1.The Ferroptosis-inducing Compounds in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Xin-Die WANG ; Da-Li FENG ; Xiang CUI ; Su ZHOU ; Peng-Fei ZHANG ; Zhi-Qiang GAO ; Li-Li ZOU ; Jun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):804-819
Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System Xc--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.
2.Role of radiotherapy in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer after durvalumab-based immunochemotherapy: A retrospective study.
Lingjuan CHEN ; Yi KONG ; Fan TONG ; Ruiguang ZHANG ; Peng DING ; Sheng ZHANG ; Ye WANG ; Rui ZHOU ; Xingxiang PU ; Bolin CHEN ; Fei LIANG ; Qiaoyun TAN ; Yu XU ; Lin WU ; Xiaorong DONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(17):2130-2138
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subsequent radiotherapy (RT) following first-line treatment with durvalumab plus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
METHODS:
A total of 122 patients with ES-SCLC from three hospitals during July 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to address potential confounding factors. The primary focus of our evaluation was to assess the impact of RT on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
RESULTS:
After IPTW analysis, 49 patients received durvalumab plus platinum-etoposide (EP) chemotherapy followed by RT (Durva + EP + RT) and 72 patients received immunochemotherapy (Durva + EP). The median OS was 17.2 months vs . 12.3 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.85, P = 0.020), and the median PFS was 8.9 months vs . 5.9 months (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97, P = 0.030) in Durva + EP + RT and Durva + EP groups, respectively. Thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) resulted in longer OS (17.2 months vs . 14.7 months) and PFS (9.1 months vs . 7.2 months) compared to RT directed to other metastatic sites. Among patients with oligo-metastasis, RT also showed significant benefits, with a median OS of 17.4 months vs . 13.7 months and median PFS of 9.8 months vs . 5.9 months compared to no RT. Continuous durvalumab treatment beyond progression (TBP) prolonged OS compared to patients without TBP, in both the Durva + EP + RT (NA vs . 15.8 months, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14-1.63, P = 0.238) and Durva + EP groups (12.3 months vs . 4.3 months, HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10-0.81, P = 0.018). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 13 (26.5%) and 13 (18.1%) patients, respectively, in the two groups; pneumonitis was mostly low-grade.
CONCLUSION
Addition of RT after first-line immunochemotherapy significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable toxicity in ES-SCLC.
Humans
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Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/therapy*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Lung Neoplasms/therapy*
;
Aged
;
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use*
;
Adult
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
;
Aged, 80 and over
3.Research progress on biosynthesis of triterpenoids in Centella asiatica.
Pei-Na ZHOU ; Bin CHEN ; Cheng-Jie SHU ; Zhuo-Hang LI ; Peng CHEN ; Cheng-Hao FEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):609-619
The triterpenoid saponins of Centella asiatica, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, are pivotal bioactive compounds of the plant. These constituents exhibit a spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and antidepressant effects, promotion of wound healing, and enhancement of microcirculation. Owing to these therapeutic properties, C. asiatica is widely employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, the escalating global demand for its extracts has led to potential supply shortages, prompting researchers to use multiple strategies such as multi-omics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology to conduct extensive studies. These studies encompass the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins in C. asiatica, metabolic regulation, the hormonal induction of secondary metabolite synthesis, and the application of biotechnological strategies for natural product production to increase the yield of secondary metabolites in C. asiatica, or to produce active components via microbial chassis, thus satisfying market demands and promoting the sustainable exploitation of wild C. asiatica resources. This article first introduced the triterpenoid saponins of C. asiatica and their biological activities, then summarized the latest research advancements in their biosynthetic pathways, metabolic regulation, and heterologous biosynthesis, and provided an outlook on future development directions, with the aim of providing reference for comprehensive resource development and biotechnological synthesis of active components from C. asiatica.
Centella/genetics*
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Triterpenes/chemistry*
;
Biosynthetic Pathways
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts
4.Identification of terpenoid synthases family in Perilla frutescens and functional analysis of germacrene D synthase.
Pei-Na ZHOU ; Zai-Biao ZHU ; Lei XIONG ; Ying ZHANG ; Peng CHEN ; Huang-Jin TONG ; Cheng-Hao FEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2658-2673
Based on whole-genome identification of the TPS gene family in Perilla frutescens and screening, cloning, bioinformatics, and expression analysis of the synthetic enzyme for the insect-resistant component germacrene D, this study lays the foundation for understanding the biological function of the TPS gene family and the insect resistance mechanism in P. frutescens. This study used bioinformatics tools to identify the TPS gene family of P. frutescens based on its whole genome and predicted the physicochemical properties, systematic classification, and promoter cis-elements of the proteins. The relative content of germacrene D was detected in both normal and insect-infested leaves of P. frutescens, and the germacrene D synthase was screened and isolated. Gene cloning, bioinformatics analysis, and expression profiling were then performed. The results showed that a total of 99 TPS genes were identified in the genome, which were classified into the TPS-a, TPS-b, TPS-c, TPS-e/f, and TPS-g subfamilies. Conserved motif analysis showed that the TPS in P. frutescens has conserved structural characteristics within the same subfamily. Promoter cis-element analysis predicted the presence of light-responsive elements, multiple hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements in the TPS family of P. frutescens. Transcriptome data revealed that most of the TPS genes in P. frutescens were highly expressed in the leaves. GC-MS analysis showed that the relative content of germacrene D significantly increased in insect-damaged leaves, suggesting that it may act as an insect-resistant component. The germacrene D synthase gene was screened through homologous protein binding gene expression and was found to belong to the TPS-a subfamily, encoding a 64.89 kDa protein. This protein was hydrophilic, lacked a transmembrane structure and signal peptide, and was predominantly expressed in leaves, with significantly higher expression in insect-damaged leaves compared to normal leaves. In vitro expression results showed that germacrene D synthase tended to form inclusion bodies. Molecular docking showed that farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP) fell into the active pocket of the protein and interacted strongly with six active sites. This study provides a foundation for further research on the biological functions of the TPS gene family in P. frutescens and the molecular mechanisms underlying its insect resistance.
Perilla frutescens/chemistry*
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Plant Proteins/chemistry*
;
Multigene Family
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Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane/metabolism*
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Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/chemistry*
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Phylogeny
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
5.A preliminary study of risk factors for the stress fracture in treated with clavicle hook plate.
Peng-Fei NIE ; Yuan-Lin XU ; Yong-Fu LI ; Lun ZHANG ; Qian-Qian ZHOU ; Jian-Nyu LUO ; Jian GUO
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(1):61-65
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of bone density, plate bending degree and proximal screw type on the stress fracture of clavicle hook.
METHODS:
Three sows weighing between 45 and 50 kg were selected, from which a total of 40 rivs were collected. The 15 ribs of sows were divided into 3 groups according to bone density and bone hardness with 5 rivs in each group. And then the 3 groups were fixed with 6-hole collarbone hook plates and 3 locking screws. Measure the maximum torsion force when the ribs were fractured by force. The same size 15 rids were divided into 3 groups, named forward bending group, 0° group(the angle between the plate surface and the rib surface) and reverse bending group. All fixed with 6-hole collarbone hook plates and locking screws to measure the maximum torsion force of rib stress fracture. Then the same size 10 rids were divided into 2 groups, the normal screw group and the locking screw group with 5 ribs in each group. Both groups were fixed with 6-hole collarbone hook plates and screws. The normal screw group was a normal screw, fixed in proximal end, and two locking screws. The locking screw group was fixed by locking screws. Measure the maximum torsion force of the two groups when the ribs fracture by force.
RESULTS:
In the bone density experiment, the torque force of hard bone group (104.51±6.27) N was greater than the normal bone group (75.04±3.81) N(t=8.979, P<0.05). The force of normal bone group was greater than the osteoporosis group (49.99±2.12) N(t=12.832, P<0.05). In the bending collarbone hook experiment, the order of the torque force generated by each group as follow:the forward bending group (343.59±6.18) N greater than the 0° group (106.01±5.29) N(t=65.279, P<0.05) greater than the reverse bending group (95.82±4.12) N(t=3.398, P<0.05). The force of the normal screw group (98.68±0.70) N was greater than the locking screw group (50.20±0.95) N(t=91.484, P<0.05). The data comparisons of each group were statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Bone density, plate bending degree and proximal screw type had an impact on stress fracture of clavicle hook plate. Higher bone density, forward bending of the steel plate, and ordinary screws in proximal end can reduce the rates of stress fractures of clavicle hooks.
Animals
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Bone Plates
;
Clavicle/surgery*
;
Swine
;
Fractures, Stress/etiology*
;
Female
;
Risk Factors
;
Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
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Bone Screws
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Bone Density
6.Effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction in the rat model.
Wei WANG ; Ying LIU ; Zi-Hao ZHOU ; Kun PANG ; Jing-Kai WANG ; Peng-Fei HUAN ; Jing-Ru LU ; Tao ZHU ; Zuo-Bin ZHU ; Cong-Hui HAN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(4):508-515
Stem cell treatment may enhance erectile dysfunction (ED) in individuals with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). Nevertheless, no investigations have directly ascertained the implications of varying amounts of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) on ED. We compare the efficacy of three various doses of HUC-MSCs as a therapeutic strategy for ED. Sprague-Dawley rats (total = 175) were randomly allocated into five groups. A total of 35 rats underwent sham surgery and 140 rats endured bilateral CNI and were treated with vehicles or doses of HUC-MSCs (1 × 10 6 cells, 5 × 10 6 cells, and 1 × 10 7 cells in 0.1 ml, respectively). Penile tissues were harvested for histological analysis on 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 28 days, 60 days, and 90 days postsurgery. It was found that varying dosages of HUC-MSCs enhanced the erectile function of rats with bilateral CNI and ED. Moreover, there was no significant disparity in the effectiveness of various dosages of HUC-MSCs. However, the expression of endothelial markers (rat endothelial cell antigen-1 [RECA-1] and endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), smooth muscle markers (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] and desmin), and neural markers (neurofilament [RECA-1] and neurogenic nitric oxide synthase [nNOS]) increased significantly with prolonged treatment time. Masson's staining demonstrated an increased in the smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen ratio. Significant changes were detected in the microstructures of various types of cells. In vivo imaging system (IVIS) analysis showed that at the 1 st day, the HUC-MSCs implanted moved to the site of damage. Additionally, the oxidative stress levels were dramatically reduced in the penises of rats administered with HUC-MSCs.
Male
;
Animals
;
Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/methods*
;
Rats
;
Penis/pathology*
;
Humans
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Umbilical Cord/cytology*
;
Peripheral Nerve Injuries/complications*
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism*
;
Actins/metabolism*
;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I/metabolism*
7.Short-term Effects of Fine Particulate Matter and its Constituents on Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: A Time-stratified Case-crossover Study.
Jing Wei ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Peng Fei LI ; Yan Dan XU ; Xue Song ZHOU ; Xiu Li TANG ; Jia QIU ; Zhong Ao DING ; Ming Jia XU ; Chong Jian WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):389-393
8.Effects of sacral neuromodulation on urodynamic parameters during the storage phase in patients with neurogenic bladder
Haichao LIU ; Guoqing CHEN ; Peng ZHANG ; Fan ZHANG ; Baihui WANG ; Fei ZHOU ; Yanhe JU
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(12):1075-1079
Objective To explore the effects of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) on urodynamic parameters during the storage phase in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB), so as to provide reference for evaluating the efficacy of SNM. Methods A total 49 NB patients undergoing SNM at our hospital during Oct.2012 and May 2025 were enrolled. Baseline data and video-urodynamic parameters were collected. Changes in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase, and bladder compliance before and after treatment were assessed. Improvements in detrusor overactivity (DO) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were also analyzed. Results Among the 49 patients,27 were male and 22 were female, with a mean age of (37.41±15.15) years, a median disease duration of 5.0 (2.0,15.5) years, and a median follow-up of 11 (1,32) months. Up to 37 patients (75.5%) received permanent sacral nerve pulse generator implantation (permanent implant group), while the remaining 12 were classified as the non-permanent implant group. Before and after the test period, all patients showed a significant increase in maximum cystometric capacity [ (218.0 (93.0,358.5) mL vs.300.0 (238.5, 400.0) mL, P<0.001], a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure during the filling phase [32.0 (13.5,71.0) cmH_2 O vs. 20.0 (9.0,50.0) cmH_2 O, P<0.001], and an improvement in bladder compliance [11.8 (8.3,25.6) mL/cmH_2 O vs.26.7 (8.6,44.1) mL/cmH_2O, P<0.001]. In the permanent implant group, comparisons before and after the test period showed an increase in maximum bladder capacity [ (239.16±147.23) mL vs. (312.24±121.83) mL, P<0.001], a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure during filling[32.0 (15.0,58.0) cmH_2 O vs.15.0 (9.0,41.0) cmH_2 O, P<0.05], and improved bladder compliance [10.8 (8.3,23.6) mL/cmH_2 O vs.28.6 (8.6,41.4) mL/cmH_2 O, P<0.001]. No statistically significant differences in these parameters before and after the test period were observed in the non-permanent implant group (P>0.05). A total of 17 patients in the permanent implant group underwent follow-up video urodynamics. Compared to pre-test values, significant improvements were observed in maximum detrusor pressure during filling, and bladder compliance both at the end of the test period and at the last follow-up (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure during filling, and bladder compliance between the end of the test period and the last follow-up (P>0.05). Among the 49 patients,21 had DO and 20 had VUR. Both DO and VUR showed improvement after the test period and at the last follow-up. Conclusion SNM can effectively improve storage function in NB patients, ameliorate detrusor overactivity and bladder compliance, and relieve or eliminate VUR in some patients. Long-term follow-up confirms that SNM provides stable therapeutic effects, demonstrating significant clinical value.
9.Influencing factors and the Nomogram model to predict early hematoma expansion of intracranial hemorrhage
Fa WU ; Yu-Lin YANG ; Ting-Ting WU ; Rui JIANG ; Jie WU ; Peng WANG ; Fei-Zhou DU ; Hong-Mei YU ; Jian-Hao LI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(5):504-510
Objective To investigate factors influencing the occurrence of early haematoma expansion(HE)in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage(sICH),to develop a predictive model and evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods A retrospective cohort of 238 patients with sICH,admitted to General Hospital of Western Theater Command between January 2017 and December 2022,was analyzed.Patients were categorized into two groups based on the criteria of HE exceeding 33%in relative volume or 6 ml in absolute volume:HE group(n=62)and non-haematoma expansion(NHE)group(n=176).Clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,Non-contrast Computed Tomography(NCCT)imaging,and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores were compared between the two groups.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors for HE and to model the probability of its occurrence.The R language rms package was utilized to construct a nomogram model for predicting HE in sICH patients,Additionally,the related clinical,NCCT,and GCS models were constructed.The predictive efficacy of each model for HE in sICH patients was evaluated using area under Receive Operative Characteristic(ROC)curve(AUC),and the clinical application value of each model was assessed using accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,and Jordon's index.The Delong test was applied to analyze differences in the predictive values of the models.Results Significant differences in satellite sign,vortex sign,and history of anticoagulant treatment were observed between two groups(P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed independent risk factors for HE in sICH patients,including the first CT examination time,homogeneity,history of anticoagulant medication,volume,maximal diameter,hypodensity sign,island sign,satellite sign,and vortex sign(P<0.05).The AUCs for the constructed clinical model,NCCT model,GCS model and nomogram model in predicting the occurrence of HE in sICH patients were 0.672,0.706,0.518 and 0.754,respectively.The nomogram model demonstrated higher accuracy,sensitivity,Jordon's index and AUC compared with those in the clinical and NCTT models.Conclusions The first CT examination time,homogeneity,history of anticoagulant treatment,volume,maximum diameter,hypodensity sign,island sign,satellite sign,and vortex sign are independent predictors of early HE in sICH patients.The nomogram model,constructed with the above parameters,demonstrated high predictive efficacy for HE and holds potential for clinical application.
10.Integrated construction and key technological considerations of inpatient paperless medical record system
Yaru DONG ; Haixin LI ; Peng LI ; Fei ZHOU
Modern Hospital 2024;24(7):1108-1111
The construction of a paperless medical record system is a new stage in the development of intelligent medical record management in hospitals.The implementation of paperless medical records has significant practical significance in impro-ving medical record management,enhancing the level of medical services,and reducing healthcare operational costs.To explore the key technological issues of paperless medical record system for inpatient care,this article first provides an overview of the po-sitioning and business process of paperless medical record system in the hospital's information system.Secondly,based on the actual application of paperless medical records in our hospital,the core difficulties and application processes of key technological aspects such as trusted electronic signatures and comprehensive verification of medical record data from all dimensions are dis-cussed.Next,the integrated application effects of paperless medical records are analyzed.Finally,the key research directions and future development models of paperless medical records are discussed.

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