1.Research Progress on Regulation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages Polarization by Intratumoral Microorganisms in Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(3):241-246
Recent studies have revealed the presence of specific microorganisms in pancreatic cancer.Accumulating evidence suggests a correlation between changes in the microbiome and tumor immune function in pancreatic cancer.Various stimuli within the tumor microenvironment(TME)prompt the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)toward the immune-activating M1 phenotype or immunosuppressive M2 phenotype.Microorganisms in the TME can facilitate or inhibit tumor growth,metastasis,drug resistance,and other processes by influencing the phenotypes and functions of macrophages.This article reviews the mechanisms by which anaerobic bacteria regulate TAM polarization in the TME of pancreatic cancer.Additionally,it discusses the effects of bacterial components and metabolites on TAM polarization,aiming to provide new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer from a microbial perspective.
2.Clinical characteristics of pediatric primary intracranial germ cell tumors and risk factors for neuroendocrine dysfunction
Yixuan HE ; Chuhong TONG ; Juanyu XU ; Yaxian DENG ; Bo LI ; Yajie WANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1325-1330
To explore the clinical characteristics of primary intracranial germ cell tumors (iGCT) and analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of neuroendocrine dysfunction.Methods:A case series study was conducted. The data of 130 children diagnosed with iGCT who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from February 2021 to December 2023 was collected. The clinical characteristics of iGCT were summarized, including general information, clinical manifestations, imaging findings, laboratory tests and outcomes. Children were divided into groups aged 0-9 and 10-18 years, and divided into group non-neuroendocrine dysfunction, group partial neuroendocrine dysfunction and group combined hypothalamic and pituitary-target gland axis dysfunction. Multivariate Logistic regression was employed for statistical analysis to identify risk factors for neuroendocrine dysfunction in iGCT children.Results:A total of 130 iGCT children were included, with an age of (10±3) years, 87 males and 43 females. Among them, 82 children (63.1%) had germinoma and 48 children (36.9%) had non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT). One hundred and ten children (84.6%) had single lesions, including 47 cases in the sellar region, 29 cases in the pineal region and 34 cases in the basal ganglia region. Multi-leisions presented in the 20 children (15.4%), with 10 cases in the sellar+pineal region, 6 cases in the sellar+basal ganglia region, 3 cases in the pineal+ganglia region and 1 case in the sellar+pineal+basal ganglia region. Dissemination was presented to 26 children (20.0%). Initial clinical manifestations presented with symptoms of cranial hypertension like headache and vomiting in 75 cases, vision changes in 28 cases, limb movement disorders in 42 cases, diabetes insipidus in 67 cases, precocious puberty in 23 cases, growth retardation in 22 cases and delayed puberty in 2 cases. Among the 72 children aged 0-9 years, 37 cases (51.4%) had germinoma and 35 cases (48.6%) had NGGCT, while among the 58 children aged 10-18 years, 45 cases (77.6%) had germinoma and 13 cases (22.4%) had NGGCT. Non neuroendocrine dysfunction group included 39 children, partial neuroendocrine dysfunction group 54 children, and combined hypothalamic and pituitary-target gland axis dysfunction group 37 children. Univariate analysis showed statistical difference in gender, disease duration, tumor location, and serum human chorionic gonadotropin level among the 3 groups (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that girl ( OR=5.29, 95% CI 1.54-18.16) and long disease duration ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.14) were risk factors for neuroendocrine dysfunction in iGCT patients (both P<0.05). Conclusions:iGCT occurs in children of all ages, with a higher incidence in males. The proportions of germinoma and NGGCT are similar in children aged 0-9 years, while germinoma is more common in patients aged 10-18 years. The clinical symptoms are atypical and diverse. Female gender and longer disease duration demonstrate the presence of neuroendocrine dysfunction in iGCT.
3.Application of biodegradable magnesium and magnesium-based materials in oral diseases
Cong ZHAO ; Huiyuan FU ; Nite SU ; Jie JI ; Lei ZHANG ; Yaxian WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(34):7423-7430
BACKGROUND:Magnesium and magnesium-based materials have good biocompatibility,stable osteogenic properties,and biological activities such as vascularization and immune regulation,and show a broad application prospect in stomatology.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of magnesium-based materials in the treatment of oral diseases in terms of osteogenesis,angiogenesis,and immunomodulation,and to review the application prospects of magnesium and magnesium-based materials in the field of oral diseases in recent years.METHODS:Chinese search key words were"magnesium,magnesium alloys,magnesium-based metals,fractures,implants,restorations,endodontics,periodontitis,periodontal disease,cysts,oral cancer."English search key works were"magnesium,magnesium-based alloy,fracture,facial bone fractures,denture,dental implant,restorative dentistry,pulpitis,periodontitis,periodontal diseases,oral cancer."The articles were retrieved on CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,and Web of Science databases.By analyzing and reading literature for screening,84 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Magnesium and magnesium-based materials can be used as bone internal fixation devices for jaw fracture or orthognathic surgery.Due to the special biological properties of magnesium,it can not only ensure stable osteogenesis,but also avoid the possibility of secondary surgery,which has the potential to be widely used.In the field of bone regeneration in stomatology,magnesium,relying on its superior biological properties,shows better mechanical properties and antibacterial properties than existing clinical materials,providing more options for the development and application of materials in this field.With the help of the biological activity of magnesium,magnesium-based coating materials give full play to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,further promote implant bone bonding and soft tissue integration,and have great application prospects in implant surface modification and promoting implant stability.Although magnesium has been involved in maxillofacial intraoral soft tissue regeneration and treatment,dental tissue engineering,there are still a lot of gaps.To ensure the stable biological characteristics of magnesium,it is usually necessary to add other alloys or carry out magnesium surface modification.However,the biological evaluation system of degradable metal implants is not perfect at present.The clinical application of magnesium in oral diseases still needs to be further clarified in the future.
4.Polymorphism and Tissue Expression Analysis of TYR and MC1R Genes in Guinea Pigs with Different Coat-Color Phenotypes
Yingen TANG ; Yaxian FENG ; Min ZHONG ; Zhen WEI ; Lie WANG ; Diwen LIU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):21-29
Objective To explore the polymorphism of tyrosinase (TYR) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes and their mRNA expression levels in relation to coat-color phenotypes in guinea pigs, providing genetic markers for locating dominant traits in guinea pigs. Methods A total of 57 self-bred ordinary-level guinea pigs were selected and divided into three groups based on coat color: white (n=22), variegated (n=22) and black (n=13). The guinea pigs were euthanized with an overdose of pentobarbital sodium via intraperitoneal injection. DNA was then extracted from the dorsal skin tissue. Polymorphism in the coding sequence (CDS) of the exons of the TYR and MC1R genes in each group was detected by cloning and sequencing. The mRNA expression of the two genes in skin tissues was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR to investigate the relationship between these genes and guinea pig coat color. Results A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site was found in the CDS region of TYR exon Ⅰ, where the base A was replaced by G. All white guinea pigs had the G/G genotype for TYR, while no deep-colored (variegated and black) guinea pigs exhibited the G/G genotype for TYR. Most deep-colored guinea pigs had the A/A genotype, and a few had A/G genotype. The A/A genotype frequency in black guinea pigs was higher than in variegated guinea pigs. A 2 760 bp sequence deletion was identified in the exon of the MC1R gene, marked as the - gene, with non-deleted samples marked as N gene. Most white guinea pigs had the -/- genotype for MC1R, variegated guinea pigs mainly had the -/N genotype, and black guinea pigs mainly had the N/N genotype, with a few showing the -/N. The TYR gene expression level was higher in white guinea pigs, lower in variegated guinea pigs, and intermediate in black guinea pigs, but there was no significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). The MC1R gene expression level in white guinea pigs was extremely low, while both variegated and black guinea pigs showed significantly higher levels than white guinea pigs (P<0.01). Black guinea pigs showed significantly higher levels than variegated guinea pigs (P<0.05). ConclusionThe TYR and MC1R genes synergistically regulate coat color of guinea pigs. The G-site mutation in the TYR gene may lead to albinism, and the change of N-site in the MC1R gene affects the depth of the coat color.
5.Measuring distance between the fetal bladder neck and rectal end using prenatal MRI
Yaxian CAO ; Shuyi LIU ; Zhen CHEN ; Rui WANG ; Li HUANG ; Xiaochun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(5):403-407
Objective:To measure the distance between the fetal bladder neck and the rectal end using prenatal MRI and analyze the developmental patterns of this distance and the gender differences in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.Methods:This retrospective cohort study involved fetuses born at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University after regular prenatal examinations from January 2019 to December 2022 and confirmed to have typical anorectal structures after birth. These fetuses had undergone prenatal MRI examinations for reasons other than abdominal issues. The morphology of the fetuses' colons, rectums, and bladders was observed, and the vertical distance between the bladder neck and the rectal end was measured on sagittal T1weighted imaging. Differences in the distance between male and female fetuses were analyzed. The fetuses were divided into five groups based on their gestational age at the time of MRI examination (23-24 weeks, >24-26 weeks, >26-28 weeks, >28- 30 weeks, and >30-32 weeks), and the changes in the distance with gestational age were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Pairwise comparisons among multiple groups were conducted using the Bonferroni method. Results:(1) A total of 142 fetuses were included in this study, all of which were singletons, with 73 males (51.4%) and 69 females (48.6%). The gestational age at the MRI examination was 28 weeks (26-30 weeks). (2) All fetuses had meconium filling the entire rectum and colon, with the rectal end located 0.570-2.610 cm below the bladder neck. (3) The distance between the bladder neck and the rectal end was shorter in male fetuses than in female fetuses [(1.140±0.261) vs. (1.519±0.405) cm, t=-6.58, P<0.001]. (4) In female fetuses, four pairs of groups showed statistically significant differences in the distance (23-24 weeks group vs. >26-28 weeks, >28- 30 weeks, and >30-32 weeks groups, and >24-26 weeks group vs. >30-32 weeks group). However, only two groups of male fetuses (23-24 weeks group vs. >28-30 weeks group) had statistically significant differences in the distance (all P<0.005). (5) The distance was moderately correlated with gestational age in male fetuses ( r=0.42, P<0.001), but they were strongly correlated in female fetuses ( r=0.66, P<0.001). Conclusions:The distance between the bladder neck and the rectal end in fetuses shows certain developmental patterns and gender differences in pregnancy's second and third trimesters. The correlation between the value and gestational age is stronger in female fetuses.
6.Effect of extracellular matrix extract of decellularized extracellular matrix material on immune characteristics of RAW264.7 macrophages
Juwen MA ; Hang ZHANG ; Yunwen WANG ; Yongwei WANG ; Hongru SONG ; Yaxian GAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1358-1364
Objective:To investigate the effects of decellularised extracellular matrix material(dECM)extract on macrophage survival,migration,phagocytosis,pro-inflammatory factor expression and ROS production.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect whether the extract of dECM material had cytotoxicity on macrophages;effects of dECM material extracts on macrophage recruit-ment and chemotaxis were examined by Transwell migration assay;effects of dECM material extract on macrophage phagocytosis were detected by pHrodo staining;effects of dECM material extract on expression of pro-inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory specific functional molecules were detected by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining;detection of the effect of dECM material extracts on macrophage ROS production by the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe approach.Results:Compared with DMEM complete medium,①CCK-8 assay showed that dECM material extract had no toxic effect on macrophages,and could promote the formation of macrophage colonies;②pHrodo staining assay showed that dECM material extract did not affect phagocytosis of macrophages;③Transwell migra-tion assay showed that dECM material extract did not promote macrophage migration;④RT-qPCR results showed that dECM material extracts were able to down-regulate gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and specific functional molecules;⑤Flow cytome-try results showed that dECM material extract could reduce the production of ROS by macrophages.dECM material extract had excel-lent biocompatibility for macrophages.Conclusion:dECM material extract is non-toxic to macrophages and is able to reduce macro-phage pro-inflammatory gene expression and ROS production.
7.Primary intracranial germ cell tumors in children: a clinical retrospective analysis of 126 cases
Juanyu XU ; Yixuan HE ; Xiaoguang QIU ; Chunde LI ; Yajie WANG ; Yaxian DENG
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(6):454-459
Objective:To summarized the clinical characteristics of intracranial germ cell tumors(iGCTs)in children, with the ultimate goal of facilitating early tumor identification and guiding the prompt selection of appropriate treatment strategies.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients with primary iGCTs admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between March 2021 and June 2022. Patient age, gender, clinical manifestations, tumor marker levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, imaging features, and histopathological examination results were meticulously collected and statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 126 pediatric patients with iGCTs were included in the study, of which 86 cases (68.3%) were male,and 40 cases (31.7%) were female.The average age was (10.0 ± 3.5) years old. The mean age of onset was found between 6~14 years old(80.1%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1.The tumors were predominantly located in the sellar region (30.2%), basal ganglia (23.8%), and pineal region (19.8%). Notably, there were distinct differences in tumor location across different age groups: pineal region tumors were most prevalent in preschool children (71.4%), basal ganglia tumors were more common in school-age children (41.9%), and sellar region involvement was highest among adolescent patients(44.8%). Based on molecular marker analysis and biopsy diagnosis, 79 cases were classified as germinoma, 3 as teratoma, 2 as yolk sac tumor, 1 as choriocarcinoma, and 41 as mixed germinoma.All children underwent head CT and MRI examinations. Among them, 99 cases showed high-density lesions on CT,while 27 cases showed mixed density,including 39 cases of calcification and 35 cases of hydrocephalus.MRI revealed atrophy of the cerebral peduncle, caudate nucleus head, or cerebral cortex in 38 cases, involvement of the basal ganglia in 33 cases, and midbrain involvement in 5 cases.Blood β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were examined in all patients, while CSF tumor marker levels were analyzed in 103 cases. There were 76 cases with elevated β-HCG in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid, and 24 cases with elevated AFP in blood and/or CSF.Additionally, all 86 male patients underwent genital ultrasound, revealed testicular microlithiasis in 12 cases and testicular cysts in 6 cases.Conclusion:The clinical presentation of iGCTs in pediatric patients exhibits significant heterogeneity in terms of epidemiology, classification, tumor location, and molecular markers. Notably, CSF β-HCG and AFP levels are equally crucial diagnostic indicators alongside blood tumor markers.Histological examination should be performed as early as possible in clinically suspected cases with negative tumor markers. Clinicians should remain vigilant for early imaging negative potential cases. In addition, male children with testicular microlithiasis or cysts should be closely followed up.
8.Application of biodegradable magnesium and magnesium-based materials in oral diseases
Cong ZHAO ; Huiyuan FU ; Nite SU ; Jie JI ; Lei ZHANG ; Yaxian WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(34):7423-7430
BACKGROUND:Magnesium and magnesium-based materials have good biocompatibility,stable osteogenic properties,and biological activities such as vascularization and immune regulation,and show a broad application prospect in stomatology.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of magnesium-based materials in the treatment of oral diseases in terms of osteogenesis,angiogenesis,and immunomodulation,and to review the application prospects of magnesium and magnesium-based materials in the field of oral diseases in recent years.METHODS:Chinese search key words were"magnesium,magnesium alloys,magnesium-based metals,fractures,implants,restorations,endodontics,periodontitis,periodontal disease,cysts,oral cancer."English search key works were"magnesium,magnesium-based alloy,fracture,facial bone fractures,denture,dental implant,restorative dentistry,pulpitis,periodontitis,periodontal diseases,oral cancer."The articles were retrieved on CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,and Web of Science databases.By analyzing and reading literature for screening,84 articles were finally included for review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Magnesium and magnesium-based materials can be used as bone internal fixation devices for jaw fracture or orthognathic surgery.Due to the special biological properties of magnesium,it can not only ensure stable osteogenesis,but also avoid the possibility of secondary surgery,which has the potential to be widely used.In the field of bone regeneration in stomatology,magnesium,relying on its superior biological properties,shows better mechanical properties and antibacterial properties than existing clinical materials,providing more options for the development and application of materials in this field.With the help of the biological activity of magnesium,magnesium-based coating materials give full play to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,further promote implant bone bonding and soft tissue integration,and have great application prospects in implant surface modification and promoting implant stability.Although magnesium has been involved in maxillofacial intraoral soft tissue regeneration and treatment,dental tissue engineering,there are still a lot of gaps.To ensure the stable biological characteristics of magnesium,it is usually necessary to add other alloys or carry out magnesium surface modification.However,the biological evaluation system of degradable metal implants is not perfect at present.The clinical application of magnesium in oral diseases still needs to be further clarified in the future.
9.Effect of extracellular matrix extract of decellularized extracellular matrix material on immune characteristics of RAW264.7 macrophages
Juwen MA ; Hang ZHANG ; Yunwen WANG ; Yongwei WANG ; Hongru SONG ; Yaxian GAO
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(6):1358-1364
Objective:To investigate the effects of decellularised extracellular matrix material(dECM)extract on macrophage survival,migration,phagocytosis,pro-inflammatory factor expression and ROS production.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect whether the extract of dECM material had cytotoxicity on macrophages;effects of dECM material extracts on macrophage recruit-ment and chemotaxis were examined by Transwell migration assay;effects of dECM material extract on macrophage phagocytosis were detected by pHrodo staining;effects of dECM material extract on expression of pro-inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory specific functional molecules were detected by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining;detection of the effect of dECM material extracts on macrophage ROS production by the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe approach.Results:Compared with DMEM complete medium,①CCK-8 assay showed that dECM material extract had no toxic effect on macrophages,and could promote the formation of macrophage colonies;②pHrodo staining assay showed that dECM material extract did not affect phagocytosis of macrophages;③Transwell migra-tion assay showed that dECM material extract did not promote macrophage migration;④RT-qPCR results showed that dECM material extracts were able to down-regulate gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and specific functional molecules;⑤Flow cytome-try results showed that dECM material extract could reduce the production of ROS by macrophages.dECM material extract had excel-lent biocompatibility for macrophages.Conclusion:dECM material extract is non-toxic to macrophages and is able to reduce macro-phage pro-inflammatory gene expression and ROS production.
10.Primary intracranial germ cell tumors in children: a clinical retrospective analysis of 126 cases
Juanyu XU ; Yixuan HE ; Xiaoguang QIU ; Chunde LI ; Yajie WANG ; Yaxian DENG
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine 2025;32(6):454-459
Objective:To summarized the clinical characteristics of intracranial germ cell tumors(iGCTs)in children, with the ultimate goal of facilitating early tumor identification and guiding the prompt selection of appropriate treatment strategies.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients with primary iGCTs admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University between March 2021 and June 2022. Patient age, gender, clinical manifestations, tumor marker levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, imaging features, and histopathological examination results were meticulously collected and statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 126 pediatric patients with iGCTs were included in the study, of which 86 cases (68.3%) were male,and 40 cases (31.7%) were female.The average age was (10.0 ± 3.5) years old. The mean age of onset was found between 6~14 years old(80.1%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1.The tumors were predominantly located in the sellar region (30.2%), basal ganglia (23.8%), and pineal region (19.8%). Notably, there were distinct differences in tumor location across different age groups: pineal region tumors were most prevalent in preschool children (71.4%), basal ganglia tumors were more common in school-age children (41.9%), and sellar region involvement was highest among adolescent patients(44.8%). Based on molecular marker analysis and biopsy diagnosis, 79 cases were classified as germinoma, 3 as teratoma, 2 as yolk sac tumor, 1 as choriocarcinoma, and 41 as mixed germinoma.All children underwent head CT and MRI examinations. Among them, 99 cases showed high-density lesions on CT,while 27 cases showed mixed density,including 39 cases of calcification and 35 cases of hydrocephalus.MRI revealed atrophy of the cerebral peduncle, caudate nucleus head, or cerebral cortex in 38 cases, involvement of the basal ganglia in 33 cases, and midbrain involvement in 5 cases.Blood β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were examined in all patients, while CSF tumor marker levels were analyzed in 103 cases. There were 76 cases with elevated β-HCG in blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid, and 24 cases with elevated AFP in blood and/or CSF.Additionally, all 86 male patients underwent genital ultrasound, revealed testicular microlithiasis in 12 cases and testicular cysts in 6 cases.Conclusion:The clinical presentation of iGCTs in pediatric patients exhibits significant heterogeneity in terms of epidemiology, classification, tumor location, and molecular markers. Notably, CSF β-HCG and AFP levels are equally crucial diagnostic indicators alongside blood tumor markers.Histological examination should be performed as early as possible in clinically suspected cases with negative tumor markers. Clinicians should remain vigilant for early imaging negative potential cases. In addition, male children with testicular microlithiasis or cysts should be closely followed up.

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