1.Association of long-term radon exposure with peripheral blood DNA methylation levels and expression of regulatory genes in underground miners
Pinhua ZHANG ; Jia ZHANG ; Chunnan PIAO ; Yunyun WU ; Quanfu SUN ; Jianxiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(3):370-378
Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between long-term radon exposure and changes in peripheral blood DNA methylation levels, as well as alterations in the expression of methylation-related regulatory genes (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and MBD2) among underground non-uranium metal miners. Methods Five non-uranium metal mines with varying levels of radon exposure were enrolled in this study. From each mine, 30 underground miners and 30 aboveground workers were randomly recruited. Basic demographic information was collected via a standardized questionnaire, and peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from all participants. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) colorimetric method was used to detect peripheral blood DNA methylation levels. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and MBD2. These indicators were compared between underground and aboveground groups and among underground miners with different radon exposure levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between cumulative radon dose and two outcomes: peripheral blood DNA methylation levels, and the expression levels of methylation-related regulatory genes in underground miners. Results The average radon concentration in the underground workplaces of the five mines was 4,088 Bq/m3 (range: 116-18,188 Bq/m3), corresponding to an estimated annual effective dose of approximately 25.67 mSv for miners. The average radon concentration in aboveground workplaces was 58 Bq/m3 (range: 28-1796 Bq/m3), equivalent to an annual effective dose of approximately 0.51 mSv for aboveground workers. The average cumulative radon dose of underground miners was approximately 26.56 times that of aboveground workers (Z=−12.469, P<0.001). Compared with the aboveground workers, the peripheral blood DNA methylation level of underground miners was significantly decreased, approximately 0.77 times that of the aboveground group (Z=−2.313,P<0.05), accompanied by decreased expression of DNA methyltransferase genes DNMT1 and DNMT3A, which were 0.83 and 0.68 times those of the aboveground group, respectively (Z=−3.002、−4.190,P<0.01). After adjusting for age, working years, body mass index, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, multiple linear regression analysis revealed two key findings: cumulative radon dose was significantly and inversely correlated with peripheral blood DNA methylation levels (β=−0.752, P<0.001); and cumulative radon dose was significantly negatively associated with the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3A (β=−0.319, −0.369, P<0.01). Conclusion The reduced DNA methylation levels and downregulated expression of DNA methyltransferase genes in underground miners are closely associated with long-term radon exposure.
2.Current Situation, Trend, and Opportunity of Applying Blockchain to the Supply Chain of Orphan Drugs
Wenyan LI ; Yile YOU ; Jindong WU ; Xinrui LI ; Yunyun JIANG ; Shengfeng WANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(1):14-21
The exploration and pilot studies of applying blockchain to drug supply chain show great potential in promoting information sharing, collaboration competence among the actors, regulatory efficiency, and etc. In the future, with the help of blockchain, the optimization of the entire supply chain for orphan drugs is expected to be realized. However, there is no such exploration in China at present. This paper systematically sorts out the whole process of supply chain for orphan drugs and the existing problems of the chain. The article concludes that at present, blockchain is mainly used in the " circulation" and " use" of the drug supply chain. It helps to improve the traceability of drugs, to cope with the problem of counterfeit drugs, to enable actors of the drug supply chain to form a collaborative network in optimizing resource allocation, and to improve the operation and supervision efficiency of the supply chain. In the future, the application faces challenges such as high costs in system conversion, lack of personnel awareness, and incomplete supporting systems. Based on the three dimensions of technology, practice, and research, this paper also looks into the future and suggests for the future use of blockchain in the supply chain of orphan drugs by constructing a practice model, the so called DI-GIVE (Digital, Intelligence, Government′s supervision, Innovation, Views of variety, Evaluation-based) hoping to innovate the supply chain of orphan drugs and to ensure the drug use for the patients with rare diseases in China.
3.Diagnostic and predictive value of ferroptosis-related genes in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Rongmao HE ; Zeyang FANG ; Yunyun ZHANG ; Youliang WU ; Shixiu LIANG ; Tao JI ; Kequan CHEN ; Siqi WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1927-1937
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the value of ferroptose-related genes in the diagnosis and prediction of ulcerative colitis (UC).
METHODS:
We used UC dataset from the GEO database to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in UC. The DEGs related to ferroptositis were screened from the FerrDb database and their functions were analyzed. The hub genes were identified by constructing the protein-protein interaction network (PPI), the differences in immune infiltration levels between UC and the control group were evaluated using CIBERSORT, and the diagnostic values of the hub genes for UC were verified by using the training set. In a mouse model of UC, we examined the expression levels of the hub genes in the colon tissues of the mice using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR).
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 76 DEGs related to ferroptosis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were significantly enriched in ferroptosis and hypoxia pathways. The PPI network identified 10 hub genes, and 9 of them were highly expressed in UC. Analysis of immune cell infiltration showed that 27 cell types were significantly increased in UC (P<0.05), and the immune checkpoints-related genes had the strongest correlation with the hub gene PPARG (P<0.05). Verification analysis using the training set showed that P4HB, PPARG and STAT3 had the best predictive value for UC (P<0.05). In the UC mouse model, the expression of PPARG was significantly decreased and the expressions of P4HB and STAT3 were significantly increased in the colon tissues of the mice as compared with the normal mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Ferroptose-related genes have significant value for diagnosis and prediction of UC.
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics*
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
Ferroptosis/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Protein Interaction Maps
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics*
4.A case report and literature review of juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma originating from the uncinate process.
Le SUN ; Tingting LUO ; Yunyun ZHANG ; Yanqiao WU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(8):766-770
This paper reported a case of juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma(JTOF) originating from the uncinate process. The main clinical manifestation was nasal obstruction and epiphora. Contrast-enhanced sinus CT revealed an irregular heterogeneous soft tissue mass centered in the right uncinate process, with involvement of the right anterior ethmoid sinus, maxillary sinus ostium, frontal process of the maxilla, and partial nasolacrimal duct. The solid components of the tumor demonstrated enhancement on contrast imaging. The patient underwent endoscopic resection of the right sinonasal tumor under general anesthesia. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of JTOF. No tumor recurrence was observed during the 3-month follow-up period.
Humans
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Ethmoid Bone/pathology*
;
Fibroma, Ossifying
5.Research progress in immune checkpoint molecule TIGIT in hematologic malignant diseases
Huihui AN ; Tao WU ; Yunyun LI
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(5):448-452
The occurrence of malignant tumors is related to immune evasion caused by the upregulation of immune checkpoint inhibitory receptors. T cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain (TIGIT) is a novel immune checkpoint receptor with remarkable prospects in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. In addition to acting on T cells, TIGIT can also participate in the development of hematologic malignant diseases by regulating antigen-presenting cells, but the specific mechanism of action is still unclear. This review summarizes the latest research progress in the molecular structure, inhibitory function, immunomodulatory effect of TIGIT and the mechanism by which TIGIT modulates antigen-presenting cells to participate in the pathogenesis of malignant hematological diseases, so as to provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the immune regulatory role of TIGIT in hematologic malignant diseases.
6.Mechanism of Huayu jiedu formula in alleviating inflammatory injury in chronic kidney disease based on AIM2 pyroptosis pathway
Jinhuan XUE ; Ziwen WU ; Fan YANG ; Yunyun LOU ; Yingjun DING ; Yupeng XIAO ; Xianhui LIU ; Wenjie LIANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(21):2638-2644
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Huayu jiedu formula in regulating inflammatory injury in chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham surgery group (10 rats) and a modeling group (40 rats). The CKD model was replicated in the modeling group by unilateral ureteral obstruction surgery. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into model group, esaxerenone group (positive control), and TCM low- and high-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. The Esaxerenone group was given 1 mg/kg of esaxerenone, while the TCM low- and high-dose groups were given 13.7 and 27.4 g/kg of Huayu jiedu formula respectively, the sham surgery group and model group were given an equal volume of physiological saline, all groups were intervened continuously for 14 days. Hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in rat kidney tissue. Conventional biochemical methods were used to detect serum urea (SUr), serum creatinine (SCr), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α); immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α) , mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), absent in melanoma 2(AIM2), caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), IL-1β and IL-18 in renal tissue; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of AIM2. RESULTS Compared with the sham surgery group, the renal tissue of the model group showed pathological changes such as glomerular deformation and destruction, severe tubular dilation, and increased deposition of blue fibrin; the levels of SUr, SCr, MDA, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α,the protein expression of AIM2, GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 , and the mRNA expression of AIM2 were significantly increased or up-regulated (P<0.01); the levels of SOD, the protein expression of PGC-1α, TFAM were significantly reduced or down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed improvement in the above symptoms and most indicators in rats. CONCLUSIONS Huayu jiedu formula may improve renal function, alleviate renal inflammatory damage and pyroptosis, and exert renal protective effects by regulating the AIM2 pyroptosis pathway.
7.Expert consensus on classification and diagnosis of congenital orofacial cleft.
Chenghao LI ; Yang AN ; Xiaohong DUAN ; Yingkun GUO ; Shanling LIU ; Hong LUO ; Duan MA ; Yunyun REN ; Xudong WANG ; Xiaoshan WU ; Hongning XIE ; Hongping ZHU ; Jun ZHU ; Bing SHI
West China Journal of Stomatology 2025;43(1):1-14
Congenital orofacial cleft, the most common birth defect in the maxillofacial region, exhibits a wide range of prognosis depending on the severity of deformity and underlying etiology. Non-syndromic congenital orofacial clefts typically present with milder deformities and more favorable treatment outcomes, whereas syndromic congenital orofacial clefts often manifest with concomitant organ abnormalities, which pose greater challenges for treatment and result in poorer prognosis. This consensus provides an elaborate classification system for varying degrees of orofacial clefts along with corresponding diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. Results serve as a crucial resource for families to navigate prenatal screening results or make informed decisions regarding treatment options while also contributing significantly to preventing serious birth defects within the development of population.
Humans
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Cleft Lip/diagnosis*
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Cleft Palate/diagnosis*
;
Consensus
;
Prenatal Diagnosis
;
Female
8.Preliminary design and performance analysis of a wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter
Jian XU ; Yanqiu DING ; Wen GUO ; Yunyun WU ; Pin GAO ; Kaiyi WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(6):830-836
Objective To preliminarily design a wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 solid-state nuclear track individual neutron dosimeter with different energy sections. Methods The thickness of the converter was optimized using the Monte Carlo SRIM program to broaden the energy range of the dosimeter. The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter was calibrated using 241Am-Be, 252Cf, and thermal neutron sources to evaluate its dosimetric performance, including linearity, energy response, and neutron energy resolution. Results The linear correlation coefficient of the measurement system exceeded 0.98. The relative deviations of the energy response were 35.0% for blank section and 42.0% for polyethylene section, falling within the range of −50% to + 100% and meeting the monitoring requirements. The detection sensitivity for thermal neutron dose was 67 137.2 tr·cm−2·mSv−1, and the detection sensitivity for thermal neutron fluence was 0.98 × 10−3 tr·n−1, demonstrating good thermal neutron detection capability. Conclusion The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter fundamentally meets the requirements for individual neutron dose monitoring and is suitable for individual neutron dose monitoring in the energy range of thermal neutrons (up to approximately 15 MeV).
9.Progress of acute myeloid leukemia related gene mutations
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2025;34(2):125-128
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignant tumor with high heterogeneity. It is characterized by rapid proliferation, dysapoptosis and impaired differentiation of leukemic blast cells. It can develop at any age. The complexity of the etiology, the diversity of mechanisms, and the variability of cytogenetics and genomics hid behind the development and evolution of AML, among which some specific cytogenetic and genomic abnormalities cause the high recurrence rate and drug resistance rate of clinical AML patients. At present, the clinical application of mutated genes has become a hot field in clinical medicine. This paper reviews the role of common mutated genes and molecular targeted therapy in order to provide help for clinical treatment.
10.Protective effect of basic alkaline ceramidase 1 in ulcerative colitis
Rongmao HE ; Zeyang FANG ; Yunyun ZHANG ; Youliang WU ; Shixiu LIANG ; Siqi WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(1):7-14
Objective To study the role and influence of basic Alkaline ceramidase 1 on mucosal barrier and immune regulation in ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Acer1 knockout mice(Acer1 KO)were constructed,and the UC model was induced by continuous drinking water of sodium dextran sulfate(DSS)for 7 days,and the severity of symptoms of UC disease in C57 and Acer1 KO mice was compared.The expression levels of intestinal mucosal barriers(ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin,JAMA)were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.Systemic immune response levels(IL-1b、IL-6、IL-23、IL-17、IL-10,and TNF-a)were assessed by ELISA and intestinal inflammatory infiltration levels(TNF-a、IL-1b、IL-6、IL-17、IL-21,etc.)were assessed by RT-PCR.Results There was no significant difference between C57 and Acer1 KO mice in free drinking water.In the DSS induced UC model,compared with C57 mice,the survival rate of Acer1 KO mice decreased,the weight decreased significantly,the mechanical barrier and mucus barrier protein expression levels decreased significantly,the intes-tinal epithelial barrier was seriously damaged,the inflammatory response was strong,and the cytokine infiltration was obvious,with statistical differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Acer1 can inhibit inflammatory infiltration by maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier,preventing endotoxin,and delaying the progression of UC.

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