Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of malignant tumors. It induces DNA damage through high-energy radiation, preferentially eliminating rapidly proliferating tumor cells. However, its clinical efficacy is often limited by tumor radioresistance and collateral damage to normal tissues. Consequently, elucidating the cellular response mechanisms to radiation stress and identifying key targets that can both sensitize tumor cells and protect normal tissues have become critical strategies for improving radiotherapy outcomes. Radiation stress triggers structural remodeling of the nucleolus, leading to the dissociation of certain ribosomal proteins from the ribosome and enabling them to acquire extra-ribosomal functions. Among these, RPL11 can be released and specifically binds to MDM2, thus inhibiting its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, stabilizing p53, and mediating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway, acting as a signaling hub that links nucleolar dysfunction to cell fate determination, plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability and regulating cellular responses to radiation. This review first introduces the basic characteristics of RPL11 and elucidates the molecular basis of radiation-induced ribosomal stress. It then outlines the core regulatory mechanisms of the cell cycle. On this basis, it focuses on the mechanisms by which radiation-induced RPL11 regulates the cell cycle and analyzes the specific effects of RPL11 on cell cycle. Furthermore, it discusses the role of the RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway in cell cycle regulation. Finally, it explores the role of this pathway in maintaining genomic stability and determining cell fate, and highlights its potential value as a target for radiosensitization, aiming to provide new perspectives for enhancing tumor radiosensitivity and reducing damage to normal tissues.

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of malignant tumors. It induces DNA damage through high-energy radiation, preferentially eliminating rapidly proliferating tumor cells. However, its clinical efficacy is often limited by tumor radioresistance and collateral damage to normal tissues. Consequently, elucidating the cellular response mechanisms to radiation stress and identifying key targets that can both sensitize tumor cells and protect normal tissues have become critical strategies for improving radiotherapy outcomes. Radiation stress triggers structural remodeling of the nucleolus, leading to the dissociation of certain ribosomal proteins from the ribosome and enabling them to acquire extra-ribosomal functions. Among these, RPL11 can be released and specifically binds to MDM2, thus inhibiting its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, stabilizing p53, and mediating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway, acting as a signaling hub that links nucleolar dysfunction to cell fate determination, plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability and regulating cellular responses to radiation. This review first introduces the basic characteristics of RPL11 and elucidates the molecular basis of radiation-induced ribosomal stress. It then outlines the core regulatory mechanisms of the cell cycle. On this basis, it focuses on the mechanisms by which radiation-induced RPL11 regulates the cell cycle and analyzes the specific effects of RPL11 on cell cycle. Furthermore, it discusses the role of the RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway in cell cycle regulation. Finally, it explores the role of this pathway in maintaining genomic stability and determining cell fate, and highlights its potential value as a target for radiosensitization, aiming to provide new perspectives for enhancing tumor radiosensitivity and reducing damage to normal tissues.

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of malignant tumors. It induces DNA damage through high-energy radiation, preferentially eliminating rapidly proliferating tumor cells. However, its clinical efficacy is often limited by tumor radioresistance and collateral damage to normal tissues. Consequently, elucidating the cellular response mechanisms to radiation stress and identifying key targets that can both sensitize tumor cells and protect normal tissues have become critical strategies for improving radiotherapy outcomes. Radiation stress triggers structural remodeling of the nucleolus, leading to the dissociation of certain ribosomal proteins from the ribosome and enabling them to acquire extra-ribosomal functions. Among these, RPL11 can be released and specifically binds to MDM2, thus inhibiting its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, stabilizing p53, and mediating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway, acting as a signaling hub that links nucleolar dysfunction to cell fate determination, plays a pivotal role in maintaining genomic stability and regulating cellular responses to radiation. This review first introduces the basic characteristics of RPL11 and elucidates the molecular basis of radiation-induced ribosomal stress. It then outlines the core regulatory mechanisms of the cell cycle. On this basis, it focuses on the mechanisms by which radiation-induced RPL11 regulates the cell cycle and analyzes the specific effects of RPL11 on cell cycle. Furthermore, it discusses the role of the RPL11-MDM2-p53 pathway in cell cycle regulation. Finally, it explores the role of this pathway in maintaining genomic stability and determining cell fate, and highlights its potential value as a target for radiosensitization, aiming to provide new perspectives for enhancing tumor radiosensitivity and reducing damage to normal tissues.

The ocular surface must maintain homeostasis to withstand continuous environmental stimuli, while increased tear evaporation represents a critical initiating event in the progression of evaporative dry eye disease. The composition, distribution, and function of the tear film lipid layer determine its anti-evaporative capacity. Multiple factors, including meibomian gland dysfunction, abnormalities of the lipid layer, blinking disorders, mucin deficiency, and epithelial barrier impairment, collectively weaken the evaporative barrier, subsequently inducing hyperosmotic stress and ocular surface inflammation, activating neuro-immune pathways, and thereby establishing a self-perpetuating cycle and contributing to disease chronicity. The environmental characteristics of northwestern regions, including low humidity, limited rainfall,strong winds, frequent windblown dust, and high evaporation rates, may further exacerbate these processes. This review integrates modern ocular surface pathological mechanisms with the theory of “Northwest dryness syndrome” to summarize the pathogenesis of evaporative dry eye disease and the effects of dry environmental exposure, aiming to provide a reference for risk assessment and intervention strategies for dry eye in Northwest China.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)has emerged as the leading cause of vision loss among working-age people in many countries under the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the longevity of the population. The pathogenesis of DR is complicated and has not been fully elucidated at present, while the treatment methods of DR have not been greatly improved, mainly retinal laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)treatment and vitrectomy surgery. The current treatment methods not only have shortcomings, but also bring serious economic burden to patients. Therefore, new methods are needed to explore the pathogenesis of DR, discover new treatments or improve current treatments, and improve the satisfaction of DR patients. In recent years, the identification and quantification of proteins expressed in blood, retina, vitreous humor, aqueous humor, and tears of all observable DR patients and DR rats and differentially expressed proteins after drug intervention have provided new ideas for further exploring the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of DR with the rise of proteomics, which put forward new insights into early detection and treatment.The proteomics of DR in recent years are reviewed, in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of DR.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)has emerged as the leading cause of vision loss among working-age people in many countries under the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the longevity of the population. The pathogenesis of DR is complicated and has not been fully elucidated at present, while the treatment methods of DR have not been greatly improved, mainly retinal laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)treatment and vitrectomy surgery. The current treatment methods not only have shortcomings, but also bring serious economic burden to patients. Therefore, new methods are needed to explore the pathogenesis of DR, discover new treatments or improve current treatments, and improve the satisfaction of DR patients. In recent years, the identification and quantification of proteins expressed in blood, retina, vitreous humor, aqueous humor, and tears of all observable DR patients and DR rats and differentially expressed proteins after drug intervention have provided new ideas for further exploring the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of DR with the rise of proteomics, which put forward new insights into early detection and treatment.The proteomics of DR in recent years are reviewed, in order to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of DR.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

AIM: To explore the relationship between hyperopia reserve and ocular biometric parameters in 4-14 year-old Uyghur students from Hotan County, Xinjiang, and to provide scientific evidence for myopia prevention.METHODS: From September 1 to October 31, 2023, a stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 3 264 students(3 264 eyes)from 6 schools in Hotan County. Participants underwent uncorrected distance visual acuity testing, cycloplegic refraction, and ocular biometric measurements. The correlation between spherical equivalent(SE)and ocular biometric parameters was analyzed by multiple linear regression.RESULTS: A total of 1 998 non-myopic students(1 998 eyes)were included in the study, with 1 354 students(67.77%)showing insufficient hyperopia reserve. The detection rate of insufficient hyperopia reserve decreased with age, from 94.12% at age 4 to 18.13% at age 14(P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that in the group with sufficient hyperopia reserve, age, gender, uncorrected distance visual acuity, axial length(AL), and keratometry(K)explained 66.5% of the variance in SE; while in the group with insufficient hyperopia reserve, these factors explained only 28.0% of the SE variance.CONCLUSION: In non-myopic Uyghur students aged 4-14 in Hotan County, Xinjiang, the detection rate of insufficient hyperopia reserve was 67.77%. In the group with insufficient hyperopia reserve, age, gender, AL, and K explained only a small portion of the SE variance, suggesting that the refractive status of this population may be influenced by more complex factors.

ObjectiveAutoimmune thyroiditis （AIT） is a complex and immune-mediated disorder， with no established treatment protocol. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of AIT. This study evaluated the clinical consistency of existing AIT animal models based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM， using a novel evaluation method. Additionally， it proposed recommendations and future prospects for improving these models. MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing AIT animal models， using databases and the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM. Core and accompanying symptoms of these models were scored based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM， and clinical consistency was assessed. ResultsMice are the primary experimental animals used in AIT modeling. Modeling methods include vaccine immunization， iodine induction， heterologous thyroid antigen immunization， and a combination of high iodine water and antigen immunization. The average consistency of clinical syndromes based on TCM and Western medicine is 40%， 60%， 54%， and 63%， with the highest consistency observed in the combined high iodine water and antigen immunization model. Pathological models based on TCM are less common， with the liver-stagnation-spleen-deficiency rat model showing high clinical consistency. While most models are designed according to Western medical theory， meeting the surface and structural effectiveness criteria of Western medicine. However， there is a lack of fine-tuning and clear differentiation of TCM syndromes. ConclusionCurrent AIT syndrome-disease combination animal models primarily reflect the pathological features of Western medicine， with limited integration of TCM syndromes. Future research should aim to combine the syndrome characteristics of TCM with the pathological features of Western medicine， creating multi-factor and dynamic syndrome-disease models. Such models would better facilitate an experimental platform that conforms to the theories of TCM， providing more comprehensive support and guidance for the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of AIT.