1.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
2.Functional Remodeling of The DgpB/C Enzyme Into an O-Glycosyltransferase via Phase Transition
Tian-Yu LI ; Ping LI ; Wen-Fu MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1672-1683
ObjectiveFlavonoids are clinically significant natural products, yet their oxygen-glycosylation in aqueous environments relies heavily on expensive nucleotide-activated sugar donors such as UDP-glucose. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) creates specialized, membraneless physicochemical microenvironments capable of modulating enzymatic functions and overcoming mass transfer limitations. This study aims to investigate whether the gut microbiota-derived DgpB/C complex—a multienzyme system traditionally recognized for cleaving stable C-glycosidic bonds and facilitating isomerization—can undergo functional remodeling within phase-separated condensates. Our core objective is to elucidate the role of phase separation in expanding enzymatic catalytic plasticity and to provide a non-canonical, highly cost-effective biocatalytic mechanism for the direct utilization of free sugars in the synthesis of O-glycosylated natural products. MethodsAn artificial phase-separation platform was constructed utilizing the multivalent arginine-glycine-glycine motif (RGG)-repeat domain derived from the Caenorhabditis elegans LAF-1 protein. To ensure precise spatial compartmentalization, the DgpB/C complex was specifically recruited into the RGG condensates via a high-affinity SZ1/SZ2 heterodimerization tag system. Condensate formation and substrate partitioning were visualized using light and confocal fluorescence microscopy. The chemical structures and regioselectivity of the reaction products were rigorously characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS systems. Furthermore, molecular docking and 20-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed via the Hermite platform and Uni-GBSA pipeline to elucidate the structural and thermodynamic basis underlying the phase-transition-induced functional shift. ResultsWe observed that the condensates formed by RGG proteins selectively recruited and significantly enriched hydrophobic flavonoid substrates. Strikingly, within the LLPS microenvironment, the DgpB/C complex—which typically exhibits only degradative or isomerase activities—underwent a profound functional remodeling, transforming into an efficientO-glycosyltransferase. Diverging from canonical pathways that require high-energy donors, the sequestered DgpB/C complex directly utilized unactivated free glucose to catalyze the formation of new O-glycosidic bonds. This remodeled activity was found to be evolutionarily conserved across DgpB/C homologs from diverse gut microbiota strains, such as P581a and W974-1. LC-MS/MS analysis further revealed that the phase-separated environment reduced the regioselectivity constraints of the enzyme, enabling catalytic action on multiple hydroxyl positions of the flavonoid scaffold. MD simulations further indicated that the low-water-activity microenvironment of the condensates reconfigured the conformational dynamics of the catalytic pocket, favoring a spatial orientation highly conducive to dehydration condensation. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that LLPS drives the functional remodeling of the gut microbiota enzyme DgpB/C through the reconfiguration of the physicochemical microenvironment. These findings challenge traditional perceptions regarding the functional boundaries of metabolic enzymes and reveal a novel biocatalytic pathway that bypasses the requirement for nucleotide-activated sugars. Consequently, this provides a highly promising artificial compartmentalization strategy for the green manufacturing of complex, high-value-added natural products.
3.Construction of A Survival Prediction Model for Immunotherapy in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Based on PD-L1 Expression Combined with Nutritional Status Score
Jinhua LI ; Ping QI ; Jili MA ; Yaxia LYU ; Caihong FU ; Longxia ZHANG ; Hui QIAO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(6):457-466
Objective To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing immunotherapy and construct an individualized prognostic nomogram prediction model. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 385 patients with driver gene-negative, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who received first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify prognostic risk factors, and a prognostic nomogram model was established. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC), and calibration curves. The cutoff value of the nomogram was calculated to stratify patients by risk. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results Age (HR=1.775, 95%CI: 1.265-2.490), degree of differentiation (HR=0.365, 95%CI: 0.257-0.519), low PD-L1 expression (HR=0.661, 95%CI: 0.455-0.960), high PD-L1 expression (HR=0.423, 95%CI: 0.297-0.603), SCC-Ag (HR=1.549, 95%CI: 1.109-2.163), and CONUT score (HR=2.527, 95%CI: 1.797-3.554) were independent risk factors affecting overall survival (OS) of patients with NSCLC undergoing immunotherapy. The nomogram prediction model constructed on the basis of these factors had a C-index of 0.767. Time-dependent ROC curves for survival showed that the AUCs for 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS were 0.830, 0.853, and 0.886, respectively. Calibration curves indicated that the nomogram-predicted survival rates were in good agreement with the actual outcomes. The cutoff value for the study’s nomogram prediction model was 136.60 points, and survival curves showed statistically significant differences between different risk groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The nomogram model established in this study can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with driver gene-negative locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC treated with first-line immunosuppressive therapy. It provides a new tool for assessing prognosis and aids clinicians in formulating individualized treatment plans.
4.Barriers to going out and its influencing factors in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Qin FU ; Ming HOU ; Caihong WANG ; Yongqin MAO ; Xiaomei LI ; Ping LI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(33):2578-2584
Objective:To investigate the current status and influencing factors of barriers to going out among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to provide a reference for implementing targeted preventive measures.Methods:Elderly COPD patients from the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected between January and May 2024 by convenience sampling. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire, Scale on Barriers to Going Out for the Elderly, Perceived Isolation Scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT).Results:A total of 270 questionnaires were distributed, with 250 valid responses, the effective response rate was 92.6%. Among the 250 elderly COPD patients, there were 124 males and 126 females, with age distributions: 116 patients aged 60-69 years, 94 aged 70-79 years, and 40 aged ≥80 years. The total score for Scale on Barriers to Going Out for the Elderly was (20.01 ± 4.09). The score on barriers to going out in elderly COPD patients were positively correlated with the Perceived Isolation Scale and CAT scores ( r = 0.456 and 0.625, both P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, oxygen therapy, exercise habits,Perceived Isolation Scale, and CAT score classification were the main influencing factors for barriers to going out ( t values were -2.85 to 8.93, all P<0.05), explaining 63.0% of the total variance. Conclusions:The level of barriers to going out in elderly COPD patients is moderate-to-high level. Healthcare professionals should emphasize the assessment of barriers to going out, closely monitor high-risk groups, and develop and implement interventions to prevent such barriers.
5.Changing resistance profiles of Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis isolates in hospitals across China:results from the CHINET Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Program,2015-2021
Hui FAN ; Chunhong SHAO ; Jia WANG ; Yang YANG ; Fupin HU ; Demei ZHU ; Yunsheng CHEN ; Qing MENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Fang DONG ; Wenqi SONG ; Kaizhen WEN ; Yirong ZHANG ; Chuanqing WANG ; Pan FU ; Chao ZHUO ; Danhong SU ; Jiangwei KE ; Shuping ZHOU ; Hua ZHANG ; Fangfang HU ; Mei KANG ; Chao HE ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Yingchun XU ; Xiaojiang ZHANG ; Wenen LIU ; Yanming LI ; Lei ZHU ; Jinhua MENG ; Shifu WANG ; Bin SHAN ; Yan DU ; Wei JIA ; Gang LI ; Jiao FENG ; Ping GONG ; Miao SONG ; Lianhua WEI ; Xin WANG ; Ruizhong WANG ; Hua FANG ; Sufang GUO ; Yanyan WANG ; Dawen GUO ; Jinying ZHAO ; Lixia ZHANG ; Juan MA ; Han SHEN ; Wanqing ZHOU ; Ruyi GUO ; Yan ZHU ; Jinsong WU ; Yuemei LU ; Yuxing NI ; Jingrong SUN ; Xiaobo MA ; Yanqing ZHENG ; Yunsong YU ; Jie LIN ; Ziyong SUN ; Zhongju CHEN ; Zhidong HU ; Jin LI ; Fengbo ZHANG ; Ping JI ; Yunjian HU ; Xiaoman AI ; Jinju DUAN ; Jianbang KANG ; Xuefei HU ; Xuesong XU ; Chao YAN ; Yi LI ; Shanmei WANG ; Hongqin GU ; Yuanhong XU ; Ying HUANG ; Yunzhuo CHU ; Sufei TIAN ; Jihong LI ; Bixia YU ; Cunshan KOU ; Jilu SHEN ; Wenhui HUANG ; Xiuli YANG ; Likang ZHU ; Lin JIANG ; Wen HE ; Chunlei YUE
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(1):30-38
Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinically isolated Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021,and provide evidence for rational use of antimicrobial agents.Methods Data of H.influenzae and M.catarrhalis strains isolated from 2015 to 2021 in CHINET program were collected for analysis,and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method or automated systems according to the uniform protocol of CHINET.The results were interpreted according to the CLSI breakpoints in 2022.Beta-lactamases was detected by using nitrocefin disk.Results From 2015 to 2021,a total of 43 642 strains of Haemophilus species were isolated,accounting for 2.91%of the total clinical isolates and 4.07%of Gram-negative bacteria in CHINET program.Among the 40 437 strains of H.influenzae,66.89%were isolated from children and 33.11%were isolated from adults.More than 90%of the H.influenzae strains were isolated from respiratory tract specimens.The prevalence of β-lactamase was 53.79%in H.influenzae strains.The H.influenzae strains isolated from children showed higher resistance rate than the strains isolated from adults.Overall,779 strains of H.influenzae did not produce β-lactamase but were resistant to ampicillin(BLNAR).Beta-lactamase-producing strains showed significantly higher resistance rates to these antimicrobial agents than the β-lactamase-nonproducing strains.Of the 16 191 M.catarrhalis strains,80.06%were isolated from children and 19.94%isolated from adults.M.catarrhalis strains were mostly susceptible to both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime,evidenced by resistance rate lower than 2.0%.Conclusions The emergence of antibiotic-resistant H.influenzae due to β-lactamase production poses a challenge for clinical anti-infective treatment.Therefore,it is very important to implement antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae and guide rational antibiotic use.All local clinical microbiology laboratories should actively improve antibiotic susceptibility testing and strengthen antibiotic resistance surveillance for H.influenzae.
6.Clinical implication of post-angioplasty quantitative flow ratio in the patients with coronary artery de novo lesions underwent drug-coated balloons treatment.
Yun-Hui ZHU ; Xu-Lin HONG ; Tian-Li HU ; Qian-Qian BIAN ; Yu-Fei CHEN ; Tian-Ping ZHOU ; Jing LI ; Guo-Sheng FU ; Wen-Bin ZHANG
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(3):332-343
BACKGROUND:
Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) holds significant value in guiding drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment and enhancing outcomes. However, the predictive capability of post-angioplasty QFR for long-term clinical events in patients with de novo lesions who receive DCB treatment remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore the potential significance of post-angioplasty QFR measurements in predicting clinical outcomes in patients underwent DCB treatment for de novo lesions.
METHODS:
Patients who underwent DCB-only intervention for de novo lesions were enrolled. QFR was conducted after DCB treatment. The patients were then categorized based on post-angioplasty QFR. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), encompassing all-cause death, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization.
RESULTS:
A total of 553 patients with 561 lesions were included. The median follow-up period was 505 days, during which 66 (11.8%) MACEs occurred. Based on post-procedural QFR grouping, there were 259 cases in the high QFR group (QFR > 0.93) and 302 cases in the low QFR group (QFR ≤ 0.93). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly higher cumulative incidence of MACE in the low QFR group (log-rank P = 0.004). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between QFR and the occurrence of MACEs (HR = 0.522, 95%CI: 0.289-0.942, P = 0.031). Landmark analysis indicated that high QFR had a significant reducing effect on the cumulative incidence of MACEs within 1 year (log-rank P = 0.016) and 1-5 years (log-rank P = 0.026).
CONCLUSIONS
In patients who underwent DCB-only treatment for de novo lesions, higher post-procedural QFR values (> 0.93) were identified as an independent protective factor against adverse prognosis.
8.Effects of Hot Night Exposure on Human Semen Quality: A Multicenter Population-Based Study.
Ting Ting DAI ; Ting XU ; Qi Ling WANG ; Hao Bo NI ; Chun Ying SONG ; Yu Shan LI ; Fu Ping LI ; Tian Qing MENG ; Hui Qiang SHENG ; Ling Xi WANG ; Xiao Yan CAI ; Li Na XIAO ; Xiao Lin YU ; Qing Hui ZENG ; Pi GUO ; Xin Zong ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):178-193
OBJECTIVE:
To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality.
METHODS:
A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters.
RESULTS:
The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans
;
Male
;
Semen Analysis
;
Adult
;
Sperm Motility
;
Hot Temperature/adverse effects*
;
China
;
Middle Aged
;
Spermatozoa/physiology*
;
Young Adult
9.A Health Economic Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence-assisted Prescription Review System in a Real-world Setting in China.
Di WU ; Ying Peng QIU ; Li Wei SHI ; Ke Jun LIU ; Xue Qing TIAN ; Ping REN ; Mao YOU ; Jun Rui PEI ; Wen Qi FU ; Yue XIAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):385-388
10.Analysis of Tongue and Face Image Features of Anemic Women and Construction of Risk-Screening Model.
Hong Yuan FU ; Yi CHUN ; Ya Han ZHANG ; Yu WANG ; Yu Lin SHI ; Tao JIANG ; Xiao Juan HU ; Li Ping TU ; Yong Zhi LI ; Jia Tuo XU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):935-951
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the key features of facial and tongue images associated with anemia in female populations, establish anemia risk-screening models, and evaluate their performance.
METHODS:
A total of 533 female participants (anemic and healthy) were recruited from Shuguang Hospital. Facial and tongue images were collected using the TFDA-1 tongue and face diagnosis instrument. Color and texture features from various parts of facial and tongue images were extracted using Face Diagnosis Analysis System (FDAS) and Tongue Diagnosis Analysis System version 2.0 (TDAS v2.0). Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used for feature selection. Ten machine learning models and one deep learning model (ResNet50V2 + Conv1D) were developed and evaluated.
RESULTS:
Anemic women showed lower a-values, higher L- and b-values across all age groups. Texture features analysis showed that women aged 30-39 with anemia had higher angular second moment (ASM)and lower entropy (ENT) values in facial images, while those aged 40-49 had lower contrast (CON), ENT, and MEAN values in tongue images but higher ASM. Anemic women exhibited age-related trends similar to healthy women, with decreasing L-values and increasing a-, b-, and ASM-values. LASSO identified 19 key features from 62. Among classifiers, the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model achieved the best performance [area under the curve (AUC): 0.849, accuracy: 0.781]. The ResNet50V2 model achieved comparable results [AUC: 0.846, accuracy: 0.818].
CONCLUSION
Differences in facial and tongue images suggest that color and texture features can serve as potential TCM phenotype and auxiliary diagnostic indicators for female anemia.
Humans
;
Female
;
Tongue/diagnostic imaging*
;
Adult
;
Anemia/diagnosis*
;
Middle Aged
;
Face/diagnostic imaging*
;
Young Adult
;
Machine Learning

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