1.Oncogenic β-catenin-driven liver cancer is susceptible to methotrexate-mediated disruption of nucleotide synthesis
Fangming LIU ; Yuting WU ; Baohui ZHANG ; Shuhui YANG ; Kezhuo SHANG ; Jie LI ; Pengju ZHANG ; Weiwei DENG ; Linlin CHEN ; Liang ZHENG ; Xiaochen GAI ; Hongbing ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):181-189
Background::Liver cancer is largely resistant to chemotherapy. This study aimed to identify the effective chemotherapeutics for β-catenin-activated liver cancer which is caused by gain-of-function mutation of catenin beta 1 ( CTNNB1), the most frequently altered proto-oncogene in hepatic neoplasms. Methods::Constitutive β-catenin-activated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were established by deleting exon 3 ( β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ ), the most common mutation site in CTNNB1 gene. A screening of 12 widely used chemotherapy drugs was conducted for the ones that selectively inhibited β-cateninΔ(ex3)/+ but not for wild-type MEFs. Untargeted metabolomics was carried out to examine the alterations of metabolites in nucleotide synthesis. The efficacy and selectivity of methotrexate (MTX) on β-catenin-activated human liver cancer cells were determined in vitro. Immuno-deficient nude mice subcutaneously inoculated with β-catenin wild-type or mutant liver cancer cells and hepatitis B virus ( HBV); β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice were used, respectively, to evaluate the efficacy of MTX in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer. Results::MTX was identified and validated as a preferential agent against the proliferation and tumor formation of β-catenin-activated cells. Boosted nucleotide synthesis was the major metabolic aberration in β-catenin-active cells, and this alteration was also the target of MTX. Moreover, MTX abrogated hepatocarcinogenesis of HBV; β-cateninlox(ex3)/+ mice, which stimulated concurrent Ctnnb1-activated mutation and HBV infection in liver cancer. Conclusion::MTX is a promising chemotherapeutic agent for β-catenin hyperactive liver cancer. Since repurposing MTX has the advantages of lower risk, shorter timelines, and less investment in drug discovery and development, a clinical trial is warranted to test its efficacy in the treatment of β-catenin mutant liver cancer.
2.Efficacy evaluation of different anti-G physical training programs for pilots
Jinghui YANG ; Xichen GENG ; Minghao YANG ; Zhao JIN ; Baohui LI ; Jie YU ; Yuhang LIU ; Haixia WANG ; Xiaoyang WEI ; Ke JIANG ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yifeng LI ; Qianyun ZHU ; Xiaoxue ZHANG ; Yan XU
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2024;35(1):38-41
Objective To establish a scientific training program that takes into account both anaerobic and aerobic training for pilots,and to explore the appropriate ratio of aerobic and anaerobic training.Methods According to the physical examination standards for pilots,a total of 16 healthy subjects aged 18-24 were selected from two batches.The two batches of subjects were trained with different aerobic and anaerobic ratios.Training period was 3 months.The changes in cardiopulmonary function of the subjects before and after training were evaluated using the cardiopulmonary function exercise testing system(CPET),and the changes in anaerobic capacity were evaluated using changes in strength as an indicator.Results After training,the weight load of the subjects in the two training programs,including barbell squats,leg flexion and hard pull,and barbell under 10RM and 3RM,was significantly increased(P<0.001),and there was no statistically significant difference in anaerobic strength growth between the two groups.The results of CPET showed that the maximum load,maximum heart rate,and respiratory quotient in the two groups were significantly increased after than before the training(P<0.01).The maximum load(Experiment group 1:29.12±19.69,Experiment group 2:72.00±46.24)and respiratory quotient(Experiment grouop 1:0.11±0.09,Experiment group 2:0.28±0.16)of the subjects in experiment group 2 before and after training were greater than those in experiment group 1.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The anaerobic and aerobic capacities of the subjects in the experiment group 2 are effectively improved,indicating that ratio of aerobic and anaerobic of the training scheme is better.
3.Analysis of PD-L1 expression and immune cell infiltration characteristics in different molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer
Baohui JU ; Chunrui YANG ; Dong LIU ; Yuyan YANG ; Jianmei WANG ; Huiying ZHANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(10):734-742
Objective:To investigate the differences in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and immune cell infiltration characteristics in different molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. Ninety primary treated EC patients who underwent surgery without preoperative neoadjuvant therapy at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from November 2016 to May 2022 were collected. The surgical paraffin-embedded tissues were selected, and the molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer were classified according to 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) molecular subtypes using POLE gene Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemical staining. The expression of PD-L1, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, and CD20 proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. Stained slides were digitally scanned for quantitative analysis of PD-L1 and immune cell infiltration density. The PD-L1-related scores were evaluated, including tumor cell score (TCS, the percentage of PD-L1 positive tumor cells among total tumor cells ≥1% was TCS positive, <1% was TCS negative), immune cell score (ICS, the percentage of PD-L1 positive tumor-associated lymphocytes and macrophages among total tumor-associated lymphocytes and macrophages ≥1% was ICS positive, <1% was ICS negative) and combined positive score [CPS, PD-L1 positive stained cells (including tumor cells, lymphocytes and macrophages)/total number of viable tumor cells ×100 ≥ 1 was CPS positive, < 1 was CPS negative]. Clinicopathological characteristics, PD-L1 scores and immune cell infiltration densities among different molecular subtypes were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot disease-free survival (DFS) curves for molecular subtypes, PD-L1 scores and immune cell infiltration densities, with subgroup comparisons using log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses of poor DFS in endometrial cancer patients.Results:The median age of 90 patients was 58 years old (range: 33-72 years old); endometrioid carcinoma was present in 78 cases (86.7%), and non-endometrioid carcinoma was present in 12 cases (13.3%). Molecular subtyping identified POLE-mutated subtype in 6 cases (6.7%), mismatch repair deficient (MMRd) subtype in 23 cases (25.6%), p53 abnormal subtype in 14 cases (15.6%), and non-specific molecular profile (NSMP) subtype in 47 cases (52.2%). Significant differences were observed among the 4 molecular subtypes in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, histological grade, morphological subtype, tertiary lymphoid structures, estrogen receptor expression, and progesterone receptor expression (all P < 0.05). Among the 90 cases, 18 cases (20.0%) were positive for TCS, 31 cases (34.4%) were positive for ICS, and 39 cases (43.3%) were positive for CPS. Significant differences were found among the 4 molecular subtypes in PD-L1 + cell density, distribution of patients with ICS positivity, and distribution of patients with CPS positivity (all P < 0.01), but not in distribution of patients with TCS positivity ( P = 0.090); compared to NSMP subtype, the proportions of ICS-positive patients in POLE-mutated and MMRd subtypes were higher, the proportion of CPS-positive patients and PD-L1 + cell density in MMRd and p53 abnormal subtypes were higher, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Significant differences in immune cell densities were observed among the 4 molecular subtypes (all P < 0.01); compared to NSMP subtype, POLE-mutated, MMRd and p53 abnormal subtypes had higher densities of CD3 + and CD8 + cells, MMRd subtype had higher CD4 + cell density, and POLE-mutated and MMRd subtypes had higher CD68 + and CD20 + cell densities (all P < 0.05). The median follow-up was 43 months (range: 7-75 months). Among the molecular subtypes, p53 abnormal patients had the worst DFS, and POLE-mutated patients had the best DFS, and the difference in DFS among the 4 subtypes was statistically significant ( P = 0.046). Grouping according to the median density of immune cells in the entire group, patients with high CD8 + cell density (45 cases) had better DFS than those with low density (45 cases) ( P = 0.010), PD-L1 ICS-positive patients had worse DFS than negative patients ( P = 0.019), and NSMP subtype patients with high CD4 + cell density (24 cases) had better DFS than those with low density (23 cases) ( P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in DFS among patients grouping with other PD-L1 scoring modes and other immune cell infiltration density (all P > 0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that high CD8 + cell density ( HR = 0.335, 95% CI: 0.113-0.990, P = 0.048) was an independent protective factor for poor DFS in endometrial cancer patients, and high CD4 + cell density was an independent protective factor for poor DFS in NSMP subtype patients ( HR = 0.035, 95% CI: 0.003-0.345, P = 0.004). Conclusions:There are significant differences in PD-L1 expression and immune cell infiltration density among the different molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer, which are correlated with the prognosis of patients, and may provide reference for the selection of immunotherapy strategies and prognosis judgment.
4.Electromechanical Effects of Bone Remodeling Based on Edge Smoothed Finite Element Method
Tingting ZHU ; Baohui LIU ; Gang WANG ; Yi LIU
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2022;37(4):E631-E637
Objective Aiming at solving the problem of poor accuracy for numerical solution of traditional finite element method (FEM) in numerical analysis on piezoelectric effects of bone remodelling, a model with an edge-based smoothed FEM (ES-FEM) was proposed. Methods The bone model was discretized by triangular elements, and the smoothing domain was constructed based on edges of the existing mesh element. Based on gradient smoothing technique, the smoothed strain gradient and the smoothed electric field gradient were obtained, and the discrete equations of the system were constructed under the framework of smoothed Galerkin weakform. Results The changes of bone mineral density (BMD) and the distributions of electric potential under piezoelectric effects in the process of bone remodelling were reflected by using the above model. Compared with FEM, ES-FEM could improve the accuracy of simulation result for bone remodelling to a certain extent. Conclusions The proposed ES-FEM can simulate the process of bone remodelling more accurately. The accurate prediction for piezoelectric effect of bone reconstruction by this method provides an effective theoretical basis for clinical research of bone diseases.
5.Accumulation and Distribution of Dry Matter and Mineral Elements in Artemisia argyi var. argyi cv. Qiai
Lujuan GUO ; Changjie CHEN ; Jinxin LI ; Yan FANG ; Baohui ZHANG ; Dahui LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(24):186-196
ObjectiveTo clarify the accumulation and distribution characteristics of dry matter and mineral elements in Artemisia argyi var. argyi cv. Qiai, and to provide technical support for the high yield of and efficient utilization of nutrients in this medicinal species. MethodTwo cultivars of this species, Qiqing 1 and Qihuang 1 were selected, and the composition of dry matter in different organs, the content, accumulation, and distribution of mineral elements in each organ of the two cultivars, and the dynamic changes of volatile oil content and index components eucalyptol and borneol in leaves of the two cultivars were monitored at different growth stages. ResultThe period from February to March marked the early growth stage of Qiai, and the dry matter was mainly distributed in the leaves. It accelerated the growth in April, and the period from April to mid-June witnessed the vigorous vegetative growth of Qiai, during which the dry matter was mainly found in the stems and leaves. It began the reproductive growth from late June and the dry matter was mainly distributed in the stems. In the flowering stage in August, no dry matter accumulation occurred. As for the volatile oil, the content was high (> 1.10%) at the vigorous vegetative growth stage and peaked on June 14 (1.33% in Qiqing 1, and 1.23% in Qihuang 1). The relative mass fraction of eucalyptol was the maximum at the vegetative growth stage (8.67% in Qiqing 1, and 13.07% in Qihuang 1). The relative mass fraction of borneol peaked at the early growth stage (2.63% in Qiqing 1, and 5.94% in Qihuang 1). The content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc in leaves was in significantly positive correlation with the content of volatile oil and the relative content of eucalyptol and borneol. The content of macroelements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium and trace elements iron and zinc peaked at the early growth stage, and the content was the highest in stem and leaf. The content of macroelement magnesium and trace elements manganese and copper was the highest at vegetative growth stage when the content of other elements decreased and the nutrients were gradually transferred to the buds, flowers and other organs. In the whole growth period, the distribution of potassium, calcium, and zinc was in the order of leaf > stem > root, and the distribution of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, and manganese followed the order of leaf > root > stem. The distribution of iron was in the order of root > leaf > stem. There was a significantly positive correlation between the total amount of dry matter and the absorption of nutrients in 'Qiai'. The absorption of macroelements by Qiai was in the order of potassium > nitrogen > calcium > phosphorus > magnesium, and the ratio of absorbed elements was about 2.66∶2.51∶0.6∶0.11∶0.04. The absorption of trace elements followed the order of manganese > iron > zinc > copper, and the ratio of absorbed elements was about 0.25∶0.17∶0.05∶0.04. In terms of the production of medicinal materials, 'Qiai' needed about 4.11 kg potassium, 3.58 kg nitrogen, 0.91 kg phosphorus, 0.18 kg calcium, 0.06 kg magnesium, about 6.64 g manganese, 2.56 g iron, 1.30 g zinc, and 0.92 g copper to produce 100 kg medicinal materials. ConclusionEnough organic fertilizer and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied as base fertilizers for Qiai. The vegetative growth stage (April-June) marks the high accumulation of dry matter and large demand of nutrients, during which topdressing should be conducted timely and early, especially nitrogen fertilizer, and appropriate amount of micro-element fertilizer should be added. Qiai needs a large amount of calcium and magnesium fertilizers from the mid-vegetative growth stage, and they should be applied in time in the late stage to ensure the vegetative growth of the plants for seeds and the quality of the medicinal material of Qiai.
6.Chinese Experts Consensus on Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (2020 Version).
Caicun ZHOU ; Jie WANG ; Baocheng WANG ; Ying CHENG ; Zhehai WANG ; Baohui HAN ; You LU ; Gang WU ; Li ZHANG ; Yong SONG ; Bo ZHU ; Yi HU ; Ziping WANG ; Qibin SONG ; Shengxiang REN ; Yayi HE ; Xiaohua HU ; Jian ZHANG ; Yu YAO ; Hongyun ZHAO ; Zhijie WANG ; Qian CHU ; Jianchun DUAN ; Jingjing LIU ; Shukui QIN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2021;24(4):217-235
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common pathological type of lung cancer. The systemic antitumor therapy of advanced NSCLC has undergone renovations of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which results in greatly improved survival for patients with advanced NSCLC. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), has changed the treatment paradigm of NSCLC. ICIs have become the standard treatment for advanced NSCLC without epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutation or anaplastic lymphomakinase(ALK) translocation in the first- or second-line setting, and for locally advanced NSCLC following concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. ICIs are also promising in adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy. More and more ICIs have been approved domestically for the treatment of NSCLC. Led by the NSCLC expert committee of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), this consensus was developed and updated based on thoroughly reviewing domestic and foreign literatures, clinical trial data, systematic reviews, experts' discussion and the consensus(2019 version). This consensus will aid domestic clinicians in the treatment of NSCLC with ICIs.
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7.Synthesis and identification of nanosilver-hybridized PLGA microsphere loaded with simvastatin
Jinming ZHANG ; Baohui LIU ; Zhaoguang OUYANG ; Zhi JIA ; Dayong LIU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2020;43(3):199-206
Objective:To prepare nanosilver-hybridized polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) microspheres loaded with simvastatin (SIM), and to evaluate its sustained release effect in vitro. Methods:The emulsification-solvent evaporation method was used to prepare SIM-loaded PLGA microspheres. Silk fibroin (SF) was used to modify the surface of SIM-loaded PLGA microspheres by hydrophobic interaction. Then, the microspheres were continually modified by electrostatic adsorption to chitosan (CTS) and nano-silver (AgNPs) to prepare SF-AgNPs-CTS-SF-SIM-PLGA microspheres. Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, energy spectrometer, Zeta potential meter were used to analyze the SIM-loaded microspheres. The external release properties of the SIM-loaded microspheres were also investigated.Results:The average diameter of the prepared PLGA microspheres was about 9.67 μm. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy spectroscopy showed that the AgNPs-CTS-SF-SIM-PLGA microspheres have been successfully constructed. The Zeta potential results indicated that the SIM-loaded microspheres were all in a stable state. The in vitro release results showed that the SF-AgNPs-CTS-SF-SIM-PLGA microspheres had a good in vitro release effect, could delay the drug release rate and prolong the drug release time. Conclusions:The SF-AgNPs-CTS-SF-SIM-PLGA microspheres have antibacterial and osteogenic effects, and exhibit a good in vitro release effect. They can be used for local sustained-release administration in the oral cavity, which make makes them potentially useful in the treatment of periodontitis.
8. Occurrence of deep venous thrombosis in adult burn patients and its risk factors
Wei ZHANG ; Junfeng ZHANG ; Mi WANG ; Chengde XIA ; Lijie WANG ; Baohui LIU ; Haiping DI ; Jidong XUE ; Jihe LOU
Chinese Journal of Burns 2020;36(1):54-57
Objective:
To investigate the occurrence and risk factors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in adult burn patients.
Methods:
The clinical data of 1 219 adult burn patients admitted to the Department of Burns of Zhengzhou First People′s Hospital from January 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, conforming to the study criteria, were analyzed retrospectively by the method of case-control study, including 811 males and 408 females, aged 18-102 years. According to whether DVT occurred during hospitalization or not, the patients were divided into group DVT (
9. Experimental study on effect of tanshinone IIA in spinal cord compression through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Wei LIU ; Baohui ZHAO ; Jianzhong WANG ; Xiaofeng LIU ; Xiaoyong MA ; Ming LEI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2019;39(10):622-629
Objective:
To explore the effect of tanshinone IIA on neuronal apoptosis in the compressed spinal cord and its molecular mechanism by establishing a spinal cord compression model.
Methods:
Twenty-four SD rats weighing 250-300 g were the experimental animals. The spinal cord compression model was established by clamping the spinal cord with arterial clamp. Six rats in each group were randomly selected and randomly divided into sham group (Sham group, given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline at the same dose once a day) and spinal cord compression injury group (SCI group, given normal salts). Water intraperitoneal injection, once a day), tanshinone IIA group (TAN group, 30 mg/kg tanshinone IIA intraperitoneal injection, once a day), LY2904002 group (LY group, 0.3 mg/kg LY294002 intraperitoneal injection, 5 min after 30 mg/kg tanshinone IIA intraperitoneal injection, once 1 d). After 3 d of intervention, the motor function of rats were evaluated by inclined plane test and BBB score. The expression of apoptotic genes and PI3K/AKT signaling molecules in the compressed spinal cord were detected by qPCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Results:
The BBB score 3.31±0.45 points, inclined angle 9.31°±1.02°, GSK-3β 0.35±0.06, CyclinD1 0.25±0.06, Bcl-2 0.38±0.06, p-PI3K 0.32±0.05, p-AKT 0.29±0.07 protein expression in SCI group were lower than those in Sham group. The protein expression of Caspase-9 3.27±0.54 and Caspase-3 2.73±0.35 in SCI group was higher than that in Sham group. The BBB score 9.31±1.02 points, inclined angle 24.95°±3.52°, GSK-3β 0.74±0.09, CyclinD1 0.69±0.11, Bcl-2 0.83±0.13, p-PI3K 0.77±0.11, p-AKT 0.69±0.08 in TAN group were higher than those in SCI group BBB score 3.31 ±0.45 points, inclined angle 9.31°±1.02°, GSK-3β 0.35±0.06, CyclinD1 0.25±0.06, Bcl-2 0.38±0.06, p-PI3K 0.32±0.05, p-AKT 0.29±0.07. The protein expression levels of Caspase-9 1.78±0.22 and Caspase-3 1.64±0.2 in TAN group were lower than those in SCI group 3.27±0.54 and Caspase-3 2.73±0.35. The BBB score, oblique angle and the expression of GSK-3β 0.43±0.07, CyclinD1 0.38±0.06, Bcl-2 0.49±0.09 in LY group were lower than those in TAN group. The protein expression of Caspase-9 2.54±0.38 and Caspase-3 2.25±0.37 in LY group were higher than TAN group.
Conclusion
Tanshinone IIA can inhibit the apoptosis of spinal cord tissue and alleviate the spinal cord injury in spinal cord compression rats by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
10.The single-center safety observation of ipilimumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma
Zhangguo HU ; Yan ZHOU ; Xianxun LIU ; Baohui HAN ; Hua ZHONG
China Oncology 2017;27(1):31-35
Background and purpose:Checkpiont targeted immunotherapy in the field of solid tumor therapy has huge potential, triggering a boom in the study of immune targeted drugs. A study has provided a basis for the follow-up study of ipilimumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients. This study counted the adverse event statistics that ipilimumab or placebo combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin as first-line therapy for the treatment of stage Ⅳ or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma to evaluate the safety of ipilimumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:This study selected 13 patients with ECOG scores≤1 and stage ⅣA or ⅣB squamous cell carcinoma in the Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong Uni-versity. Randomized controlled double blind trial was used in this study. The patients of experimental group were treated with ipilimumab combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin, while the patients of control group were treated with the placebo combined with paclitaxel and carboplatin. Adverse events (AEs) were counted in the process of treatment.Results:The most common AEs were the 1/2 grade AEs. Immune-related AEs (irAEs) reported in the ipilimumab group included level Ⅰ of diarrhea and pruritus, level Ⅱ of rash and pruritus and level Ⅲ of hypophysitis.Conclusion:The side effects of ipilimumab were mild, tolerable and manageable.

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