1.Status and Progress of Research on Metabolomics of Cervical Cancer
Shaojun CHEN ; Ling GAN ; Xinkang CHEN ; Lingling XIONG ; Die LONG ; Lulu CHEN ; Mengzhuan WEI ; Li HUA ; Haixin HUANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(7):630-636
Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignant tumors in China. Given their lack of obviously early symptoms, more than half of patients with cervical cancer are diagnosed in the middle and late stages of this malignancy, resulting in poor prognosis. Finding new therapeutic targets is the current research direction. Metabolomics, as a new omics technology, is expected to provide new targets for tumor precision diagnosis and treatment through the analysis of the changes and potential mechanisms of metabolites in tumor occurrence and development by chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other technologies. Herein, we review the research methods of metabolomics; metabolic characteristics of cervical cancer; and progress of the research on metabolomics in cervical cancer diagnosis, curative effect prediction, and prognosis evaluation to provide new ideas for the precise diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer.
2.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
3. Establishment and genotype identification of hepatic stellate cell-specific Grk2 gene knockout mouse model
Yu-Han WANG ; Ya-Ping XU ; Nan LI ; Ting-Ting CHEN ; Ling LI ; Ping-Ping GAO ; Wei WEI ; Wu-Yi SUN ; Hua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):189-194
Aim To establish a stable hepatic stellate cell ( HSC ) -specific G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 ( GRK2 ) knockout mice and provide the important animal model for further studying the biological function of GRK2 in HSC. Methods The loxP-labeled Grk2 gene mouse (Grk2
4.Mechanism of salvianolic acid B protecting H9C2 from OGD/R injury based on mitochondrial fission and fusion
Zi-xin LIU ; Gao-jie XIN ; Yue YOU ; Yuan-yuan CHEN ; Jia-ming GAO ; Ling-mei LI ; Hong-xu MENG ; Xiao HAN ; Lei LI ; Ye-hao ZHANG ; Jian-hua FU ; Jian-xun LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):374-381
This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
5.Exploration of Correlation Between Psoraleae Fructus and Precocious Puberty in Children Based on Network Pharmacology
Ling-Ling XIA ; Yao CHEN ; Shun-Li TANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Hua LIU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(4):981-987
Objective The network pharmacological methods and molecular docking technology were used for investigating the possibility of Psoraleae Fructus in promoting precocious puberty in children and its potential mechanism.Methods The main active ingredients of Psoraleae Fructus and their therapeutic targets were obtained from BATMAN-TCM online platform.The disease targets related with precocious puberty were obtained from GeneCards database.A visualized network of active ingredients-disease targets was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network diagrams were constructed based on the STRING online database.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were conducted using Metascape online tool.The structures of the main active ingredients were obtained from PubChem database,the structures of core targets were obtained from RCSB PDB database,and then the structures were imported into Autodock for molecular docking.Finally,the mimic diagrams of the molecular docking were drawn using PYMOL software.Results A total of 12 active ingredients of Psoraleae Fructus were obtained,involving 274 targets.And there were 11 active ingredients and 98 targets associated with precocious puberty.The main active compounds were stigmasterol,bakuchiol,angelicin,bavachalcone,isobavachalcone,and xanthotoxin.The main targets were estrogen receptor 1(ESR1),estrogen receptor 2(ESR2),insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF1),and progesterone receptor(PGR),which were mainly involved in the ovarian steroidogenic pathway and Hippo signaling pathway.The molecular docking results showed that the active compounds were well binded to the targets.Conclusion It is possible that Psoraleae Fructus can promote the sexual development in children and has its potential pharmacological mechanism.The results will provide theoretical references for the clinical prevention and treatment of precocious puberty and early pubertal development in children.
6.Effects of MYD88 overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells and its mechanism
Piaopiao HU ; Chengrui XUAN ; Hua DU ; Shirong LI ; Lixin WENG ; Ling HAI ; Yunga WU ; Xiaoyan XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(1):44-50
Purpose To investigate the effect of MYD88 gene overexpression on the proliferation and apoptosis of human diffuse large B cell lymphoma(DLBCL)cells,and to prelimi-narily explore the mechanism of MYD88 gene action.Methods PEGFP-C2-MYD88 overexpressing MYD88 L265P gene was transfected into DLBCL cells by plasmid transfection.The exper-iment was divided into blank control group,negative control group and MYD88 L265P overexpression group.The fluores-cence expression of MYD88 L265P after overexpression was ob-served under inverted fluorescence microscope.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expres-sion of MYD88 L265P,IRAK4,NF-κB and BCL2 in DLBCL cells before and after overexpression of MYD88 L265.CCK8 method was used to detect DLBCL cells proliferation and Ho-echst staining was used to detect DLBCL cells apoptosis.Re-sults After overexpression of MYD88 L265P,compared with the blank control group(0.670 4±0.017 5)and the negative control group(0.715 3±0.019 6),the MYD88L265P overex-pression group(1.157 2±0.010 2)increased significantly,with statistical significance(all P<0.05).After overexpression of MYD88 L265P,compared with the blank control group(0.69 ±0.04)and the negative control group(0.81±0.07),the MYD88L265P overexpression group(0.48±0.05)was signifi-cantly decreased,with statistical significance(all P<0.05).After overexpression of MYD88 L265P,compared with the blank control group(mRNA:1.0158±0.0115,0.987 3±0.010 2,1.007 6±0.015 3,protein:0.183 4±0.058 9,0.096 8± 0.015 7,0.147 5±0.0418)and negative control group(mR-NA:0.9132±0.0098,1.0032±0.0156,0.9327± 0.011 2,protein:0.187 9±0.042 3,0.088 9±0.0513,0.134 8±0.050 1),the mRNA(3.243 2±0.013 6,2.976 6 ±0.0213,1.585 9±0.019 8)and protein expressions(0.452 7±0.052 4,0.218 9±0.047 5,0.301 4±0.059 8)of IRAK4,NF-κB and anti-apoptosis protein BCL2 in MYD88L265P overexpression group were significantly increased,which was statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion After overexpression of MYD88 L265P,the apoptosis rate of DLBCL cells decreased and the cell proliferation rate increased.The mechanism may be related to the mutation of MYD88 L265P gene,activation and amplification of NF-κB pathway,and pro-motion of the overexpression of antiapoptotic protein BCL2.
7.Prediction of preeclampsia in twin-pregnant women
LU Yan ; LI Qiongshan ; MENG Diyun ; MEI Lina ; DING Zhongying ; LI Wenwen ; CHU Hua ; QIN Ling
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(4):283-287
Objective:
To construct a prediction model for preeclampsia (PE) risk in twin-pregnant women, so as to provide the basis for early screening and prevention of PE.
Methods:
A total of 467 twin-pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination and delivered at Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected. Sixty cases with preeclampsia (PE) were included in the case group, and 60 women without PE were included in the control group. General information, blood biochemical indicators and uterine artery resistance index (UtA-RI) were collected. A logistic regression model was used to screen predictive factors and establish a nomogram. The Bootstrap method was performed for the internal validation; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis were employed to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of the nomogram, respectively.
Results:
In the case group, there were 47 individuals (78.33%) aged younger than 35 years, 21 individuals (35.00%) with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 and above, and 33 individuals (55.00%) with in vitro fertilization. In the control group, there were 57 individuals (95.00%) aged younger than 35 years, 8 individuals (13.33%) with pre-pregnancy BMI of 25 kg/m2 and above, and 39 individuals (65.00%) with natural pregnancy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age, pre-pregnancy BMI, method of conception, placental growth factor (PLGF) and UtA-RI as risk prediction factors for PE in twin-pregnant women. The established nomogram had an area under the ROC curve of 0.827 (95%CI: 0.755-0.899), a sensitivity of 0.767, a specificity of 0.733, a good discrimination and calibration, and a relatively high clinical net benefit.
Conclusion
The nomogram established by age, pre-pregnancy BMI, method of conception, PLGF and UtA-RI has a good predictive value for the risk of PE in twin-pregnant women.
8.Clinical Analysis of 311 Cases with Giant Ovarian Mass
Hua LIU ; Jingxian LING ; Xianghong ZHU ; Rong LI ; Xiaoqiu TANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Huaijun ZHOU
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(1):73-77
Objective:To analyze the clinicopathological features of giant ovarian masses(mean diameter≥10 cm)and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients in different age groups.Methods:The clinicopathological characteristics of 311 patients diagnosed with giant ovarian masses by surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Medical School,Nanjing University from January 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Patients were further stratified by age and mass size to compare the differences of clinical and patho-logical features among different age groups and different mass diameter groups.Results:①The median age of thepatients were 44(24,60)years old.The first symptoms were as follows:ovarian mass discovered during physi-cal examination,abdominal pain,bloating,conscious abdominal distension,and symptoms of compression.②The surgical methods were as follows:unilateral oophorectomy(30.5%,95/311),ovarian cystectomy(28.9%,90/311),tumor staging or cytoreductive surgery(28.0%,87/311),total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy(12.5%,39/311).③The pathological types were benign(49.5%,154/311),malignant(31.8%,99/311)and borderline(18.7%,58/311).④ Patients complained abdominal distension in<20 years old group were signifi-cantly higher than the other two groups(P<0.05).The ovarian resection rate in the>50-year-old group was higher than that of the other two groups(P<0.05),and the rate of unilateral ovarian resection in the<20-year-old group was still as high as 30.1%(15/49).⑤ The size of the mass correlated with the duration of the disease.When the disease course was between 1 to 6 months,the mass diameter line>30 cm was the most common(P<0.05).The incidence of borderline tumors in the>30 cm group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:Ovarian mucinous and mucinous borderline tumors are the most common types of giant adnexal masses.The size of the mass tends to increase with the prolongation of the disease course.The incidence of borderline tumors increases with the in-crease of mass.Health education for young people should be strengthened.When abdominal pain,abdominal bloating,especially lower abdominal distension occurs,they should seek medical treatment in time to avoid adnex-ectomy due to borderline tumors.
9.Hepatitis C virus infection:surveillance report from China Healthcare-as-sociated Infection Surveillance System in 2020
Xi-Mao WEN ; Nan REN ; Fu-Qin LI ; Rong ZHAN ; Xu FANG ; Qing-Lan MENG ; Huai YANG ; Wei-Guang LI ; Ding LIU ; Feng-Ling GUO ; Shu-Ming XIANYU ; Xiao-Quan LAI ; Chong-Jie PANG ; Xun HUANG ; An-Hua WU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(1):1-8
Objective To investigate the infection status and changing trend of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection in hospitalized patients in medical institutions,and provide reference for formulating HCV infection prevention and control strategies.Methods HCV infection surveillance results from cross-sectional survey data reported to China Healthcare-associated Infection(HAI)Surveillance System in 2020 were summarized and analyzed,HCV positive was serum anti-HCV positive or HCV RNA positive,survey result was compared with the survey results from 2003.Results In 2020,1 071 368 inpatients in 1 573 hospitals were surveyed,738 535 of whom underwent HCV test,4 014 patients were infected with HCV,with a detection rate of 68.93%and a HCV positive rate of 0.54%.The positive rate of HCV in male and female patients were 0.60%and 0.48%,respectively,with a statistically sig-nificant difference(x2=47.18,P<0.001).The HCV positive rate in the 50-<60 age group was the highest(0.76%),followed by the 40-<50 age group(0.71%).Difference among all age groups was statistically signifi-cant(x2=696.74,P<0.001).In 2003,91 113 inpatients were surveyed.35 145 of whom underwent HCV test,resulting in a detection rate of 38.57%;775 patients were infected with HCV,with a positive rate of 2.21%.In 2020,HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales were 0.46%-0.63%,with the highest in hospital with bed numbers ranging 600-899.Patients'HCV positive rates in hospitals of different scales was statistically signifi-cant(X2=35.34,P<0.001).In 2020,12 provinces/municipalities had over 10 000 patients underwent HCV-rela-ted test,and HCV positive rates ranged 0.19%-0.81%,with the highest rate from Hainan Province.HCV posi-tive rates in different departments were 0.06%-0.82%,with the lowest positive rate in the department of pedia-trics and the highest in the department of internal medicine.In 2003 and 2020,HCV positive rates in the depart-ment of infectious diseases were the highest,being 7.95%and 3.48%,respectively.Followed by departments of orthopedics(7.72%),gastroenterology(3.77%),nephrology(3.57%)and general intensive care unit(ICU,3.10%)in 2003,as well as departments of gastroenterology(1.35%),nephrology(1.18%),endocrinology(0.91%),and general intensive care unit(ICU,0.79%)in 2020.Conclusion Compared with 2003,HCV positive rate decreased significantly in 2020.HCV infected patients were mainly from the department of infectious diseases,followed by departments of gastroenterology,nephrology and general ICU.HCV infection positive rate varies with gender,age,and region.
10.Construction of hepatocyte-specific Sirt3 gene knockout mouse model
Yaping XU ; Yuhan WANG ; Tingting CHEN ; Nan LI ; Pingping GAO ; Ling LI ; Hua WANG ; Wuyi SUN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(3):384-390
Objective To construct hepatocyte-specific silence information regulator 3(Sirt3)gene knockout(Sirt3 Δhep)mice by Cre-loxP technique,and to provide an important animal model for further studying the biological function of the hepatocyte Sirt3 gene in diseases.Methods LoxP-labeled Sirt3flox/flox mice were mated with Alb-Cre homozygous(Alb-Cre+/+)mice,and the F1 generation Sirt3flox/-/Alb-Cre+/-mice were then mated with Sirt3flox/flox mice,and the F2 genotype of Sirt3flox/flox/Alb-Cre+/-mice were the Sirt3 Δhep mice constructed in this ex-periment.Sirt3flox/flox/Alb-Cre-/-(Sirt3flox/flox)mice were the control mice.Mouse tail genome DNA was extracted and PCR was used to identify the genotypes of the offspring mice.Immunofluorescence was used to detect Sirt3 ex-pression in mouse hepatocytes.Primary hepatocytes and tissue proteins of Sirt3 Δhep mice were extracted,and the ex-pression of Sirt3 in mouse hepatocytes and other tissues was verified by Western blot.HE staining was used to ob-serve mice's liver,heart,spleen,and lung tissue structure.Results Sirt3 Δhep mice were successfully identified.Immunofluorescence and Western blot results demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of Sirt3 in the hepatocytes of these mice compared to the control group(P<0.01).At the same time,there was no significant difference in the expression of Sirt3 in the heart,spleen,kidney,and lung tissues of Sirt3 Δhep mice compared with the control group(P>0.05).The results of HE staining showed that the histological characteristics of the liver,heart,spleen,lungs,kidneys,and other major organs of Sirt3 Δhep mice were not significantly different from those of the control group mice.Conclusion Hepatocyte-specific Sirt3 gene knockout mice are successfully constructed,which provides an animal model to explore further the role and molecular mechanism of the hepatocyte Sirt3 gene in diseases.


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