1.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
2.Application progress of micro-CT and finite element analysis techniques in scaphoid bone research
Yuan LYU ; De-zhou ZHANG ; Hai-long QIAN ; Si-min WANG ; Chao-qun WANG ; Kun LI ; Jie CHEN ; Xue BAI ; Hai-long ZHAO ; Shao-jie ZHANG ; Yuan MA ; Zhi-jun LI ; Jun SHI ; Xing WANG
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(2):168-173
The scaphoid bone is one of the important bone of hand,which is frequently injured and difficult to treat in clinical practice.Therefore,it is very important to deeply study the microstructure and biomechanical characteristics of the scaphoid bone for understanding its injury mechanism and optimizing treatment scheme.Microcomputed tomography(micro-CT)provides high-resolution imaging of bone tissue,while finite element analysis can help to simulate the stress distribution and behavioral patterns of the scaphoid bone under various physiological and pathological states.The high-resolution three-dimensional image of the scaphoid bone obtained by micro-CT technology can be used to construct finite element models of real anatomical structure of the scaphoid bone,thus achieving accurate simulation of the mechanical properties of the scaphoid bone.The fusion of these two advanced technologies provides a new perspective for revealing the structural and functional relationships and injury mechanism of the scaphoid bone.Therefore,this paper reviews the anatomical characteristics of the scaphoid bone and its biomechanical behavior in different states,emphasizing the specific applications and advantages of micro-CT and finite element analysis techniques in the study of the scaphoid bone.By summarizing the research findings in recent years,this paper provides novel scientific basis and methods for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of scaphoid bone-related disorders.
3.Role of cell communication between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages in tumor development
Qi-hui SHAO ; Zhi-yan ZHAN ; Li HONG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2226-2230
Cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)and tumor-asso-ciated macrophages(TAMs)play crucial roles in the tumor microenvironment,and their interaction exerts a significant influ-ence on tumorigenesis and development.With the rapid develop-ment of research techniques,we have acquired novel understand-ings of the cell communication between TAMs and CAFs at the single-cell level.The cell communication between the two is of-ten related to the polarization of TAMs and remodeling of the mi-croenvironmental matrix by CAFs,thereby mediating mechanisms such as immunosuppression or tumor invasion and metastasis.Specific subsets of CAFs and TAMs have also been discovered to play a role in suppressing tumor progression.Nutrient metabo-lites may also participate in the interaction between CAFs and TAMs and have the potential to become new therapeutic targets for tumors.This review explores the research progress in the cell communication between TAMs and CAFs,expounds on the com-plexity of their interaction,and is expected to provide new per-spectives for the treatment and prevention of cancer and tumors.
4.Structural equation analysis and modeling of upper limb WMSDs and their adverse ergonomic factors
Siwu ZHONG ; Ning JIA ; Xin SUN ; Meibian ZHANG ; Qing XU ; Huadong ZHANG ; Ruijie LING ; Yimin LIU ; Gang LI ; Yan YIN ; Hua SHAO ; Jue LI ; Hengdong ZHANG ; Bing QIU ; Dayu WANG ; Qiang ZENG ; Rugang WANG ; Yan YE ; Bin XIAO ; Hua ZOU ; Jianchao CHEN ; Dongxia LI ; Yongquan LIU ; Qinghua SHI ; Jixiang LIU ; Enfei JIANG ; Jun QI ; Liangying MEI ; Xianfeng ZHAO ; Mimi YANG ; Xinwei GUO ; Zhi WANG ; Zhongxu WANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(4):254-263
Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.
5.Effects of Jisuishang Formula on neurological function and ferroptosis in a rat model of cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Han-li YANG ; Ming SHI ; Chun-zhi LIU ; Shao-hu LIN ; Ming-gao HU ; Xian-zhong BU ; Yuan-ming ZHONG ; Wei XU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(10):3233-3241
AIM To investigate the effects of Jisuishang Formula on neurological function and ferroptosis in a rat model of cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM).METHODS The CSM rat models were established and randomly assigned to the model group,the Fer-1 group(2 g/kg Ferrostatin-1 via intraperitoneal injection),the low-dose(9.7 g/kg,intragastrically),medium-dose(19.4 g/kg,intragastrically)and high-dose(38.8 g/kg,intragastrically)Jisuishang Formula groups,and the sham operation group,with 6 rats in each group.Following 4 weeks of treatment administration,BBB locomotor scores and oblique plate test result were recorded to assess their neurological function in rats.Histopathological evaluation utilized HE staining for spinal cord tissue pathology,Nissl staining for Nissl body visualization,and Prussian blue staining for iron ion deposition analysis.Protein expressions of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,HO-1,TFRC and Cox2 in spinal cord tissues was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot,while mRNA expressions were quantified using RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared to the sham group,the CSM model group exhibited significantly reduced BBB locomotor scores and inclined plane test performance at 1,2 and 4 weeks post-operation(P<0.05);obvious tissue cavitation,cellular edema and Prussian blue positive iron deposition in spinal cord tissues;downregulated protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4,HO-1(P<0.05);and upregulated protein and mRNA expressions of TFRC and Cox2(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the Jisuishang Formula and Fer-1 intervention groups showed significantly improved BBB scores and inclined plane test result at 1,2 and 4 weeks post-operation(P<0.05);reduced tissue cavitation,attenuated cellular edema and decreased Prussian blue positive iron deposition in spinal cord tissues;upregulated protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2,SLC7A11,GPX4 and HO-1 in spinal cord tissues(P<0.05);and downregulated protein and mRNA expressions of TFRC and Cox2(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Targeting the Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling pathway,Jisuishang Formula potentially suppresses ferroptosis and alleviates iron accumulation in spinal cord neurons,thereby improving neurological recovery in CSM rats.
6.Single-cell sequencing reveals heterogeneity of B cells in osteoporosis patients and their interactions with osteoblasts
Zhi TANG ; Yang SHAO ; Shaoshuo LI ; Shubin QI ; Hengyang LU ; Mao WU ; Junfeng YANG ; Jianwei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(26):5501-5510
BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is closely related to the immune system.A comprehensive and in-depth study of the relationship between immunity and osteoporosis is crucial for understanding and treating the disease.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of immune cells in osteoporosis using single-cell sequencing technology.METHODS:Femoral head tissue samples from osteoporosis and non-osteoporosis patients were downloaded from GEO database and analyzed using single-cell sequencing.Data analysis,including cell clustering,functional enrichment,pseudotime trajectory,and cell interaction analyses,was performed using R4.3.0 and software packages such as Seurat v.4.3,monocle(2.28.0),and CellChat.The femoral head tissues of patients with femoral neck fracture who underwent artificial hip replacement surgery were obtained,including two cases of osteoporosis patients and two cases of non-osteoporosis patients.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein expression of CCL13 and CCL18.qPCR was used to detect the immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA expression.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,and CD99.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Transcriptomic analysis identified 10 cell clusters,including osteoclasts,myeloid cells,T cells,osteoblasts,macrophages,monocytes,erythrocytes,B cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and mast cells.There was an increase in the ratio of osteoclasts to T cells and a decrease in the ratio of osteoblasts to B cells in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group.Among the B-cell subpopulations,the proportion of B-cells of taxa 1,3(BC1,BC3)in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,and the proportion of B-cells of taxa 2(BC2)was less than that of the non-osteoporosis group.BC1 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of adaptive immune response,somatic recombination of immune receptors,and modulation of lymphocyte-mediated immunity,while BC3 was enriched significantly for labels such as regulation of immunoglobulin production,response to type Ⅱ interferon,apoptotic processes involving cysteine endopeptidases,and cytotoxicity.The communication intensity between B-cell subtype BC1 and osteoblasts in the femoral head tissue of the osteoporosis group was higher than that of the non-osteoporosis group,while the communication intensity between BC3 and BC1 was also increased.The communication between BC3 and BC1 was significantly enriched in the CD22-receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C pathway;the communication between BC1 and osteoblasts was mainly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway;and the communication between BC3 and osteoblasts was also highly enriched in the CD99-CD99 pathway.Protein expression of CCL13,CCL18,receptor-type tyrosine protein phosphatase C,CD22,CD99,immunoglobulin heavy constant γ-4,immunoglobulin λ constant 3,human class Ⅱ major histocompatibility complex DRβ1,and CD83 mRNA were higher in femoral tissues of the osteoporosis group than those of the non-osteoporosis group(P<0.05).To conclude,specific B cell subpopulations can influence the differentiation and apoptosis of osteoblasts in the femoral tissue of osteoporosis patients.
7.A Pneumatic Micro-valve with Sandwich Structure Based on Micro-electro-mechanical System
Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Chen ZHU ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(5):758-764
In this study,an ON/OFF type micro-valve with a sandwich(glass-silicon-glass)structure was designed and fabricated based on the micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS)technique.The deformable membrane of this micro-valve was prepared on the silicon on insulator(SOI)substrate and sealed using Si-Si bonding and anodic bonding methods.The micro-valve had high-temperature stability and was suitable for integration with other gas chromatography components.The deformable membrane with a thickness of 10 μm was processed on the top silicon of the SOI substrate.The flow control of the micro-valve could be achieved by changing the driving pressure applied to the deformable membrane to deform it.Compared with polymer membranes,the deformable membrane prepared on the top layer silicon of SOI had better temperature stability and could be released using the deep reactive ion etching technique after silicon-silicon bonding,avoiding deformation during the preparation process.In addition,due to the small gap between the membrane and the inlet/outlet holes,the dead volume of the microvalve was very small.The test results indicated that the micro-valve achieved flow control and ON/OFF functions with good repeatability.
8.A Monolithic Integrated Gas Chromatography Chip with Gas Chromatographic Column and Helium Discharge Ionization Detector
Yu-Chen ZHU ; Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(7):1064-1071
A monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip,consisting of a micro gas chromatography column(μGCC)and a micro helium discharge ionization detector(μHDID)was proposed.The chip was fabricated using micro electromechanical system(MEMS)technique,and its sensitivity was improved from two aspects.On one hand,open tubular column was selected as the separation device,and the auxiliary helium channel width of μHDID was modulated based on the microchannel width of the μGCC to match the flow rates of μHDID and μGCC.On the other hand,the electrode structure inside the μHDID collection zone was optimized,a bias electrode group around the collection electrode was constructed,and the ion collection efficiency was improved.After coating HKUST-1 as the stationary phase,the monolithic integrated gas chromatography chip could achieve baseline separation and detection of light hydrocarbon gas mixture(methane,ethane,propane,andn-butane),with a detection limit for propane as low as 25 pg.The chip could carried out test under temperature-programmed conditions,with a resolution of 9.24 for ethane and propane.
9.A Micro Gas Chromatographic Column with Large Surface Area Based on Anodization
Shao-Jie MA ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Chen ZHU ; Bo-Xin CHEN ; Zhi-Rui LI ; Bin ZHAO ; Fei FENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1607-1614
A micro gas chromatographic column with mesoporous surface micro column array prepared by anodization method was proposed.A porous support layer with a characteristic pore size of about 30 nm inside the chromatographic column was prepared in situ using anodization method,and a uniform alumina stationary phase was deposited on the mesoporous support layer using atom layer deposition(ALD)technique.The existence of a mesoporous support layer increased surface area of the chromatographic column,thereby increasing the total amount of stationary phase loading and enhancing column capacity,which facilitated chromatographic separation.The test results showed that the porous support layer significantly reduced the longitudinal molecular diffusion and mass transfer resistance of the micro gas chromatographic column,and significantly increased the number of theoretical plates(n-nonane increased by 290.2%).Furthermore,column efficiency of the chromatographic column was less affected by flow rate,which was conducive to rapid separation of heavy hydrocarbon mixtures.
10.Protective effects of paeonol on human neuroblastoma cells in Parkinson's disease model and its underlying mechanism
Sheng-Nan SUN ; Lu-Lu HE ; Shao-Chen QIN ; Lei XU ; Li-Ran WANG ; Bao-Feng YU ; Cun-Gen MA ; Hui-Jie FAN ; Zhi CHAI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the protective effects of paeonol(PAE)on autophagy in human neuroblastoma cells(SH-SY5Y)induced by overexpression of α-synuclein(α-Syn),and to explore its related mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells served as control group,while those induced with A53T-α-Syn mutation were used as model group.Additional groups included PAE(150 μg/ml)group,3-MA(1 mmol/L)group,and PAE(150 μg/ml)+3-MA(1 mmol/L)group.Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 method,cell morphology was observed under an optical microscope,and protein expressions of α-Syn,LC3-Ⅱ,p62,Beclin-1,phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),and p-Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.Results Compared with control group,model control exhibited decreased cell survival(P<0.01),increased α-Syn expression(P<0.001),reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1(P<0.01,P<0.05),elevated autophagy substrate protein p62(P<0.05),and decreased expression of autophagy pathway-related proteins p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with model group,PAE group showed increased cell survival(P<0.01),decreased α-Syn and p62 protein expression(P<0.01,P<0.05),and increased expression of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1,p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05).Compared with PAE group,3-MA+PAE group demonstrated increased α-Syn expression(P<0.05).Conclusions PAE could attenuate the injury of SH-SY5Y cells induced by A53T-α-Syn and eliminate over-expressed α-Syn by activating autophagy pathway,which may be associated with the upregulation of JNK/Bcl-2 mediated autophagy pathway.

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