1.Construction of a prognostic model for breast cancer based on lipid metabolism-related genes and functional verification of ALDH2.
Zirong LU ; Yufeng LU ; Ji ZHOU ; Yichao ZHU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;():1-10
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the expression patterns and prognostic value of lipid metabolism-related genes in breast cancer.
METHODS:
RNA sequencing data and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer (TCGA-BRCA) dataset, including 1100 breast cancer tissue samples (18 paired with adjacent tissues) and 112 normal breast tissue samples. Differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes were screened from a predefined set of 2043 genes using Bioconductor in R, with a false discovery rate <0.05 and |log2(fold change)|>2. Eligible samples were randomly divided into a training cohort (n=651) and a validation cohort (n=431) at a 6∶4 ratio. Prognostic lipid metabolism-related genes were identified using univariate Cox regression (P<0.005) and further refined via LASSO regression. A risk score model was constructed using multivariate Cox regression, and patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. The model's performance was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A nomogram integrating age, TNM stage, clinical grade, and risk score was developed and validated using calibration curves and the concordance index. Immune cell infiltration was quantified using an immune scoring algorithm, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify key modules associated with immune cell infiltration. Finally, to validate the function of the key gene ALDH2, small interfering RNA targeting ALDH2 was transfected into breast cancer cells, and its effects on invasion and migration were assessed using Transwell invasion and wound healing assays.
RESULTS:
A total of 185 differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes were identified. Univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses identified three genes-ALDH2, CYP21A2, and IL24-which were incorporated into the multivariate Cox model. The prognostic model based on these genes demonstrated good predictive performance in both cohorts: patients in the high-risk group had significantly shorter overall survival (P<0.01), and the area under the ROC curve for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates was above 0.64. Analysis of the tumor microenvironment revealed an immunosuppressive phenotype in the high-risk group, characterized by reduced infiltration of several anti-tumor immune cells and downregulation of key immune checkpoint molecules such as PDCD1 and CTLA4. WGCNA suggested an association between ALDH2 and immune cell infiltration. Functional experi-ments confirmed that ALDH2 knockdown significantly enhanced the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells.
CONCLUSIONS
This study established and validated a pro-gnostic model for breast cancer based on lipid metabolism-related genes. It revealed that low ALDH2 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis and immunosuppression, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer.
2.Diabetes-associated sleep fragmentation impairs liver and heart function via SIRT1-dependent epigenetic modulation of NADPH oxidase 4.
Yuanfang GUO ; Jie WANG ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Quanli CHENG ; Jiahao LI ; Ting GAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Guangping LU ; Mingrui LIU ; Xun GUAN ; Xinyu TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1480-1496
Although clinical evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an established major risk factor for heart failure, it remains unexplored whether sleep disorder-caused hepatic damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, our findings revealed that sleep fragmentation (SF) displayed notable hepatic detrimental phenotypes, including steatosis and oxidative damage, along with significant abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. All these pathological changes persisted even after sleep recovery for 2 consecutive weeks or more, displaying memory properties. Mechanistically, persistent higher expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver was the key initiator of SF-accelerated damage phenotypes. SF epigenetically controlled the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) enrichment at the Nox4 promoter and markedly increased Nox4 expression in liver even after sleep recovery. Moreover, fine coordination of the circadian clock and hepatic damage was strictly controlled by BMAL1-dependent Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) transcription after circadian misalignment. Accordingly, genetic manipulation of liver-specific Nox4 or Sirt1, along with pharmacological intervention targeting NOX4 (GLX351322) or SIRT1 (Resveratrol), could effectively erase the epigenetic modification of Nox4 by reducing the H3K27ac level and ameliorate the progression of liver pathology, thereby counteracting SF-evoked sustained CVD. Collectively, our findings may pave the way for strategies to mitigate myocardial injury from persistent hepatic detrimental memory in diabetic patients.
3.Melatonin receptor 1a alleviates sleep fragmentation-aggravated testicular injury in T2DM by suppression of TAB1/TAK1 complex through FGFR1.
Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyu TANG ; Ting GAO ; Yuanfang GUO ; Guangping LU ; Qingbo LIU ; Jiahao LI ; Jie WANG ; Mingrui LIU ; Dongmei ZHANG ; Yufeng TANG ; Junlian GU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3591-3610
A major obstacle in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sleep fragmentation (SF), which negatively affects testicular function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that SF induces testicular damage through a mechanism involving lipid metabolism, specifically mediated by melatonin (MEL) receptor 1a (MT1). T2DM mice with SF intervention displayed several deleterious phenotypes such as apoptosis, deregulated lipid metabolism, and impaired testicular function. Unexpectedly, sleep recovery (SR) for 2 consecutive weeks could not completely abrogate SF's detrimental effects on lipid deposition and testicular function. Interestingly, MEL and MT1 agonist 2-iodomelatonin (2IM) effectively improved lipid homeostasis, highlighting MEL/2IM as a promising therapeutic drug for SF-trigged testicular damage. Mechanistically, MEL and 2IM activated FGFR1 and sequentially restrained the crosstalk and physical interaction between TAB1 and TAK1, which ultimately suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1 to block lipid deposition and cell apoptosis caused by SF. The ameliorating effect of MEL/2IM was overtly nullified in Fgfr1 knockout (Fgfr1-KO +/- ) diabetic mice. Meanwhile, testicular-specific overexpression of Tak1 abolished the protective effect of FGF1mut on diabetic mouse testis. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the testicular pathogenesis associated with SF and propose a novel therapeutic approach for addressing male infertility in T2DM.
4.AI-integrated IQPD framework of quality prediction and diagnostics in small-sample multi-unit pharmaceutical manufacturing: Advancing from experience-driven to data-driven manufacturing.
Kaiyi WANG ; Xinhai CHEN ; Nan LI ; Huimin FENG ; Xiaoyi LIU ; Yifei WANG ; Yanfei WU ; Yufeng GUO ; Shuoshuo XU ; Lu YAO ; Zhaohua ZHANG ; Jun JIA ; Zhishu TANG ; Zhisheng WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(8):4193-4209
The pharmaceutical industry faces challenges in quality digitization for complex multi-stage processes, especially in small-sample systems. Here, an intelligent quality prediction and diagnostic (IQPD) framework was developed and applied to Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, utilizing four years of data collected from four production units, covering the entire process from raw materials to finished products. In this framework, a novel path-enhanced double ensemble quality prediction model (PeDGAT) is proposed, which combines a graph attention network and path information to encode inter-unit long-range and sequential dependencies. Additionally, the double ensemble strategy enhances model stability in small samples. Compared to global traditional models, PeDGAT achieves state-of-the-art results, with an average improvement of 13.18% and 87.67% in prediction accuracy and stability on three indicators. Additionally, a more in-depth diagnostic model leveraging grey correlation analysis and expert knowledge reduces reliance on large samples, offering a panoramic view of attribute relationships across units and improving process transparency. Finally, the IQPD framework integrates into a Human-Cyber-Physical system, enabling faster decision-making and real-time quality adjustments for Tong Ren Tang's Niuhuang Qingxin Pills, a product with annual sales exceeding 100 million CNY. This facilitates the transition from experience-driven to data-driven manufacturing.
5.Clinical efficacy of a novel autologous blood recovery device during ECMO weaning
Yufeng LU ; Chuanfa ZHANG ; Dongmei FAN ; Shuo HU ; Xianming WEN ; Ziyou LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(11):1573-1576
Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel autologous blood recovery device during the weaning process from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods: A total of 16 patients who received ECMO support and underwent blood recovery during the weaning process from January 2022 to September 2024 at our hospital were included in the experimental group. In contrast, 58 patients who did not receive blood recovery during the weaning process were assigned to the control group. Transfusion components, costs, and changes in routine blood tests and coagulation functions were compared between the two groups from the day of weaning until 48 hours post-weaning. Results: Significant differences were observed in the volumes of red blood cell transfusions, plasma transfusions, and transfusion costs between the two groups from the day of weaning to 48 hours post-weaning (P<0.05). Additionally, in the experimental group, significant differences were noted in hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) results when comparing values before and after extubation (P<0.05). Conclusion: The application of a novel autologous blood recovery device during ECMO weaning reduces patient costs, minimizes wastage of autologous blood, decreases reliance on exogenous blood transfusions, and mitigates the risks associated with allogeneic blood transfusion. This approach merits further promotion for clinical use.
6.Clinical analysis of 12 children with clear cell sarcoma of kidney
Jingjing TANG ; Xueju XU ; Songting BAI ; Lu WANG ; Yufeng LIU
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2024;39(9):688-690
Objective:To analyze the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of clear cell sarcoma of kidney (CCSK) in children.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 12 children with CCSK who were admitted to the Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children′s Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2021.The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment process, and follow-up results were summarized, and the survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Among the 12 patients, 10 were males, and 2 were females, with the age of onset of 2.8 (1.0-5.7) years.CCSK originated from the left kidney in 6 patients and from the right kidney in 6 patients.All the patients underwent complete resection of the tumor, including 2 patients in stage Ⅰ, 4 patients in stage Ⅱ, 3 patients in stage Ⅲ, and 3 patients in stage Ⅳ; and 12 children received the corresponding chemotherapy regimen, 6 cases received radiotherapy.During the follow-up of 56 (19-94) months to December 31, 2023, 4 cases died of disease recurrence, and 8 cases survived without disease.The 5-year event-free survival rate was (62±11)%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was (72±9)%.Conclusions:Pediatric CCSK is more common in male children.The combination of radical surgery and postoperative chemoradiotherapy offers a good prognosis in the early stage, while the mortality of patients due to recurrence and distant metastasis is high.
7.The osteoclastic activity in apical distal region of molar mesial roots affects orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in rats
Zheng WENHAO ; Lu XIAOFENG ; Chen GUANGJIN ; Shen YUFENG ; Huang XIAOFEI ; Peng JINFENG ; Wang JIAJIA ; Yin YING ; Song WENCHENG ; Xie MENGRU ; Yu SHAOLING ; Chen LILI
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(2):322-332
The utilization of optimal orthodontic force is crucial to prevent undesirable side effects and ensure efficient tooth movement during orthodontic treatment.However,the sensitivity of existing detection techniques is not sufficient,and the criteria for evaluating optimal force have not been yet established.Here,by employing 3D finite element analysis methodology,we found that the apical distal region(A-D region)of mesial roots is particularly sensitive to orthodontic force in rats.Tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase(TRAP)-positive osteoclasts began accumulating in the A-D region under the force of 40 grams(g),leading to alveolar bone resorption and tooth movement.When the force reached 80 g,TRAP-positive osteoclasts started appearing on the root surface in the A-D region.Additionally,micro-computed tomography revealed a significant root resorption at 80 g.Notably,the A-D region was identified as a major contributor to whole root resorption.It was determined that 40 g is the minimum effective force for tooth movement with minimal side effects according to the analysis of tooth movement,inclination,and hyalinization.These findings suggest that the A-D region with its changes on the root surface is an important consideration and sensitive indicator when evaluating orthodontic forces for a rat model.Collectively,our investigations into this region would aid in offering valuable implications for preventing and minimizing root resorption during patients'orthodontic treatment.
8.Prevention of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in High-Risk Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Combining Nutritional Interventions in Early Pregnancy with Traditional Chinese Medicine Physical Dialectics
Yufeng GUO ; Yuxia ZHANG ; Junwen LU ; Chengyao LIU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Hong DING
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(10):833-840
Objective:To assess the effects of nutritional interventions combined with Traditional Chinese Med-icine(TCM)physical dialectics on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM),dietary status during pregnancy,and maternal and infant outcomes in high-risk pregnant women in early pregnancy.Methods:298 high-risk pregnant women with GDM in early pregnancy(gestational week≤14 weeks)registered in the Obstet-rics Department of Urumqi Maternal and Child Health Hospital from 1st December 2022 to 30th March 2023 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the intervention group(149 cases)and the control group(149 cases).During 14 to 23+6 weeks of pregnancy,TCM constitution nutritional intervention was carried out for pregnant women in the intervention group,and routine guidance and healthy dietary education was carried out in the control group.The incidence of GDM in the two groups was compared at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy,and the relationship between early pregnancy nutritional intervention combined with TCM constitution and the risk of GDM was analysed in subgroups using logistic regression and likelihood ratio test.The dietary situation,biochemical in-dexes and delivery outcomes after the intervention were compared at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.Results:①The incidence of GDM in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(14.09%vs.23.49%,P<0.05).The effect of the TCM constitution based nutritional intervention on the risk probability of GDM was statistically significant only among pregnant women with different ranges of gestational weight gain(GWG)(P=0.018).Among them,pregnant women with GWG lower than the recommended range had a reduced risk of GDM after intervention(OR 0.27,95%Cl 0.10-0.68,P=0.008).② After intervention,the evaluation index of di-etary balance index of pregnant women in the intervention group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the intake of cereals and potatoes,vegetables,and water of pregnant women in late pregnancy in the intervention group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).③The levels of triglycerides,total choles-terol,low-density lipoprotein,glycated haemoglobin,uric acid and creatinine of pregnant women in the intervention group were lower than those of the control group in late pregnancy(P<0.05).GWG,gestational age at delivery,the rate of low-birth-weight,and the neonatal 1-minute Apgar scores were all better than those of the control group(P<0.05.Conclusions:Nutritional interventions in early pregnancy combined with TCM constitution can sig-nificantly reduce the incidence of GDM in high-risk pregnant women and the chances of low-birth-weight babies.Obstetrics outpatient clinics can actively develop extensive collaboration with TCM and clinical nutrition depart-ments to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus.
9.Prevention of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in High-Risk Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Combining Nutritional Interventions in Early Pregnancy with Traditional Chinese Medicine Physical Dialectics
Yufeng GUO ; Yuxia ZHANG ; Junwen LU ; Chengyao LIU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Hong DING
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;40(10):833-840
Objective:To assess the effects of nutritional interventions combined with Traditional Chinese Med-icine(TCM)physical dialectics on the development of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM),dietary status during pregnancy,and maternal and infant outcomes in high-risk pregnant women in early pregnancy.Methods:298 high-risk pregnant women with GDM in early pregnancy(gestational week≤14 weeks)registered in the Obstet-rics Department of Urumqi Maternal and Child Health Hospital from 1st December 2022 to 30th March 2023 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the intervention group(149 cases)and the control group(149 cases).During 14 to 23+6 weeks of pregnancy,TCM constitution nutritional intervention was carried out for pregnant women in the intervention group,and routine guidance and healthy dietary education was carried out in the control group.The incidence of GDM in the two groups was compared at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy,and the relationship between early pregnancy nutritional intervention combined with TCM constitution and the risk of GDM was analysed in subgroups using logistic regression and likelihood ratio test.The dietary situation,biochemical in-dexes and delivery outcomes after the intervention were compared at 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.Results:①The incidence of GDM in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(14.09%vs.23.49%,P<0.05).The effect of the TCM constitution based nutritional intervention on the risk probability of GDM was statistically significant only among pregnant women with different ranges of gestational weight gain(GWG)(P=0.018).Among them,pregnant women with GWG lower than the recommended range had a reduced risk of GDM after intervention(OR 0.27,95%Cl 0.10-0.68,P=0.008).② After intervention,the evaluation index of di-etary balance index of pregnant women in the intervention group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05),and the intake of cereals and potatoes,vegetables,and water of pregnant women in late pregnancy in the intervention group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).③The levels of triglycerides,total choles-terol,low-density lipoprotein,glycated haemoglobin,uric acid and creatinine of pregnant women in the intervention group were lower than those of the control group in late pregnancy(P<0.05).GWG,gestational age at delivery,the rate of low-birth-weight,and the neonatal 1-minute Apgar scores were all better than those of the control group(P<0.05.Conclusions:Nutritional interventions in early pregnancy combined with TCM constitution can sig-nificantly reduce the incidence of GDM in high-risk pregnant women and the chances of low-birth-weight babies.Obstetrics outpatient clinics can actively develop extensive collaboration with TCM and clinical nutrition depart-ments to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes for both mother and fetus.
10.Abibliometric analysis of the current state of research on project management practices in hospital management
Dechao CHEN ; Yufeng SHI ; Lu YE ; Zhiming YANG ; Liming HE ; Lisha WU ; Guiyang ZHOU
Modern Hospital 2024;24(1):117-119,122
Objective To explore the research dynamics and hotspots of project management in the field of hospital man-agement,and analyze the contents that still need to be improved,so as to provide references for the subsequent research,and provide hospital managers with practical experience in hospital management.Methods Based on the PubMed database,we used the citexs data analysis platform to analyze the literature and big data from January 2012 to December 2022 on the application of project management in the field of hospital management.Results The effective literature was retrieved from 4236 articles,and the analysis found thatthe annualnumberofpublicationsinthisfield hasbeenincreasing,2021 sawthe highestannualnumberof 573 articles,and the fastest growth rate was 20.36% in 2017.The country with the most publications is the United States(1 546 articles,36.5% ),the research institution with the most publications is Monash University,Australia,the journal with the most publications is BMJ Open(124 articles),and the key words with the highest frequency of occurrence in the retrieved literature are quality improvement,primary care improvement,covid-19,telemedicine.Conclusion The research in this field has been rapidly developed and is in a fast rising phase.In almost every organization and industry,the share of project management or"projectization"is increasing,and project management has become an important part of hospital management research and prac-tice.In the context of building a modern hospital management system,the application of project management to hospital manage-ment is an effective means of improving the level of fine hospital management.

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