1.Mechanisms and current applications of mechanical forces in cranial bone defect repair
Bingcheng DU ; Qi CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Zhijun ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):961-968
Cranial bone defect repair remains a significant challenge in craniomaxillofacial surgery, particularly when defects exceed the critical size defect (CSD) threshold, rendering them incapable of spontaneous healing without external intervention. Mechanical forces—including compression, tension, and shear stress—play a pivotal role in cranial development and regeneration. These forces regulate osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration by activating key mechanotransduction pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the piezoelectric mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1, and the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein (Yes-Associated Protein,YAP) and Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif,TAZ). Distinct types of mechanical forces exert specific effects on cellular behavior and the microenvironment. Clinically, applications such as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) have demonstrated efficacy in promoting angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupling, while tensile forces stimulate the dura mater to secrete osteogenic factors. Preliminary studies using artificial periosteum and other biomaterials have further validated that appropriate mechanical stimulation enhances bone repair. This review summarizes the effects of various mechanical forces and their associated signaling pathways on osteoblasts and their microenvironment, alongside an overview of current technological applications in this field.
2.Expert consensus on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery (2026 edition)
Junfei ZHAO ; Biaochuan HE ; Yun TENG ; Xiaohua LI ; Zerui CHEN ; Chungeng LIU ; Yijiu REN ; Chang CHEN ; Nianguo DONG ; Jimei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):857-865
This consensus focuses on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition (UHD) medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery, addressing their clinical value, key technical aspects, and strategies for broader implementation. It traces the evolution of domestic endoscopic platforms from high-resolution imaging toward integrated advanced functionalities such as fluorescence imaging, three-dimensional visualization, and intelligent assistance. The document outlines standardized procedural steps and perioperative management pathways for minimally invasive endoscopic cardiovascular surgery and summarizes specific application scenarios and technical considerations in congenital heart disease, valvular disorders, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and cardiac tumors. Furthermore, recommendations are provided regarding professional training, multicenter collaboration, the establishment of clinical evaluation systems, and coordinated policy-industry support to promote standardized adoption and high-quality dissemination of domestic medical devices. Based on available evidence and expert agreement, 16 consensus statements are presented, aiming to offer authoritative and actionable guidance for clinical practice.
3.Beyond diagnostic accuracy: Economic and clinical considerations for NC-MRI in late HCC recurrence surveillance: Letter to the editor on “Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging for detection of late recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment: a prospective multicenter comparison to contrast-enhanced computed tomography”
Qi-Feng CHEN ; Sui-Xing ZHONG ; Ming ZHAO
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):e175-e178
4.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
5.BRD1 promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and migration by regulating the ITGA2-AKT axis
HUANG Zhiang1,2 ; WANG Huiling1 ; WU Mengyao1 ; GUO Yipu1,2 ; CHEN Yanming1 ; ZHANG Liming1 ; HUANG Le1 ; ZHAO Qianwen1,2 ; CHEN Jingying1,3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(6):619-629
[摘 要] 目的:探讨含溴结构域蛋白1(BRD1)通过调控PI3K/AKT信号通路影响非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)进展的作用机制。方法:利用TIMER 3.0数据库评估BRD1作为免疫治疗标志物的预测价值。利用慢病毒体系构建稳定过表达BRD1及N端截短突变体BRD1-ΔN的人肺癌细胞A549和NCI-H1299。采用CCK-8实验、克隆形成实验、划痕愈合实验及Transwell实验检测过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN对细胞增殖和迁移能力的影响;流式细胞术和Western blotting检测细胞凋亡水平及凋亡相关蛋白的变化。RNA-seq筛选受BRD1/BRD1-ΔN影响的信号通路,Western blotting及体外激酶实验验证BRD1/BRD1-ΔN过表达对AKT磷酸化的调控作用。采用AKT抑制剂LY294002处理过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN的NCI-H1299细胞,结合功能实验(CCK-8实验、划痕愈合实验)明确过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN促进细胞的增殖和迁移是否依赖AKT活化。通过RNA-seq联合KEGG/GSEA分析、免疫共沉淀(Co-IP)、RT-qPCR,鉴定整合素α2(ITGA2)是促进AKT活化的关键分子;通过Co-IP、敲低ITGA2、Western blotting及功能实验明确ITGA2在BRD1调控AKT活化中的具体作用。结果:数据库分析显示,BRD1可作为NSCLC免疫治疗的中等预测标志物(AUC = 0.625)。过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN显著增强了NSCLC细胞的增殖和迁移能力(P < 0.01或P < 0.001),但不影响细胞凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白的表达(均P > 0.05);RNA-seq分析表明过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN主要富集于PI3K/AKT信号通路。Western blotting及体外激酶实验显示,BRD1/BRD1-ΔN过表达不影响AKT上游激酶(PDK1)的磷酸化,也不改变AKT的乙酰化修饰水平(均P > 0.05);AKT抑制剂LY294002处理过表达BRD1/BRD1-ΔN细胞,发现BRD1/BRD1-ΔN促细胞增殖和迁移的作用部分依赖AKT的活化;RT-qPCR及Western blotting证实,BRD1过表达可上调ITGA2的mRNA和蛋白水平,敲低ITGA2则可逆转BRD1诱导的AKT激活及细胞增殖和迁移能力的增强。结论:BRD1是NSCLC的一种新型促癌因子,其通过上调ITGA2表达激活AKT信号通路,进而促进肺癌细胞的增殖和迁移。
6.The hypolipidemic function and hepatic protective effects of Xuetong capsules
Lin HE ; Yanqiong CHENG ; Juanjuan ZHAO ; Huilan LU ; Jun YANG ; Fangjian CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):289-295
Objective To investigate the effects of Xuetong capsule on blood lipids and liver lesion in hyperlipidemic model animals. Methods Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups. The normal control group was fed with normal diet, the other groups were fed with high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia. After four weeks feeding, the three groups were given low, middle, and high doses of Xuetong capsules (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) by gavage, and the positive drug control group was given atorvastatin calcium (1.5 mg/kg) by gavage. The model group was given solvent (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium). After treatment for 8 weeks, the body weight, organ index, blood lipids, blood glucose and liver function index were measured. The liver oil red staining was used to determine the lipid droplet content, and quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Results The body weight, the weight of liver and spleen were significantly increased by high-fat diet. High-fat diet increased the organ indexes of the liver and spleen, the degree of liver oil red staining, and also significantly increased the levels of glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum. Compared with the model group, the level of TG has no significant change in low, middle and high doses groups. The level of CHOL in serum was reduced by Xuetong capsule with a dose dependent manner. There were significant difference between the model group and middle, high doses groups. The results of LDL-C were similar, the level of LDL-C was significantly reduced by middle and high doses groups [middle dose (0.55±0.21) mmol/L, high dose (0.52±0.22) mmol/L vs (0.81±0.29) mmol/L in model group, P<0.05]. Compared with the normal control, there was no significant difference in HDL-C levels between the high-fat model and each drug-treated group. Liver function showed that Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the degree of liver oil red staining and decreased the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) induced by high-fat diet. The body weight, the weight and organ indexes of liver and spleen were significantly reduced by positive drug control group. The levels of CHOL, LDL-C, and TG, and the degree of liver oil red staining were also significantly reduced in positive drug control group. Further studies have shown that high dose of Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 induced by high-fat diet (P<0.05), while the reduction of IL-1β was not so significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the body weight of animals with high fat, liver size, fat deposition, inflammatory damage and also significantly reduced blood lipid CHOL and LDL-C levels and transaminase elevation. The above effects may be related to Xuetong capsules reducing the expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6 in the liver.
7.The hypolipidemic function and hepatic protective effects of Xuetong capsules
Lin HE ; Yanqiong CHENG ; Juanjuan ZHAO ; Huilan LU ; Jun YANG ; Fangjian CHEN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(6):289-295
Objective To investigate the effects of Xuetong capsule on blood lipids and liver lesion in hyperlipidemic model animals. Methods Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups. The normal control group was fed with normal diet, the other groups were fed with high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia. After four weeks feeding, the three groups were given low, middle, and high doses of Xuetong capsules (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg) by gavage, and the positive drug control group was given atorvastatin calcium (1.5 mg/kg) by gavage. The model group was given solvent (0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose sodium). After treatment for 8 weeks, the body weight, organ index, blood lipids, blood glucose and liver function index were measured. The liver oil red staining was used to determine the lipid droplet content, and quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Results The body weight, the weight of liver and spleen were significantly increased by high-fat diet. High-fat diet increased the organ indexes of the liver and spleen, the degree of liver oil red staining, and also significantly increased the levels of glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum. Compared with the model group, the level of TG has no significant change in low, middle and high doses groups. The level of CHOL in serum was reduced by Xuetong capsule with a dose dependent manner. There were significant difference between the model group and middle, high doses groups. The results of LDL-C were similar, the level of LDL-C was significantly reduced by middle and high doses groups [middle dose (0.55±0.21) mmol/L, high dose (0.52±0.22) mmol/L vs (0.81±0.29) mmol/L in model group, P<0.05]. Compared with the normal control, there was no significant difference in HDL-C levels between the high-fat model and each drug-treated group. Liver function showed that Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the degree of liver oil red staining and decreased the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) induced by high-fat diet. The body weight, the weight and organ indexes of liver and spleen were significantly reduced by positive drug control group. The levels of CHOL, LDL-C, and TG, and the degree of liver oil red staining were also significantly reduced in positive drug control group. Further studies have shown that high dose of Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 induced by high-fat diet (P<0.05), while the reduction of IL-1β was not so significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Xuetong capsules significantly reduced the body weight of animals with high fat, liver size, fat deposition, inflammatory damage and also significantly reduced blood lipid CHOL and LDL-C levels and transaminase elevation. The above effects may be related to Xuetong capsules reducing the expression of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6 in the liver.
8.Chinese Expert Consensus on Primary Brain Calcification(2026)
Miao ZHAO ; Wei LUO ; Zhiying WU ; Wanjin CHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):223-230
Primary brain calcification(PBC) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder with symmetrical calcification in the bilateral basal ganglia and other brain regions as its core imaging feature, and presents diverse heterogeneous clinical manifestations such as movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disturbances. The identification of multiple causative genes has not only facilitated the exploration of PBC pathogenesis but also continuously expanded its phenotypic spectrum. The diagnosis, evaluation, and management of this disease are experiencing pivotal shifts, accompanied by new challenges. In 2025, the first international expert consensus on PBC was published, laying a foundation for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of PBC worldwide. Based on China′s clinical practice and research status, and referring to the international consensus, domestic experts in related fields conducted multiple rounds of discussions, supplemented and revised the contents covering clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, molecular classification and characteristics, genetic testing and counseling, disease management and treatment of PBC, and finally developed this consensus. This consensus aims to provide guidance for the standardized diagnosis, treatment, and research of PBC in China, help improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment, and drive the steady advancement of relevant research in this field.
9.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
10.SIRT5 Potentiates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Modulating Protein Acylation in Mice
Yu ZHANG ; Feng-Rui REN ; Jia-Yun LI ; Xiang-Yu CHEN ; Zi-Yi WANG ; Qi SUN ; Jun-Cheng ZHAO ; Ye ZHANG ; Zhen HUANG ; Hao HU ; Tao-Tao WEI ; Min XIAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1712-1722
ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.

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