1.Application of CRISPR/Cas System in Precision Medicine for Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Hui-Ling LIN ; Yu-Xin OUYANG ; Wan-Ying TANG ; Mi HU ; Mao PENG ; Ping-Ping HE ; Xin-Ping OUYANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):279-289
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a distinctive subtype, characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Due to its high inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity, TNBC poses significant chanllenges for personalized diagnosis and treatment. The advant of clustered regular interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has profoundly enhanced our understanding of the structure and function of the TNBC genome, providing a powerful tool for investigating the occurrence and development of diseases. This review focuses on the application of CRISPR/Cas technology in the personalized diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. We begin by discussing the unique attributes of TNBC and the limitations of current diagnostic and treatment approaches: conventional diagnostic methods provide limited insights into TNBC, while traditional chemotherapy drugs are often associated with low efficacy and severe side effects. The CRISPR/Cas system, which activates Cas enzymes through complementary guide RNAs (gRNAs) to selectively degrade specific nucleic acids, has emerged as a robust tool for TNBC research. This technology enables precise gene editing, allowing for a deeper understanding of TNBC heterogeneity by marking and tracking diverse cell clones. Additionally, CRISPR facilitates high-throughput screening to promptly identify genes involved in TNBC growth, metastasis, and drug resistance, thus revealing new therapeutic targets and strategies. In TNBC diagnostics, CRISPR/Cas was applied to develop molecular diagnostic systems based on Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, each employing distinct detection principles. These systems can sensitively and specifically detect a variety of TNBC biomarkers, including cell-specific DNA/RNA and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). In the realm of precision therapy, CRISPR/Cas has been utilized to identify key genes implicated in TNBC progression and treatment resistance. CRISPR-based screening has uncovered potential therapeutic targets, while its gene-editing capabilities have facilitated the development of combination therapies with traditional chemotherapy drugs, enhancing their efficacy. Despite its promise, the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas technology remains in its early stages. Several clinical trials are underway to assess its safety and efficacy in the treatment of various genetic diseases and cancers. Challenges such as off-target effects, editing efficiency, and delivery methods remain to be addressed. The integration of CRISPR/Cas with other technologies, such as 3D cell culture systems, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to further advance precision medicine for TNBC. These technological convergences can offer deeper insights into disease mechanisms and facilitate the development of personalized treatment strategies. In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas system holds immense potential in the precise diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. As the technology progresses and becomes more costs-effective, its clinical relevance will grow, and the translation of CRISPR/Cas system data into clinical applications will pave the way for optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies for TNBC patients. However, technical hurdles and ethical considerations require ongoing research and regulation to ensure safety and efficacy.
2.Biological characteristics of spontaneous ovarian cancer in Microtusfortis.
Junkang ZHOU ; Tianqiong HE ; Yixin WEN ; Qian LIU ; Wenling ZHI ; Lingxuan OUYANG ; Yushan QI ; Xin GAO ; Zikang ZHOU ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(1):11-22
OBJECTIVES:
Wild-caught Microtus fortis (M. fortis) at the age of 9-15 months can develop epithelial ovarian cancers similar to human epithelial ovarian cancers under natural conditions during experimental animal breeding, but its pathological types and biological characteristics remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the biological characteristics of spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis, intending to develop M. fortis as an animal model for human epithelial ovarian cancer.
METHODS:
The female M. fortis (9-15 months old) with spontaneous ovarian cancer were selected as the experimental group, and healthy M. fortis from the same litter were selected as the control group. The ovarian pathological changes of the two groups were observed by dissection. Blood routine and biochemical indicators were measured by biochemical analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the ovarian cancer tissue of M. fortis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of common ovarian cancer markers, and real-time RT-PCR was used to analyze the transcription levels of ovarian cancer-related genes.
RESULTS:
Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis mainly affects both ovaries, with tumors appearing solid or cystic. HE staining and histopathological analysis confirmed that the ovarian tumors originated from ovarian surface epithelium. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly decreased hemoglobin (P<0.01), hematocrit (P<0.05), albumin (P<0.05), and blood glucose levels (P<0.01), while lymphocyte percentage (P<0.05), monocyte percentage (P<0.05), cholesterol (P<0.01), and progesterone (P<0.01) levels were significantly increased. Expression of ovarian cancer-related genes, including ID3, CDC42, RHOA, RB1CC1, NF1, PIN1, MIB1, PDS5A, MCM7, and MLH1, was significantly downregulated (all P<0.05), while PAX8 gene expression was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that Wilms' tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein was mainly distributed throughout the cell, with significantly higher expression in ovarian cancer M. fortis. Tumor protein 53 (TP53) was expressed in both healthy and ovarian cancer M. fortis and was distributed throughout the cell. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta (HNF1B) and progesterone receptor (PR) protein were highly expressed in the ovarian tissue of healthy M. fortis but were significantly reduced in the ovarian cancer M. fortis, though both were located in the cytoplasm.
CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous ovarian cancer in M. fortis is serous ovarian cancer. Compared to healthy M. fortis, significant differences were observed in ovarian tissue morphology, biochemical indicators, ovarian cancer-related gene expression, and protein expression, which show similarity to the biological characteristics of human serous ovarian cancer. This suggests that M. fortis could be an ideal animal model for studying human serous ovarian cancer.
Female
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Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Humans
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Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/metabolism*
;
Ovary/pathology*
3.Construction and practice of smart health and elderly care standard system in Shanghai
Jian WANG ; Mianzhi CHENG ; Xiaohua YE ; Weihua GU ; Chun FAN ; Yuyao JIANG ; Min XU ; Yihan XU ; Yang WANG ; Xiaoyan GU ; Yihua JIANG ; Liying YAO ; Shusheng OUYANG ; Xin LIU ; Xijie YUAN ; Jian CHEN ; Ni YANG ; Qi CHEN ; Jingjing FANG
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(1):83-90
With the rapid development of population aging in various countries around the world,the health and elderly care industry has been paid high attention.The standardization of smart health and elderly care technology and services is particularly important.This paper firstly reviewed the policies related to healthy elderly care in China.By analyzing the industrial standards and provincial standards issued,this paper focused on the policies proposed by the Shanghai Municipal Government for the standardization of smart health and elderly care,as well as the researches on the standard system and the construction of standard families.Shanghai group standards in the field of smart health and elderly care were summarized,including the guidelines for the construction of standard systems,elderly care service platforms,community elderly cafeterias,portable health monitoring terminals,indoor sports services,and home-based elderly care safety monitoring.A series of case analyses of the standardized implementation of the above aspects were also provided.Through standardization research and practice in recent years,it has been fully demonstrated that the standard research plays an important leading role in the field of smart health and elderly care.
4.Current situation and risk factors of"socialized hospitalization"in elderly stroke patients
Jinxiao CAI ; Xiangyu MENG ; Tangpeng OUYANG ; Xin YU
Journal of Navy Medicine 2025;46(9):946-950
Objective To investigate the current situation and risk factors of"socialized hospitalization"in elderly stroke patients.Methods A total of 329 elderly stroke patients who were admitted to No.971 Hospital of PLA Navy from January 2022 to December 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective study.The patients without"socialized hospitalization"were assigned to the control group(n=258),and those with"socialized hospitalization"were assigned to observation group(n=71).The age,gender,admission route,department transfer during hospitalization,hospital-acquired infection,depressive symptoms,cognitive impairment,activity of daily living(ADL)level at discharge were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of"socialized hospitalization"in elderly stroke patients.Results There were no significant differences in gender,age,route of admission,or department transfer during hospitalization between the two groups(P>0.05).The proportions of patients with hospital-acquired infections,cognitive impairment,depressive symptoms and ADL meeting discharge standards in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hospital-acquired infections,depressive symptoms and severe ADL level at discharge were independent risk factors for"socialized hospitalization"in elderly stroke patients(P<0.05).Conclusion There is a high proportion of"socialized hospitalization"in elderly patients with stroke.The main risk factors are hospital-acquired infection,cognitive impairment,depressive symptoms and ADL level at discharge.Active and effective measures should be taken to deal with them.
5.Role of Folic Acid Supplementation on Association between Short Inter-Pregnancy Intervals and Adverse Birth Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Changsha, China.
Zhi Qing ZHAO ; Ling CHEN ; Wen Bin OUYANG ; Jing DENG ; Xiao Hui CHEN ; Xin HUANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):751-756
6.Protective effects of pueraria isoflavones on myocardial injury in ovariectomized rats via LKB1/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway
Ying ZHANG ; Can-Yue OUYANG ; Lan-Ying CHEN ; Bei-Xin YUAN ; Hong-Wei CUI ; Xin-Xu XIE ; Peng LIU ; Rong-Hua LIU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(8):2542-2551
AIM To study the protective effects and mechanism of pueraria isoflavones on myocardial injury in ovariectomized rats.METHODS Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the estradiol valerate group(0.1 mg/kg)and the low,medium and high dose pueraria isoflavones groups(55,110,220 mg/kg).In contrast to the rats of the sham operation group having their small pieces of adipose tissue removal around the ovaries,rats of the other groups had their bilateral ovaries excised,followed by the 16-week corresponding oral drug administration 2 weeks later at a once daily frequency for,6 days a week.At the end of the 16th week,the rats had their hemodynamics[systolic pressure(SBP),diastolic pressure(DBP),mean pressure(MBP),left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP),left ventricular diastolic pressure(LVMP),and the maximum rate of increase and decrease of left ventricular pressure during isovolumic contraction(±dp/dtmax)]detected by PowerLab;their cardiac pathological changes observed by HE staining;their levels of creatine kinase(CK),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and glucose(Glu)in plasma detected by biochemical analyzer;their myocardial level of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)detected by colorimetry;their mRNA expressions of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4),lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1(CPT-1α),acyl coenzyme A carboxylase(ACC),liver kinase B1(LKB1),adenylate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator factor 1α(PGC-1α)detected by RT-qPCR;and their myocardial expressions of energy metabolism related proteins LKB1,p-AMPK/AMPK and PGC-1α detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the pueraria isoflavones groups displayed decreased levels of SBP,DBP,MBP,LVSP,LVMP(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased-dp/dtmax(P<0.05,P<0.01);improved myocardial fibrinolysis,gap widening and inflammatory infiltration caused by ovariectomy;decreased activities of LDH and CK(P<0.05);increased myocardial ATP level(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased levels of TC,TG,LDL-C and Glu(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased HDL-C level(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased myocardial mRNA expressions of GLUT4,LDHA,CPT-1α,ACC,LKB1,AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.05,P<0.01);and increased protein expressions of myocardial LKB1,p-AMPK/AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Pueraria isoflavones are protective to myocardial injury in ovariectomized rats,and the mechanism may lie in the improvement of energy metabolism-related myocardial proteins via LKB1/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.
7.Secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi Candida sp.of Berberis atrocarpa
Ming-Zhuo GUO ; Shu-Fang MA ; Shi-Miao WANG ; Ya-Ping FENG ; Yan OUYANG ; Ke-Jian PANG ; Zi-Wei JIAO ; Xin-Zhou YANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(9):3000-3005
AIM To study the secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungi Candida sp.of Berberis atrocarpa Schneid.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction and petroleum ether fraction from the secondary metabolites of Candida sp.fermentation extract were separated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and preparative liquid chromatography,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol(1),4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol(2),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(3),4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(4),3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(5),3-methylsulfinyl propionic acid(6),phenylacetic acid(7),(S)-N-nitroso-1-amino-p-hydroxy phenylethanol(8),2-phenylacetamide(9),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(10),ethyl 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate(11),dibutyl phthalate(12),5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diol(13),3-indolealdehyde(14),N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine(15),9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid(16),9-hydroxy-10E,12E-octadecadienoic acid(17),(6E)-5-methylene-6-tetradecenoic acid(18).CONCLUSION Compounds 1,3-8 and 10-18 are isolated from Candida sp for the first time.
8.Comparison of CT Features of Solid Components in Benign and Malignant Mixed Ground-Glass Nodules
Yue ZHANG ; Qi LI ; Zubin OUYANG ; Xin FAN ; Peiling ZOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(6):564-571
Purpose To explore the CT features of solid components between benign and malignant mixed ground-glass nodules(mGGO),and between minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA)and invasive adenocarcinoma(IAC),and to improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of mGGO.Materials and Methods The clinical and imaging data of 313 patients with mGGO admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2016 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and all patients were divided into benign group(95 cases)and malignant group(218 cases)according to follow-up or pathological results.All patients in malignant group were further divided into MIA(118 cases)and IAC(100 cases)groups.Logistic regression analysis models were established using the statistically significant CT features above,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of the model.Results ① Comparison of clinical characteristics between benign and malignant groups:malignant mGGO were more common in older people,females and nonsmokers,without smoking history,and the differences between two groups were significantly different(Z=-3.776,χ2=13.587,19.257;all P<0.001).②Comparison of CT features between benign and malignant groups:benign group existed a higher proportion of single solid component(84.21%vs.55.50%),while malignant group existed a higher proportion of multiple solid components(44.50%vs.15.79%),and the difference between two groups was significantly different(χ2=23.728,P<0.001).As for patients with single solid component,the solid components in malignant group were more likely to be irregular,mostly with eccentric distribution,and the proportion of solid components connected with blood vessels and pleura were higher than the benign group,the differences between two groups were significant(χ2=23.785,5.025,7.264;all P<0.05).Meanwhile,the benign group also had higher CT value[-153.00(-254.00,-80.50)Hu vs.-265.00(-363.25,-122.00)Hu],while lower relative CT value(0.30±0.16 vs.0.41±0.22),the differences between two groups were significant(all P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis:irregular morphology of the solid component(OR=0.236,P<0.001)and higher CT value(OR=1.009,P<0.05)were independent predictors of malignant mGGO.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the AUC was 0.772,and its accuracy,sensitivity and specificity was 70.65%,74.40%and 65.00%,respectively.③Comparison of CT features between MIA and IAC groups:MIA group existed a higher proportion of single solid component(74.58%vs.33.00%),while IAC group existed a higher proportion of multiple solid components(67.00%vs.25.42%),and the difference between two groups was significantly different(χ2=37.885,P<0.001).As for patients with single solid component,the solid components in IAC group were more likely to be irregular,it also had higher area,area proportion,and CT value,while lower relative CT value than the MIA group,the differences between two groups were significant(χ2=7.563,Z=-4.388,-3.923,-3.996;all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis:eccentric distribution of the solid component(OR=0.083,P<0.05)and large area(OR=1.063,P<0.05)were independent predictors of IAC.ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC was 0.865,and its accuracy,sensitivity and specificity was 83.47%,87.90%and 68.20%,respectively.Conclusion The solid components between benign and malignant nodules as well as between MIA and IAC show different CT features.Based on these different features,it's helpful to improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy of mGGO and guide the clinical treatment plans.
9.Effects of Medial Protrusio Technique of Total Hip Arthroplasty on Acetabular Cup in Adult Patient with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip:A Finite Element Analysis
Xin ZHANG ; Wenjie LIN ; Bin HE ; Bolin FENG ; Haicong CHEN ; Huan ZHONG ; Hanbin OUYANG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(3):421-427
Objective To investigate the biomechanical effects of the medial protrusio technique on the acetabular cup in adult patients with developmental hip(DDH)after total hip arthroplasty.Methods The CT scanning data of bilateral hips from an adult patient with unilateral DDH were obtained further to develop a finite element model of the affected hemipelvis.The medial protrusio technique with various levels of medial protrusio was simulated,and the biomechanical differences between the medial protrusio and non-protrusio groups were evaluated.Results In the simulated pull-out test,the maximum anti-pull-out load strength of the non-protrusio group was 1 166 N.Compared with the non-protrusio group,the anti-pull-out load strength of the 4 mm and 8 mm medial protrusio groups increased by 45.8%and 57.1%,respectively.The peak micromotion at the cup-bone interface for the non-protrusio group was 166.4 μm in the standing phase of the gait cycle,and that of the 4 mm and 8 mm medial protrusio groups was decreased by 46.2%and 62.1%,respectively.Regarding the immediate stress distributions of periacetabular bone tissues following cup implantation,the differences between the groups were not significant.Under the loading condition of the standing phase,the non-protrusio group yielded the lowest average and peak stresses.The average stress increased with the level of medial protrusio,and the highest peak stress was observed in the 4 mm medial protrusio group.Conclusions The medial protrusio technique can improve the initial stability of the acetabular cup,and the initial stability is positively proportional to the protrusio level.However,owing to the concentration of marginal stress at the cup-bone interface,a minor medial protrusio cup with insufficient bone coverage might increase the risk of various prosthesis-related complications.
10.Research progress of semaphorins in rheumatoid arthritis
Dan OUYANG ; Yuanzhi MA ; Xin LI ; Jianzhong CAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(9):2001-2005
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a common systemic autoimmune disease.Chronic synovial inflammation,angiogene-sis,pannus formation,joint destruction of cartilage and bone are important pathological characteristics in RA.Semaphorins(Sema)is a kind of secreted and membrane-bound glycoprotein with nerve guiding effect.Recent studies have shown that Sema family members play an important role in the various pathological stages of RA.Therefore,this paper reviews and discusses the latest research progress on the involvement of Sema family members in different pathological links of RA,which can help to find new feasible targets for RA and provide new research ideas for the pathogenesis of RA.

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