1.Exploration and challenges of neoadjuvant therapy in the management of resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Xin LIU ; Yutao HE ; Fangming TIAN ; Haocheng TANG ; Zhitian SHI ; Lin WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(23):3780-3785
Neoadjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma is the frontier and hot topic in the current field of liver cancer research.The fundamental purpose is to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence through standardized preoperative treatment methods.From the attempts of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization monotherapy for neoadjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma to systematic treatment represented by"targeted combined with immunotherapy",the latter has become the most promising neoadjuvant strategy due to its high objective response rate and potential to induce pathological complete remission.However,the field still faces challenges such as lack of evidence of overall survival benefit in Phase Ⅲ randomized controlled trials,treatment-related adverse reactions that may lead to delay in surgery,optimal population screening,and timing of surgery.This article aims to briefly discuss the current research status of the application of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma,explore relevant diagnosis and treatment concepts,and further understand neoadjuvant therapy.
2.Effect of β-adrenergic receptor blockers on the sleep architecture of mice
Jing QU ; Yutao LIANG ; Lei HAN ; Ye XING ; Long WANG ; Zhuochao LIN ; Kepeng LIU ; Guangsen SHI
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(4):498-506
Recent studies have identified a missense mutation in the β1-receptor (ADRB1-A187V) that exerts a pronounced impact on human sleep, with a noted decrease in protein abundance in vivo. The administration of β-blockers is frequently associated with sleep disturbances in clinical settings. In this study, we assessed the influence of various β-blockers on sleep within mouse models. Our findings indicated that β-blockers could induce varying degrees of arousal, sleep disruption, and a decrease in REMS (rapid eye movement sleep). We examined the dose-dependent effects of metoprolol and nebivolol on both sleep and cardiac functionality in both wild-type and Adrb1-A187V mutant mice. Our data suggested that, in contrast to cardiac effects, higher doses of metoprolol are required to have noted impact on sleep. No genotype effect was observed with metoprolol in terms of sleep or cardiac function. In contrast, the mutant mice demonstrated increased sensitivity to nebivolol, which exacerbated sleep fragmentation and impeded the onset of REMS. This study is expected to provide some reference for minimizing the occurrence of sleep disorders and reducing the adverse reactions of drugs to the greatest extent.
3.Genome-wide investigation of transcription factor footprints and dynamics using cFOOT-seq.
Heng WANG ; Ang WU ; Meng-Chen YANG ; Di ZHOU ; Xiyang CHEN ; Zhifei SHI ; Yiqun ZHANG ; Yu-Xin LIU ; Kai CHEN ; Xiaosong WANG ; Xiao-Fang CHENG ; Baodan HE ; Yutao FU ; Lan KANG ; Yujun HOU ; Kun CHEN ; Shan BIAN ; Juan TANG ; Jianhuang XUE ; Chenfei WANG ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Jiejun SHI ; Shaorong GAO ; Jia-Min ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(11):932-952
Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics*
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Humans
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Chromatin/genetics*
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Animals
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Binding Sites
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Mice
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DNA Footprinting/methods*
4.Structural and epitope characterization of HIV-1 V1V2 highly effective neutralizing antibodies based on AlphaFold 3
Junjie ZHANG ; Qianying WANG ; Ying LIU ; Shuhui WANG ; Li REN ; Shuo WANG ; Yutao SHI ; Yuhua RUAN ; Xiaojing LIU ; Xinran DU ; Yanling HAO ; Dan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(5):548-555
Objective:To screen broadly neutralizing antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)chronically infected individuals and characterize their molecular features and to provide new strategies for rational vaccine development and antibody-based therapeutics.Methods:A total of 34 treatment-na?ve individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection were enrolled. Plasma antibody binding levels were measured against two HIV-1 envelope proteins. Single antigen-specific memory B cells were sorted from high-binding samples,and antibody variable region genes were amplified by PCR for paired expression. The monoclonal antibodies were evaluated for neutralizing activity using pseudovirus assays,and their structural features were analyzed by integrating AlphaFold 3 prediction with Discovery Studio molecular docking.Results:Plasma samples showed strong binding to DU422-GP140 and BG505-GP140. Eight monoclonal antibodies were isolated from two donors. Among them,antibodies 0919-A4,0919-A9 and 0808-A2 could cross-react with GP140 from HIV-1 subtypes AE,BC and B. The monoclonal antibody 0919-A9 demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against SF162(Tier 1)and CH181(Tier 2)pseudoviruses,with somatic hypermutation rates of 13.27%(heavy chain)and 15.58%(light chain). Structural modeling revealed its specific targeting of the V1V2 region on GP120.Conclusion:The isolated antibody 0919-A9 effectively neutralizes Tier 2 pseudoviruses. Its high somatic mutation frequency and V1V2-targeting property underlie its neutralizing activity,providing both a promising candidate and mechanistic insights for HIV vaccine development and antibody-based therapeutic strategies.
5.Assessment of pathological grading in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer based on apparent diffusion coefficient heterogeneity and morphological indicators
Yihan QIN ; Siyu ZHOU ; Yutao WU ; Yueyue LI ; Jian SHI ; Xiaolin WANG ; Feng FENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(3):447-451
Objective To explore the value of combining apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)heterogeneity with morphological indicators in assessing the pathological grading of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods The MRI images of 86 patients confirmed with NMIBC by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent T2WI,diffusion weighted ima-ging(DWI),and dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)examinations.Two radiologists independently measured tumor largest diam-eter(LD),actual tumor-wall contact length(ACTCL),ADCmean,ADCmin,and ADCmax values.ADC heterogeneity was calculated using the formula(ADCmax-ADCmin)/ADCmean.Differences in quantitative parameters between low-and high-grade NMIBC were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test,while differences in qualitative parameters were compared using the chi-square test.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of high-grade NMIBC,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the performance of ADC heterogeneity combined with morphological indicators in assessing high-grade NMIBC.Results ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL were independent predictors for preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading.The area under the curve(AUC)of ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL in assessing high-grade NMIBC were 0.843 and 0.744,respectively.The combined AUC was 0.902.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of ADC heterogeneity with ACTCL can effectively improve the efficiency of preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading,and providing more precise clinical decision-making and prognosis monitoring.
6.Clinical prognosis and immunotherapeutic benefit in patients with gastric cancer and bone metastasis
Wenqi LIU ; Tao SHI ; Shiji REN ; Yutao WEI ; Baorui LIU ; Jia WEI
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(7):746-753
Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors in gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis,and to evaluate the impact of different treatment regimens on survival in patients with synchronous and metachronous bone metastasis.Methods:A total of 120 gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between 2015 and 2023 were enrolled,including 36 with synchronous bone metastasis and 84 with metachronous bone metastasis.Clinicopathological features were compared between the two groups using the χ2 test.Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to identify risk factors for overall survival after bone metastasis(OS-BM).The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the effects of different treatments on OS-BM in both synchronous and metachronous groups.Results:Among the 120 patients,104(86.6%)had metastases to other organs.Comparative analysis revealed that synchronous bone metastasis patients exhibited elevated serum C-reactive protein and decreased serum albumin,whereas metachronous bone metastasis patients had reduced peripheral white blood cell and neutrophil counts(all P<0.05).Metachronous bone metastasis(HR=2.35,95%CI[1.47,3.74],P<0.01),serum CA125≥30.2 U/mL(HR=1.6,95%CI[1.03,2.48],P=0.036),white blood cell count≥9.5×10?/L(HR=2.15,95%CI[1.17,3.92],P=0.013),and absence of immunotherapy(HR=2.26,95%CI[1.5,3.39],P<0.01)were independent risk factors affecting patient prognosis.Combined immunotherapy significantly prolonged OS-BM in gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis compared to non-immunotherapy regimens(9.63 vs 4.53 months,P=0.002).Patients with metachronous bone metastasis demonstrated better response to immunotherapy compared to those with synchronous metastases(median OS-BM:10.8 vs 7.3 months,P=0.004).Conclusion:Immunotherapy is an independent protective factor for survival in gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis.Early combination therapy centered on immunotherapy alongside chemotherapy is recommended to prolong survival in such patients.
7.Assessment of pathological grading in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer based on apparent diffusion coefficient heterogeneity and morphological indicators
Yihan QIN ; Siyu ZHOU ; Yutao WU ; Yueyue LI ; Jian SHI ; Xiaolin WANG ; Feng FENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(3):447-451
Objective To explore the value of combining apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)heterogeneity with morphological indicators in assessing the pathological grading of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods The MRI images of 86 patients confirmed with NMIBC by surgical pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent T2WI,diffusion weighted ima-ging(DWI),and dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)examinations.Two radiologists independently measured tumor largest diam-eter(LD),actual tumor-wall contact length(ACTCL),ADCmean,ADCmin,and ADCmax values.ADC heterogeneity was calculated using the formula(ADCmax-ADCmin)/ADCmean.Differences in quantitative parameters between low-and high-grade NMIBC were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test,while differences in qualitative parameters were compared using the chi-square test.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of high-grade NMIBC,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the performance of ADC heterogeneity combined with morphological indicators in assessing high-grade NMIBC.Results ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL were independent predictors for preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading.The area under the curve(AUC)of ADC heterogeneity and ACTCL in assessing high-grade NMIBC were 0.843 and 0.744,respectively.The combined AUC was 0.902.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of ADC heterogeneity with ACTCL can effectively improve the efficiency of preoperative assessment of NMIBC pathological grading,and providing more precise clinical decision-making and prognosis monitoring.
8.Exploration and challenges of neoadjuvant therapy in the management of resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Xin LIU ; Yutao HE ; Fangming TIAN ; Haocheng TANG ; Zhitian SHI ; Lin WANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(23):3780-3785
Neoadjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma is the frontier and hot topic in the current field of liver cancer research.The fundamental purpose is to reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence through standardized preoperative treatment methods.From the attempts of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization monotherapy for neoadjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma to systematic treatment represented by"targeted combined with immunotherapy",the latter has become the most promising neoadjuvant strategy due to its high objective response rate and potential to induce pathological complete remission.However,the field still faces challenges such as lack of evidence of overall survival benefit in Phase Ⅲ randomized controlled trials,treatment-related adverse reactions that may lead to delay in surgery,optimal population screening,and timing of surgery.This article aims to briefly discuss the current research status of the application of neoadjuvant therapy in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma,explore relevant diagnosis and treatment concepts,and further understand neoadjuvant therapy.
9.Structural and epitope characterization of HIV-1 V1V2 highly effective neutralizing antibodies based on AlphaFold 3
Junjie ZHANG ; Qianying WANG ; Ying LIU ; Shuhui WANG ; Li REN ; Shuo WANG ; Yutao SHI ; Yuhua RUAN ; Xiaojing LIU ; Xinran DU ; Yanling HAO ; Dan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(5):548-555
Objective:To screen broadly neutralizing antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus-1(HIV-1)chronically infected individuals and characterize their molecular features and to provide new strategies for rational vaccine development and antibody-based therapeutics.Methods:A total of 34 treatment-na?ve individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection were enrolled. Plasma antibody binding levels were measured against two HIV-1 envelope proteins. Single antigen-specific memory B cells were sorted from high-binding samples,and antibody variable region genes were amplified by PCR for paired expression. The monoclonal antibodies were evaluated for neutralizing activity using pseudovirus assays,and their structural features were analyzed by integrating AlphaFold 3 prediction with Discovery Studio molecular docking.Results:Plasma samples showed strong binding to DU422-GP140 and BG505-GP140. Eight monoclonal antibodies were isolated from two donors. Among them,antibodies 0919-A4,0919-A9 and 0808-A2 could cross-react with GP140 from HIV-1 subtypes AE,BC and B. The monoclonal antibody 0919-A9 demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against SF162(Tier 1)and CH181(Tier 2)pseudoviruses,with somatic hypermutation rates of 13.27%(heavy chain)and 15.58%(light chain). Structural modeling revealed its specific targeting of the V1V2 region on GP120.Conclusion:The isolated antibody 0919-A9 effectively neutralizes Tier 2 pseudoviruses. Its high somatic mutation frequency and V1V2-targeting property underlie its neutralizing activity,providing both a promising candidate and mechanistic insights for HIV vaccine development and antibody-based therapeutic strategies.
10.Value of red blood cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio in the prognostic evaluation of multiple myeloma
Yutao LI ; Ningsa LIU ; Xiaoqi XU ; Qiaomei SHI ; Hujun LI ; Ying WANG ; Zhiling YAN ; Kailin XU ; Zhenyu LI
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2021;30(6):334-339
Objective:To investigate the correlation of red blood cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio (RPR) with clinical features and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods:The clinical data of 137 patients with MM who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from April 2013 to July 2019 were collected. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the best cut-off value of RPR. According to the best cut-off value of RPR, the patients were divided into high RPR group and low RPR group, and the differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis between the two groups were analyzed.Results:The best cut-off value of RPR was 0.10, and according to the best cut-off value, the patients were divided into high RPR group (RPR ≥ 0.10, 52 cases) and low RPR group (RPR < 0.10, 85 cases). There were statistical differences between the high RPR group and low RPR group in the proportion of patients between different stratification of Durie-Salmon (DS) staging ( χ2 = 17.110, P < 0.01), International Staging System (ISS) staging ( χ2 = 10.817, P = 0.001), red blood cell distribution width standard deviation(RDW-SD) ( χ2 = 26.937, P < 0.01), hemoglobin ( χ2 = 17.140, P < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ( χ2 = 7.926, P = 0.005), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( χ2 = 9.513, P = 0.002), β 2-microglobulin (β 2-MG) ( χ2 = 7.726, P = 0.005), and bone marrow plasma cell ratio (BMPC) ( χ2 = 6.621, P = 0.010). The overall response rate (ORR) in the low RPR group was higher than that in the high RPR group [82.4% (70/85) vs. 71.2% (37/52)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 2.366, P = 0.124). The deep remission rate in the low RPR group was higher than that in the high RPR group [56.5% (48/85) vs. 19.2% (10/52)], and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 18.327, P < 0.01). The results of multivariate analysis showed that the albumin, RPR and degree of remission were independent influencing factors for the overall survival (OS) of newly treated MM patients (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:MM patients with elevated peripheral blood RPR have shorter OS time, and RPR may be one of the indicators for evaluating the prognosis of MM.

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