1.High Expression of INF2 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression
Hai-Biao WANG ; Man LIN ; Fu-Sang YE ; Jia-Xin SHI ; Hong LI ; Meng YE ; Jie WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):194-208
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveINF2 is a member of the formins family. Abnormal expression and regulation of INF2 have been associated with the progression of various tumors, but the expression and role of INF2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. HCC is a highly lethal malignant tumor. Given the limitations of traditional treatments, this study explored the expression level, clinical value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC in order to seek new therapeutic targets. MethodsIn this study, we used public databases to analyze the expression of INF2 in pan-cancer and HCC, as well as the impact of INF2 expression levels on HCC prognosis. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of INF2 in liver cancer cells and human HCC tissues. The correlation between INF2 expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed using public databases and clinical data of human HCC samples. Subsequently, the effects of INF2 expression on the biological function and Drp1 phosphorylation of liver cancer cells were elucidated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Finally, the predictive value and potential mechanism of INF2 in HCC were further analyzed through database and immunohistochemical experiments. ResultsINF2 is aberrantly high expression in HCC samples and the high expression of INF2 is correlated with overall survival, liver cirrhosis and pathological differentiation of HCC patients. The expression level of INF2 has certain diagnostic value in predicting the prognosis and pathological differentiation of HCC. In vivo and in vitro HCC models, upregulated expression of INF2 triggers the proliferation and migration of the HCC cell, while knockdown of INF2 could counteract this effect. INF2 in liver cancer cells may affect mitochondrial division by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and mediate immune escape by up-regulating PD-L1 expression, thus promoting tumor progression. ConclusionINF2 is highly expressed in HCC and is associated with poor prognosis. High expression of INF2 may promote HCC progression by inducing Drp1 phosphorylation and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression, and targeting INF2 may be beneficial for HCC patients with high expression of INF2. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Value of internal stratification analysis of abdominal wall muscles in predicting complications after orthotopic liver transplantation
Xin SHI ; Chongxiao LIANG ; Bei ZHANG ; Jiping WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(2):314-321
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo divide the muscle into different subzones according to different density ranges using the stratified analysis on the basis of myosteatosis, and to investigate the effect of muscle density changes on complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥Ⅲ) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the medical records of 145 patients who underwent OLT in The First Hospital of Jilin University from May 2013 to September 2020, and with the plain CT scan images of the largest level of lumbar 3 vertebrae of each patient as the original data, Neusoft Fatanalysis software was used to measure related muscle parameters. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. The chi-square test or Fisher test was for comparison of categorical data between two groups. RIAS software was used to extract clinical features and perform analysis and modeling, and three machine learning models of logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RFC) were constructed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the calibration curve, and the decision curve were plotted for each model to calculate the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, and accuracy. ResultsThe three machine learning models of LR-C, SVM-C, and RFC-C were established based on the 7 clinical features before muscle stratification analysis, among which the RFC-C model had an AUC of 0.803, a sensitivity of 0.588, and a specificity of 0.778 in the test set. Among the models of LR-CS, SVM-CS, and RFC-CS established based on the 16 clinical features after muscle stratification analysis, the LR-CS and SVM-CS models had an AUC of 0.852 in the test set, with a sensitivity of 0.765 and 0.706, respectively, and a specificity of 0.889 and 0.926, respectively. Comparison of the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, and accuracy of each model in the test set before and after muscle stratification analysis showed that there were improvements in the parameters of the predictive model after muscle stratification analysis. Comparison of the decision curves and calibration curves of each predictive model showed that the LR-CS and SVM-CS models had good efficacy in predicting postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ) in OLT patients. ConclusionOn the basis of myosteatosis, the division of the muscle into different subzones according to different densities using the stratified analysis has a certain value in predicting postoperative complications in patients with OLT. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Process Optimization and Health Risk Assessment of Calcined Haematitum Based on QbD Concept
Yue YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Jialiang ZOU ; Guorong MEI ; Yifan SHI ; Lei ZHONG ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Xuelian GAN ; Dewen ZENG ; Xin CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):187-196
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the processing technology of calcined Haematitum based on the concept of quality by design(QbD) and to assess its health risk. MethodsTaking whole iron content, Fe2+ dissolution content and looseness as critical quality attributes(CQAs), and calcination temperature, calcination time, spreading thickness and particle size as critical process parameters(CPPs) determined by the failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA), the processing technology of calcined Haematitum was optimized by orthogonal test combined with analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(AHP-CRITIC) hybrid weighting method. The contents of heavy metals and harmful elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the health risk assessment was carried out by daily exposure(EXP), target hazard quotient(THQ) and lifetime cancer risk(LCR), and the theoretical value of the maximum limit was deduced. ResultsThe optimal processing technology for calcined Haematitum was calcination at 650 ℃, calcination time of 1 h, particle size of 0.2-0.5 cm, spreading thickness of 1 cm, and vinegar quenching for 1 time[Haematitum-vinegar(10:3)]. The contents of 5 heavy metals and harmful elements in 13 batches of calcined Haematitum were all decreased with reductions of up to 5-fold. The cumulative THQ of 2 batches of samples was>1, while the cumulative THQ of all batches of Haematitum was>1. The LCR of As in 1 batches of Haematitum was 1×10-6-1×10-4, and the LCR of the rest was<1×10-6, and the LCRs of calcined Haematitum were all<1×10-6, indicating that the carcinogenic risk of calcined Haematitum was low, but special attention should still be paid to Haematitum medicinal materials. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg were formulated as 1 014, 25, 17, 27, 7 mg·kg-1. ConclusionThe optimized processing technology of calcined Haematitum is stable and feasible, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements are reduced after processing. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg are formulated to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of standards for the limits of harmful elements in Haematitum. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Process Optimization and Health Risk Assessment of Calcined Haematitum Based on QbD Concept
Yue YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Jialiang ZOU ; Guorong MEI ; Yifan SHI ; Lei ZHONG ; Jiaojiao WANG ; Xuelian GAN ; Dewen ZENG ; Xin CHEN ; Lin CHEN ; Hongping CHEN ; Shilin CHEN ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):187-196
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo investigate the processing technology of calcined Haematitum based on the concept of quality by design(QbD) and to assess its health risk. MethodsTaking whole iron content, Fe2+ dissolution content and looseness as critical quality attributes(CQAs), and calcination temperature, calcination time, spreading thickness and particle size as critical process parameters(CPPs) determined by the failure mode and effect analysis(FMEA), the processing technology of calcined Haematitum was optimized by orthogonal test combined with analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation(AHP-CRITIC) hybrid weighting method. The contents of heavy metals and harmful elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the health risk assessment was carried out by daily exposure(EXP), target hazard quotient(THQ) and lifetime cancer risk(LCR), and the theoretical value of the maximum limit was deduced. ResultsThe optimal processing technology for calcined Haematitum was calcination at 650 ℃, calcination time of 1 h, particle size of 0.2-0.5 cm, spreading thickness of 1 cm, and vinegar quenching for 1 time[Haematitum-vinegar(10:3)]. The contents of 5 heavy metals and harmful elements in 13 batches of calcined Haematitum were all decreased with reductions of up to 5-fold. The cumulative THQ of 2 batches of samples was>1, while the cumulative THQ of all batches of Haematitum was>1. The LCR of As in 1 batches of Haematitum was 1×10-6-1×10-4, and the LCR of the rest was<1×10-6, and the LCRs of calcined Haematitum were all<1×10-6, indicating that the carcinogenic risk of calcined Haematitum was low, but special attention should still be paid to Haematitum medicinal materials. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg were formulated as 1 014, 25, 17, 27, 7 mg·kg-1. ConclusionThe optimized processing technology of calcined Haematitum is stable and feasible, and the contents of heavy metals and harmful elements are reduced after processing. Preliminary theoretical values of the maximum limits of Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Hg are formulated to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of standards for the limits of harmful elements in Haematitum. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Residual Inflammatory Risk and Intracranial Atherosclerosis Plaque Vulnerability: Insights From High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ying YU ; Rongrong CUI ; Xin HE ; Xinxin SHI ; Zhikai HOU ; Yuesong PAN ; Mingyao LI ; Jiabao YANG ; Zhongrong MIAO ; Yongjun WANG ; Rong WANG ; Xin LOU ; Long YAN ; Ning MA
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):207-216
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Residual Inflammatory Risk and Intracranial Atherosclerosis Plaque Vulnerability: Insights From High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ying YU ; Rongrong CUI ; Xin HE ; Xinxin SHI ; Zhikai HOU ; Yuesong PAN ; Mingyao LI ; Jiabao YANG ; Zhongrong MIAO ; Yongjun WANG ; Rong WANG ; Xin LOU ; Long YAN ; Ning MA
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):207-216
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Residual Inflammatory Risk and Intracranial Atherosclerosis Plaque Vulnerability: Insights From High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ying YU ; Rongrong CUI ; Xin HE ; Xinxin SHI ; Zhikai HOU ; Yuesong PAN ; Mingyao LI ; Jiabao YANG ; Zhongrong MIAO ; Yongjun WANG ; Rong WANG ; Xin LOU ; Long YAN ; Ning MA
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):207-216
		                        		
		                        			 Background:
		                        			and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Analysis of pollution of PM 2.5 in children s bedrooms caused by using solid fuels and the influencing factors
ZHENG Ping, SHI Chunli, XIN Shuzhi, CHEN Shunqiang, SHEN Yue, ZHANG Bei, XU Ning, WANG Qiang
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):932-936
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To investigate the indoor fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution and its influencing factors in children s bedrooms using solid fuel, so as to provide evidence for effective strategy to reduce PM 2.5  pollution.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			From December 2019 to November 2020, 198 households (108 in the north, 90 in the south) from two pilots in the north(Jiamusi in Heilongjiang Province) and south of China (Mianyang in Sichuan Province) were selected, and status of solid fuels using were obtained through home visits, dynamic changes in PM 2.5  concentrations in children s bedrooms were monitored by using real time online instruments, and the influencing factors of PM 2.5 pollution were analyzed by using a mixed effects model.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			During the monitoring period, the daily PM 2.5  concentrations in the northern and southern pilot were 78.33 (40.50, 154.80) and 38.54(26.20, 58.46) μg/m 3, respectively, exceeding standard rates of 44.57% and 33.22%. During the heating period, the daily PM 2.5  concentrations in the northern and southern pilot were 212.50(133.60,244.10) and 104.42(73.97, 134.90) μg/m 3, respectively, with over standard rates of 96.75% and 86.96%. The mixed effects model analysis results showed that children s bedroom PM 2.5  concentrations were associated with solid fuel usage duration, window opening time, room layout (shared entrance door between kitchen and bedroom), indoor smoking, indoor humidity, and solid fuel use in the bedroom ( β =0.19, -0.05, 1.20, 0.43, 0.02, 0.35, all  P <0.05).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Solid fuel combustion significantly comtributes to PM 2.5  pollution in children s bedrooms, with more pronounced impacts observed in northern China compared to southern regions.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Formulas in Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis by Regulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Pathway: A Review
Guanyu ZHAO ; Ruihua XIN ; Ying WANG ; Lei SHI ; Lidong DU ; Guotai WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):305-314
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease of the digestive system characterized by diverse etiologies, complex pathogenesis, a prolonged course, and frequent relapses. In recent years, the incidence of UC has been increasing annually, severely impairing patients' quality of life, posing a risk of malignant transformation that may threaten patients' lives, and resulting in a substantial medical burden. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formulas, with their advantages of multi-component and multi-target actions, have become a new therapeutic option for UC. The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a core component of innate immunity, and its aberrant activation is closely associated with the onset and progression of UC, involving multiple processes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibiting crosstalk with pathways including nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). At present, NLRP3 has become one of the most intensely studied hotspots in UC-related research. Although increasing studies have focused on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by TCM compound formulas for UC treatment, challenges remain due to the complex pathogenesis of UC and the compositional diversity of TCM, hindering the realization of precision therapy. In this context, by reviewing literature from the past decade, this paper summarizes the activation process of NLRP3 and its relationship with UC, and elucidates the roles and mechanisms by which TCM compound formulas regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome and related signaling pathways, with a view to providing a reference for further research into the pathogenesis of UC, TCM treatment strategies, and their mechanisms of action. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

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