1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.Sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate inhalation attenuates pulmonary hyper-tension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice
Runhua HOU ; Siting WANG ; Hongping ZHANG ; Ruanyuan YE ; Zeping YANG ; Mengzhu LI ; Guanqing ZHEN ; Jiarui FAN ; Chunyun ZHANG ; Rui CHEN ; Defu LI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(9):1713-1720
AIM:To investigate the effects of nebulized sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS)in a mouse model of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD-PH).METHODS:A to-tal of 32 healthy SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control(CTL,n=8)group,COPD-PH(CS+LPS,n=8)group,STS-treated COPD-PH(CS+LPS+STS,n=8)group,and STS(n=8)group.The COPD-PH model was established through whole-body exposure to cigarette smoke(CS)combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in-halation.Mice were subjected to cigarette smoke exposure in a chamber(9 cigarettes/h,2 h/session,2 sessions/d,6 d/week)for 60 d,except on days of LPS inhalation.On days 1 and 14,COPD-PH model mice received LPS(7.5 μg/mouse in 50 μL saline)via intranasal inhalation,while the CTL and STS groups received an equivalent volume of saline.STS was administered via nebulized inhalation(5 mg/kg,30 min per session,twice daily)immediately before CS exposure.At the end of the modeling period,lung function and right heart pressure were assessed.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was collected for inflammatory cell counting.Levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)in BALF supernatants and plasma were measured using ELISA.Pathological changes in the airway and lung tissues were evaluated.RESULTS:(1)Com-pared to CTL mice,those exposed to CS and LPS exhibited lesions characteristic of COPD-PH,including emphysema,lung inflammation,decreased lung function,and increased right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)and right ventricu-lar hypertrophy index(RVHI)(P<0.05);(2)COPD-PH mice showed significantly elevated IL-6 levels in both BALF and plasma(P<0.05);(3)STS treatment alleviated emphysema and lung inflammation,improved lung function,prevent-ed increases in RVSP and the RV/(LV+S)ratio,and reduced IL-6 levels in both BALF and plasma(P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:The results indicate that nebulized inhalation of STS significantly slows the progression of COPD-PH,likely due to its ability to inhibit lung inflammation and reduce IL-6 expression in the lungs.
3.Sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate inhalation attenuates pulmonary hyper-tension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice
Runhua HOU ; Siting WANG ; Hongping ZHANG ; Ruanyuan YE ; Zeping YANG ; Mengzhu LI ; Guanqing ZHEN ; Jiarui FAN ; Chunyun ZHANG ; Rui CHEN ; Defu LI
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(9):1713-1720
AIM:To investigate the effects of nebulized sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS)in a mouse model of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD-PH).METHODS:A to-tal of 32 healthy SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control(CTL,n=8)group,COPD-PH(CS+LPS,n=8)group,STS-treated COPD-PH(CS+LPS+STS,n=8)group,and STS(n=8)group.The COPD-PH model was established through whole-body exposure to cigarette smoke(CS)combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in-halation.Mice were subjected to cigarette smoke exposure in a chamber(9 cigarettes/h,2 h/session,2 sessions/d,6 d/week)for 60 d,except on days of LPS inhalation.On days 1 and 14,COPD-PH model mice received LPS(7.5 μg/mouse in 50 μL saline)via intranasal inhalation,while the CTL and STS groups received an equivalent volume of saline.STS was administered via nebulized inhalation(5 mg/kg,30 min per session,twice daily)immediately before CS exposure.At the end of the modeling period,lung function and right heart pressure were assessed.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was collected for inflammatory cell counting.Levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)in BALF supernatants and plasma were measured using ELISA.Pathological changes in the airway and lung tissues were evaluated.RESULTS:(1)Com-pared to CTL mice,those exposed to CS and LPS exhibited lesions characteristic of COPD-PH,including emphysema,lung inflammation,decreased lung function,and increased right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)and right ventricu-lar hypertrophy index(RVHI)(P<0.05);(2)COPD-PH mice showed significantly elevated IL-6 levels in both BALF and plasma(P<0.05);(3)STS treatment alleviated emphysema and lung inflammation,improved lung function,prevent-ed increases in RVSP and the RV/(LV+S)ratio,and reduced IL-6 levels in both BALF and plasma(P<0.05).CON-CLUSION:The results indicate that nebulized inhalation of STS significantly slows the progression of COPD-PH,likely due to its ability to inhibit lung inflammation and reduce IL-6 expression in the lungs.
4.Long non-coding RNA NRSN2-AS1 regulates proliferation and invasion of liver cancer cells as well as aerobic glycolysis
Shumeng WU ; Yuanjun YANG ; Zhen WANG ; Shuhui WU ; Minying CHENG ; Ling LI ; Qinong YE
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(7):486-493
Objective To investigate the biological function and potential mechanisms of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)neurensin 2-antisense RNA 1(NRSN2-AS1)in liver cancer cells.Methods The Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes(ENCORI)database was used to analyze the expression levels of NRSN2-AS1 in liver cancer tissues and normal tissues as well as its association with the prognosis of patients.Stable lncRNA NRSN2-AS1 cell lines,overexpressed or knockdown,were constructed.The effects of NRSN2-AS1 on tumor cell proliferation were explored using CCK-8 and colony formation assays.Transwell and wound healing assays were employed to examine the role of NRSN2-AS1 in tumor cell migration and invasion.The impact of NRSN2-AS1 on tumor cell aerobic glycolysis was assessed by measuring hexokinase activity,glucose uptake,ATP and etracellular lactate levels.Quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to evaluate the effects of NRSN2-AS1 on the mRNA and protein expression levels of hexokinase 2(HK2)in tumor cells.Results Analysis from the ENCORI database revealed that NRSN2-AS1 was upregulated in liver cancer tissues compared to normal tissues,and that high expressions of NRSN2-AS1 were closely associated with poor prognosis of patients.In vitro functional assays demonstrated that overexpression of NRSN2-AS1 promoted proliferation,migration,and invasion of liver cancer cells,and enhanced glycolysis levels while knockdown of NRSN2-AS1 inhibited these processes and suppressed glycolysis.Furthermore,overexpression of NRSN2-AS1 increased the mRNA and protein levels of HK2 while knockdown of NRSN2-AS1 decreased HK2 expression in liver cancer cells.Conclusion NRSN2-AS1 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissues,and it may promote liver cancer progression by enhancing HK2 expression and aerobic glycolysis.
5.Early screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer based on the innovative care for chronic conditions framework
Han-jing ZHU ; Liang DONG ; Bin ZHAO ; Feng ZHANG ; Rong LI ; Cheng-ye ZHU ; Jia MAO ; Zhen-ying YANG ; Yin-jie ZHU ; Wei XUE
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):229-233
Objective:To construct an integrated management model for early screening and diagnosis of PCa based on the In-novative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework(ICCC)and the 1+1 contract-based tiered diagnosis and treatment system(TDTS)in China.Methods:Based on the 1+1 contract-based TDTS platform,we conducted PCa screening for the male residents aged 60 years and above during health check-ups in Pujin Community Health Center from January 1,2023 to December 31,2023.For those with abnormal total prostate-specific antigen(tPSA)≥4 μg/L,we promptly referred them to higher-level hospitals for further diagno-sis and treatment via the two-way referral green channel platform and information sharing service using the 1+1 contract model.We further analyzed the relevant data on screening and diagnosis.Results:A total of 4 080 males aged 71.39±5.059 years received PCa screening from January to December 2023.PSA screening was performed in 43.96%of the male residents,revealing 654 cases of PSA abnormality,with a PSA positivity rate of 16.03%,which was higher than that found in the previous large-scale PCa screenings in other regions of China.Among the males with PSA abnormality,292(44.65%)expressed their willingness for medical referral,while the others did not seek further medical attention for reasons of being asymptomatic,low awareness of the disease,no accompany for medical visits,and concerns about further costs of diagnosis and treatment.Prostate biopsy was recommended to 154 cases after further examinations,which was accepted by 92(59.74%).Fifty-eight cases were diagnosed with Pa,and thedetection rate reached 63.04%.Conclusion:The integrated management model for PSA examination-based early screening and diagnosis of PCa using the 1+1 contract-based TDTS platform is plays a significant role in enhancing peoples awareness and knowledge of PCa and improving the early detection rate of the malignancy.
6.Novel Structural Features of Isoflavone Synthase from Medicago truncatula Shed Light on Its Unique Enzymatic Mechanism
Chao SHI ; Zhao-Yang YE ; Fei XU ; Xiang-Ning DU ; Zhang-Xin CHEN ; Ming-Yue GU ; Jie DENG ; Wei WANG ; Liang-Yu LIU ; Mei-Ying WANG ; Xiao-Dong SU ; He-Li LIU ; Ming-Ying SHANG ; Li-Xin HUANG ; Zhen-Zhan CHANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(8):1204-1213,中插1-中插6
Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.
7.Small fish making a big difference: beloved star of environmental toxicology research in the current era.
Yang JIANG ; Zhen SU ; Jing ZHENG ; Chih-Hung HSU ; Ye CHEN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(7):613-632
The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful model organism in life science owing to its remarkable biological characteristics and wide-ranging applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in research on zebrafish within the field of environmental toxicology, highlighting specific studies where this species was used to investigate various pollutants to elucidate their impacts and underlying mechanisms. The findings of these studies underscore the significant potential of zebrafish as a model to gain crucial insights into the ecological consequences of environmental contamination and toxicity pathways. By incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), high-throughput screening, and omics approaches, the use of zebrafish as a model organism is poised to significantly accelerate toxicological investigations, promote environmental conservation efforts, contribute to safeguarding human health, and advance sustainable development objectives.
Animals
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Zebrafish
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Ecotoxicology/methods*
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Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
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Models, Animal
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Environmental Pollutants/toxicity*
8.Expert consensus on the application of nasal cavity filling substances in nasal surgery patients(2025, Shanghai).
Keqing ZHAO ; Shaoqing YU ; Hongquan WEI ; Chenjie YU ; Guangke WANG ; Shijie QIU ; Yanjun WANG ; Hongtao ZHEN ; Yucheng YANG ; Yurong GU ; Tao GUO ; Feng LIU ; Meiping LU ; Bin SUN ; Yanli YANG ; Yuzhu WAN ; Cuida MENG ; Yanan SUN ; Yi ZHAO ; Qun LI ; An LI ; Luo BA ; Linli TIAN ; Guodong YU ; Xin FENG ; Wen LIU ; Yongtuan LI ; Jian WU ; De HUAI ; Dongsheng GU ; Hanqiang LU ; Xinyi SHI ; Huiping YE ; Yan JIANG ; Weitian ZHANG ; Yu XU ; Zhenxiao HUANG ; Huabin LI
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):285-291
This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans
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Nasal Cavity/surgery*
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Nasal Surgical Procedures
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China
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Consensus
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Sinusitis/surgery*
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Dermal Fillers
9.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Male
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Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Psychological Distress
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Inpatients/psychology*
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Aged
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Anxiety/diagnosis*
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Depression/diagnosis*
10.Formulation and interpretation of the Guidelines for the Pharmacist-managed Clinics Service and Document Writing and Usage(Reference)
Lijuan YANG ; Quanzhi LI ; Kejing WANG ; Xiaofen YE ; Zining WANG ; Xuelian YAN ; Liang HUANG ; Juan LI ; Jiancun ZHEN
China Pharmacy 2025;36(11):1301-1305
The writing of pharmacist-managed clinics documents (hereinafter referred to as “outpatient medication record”) is a necessary part of pharmacist-managed clinics service. Outpatient medication record is an important carrier to reflect the quality of pharmacist-managed clinics service. The Chinese Hospital Association Pharmaceutical Specialized Committee was entrusted by the Pharmaceutical Administration Department of the National Health Commission to lead the formulation of the Guidelines for the Pharmacist-managed Clinics Service and Document Writing and Usage (Reference) (hereinafter referred to as Guidelines) according to the compilation method of group standards and the technical route of “documentation combing→framework establishment→draft writing→opinion collection→Guidelines formation”. The Guidelines standardizes the basic requirements of pharmacist-managed clinics record management and the basic content of record, and provides a general template and two specialized templates including pregnant and lactating pharmacist-managed clinics record template and cough and asthma pharmacist-managed clinics record template, which provides a reference for medical institutions to write pharmacist-managed clinics record. This paper introduces the formulation process of Guidelines and analyzes the key contents of Guidelines, which is helpful for the application practice of Guidelines and further improves the quality of pharmacist-managed clinics work.

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