1.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
2.ALKBH3-regulated m1A of ALDOA potentiates glycolysis and doxorubicin resistance of triple negative breast cancer cells.
Yuhua DENG ; Zhiyan CHEN ; Peixian CHEN ; Yaming XIONG ; Chuling ZHANG ; Qiuyuan WU ; Huiqi HUANG ; Shuqing YANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Tiancheng HE ; Wei LI ; Guolin YE ; Wei LUO ; Hongsheng WANG ; Dan ZHOU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3092-3106
Chemotherapy is currently the mainstay of systemic management for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but chemoresistance significantly impacts patient outcomes. Our research indicates that Doxorubicin (Dox)-resistant TNBC cells exhibit increased glycolysis and ATP generation compared to their parental cells, with this metabolic shift contributing to chemoresistance. We discovered that ALKBH3, an m1A demethylase enzyme, is crucial in regulating the enhanced glycolysis in Dox-resistant TNBC cells. Knocking down ALKBH3 reduced ATP generation, glucose consumption, and lactate production, implicating its involvement in mediating glycolysis. Further investigation revealed that aldolase A (ALDOA), a key enzyme in glycolysis, is a downstream target of ALKBH3. ALKBH3 regulates ALDOA mRNA stability through m1A demethylation at the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). This methylation negatively affects ALDOA mRNA stability by recruiting the YTHDF2/PAN2-PAN3 complex, leading to mRNA degradation. The ALKBH3/ALDOA axis promotes Dox resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical analysis demonstrated that ALKBH3 and ALDOA are upregulated in breast cancer tissues, and higher expression of these proteins is associated with reduced overall survival in TNBC patients. Our study highlights the role of the ALKBH3/ALDOA axis in contributing to Dox resistance in TNBC cells through regulation of ALDOA mRNA stability and glycolysis.
3.Cytopathological features of thyroid tumors with DICER1 mutation
Ling WU ; Qiong JIAO ; Juan TANG ; Jizhi JIN ; Xuling SU ; Zhiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(5):518-523
Objective:To investigate the cytopathological features of thyroid tumor with DICER1 mutation.Methods:A retrospective study on the preoperative cell smear was conducted on thyroid tumors with DICER1 gene mutations detected by Sanger sequencing in the Department of Pathology Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2022 to November 2024.Results:Totally 163 cases with histological features indicating DICER1 mutation related thyroid tumor underwent Sanger sequencing. Fifteen cases were confirmed to harbor DICER1 mutation (15/163,9.2%). Fourteen of 15 patients were female, and only 1 was male; average age 42(31,47) years. Eight cases presented with D1709 hotspot mutation (8/15) and 7 cases with the E1813 hotspot mutation (7/15) and there was no statistical significant difference between mutation rate of different hotspot ( F=0.620, P=0.438). All specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining. A moderate number of cells were observed for all cases, predominantly with macrofollicular pattern and rare small papillae. The cell nuclei were mainly uniform, small, round and dark, slightly enlarged or medium-sized. Several cases could also present RAS-like nuclear features: 3 cases showed visible nuclear grooves. According to the expert consensus on the cytopathological diagnosis of thyroid fine needle aspiration (version 2023),the cytopathological diagnostic categories were: Ⅱ, 6 cases; Ⅲ, 2 cases; Ⅳ, 6 cases; and Ⅴ, 1 case. Postoperative histological diagnoses included follicular thyroid carcinoma in 2 cases, high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 1 case, follicular thyroid adenoma in 3 cases, follicular thyroid tumor of undetermined malignant potential in 4 case, and thyroid follicular nodular disease in 5 cases. Conclusions:The morphological features of DICER1-mutated thyroid tumors are predominant macrofollicles, with uniformly small round and dark nuclei. It is difficult to identify typically diagnostic atrophic follicles on cell smear, leading to a preoperative diagnosis of benign non-neoplastic or indeterminate category. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the macro-follicles and small round dark nuclear features, which is necessary to suggest a genetic test of DICER1 gene and to confirm the diagnosis before surgery.
4.Design and Financial Release Estimation for the Individual Accounts Reform Plan of Basic Medical Insurance for Employees in the Context of Outpatient+Co-payment Reform
Zhihong LU ; Min WU ; Xiaomin MU ; Zhiyan HAN
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(2):46-49
Based on the national policy direction of improving the individual account crediting method for employees'basic medical insurance,it designed three individual account reform scenarios,considering the individual account reform and fund sustainability considerations.Based on the 2022 data of the basic medical insurance for employees in Shandong Province,simulations were conducted to predict the overall scale of individual account reform funds released and individual subtractions under each scenario after the full implementation of the individual account reform in 2024,as well as to conduct an early warning analysis of public opinion risks for key populations.The results indicated that Plan I had the largest total amount of released funds from individual accounts(16.55 billion yuan),but the highest per capita monthly reduction in credits(52.97 yuan),thereby increasing the risk of generating social public sentiment.Plan III minimized the resistance to the implementation of the individual account reform but has the smallest total amount of released funds from individual accounts(13.484 billion yuan).Plan II achieved areas such as the provincial government and oil fields have the highest public sentiment risk due to the highest reduction ratio for retirees(>90%);11 coordinated areas have a percentage of retiree subtraction of more than 80%.It provided empirical evidence for policymakers on different plans for the reform of individual accounts in the employee basic medical insurance and their impacts,and suggested that high-risk areas should be given special attention,adopting refined and differentiated policy measures to effectively alleviate social public sentiment pressure and ensure the smooth progress of the reform.
5.Design and Financial Release Estimation for the Individual Accounts Reform Plan of Basic Medical Insurance for Employees in the Context of Outpatient+Co-payment Reform
Zhihong LU ; Min WU ; Xiaomin MU ; Zhiyan HAN
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(2):46-49
Based on the national policy direction of improving the individual account crediting method for employees'basic medical insurance,it designed three individual account reform scenarios,considering the individual account reform and fund sustainability considerations.Based on the 2022 data of the basic medical insurance for employees in Shandong Province,simulations were conducted to predict the overall scale of individual account reform funds released and individual subtractions under each scenario after the full implementation of the individual account reform in 2024,as well as to conduct an early warning analysis of public opinion risks for key populations.The results indicated that Plan I had the largest total amount of released funds from individual accounts(16.55 billion yuan),but the highest per capita monthly reduction in credits(52.97 yuan),thereby increasing the risk of generating social public sentiment.Plan III minimized the resistance to the implementation of the individual account reform but has the smallest total amount of released funds from individual accounts(13.484 billion yuan).Plan II achieved areas such as the provincial government and oil fields have the highest public sentiment risk due to the highest reduction ratio for retirees(>90%);11 coordinated areas have a percentage of retiree subtraction of more than 80%.It provided empirical evidence for policymakers on different plans for the reform of individual accounts in the employee basic medical insurance and their impacts,and suggested that high-risk areas should be given special attention,adopting refined and differentiated policy measures to effectively alleviate social public sentiment pressure and ensure the smooth progress of the reform.
6.Cytopathological features of thyroid tumors with DICER1 mutation
Ling WU ; Qiong JIAO ; Juan TANG ; Jizhi JIN ; Xuling SU ; Zhiyan LIU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(5):518-523
Objective:To investigate the cytopathological features of thyroid tumor with DICER1 mutation.Methods:A retrospective study on the preoperative cell smear was conducted on thyroid tumors with DICER1 gene mutations detected by Sanger sequencing in the Department of Pathology Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2022 to November 2024.Results:Totally 163 cases with histological features indicating DICER1 mutation related thyroid tumor underwent Sanger sequencing. Fifteen cases were confirmed to harbor DICER1 mutation (15/163,9.2%). Fourteen of 15 patients were female, and only 1 was male; average age 42(31,47) years. Eight cases presented with D1709 hotspot mutation (8/15) and 7 cases with the E1813 hotspot mutation (7/15) and there was no statistical significant difference between mutation rate of different hotspot ( F=0.620, P=0.438). All specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining. A moderate number of cells were observed for all cases, predominantly with macrofollicular pattern and rare small papillae. The cell nuclei were mainly uniform, small, round and dark, slightly enlarged or medium-sized. Several cases could also present RAS-like nuclear features: 3 cases showed visible nuclear grooves. According to the expert consensus on the cytopathological diagnosis of thyroid fine needle aspiration (version 2023),the cytopathological diagnostic categories were: Ⅱ, 6 cases; Ⅲ, 2 cases; Ⅳ, 6 cases; and Ⅴ, 1 case. Postoperative histological diagnoses included follicular thyroid carcinoma in 2 cases, high-grade differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 1 case, follicular thyroid adenoma in 3 cases, follicular thyroid tumor of undetermined malignant potential in 4 case, and thyroid follicular nodular disease in 5 cases. Conclusions:The morphological features of DICER1-mutated thyroid tumors are predominant macrofollicles, with uniformly small round and dark nuclei. It is difficult to identify typically diagnostic atrophic follicles on cell smear, leading to a preoperative diagnosis of benign non-neoplastic or indeterminate category. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe the macro-follicles and small round dark nuclear features, which is necessary to suggest a genetic test of DICER1 gene and to confirm the diagnosis before surgery.
7.Status and application of organoid technology in breast cancer research
Zhiyan CHEN ; Qiuyuan WU ; Yuhua DENG ; Dan ZHOU
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(6):668-672
Organoids can well simulate the heterogeneity of tumors,including tumor microenvironment and immune response,which helps to more accurately predict patient responses to drug and treatment effects.Organoids can be used for drug screening before drugs enter body,thus reducing the time and cost of clinical trials.However,research on tissue-organoids still faces some challenges,such as technical limitation and ethical issue.This review mainly introduces the progress in the research of breast cancer organoids,including the definition of organoids,development history,advantages and application in breast cancer research.
8.Temporal and spatial stability of the EM/PM molecular subtypes in adult diffuse glioma.
Jing FENG ; Zheng ZHAO ; Yanfei WEI ; Zhaoshi BAO ; Wei ZHANG ; Fan WU ; Guanzhang LI ; Zhiyan SUN ; Yanli TAN ; Jiuyi LI ; Yunqiu ZHANG ; Zejun DUAN ; Xueling QI ; Kai YU ; Zhengmin CONG ; Junjie YANG ; Yaxin WANG ; Yingyu SUN ; Fuchou TANG ; Xiaodong SU ; Chuan FANG ; Tao JIANG ; Xiaolong FAN
Frontiers of Medicine 2023;17(2):240-262
Detailed characterizations of genomic alterations have not identified subtype-specific vulnerabilities in adult gliomas. Mapping gliomas into developmental programs may uncover new vulnerabilities that are not strictly related to genomic alterations. After identifying conserved gene modules co-expressed with EGFR or PDGFRA (EM or PM), we recently proposed an EM/PM classification scheme for adult gliomas in a histological subtype- and grade-independent manner. By using cohorts of bulk samples, paired primary and recurrent samples, multi-region samples from the same glioma, single-cell RNA-seq samples, and clinical samples, we here demonstrate the temporal and spatial stability of the EM and PM subtypes. The EM and PM subtypes, which progress in a subtype-specific mode, are robustly maintained in paired longitudinal samples. Elevated activities of cell proliferation, genomic instability and microenvironment, rather than subtype switching, mark recurrent gliomas. Within individual gliomas, the EM/PM subtype was preserved across regions and single cells. Malignant cells in the EM and PM gliomas were correlated to neural stem cell and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell compartment, respectively. Thus, while genetic makeup may change during progression and/or within different tumor areas, adult gliomas evolve within a neurodevelopmental framework of the EM and PM molecular subtypes. The dysregulated developmental pathways embedded in these molecular subtypes may contain subtype-specific vulnerabilities.
Humans
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Brain Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/metabolism*
;
Glioma/pathology*
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Neural Stem Cells/pathology*
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Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/pathology*
;
Tumor Microenvironment
9.Investigation on status quo and needs of pharmaceutical training among general practice faculty
Zhiyan LIU ; Tianhao WANG ; Limin LAO ; Xiaoyu LI ; Wei WU ; Qing XU ; Qianzhou LYU ; Zhigang PAN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2022;21(6):526-532
Objective:To investigate the current situation and needs of pharmaceutical training for general practice faculty.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire survey was conducted in April 2019. The participants were general practice faculty attending the national training course in Zhongshan Hospital and selected by convenience sampling method.Results:A total of 219 general practice teachers participated in the survey, 51.14% (112/219) of the participants thought that the current pharmaceutical knowledge did not meet the needs of pharmaceutical services in daily work, and 67.58% (148/219) attended pharmacy related training every year, and the frequency was mainly 1—2 times per year (56.62%, 124/219). The main reasons for attending the training were working needs (68.24%, 101/148) and willingness (55.41%, 82/148); 63.51% (94/148) of the participants thought that the training was moderate or less effective, mainly because of the weak strength of trainers (40.54%, 60/148), insufficient attention paid by trainers (37.16%, 55/148) and lack of depth (37.16%, 55/148). The survey showed that 76.26% (167/219) of general practice teachers had pharmaceutical training needs; and gender, working years and working experience in secondary and/or tertiary hospitals were influencing factors for pharmaceutical training needs. And female faculty, those working less than 10 years and with working experience in secondary hospitals had higher demand for pharmaceutical training. The expected pharmaceutical training focused primarily on the selection and optimization of medication schemes (72.60%, 159/219), interaction/incompatibility between medicines (62.10%, 136/219) and pharmaceutical care in medical treatment (57.08%, 125/219). The expected training methods were mainly interactive case analysis and discussion (69.41%, 152/219) through the internet or APP (such as WeChat) (54.34%, 119/219); the expected training frequency was no more than once in two months (36.07%, 79/219), better in working time (48.86%, 107/219) and each session was 30—45 minutes (38.36%, 84/219).Conclusion:General practice faculty has a high demand for pharmaceutical training. Targeted, individualized and systematic pharmaceutical training courses should be developed according to the pharmaceutical training needs of participants.
10.Effects of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy on complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy
Hui JIN ; Fangyuan CHEN ; Yueyue WU ; Jun LIU ; Xinmei HUANG ; Zaoping CHEN ; Li SHENG ; Jiong XU ; Bingbing ZHA ; Mengxue YANG ; Zhiyan YU ; Rui ZHANG ; Yue LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2022;38(1):19-23
Objective:To investigate the effects of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy on complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted in 784 pregnant women including 111 cases of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy and 673 pregnant women with normal thyroid function as control group. All women were registered and delivered in the Department of Obstetrics of our hospital from April 2016 to April 2017. The complications and adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the two groups were analyzed.Results:Age, body weight before pregnancy, body mass index(BMI), 1 h plasma glucose and 2 h plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test in persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia group were higher than those in control group( P<0.05), with increased incidence of anemia during pregnancy( P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the incidences of gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension between the two groups( P>0.05). No significant statistical differences were found in macrosomia, stillbirth, neonatal malformation, postpartum hemorrhage, acute delivery, premature delivery, fetal intrauterine development delay, and small full-term infants between the two groups( P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age( OR=1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, P=0.002) and pre-pregnancy body weight( OR=1.0, 95% CI 1.0-1.1, P=0.046) were risk factors for the occurrence of persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters was associated with anemia during pregnancy( OR=1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2, P=0.024). Conclusions:Pregnant women who are older and heavier before pregnancy should pay more attention to their thyroid function. Pregnant women with persistent isolated hypothyroxinemia in the first and second trimesters should be concerned for anemia.

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