1.Effect of laminin subunit α3 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis abilities of pancreatic cancer
Nenghong YANG ; Likun REN ; She TIAN ; Min HAN ; Zhu LI ; Yuxiang ZHAO ; Peng LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):322-332
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of laminin subunit α3 (LAMA3) on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis abilities of pancreatic cancer (PC). MethodsA comprehensive analysis was performed for tumor- and EMT-related databases to identify the EMT genes associated with PC, especially LAMA3. The methods of qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of LAMA3 in PC tissue and cell lines; immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the localization of LAMA3 in PANC-1 cells; Transwell assay was used to investigate the effect of LAMA3 on the invasion and migration abilities of PC cells. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsThe analysis of the TCGA database identified 3 EMT-related oncogenes for PC, i.e., LAMA3, AREG, and SDC1. The LASSO-Cox regression model showed that LAMA3 had the most significant impact on the prognosis of PC (risk score=0.256 1×LAMA3+0.043 1×SDC1+0.071 4×AREG). The Cox model and nomogram showed that the high expression of LAMA3 was an independent risk factor for the poor prognosis of PC (hazard ratio=1.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.07 — 1.62, P<0.01). Experimental results showed that there was a significant increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer tissue compared with the normal pancreatic tissue. Compared with the HPDE cell line, there were varying degrees of increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1, BxPC-3, PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2, and SW1990 cell lines, with the highest expression level in PANC-1 cells. The enrichment analysis showed that LAMA3 was associated with the biological processes and signaling pathways such as EMT, collagen metabolism, extracellular matrix degradation, the TGF-β pathway, and the PI3K pathway. After the knockdown of LAMA3, there were significant reductions in the expression levels of N-Cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail, while there was a significant increase in the expression level of E-Cadherin. Transwell assay showed that there were significant reductions in the invasion and migration abilities of PANC-1 cells after the knockdown of LAMA3. ConclusionLAMA3 is highly expressed in PC and can promote the EMT, invasion, and migration of PC cells, and therefore, LAMA3 may be used as a novel diagnostic marker and a new therapeutic target for PC.
2.Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, 1400 Blood Metabolites, and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yuxi LIU ; Daxiong FENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Likun WANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):211-221
Objective:
The precise mechanisms driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) development remain unclear, but evidence suggests a significant involvement of gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between GM, IVDD, and blood metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We utilized the summary statistics of GM from the MiBioGen consortium, 1400 blood metabolites from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog, and IVDD data from the FinnGen repository, which are sourced from the largest GWAS conducted to date. Employing bidirectional MR analyses, we investigated the causal relationships between GM and IVDD. Additionally, we conducted 2 mediation analyses, 2-step MR and multivariable MR (MVMR), to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results:
Five bacterial genera were causally associated with IVDD, while IVDD did not show a significant causal effect on GM. In the 2-step MR analysis, Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, Lachnoclostridium, and Marvinbryantia genera, along with metabolites X-24949, Pimeloylcarnitine/3-methyladipoylcarnitine (C7-DC), X-24456, histidine, 2-methylserine, Phosphocholine, and N-delta-acetylornithine, were all significantly associated with IVDD (all p < 0.05). MVMR analysis revealed that the associations between Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup genus and IVDD were mediated by X-24949 (8.1%, p = 0.024); Lachnoclostridium genus and IVDD were mediated by histidine (18.1%, p = 0.013); and RuminococcaceaeUCG003 genus and IVDD were mediated by C7-DC (-7.5%, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
The present MR study offers evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and IVDD, as well as identifying potential mediating metabolites.
3.Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, 1400 Blood Metabolites, and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yuxi LIU ; Daxiong FENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Likun WANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):211-221
Objective:
The precise mechanisms driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) development remain unclear, but evidence suggests a significant involvement of gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between GM, IVDD, and blood metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We utilized the summary statistics of GM from the MiBioGen consortium, 1400 blood metabolites from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog, and IVDD data from the FinnGen repository, which are sourced from the largest GWAS conducted to date. Employing bidirectional MR analyses, we investigated the causal relationships between GM and IVDD. Additionally, we conducted 2 mediation analyses, 2-step MR and multivariable MR (MVMR), to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results:
Five bacterial genera were causally associated with IVDD, while IVDD did not show a significant causal effect on GM. In the 2-step MR analysis, Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, Lachnoclostridium, and Marvinbryantia genera, along with metabolites X-24949, Pimeloylcarnitine/3-methyladipoylcarnitine (C7-DC), X-24456, histidine, 2-methylserine, Phosphocholine, and N-delta-acetylornithine, were all significantly associated with IVDD (all p < 0.05). MVMR analysis revealed that the associations between Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup genus and IVDD were mediated by X-24949 (8.1%, p = 0.024); Lachnoclostridium genus and IVDD were mediated by histidine (18.1%, p = 0.013); and RuminococcaceaeUCG003 genus and IVDD were mediated by C7-DC (-7.5%, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
The present MR study offers evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and IVDD, as well as identifying potential mediating metabolites.
4.Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, 1400 Blood Metabolites, and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yuxi LIU ; Daxiong FENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Likun WANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):211-221
Objective:
The precise mechanisms driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) development remain unclear, but evidence suggests a significant involvement of gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between GM, IVDD, and blood metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We utilized the summary statistics of GM from the MiBioGen consortium, 1400 blood metabolites from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog, and IVDD data from the FinnGen repository, which are sourced from the largest GWAS conducted to date. Employing bidirectional MR analyses, we investigated the causal relationships between GM and IVDD. Additionally, we conducted 2 mediation analyses, 2-step MR and multivariable MR (MVMR), to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results:
Five bacterial genera were causally associated with IVDD, while IVDD did not show a significant causal effect on GM. In the 2-step MR analysis, Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, Lachnoclostridium, and Marvinbryantia genera, along with metabolites X-24949, Pimeloylcarnitine/3-methyladipoylcarnitine (C7-DC), X-24456, histidine, 2-methylserine, Phosphocholine, and N-delta-acetylornithine, were all significantly associated with IVDD (all p < 0.05). MVMR analysis revealed that the associations between Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup genus and IVDD were mediated by X-24949 (8.1%, p = 0.024); Lachnoclostridium genus and IVDD were mediated by histidine (18.1%, p = 0.013); and RuminococcaceaeUCG003 genus and IVDD were mediated by C7-DC (-7.5%, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
The present MR study offers evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and IVDD, as well as identifying potential mediating metabolites.
5.Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, 1400 Blood Metabolites, and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yuxi LIU ; Daxiong FENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Likun WANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):211-221
Objective:
The precise mechanisms driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) development remain unclear, but evidence suggests a significant involvement of gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between GM, IVDD, and blood metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We utilized the summary statistics of GM from the MiBioGen consortium, 1400 blood metabolites from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog, and IVDD data from the FinnGen repository, which are sourced from the largest GWAS conducted to date. Employing bidirectional MR analyses, we investigated the causal relationships between GM and IVDD. Additionally, we conducted 2 mediation analyses, 2-step MR and multivariable MR (MVMR), to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results:
Five bacterial genera were causally associated with IVDD, while IVDD did not show a significant causal effect on GM. In the 2-step MR analysis, Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, Lachnoclostridium, and Marvinbryantia genera, along with metabolites X-24949, Pimeloylcarnitine/3-methyladipoylcarnitine (C7-DC), X-24456, histidine, 2-methylserine, Phosphocholine, and N-delta-acetylornithine, were all significantly associated with IVDD (all p < 0.05). MVMR analysis revealed that the associations between Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup genus and IVDD were mediated by X-24949 (8.1%, p = 0.024); Lachnoclostridium genus and IVDD were mediated by histidine (18.1%, p = 0.013); and RuminococcaceaeUCG003 genus and IVDD were mediated by C7-DC (-7.5%, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
The present MR study offers evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and IVDD, as well as identifying potential mediating metabolites.
6.Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Gut Microbiota, 1400 Blood Metabolites, and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Yuxi LIU ; Daxiong FENG ; Hong ZHANG ; Likun WANG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):211-221
Objective:
The precise mechanisms driving intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) development remain unclear, but evidence suggests a significant involvement of gut microbiota (GM) and blood metabolites. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between GM, IVDD, and blood metabolites using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Methods:
We utilized the summary statistics of GM from the MiBioGen consortium, 1400 blood metabolites from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) Catalog, and IVDD data from the FinnGen repository, which are sourced from the largest GWAS conducted to date. Employing bidirectional MR analyses, we investigated the causal relationships between GM and IVDD. Additionally, we conducted 2 mediation analyses, 2-step MR and multivariable MR (MVMR), to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results:
Five bacterial genera were causally associated with IVDD, while IVDD did not show a significant causal effect on GM. In the 2-step MR analysis, Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, Lachnoclostridium, and Marvinbryantia genera, along with metabolites X-24949, Pimeloylcarnitine/3-methyladipoylcarnitine (C7-DC), X-24456, histidine, 2-methylserine, Phosphocholine, and N-delta-acetylornithine, were all significantly associated with IVDD (all p < 0.05). MVMR analysis revealed that the associations between Eubacteriumfissicatenagroup genus and IVDD were mediated by X-24949 (8.1%, p = 0.024); Lachnoclostridium genus and IVDD were mediated by histidine (18.1%, p = 0.013); and RuminococcaceaeUCG003 genus and IVDD were mediated by C7-DC (-7.5%, p = 0.041).
Conclusion
The present MR study offers evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific GM taxa and IVDD, as well as identifying potential mediating metabolites.
7.Correlation Between TyG Index,MHR and Coronary Lesions,Myocardial Ischemia in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease,and the Value of Combined Detection
Shuangshuang XU ; Wei ZHAO ; Lei JIANG ; Huajiang LIU ; Fang WANG ; Zhisheng TAN ; Likun ZHOU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(3):65-71
Objective To investigate the correlation of triacylglycerol glucose(TyG)index,monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(MHR)with coronary artery disease and myocardial ischemia degree in coronary heart disease(CHD),and to analyze the two Predictive value of coronary artery disease and myocardial ischemia degree.Methods CHD patients from the 920th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected as the study group(n = 150),and healthy physical examination subjects from the same period were selected as the control group(n = 75).The TyG index and MHR of the two groups were compared and analyzed.The extent of coronary artery disease was evaluated based on the Gensini score,and the TyG index and MHR of patients with different coronary lesions and myocardial ischemia were compared,and their correlation with Gensini score and myocardial ischemia was analyzed.The predictive value of TyG index,MHR,and the combined detection of both for coronary lesions and myocardial ischemia was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and area under the curve(AUC).Results The TyG index and MHR of the study group were(4.12±0.35)and(0.26±0.08)×109,respectively,which were higher than those of the control group(4.94±0.55)and(0.43±0.12)×109,and the TyG index and MHR of severe coronary artery disease>moderate coronary artery disease>mild coronary artery disease,acute myocardial infarction TyG index,MHR>unstable angina pectoris>stable angina pectoris(P<0.05);TyG index and MHR were positively correlated with Gensini score(r = 0.621,0.635,P<0.05),and positively correlated with the severity of myocardial ischemia(r = 0.617,0.642,P<0.05).The AUC of TyG index and MHR for the joint identification of mild coronary artery disease and moderate coronary artery disease was 0.917,which was greater than the AUCs of 0.749 and 0.832 for the two conditions individually.The AUC of TyG index and MHR for the joint identification of mild to moderate coronary artery disease and severe coronary artery disease was 0.935,which was greater than the AUCs of 0.770 and 0.767 for the two conditions individually(P<0.05).The AUC of TyG index and MHR for the joint identification of stable angina pectoris and unstable angina pectoris was 0.922,which was greater than the AUCs of 0.812 and 0.824 for the two conditions individually.The AUC of TyG index and MHR for the joint identification of stable angina pectoris,unstable angina pectoris,and acute myocardial infarction was 0.913,which was greater than the AUCs of 0.708 and 0.714 for the two conditions individually(P<0.05).Conclusions TyG index and MHR are positively correlated with Gensini score and myocardial ischemia degree.The combined detection of the two has a higher application value in the evaluation of coronary artery disease and myocardial ischemia degree.
8.Effect of adding tranexamic acid during surgery on blood loss and security during short segment lumbar spinal stenosis surgery
Likun ZHU ; Shuang CAO ; Dongmei LIU ; Qian YIN ; Xiaoyan HU ; Wei LI
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(2):174-179
【Objective】 To discuss the effect of adding tranexamic acid(TXA) during surgery on blood loss and security during short segment lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. 【Methods】 One hundred and eight patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who were to undergo lumbar posterior fusion surgery were randomly divided into control group, TXA group and adding TXA group, with 36 patients in each group. In the control group, TXA was not used during surgery.The TXA group received intravenous infusion of 100 mL normal saline mixture containing 1 g of TXA 15 minutes before surgery after anesthesia. In adding TXA group, after the same operation in TXA group, 10 mg/kg(body weight) of TXA was infused 3 hours later. Total perioperative blood loss, dominant blood loss, hidden blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and transfusion rate were recorded in the two groups. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit(HCT), prothrombin time international standardized ratio (PT-INR), prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), blood platelet count (BPC), D-dimer (D-D), fibringen(FIB), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured 3 days before and after the surgery in the three groups. Postoperative adverse events were followed up. 【Results】 The total blood loss(mL) [(968.7±209.6) vs (1 369.8±276.3), (968.7±209.6) vs (1 273.9±250.2)], dominant blood loss(mL) [(590.5±164.3) vs (876.4±235.9), (590.5±164.3) vs (789.3±221.7)], intraoperative blood loss(mL) [(318.7±120.7) vs (457.8±146.6), (318.7±120.7) vs (423.9±162.3)] and postoperative drainage volume(mL) [1 day after surgery: (164.6±25.0) vs (262.3±51.7), (164.6±25.0) vs (219.8±37.1); 3 days after surgery: (107.2±18.6) vs (156.3±37.6), (107.2±18.6) vs (145.3±22.3)] of the adding TXA group were lower than those of the control group and TXA group (P<0.05), and the transfusion rate was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The postoperative drainage volume and transfusion rate of TXA group were lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in the amount of hidden blood loss between the three groups (P>0.05). Compared with the preoperative results, Hb, Hct and BPC in the three groups decreased (P<0.05), and D-D, FIB and CRP increased (P<0.05), but the change degree of Hb, Hct, BPC, D-D and CRP in the TXA group and the adding TXA group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the change degree of Hb, Hct, BPC, D-D and CRP in the adding TXA group was less than that in the TXA group (P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in PT-INR, PT, APTT, ALT and BUN between and within the three groups before and after surgery (P>0.05), and all of them were within the normal range. No serious adverse events such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, epilepsy, liver and kidney damage were found in all patients after postoperative follow-up. 【Conclusion】 Intraoperative addition of TXA can effectively reduce the amount of blood lost during short segment lumbar spinal stenosis surgery without increasing the risk of complications such as coagulation disorders, thrombosis, liver and kidney function damage.
9.Interpretation of the 5th edition WHO classification of adrenal cortical tumors
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(1):16-21
Non-neoplastic lesions were added in the 5th edition WHO classification of adrenal cortical tumor based on the recent update, including adrenal rests, adrenal cysts, congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenocortical nodular disease. A range of tumor concepts were updated or refined based on tumor cell origin, histopathology, oncology and molecular biology. The most significant nomenclature change in the field of adrenal cortical pathology involves the refined classification of adrenal cortical nodular disease, which now includes sporadic nodular adrenocortical disease, bilateral micronodular adrenal cortical disease, and bilateral macronodular adrenal cortical disease. The 5th edition WHO classification endorses the nomenclature of the HISTALDO classification to help the classification of aldosterone producing adrenal cortical lesions, which uses CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry to identify functional sites of aldosterone production. The 5th edition WHO classification does not change the Weiss and Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia histopathologic criteria for diagnosing adrenal cortical carcinomas, and underscores the diagnostic and prognostic impact of angioinvasion in these tumors. Reticulin algorithm and Helsinki scoring system were added to assist the differential diagnosis of adrenal cortical neoplasms in adults. Pediatric adrenal cortical neoplasms are assessed using the Wieneke system. The 5th edition WHO classification places an emphasis on an accurate assessment of tumor proliferation rate using both the mitotic count (mitoses per 10 mm 2) and Ki-67 labeling index which play an essential role in the dynamic risk stratification of affected patients. This review highlights advances in knowledge of histological features, ancillary studies, and associated genetic findings that increase the understanding of the adrenal cortex pathologies in the 5th edition WHO classification.
10.Rational analysis of the use of antiemetic drugs in tumor chemotherapy patients in our hospital
Danjun REN ; Juanli ZHANG ; Meiyou LIU ; Likun DING ; Tingting FAN ; Di ZHANG ; Jingwen WANG ; Aidong WEN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(12):1495-1499
OBJECTIVE To provide reference for the rational use of antiemetic drugs in tumor chemotherapy patients. METHODS The data of tumor patients who were given antiemetic drugs were collected from 9 departments of our hospital with hospital information system from Oct. 1st to Nov. 30th in 2022, such as oncology department, radiotherapy department, gynecology department, and gastroenterology department. The application of chemotherapy drugs and the use of antiemetic drugs were analyzed statistically, and the irrational use of antiemetic drugs was analyzed. RESULTS A total of 520 patients were included, involving 248 (47.69%) using chemotherapy drugs with a moderate emetogenic risk level and 135 (25.96%) with a high emetogenic risk level. A total of 461 cases (73.06%) of 5-hydroxytryptamine 3-receptor antagonists were used, including palonosetron in 333 cases, ondansetron in 106 cases, tropisetron in 15 cases and granisetron in 7 cases, and only 148 cases of patients were prioritized for the use of nationally procured medicines and national essential medicines (32.10%). Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists were used in 170 cases (26.94%), including fosaprepitant in 112 cases and aprepitant in 58 cases. The use of antiemetic drugs was unreasonable in 162 patients (31.15%); among the types of irrational drugs, the antiemetic regimen was unreasonable in the largest number of cases (22.40%), followed by the irrational pharmacoeconomics (19.13%). CONCLUSIONS The emetogenic risk levels of chemotherapy drugs used for tumor patients in our hospital are primarily moderate to high, and there is irrational use of antiemetic regimen and pharmacoeconomics. Clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and hospital departments should collaborate as multiple teams to strengthen full supervision of the standardization of antiemetic drugs, reasonably select antiemetic drugs based on emetogenicity rating, and improve the compliance of doctors with the guidelines to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and cost-effective of patient medication.

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