1.A-to-I RNA editing of miR-411 attenuates post-infarction cardiac fibrosis via dual targeting of TGFBR2 and CD44
Suling DING ; Zhiwei ZHANG ; Xiyang YANG ; Dili SUN ; Jianfu ZHU ; Xiaowei ZHU ; Xiangdong YANG ; Junbo GE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):191-192
Objective To explore the functional impact of A-to-I editing in the seed region of miR-411 during post-myocardial infarction (MI) fibrosis and elucidate its therapeutic potential. Methods Integrating GEO database with myocardial RNA-seq data from MI mouse models, we identified dynamic A-to-I RNA editing in small noncoding RNAs across MI progression (1 day to 8 weeks post-MI). Four miRNAs exhibited differential editing rates between MI and controls, with miR-411 showing progressive editing enhancement at seed region position 4 (P<0.01). This editing event was validated in both murine MI models and human heart failure specimens. Results The A-to-I editing ratio change of the 4th nucleotide in the seed region of miR-411 mainly occurs in cardiac fibroblasts rather than cardiomyocytes, and the editing at this site depends on ADAR2 rather than ADAR1. Edited miR-411 (ED-miR-411) diverged from wild-type miR-411 (WT-miR-411) in suppressing collagen-related pathways (extracellular matrix [ECM]-receptor interaction, collagen-containing ECM, ECM organization; P<0.01) in cardiac fibroblasts. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase assays confirmed ED-miR-411 directly targeted the 3′UTR and suppressed expression of type Ⅱ transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor (TGFBR2) and CD44, which were key drivers of TGF-β-mediated fibroblast activation. ED-miR-411 overexpression blunted TGF-β-induced collagen synthesis and myofibroblast proliferation (P<0.05). In vivo, intramyocardial delivery of ED-miR-411 mimics at 1 week post-MI reduced fibrosis by 40% and improved ejection fraction by 15% (P<0.01 vs controls), whereas WT-miR-411 showed no therapeutic effect. Conclusions A-to-I editing of miR-411 emerges as an endogenous anti-fibrotic mechanism by repressing TGFBR2 and CD44, thereby disrupting TGF-β signaling and ECM dysregulation. Our findings highlight ED-miR-411 as a novel RNA-based therapeutic candidate to mitigate post-infarction cardiac remodeling.
2.MTARC1 p.A165 ablation reduces hepatocellular carcinoma aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo
Lohitesh KOVOORU ; Jingjing ZHANG ; Francesco Giuseppe MONNI ; Tanmoy DUTTA ; Xiangdong GONGYE ; Bernice ASIEDU ; Patrizia INFELISE ; Emelie BARREBY ; Oveis JAMIALAHMADI ; Margit MAHLAPUU ; Rosellina M. MANCINA ; Stefano ROMEO
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):829-842
Background/Aims:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide and is driven by metabolic reprogramming that supports tumor growth and progression. A common missense genetic variant (rs2642438, p.A165T) in mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component 1 (MTARC1), identified as protective against liver disease, has been recently associated with lower prevalence of steatosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. However, the mechanistic role of MTARC1 in HCC is unclear. Therefore, we sought to decipher the role of MTARC1 in HCC.
Methods:
We investigated the role of MTARC1 in HCC by performing siRNA-mediated knockdown across human immortalized HCC cell lines (Hep3B2, HuH7, HepG2 and HepaRG) homozygous for the risk allele (p.A165) and by generating stable CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (KO) models. Next, we assessed the effect of MTARC1 loss on cell proliferation, migration, lipid metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation in vitro, as well as tumor aggressiveness in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Additionally, we performed global proteomics in both in vitro and xenograft models.
Results:
Transient knockdown of MTARC1 p.A165 reduced proliferation in HCC cell lines. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated stable MTARC1 p.A165 KO in Hep3B2 cells led to decreased neutral lipid intracellular accumulation, enhanced β-oxidation and reduced cell migration. An MTARC1 KO xenograft model had reduced tumor volume. Proteomic analyses of both in vitro HCC cells and xenograft tumors revealed inhibition of oncogenic pathways and activation of anti-proliferative proteins.
Conclusions
Downregulation of MTARC1 p.A165 inhibits lipid accumulation, dampens tumor-promoting pathways and restricts tumor growth, highlighting MTARC1 as a promising therapeutic target for HCC.
3.Value of liver and spleen stiffness measured by two-dimensional shear wave elastography in diagnosing the severity of portal hypertension
Min WANG ; Guanhua ZHANG ; Lijuan FENG ; Yuhong SUO ; Fuliang HE ; Xiangdong HU ; Min LI ; Yu WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(5):1075-1082
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) measured by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) in the diagnosis of severe portal hypertension (SPH) and high-risk varices (HRV), and to provide a basis for noninvasive assessment of portal hypertension. MethodsA prospective study was conducted among 78 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who were treated in Liver Research Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, from December 2019 to April 2023. According to hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), the patients were divided into 6 mmHg≤HVPG<12 mmHg group, 12 mmHg≤HVPG<20 mmHg group, and HVPG ≥20 mmHg group. All patients underwent gastroscopy and 2D-SWE within 1 week after HVPG measurement, and SWE-LSM and SWE-SSM measured by 2D-SWE were recorded. A one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. With HVPG and gastroscopy findings as the gold standard, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate diagnostic performance, while the DeLong test was used for comparison of AUC. The Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between variables, and the linear regression analysis and the Logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the influencing factors for HVPG and HRV. ResultsThe mean HVPG was 18.1±6.4 mmHg for the patients enrolled in this study, and HRV was observed in 62 patients (79.5%). Both SWE-LSM and SWE-SSM were significantly positively correlated with HVPG (r=0.413 and 0.633, both P<0.001), with an AUC of 0.812 and 0.902, respectively, in the diagnosis of HVPG≥12 mmHg and an AUC of 0.804 and 0.789, respectively, in the diagnosis of HVPG≥20 mmHg (all P>0.05). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that SWE-SSM was an independent influencing factor for HVPG (β=0.17, P<0.001). In the diagnosis of HRV, only SWE-SSM showed a significant positive correlation with HRV (r=0.432, P<0.001), with a better diagnostic performance than SWE-LSM in terms of AUC (0.808 vs 0.642, Z=2.775, P=0.006). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count was an independent influencing factor for HRV (odds ratio=0.97, P=0.014). ConclusionSWE-SSM is closely correlated with both HVPG and HRV, showing a good performance in the diagnosis of SPH and HRV, and therefore, it is expected to become an effective noninvasive tool for assessing portal hypertension.
4.Collection and determination of clinical issues in Clinical practice guidelines for postoperative pain management in adults ( 2024 edition) based on Delphi method
Yan WANG ; Yingying ZHAO ; Younian XU ; Yuanyuan YAO ; Jie ZHANG ; Junxian ZHAO ; Tianhu LIANG ; Yaolong CHEN ; Qinjun CHU ; Xiangdong CHEN ; Yunshui PENG ; Jianjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(7):802-807
Objective:To determine the clinical issues in the Clinical practice guidelines for postoperative pain management in adults (2024 edition). Methods:A preliminary list of clinical issues for the guidelines was developed through literature review, clinical surveys, and expert interviews. This was followed by two rounds of Delphi questionnaire surveys, with quality control and statistical analysis conducted using expert positive coefficient, mean item scores, full score ratio, coefficient of variation, Cronbach′s α coefficient, and expert authority level to finalize the list of clinical issues.Results:The experts participating in the Delphi questionnaire surveys had multidisciplinary collaborative backgrounds and regional representativeness, with a high level of authority. The overall positive coefficient of expert participation in the surveys was 78.9%. Through two rounds of the Delphi method and based on the screening criteria of a mean score ≥3.5, coefficient of variation ≤30%, and full score ratio ≥30%, 17 clinical issues were ultimately included following an expert consensus meeting.Conclusions:Through the Delphi method and rigorous quality control, the clinical issues in the Clinical practice guidelines for postoperative pain management in adults (2024 edition) are determined, laying a foundation for the subsequent development of the guidelines.
5.Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of genital herpes in China, 2010-2023
Zewei CHEN ; Shiqing LIANG ; Xiaoli YUE ; Jing LI ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Xiangdong GONG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):101-106
Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of genital herpes in China from 2010 to 2023 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of genital herpes.Methods:The reported data of genital herpes cases in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China from 2010 to 2023 were collected from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Software Joinpoint 5.2.0 was used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of genital herpes, software ArcGIS 10.5 was used for spatial autocorrelation analysis, and software SaTScan 10.2.3 was used for spatiotemporal scanning analysis.Results:The reported incidence rate of genital herpes increased from 1.58/100 000 to 2.00/100 000 in China from 2010 to 2023, with an average annual percentage change of 0.90%. The upward trend of reported incidence rate was significant ( t=2.35, P=0.037). There was a positive spatial autocorrelation in the reported incidence of genital herpes with the global Moran's I ranging from 0.36 to 0.51 (all P<0.001). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the number of hotspots increased from 144 in 2010 to 232 in 2023, mainly distributed in provinces Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing and Hunan. The number of hotspots in of Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou increased significantly from 7 to 57. A total of 67 spatiotemporal clusters were detected by spatiotemporal scanning analysis, mainly distributed in Guangdong from 2011 to 2015, in Zhejiang and Fujian from 2015 to 2019, and in Chongqing and Guizhou from 2019 to 2023. Conclusions:From 2010 to 2023, the reported incidence of genital herpes in China showed an upward trend, and there was an obvious spatiotemporal clustering of genital herpes. The distribution of hotspots was basically consistent with the distribution of spatiotemporal clustering areas, mainly distributed in the southeastern coastal area and southwestern region, and the spatiotemporal clustering areas gradually changed from the southeast coastal area to the southwest region.
6.A survey on the cognition of mpox expertise among relevant clinicians in China
Zewei CHEN ; Wenqian ZHU ; Yuelin WU ; Shiqing LIANG ; Xiaoli YUE ; Jing LI ; Jiahui ZHANG ; Xiangdong GONG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):239-244
Objective:To investigate and evaluate the correct cognition and influencing factors of mpox expertise among relevant Chinese clinicians and to provide a reference for prevention and control.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinicians in relevant departments using a structured questionnaire compiled by ourselves through a non-random network recruitment method. The content includes demography, clinical specialties, and characteristics of medical institutions, and 37 questions to evaluate the professional cognition of mpox etiology, clinical characteristics, transmission, prevention, and control. Using the modified Bloom's cutoff point to determine the correct answer is greater than or equal to 26 entitled correct cognition. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the correct cognition rate.Results:A total of 4 332 clinicians in 23 provinces (autonomous regions, municipality) in China were investigated by online questionnaires and 4 276 effective questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 98.71%. The mean age of the respondents was (39.46±9.54) years old, 61.18% were female. The overall correct cognition rate of mpox expertise was 62.04% (95% CI: 60.59%-63.50%), the correct cognition rates of mpox etiology, clinical characteristics, transmission, prevention and control were 48.25% (95% CI: 46.68%-49.82%), 78.66% (95% CI: 77.38%-79.95%), 68.56% (95% CI: 67.10%-70.02%), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the relevant factors affecting the overall correct cognition of mpox expertise among Chinese clinicians included gender (female: OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.31-1.80), region (eastern region: OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.79; midwestern region: OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.04-1.49), professional title (deputy senior: OR=1.43, 95% CI:1.16-1.76; senior: OR=1.72, 95% CI:1.30-2.28), the clinical field (the clinical fields of dermatology and venereal diseases: OR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.42-2.23). Conclusions:The overall correct cognition rate of mpox expertise among relevant Chinese clinicians was low. It was essential to conduct mpox knowledge training for clinicians in males, northeast regions, junior professional title and the clinical fields other than dermatology and venereal diseases to improve their correct cognition rates and epidemic prevention and control ability.
7.Efficacy observation of anlotinib combined with GP regimen in treatment of advanced triple-negative breast cancer refractory to anthracyclines and taxanes chemotherapy
Xiangdong LU ; Tao ZHAO ; Tingrong ZHANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(10):727-732
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib combined with GP (gemcitabine+cisplatin) regimen in the treatment of advanced triple-negative breast cancer refractory to anthracyclines and taxanes chemotherapy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Fifty two patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer refractory to anthracyclines and taxanes chemotherapy in Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Nantong University from January 2019 to June 2022 were selected. According to follow-up treatment methods, they were divided into the treatment group of anlotinib combined with GP regimen (observation group) and the treatment group of GP regimen alone (control group), with 26 cases in each group. The short-term efficacy was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 after 2 cycles of treatment, and the adverse reactions were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0 after each treatment cycle. Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and log-rank test was performed for inter group comparison. The scores of various dimensions of SF-36 quality of life scale before and after treatment were compared.Results:All 52 enrolled patients were able to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The objective response rate (ORR) of the observation group was 38.5% (10/26), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 84.6% (22/26). The ORR of the control group was 19.2% (5/26), and the DCR was 57.7% (15/26). The ORR and DCR of the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 values were 10.82 and 7.18, respectively, both P < 0.05). The PFS [median PFS time, 5.4 months (95% CI: 5.0-5.8 months) vs. 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.6-4.2 months)] and OS [median OS time, 14.0 months (95% CI: 12.1-17.8 months) vs. 9.2 months (95% CI: 7.9-11.3 months)] of the observation group were better than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of hypertension [57.7% (15/26) vs. 3.8% (1/26)] and hand-foot syndrome [23.1% (6/26) vs. 0 (0/26)] in the observation group was higher (both P < 0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, bleeding, hyperbilirubinemia, fatigue, oral mucositis, and alopecia between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The scores of each dimension of the SF-36 quality of life scale in both groups of patients after treatment were higher than those before treatment (all P < 0.05), and the scores of each dimension in the observation group were higher than those in the control group after treatment (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Anlotinib combined with GP regimen is effective in the treatment of advanced triple-negative breast cancer refractory to anthracyclines and taxanes chemotherapy, this regimen will not significantly increase the adverse reactions of chemotherapy and can improve the prognosis and the quality of life of patients.
8.Associations of Life's Crucial 9 and the risk of thyroid dysfunction: a cohort study
Juanjuan ZHANG ; Yuerong HE ; Zhiyuan TANG ; Xiangdong SUN ; Jiale SHEN ; Jianping GONG ; Chao LIU ; Yang XIA
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1400-1408
Objective:Exploring the association between Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) and the risk of thyroid dysfunction (TD), as well as its potential predictive capacity.Methods:A total of 247 600 TD-free participants from the UK Biobank were enrolled in the study. The LC9 score was divided into three CVH groups: low (0-), medium (50-), and high (80-100). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate the HRs and 95% CIs of the risk of TD with LC9 CVH status. Calculate Harrell's concordance index ( C-index), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to evaluate the predictive ability of the LC9 score and Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score. Results:During a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 5 515, 911, and 4 869 new cases of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism were documented, respectively. Participants with a high LE8 CVH group had 57.00% ( HR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.38-0.49), 55.00% ( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.34-0.60), and 58.00% ( HR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.37-0.47) lower risk of TD, hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism, respectively, than those with low CVH group. Compared with the LE8 score, the improvement in C-index for the LC9 score predicted TD risk was 0.004 (95% CI: 0.001-0.007), the NRI was 0.101 (95% CI: 0.021-0.103), and the IDI was 0.001 (95% CI: 0.000-0.001). Conclusions:The better CVH status, defined by LC9, was associated with a lower risk of TD. Compared to the LE8 score, the LC9 score demonstrated a significant enhancement in both risk discrimination and reclassification capability for TD risk.
9.Evaluation of ultrasound scoring system combined with shear wave elastography on curative effect of IgG4-related submandibular and lacrimal gland inflammation
Jinhuai ZHANG ; Mingzhu ZHOU ; Yanying LIU ; Xiangdong HU
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(5):10-15
Objective:To explore the assessment value of ultrasound scoring system combined with shear wave elastography(SWE)on curative effect of IgG4-related submandibular and lacrimal gland inflammation.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study.A total of 103 patients with IgG4-related submandibular and/or lacrimal gland inflammation who admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University from September 2022 to December 2024 were consecutively included.They were divided into an effective group(45 cases)and a non-effective group(58 cases)based on the curative effect.All patients were assessed by conventional ultrasound and SWE before and after treatment.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of assessing the curative effect,and then,a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and nomograms were drawn.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in gender and age between the effective group and the non-effective group(P>0.05).The difference between the submandibular and lacrimal gland score,change rate of score,difference of mean Young's modulus(Emean),Emean change rate,difference of maximum value of Young's modulus(Emax),and Emax change rate in the effective group were all higher than those in the non-effective group,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=-7.916,-7.680,-6.767,-6.722,-6.360,-5.957,P<0.05),respectively.The difference between the submandibular and lacrimal gland score(OR=2.90,P<0.001)and the Emax difference(OR=1.18,P<0.05)had diagnostic value for assessing the curative effectiveness.The area under curve(AUC)value,sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the difference between submandibular and lacrimal gland score were respectively 0.945,88.9%,94.8%and 87.4%in assessing the curative effectiveness.The above indicators of Emax difference were respectively 0.866,86.7%,70.7%and 77.7%in assessing the curative effectiveness.The above indicators of the combination of them were respectively 0.976,93.3%,94.8%and 94.2%.Conclusion:The combination of the conventional ultrasound scoring system and SWE has higher diagnostic value in assessing the curative effect of IgG4-related submandibular and lacrimal gland inflammation.The combined application can significantly improve the accuracy and provide reliable imaging reference for clinical practice.
10.Feasibility and efficacy of TPLA with single-fiber for prostate in treating BPO
Yiran JIANG ; Xiao HAN ; Peipei YANG ; Jing XIAO ; Ran LI ; Xin TONG ; Dongxing ZHANG ; Xiaohui ZHAO ; Xiangdong HU ; Xianquan SHI
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(11):92-96
Objective:To assess the feasibility and efficacy of transperineal laser ablation(TPLA)with single laser fiber in treating benign prostatic obstruction(BPO).Methods:From April 2021 to March 2024,a total of 13 BPO patients were selected from Beijing Friendship Hospital.TPLA was performed using a single laser fiber,which was guided by transrectal biplane ultrasound.The single laser fiber was used to undergo TPLA under the guidance of trans-rectal dual-plane ultrasound.The intraoperative time,ablation time,energy consumption,indwelling time of catheter,and complications were observed.The postoperative 6 months was chosen as the cut-off point of follow-up,and the pre and postoperative changes of international prostate symptom score(IPSS),quality of life index(QoL),prostate volume(PV),residual urine volume(RUV)and the maximum urine flow rate(Qmax)were compared.Results:All 13 patients successfully underwent TPLA with single laser fiber.The average operation time was(55.1±18.3)min,and the average ablation time was(16.3±1.7)min,and average energy consumption was(3951.6±459.7)J,and the median value of indwelling time of catheter was 7(7,10)days.The number of postoperative complication was 2 cases,and both them belonged to Clavien-Dindo grade II complication.At the postoperative 6th month,the IPSS,QoL,PV,Qmax and RUV of all patients were improved,all of which were better than preoperative these indicators,and the differences were significant(t=12.102,-3.228,-3.181,-2.581,-2.936,P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of single laser fiber in conducting TPLA operation is feasibility at technical aspect,and it can achieve the therapeutic goals of improving patients'symptoms and enhancing their quality of life.Although its operational time is slightly longer than that of using multiple fibers simultaneously,it can effectively reduce the cost of expenditure for consumables.

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