1.Multicenter machine learning-based construction of a model for predicting potential organ donors and validation with decision curve analysis
Xu WANG ; Wenxiu LI ; Fenghua WANG ; Shuli WU ; Dong JIA ; Xin GE ; Zhihua SHAN ; Tongzuo LI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(1):106-115
Objective To evaluate the predictive value of different machine learning models constructed in a multicenter environment for potential organ donors and verify their clinical application feasibility. Methods The study included 2 000 inpatients admitted to five domestic tertiary hospitals from January 2020 to December 2023, who met the criteria for potential organ donation assessment. They were randomly divided into a training set and an internal validation set (7∶3). Another 300 similar patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2024 to April 2025 were included as an external validation set. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and F1-score of three models were compared, and the consistency of the potential organ donor determination process was tested. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors of potential organ donors. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was employed to verify the resource efficiency of each model, and the threshold interval and intervention balance point were assessed. Results Apart from age, there were no significant differences in other basic characteristics among the centers (all P>0.05). The consistency of the potential organ donor determination process among researchers in each center was good [all 95% confidence interval (CI) lower limits >0]. In the internal validation set, the XGBoost model had the best predictive performance (AUC=0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.94) and the best calibration (P=0.441, Brier score 0.099). In the external validation set, the XGBoost model also had the best predictive performance (AUC=0.91, 95% CI 0.88-0.94), outperforming logistic regression and random forest models. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mechanical ventilation had the greatest impact (odds ratio=2.06, 95% CI 1.54-2.76, P<0.001). DCA indicated that the XGBoost model had the highest net benefit in the threshold interval of 0.2-0.6. The “treat all” strategy only had a slight advantage at extremely low thresholds. The recommended threshold interval, which balances intervention costs and clinical benefits, considers ≥50% positive predictive value (PPV) and ≤50 referrals per 100 high-risk patients. Conclusions The XGBoost model established in a multicenter environment is accurate and well-calibrated in predicting potential organ donors. Combined with DCA, it may effectively guide the timing of clinical interventions and resource allocation, providing new ideas for the assessment and management of organ donation after brain death.
2.Acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase 2-mediated acetyl-coenzyme A accumulation promotes mitophagy and tumor growth via increased H3K27ac in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Shan LI ; Jie HU ; Yihan YAN ; Xinrui LIU ; Xiao DONG ; Huijun LIANG ; Xin TANG ; Junji TAO ; Rong ZHANG ; Yuan HU ; Ailong HUANG ; Kai WANG ; Ni TANG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):661-682
Background/Aims:
Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial.
Methods:
A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining.
Results:
Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth.
Conclusions
These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.
3.Brusatol induces apoptosis in small cell lung cancer by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation
Hui-lan WEI ; Xin-yu WEI ; Mu-zi JIANG ; Shan-shan WEI ; Zhuo LUO ; Jie YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1940-1947
Aim To investigate the effect of Brusatol a-gainst small cell lung cancer(SCLC)and its potential mechanism.Methods CCK-8 assay and flow cytome-try were used to detect the cytotoxic effect of Brusatol on SCLC cells.Western blot was employed to measure the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins,in-cluding cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(cleaved-PARP),B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax).Network pharma-cology databases were utilized to identify common tar-gets of Brusatol,SCLC,and apoptosis.Kyoto Encyclo-pedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene On-tology(GO)enrichment analyses were performed on the intersecting genes.Molecular docking simulations between Brusatol and core targets were conducted using the CB-DOCK2 online platform to calculate binding en-ergies and sites.Western blot was further applied to detect the expression levels of signal transducer and ac-tivator of transcription 3(STAT3)and phosphorylated-STAT3(p-STAT3).Results Brusatol inhibited SCLC cell growth and induced apoptosis,significantly downregulating Bcl-2 and cleaved-PARP while upregu-lating Bax expression(P<0.05).Network pharma-cology analysis revealed 108 common targets of Brusa-tol and SCLC,with the top three core targets being ep-idermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),STAT3,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF).Molecular docking re-sults indicated strong binding affinity between bruceine D and these core targets.Western blot validation con-firmed that bruceine D suppressed the expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3.Conclusion Brusatol exerts anti-SCLC effects by inhibiting STAT3 to induce apop-tosis in SCLC cells.
4.A comparative study on pregnancy characteristics and preterm birth risks between assisted reproductive technology and natural conceived couples
Qiu-ping WAN ; Xin CUI ; Xiao-ming YANG ; Nai-si QIAN ; Shan JIN ; Xiao-ting CHU ; Chun-fang WANG ; Hui-ting YU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(5):617-628
Objective To investigate the differences in demographic characteristics,reproductive health status,and the distribution of pregnancy-related diseases between couples conceived via assisted reproductive technology(ART)and naturally conceived couples,and to analyze the impact of ART treatment on the incidence of preterm birth(PTB)in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the maternal and infant cohort data of Jing'an District from 2013 to 2020.Based on the conception method,the subjects were categorized into two groups:the ART group and the natural conception group.Chi-square test was applied to compare baseline characteristics and disease distributions differences between the two groups,and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ART and the PTB risks.A causal mediation model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of twin and multiple pregnancy in the relationship between ART and PTB.Results A total of 117 717 parturients were included,6 265 in the ART group and 111 452 in the natural conception group.Compared with the natural conception group,couples in the ART group were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of reproductive system diseases.The incidences of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in ART parturient were 13.76%and 9.99%,respectively,which were significantly higher than 7.88%and 4.75%in the natural conception group(both P<0.001).The overall PTB rate in the ART group was 14.81%,higher than 5.35%in the natural conceptions group(P<0.001).The PTB rate in ART for singleton pregnancies in the ART group was 6.40%,higher than 4.83%in the natural conception group(P<0.001),while the PTB rate in ART for twin and multiple pregnancies in the ART group was 53.97%,lower than 60.42%in the natural conception group(P<0.05).Mediation analysis showed that 97.99%of the effect of ART on PTB was mediated by twin and multiple pregnancy,with ART increasing the PTB risk by 3.44 times through multiple pregnancy.Conclusion The overall PTB rate of ART recipients is higher than that of natural recipients,but ART does not increase the PTB risk in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Twin and multiple pregnancy is the key mediating factor contributing to PTB in ART-conceived recipients.Compared with naturally conceived couples,ART conception couples own more advanced maternal age,and have higher risks of suffering gestational diabetes,gestational hypertension,and PTB.
5.circHERC4_041 Inhibits the Fibrotic Phenotype of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Encoding Protein
Yuan GAO ; Chuan-Meng ZHOU ; Hua-Yan WU ; Ya WANG ; Ru-Shi WU ; Pei-Ying GUAN ; Jun-Tao FANG ; Jin-Dong XU ; Yu-Peng LIU ; Zhi-Qin HU ; Zhi-Xin SHAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):393-403
A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P<0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P<0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.
6.Chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity
Zhang-xian CHEN ; Hai-ming WANG ; Yun-tao ZHANG ; Mao-xin DENG ; Kui-lin ZHU ; Jin-lian ZOU ; Jian WANG ; Shan-shan WEI ; Hong-ping HE ; Fa-wu DONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3290-3297
AIM To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii Hook.f.and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The monophenolase inhibitory activity was determined by the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of L-tyrosine.RESULTS Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified as sesamin(1),methyl caffeate(2),quercetin(3),5,7-dihydroxychromanone(4),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(5),esculetin(6),kaempferol(7),naringenin(8),pyrogallic acid(9),pinosylvin(10),methyl propionate(11),caffeic acid(12),saccharinol(13),ferulic acid(14),trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid(15),cinnamic acid(16),vanillic acid(17),vanillin(18),4-hydroxyacetophenone(19),4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(20),apigenin(21),(-)-isolariciresinol(22),(-)-secoisolariciresinol(23)and meso-2,3-di(3′,4′-methylenedioxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol(24).The IC50 values of compounds 3,5,7,8,19,and 20 ranged from(0.246 5±0.028 3)to(1.278 2±0.021 3)mmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-9、11、15、17-21、24 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and 1,6,9,17-19,24 are first isolated from genus Balanophora.Compounds 3、5、7、8、19 and 20 have tyrosinase inhibitory activity.
7.circHERC4_041 Inhibits the Fibrotic Phenotype of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Encoding Protein
Yuan GAO ; Chuan-Meng ZHOU ; Hua-Yan WU ; Ya WANG ; Ru-Shi WU ; Pei-Ying GUAN ; Jun-Tao FANG ; Jin-Dong XU ; Yu-Peng LIU ; Zhi-Qin HU ; Zhi-Xin SHAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):393-403
A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P<0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P<0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.
8.Dynamic changes of serum exosome miR-552 and miR-653 levels be-fore and after chemotherapy in gastric cancer and their relationship with clinical benefit
Xiao-rui ZHAO ; Run-chun HAO ; Meng-jing HE ; Shan-shan SU ; Bing-xin YANG ; Wen-zhong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(3):208-212
Objective:To analyze the dynamic changes of serum exosome miR-552 and miR-653 levels in pa-tients with gastric cancer before and after chemotherapy and their relationship with clinical benefit.Methods:IA total of 128 patients with gastric cancer received chemotherapy from January 2022 to January 2024.According to the chemo-therapy effect,the two groups were divided into disease progression group and disease remission group.The levels of serum exosome miR-552 and miR-653 before and after chemotherapy were detected in the two groups,the risk fac-tors affecting the chemotherapy effect of gastric cancer patients were screened,the risk nomogram model was con-structed,and the efficacy was evaluated.Results:The proportion of TNM stage(Ⅲ+Ⅳ),lymph node metastasis,dis-tant metastasis,tumor size(>5 cm),invasion depth(T3/T4)and tumor growth pattern(invasive type)in disease progres-sion group was higher than that in disease remission group(P<0.05).The levels of serum exosomes miR-552 and miR-653 in disease progression group were higher than those in remission group before and after chemotherapy(P<0.05).Compared with before chemotherapy,miR-552 and miR-653 levels in both groups decreased(P<0.05).Logistic regres-sion analysis showed that TNM stage,lymph node metastasis,distant metastasis,tumor size,invasion depth,miR-552 and miR-653 were all risk factors affecting the chemotherapy efficacy of gastric cancer(P<0.05).ROC curve results showed that the AUC,95%CI,sensitivity and specificity of risk nomogram model to predict chemotherapy efficacy of gastric cancer were 0.867,0.672~0.991,92.80%and 80.40%,respectively(P<0.001).Calibration curve results showed that both predicted and actual predicted values were near the ideal curve,and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit curve test χ2=1.869,P=0.782.Conclusion:The levels of serum exosomes miR-552 and miR-653 are closely related to the chemotherapy efficacy of gastric cancer,and dynamic monitoring of the above indexes is helpful for the evaluation of the disease and prognosis of gastric cancer.In this study,the risk nomogram model constructed based on the above indexes and other risk factors has high predictive value and clinical practicability for chemotherapy efficacy in patients with gastric cancer.
9.Guideline for assessment and maintenance of intrinsic capacity in older adults
Wenjing LIU ; Zhiwen WANG ; Yuelin YU ; Xin REN ; Hui JU ; Hong CHEN ; Junxin WANG ; Shan-shan CHEN ; Jia ZHOU ; Mo YI ; Wenxia WANG ; Lingjuan ZHANG ; Siye CHEN ; Yufan YANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Hong SUN
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(3):261-265
Objective This study aims to develop a guideline for assessing and maintaining intrinsic capacity in older adults,offer recommendations to professionals regarding these assessments,and encourage the implementation of evidence-based clinical practices across various settings,including communities,hospitals,nursing homes,and other geriatric care environments.Methods An evidence-based approach guided the collection of questions through a lit-erature review.Preliminary recommendations were developed through a systematic search of domestic and interna-tional guideline networks,professional association websites,and comprehensive databases.Subsequently,the recom-mendations were revised,and the consensus was achieved through a round of expert consensus meetings and 3 rounds of expert correspondence,culminating in the formation of the guidelines.Results The developed guideline encompasses 2 aspects and 5 dimensions of assessment and maintenance,comprising a total of 28 questions and 39 recommendations.Specifically,6 questions and 9 recommendations were formulated for the cognitive dimension,5 questions and 7 recommendations for the locomotion dimension,6 questions and 7 recommendations for the vitality dimension,6 questions and 9 recommendations for the psychological dimension,and 5 questions and 7 recommenda-tions for the sensory dimension.Among these,34 are classified as strong recommendations,while 5 are categorized as weak recommendations.Conclusion The guideline offers scientifically robust,acceptable,and comprehensible rec-ommendations that equip the professionals with a foundation for decision-making aiming at preserving the intrinsic capacity of older adults.
10.Dosimetry influence of immobilization devices and treatment couches on planned dose in stereotactic radio-therapy planning
Zhirui SHAN ; Zun PIAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Xin YANG ; Sijuan HUANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(17):2683-2688
Objective To investigate the impact of immobilization devices and treatment couches on the planned dose in stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT).Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving 23 SBRT patients,all of whom underwent CT simulation with foam padding or vacuum bag immobilization.For each patient,two sets of contours were outlined on CT images:one encompassing only the patient's skin(Body),and the other including the skin plus immobilization devices(BodyF).Initially,a reference plan(noFC)meeting clinical requirements was generated based on the Body contour.Without altering the plan(noFC)parameters and field setups,plan calculations were performed separately based on three different contours:BodyF(with immobi-lization devices only),Body+C(with treatment couch only),and BodyF+C(with both immobilization devices and treatment couch),yielding plan(F),plan(C),and plan(FC),respectively.By comparing the target and skin dose parameters across these four plans,the effects of immobilization devices and treatment couches on the planned dose were evaluated.Results Compared to plans based solely on the patient's skin contour,plans incorporating immobilization devices showed reduced high-dose,prescription dose coverage,and average dose in the target volume.Notably,the difference in the percentage of the planning target volume(PTV)receiving 105%of the prescribed dose(PTV/V105%p(%))between plan(FC)and plan(noFC)could reach 61.86%.Conversely,plans with immobilization devices increased both the maximum and average skin doses.Specifically,the dose to 10 cc of skin within 2 mm of the surface(body 2 mm/D 10 cc(Gy))showed a 21.36%difference between plan(FC)and plan(noFC).For all target and skin parameters,no statistically significant differences were observed between plan(C)and plan(noFC).Among plans with immobilization devices,the minimum distance from the target to the skin correlated inversely with skin dose,indicating greater impact on skin dose with closer proximity.Conclusions Immobilization devices in SBRT lead to beam attenuation and altered build-up effects,significantly reducing target dose parameters while increasing skin dose.The closer the target is to the skin,the greater the impact of immobiliza-tion devices on skin dose.It is recommended to incorporate immobilization devices into the contour design during radiotherapy planning.

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