)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (125±21)g/L, (43±6)g/L in patients of the open group. There were significant differences in postoperative Hb between the two groups ( Fgroup=5.88, Ftime=5.49, Finteraction=19.95, P<0.05) and there were significant differences in time effect of postopera-tive BMI and Alb between the two groups ( Ftime=9.53, 49.88, P<0.05). (3) Stratified analysis. ① Incidence of postoperative of reflux esophagitis and esophageal anastomotic stenosis in patients with different reconstruction of digestive tract. Of the 202 patients, cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis were 168 and 34, respectively. The incidence rates of postoperative of reflux esophagitis were 26.79%(45/168)and 23.53%(8/34)in cases with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis and esophageal-jejunal anastomosis, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.16, P>0.05). Cases undergoing esophageal anastomotic stenosis were 13 in patients with reconstruction of diges-tive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis. ② The BMI, Hb, Alb in patients with different reconstruc-tion of digestive tract. The BMI, Hb, Alb were (24±3)kg/m 2, (135±20)g/L, (41±5)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis before the operation, versus (23±3)kg/m 2, (130±19)g/L, (40±4)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis before the operation, showing no significant difference between them ( t=1.44, 1.77, 1.33, P>0.05). The BMI, Hb, Alb at postoperative 6 months and 12 months were (21±3)kg/m 2, (128±16)g/L, (39±4)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (131±16)g/L, (41±4)g/L in the 168 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophagogastric anastomosis, versus (20±4)kg/m 2, (133±13)g/L, (43±3)g/L and (21±3)kg/m 2, (135±12)g/L, (44±3)g/L in the 34 patients with reconstruction of digestive tract as esophageal-jejunal anastomosis. There were significant differences in the group effect and time effect of postoperative Alb between patients with different reconstruction of diges-tive tract ( Fgroup=15.82, Ftime=5.43, P<0.05), and there was also a significant difference in the time effect of postoperative BMI between them ( Ftime=4.22 , P<0.05). Conclusion:LPG can be used to the treatment of proximal gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, with a good safety and short-term efficacy.

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