1.Successful treatment of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridging to lung transplantation in a patient with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease
Yi GONG ; Xinyu LING ; Rui YAN ; Bo SUN ; Ke MA ; Guifang WANG ; Chang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):154-159
A 42-year-old male with chest tightness and dyspnea was admitted to the hospital. Chest CT indicated diffuse interstitial lung infiltration. Despite receiving anti-infective therapy, glucocorticoid therapy, and immunosuppressive agents, the patient developed refractory hypoxaemia. Endotracheal intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation failed to improve oxygenation. Therefore the patient was diagnosed with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) accompanied by type Ⅰ respiratory failure. Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was initiated, and oxygenation improved in this patient. The patient subsequently underwent bilateral lung transplantation with veno-arterio-venous (VAV) ECMO support. ECMO machine was withdrawn on day 1, and extubation was achieved on day 9 after surgery. Histopathology revealed fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) with hyaline membrane formation. The patient developed ICU-acquired myasthenia and received early rehabilitation, with gradual recovery of muscle strength. During follow-up, graft lung function remained stable. This case demonstrates that ECMO can serve as a bridge to lung transplantation in RP-ILD patients.
2.Different Exercise Modalities for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated With Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease
Bo-Zong YI ; Lei LÜ ; Yu-Xiao GUO ; Bei-Bei QIE ; Fei-Long CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2053-2070
Both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) fall within the spectrum of metabolic diseases, and they exhibit a bi-directional causal relationship and robust reciprocal association. Their shared pathological cornerstone is insulin resistance (IR), which involves the interplay of mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation, forming a cascading pathological process of “IR-mitochondrial dysfunction-inflammation”. This largely explains the notable upward trend in T2DM-MAFLD co-occurrence observed over recent years. Exercise intervention, as a safe and effective non-pharmacological approach, can improve the pathological progression of these patients at multiple levels. Following the logical framework of “pathogenesis-efficacy comparison-molecular mechanisms-clinical translation”, this article systematically compares the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), resistance exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and combined training. MICT reduces intrahepatic triglycerides by promoting lipolysis and improving cardiorespiratory fitness; resistance exercise increases muscle mass and basal metabolic rate, offering unique advantages in preserving muscle while reducing fat and improving insulin sensitivity; HIIT is a time-efficient exercise modality that enhances patients’ cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity by alternating brief periods of vigorous exertion with recovery periods, with a prominent short-term triglyceride-lowering effect; combined training produces synergistic effects, comprehensively improving glucolipid metabolism and showing the best long-term adherence. Mechanistically, exercise exerts its beneficial effects through three common pathways: (1) AMPK-mediated lipid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis; (2) IRS/PI3K/Akt-mediated insulin signaling sensitization; and (3) Nrf2/ARE anti-oxidation and TGF-β/Smads anti-fibrosis regulation. Different exercise modalities activate these pathways with distinct emphases: MICT most directly and persistently activates the AMPK pathway; resistance exercise uniquely improves IRS/PI3K/Akt signaling through muscle mass gain; HIIT induces the highest AMPK activation intensity and triggers unique lactate-mediated signaling regulation; combined training integrates the above multiple mechanistic advantages. For clinical translation, multidisciplinary team collaboration is essential to ensure safety and adherence. Individualized prescriptions should be formulated according to the FITT-VP principle and patient phenotypes—frequency of 3-5 sessions/week of aerobic exercise combined with 2-3 sessions/week of resistance exercise; intensity of moderate-intensity (40%-60% heart rate reserve (HRR))aerobic exercise and 60%-80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for resistance exercise; time of at least 150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, 30-60 min per session; type of combined training as the preferred modality; total volume of≥500-1 000 MET-min/week; and progression adjusted every 4-6 weeks—with real-time adjustments supported by wearable devices, ultimately forming a closed-loop management system from initial assessment to long-term follow-up. Notably, current studies have limitations such as small sample sizes and short intervention periods. Future research should focus on long-term follow-up, multi-omics biomarkers, and combined exercise-drug strategies. In conclusion, the systematic integration of structured, individualized, and sustainable exercise interventions into the multidisciplinary management pathway for patients with T2DM complicated by MAFLD is an urgent need in current clinical practice.
3.ERBB3 blockade sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma to regorafenib after first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance by inhibiting HIF1A-ABCB1 signaling
Baorui TAO ; Chenhe YI ; Bo ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Yinchen GU ; Rongquan SUN ; Xiangyu WANG ; Jing LIN ; Jinhong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):787-807
Background/Aims:
Regorafenib is recommended by guidelines and trials as a sequential second-line therapy following progression on first-line sorafenib or lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, efficacy is limited, highlighting the urgent need to screen suitable patients and develop sensitization strategies.
Methods:
Acquired sorafenib- or lenvatinib-resistant (SR or LR) HCC cell lines and organoids were established. Genome-wide CRISPR library screen was performed in SR or LR cell strains to identify synthetic lethal targets of regorafenib. RNA-seq and FITC-regorafenib efflux assay were used to elucidate ERBB3-driven downstream signaling. Preclinical mouse models of cell line- and patient-derived xenografts and clinical cohorts of HCC patients were employed to validate the efficacy of ERBB3-guided patient stratification.
Results:
Screening with CRISPR library, we showed that inhibition of ERBB3 was synthetic lethal with regorafenib in SR or LR cell strains and organoids. Mechanistically, SR or LR triggered feedback activation of ERBB3 signaling and mediated regorafenib efflux via ERBB3-HIF1A-ABCB1 cascade pathway, limiting sensitivity to regorafenib. Moreover, ERBB3-low tumors following SR or LR exhibited significant sensitivity to regorafenib, suggesting its potential as a predictive biomarker to screen optimal candidates for sequential therapy. Seribantumab, an ERBB3-targeting monoclonal antibody, inhibited ERBB3-HIF1A-ABCB1 cascade, and its combination with regorafenib exerted marked synergistic anti-tumor effects on ERBB3-high tumors resistant to sorafenib or lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions
This study revealed that ERBB3 was a key resistance factor driving limited efficacy to sequential regorafenib, but also an effective therapeutic target whose inhibition enhanced regorafenib sensitivity after SR or LR.
4.Identification of immune cell-related biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma using weighted gene co-expression network analysis
Dongyuan HE ; Bo CHEN ; Jingyao LIANG ; Haibo YE ; Xiaoxing YI ; Guangni LIANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):751-758
Objective To identify immune cell-related biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Methods Based on data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, a gene co-expression network was constructed for the TCGA-LUAD dataset using the "WGCNA" R package, and genes were clustered into different modules. Concurrently, the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumours using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm was applied to the tumor samples in the TCGA-LUAD dataset. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to evaluate the biological functions of genes within the most significantly correlated module. Candidate hub genes from the key module were intersected with a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to identify the final hub genes. The prognostic performance of these hub genes and their correlation with immune cell infiltration were validated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource (TIMER) algorithm. Finally, a multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted on the identified hub genes to construct a prognostic risk model. Results In the co-expression network, the brown module was found to be highly correlated with the ImmuneScore, StromalScore, and ESTIMATE Score. Five immune-related hub genes were identified: CD53, PLEK, SPI1, IL10RA, and C3AR1. Enrichment analysis of the brown module revealed that its genes were primarily enriched in GO terms such as "regulation of innate immune response" and KEGG pathways like the "NF-kappa B signaling pathway". Furthermore, the expression levels of these five hub genes were significantly and positively correlated with the infiltration abundance of various immune cells. The immune relevance of the model was validated by the Immunophenoscore (IPS) and the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) score. Moreover, the established RiskScore demonstrated significant potential in predicting the response to immunotherapy. Conclusion These five immune-related key genes may serve as novel and effective potential therapeutic targets for LUAD immunotherapy, facilitating the development of personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients with LUAD.
5.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
6.Detection of Ketamine and Norketamine Using an Aptamer-Functionalized Gra-phene Oxide Fluorescent Sensor
Li-Xia WEI ; Bo LIU ; Xiao-Yuan YANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Yi-Feng LAN ; Chao ZHANG ; Juan JIA ; Dan ZHANG ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN ; Zhe CHEN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):326-339
Objective To construct an aptamer-functionalized carboxylated graphene oxide(CGO)fluo-rescent sensor to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of ketamine(KET)and its metabolite norketamine(NK)using an aptamer capable of simultaneously recognizing KET and NK.Methods A specific aptamer for simultaneous recognition of KET and NK was screened using graphene oxide-sys-tematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment(GO-SELEX)and molecular docking tech-niques.The aptamer,labeled with Cy5 fluorescence,was chemically conjugated to CGO to construct an aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.By optimizing detection conditions,including the mass concentration of CGO,aptamer concentration,reaction temperature,and incubation time,quantita-tive analysis of the target analytes was achieved using the ratio of fluorescence intensity changes be-fore and after target addition.The stability of the sensor in biological matrices was evaluated by moni-toring fluorescence intensity changes over incubation time in blank blood and urine,in comparison with the traditional physical adsorption-based CGO fluorescent sensor.Spiked recovery experiments in blank blood and urine were conducted to compare performance with that of HPLC-MS/MS.Results A specific aptamer A5 was selected and chemically conjugated with CGO to construct the aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.Under optimized conditions,the proposed fluorescent sensor ex-hibited a linear detection range of 1.0-5.0 ng/mL for KET,with a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.86 ng/mL;while for NK,the linear detection range was 1.0-5.0 ng/mL,with an LOD of 0.70 ng/mL.Com-pared with the CGO fluorescent sensor constructed via physical adsorption,this sensor demonstrated greater stability in blood and urine.The spiked recovery rates of KET and NK in blank blood and urine ranged from 81.50%to 110.03%,exhibiting detection performance comparable to that of HPLC-MS/MS.Conclusion The aptamer screening method offers a novel approach for selecting aptamers tar-geting drugs and their metabolites.The constructed aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor pro-vides an efficient and reliable strategy for the high-performance detection of KET and NK.
7.Comparison of Logistic Regression and Machine Learning Approaches in Predicting Depressive Symptoms: A National-Based Study
Xing-Xuan DONG ; Jian-Hua LIU ; Tian-Yang ZHANG ; Chen-Wei PAN ; Chun-Hua ZHAO ; Yi-Bo WU ; Dan-Dan CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):267-278
Objective:
Machine learning (ML) has been reported to have better predictive capability than traditional statistical techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ML algorithms and logistic regression (LR) for predicting depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Analyses were carried out in a national cross-sectional study involving 21,916 participants. The ML algorithms in this study included random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), and gradient boosting machine (GBM) methods. The performance indices were sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results:
LR and NN had the best performance in terms of AUCs. The risk of overfitting was found to be negligible for most ML models except for RF, and GBM obtained the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and F1-score. Therefore, LR, NN, and GBM models ranked among the best models.
Conclusion
Compared with ML models, LR model performed comparably to ML models in predicting depressive symptoms and identifying potential risk factors while also exhibiting a lower risk of overfitting.
8.GOLM1 promotes cholesterol gallstone formation via ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis livers
Yi-Tong LI ; Wei-Qing SHAO ; Zhen-Mei CHEN ; Xiao-Chen MA ; Chen-He YI ; Bao-Rui TAO ; Bo ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Guo ZHANG ; Rui ZHANG ; Yan GENG ; Jing LIN ; Jin-Hong CHEN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):409-425
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a significant risk factor for gallstone formation, but mechanisms underlying MASH-related gallstone formation remain unclear. Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) participates in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and is upregulated in MASH. Here, we aimed to explore the role of GOLM1 in MASH-related gallstone formation.
Methods:
The UK Biobank cohort was used for etiological analysis. GOLM1 knockout (GOLM1-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Livers were excised for histology and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gallbladders were collected to calculate incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGSs). Biles were collected for biliary lipid analysis. HepG2 cells were used to explore underlying mechanisms. Human liver samples were used for clinical validation.
Results:
MASH patients had a greater risk of cholelithiasis. All HFD-fed mice developed MASH, and the incidence of gallstones was 16.7% and 75.0% in GOLM1-/- and WT mice, respectively. GOLM1-/- decreased biliary cholesterol concentration and output. In vivo and in vitro assays confirmed that GOLM1 facilitated cholesterol efflux through upregulating ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G member 5 (ABCG5). Mechanistically, GOLM1 translocated into nucleus to promote osteopontin (OPN) transcription, thus stimulating ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux. Moreover, GOLM1 was upregulated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, we confirmed that IL-1β, GOLM1, OPN, and ABCG5 were enhanced in livers of MASH patients with CGSs.
Conclusions
In MASH livers, upregulation of GOLM1 by IL-1β increases ABCG5-mediated cholesterol efflux in an OPN-dependent manner, promoting CGS formation. GOLM1 has the potential to be a molecular hub interconnecting MASH and CGSs.
9.Comparison of Logistic Regression and Machine Learning Approaches in Predicting Depressive Symptoms: A National-Based Study
Xing-Xuan DONG ; Jian-Hua LIU ; Tian-Yang ZHANG ; Chen-Wei PAN ; Chun-Hua ZHAO ; Yi-Bo WU ; Dan-Dan CHEN
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(3):267-278
Objective:
Machine learning (ML) has been reported to have better predictive capability than traditional statistical techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ML algorithms and logistic regression (LR) for predicting depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Analyses were carried out in a national cross-sectional study involving 21,916 participants. The ML algorithms in this study included random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), and gradient boosting machine (GBM) methods. The performance indices were sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, F1-score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results:
LR and NN had the best performance in terms of AUCs. The risk of overfitting was found to be negligible for most ML models except for RF, and GBM obtained the highest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and F1-score. Therefore, LR, NN, and GBM models ranked among the best models.
Conclusion
Compared with ML models, LR model performed comparably to ML models in predicting depressive symptoms and identifying potential risk factors while also exhibiting a lower risk of overfitting.
10.Protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on a yorkshire model of brain injury after traumatic blood loss.
Xiang-Yu SONG ; Yang-Hui DONG ; Zhi-Bo JIA ; Lei-Jia CHEN ; Meng-Yi CUI ; Yan-Jun GUAN ; Bo-Yao YANG ; Si-Ce WANG ; Sheng-Feng CHEN ; Peng-Kai LI ; Heng CHEN ; Hao-Chen ZUO ; Zhan-Cheng YANG ; Wen-Jing XU ; Ya-Qun ZHAO ; Jiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):469-476
PURPOSE:
To investigate the protective effect of sub-hypothermic mechanical perfusion combined with membrane lung oxygenation on ischemic hypoxic injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss.
METHODS:
This article performed a random controlled trial. Brain tissue of 7 yorkshire was selected and divided into the sub-low temperature anterograde machine perfusion group (n = 4) and the blank control group (n = 3) using the random number table method. A yorkshire model of brain tissue injury induced by traumatic blood loss was established. Firstly, the perfusion temperature and blood oxygen saturation were monitored in real-time during the perfusion process. The number of red blood cells, hemoglobin content, NA+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentrations and pH of the perfusate were detected. Following perfusion, we specifically examined the parietal lobe to assess its water content. The prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were then dissected for histological evaluation, allowing us to investigate potential regional differences in tissue injury. The blank control group was sampled directly before perfusion. All statistical analyses and graphs were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 Student t-test. All tests were two-sided, and p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
RESULTS:
The contents of red blood cells and hemoglobin during perfusion were maintained at normal levels but more red blood cells were destroyed 3 h after the perfusion. The blood oxygen saturation of the perfusion group was maintained at 95% - 98%. NA+ and K+ concentrations were normal most of the time during perfusion but increased significantly at about 4 h. The Ca2+ concentration remained within the normal range at each period. Glucose levels were slightly higher than the baseline level. The pH of the perfusion solution was slightly lower at the beginning of perfusion, and then gradually increased to the normal level. The water content of brain tissue in the sub-low and docile perfusion group was 78.95% ± 0.39%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.27% ± 0.55%, t = 10.49, p < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with the blank control group, the structure and morphology of pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex and CA1 region of the hippocampal gyrus were similar, and their integrity was better. The structural integrity of granulosa neurons was destroyed and cell edema increased in the perfusion group compared with the blank control group. Immunofluorescence staining for glail fibrillary acidic protein and Iba1, markers of glial cells, revealed well-preserved cell structures in the perfusion group. While there were indications of abnormal cellular activity, the analysis showed no significant difference in axon thickness or integrity compared to the 1-h blank control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic machine perfusion can improve ischemia and hypoxia injury of yorkshire brain tissue caused by traumatic blood loss and delay the necrosis and apoptosis of yorkshire brain tissue by continuous oxygen supply, maintaining ion homeostasis and reducing tissue metabolism level.
Animals
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Perfusion/methods*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Brain Injuries/etiology*
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Swine
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Male
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Hypothermia, Induced/methods*

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