1.Research progress on the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer
Tianhao SONG ; Weiheng XU ; Yan WANG ; Li CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(2):65-70
Liver cancer, one of the most common primary malignancies in humans, is a malignant tumor characterized by multifactorial induction, polygenic involvement, and intricate molecular mechanisms. This disease is characterized by its treatment challenges and poor prognosis, which are closely related to its unique tumor microenvironment composition. The tumor microenvironment of liver cancer is a dynamic ecosystem composed of heterogeneous cellular populations, soluble cytokines, and remodeled extracellular matrix. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the study of the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer, revealed an important role in the occurrence, development, and treatment of liver cancer. The key regulatory elements of the tumor microenvironment in liver cancer were systematically summarized, such as activation of hepatic stellate cells, dysfunction of immune cells, abnormalities of platelet, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, which provided theoretical foundations for prevention and treatment strategies against liver cancer.
2.Mammalian pluripotent stem cells:effects on creating disease models,pathogenesis,drug discovery and personalized treatment
Wenqiang XU ; Haolin CHEN ; Chang YAN ; Tao XU ; Yabin XIE ; Xueling LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):136-146
BACKGROUND:The self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation of pluripotent stem cells possess the potential to revolutionize people's understanding of biology,medicine,development,and disease.Stem cells play an important role in the early stage of embryonic development,and the study of them could be beneficial to understanding of the basic principles of biological development and tissue or organ formation,exploring the potential mechanisms of various diseases,studying the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues or organs,and promoting drug discovery and personalized treatment. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of pluripotent stem cells,summarize and categorize the fundamental types of pluripotent stem cells,and elucidate the lineage situations of various types of pluripotent stem cells in common mammals. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched systematically,with the keywords"pluripotent stem cells;embryonic stem cells;induced pluripotent stem cells;expanded potential stem cells;livestock pluripotent stem cells"in English and Chinese.The 99 articles related to mammalian pluripotent stem cells were systematically screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and then reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to classical theory in mouse embryonic stem cell research,the pluripotent state of stem cells is divided into two forms:na?ve and primed.Na?ve state corresponds to the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos before attachment to the uterine wall,while primed state corresponds to the epiblast after implantation.These two states exhibit significant differences in epigenetic features,transcriptional activity,external signal dependency,and metabolic phenotype.It is later discovered that there is an intermediate state between na?ve and primed called formative pluripotency.Therefore,the pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells is a continuous developmental process rather than a unique cell state.(2)In addition to obtaining pluripotent stem cells from the inner cell mass,there are various methods and lineages for acquiring pluripotent stem cells,including embryonic germ cells established using primitive germ cells from mouse embryos,induced pluripotent stem cells created by the dedifferentiation of adult mouse and human fibroblasts with four factors—Oct3/4,Sox2,c-Myc,and Klf4;embryonic stem cell-like cell lines cultured from somatic cell nuclear transfer,parthenogenesis,neonatal or adult testicular or ovarian tissue,very small embryonic-like stem cells derived from various adult tissues and expanded pluripotent stem cells derived from pre-implantation stages.These pluripotent stem cells all share the common characteristics of continuous self-renewal,expressing core pluripotency factors and possessing the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers.(3)Currently,pluripotent stem cells are being used for disease modeling to study the mechanisms of various diseases and develop new drugs.Simultaneously,scientists are attempting to use pluripotent stem cells to cultivate various tissues and organs,offering new possibilities for regenerative medicine and transplantation.However,the clinical application of pluripotent stem cells faces safety challenges,including issues of cell mutations and immune rejection.Continual improvement in the methods of generating pluripotent stem cells will make them safer and more efficient for clinical applications.(4)Based on the methods of obtaining and lineage establishment of pluripotent stem cells in mice and humans,various types of pluripotent stem cells have been established in livestock,including embryonic stem cells,induced pluripotent stem cells,germ lineages of pluripotent stem cells,and expanded potential stem cells.Research on livestock pluripotent stem cells opens up new avenues for animal reproduction,breeding,genetic engineering,disease modeling,drug screening,and the conservation of endangered wildlife.
3.Production of GTKO pigs and kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques
Yan WANG ; Yue CHANG ; Chang YANG ; Taiyun WEI ; Xiaoying HUO ; Bowei CHEN ; Jiaoxiang WANG ; Heng ZHAO ; Jianxiong GUO ; Hongfang ZHAO ; Xiong ZHANG ; Feiyan ZHU ; Wenmin CHENG ; Hongye ZHAO ; Kaixiang XU ; Ameen Jamal MUHAMMAD ; Zhendi WANG ; Hongjiang WEI
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):526-537
Objective To explore the construction of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-knockout (GTKO) Diannan miniature pigs and the kidney xenotransplantation from pigs to rhesus macaques, and to assess the effectiveness of GTKO pigs. Methods The GTKO Diannan miniature pigs were constructed using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system and somatic cell cloning technology. The phenotype of GTKO pigs was verified through polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing and immunofluorescence staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect antigen-antibody (IgM) binding and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Kidney xenotransplantation was performed from GTKO pigs to rhesus macaques. The humoral immunity, cellular immunity, coagulation and physiological indicators of the recipient monkeys were monitored. The function and pathological changes of the transplanted kidneys were analyzed using ultrasonography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Results Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting exon 4 of the GGTA1 gene in Diannan miniature pigs was designed. The pGL3-GGTA1-sgRNA1-GFP vector was transfected into fetal fibroblasts of Diannan miniature pigs. After puromycin selection, two cell clones, C59# and C89#, were identified as GGTA1 gene-knockout clones. These clones were expanded to form cell lines, which were used as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The reconstructed embryos were transferred into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, resulting in 13 fetal pigs. Among them, fetuses F04 and F11 exhibited biallelic mutations in the GGTA1 gene, and F04 had a normal karyotype. Using this GTKO fetal pig for recloning and transferring the reconstructed embryos into the oviducts of trihybrid surrogate sows, seven surviving piglets were obtained, all of which did not express α-Gal epitope. The binding of IgM from the serum of rhesus monkey 20# to GTKO pig PBMC was reduced, and the survival rate of GTKO pig PBMC in the complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay was higher than that of wild-type pig. GTKO pig kidneys were harvested and perfused until completely white. After the left kidney of the recipient monkey was removed, the pig kidney was heterotopically transplanted. Following vascular anastomosis and blood flow restoration, the pig kidney rapidly turned pink without hyperacute rejection (HAR). Urine appeared in the ureter 6 minutes later, indicating successful kidney transplantation. The right kidney of the recipient was then removed. Seven days after transplantation, the transplanted kidney had good blood flow, the recipient monkey's serum creatinine level was stable, and serum potassium and cystatin C levels were effectively controlled, although they increased 10 days after transplantation. Seven days after transplantation, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils in the recipient monkey increased, while platelet count and fibrinogen levels decreased. The activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and prothrombin time remained relatively stable but later showed an upward trend. The recipient monkey survived for 10 days. At autopsy, the transplanted kidney was found to be congested, swollen and necrotic, with a small amount of IgG deposition in the renal tissue, and a large amount of IgM, complement C3c and C4d deposition, as well as CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Conclusions The kidneys of GTKO Diannan miniature pigs may maintain normal renal function for a certain period in rhesus macaques and effectively overcome HAR, confirming the effectiveness of GTKO pigs for xenotransplantation.
4.Association between sleep quality and executive functions among middle school students
YU Xiumin, CHEN Fule, YAN Jingfei, YIN Xiaojian, WU Huipan, WANG Yi, GUO Yaru, XU Dingkun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):774-778
Objective:
To explore the relationship between sleep quality and executive function among middle school students, so as to provide theoretical support for the promotion of adolescents physical and mental health development.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, 5 713 junior and senior high school students aged 13 to 18 were selected by stratified cluster random sampling method from Shanghai, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wuyuan, Xingyi, and Urumqi. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to conduct sleep quality survey. And conduct executive function was tested on middle school students, including inhibitory function, refresh function and conversion function tests. Spearman correlation and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between sleep quality and executive function of middle school students.
Results:
The total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of boys was [4.0(2.0,6.0)] and that of girls was [5.0(3.0,6.0)], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-10.90, P < 0.01 ). The total PSQI score of boys was positively correlated with both 2-back reaction time and conversion function of executive function ( r =0.04, 0.04); the total PSQI score of girls was negatively correlated with 2-back reaction time ( r =-0.04) ( P <0.05). After controlling for variables such as mental health, physical activity and nutritional status,linear regression analyses showed that PSQI total score of middle school students was positively correlated with the inhibitory function and the conversion function response time [ B (95% CI )=1.28(0.21-2.34), 7.62(2.34-12.90), P <0.05]; the associations of total PSQI scores among middle school students with both 2-back and 1-back response time were not statistically significant [ B (95% CI )=-5.88(-16.14-4.37), 8.05( -3.39 -19.50), P >0.05].
Conclusion
Positive correlations are observed on sleep quality with inhibitory and conversion functions of executive function among middle school students.
5.Iodine nutritional status of children aged 8-10 in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023
WANG Shuai, CHEN Fang, YANG Yan, LUO Huatang, LIU Cong, XU Wenxiu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):792-796
Objective:
To explore the iodine nutrition status of children in Wuhan from 2019 to 2023, and to evaluate the effect of iodine deficiency disorders control in focus groups in Wuhan, so as to provide a basis for consolidating elimination of iodine deficiency disorders.
Methods:
A total of 13 000 non boarding primary school students aged 8-10 were selected from 13 districts of Wuhan by stratified random sampling method.Household salt samples were collected to measure salt iodine content, random urine samples were analyzed for urinary iodine concentration. And B ultrasound was used to measure thyroid volume in students. The median of salt iodine, coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, median of urinary iodine, and the goiter rate were calculated. And Mann-Whitney U- test, Kruskal-Wallis H- test and Chi-square test were applied to compare between groups. Chi-square trend test was used to analyze the changing trends of coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and goiter rate among children in Wuhan.
Results:
The median of iodine content of children s household salt was 23.8 (21.7, 26.1) mg/kg, and the coverage rate of iodized salt was 98.7%, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 94.5 %. The consumption rates of qualified iodized salt showed an overall upward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.57, P <0.05). The median of urinary iodine of children was 220.1 (136.7, 326.0) μg/L,and boys had higher median of urinary iodine than girls [228.3(143.2, 336.0),210.2(129.1, 315.7) μg/L] ( Z =6.60, P <0.01). The median of urinary iodine of children in suburbs was higher than those in urban areas [236.3 (150.7, 342.2) , 207.1 (124.5, 309.8) μg/L]( Z =11.00, P <0.01). A total of 4 600 children were examined for thyroid volume, and the range of goiter rates were 1.1% to 3.4%, with an average goiter rate of 2.5%, which showed an overall downward trend from 2019 to 2023 ( χ 2 trend =5.11, P <0.05).
Conclusions
The iodine nutrition is sufficient and iodine nutrition status is good among children in Wuhan. It should continue to carry out monitoring and evaluation of children s iodine nutrition, guide the public to supplement iodine scientifically,so as to maintain the appropriate level of iodine for children.
6.Analysis of Quality Difference Factors of Perillae Caulis Based on Chemometrics Combined with TOPSIS Model
Maoqing WANG ; Sha CHEN ; Qian MA ; Jun ZHANG ; Qingxia XU ; Cong GUO ; Rui SHEN ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):168-175
ObjectiveTo explore quality difference factors of Perillae Caulis based on the contents of multiple chemical components and comprehensively evaluate the quality. MethodsA total of 32 batches of Perillae Caulis samples were collected from 12 producing areas such as Hebei, Anhui and Guangdong, and their diameter range, epidermis color and producing areas were recorded. Total flavonoids, total phenols, volatile oils, 5 active components and 84 volatile components in 32 batches of samples were quantitatively or semi-quantitatively determined by colorimetry, ultra performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector(UPLC-PDA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Then the differences between the contents of these components were analyzed by principal component analysis(PCA) and non-parametric test. According to the weights of the index components determined by PCA model, entropy weight-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) model was constructed to evaluate the quality of Perillae Caulis with different characters and origins. ResultsThere were significant differences in the composition of Perillae Caulis with different diameters, epidermis colors and producing areas, and 9 differential components were screened out, including 6 index constituents(total flavonoids, total phenols, caffeic acid, scutellarin, rosmarinic acid and luteolin) and 3 volatile components(caryophyllene oxide, (-)-humulene epoxide Ⅱ, 14-hydroxycaryophyllene), of which 6 index constituents were higher in samples with small diameter, purple-brown epidermis and southern origin, while the contents of 3 volatile components were higher in samples with large diameter, dark-brown epidermis and northern origin. A significant difference was shown in the model scores of different diameters, epidermis colors and origins(P<0.05), and the scores of Perillae Caulis with small diameter and purple-brown epidermis from southern area, especially Guangdong, had a high score. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the composition and content of chemical constituents between different diameters, epidermal colors and production areas of Perillae Caulis, samples showing small diameter, owing purple-brown epidermis, and originating from Guangdong were of higher-quality due to their higher content of 8 key indices.
7.Analysis of Quality Difference Factors of Perillae Caulis Based on Chemometrics Combined with TOPSIS Model
Maoqing WANG ; Sha CHEN ; Qian MA ; Jun ZHANG ; Qingxia XU ; Cong GUO ; Rui SHEN ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):168-175
ObjectiveTo explore quality difference factors of Perillae Caulis based on the contents of multiple chemical components and comprehensively evaluate the quality. MethodsA total of 32 batches of Perillae Caulis samples were collected from 12 producing areas such as Hebei, Anhui and Guangdong, and their diameter range, epidermis color and producing areas were recorded. Total flavonoids, total phenols, volatile oils, 5 active components and 84 volatile components in 32 batches of samples were quantitatively or semi-quantitatively determined by colorimetry, ultra performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector(UPLC-PDA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). Then the differences between the contents of these components were analyzed by principal component analysis(PCA) and non-parametric test. According to the weights of the index components determined by PCA model, entropy weight-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS) model was constructed to evaluate the quality of Perillae Caulis with different characters and origins. ResultsThere were significant differences in the composition of Perillae Caulis with different diameters, epidermis colors and producing areas, and 9 differential components were screened out, including 6 index constituents(total flavonoids, total phenols, caffeic acid, scutellarin, rosmarinic acid and luteolin) and 3 volatile components(caryophyllene oxide, (-)-humulene epoxide Ⅱ, 14-hydroxycaryophyllene), of which 6 index constituents were higher in samples with small diameter, purple-brown epidermis and southern origin, while the contents of 3 volatile components were higher in samples with large diameter, dark-brown epidermis and northern origin. A significant difference was shown in the model scores of different diameters, epidermis colors and origins(P<0.05), and the scores of Perillae Caulis with small diameter and purple-brown epidermis from southern area, especially Guangdong, had a high score. ConclusionThere are significant differences in the composition and content of chemical constituents between different diameters, epidermal colors and production areas of Perillae Caulis, samples showing small diameter, owing purple-brown epidermis, and originating from Guangdong were of higher-quality due to their higher content of 8 key indices.
8.Investigation of an outbreak of group A human G9P [8] rotavirus infectious diarrhea among adults in Chongqing
Yang WANG ; Yuan KONG ; Ning CHEN ; Lundi YANG ; Jiang LONG ; Qin LI ; Xiaoyang XU ; Wei ZHENG ; Hong WEI ; Jie LU ; Quanjie XIAO ; Yingying BA ; Wenxi WU ; Qian XU ; Ju YAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):663-668
ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze an outbreak of rotavirus infectious diarrhea in a prison in Chongqing Municipality, to provide a basis for adult rotavirus surveillance and prevention, and to explore the public health problems in special settings. MethodsA retrospective survey was conducted to collect and analyze data on individual cases with diarrheal disease on-site. The clinical characteristics, as well as the temporal, spatial and geographical distribution patterns of the epidemic were described. Multi-pathogen detection tests were conducted both on diarrhea cases and environmental samples, with viral genotyping performed on positive samples. A case-control analysis was performed to identify the causes of the outbreak, and an SEIR model was adopted to predict the outbreak trend and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. ResultsA total of 65 cases were found among the inmates, with an attack rate of 2.03%. The predominant clinical manifestations included diarrhea (89.23%), watery stool (73.85%), and dehydration (18.46%). The epidemic curve indicated a “human-to-human” transmission pattern, with an average incubation period of 5‒6 days. The attack rates among chefs in the main canteen (80.00%, 8/10) and caterers (28.33%, 17/60) were significantly higher than those of other inmates (P<0.05). Multi-pathogen polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detected positive for group A rotavirus, with the viral genotyping identified as G9P [8] strain. Factors such as unprotected "bare-handed" food distribution among cases with diarrhea (OR=9.512, 95%CI: 4.261‒21.234) and close contact with diarrhea cases (OR=3.656, 95%CI: 1.719‒7.778) were the possible cause of the outbreak. The SEIR model (r0=5, α=0.3, β1=0.08, β2=0.04) was constructed using prison inmates as susceptible population, aiming at fitting the initial transmission trend of the outbreak, and the epidemic rate declined rapidly after intervention measures were implemented (rt≈0). ConclusionThis rare rotavirus infection diarrhea outbreak among adults in confined settings suggests that the construction of public health prevention and control systems in prison may be overlooked. Cross infection during meal processing and distribution in the canteens of such settings is likely to be the cause of the outbreak. Given the potential neglect of public heath system construction in special settings, it is imperative to enhance the surveillance and monitoring of rotavirus and other intestinal multi-pathogens among adults, as well as the construction of public health prevention and control systems in these special settings.
9.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2
Jingyuan ZHANG ; Xiaoqi WU ; Jiayuan DAI ; Xianghong JIN ; Yuze CAO ; Rui LUO ; Hanlin ZHANG ; Tiekuan DU ; Xiaotian CHU ; Peipei CHEN ; Hao QIAN ; Pengguang YAN ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):316-324
This case report presents a 16-year-old male patient with deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2(DADA2). The patient had a history of Raynaud′s phenomenon with digital ulcers since childhood. As the disease progressed, the patient developed retinal vasculitis, intracranial hemorrhage, skin necrosis, severe malnutrition, refractory hypertension, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous mutations in the
10.Trend change of the mortality and disease burden of hypertensive nephropathy in Chongqing in 2012-2023
Xianbin DING ; Yan JIAO ; Rui DING ; Biao KANG ; Hao MU ; Jie XU ; Ting CHEN ; Jiawei XIE
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):43-47
Objective To analyze trend changes of disease burden of hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) between 2012 and 2023 in Chongqing, and to provide the suggestion for HTN prevention and treatment. Methods Death cases of HTN from Chongqing death registration data between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed to calculate indicators such as mortality, age standardization mortality rate (ASMR), rate of years of life lost (YLL) and Average years of life lost. The mortality of HTN between male and female, urban and rural were compared by Chi-square test. The trend change was explained by average annual percent of change (AAPC). Results The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 5.44/100 000 and 3.13/100 000 in 2012 to 2.76/100 000 and 1.07/100,000 in 2023 respectively. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was -5.41% and -8.35% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (P<0.01). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in males and females decreased with AAPC of 5.50%, 8.07%, 5.27% and 8.69% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P< 0.05). From 2012 to 2014, 2019 and 2021, the mortality rate of HTN in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas (all P < 0.05). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in rural areas decreased with AAPC of 6.58% and 9.46% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The rate of YLL and standardized YLL of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 96.02/100 000 and 60.42/100 000 in 2012 to 44.98/100 000 and 21.49/100 000 in 2023 respectively. The AAPC was -5.83% and -7.80% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). AYLL of HTN were 17.88 years in 2012, and it was 17.08 years in 2023. There were no statistically significant differences in the changes (both P > 0.05). The standardized AYLL of HTN in rural areas increased at an average annual rate of 1.14%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The mortality and YLL rate of HNT in Chongqing was lower than it in China. Moreover, its trend was decreased. It should be strengthened early screening and healthy management of HNT.


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