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.Patterns of treatment failure after minimally invasive esophagectomy among patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma: implications for value of adjuvant therapy
Rutian CHENG ; Qi WANG ; Lan WANG ; Likun LIU ; Junfeng LIU ; Chun HAN ; Jing HAN ; Shutang LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(1):19-26
Objective:To investigate the overall recurrence rate and the pattern of treatment failure in thoracic esophageal cancer (TEC) patients after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), and to evaluate the significance of adjuvant therapy after MIE.Methods:Clinical data of TEC patients who underwent MIE with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The pathology-based lymph node metastasis (LNM) rate, overall recurrence rate, and pattern of treatment failure following MIE were analyzed by SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Cox regression model was used to identify the high-risk factors for recurrent disease. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the survival of patients between the postoperative radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group.Results:A total of 443 eligible patients were enrolled in this study, and the pathology-based LNM rate in all groups was 42.0%. The overall recurrence rate was 34.8%. Regional lymphatic metastasis was the most frequent pattern of recurrence (24.2%), followed by distant metastasis (19.4%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified pT 3-4 stage and pN + stage as the independent risk factors for recurrence. At the same time, the total number of lymph nodes dissected ≥12 and the number of lymph nodes dissected ≥7 in the neck clavicle and upper mediastinum could reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates in the postoperative radiotherapy group and non-radiotherapy group were 83.5%, 66.8%, 60.7%, and 79.2%, 61.6%, 57.2%, respectively ( χ2=0.13, P=0.715). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in two groups were 92.0%, 72.0%, 67.5% and 84.0%, 68.0%, 55.4% , respectively ( χ2=0.43, P=0.513). Conclusions:Regional lymphatic and distant metastases are the main patterns of recurrence for TEC patients after MIE with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. pT 3-4 stage, pN + stage, insufficient total number of lymph node dissection and insufficient number of lymph nodes in neck supraclavicular and upper mediastinal dissection are high-risk factors for postoperative recurrence. The survival rate in the postoperative radiotherapy group tends to be higher than that in the non-radiotherapy group. Adjuvant therapy, including postoperative radiotherapy, may remain necessary.
9.Evaluation of dual-parameter 3D-ASL on blood-supply of patients with CMCAO and the relationship between that and cerebral infarction area
Likun WANG ; Jilei YIN ; Haijing LIU ; Yuanyuan ZHENG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(2):64-69
Objective:To explore the evaluation of dual-parameter three dimension arterial spin labelling(3D-ASL)perfusion imaging on blood-supply situation of patients with chronic middle cerebral artery occlusion(CMCAO)and the relationship between that and cerebral infarction area.Methods:A total of 112 patients with unilateral CMCAO admitted to Handan Central Hospital from April 2019 to December 2021 were selected,and all of them were divided into a compensatory group(50 cases)with anterior cerebral artery(ACA)leptomeningeal anastomoses(LMA)and an uncompensated group(62 cases)according to the results of digital subtraction angiography(DSA)examination.The results of diffusion weighted imaging(DWI),magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)and dual-parameter 3D-ASL detection were respectively analyzed,and the clinical data,3D-ASL parameters and the incidence of cerebral infarction between the two groups were compared.The influence factors of compensation were further analyzed.The receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve of LMA diagnostic value of CMCAO patients was drawn according to cerebral blood flow values[post label delay(PLD)=1.5 s,2.5 s)].The 3D-ASL parameters of patients with different cerebral infarction areas were compared,and the relationship between 3D-ASL parameters and cerebral infarction area was compared.Results:The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)at the side of lesion of CMCAO patients was(0.31±0.10),and cerebral blood flow values at 1.5s and 2.5s were respectively(25.67±4.25)and(54.09±4.49),which were significantly lower than those at the side of healthy,and the differences were statistically significant(t=27.591,34.210,3.913,P<0.05),respectively.The differences of cerebral blood flow values(1.5s and 2.5s)between compensatory group and uncompensated group were significant(t=5.584,4.090,P<0.05),respectively.The results of logistic regression analysis showed that age,stroke,cerebral infarction area and cerebral blood flow values(1.5 s and 2.5 s)were influencing factors on LMA compensation of CMCAO patients(OR=4.187,6.604,0.482,5.681,5.807,P<0.05),respectively.The ROC values showed that the area under curve(AUC)of 3D-ASL were respectively 0.720 and 0.812 in diagnosing LMA when PLD were respectively 1.5s and 2.5s.The proportion of normal and lacunar infarctions in the compensatory group was significantly higher than that in the uncompensated group,while the proportions of middle and small infarction,and large area infarctions of the compensatory group were significantly lower than those of the uncompensated group,and the difference was statistically significant(t=28.062,P<0.05).The difference in cerebral blood flow values(1.5s)among patients with different infarct areas was statistically significant(t=0.202,P<0.05).The cerebral blood flow value(1.5s)of 3D-ASL was negatively correlated with the area of cerebral infarction(r=-0.261,P<0.05).Conclusion:Dual parameter 3D-ASL can non-invasively and visually assess the compensatory status of LMA of patients with unilateral CMCAO.The blood flow perfusion of middle cerebral artery(MCA)at the side of lesion is related to the area of cerebral infarction.When the PLD is 1.5s,the sensitive response can be conducted on this,so as to provide objective and reliable basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment and curative effect.
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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