1.Immunodynamic changes in a mouse model of malignant pleural effusion
Xiao-Lei WEI ; Xu GUO ; Chuang-Xin ZHANG ; Qi WANG ; Xiao-Fan LIU ; Ming-Ming SHAO ; Huan-Zhong SHI ; Kan ZHAI
Laboratory Animal Research 2026;42(1):59-67
Background:
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common complication of advanced cancers, is associated with poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. Although host–tumor interactions are known to drive MPE development, the associated immune dynamics during disease progression remain unclear. Using a Lewis lung carcinoma-induced MPE model in C57BL/6JNidfc mice, we systematically evaluated general parameters and immune cell changes at two-day intervals throughout disease progression.
Results:
The day of Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection into the pleural space was designated as day 0. By day 10 post-injection (p.i.), MPE-bearing mice exhibited ~ 10% body weight loss, marking the experimental endpoint. Pleural tumor mass and pleural effusion volume were minimal up to day 4 p.i. but increased sharply from day 6 onward.CD45⁺ immune cell counts rose over time, and days 6, 8, and 10 p.i. marked key stages of MPE progression. On day 6, B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, but not macrophages and neutrophils, increased significantly compared to earlier timepoints. By day 8, all immune cell subsets except T cells exceeded day 6 levels, and at day 10, natural killer cell numbers declined while others continued to increase. Besides, the numbers of CD8⁺ T cells, Th1 cells, regulatory T cells, and M2 macrophages progressively increased from day 6 to 10. Based on these data, days 6 and 10 were defined as early and advanced MPE stages, respectively, with distinct immune phenotypes. In advanced MPE, CD8⁺ T cells displayed reduced IFN-γ, TNF-α, Granzyme B, Perforin, FasL, and Ki-67, but upregulated PD-1 and CTLA-4 relative to early stage. Similarly, Th1 cells showed decreased IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 production along with reduced Ki-67 expression. Advanced-stage M2 macrophages exhibited lower MHC-II levels and impaired phagocytosis, but higher PD-L1 and IL-10 production, while neutrophils showed reduced TNF-α release and phagocytic activity.
Conclusions
Our findings characterize the temporal immune dynamics associated with MPE progression in a mouse model, revealing a transition from an early immunostimulatory state to a late immunosuppressive state. This study enhances our understanding of MPE immunopathogenesis and provides a foundation for developing precise, stagespecific therapeutic strategies.
2.Bioengineered miR-148a-3p suppresses glycolysis and amino acid homeostasis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating multiple solute carrier transporters
Su Guan ; Xin Li ; Yimei Wang ; Mei-Juan Tu ; Ai-Ming Yu
Liver Research 2026;10(2):166-176
Background and aims
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are metabolically reprogrammed for excessive uptake and metabolism of many nutrients. The tumor suppressive microRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a-3p) is downregulated in HCC, whereas its function in regulating HCC cell metabolism remains obscure. Herein we aimed to delineate the role of miR-148a-3p in HCC cell metabolism by using novel bioengineered miR-148a-3p (BioRNALeu/miR-148a-3p) agent produced in vivo.
Methods
BioRNALeu/miR-148a-3p was designed by using human leucyl transfer RNA fused hsa-pre-miR-34a carrier, overexpressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli), and purified to high homogeneity. After transfection into HCC cells, the released miR-148a-3p levels were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell proliferation was determined by CellTiter-Glo assays. Targets were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence confocal imaging. Glycolysis capacity was evaluated by Seahorse XF assays, and glucose, lactate, and amino acid levels were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods.
Results
BioRNALeu/miR-148a-3p was efficiently processed into target miR-148a-3p in HCC cells to effectively inhibit cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mechanistically, miR-148a-3p suppressed the protein levels of glucose transporter GLUT1/SLC2A1 and L-type amino acid transporter LAT1/SLC7A5 via acting on their 3′-untranslated regions, as well as amino acid transporter ASCT2/SLC1A5. These, in turn, led to a reduction of glucose uptake, lactate production, and glycolytic flux in HCC cells, and alteration of intracellular amino acid metabolome including glutamine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and methionine.
Conclusions
Reintroduction of miR-148a-3p into HCC cells modulates glucose and amino acid metabolism via regulating multiple SLC transporters, thereby suppressing HCC cell viability. These findings highlight the role of miR-148a-3p in HCC cell metabolism and potential of bioengineered miRNA molecules for functional studies and therapeutic development.
3.Creation and Exploration of the"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"Disci-pline Construction Model for Forensic Medicine in the New Era
Zhi-Wen WEI ; Hong-Xing WANG ; Jun-Hong SUN ; Hao-Liang FAN ; Hong-Liang SU ; Le-Le WANG ; Wen-Ting HE ; Zhe CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiang-Jie GUO ; Ji LI ; Geng-Qian ZHANG ; Xin-Hua LIANG ; Jiang-Wei YAN ; Qiang-Qiang ZHANG ; Cai-Rong GAO ; Ying-Yuan WANG ; Hong-Wei WANG ; Jun XIE ; Bo-Feng ZHU ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):25-29
Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.
4.Exploration of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities in patients with recurrent miscarriage in the population undergoing IVF/ICSI-assisted pregnancy
Ming SHI ; Chen ZHANG ; Xin KANG ; Yuxin WANG ; Yang SHI ; Wenxiu ZHU ; Jing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(5):489-494
Objective:To investigate the factors associated with chromosomal abnormalities in embryos of patients with recurrent miscarriage in the in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) population, and to establish a prediction model for chromosomal abnormalities. Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study, aborted tissues were collected from 349 patients who attended the Reproductive and Genetic Laboratory Sports New Town Ward of Dalian Women's and Children's Medical Center (Group) after IVF/ICSI from September 2019 to October 2024, and the samples were examined by copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) combined with short tandem repeat (STR) technology. According to the test results, the aborted tissues were divided into chromosome normal and chromosome abnormal groups. Factors affecting the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities were analyzed by univariate analysis and multifactorial logistic regression.Results:1) By CNV-seq combined with STR method, a total of 252 cases (72.21%, 252/349) of chromosomal abnormalities were detected, while 97 cases had normal chromosomes. 2) The results of univariate analysis showed that the differences in female age, female body mass index (BMI), gestational week, number of miscarriages, progesterone level after 14 d post-transplantation, ovarian reserve function, male age, and male BMI were statistically significant between the chromosome normal group and the chromosome abnormal group (all P<0.05). 3) The results of the multifactorial logistic regression model showed that female age ( OR=1.261, 95% CI: 1.137-1.398, P<0.001), female BMI ( OR=1.121, 95% CI: 1.038-1.227, P=0.004), gestational week ( OR=1.406, 95% CI: 1.155-1.711, P=0.001), progesterone level 14 d after transplantation ( OR=1.016, 95% CI: 1.000-1.031, P=0.043), and BMI of the male partner ( OR=1.132, 95% CI: 1.050-1.220, P=0.001) were the independent risk factors of chromosomal abnormalities. 4) There were statistically significant differences in female age, female BMI, gestational week, progesterone level 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI between patients with normal chromosomes and those with trisomy chromosomes in aborted tissues (all P<0.05).Advanced female age was correlated with the occurrence of trisomy 22 ( P<0.05), and there was a correlation between advanced female age and increased male BMI and the occurrence of trisomy 16 (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The increase in maternal age, BMI, gestational age, progesterone levels 14 d after transplantation, and male BMI can all lead to an increase in the rate of chromosomal abnormalities and an increase in the incidence of trisomy. The advanced age of the female, can lead to the occurrence of trisomy 22. The age of the female and the BMI of the male are positively correlated with the abnormality rate of trisomy 16.
5.CRISPR/Cas9 Technology:Exploring The Functions of lncRNAs and Their Roles in Cancer Progression
Xin LI ; Ying HU ; Yu-Ming WANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):364-375
The emergence of CRISPR/Cas system has greatly promoted the progress in the field of gene editing,especially CRISPR/Cas9 system,which has become a core tool in biomedical research.Long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)play a key role in gene regulation,cell differentiation and the development of a variety of diseases.Especially in cancer research,lncRNAs have important application prospects as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.However,lncRNAs are generally characterized by low abun-dance and poor conservation,which limits the study of their functions by traditional means.CRISPR/Cas9 technology provides an efficient,flexible and accurate tool for lncRNA research,which significantly accelerates the progress in this field.This paper first reviews the basic principles of CRISPR/Cas9 system and its wide applications in gene editing,including CRISPR knockout,knock-in,interference,activation and other functional systems.These technologies can not only screen key lncRNAs in specific biological processes,but also be used for gene function research to explore their roles in diseases.This article focu-ses on the analysis of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the study of lncRNA functions,regulatory mecha-nisms,and its key applications in tumor research.In addition,the article also summarizes the methods of genome-wide screening by CRISPR/Cas9 to identify functional lncRNAs,and discusses the roles of these lncRNAs in cancer cell proliferation,migration,invasion and drug resistance.CRISPR/Cas9 knockout system can efficiently knock down lncRNA genes and reveal their specific functions in gene regulation.At the same time,CRISPR activation and interference technology provide a new idea for the research of non-coding genes,and further explore its clinical application in cancer and other diseases by regulating the expression level of lncRNAs.The article also discusses the potential of CRISPR technology in future ln-cRNA research,especially the progress in solving technical problems such as genome complexity,targe-ting efficiency and off-target effects.As mentioned in the review,CRISPR/Cas9 technology not only pro-vides a powerful tool for studying lncRNAs,but also provides new ideas and opportunities for developing new means of cancer diagnosis and treatment in the future.
6.Teaching Practice and Exploration of"Tutorial System"Based on The Cultivation of Scientific Research and Innovation Ability of Medical Students
Qiao ZHANG ; Yin-Feng YANG ; Yue-Li NI ; Zhuo-Ran TENG ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Jing WU ; Yan-Rui WU ; Yu DOU ; Ming HE ; Shu-De LI ; Ping GAN ; Fang YUAN ; Zhe YANG ; Xin-Wang YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):470-480
The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.
7.Effect of miR-129-3p mimetic on bone loss in tail-suspended mice
Yi WU ; Zi-dong AN ; Yong-jie PANG ; Li-qiang WANG ; Xin-yang WANG ; Yu-hai GAO ; Xue-yan LI ; Ke-ming CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):703-709
Aim To study whether intravenous injec-tion of miR-129-3p mimetic(agomir)can resist bone loss caused by hind limb disuse,and to provide new i-deas for preventing bone loss in microgravity environ-ment.Methods Forty-eight C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the control group(CON),tail suspension model group(TS),tail suspension+miR-129-3p agomir administration group(miRNA)and tail suspension+miR-129-3p negative sequence agomir control group(NC).The miRNA group was given 4 mg·kg-1 miR-129-3p agomir by intravenous injection into the medial canthus twice a week.The NC agomir group were consistent with those in the miR-129-3p agomir group,and the CON and TS groups were given only equal volumes of normal saline.After four weeks,all mice were sacrificed and samples were collected.Micro-CT scan of femur,three-point femur bending test,serum bone metabolism index detection,oxidative stress index detection and osteogenesis-related protein expression analysis in bone tissue were per-formed.Results After four weeks,the number of tra-becular bone in the TS group was significantly re-duced,and Tb.BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,Tb.BS/TV and Tb.BV/TV were significantly lower than those in the CON group(P<0.01).While Tb.Sp TS group was significantly higher than the CON group(P<0.05),the maximum load and flexural strength of the femur significantly decreased(P<0.01),the content of ser-um bone formation index PINP was significantly lower than that of the CON group(P<0.01),and the con-tent of bone resorption index CTX-I was significantly higher than that of the CON group(P<0.01),the content of serum oxidative damage indexes 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression of osteogenesis-related pro-teins in bone tissue markedly decreased(P<0.01).However,the increase or decrease of all indexes in miRNA group was significantly lower than that in TS group.Conclusions miR-129-3p mimetic can signifi-cantly reduce bone loss caused by hind limb disuse.This experiment provides a new idea and method for preventing bone loss in microgravity environment.
8.Risk prevention and control and quality efficiency improvement of medical equipment procurement
Quan-quan LI ; Ming QIU ; Shu-ying LI ; Xin-yi HUANG ; Yu ZHENG ; Zhi-ling WANG ; Ke MA
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(3):81-85
Objective To investigate the impact of risk prevention and control on the quality efficiency of medical equipment procurement.Methods The medical equipment procurement projects with enhanced risk prevention measures during 2023(119 items)were assigned to an observation group,while those without strengthened risk control during 2022(118 items)were enrolled into a control group.The two groups were compared in terms of bid failure/rejection rates,procurement completion cycles(including procurement execution cycle and total procurement cycle)and procurement satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software.Results The observation group demonstrated significantly lower bid failure/rejection rates when compared with the control group(≥2 occurrences:5.88%vs.15.25%,P<0.05).The procurement execution cycle was notably shorter in the observation group((69.16±78.65)d vs.(97.67±49.84)d,P<0.05),though no significant difference was observed in total procurement cycle(P>0.05).The observation group behaved better significantly than the control group in procurement efficiency,equipment performance,procedural compliance and post-purchase service satisfaction(all P<0.05).Conclusion Risk prevention and control measures in medical equipment procurement effectively reduce bid failure/rejection risks while enhancing procurement quality efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):81-85]
9.Clinical Features, Prognostic Analysis and Predictive Model Construction of Central Nervous System Invasion in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.
Ya-Ting MA ; Yan-Fang CHEN ; Zhi-Yuan ZHOU ; Lei ZHANG ; Xin LI ; Xin-Hua WANG ; Xiao-Rui FU ; Zhen-Chang SUN ; Yu CHANG ; Fei-Fei NAN ; Ling LI ; Ming-Zhi ZHANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):760-768
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of central nervous system (CNS) invasion in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and construct a risk prediction model for CNS invasion.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 395 patients with PTCL diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS:
The median follow-up time of 395 PTCL patients was 24(1-143) months. There were 13 patients diagnosed CNS invasion, and the incidence was 3.3%. The risk of CNS invasion varied according to pathological subtype. The incidence of CNS invasion in patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) was significantly higher than in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) (P <0.05). The median overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with CNS invasion than in those without CNS involvement, with a median survival time of 2.4(0.6-127) months after diagnosis of CNS invasion. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis showed that more than 1 extranodal involvement (HR=4.486, 95%CI : 1.166-17.264, P =0.029), ALCL subtype (HR=9.022, 95%CI : 2.289-35.557, P =0.002) and ECOG PS >1 (HR=15.890, 95%CI : 4.409-57.262, P <0.001) were independent risk factors for CNS invasion in PTCL patients. Each of these risk factors was assigned a value of 1 point and a new prediction model was constructed. It could stratify the patients into three distinct groups: low-risk group (0-1 point), intermediate-risk group (2 points) and high-risk group (3 points). The 1-year cumulative incidence of CNS invasion in the high-risk group was as high as 50.0%. Further evaluation of the model showed good discrimination and accuracy, and the consistency index was 0.913 (95%CI : 0.843-0.984).
CONCLUSION
The new model shows a precise risk assessment for CNS invasion prediction, while its specificity and sensitivity need further data validation.
Humans
;
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/pathology*
;
Prognosis
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Neoplasm Invasiveness
;
Male
;
Female
;
Central Nervous System/pathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
10.Effects of Prognostic Nutritional Index and Systemic Inflammatory Response Index on Short-Term Efficacy and Prognosis in Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma.
Zi-Qing HUANG ; Yan-Hui LI ; Bin LYU ; Xue-Jiao GU ; Ming-Xi TIAN ; Xin-Yi LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Xiao-Qian LI ; Ying WANG ; Feng ZHU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1350-1357
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) for short-term efficacy and prognosis in newly treated patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).
METHODS:
The general data, laboratory indicators, disease stage and other clinical data of 91 newly treated PTCL patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2015 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The optimal cutoff values for PNI and SIRI were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the patients were stratified into groups based on these cutoffs to compare clinical features and short-term efficacy between the different groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors affecting overall survival (OS).
RESULTS:
The optimal cutoff values for PNI and SIRI were 45.30 and 1.74×109/L, respectively. Patients in different PNI groups showed statistically significant differences in age, Ann Arbor stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, international prognostic index (IPI), prognostic index for PTCL-not otherwise specified (PIT), pathological subtypes, and complete response (CR) rate (P < 0.05). PTCL patients in different SIRI groups exhibited significant differences in Ann Arbor stage, LDH level, IPI score, PIT score, and CR rate (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥60 years old (OR =2.750), Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (OR =5.200), IPI score ≥2 (OR =7.650), low PNI (OR =3.296), and high SIRI (OR =3.130) were independent risk factors affecting treatment efficacy in PTCL patients (P < 0.05). Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis showed that low PNI and elevated β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) levels were independent risk factors affecting OS (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
PNI and SIRI have certain application value in evaluating short-term efficacy and prognosis in patients with PTCL. Compared with SIRI, PNI demonstrates greater predictive value for patient prognosis.
Humans
;
Prognosis
;
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Nutrition Assessment
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
ROC Curve
;
Inflammation


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