1.Protective effect of Shenfu injection against neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury by inhibiting the ferroptosis
Xiaotong Zhang ; Meng Zhang ; Gang Li ; Yang Hu ; Yajing Xun ; Hui Ding ; Donglin Shen ; Ming Wu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):31-40
Objective :
To observe the brain tissue injury during hypoxia-ischemia, as well as the pathological changes and the expression of ferroptosis-related factors after the use of Shenfu injection(SFI), and to explore the protective effect of SFI on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury(HIBD) by inhibiting ferroptosis.
Methods :
An animal model of HIBD in SD rats was constructed and intervened with SFI. Pathologic changes in brain tissue were observed by HE staining methods. Nissen staining was used to observe neuron survival. Glutathione Peroxidase 4(GPX4) and Divalent Metal Transporter 1(DMT1) expression were detected in brain tissue by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Reduced Glutathione(GSH), Lactate Dehydrogenase(LDH), Malondialdehyde(MDA), Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) and tissue iron content were determined with the kits. BV-2 microglial cell line(BV2) cells were culturedin vitroand divided into control group(Ctrl group), oxygen-glucose deprivation group(OGD group), iron ferroptosis-inducing group(Erastin group), iron ferroptosis-inhibiting group(Fer-1 group), Shenfu injection group(SFI group), and Erastin+Shenfu injection group(Erastin+SFI group). 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) reactive oxygen species(ROS) fluorescent probe was used to detect the ROS release level; Immunofluorescence was used to observe intracellular GPX4, DMT1 expression.
Results :
Compared with the Sham group, rats in the HIBD group showed significant neuronal cell damage in brain tissue, decreased GPX4 expression(P<0.01), increased DMT1 expression(P<0.01), decreased GSH and SOD levels(P<0.01), and increased LDH, MDA and tissue iron levels(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01). In contrast, after the intervention of SFI, GPX4 expression was elevated(P<0.01), DMT1 expression decreased(P<0.01), GSH and SOD levels were elevated(P<0.01), and LDH, MDA, and tissue iron levels decreased(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.01). The cells experiments showed that compared with the Ctrl group, the OGD group had a significantly higher ROS content and a decrease in the expression of GPX4 fluorescence intensity, and an increase in the fluorescence intensity of DMT1(P<0.01), compared with the OGD group, the ROS content was reduced in the SFI group, while the expression of GPX4 was elevated and the expression of DMT1 was reduced(P<0.01).
Conclusion
Hippocampal and cortical regions are severely damaged after HIBD in neonatal rats, and their brain tissues show decreased expression of GPX4 and increased expression of DMT1. The above suggests that ferroptosis is involved in HIBD brain injury in neonatal rats. In contrast, Shenfu injection has a protective effect on HIBD experimental animal model and BV2 cell injury model by reducing iron aggregation and ROS production.
2.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
3.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
4.Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets Ameliorate Liver Injury Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides Tablet by Regulating Cholesterol Metabolism
Xiaotong FU ; Chunyu CAO ; Chun LI ; Chenna LU ; Ting LIU ; Yifei YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):46-55
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets (TG) and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets (CG) in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped as follows: control (pure water), low-dose TG (TG-L, 189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1), high-dose TG (TG-H, 472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1), TG-L+CG (189.0 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), and TG-H+CG (472.5 mg·kg-1·d-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg-1·d-1 CG), with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration, the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha (LXR-α), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1), and sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR), a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically, HepG2 cells were grouped as follows: Low-dose TG (TG-l, 15 mg·L-1), medium-dose TG (TG-m, 45 mg·L-1), high-dose TG (TG-h, 135 mg·L-1), fenofibrate (FB, 10 μmol·L-1), CG extract, TG-h+FB (135 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-m+FB (45 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-l+FB (15 mg·L-1 TG + 10 μmol·L-1 FB), TG-h+CG (135 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), TG-m+CG (45 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG), and TG-l+CG (15 mg·L-1 TG + 60 μmol·L-1 CG). The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), which were up-regulated by the application of CG (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR, CYP7A1, and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with TG alone, TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group, the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α (P<0.01), and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 (P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 (P<0.01) in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes (P<0.01). Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α, ABCG1, LDLR, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells (P<0.01). Compared with the TG-h group, the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR (P<0.05). Compared with the TG-m group, the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0, 472.5 mg·kg-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux, endocytosis, and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes, leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α, LDLR, ABCG1, CYP7A1, CYP8B1, and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.
5.Mechanism of Action of Kaixinsan in Ameliorating Alzheimer's Disease
Xiaoming HE ; Xiaotong WANG ; Dongyu MIN ; Xinxin WANG ; Meijia CHENG ; Yongming LIU ; Yetao JU ; Yali YANG ; Changbin YUAN ; Changyang YU ; Li ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):20-29
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Kaixinsan in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experimental validation. MethodsThe Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP) and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine(ETCM) databases were used to obtain the active ingredients and targets of Kaixinsan. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), TTD, PharmGKB, and DrugBank databases were used to obtain the relevant targets of AD. The intersection (common targets) of the active ingredient targets of Kaixinsan and the relevant targets of AD was taken, and the network interaction analysis of the common targets was carried out in the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. The CytoNCA plugin within Cytoscape was used to screen out the core targets, and the Metascape platform was used to perform gene ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The “drug-active ingredient-target” interaction network was constructed with the help of Cytoscape 3.8.2, and AutoDock Vina was used for molecular docking. Scopolamine (SCOP) was utilized for modeling and injected intraperitoneally once daily. Thirty-two male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank control (CON) group (0.9% NaCl, n=8), model (SCOP) group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1, n=8), positive control group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of Donepezil, n=8), and Kaixinsan group (3 mg·kg-1·d-1 of SCOP+6.5 g·kg-1·d-1 of Kaixinsan, n=8). Mice in each group were administered with 0.9% NaCl, Kaixinsan, or Donepezil by gavage twice a day for 14 days. Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the learning memory ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to observe the pathological changes in the CA1 area of the mouse hippocampus. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the serum acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) contents of mice. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and nuclear transcription factor(NF)-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice. ResultsA total of 73 active ingredients of Kaixinsan were obtained, and 578 potential targets (common targets) of Kaixinsan for the treatment of AD were screened out. Key active ingredients included kaempferol, gijugliflozin, etc.. Potential core targets were STAT3, NF-κB p65, et al. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 3 124 biological functions, 254 cellular building blocks, and 461 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment obtained 248 pathways, mainly involving cancer-related pathways, TRP pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) pathway, and NF-κB pathway. Molecular docking showed that the binding of the key active ingredients to the target targets was more stable. Morris water maze experiment indicated that Kaixinsan could improve the learning memory ability of SCOP-induced mice. HE staining and ELISA results showed that Kaixinsan had an ameliorating effect on central nerve injury in mice. Western blot test indicated that Kaixinsan had a down-regulating effect on the levels of NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hippocampal tissue of mice in the SCOP model. ConclusionKaixinsan can improve the cognitive impairment function in SCOP model mice and may reduce hippocampal neuronal damage and thus play a therapeutic role in the treatment of AD by regulating NF-κB p65, STAT3, and other targets involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway.
6.Validation of the effectiveness of leaf position data for the linear accelerator log file
Chenlu LIU ; Xiaotong WANG ; Long SUN ; Chong XU ; Bo XUE ; Xiaohua YANG ; Guoping SHAN
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(8):796-803
Objective:To validate the effectiveness of the leaf position data of multi-leaf collimator (MLC) recorded in the Infinity medical linear accelerator log file (LF).Methods:In this study, the establishment of the film dose calibration curve involved two steps. Initially, the pixel values obtained from scanning the film were converted into net optical density values. Subsequently, a sixth-order polynomial fit was performed on the net optical density and dose data. The picket fence (PF) tests were performed on the electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and film, and the corresponding acquired PF test images were analyzed using the relative leaf travel distance, relative leaf position, relative leaf pair full-width half -maximum (FWHM), and relative leaf pair neighbor region width analysis index, and compared with the relevant results in LF. In addition, to investigate the effect of gravity on the recorded leaf position data by the Infinity medical linear accelerator LF, the above PF tests were executed at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° gantry angles, respectively. Intergroup differences were assessed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.Results:The film dose calibration curve demonstrated high goodness-of-fit, with a correlation coefficient ( R2) of 0.9994. Across all gantry angles, the dispersion of overall leaf position data for EBT3 film, EPID, and LF followed a consistent pattern based on four analysis metrics: EBT3 film > EPID > LF. Moreover, for each analysis metric, inter-tool differences in standard deviations of results were consistently below 0.1 mm, and this pattern was invariant to gantry angle. Conclusions:The leaf position data recorded in the Infinity medical linear accelerator LF have a high degree of accuracy, and can be used as reference for the actual position of the MLC leaf. Furthermore, gravitational forces exhibit negligible impact on leaf position data acquired via LF.
7.Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of primary renal dedifferentiated liposarcoma
Xiaotong LIU ; Wenbang PAN ; Abao GUO ; Jun WANG ; Xianghui NING ; Zhankui JIA ; Jinjian YANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(1):10-16
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary renal dedifferentiated liposarcoma.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 10 patients diagnosed with renal dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2023. The cohort consisted of 8 males and 2 females, with a mean age of (59.0±6.8) years. Tumors were located in the left kidney in 8 cases and in the right kidney in 2 cases. Presentations included flank or abdominal masses in 4 patients, back pain in 3 patients, and asymptomatic in 3 patients. Imaging studies revealed solitary lesions in 9 cases and multiple lesions in 1 case. The maximum tumor diameter ranged from 95 to 178 mm, with a median of 119.5 mm. CT showed tumors within the renal parenchyma with unclear boundaries and displayed a "slow in, slow out" pattern of gradual enhancement. Clinical staging revealed T 2N 0M 0 in 3 cases, T 3N 0M 0 in 4 cases, T 4N 0M 0 in 3 cases, and T 2N 1M 0 in 1 case. Nine patients underwent radical nephrectomy, including 4 laparoscopic surgeries, 4 open surgeries, and 1 robotic-assisted with thrombectomy. One patient, presenting with multiple lymph node metastases confirmed by PET-CT, underwent a diagnostic biopsy. Postoperative pathological features, follow-up and prognosis were analyzed. Results:Pathological specimens appeared grayish-red, grayish-yellow or grayish-white cut surfaces with soft to moderate texture. Microscopically, tumor cells were ovoid or short spindle-shaped with significant atypia and cytoplasmic vacuoles, with visible pathological mitoses. Six cases showed only dedifferentiated components with tumor giant cells and multinucleated giant cells resembling pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma, with focal tumor necrosis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed MDM2 gene amplification in all cases. All cases were diagnosed as primary renal dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Pathological staging showed 4 cases as pT 2N 0M 0, 3 cases as pT 3N 0M 0, 2 cases as pT 4N 0M 0, and 1 case lacked pathological staging due to biopsy only. Five patients received postoperative adjuvant therapy, including two pT 2N 0M 0 cases who received immunotherapy and apatinib treatment respectively, with no recurrence. One pT 3N 0M 0 case received anlotinib treatment, with local recurrence after 12 months, followed by radiofrequency ablation combined with chemotherapy. Two pT 4N 0M 0 cases received ifosfamide combined with epirubicin and pirarubicin combined with lobaplatin respectively, with one case showing no progression at 11 months follow-up, and another case developing splenic metastasis 3 months post-surgery, followed by chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, surviving for 20 months. Among the 4 cases without adjuvant therapy, two pT 2N 0M 0 cases developed multiple metastases within 1 month post-surgery and received immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and/or chemotherapy, surviving 4-5 months.One of the two pT 3N 0M 0 cases developed local recurrence 2 months post-surgery and received chemotherapy, surviving 6 months, and another pT 3N 0M 0 case developed gluteal subcutaneous metastasis 1 month post-surgery and received immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy, surviving 8 months.One non-surgical pT 2N 1M 0 patient received chemotherapy and survived for 15 months. All patients were followed up for 4-52 months, with a median follow-up time of 11 months. At the last follow-up, 6 patients died and 4 survived. Conclusions:Primary renal dedifferentiated liposarcoma is clinically rare, with atypical symptoms and difficult preoperative diagnosis, relying on pathology for confirmation. Radical nephrectomy is the main treatment method, but surgery alone has poor prognosis with high recurrence and metastasis rates. Adjuvant therapy based on surgery may improve patient prognosis.Larger sample studies are needed for confirmation.
8.Diagnostic value of the vesical imaging-reporting and data system in bladder urothelial carcinoma with variant histology
Linjing JIANG ; Xiao YANG ; Lingkai CAI ; Qiang CAO ; Wei TIAN ; Xiaotong LIU ; Bo LIANG ; Meihua JIANG ; Gongcheng WANG ; Qiang SHAO ; Hongliang QUE ; Xuping JIANG ; Qiang LYU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(10):751-758
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of the vesical imaging-reporting and data system(VI-RADS)for determining muscle invasion in variant histology urothelial carcinoma(VUC)of the bladder.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the pathological and imaging data of 518 bladder cancer patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2013 and January 2023. Patients were stratified into pure urothelial carcinoma(PUC)group( n = 457)and variant urothelial carcinoma(VUC)group( n = 61)based on the presence of histological variants. In the PUC group,there were 390 males(85.3%)and 67 females(14.7%),with a mean age of(66.9 ± 11.2)years. Tumor characteristics included maximum diameter ≥ 30 mm in 149(32.6%),< 30 mm in 308(67.4%),multiple tumors in 147(32.2%),solitary in 310(67.8%),pedunculated morphology in 143(31.3%)and non-pedunculated in 314(68.7%). Histological grading identified high-grade tumors in 319 patients(69.8%)and low-grade tumors in 138(30.2%). Pathological stage distribution included 191 of T a(41.8%),127 of T 1(27.8%),76 of T 2(16.6%),47 of T 3(10.3%),and 16 of T 4(3.5%)patients. The VUC group included 61 patients,comprising 51 males(83.6%)and 10 females(16.4%),with a mean age of(65.8 ± 11.4)years. Tumor characteristics were maximum diameter ≥ 30 mm in 38(62.3%),< 30 mm in 23(37.7%),multiple tumors in 16(26.2%),solitary in 45(73.8%),pedunculated morphology in 11(18.0%)and non-pedunculated in 50(82.0%). Histological grading identified high-grade tumors in 59 patients(96.7%)and low-grade tumors in 2(3.3%). Pathological stage distribution included 3 of T a(4.9%),15 of T 1(24.6%),15 of T 2(24.6%),20 of T 3(32.8%),and 8 of T 4(13.1%)patients. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in gender,age,or tumor multiplicity( P > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in pathological grade,pathological stage,maximum tumor diameter,and pedunculated morphology( P < 0.05). Furthermore,an external validation cohort of 278 bladder cancer patients treated between February 2023 and February 2024 from multiple centers(Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital,The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University,Union Hospital Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology,Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Suzhou Municipal Hospital,Huaian First People’s Hospital,Yixing People’s Hospital)was retrospectively analyzed to externally validate the performance of VI-RADS scoring in predicting muscle invasion of VUC. This cohort included a PUC subgroup of 241 patients,comprising 196 males(81.3%)and 45 females(18.7%),with a mean age of(68.0 ± 10.7)years. Tumor characteristics were maximum diameter ≥ 30 mm in 85(35.3%),< 30 mm in 156(64.7%),multiple tumors in 65(27.0%),solitary in 176(73.0%),pedunculated morphology in 76(31.5%)and non-pedunculated in 165(68.5%). Histological grading identified high-grade tumors in 175 patients(72.6%)and low-grade tumors in 66(27.4%). Pathological staging comprised 107 patients of T a(44.4%),78 of T 1(32.4%),22 of T 2(9.1%),22 of T 3(9.1%),and 12 of T 4(5.0%). The VUC subgroup consisted of 37 patients,comprising 29 males(78.4%)and 8 females(21.6%),with a mean age of(70.5 ± 9.5)years. Tumor characteristics were maximum diameter ≥ 30 mm in 23(62.2%),< 30 mm in 14(37.8%),multiple tumors in 9(24.3%),solitary in 28(75.7%),pedunculated morphology in 7(18.9%)and non-pedunculated in 30(81.1%). Histological grading identified high-grade tumors in 36 patients(97.3%)and low-grade tumors in 1(2.7%). Pathological staging comprised 1 patient of T a(2.7%),9 of T 1(24.3%),7 of T 2(18.9%),19 of T 3(51.4%),and 1 of T 4(2.7%). In this validation cohort,no significant differences were found in gender,age,tumor multiplicity,or pedunculated morphology between the PUC and VUC subgroups( P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in pathological grade,pathological stage,and maximum tumor diameter( P < 0.05). Three radiologists independently reviewed and scored the multiparametric MRI(mp-MRI)in a blinded manner. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using the weighted kappa statistic. Differences in variables between the two groups were compared using t-tests,chi-square tests,or Fisher’s exact test. The diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for muscle invasion in VUC and PUC was comprehensively evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,the area under the curve(AUC),and cut-off values determined by the Youden’s index. The DeLong test was used to assess whether the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS differed between VUC and PUC. Results:In the retrospective single-center cohort,the AUC of VI-RADS for assessing muscle invasion was 0.895(95% CI 0.864?0.922)in the PUC group,with a cut-off value of > 3,and the AUC was 0.896(95% CI 0.791-0.960)in the VUC group,with a cut-off value of > 3. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant( P = 0.986). Using a VI-RADS score > 3 as the cut-off value,the accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)for diagnosing muscle invasion status in the PUC group were 85.8%(392/457),70.5%(98/139),92.5%(294/318),80.3%(98/122),and 87.8%(294/335),respectively. The corresponding values for the VUC group were 82.0%(50/61),76.7%(33/43),94.4%(17/18),97.1%(33/34),and 63.0%(17/27).In the retrospective multicenter cohort,the AUC of VI-RADS for assessing muscle invasion was 0.891(95% CI 0.845?0.927)in the PUC group,with a cut-off value of > 2,and the AUC was 0.898(95% CI 0.754?0.973)in the VUC group,with a cut-off value of > 3. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant( P = 0.897). Using a VI-RADS score > 3 as the cut-off value,the accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,PPV,and NPV for diagnosing muscle invasion status in the PUC group were 85.9%(207/241),58.9%(33/56),94.1%(174/185),75.0%(33/44),and 88.3%(174/197),respectively. The corresponding values for the VUC group were 81.1%(30/37),77.8%(21/27),90.0%(9/10),95.5%(21/22),and 60.0%(9/15).In the single-center cohort,the Kappa values for inter-reader agreement in assessing muscle invasion status using VI-RADS were 0.881( P < 0.01)for the PUC group and 0.941( P < 0.01)for the VUC group among the three readers. In the multicenter cohort,the Kappa values were 0.858( P < 0.01)for the PUC group and 0.838( P < 0.01)for the VUC group. Conclusions:VI-RADS demonstrates similarly high diagnostic performance for assessing muscle invasion in both PUC and VUC,which is applicable for diagnosing muscle invasion status in VUC,and shows good inter-reader agreement.
9.The investigation of DNA tetrahedral nanoparticles as mucosal vaccine carriers and adjuvants
Xiaotong CHEN ; Jing YANG ; Henglang LIU ; Lili WANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(8):1270-1278
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of DNA tetrahedral framework (DNA-TH) as a carrier and adjuvant for mucosal vaccines, using streptavidin (SA) as a model antigen.Methods:DNA-TH was designed using software, integrating the adjuvant CpG sequence into its structure. After in vitro synthesis, it was conjugated with SA to form SA-DNA-TH nanoparticles. In vitro experiments: free SA and the two-dimensional structure SA-CpG (SA directly conjugated to CpG) were used as controls. The uptake efficiency of SA-DNA-TH by mouse primary macrophages and its ability to activate antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were evaluated. In vivo experiments: following submucosal oral injection, a mixture of free SA and free CpG (mixed group) was used as a control. The distribution of SA within mouse lymph nodes was observed using immunofluorescence staining. Levels of SA-specific antibodies (serum IgG, IgM; salivary sIgA) in serum and saliva were measured to assess humoral and mucosal immune responses.Results:Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed the successful synthesis of DNA-TH and SA-DNA-TH. In vitro experiments: SA-DNA-TH was rapidly taken up by primary macrophages. Its uptake rate (92.65%±4.43%) was significantly higher than that of the SA-CpG group (25.37%±3.56%) and the free SA group (1.80%±1.02%; both P<0.01). SA-DNA-TH also induced significantly stronger APC activation (OD value fold increase: 3.60±0.32) compared to the free SA group (1.13±0.10) and the SA-CpG group (1.21±0.02; both P<0.01). In vivo experiments: lymph node distribution analysis revealed overlapping signals of SA with subcapsular sinus macrophages (SCSMs) and dendritic cells (DCs) in the SA-DNA-TH group, whereas SA signals appeared dispersed and non-overlapping with APCs in the mixed group. Regarding immunogenicity, both serum anti-SA antibody (IgG+IgM) titers and salivary anti-SA sIgA antibody titers induced by SA-DNA-TH were significantly higher than those in the mixed group and the blank control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion:DNA-TH effectively delivers the model antigen SA to antigen-presenting cells, significantly induces the production of serum-specific antibodies, and activates mucosal immune responses. It demonstrates potential as a carrier and adjuvant for developing mucosal vaccines.
10.Prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events after acute type A aortic dissection combined with coronary malperfusion by machine learning-based interpretable models
Hao ZHANG ; Bo JIA ; Zuo ZHANG ; Huanyu QIAO ; Bo YANG ; Jing YANG ; Feilong HEI ; Xiaotong HOU ; Junming ZHU ; Yongmin LIU
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;41(3):129-135
Objective:To explore and model risk factors in patients with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), and to develop and validate a personalized machine learning model to assess risk factors and predict MACEs in these patients.Methods:Clinical data of patients who attended Beijing Anzhen Hospital and underwent surgical treatment for ATAAD from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Using MACEs as the endpoint, 70% of these patients were randomly divided into the training set and the remaining 30% into the validation set. LASSO regression was applied to explore key clinical variables in the training set. The optimal predictive model was selected from nine machine learning algorithms based on area under the curve. And Shapley Additive explanations was used to elucidate the predictive model. Results:Of the 481 patients included in this study, 135 (35.6%) patients experienced an endpoint event. By combining the results of the training and validation sets, when assessing the validity of the single model with the highest predictive accuracy for the outcome, it was shown that the logistic model (0.774, 95% CI: 0.717-0.830) was the most effective in the combined effect and had a high model accuracy (0.743, 95% CI: 0.720-0.766). According to the results of the LASSO, the factors most associated with postoperative MACEs were history of cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery involvement, shock status on admission to the operating room, FDP, PLT, CPB, ascending aortic clamping, and age. Conclusion:In this study, nine machine learning models were developed to predict the occurrence of postoperative MACEs in patients with acute type A aortic dissection. The logistic model performed significantly better compared to other algorithms. Our study successfully predicted postoperative MACES and identified the factors most associated with MACEs.


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