1.Interplay Between Interferon Stimulatory Pathways and Organellar Dynamics
Jin-Ru LI ; Yu DUAN ; Xin-Gui DAI ; Yong-Ming YAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1708-1727
Interferon stimulating factor STING, a transmembrane protein residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, is extensively involved in the sensing and transduction of intracellular signals and serves as a crucial component of the innate immune system. STING is capable of directly or indirectly responding to abnormal DNA originating from diverse sources within the cytoplasm, thereby fulfilling its classical antiviral and antitumor functions. Structurally, STING is composed of 4 transmembrane helices, a cytoplasmic ligand binding domain (LBD), and a C terminal tail structure (CTT). The transmembrane domain (TM), which is formed by the transmembrane helical structures, anchors STING to the endoplasmic reticulum, while the LBD is in charge of binding to cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). The classical second messenger, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP), represents a key upstream molecule for STING activation. Once cGAMP binds to LBD, STING experiences conformational alterations, which subsequently lead to the recruitment of Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) via the CTT domain. This, in turn, mediates interferon secretion and promotes the activation and migration of dendritic cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Additionally, STING is able to activate nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), thereby initiating the synthesis and release of inflammatory factors and augmenting the body’s immune response. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have disclosed the non-classical functions of STING. It has been found that STING plays a significant role in organelle regulation. STING is not only implicated in the quality control systems of organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum but also modulates the functions of these organelles. For instance, STING can influence key aspects of organelle quality control, including mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This regulatory effect is not unidirectional; rather, it is subject to organelle feedback regulation, thereby forming a complex interaction network. STING also exerts a monitoring function on the nucleus and ribosomes, which further enhances the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in infection-related immunity. The interaction mechanism between STING and organelles is highly intricate, which, within a certain range, enhances the cells’ capacity to respond to external stimuli and survival pressure. However, once the balance of this interaction is disrupted, it may result in the occurrence and development of inflammatory diseases, such as aseptic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Excessive activation or malfunction of STING may trigger an over-exuberant inflammatory response, which subsequently leads to tissue damage and pathological states. This review recapitulates the recent interactions between STING and diverse organelles, encompassing its multifarious functions in antiviral, antitumor, organelle regulation, and immune regulation. These investigations not only deepen the comprehension of molecular mechanisms underlying STING but also offer novel concepts for the exploration of human disease pathogenesis and the development of potential treatment strategies. In the future, with further probing into STING function and its regulatory mechanisms, it is anticipated to pioneer new approaches for the treatment of complex diseases such as inflammatory diseases and tumors.
2.tRF Prospect: tRNA-derived Fragment Target Prediction Based on Neural Network Learning
Dai-Xi REN ; Jian-Yong YI ; Yong-Zhen MO ; Mei YANG ; Wei XIONG ; Zhao-Yang ZENG ; Lei SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2428-2438
ObjectiveTransfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a recently characterized and rapidly expanding class of small non-coding RNAs, typically ranging from 13 to 50 nucleotides in length. They are derived from mature or precursor tRNA molecules through specific cleavage events and have been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes. Increasing evidence indicates that tRFs play important regulatory roles in gene expression, primarily by interacting with target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to induce transcript degradation, in a manner partially analogous to microRNAs (miRNAs). However, despite their emerging biological relevance and potential roles in disease mechanisms, there remains a significant lack of computational tools capable of systematically predicting the interaction landscape between tRFs and their target mRNAs. Existing databases often rely on limited interaction features and lack the flexibility to accommodate novel or user-defined tRF sequences. The primary goal of this study was to develop a machine learning based prediction algorithm that enables high-throughput, accurate identification of tRF:mRNA binding events, thereby facilitating the functional analysis of tRF regulatory networks. MethodsWe began by assembling a manually curated dataset of 38 687 experimentally verified tRF:mRNA interaction pairs and extracting seven biologically informed features for each pair: (1) AU content of the binding site, (2) site pairing status, (3) binding region location, (4) number of binding sites per mRNA, (5) length of the longest consecutive complementary stretch, (6) total binding region length, and (7) seed sequence complementarity. Using this dataset and feature set, we trained 4 distinct machine learning classifiers—logistic regression, random forest, decision tree, and a multilayer perceptron (MLP)—to compare their ability to discriminate true interactions from non-interactions. Each model’s performance was evaluated using overall accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the corresponding area under the ROC curve (AUC). The MLP consistently achieved the highest AUC among the four, and was therefore selected as the backbone of our prediction framework, which we named tRF Prospect. For biological validation, we retrieved 3 high-throughput RNA-seq datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) in which individual tRFs were overexpressed: AS-tDR-007333 (GSE184690), tRF-3004b (GSE197091), and tRF-20-S998LO9D (GSE208381). Differential expression analysis of each dataset identified genes downregulated upon tRF overexpression, which we designated as putative targets. We then compared the predictions generated by tRF Prospect against those from three established tools—tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget—by quantifying the number of predicted targets for each tRF and assessing concordance with the experimentally derived gene sets. ResultsThe proposed algorithm achieved high predictive accuracy, with an AUC of 0.934. Functional validation was conducted using transcriptome-wide RNA-seq datasets from cells overexpressing specific tRFs, confirming the model’s ability to accurately predict biologically relevant downregulation of mRNA targets. When benchmarked against established tools such as tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget, tRF Prospect consistently demonstrated superior performance, both in terms of predictive precision and sensitivity, as well as in identifying a higher number of true-positive interactions. Moreover, unlike static databases that are limited to precomputed results, tRF Prospect supports real-time prediction for any user-defined tRF sequence, enhancing its applicability in exploratory and hypothesis-driven research. ConclusionThis study introduces tRF Prospect as a powerful and flexible computational tool for investigating tRF:mRNA interactions. By leveraging the predictive strength of deep learning and incorporating a broad spectrum of interaction-relevant features, it addresses key limitations of existing platforms. Specifically, tRF Prospect: (1) expands the range of detectable tRF and target types; (2) improves prediction accuracy through multilayer perceptron model; and (3) allows for dynamic, user-driven analysis beyond database constraints. Although the current version emphasizes miRNA-like repression mechanisms and faces challenges in accurately capturing 5'UTR-associated binding events, it nonetheless provides a critical foundation for future studies aiming to unravel the complex roles of tRFs in gene regulation, cellular function, and disease pathogenesis.
3.Effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery
Ming-Jie ZHONG ; Yong LIU ; Yue CHEN ; Ying GENG ; Hao WU ; Ti-Jun DAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(8):718-721
Objective To investigate the effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery.Methods A total of 90 elderly patients with lung cancer underwent thoracoscopic radical surgery were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 45 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were given general anesthesia,while the patients in the observation group were given erector spinae plane block before general anesthesia.The vital signs at different time points,opioid dosage,number of analgesic pump compressions,incision pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,cognitive function and postoperative delirium of patients between the two groups were compared.Results At the end of anesthesia,the mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The dosage of remifentanil during operation,sufentanil during perioperative period and number of analgesia pumps compressions of patients in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incision pain VAS scores 6 hours,12 hours,24 hours and 48 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The scores of cognitive function 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);and the incidence of delirium 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery in the control group was significantly higher than those in the observation group(P<0.05).Conclusion Erector spinae plane block can significantly relieve the perioperative pain of elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery,reduce the dosage of opioids and the incidence of postoperative delirium,improve the postoperative cognitive function of patients,which provides a new idea for reducing the incidence of postoperative mental diseases.
4.In situ needle fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair for treating aortic dissection involving aortic arch
Junlong ZHU ; Tongjie XU ; Peng LI ; Jianghong DAI ; Hao CHEN ; Wei DOU ; Yong LIU ; Huqiang HE
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2024;21(9):517-521
Objective To observe the effect of in situ needle fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair(TEVAR)for treating aortic dissection(AD)involving aortic arch.Methods Data of 16 patients with AD involving aortic arch who underwent in situ needle fenestration TEVAR for reconstruction of aortic arch branches were retrospectively analyzed,and the number of fenestration,technical success rate and TEVAR related complications were recorded.Regular follow-up was conducted after TEVAR,the repair of dissection and the patency of fenestrated branch blood vessels were evaluated,the endoleak was assessed,and the survival of patients were recorded.Results The main aortic stent was successfully implanted in all 16 cases.Among them,4 received triple fenestration stent implantation in zones Z0,Z1 and Z2,6 received double fenestration stent implantation in zones Z1 and Z2,2 received double fenestration stent implantation in zones Z0 and Z1 and 4 received single fenestration stent implantation in zone Z2.The success rate of brachiocephalic trunk(BCT)fenestration was 83.33%(5/6).Left common carotid artery(LCCA)-right common carotid artery bypass was performed in 1 case without successful fenestration.The success rate of LCCA fenestration was 100%(12/12).The success rate of left subclavian artery(LSA)fenestration was 87.50%(14/16),2 cases with not successful fenestration were treated with axillar-axillary artery artificial vascular bypass.The technical success rate of intervention was 100%(16/16).Type Ⅰa endoleak occurred in 1 case during TEVAR process and improved after embolization with spring coil.One patient died of pericardial tamponade at the end of TEVAR.Fifteen patients were followed up for a median follow-up time of 20 months.During this period,transient ischemic attack and local small dissection at the proximal beginning of the main stent occurred each in 1 case,which improved after no special treatment.Type Ⅰ endoleak occurred in 1 case,type Ⅲ endoleak occurred in 2 cases,all improved after proximal fenestrated membrane stent implantation or spring coil embolization treatment.One case died of coronary heart disease.Conclusion In situ needle fenestration TEVAR was effective and safe for treating AD involving aortic arch.
5.Relation of relapse tendency to childhood maltreatment,impulsivity and quality of life in methamphetamine-dependent youths
Simin HOU ; Yirou HE ; Lushi JING ; Weidong FU ; Yong ZHAO ; Tong DAI ; Yuxi WU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(9):796-801
Objective:To explore the relationship between relapse tendency and childhood maltreatment in methamphetamine-dependent youths,and the role of impulsivity and quality of life in the relationship.Methods:To-tally 287 methamphetamine-dependent youths(160 females,127 males)were selected in compulsory drug rehabili-tation centers.The Relapse Tendency Questionnaire(RTQ),Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form(CTQ-SF),Barrett Impulsivity Scale(BIS-11)and Quality of Life for Drug Addicts(QOL-DA)for Drug Addicts were used to conduct the survey.SPSS macro program PROCESS was used to test the mediating role.Results:The BIS-11 total scores acted as a partial mediator between the total scores of CTQ-SF and RTQ,with an effect value of 0.03(95%CI:0.01-0.05),the QOL-DA total scores acted as a full mediator between the total scores of CTQ-SF and RTQ,with an effect value of 0.05(95%CI:0.02-0.08),and the scores of BIS-11 and QOL-DA acted as chain mediators between total scores of CTQ-SF and RTQ,with an effect value of 0.01(95%CI:0.00-0.03).Conclusion:Childhood maltreatment,impulsivity,and quality of life may be associated with relapse tendencies in methamphetamine-dependent youths.
6.Consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma
Dai-Liang ZHANG ; Xin-Na DONG ; Lei SHI ; Xiao-Di DONG ; Yong-Qiang LIN ; Rong-Fei ZHANG ; Jing-Hua ZHANG ; Yuan-Cheng YAO ; Feng-Chao ZHANG ; Gui-Yun CAO ; Zhao-Qing MENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(9):2851-2858
AIM To investigate the consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma.METHODS Eighteen batches of standard decoctions were prepared,after which the extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of magnolflorine,jatrorrhizine,columbamine,epiberberine,coptisine,palmatine,berberin were determined,HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.RESULTS There were 11 common peaks in the characteristic chromatograms of 18 batches of standard decoctions and 24 batches of formula granules with the similarities of 0.861-1.000,which were clusterd into two categories.The formula granules and standard decoction demonstrated approximated extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of index constituents.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma display good consistency,which can provide references for the quality control,process research and clinical application of the former.
7.Application of a New Type Non-inflatable Retractor in Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via Submental and Vestibular Approach
Zhiqiang JIANG ; Mengqiao DAI ; Zihang AI ; Huilin LUO ; Cong LIAO ; Yang XIE ; Yong YING ; Xiangtai ZENG
Chinese Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2024;24(8):534-539
Objective To investigate the safety of using a self-made new type non-inflatable retractor for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via submental and vestibular approach(TOETSMVA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the surgical records of 119 cases of unilateral thyroid lobe tumor from January 2021 to June 2022.Among them,37 cases underwent non-inflatable TOETSMVA by using a new type non-inflatable retractor(non-inflatable group),37 cases underwent traditional inflatable TOETSMVA(inflatable group),and 45 cases underwent traditional open anterior cervical thyroid surgery(open group).The differences in surgical indicators,postoperative complications,and patient satisfaction with incision were compared among the three groups.Results Compared with the open group,the non-inflatable group had longer operation time[(131.0±20.1)min vs.(81.1±15.7)min,P=0.000],but less intraoperative blood loss[19(15,27)ml vs.30(25,37)ml,P=0.000],lower pain score on the first day after surgery[(4.8±2.1)points vs.(6.4±1.9)points,P=0.000],and higher patient's satisfaction with the incision(the number of cases of very dissatisfied,dissatisfied,satisfied,comparatively satisfied,and very satisfied were 0,0,6,16,15 vs.4,3,19,17,2,P=0.000).Compared with the inflatable group,the non-inflatable group had shorter surgical time[(131.0±20.1)min vs.(141.8±22.9)min,P=0.019],and there were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative bleeding volume,pain score on the first day after surgery,and patient satisfaction with the incision(P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the number of lymph node dissection,total postoperative drainage volume,and parathyroid hormone(PTH)levels on the first day after surgery among the three groups(P>0.05).Postoperative bleeding occurred in 1 case in the open group,and 1 case of hoarseness and 1 case of subcutaneous ecchymosis of the neck were noted in the non-inflatable group.No tracheoesophageal injury,severe subcutaneous emphysema,hypercapnia,or gas embolism happened among the three groups.Conclusions The new type non-inflatable retractor can effectively maintain space during TOETSMVA surgery.Compared with traditional open anterior cervical thyroid surgery and conventional inflatable TOETSMVA,it has better surgical safety.
8.Central Bone Mineral Density Is Not a Useful Tool to Predict Bone Strength of the Distal Femur for Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty
Dongwhan SUH ; Dai-Soon KWAK ; Yong Deok KIM ; Seokjae PARK ; Nicole CHO ; In Jun KOH
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2024;16(6):917-924
Background:
The increasing prevalence of cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) necessitates a reliable assessment of bone quality. Central bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in the lumbar spine and hip, is conventionally used to estimate bone quality. However, its effectiveness in predicting the actual bone strength at the knee, which is crucial for cementless TKA, is under scrutiny. This study investigated the relationship between central BMD and actual bone strength at the knee.
Methods:
This prospective study included 191 knees undergoing standard posterior-stabilized TKA between November 2021 and March 2023. Central BMD was assessed 3 months before TKA, and the failure load of bone fragments collected during box preparation was directly measured using an indentation test. Relationships between central BMD and failure load as a measure of the actual bone strength at the knee were analyzed.
Results:
Linear regression analysis revealed a weak correlation between central BMD and the actual bone strength at the knee (R 2= 0.146 in all patients; < 0.001 in osteoporosis group; 0.126 in non-osteoporosis group). The correlation suggested by the regression models was particularly insignificant in the osteoporosis subgroup, showing that central BMD is not a reliable predictor of bone strength for cementless TKA.
Conclusions
Central BMD measurements have limited utility in accurately predicting the real bone strength at the knee for cementless TKA. This study highlights the need for more specific and direct methods of assessing bone quality at the knee to ensure the success of cementless TKA.
9.Central Bone Mineral Density Is Not a Useful Tool to Predict Bone Strength of the Distal Femur for Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty
Dongwhan SUH ; Dai-Soon KWAK ; Yong Deok KIM ; Seokjae PARK ; Nicole CHO ; In Jun KOH
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2024;16(6):917-924
Background:
The increasing prevalence of cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) necessitates a reliable assessment of bone quality. Central bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in the lumbar spine and hip, is conventionally used to estimate bone quality. However, its effectiveness in predicting the actual bone strength at the knee, which is crucial for cementless TKA, is under scrutiny. This study investigated the relationship between central BMD and actual bone strength at the knee.
Methods:
This prospective study included 191 knees undergoing standard posterior-stabilized TKA between November 2021 and March 2023. Central BMD was assessed 3 months before TKA, and the failure load of bone fragments collected during box preparation was directly measured using an indentation test. Relationships between central BMD and failure load as a measure of the actual bone strength at the knee were analyzed.
Results:
Linear regression analysis revealed a weak correlation between central BMD and the actual bone strength at the knee (R 2= 0.146 in all patients; < 0.001 in osteoporosis group; 0.126 in non-osteoporosis group). The correlation suggested by the regression models was particularly insignificant in the osteoporosis subgroup, showing that central BMD is not a reliable predictor of bone strength for cementless TKA.
Conclusions
Central BMD measurements have limited utility in accurately predicting the real bone strength at the knee for cementless TKA. This study highlights the need for more specific and direct methods of assessing bone quality at the knee to ensure the success of cementless TKA.
10.Predictive value of emergency intracerebral hemorrhage grading scale for adverse prognosis in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
Guangnian QIAO ; Yao XIAO ; Yong SUN ; Dapeng DAI ; Aimin LI
Clinical Medicine of China 2024;40(3):169-175
Objective:To study the emergency cerebral hemorrhage grading scale (EDICH) score and the modified emergency intracerebral hemorrhage grading scale (mEDICH) score on the adverse prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage 90 days after discharge.Methods:The clinical data of 248 patients with cerebral hemorrhage in the Department of Neurosurgery, Lianyungang Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from January 2022 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the modified Rankin scale (mRS) 90 days after discharge, patients were divided into a good prognosis group (212 cases) and a poor prognosis group (36 cases). Independent-samples t-test and rank-sum test were used to compare the basic information, vital signs, laboratory tests, imaging characteristics, EDICH score and mEDICH score of the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of EDICH score and mEDICH score for the poor prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage 90 days after discharge.Results:The diameter of intracerebral hematoma (5.53±0.32) cm, the rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (61.11%,22/36) and the rate of subtentorial hemorrhage (27.78%, 10/36) in poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in good prognosis group (3.50±0.07) cm, intraventricular hemorrhage (30.19%, 64/212) and infratentorial hemorrhage (14.15%, 30/212), the differences were statistically significant ( t=6.19, P<0.001; χ 2=12.99, P<0.001; χ 2=4.22, P=0.040). GCS scores in the poor prognosis group were lower than those in the good prognosis group ( H=72.01, P<0.001). EDICH scores and mEDICH scores in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group (EDICH score: H=65.79, P<0.001; mEDICH score: H=76.56, P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed EDICH score ( OR=5.869,95% CI 3.451-9.981, P<0.05) and mEDICH score ( OR=10.353,95% CI 4.842-22.137, P<0.05)could predict the prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage 90 days after discharge. ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of EDICH score and mEDICH score were 0. 861,0.889 and 0. 821,0.953, respectively, but the predictive effect of mEDICH score was significantly better than that of EDICH score ( Kappa values were 0. 787 and 0. 494, respectively). The predicted results are highly consistent with the actual results. Conclusion:MEDICH score can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage 90 days after discharge, which has clinical application value.

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