1.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
2.DIA Proteomics Reveals Mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis Extract in Treating α-Syn Transgenic Parkinson's Disease in Mice
Qi ZHENG ; Yi LU ; Donghua YU ; Liangyou ZHAO ; Chunsheng LIN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):40-50
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract (ASH) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice by Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) proteomics. MethodsThe α-Synuclein (α-Syn) transgenic PD mice were selected as suitable models for PD, and they were randomly assigned into PD, ASH (61.25 mg·kg-1), and Madopar (97.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Male C57BL/6 mice of the same age were selected as the control group, with eight mice in each group. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for 20 days. The pole climbing time and the number of autonomic activities were recorded to evaluate the exercise ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe neuronal changes in the substantia nigra of PD mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to measure the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the substantia nigra and assess the areal density of α-Syn in the striatum. DIA proteomics was used to compare protein expression in the substantia nigra between groups. IHC was utilized to validate key differentially expressed proteins, including Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to investigate the effect of ASH on the viability of PD cells with overexpression of α-Syn. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels of Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 in PD cells. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed prolonged pole climbing time, diminished coordination ability, reduced autonomic activities (P<0.01), and reduced swelling neurons. Compared with the model group, ASH and Madopar reduced the climbing time, increased autonomic activities (P<0.01), and ameliorated neuronal damage. Compared with the control group, the model group showed a decrease in TH activity in the substantia nigra and an increase in α-Syn accumulation in the striatum (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ASH group showed an increase in TH activity and a reduction in α-Syn accumulation (P<0.05). DIA proteomics revealed a total of 464 differentially expressed proteins in the model group compared with the control group, with 323 proteins being up-regulated and 141 down-regulated. A total of 262 differentially expressed proteins were screened in the ASH group compared with the model group, including 85 proteins being up-regulated and 177 down-regulated. Kyoto encylopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that ASH primarily regulated the Notch signaling pathway. The model group showed up-regulation in protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 and down-regulation in the protein level of Lactotransferrin compared with the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH down-regulated the protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.05) while up-regulating the protein level of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). The IHC results corroborated the proteomics findings. The cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while increasing the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionASH may Synergistically inhibit the Notch signaling pathway and mitigate neuronal damage by down-regulating the expression of Notch2 and Ndrg2. Additionally, by up-regulating the expression of Lactotransferrin and down-regulating the expression of TMEM166, ASH can address brain iron accumulation, intervene in ferroptosis, inhibit mitophagy, and mitigate reactive oxygen species damage, thereby protecting nerve cells and contributing to the treatment of PD.
3.Adult stem cells from different germ layers applied in peripheral nerve injury repair
Jiachen ZHENG ; Entong YANG ; Yizhou ZHU ; Fang LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4102-4110
BACKGROUND:Adult stem cell therapy is one of the research hotspots in the field of peripheral nerve injury repair and regeneration.With excellent properties of mesenchymal stem cells such as high acquisition rate,wide source,and rapid proliferation,mesoderm have been regarded as the ideal source of adult stem cells,while ectoderm-derived adult stem cells,especially neural crest stem cells,have certain neurogenic properties and attract more and more attention from researchers. OBJECTIVE:To mainly review the role and mechanism of multifunctional adult stem cells from ectoderm and mesoderm in peripheral nerve injury repair and regeneration,so as to explore the research progress and application prospect of adult stem cells from different sources and discuss the potential application value of adult stem cell therapy and the problems to be solved in connection with clinical studies. METHODS:The first author searched the relevant articles published from December 2001 to February 2024 in PubMed and SinoMed by computer in February 2024.The Chinese and English search terms were"ectodermal stem cells,mesenchymal stem cells,peripheral nerve injury,repair,regeneration."Finally,69 articles were included and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ectodermal adult stem cells have excellent differentiation and regeneration potential,especially epidermal neural crest stems cells,olfactory stem cells,and dental ectomesenchymal stem cells,which have certain neurogenic properties and can express neural specific markers in vitro.However,relevant clinical research needs to be accumulated.(2)There are many types of adult stem cells derived from mesoderm,which are easy to obtain and purify.Among them,the efficacy and safety of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the repair of peripheral nerve injury are supported by clinical trials;that is,they can improve sensory and motor nerve conduction and there are no complications and obvious adverse reactions in follow-up.The acquisition of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells needs invasive surgery and requires the patient to match the donor bone marrow type,which limit the application to some extent.Although umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells do not require invasive harvesting,their isolation is difficult and phenotypically unstable.(3)Adult stem cells derived from endoderm often fail to grow in vitro,so the possibility of clinical application is low.(4)In conclusion,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are still the first choice for adult stem cell therapy in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury,which is suitable for cases without surgical contraindications and meeting the matching requirements,followed by umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells supplemented by improved isolation methods and advanced phenotypic stability strategies.(5)Dental ectomesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells have high application potential and need to be further tested in clinical trials.Other adult stem cells derived from ectodermal and mesodermal layers have significant advantages in animal and cell experimental studies due to their excellent properties.
4.Standardization of electronic medical records data in rehabilitation
Yifan TIAN ; Fang XUN ; Haiyan YE ; Ye LIU ; Yingxin ZHANG ; Yaru YANG ; Zhongyan WANG ; Meng ZHANG ; Xiaoxie LIU ; Yanyan YANG ; Bin ZENG ; Mouwang ZHOU ; Yuxiao XIE ; Guangxu XU ; Jiejiao ZHENG ; Mingsheng ZHANG ; Xiangming YE ; Fubiao HUANG ; Qiuchen HUANG ; Yiji WANG ; Di CHEN ; Zhuoying QIU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(1):33-44
ObjectiveTo explore the data standard system of electronic medical records in the field of rehabilitation, focusing on the terminology and coding standards, data structure, and key content categories of rehabilitation electronic medical records. MethodsBased on the Administrative Norms for the Application of Electronic Medical Records issued by the National Health Commission of China, the electronic medical record standard architecture issued by the International Organization for Standardization and Health Level Seven (HL7), the framework of the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications (WHO-FICs), Basic Architecture and Data Standards of Electronic Medical Records, Basic Data Set of Electronic Medical Records, and Specifications for Sharing Documents of Electronic Medical Records, the study constructed and organized the data structure, content, and data standards of rehabilitation electronic medical records. ResultsThe data structure of rehabilitation electronic medical records should strictly follow the structure of electronic medical records, including four levels (clinical document, document section, data set and data element) and four major content areas (basic information, diagnostic information, intervention information and cost information). Rehabilitation electronic medical records further integrated information related to rehabilitation needs and characteristics, emphasizing rehabilitation treatment, into clinical information. By fully applying the WHO-FICs reference classifications, rehabilitation electronic medical records could establish a standardized framework, diagnostic criteria, functional description tools, coding tools and terminology index tools for the coding, indexing, functional description, and analysis and interpretation of diseases and health problems. The study elaborated on the data structure and content categories of rehabilitation electronic medical records in four major categories, refined the granularity of reporting rehabilitation content in electronic medical records, and provided detailed data reporting guidance for rehabilitation electronic medical records. ConclusionThe standardization of rehabilitation electronic medical records is significant for improving the quality of rehabilitation medical services and promoting the rehabilitation process of patients. The development of rehabilitation electronic medical records must be based on the national and international standards. Under the general electronic medical records data structure and standards, a rehabilitation electronic medical records data system should be constructed which incorporates core data such as disease diagnosis, functional description and assessment, and rehabilitation interventions. The standardized rehabilitation electronic medical records scheme constructed in this study can support the improvement of standardization of rehabilitation electronic medical records data information.
5.Interpretation of the CONSORT 2025 statement: Updated guideline for reporting randomized trials
Geliang YANG ; Xiaoqin ZHOU ; Fang LEI ; Min DONG ; Tianxing FENG ; Li ZHENG ; Lunxu LIU ; Yunpeng ZHU ; Xuemei LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):752-759
The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement aims to enhance the quality of reporting for randomized controlled trial (RCT) by providing a minimum item checklist. It was first published in 1996, and updated in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The latest version was released in April 2025, continuously reflecting new evidence, methodological advancements, and user feedback. CONSORT 2025 includes 30 essential checklist items and a template for a participant flow diagram. The main changes to the checklist include the addition of 7 items, revision of 3 items, and deletion of 1 item, as well as the integration of multiple key extensions. This article provides a comprehensive interpretation of the statement, aiming to help clinical trial staff, journal editors, and reviewers fully understand the essence of CONSORT 2025, correctly apply it in writing RCT reports and evaluating RCT quality, and provide guidance for conducting high-level RCT research in China.
6.Epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024
LIU Mingqi ; MA Yan ; ZHENG Yingying ; CHEN Haimiao ; LI Jun ; FANG Yirong
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(11):1155-1159
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis E in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2024, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of hepatitis E.
Methods:
Data on hepatitis E incidence in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024 were collected through the Surveillance System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. The trend in hepatitis E incidence was analyzed using the average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC). The spatial-temporal clustering characteristics of hepatitis E incidence were identified using spatial-temporal scanning analysis.
Results:
A total of 2 408 hepatitis E cases were reported in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024, with an average annual reported incidence of 2.55/100 000. The overall trend was not statistically significant (AAPC=3.181%, P>0.05). Specifically, it showed an upward trend from 2006 to 2011 (APC=17.371%, P<0.05), a downward trend from 2011 to 2019 (APC=-12.497%, P<0.05), and an upward trend from 2019 to 2024 (APC=18.076%, P<0.05). The epidemic season of hepatitis E was from January to May, with seasonal indices of 122.09%, 118.60%, 145.02%, 129.57%, and 106.15%, respectively. The top three average annual reported incidences were identified in Zhuji City, Xinchang County, and Shengzhou City, with rates of 4.18/100 000, 2.85/100 000, and 2.74/100 000, respectively. The average annual reported incidence of hepatitis E was higher in males than in females (3.52/100 000 vs. 1.56/100 000, P<0.05). A relatively large number of hepatitis E cases were reported among individuals aged 40-<70 years, with 1 639 cases (68.06%). Among them, the group aged 60-<70 years had the highest average annual reported incidence of hepatitis E, at 4.92/100 000. Farmers constituted the predominant occupational group, accounting for 1 515 cases (62.92%). Spatial-temporal scanning analysis identified two clusters in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024. The class Ⅰ cluster was located in Shengzhou City, with aggregation time from January 1, 2011 to May 1, 2014. The class Ⅱ cluster was located in Xinchang County, with aggregation time from December 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
Conclusions
The reported incidence of hepatitis E in Shaoxing City from 2006 to 2024 exhibited a pattern of an initial increase, followed by a decrease, and then a subsequent rise. The disease demonstrated higher prevalence during the winter and spring seasons. Key populations for targeted control and prevention include males, individuals aged 40-<70 years, and farmers. Shengzhou City and Xinchang County were identified as high-risk areas.
7.Proanthocyanidins regulate retinal autophagy in form-deprivation myopic guinea pigs through the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Jifu LIU ; Xiaotian YANG ; Bowen ZHENG ; Chen YE ; Meiqi FANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1906-1913
AIM:To investigate the regulatory effects of proanthocyanidins on autophagy and apoptosis in the retinas of guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia via the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway.METHODS:Fifty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a normal control group, a myopia model group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose proanthocyanidins groups(25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Refractive power and axial length of right eye were measured using a retinoscope and A-scan ultrasound. Retinal pathological changes were observed via HE staining. Immunohistochemistry assessed p-AMPK and p-mTOR expression in the retina. Immunofluorescence detected p62 and LC3 expression. TUNEL staining evaluated retinal cell apoptosis. Western blot examined expression of proteins related to the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway and autophagy(p62, Beclin1, LC3-II/LC3-I), and apoptosis-related proteins(Bax, Bcl-2, Cleaved-Caspase3, Caspase3)in the retina.RESULTS:Compared with the control group, the myopia model group showed significantly reduced refractive power and significantly increased axial length(both P<0.05); retinal cell arrangement became sparse and retinal thickness thinned. The p-AMPK levels in the retina were significantly reduced, while p-mTOR levels were significantly increased(both P<0.05), indicating suppression of the AMPK-Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The p62 levels were significantly elevated and LC3 levels were significantly reduced(both P<0.05), suggesting inhibition of autophagy. Bax and Cleaved-Caspase3 were significantly increased, while Bcl-2 was significantly decreased, indicating significantly increased apoptosis(both P<0.05). Compared with the myopia model group, all proanthocyanidins dose groups significantly inhibited refractive error reduction and axial length growth(both P<0.05), restored retinal cell alignment and thickness, activated the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway, significantly increased p-AMPK expression, and suppressed p-mTOR expression(all P<0.05); significantly suppressed p62 expression, increased Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I expression(both P<0.05), and activated retinal autophagy; significantly suppressed Bax and Cleaved-Caspase3 expression, increased Bcl-2 expression(both P<0.05), and inhibited retinal cell apoptosis.CONCLUSION:Proanthocyanidins enhance retinal autophagy by activating the AMPK/Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby inhibiting retinal apoptosis and preventing or alleviating the onset of myopia.
8.Pregnancy and the disease recurrence of patients previously treated for differentiated thyroid cancer: A systematic review and meta analysis
Rui SHAN ; Xin LI ; Ming TAO ; Wucai XIAO ; Jing CHEN ; Fang MEI ; Shibing SONG ; Bangkai SUN ; Chunhui YUAN ; Zheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(5):547-555
Background::Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is commonly diagnosed in women of child-bearing age, but whether pregnancy influences the prognosis of DTC remains controversial. This study aimed to summarize existing evidence regarding the association of pregnancy with recurrence risk in patients previously treated for DTC.Methods::We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus based on the prespecified protocol registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022367896). After study selection, two researchers independently extracted data from the included studies. For quantitative data synthesis, we used random-effects meta-analysis models to pool the proportion of recurrence (for pregnant women only) and odds ratio (OR; comparing the risk of recurrence between the pregnancy group and the nonpregnancy group), respectively. Then we conducted subgroup analyses to explore whether risk of recurrence differed by response to therapy status or duration of follow-up time. We also assessed quality of the included studies.Results::A total of ten studies were included. The sample size ranged from 8 to 235, with participants’ age at pregnancy or delivery ranging from 28 to 35 years. The follow-up time varied from 0.1 to 36.0 years. The pooled proportion of recurrence in all pregnant patients was 0.13 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.06-0.25; I2: 0.58). Among six included studies reporting response to therapy status before pregnancy, we observed a trend for increasingly higher risk of recurrence from excellent, indeterminate, and biochemically incomplete to structurally incomplete response to therapy ( Ptrend <0.05). The pooled risk of recurrence in the pregnancy group showed no evidence of a significant difference from that in the nonpregnancy group (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.45-1.23; I2: 0). The difference in follow-up time (below/above five years) was not associated with either the proportion of recurrence in all pregnant patients ( P >0.05) or the OR of recurrence in studies with a comparison group ( P >0.05). Two included studies that focused on patients with distant metastasis also did not show a significant difference in disease recurrence between pregnancy and nonpregnancy groups (OR: 0.51 [95% CI: 0.14-1.87; I2: 59%]). Conclusion::In general, pregnancy appears to have a minimal association with the disease recurrence of DTC with initial treatment. Clinicians should pay more attention to progression of DTC among pregnant women with biochemical and/or structural persistence.Registration::PROSPERO, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; No. CRD42022367896.
9.An advanced machine learning method for simultaneous breast cancer risk prediction and risk ranking in Chinese population: A prospective cohort and modeling study
Liyuan LIU ; Yong HE ; Chunyu KAO ; Yeye FAN ; Fu YANG ; Fei WANG ; Lixiang YU ; Fei ZHOU ; Yujuan XIANG ; Shuya HUANG ; Chao ZHENG ; Han CAI ; Heling BAO ; Liwen FANG ; Linhong WANG ; Zengjing CHEN ; Zhigang YU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(17):2084-2091
Background::Breast cancer (BC) risk-stratification tools for Asian women that are highly accurate and can provide improved interpretation ability are lacking. We aimed to develop risk-stratification models to predict long- and short-term BC risk among Chinese women and to simultaneously rank potential non-experimental risk factors.Methods::The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women, a large ongoing prospective dynamic cohort study, includes 122,058 women aged 25-70 years old from the eastern part of China. We developed multiple machine-learning risk prediction models using parametric models (penalized logistic regression, bootstrap, and ensemble learning), which were the short-term ensemble penalized logistic regression (EPLR) risk prediction model and the ensemble penalized long-term (EPLT) risk prediction model to estimate BC risk. The models were assessed based on calibration and discrimination, and following this assessment, they were externally validated in new study participants from 2017 to 2020.Results::The AUC values of the short-term EPLR risk prediction model were 0.800 for the internal validation and 0.751 for the external validation set. For the long-term EPLT risk prediction model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.692 and 0.760 in internal and external validations, respectively. The net reclassification improvement index of the EPLT relative to the Gail and the Han Chinese Breast Cancer Prediction Model (HCBCP) models for external validation was 0.193 and 0.233, respectively, indicating that the EPLT model has higher classification accuracy.Conclusions::We developed the EPLR and EPLT models to screen populations with a high risk of developing BC. These can serve as useful tools to aid in risk-stratified screening and BC prevention.
10.Development and external validation of a quantitative diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions in clinical opportunistic screening: A multicenter real-world study
Hongchen ZHENG ; Zhen LIU ; Yun CHEN ; Ping JI ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yujie HE ; Chuanhai GUO ; Ping XIAO ; Chengwen WANG ; Weihua YIN ; Fenglei LI ; Xiujian CHEN ; Mengfei LIU ; Yaqi PAN ; Fangfang LIU ; Ying LIU ; Zhonghu HE ; Yang KE
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(19):2343-2350
Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.


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