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1.
Changes of diamine oxidase and D-lactate in human breast and gynecologic cancers after chemotherapy.
Hu, L, Kong, F, Yuan, Q, Huang, M, Huang, Y
Medicine. 2025;(6):e41442
Abstract
This study investigates the changes in diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate levels in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and their clinical significance in evaluating intestinal barrier function. Breast and gynecologic cancer patients who received chemotherapy between January 2020 and December 2023 were enrolled from our hospital. Blood samples were taken before chemotherapy, within 3 days after chemotherapy, and before the next course of chemotherapy. The level of plasma DAO and D-lactate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After chemotherapy, nutritional markers such as albumin (ALB) and prealbumin (PAB) were evaluated. Anorexia, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea were evaluated during the chemotherapy cycle. There were no notable differences in serum DAO and D-lactate levels before chemotherapy among different tumor types, tumor stage and chemotherapy type. Serum DAO and D-lactate levels after chemotherapy were significantly elevated compared to their levels before chemotherapy (P < .05). The plasma DAO and D-lactate levels in cancer patients before the next course of chemotherapy were higher than those observed before the initial treatment, but the difference failed to achieve statistical significance (P > .05). The levels of DAO before chemotherapy were higher in patients with diarrhea and anorexia after chemotherapy than those without diarrhea and anorexia (P < .05). The levels of D-lactate before chemotherapy were notably elevated in patients with vomiting, diarrhea and nausea after chemotherapy than those without vomiting, diarrhea and nausea (P < .05). Monitoring serum levels of DAO and D-lactate in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can serve as indicators for evaluating gastrointestinal dysfunction and nutritional status.
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Barriers and facilitators to improved sedentary behaviour in coronary heart disease patients: a scoping review.
Yang, Y, Yuan, Q, Wu, C, Yang, L
BMJ open. 2025;(1):e088111
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The majority of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are at high sedentary levels, which severely affects patient prognosis and outcome. Despite the proven benefits of reducing sedentary behaviour (SB), intervention studies' effectiveness has been limited. Thus, the factors influencing SB change in patients with CHD need to be explored. This scoping review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to improved SB in CHD patients and map these factors to the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model. METHODS We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Eligibility criteria included qualitative and quantitative studies on SB in patients with CHD. Nine databases were searched (PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, CNKI, WanFang and VIP) from inception through 31 December 2023, following the scoping review methodology. RESULTS A total of 24 studies, including two qualitative and 22 quantitative studies, were included, with 15 847 patients. Barriers to improved SB in CHD patients included capability (eg, physical characteristics, lack of knowledge to improve SB), opportunity (eg, lack of partnership support, lack of resources to carry out activities) and motivation (eg, maintaining the habit of SB, impaired belief in activities). Facilitators included capability (eg, exercise session, improving understanding of SB), opportunity (eg, utilisation of support, tele-rehabilitation guidance, diversification of living environments) and motivation (perceived benefit). CONCLUSIONS Patients with CHD have unique barriers and facilitators to improving SB. Future research should adequately reduce barriers and promote facilitators to increase the effectiveness of interventions.
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Advances in Self-Healing Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Dynamic Polymer Bonds.
Yuan, Q, Chen, J, Shi, C, Shi, X, Sun, C, Jiang, B
Macromolecular rapid communications. 2025;(1):e2400630
Abstract
This comprehensive review addresses the self-healing phenomenon in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), emphasizing the reversible reactions of dynamic bonds as the pivotal mechanism. The crucial role of polymers in both enhancing the inherent properties of perovskite and inducing self-healing phenomena in grain boundaries of perovskite films are exhibited. The review initiates with an exploration of the various stability problems that PSCs encounter, underscoring the imperative to develop PSCs with extended lifespans capable of self-heal following damage from moisture and mechanical stress. Owing to the strong compatibility brought by polymer characteristics, many additive strategies can be employed in self-healing PSCs through artful molecular design. These strategies aim to limit ion migration, prevent moisture ingress, alleviate mechanical stress, and enhance charge carrier transport. By scrutinizing the conditions, efficiency, and types of self-healing behavior, the review encapsulates the principles of dynamic bonds in the polymers of self-healing PSCs. The meticulously designed polymers not only improve the lifespan of PSCs through the action of dynamic bonds but also enhance their environmental stability through functional groups. In addition, an outlook on self-healing PSCs is provided, offering strategic guidance for future research directions in this specialized area.
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Deciphering drug resistance in gastric cancer: Potential mechanisms and future perspectives.
Liu, J, Yuan, Q, Guo, H, Guan, H, Hong, Z, Shang, D
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. 2024;:116310
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Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelium of the gastric mucosa. The latest global cancer statistics show that GC ranks fifth in incidence and fourth in mortality among all cancers, posing a serious threat to public health. While early-stage GC is primarily treated through surgery, chemotherapy is the frontline option for advanced cases. Currently, commonly used chemotherapy regimens include FOLFOX (oxaliplatin + leucovorin + 5-fluorouracil) and XELOX (oxaliplatin + capecitabine). However, with the widespread use of chemotherapy, an increasing number of cases of drug resistance have emerged. This article primarily explores the potential mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in GC patients from five perspectives: cell death, tumor microenvironment, non-coding RNA, epigenetics, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, it proposes feasibility strategies to overcome drug resistance from four angles: cancer stem cells, tumor microenvironment, natural products, and combined therapy. The hope is that this article will provide guidance for researchers in the field and bring hope to more GC patients.
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5.
Integrating Experimental and Computational Analyses of Yeast Protein Profiles for Optimizing the Production of High-Quality Microbial Proteins.
Liu, L, Rong, W, Du, X, Yuan, Q, Xu, Z, Yu, C, Lu, H, Wang, Y, Zhu, Y, Liu, Z, et al
Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. 2024;(12):8741-8762
Abstract
Microbial proteins represent a promising solution to address the escalating global demand for protein, particularly in regions with limited arable land. Yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are robust and safe protein-producing strains. However, the utilization of non-conventional yeast strains for microbial protein production has been hindered, partly due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of protein production traits. In this study, we conducted experimental analyses focusing on the growth, protein content, and amino acid composition of nine yeast strains, including one S. cerevisiae strain, three Yarrowia lipolytica strains, and five Pichia spp. strains. We identified that, though Y. lipolytica and Pichia spp. strains consumed glucose at a slower rate compared to S. cerevisiae, Pichia spp. strains showed a higher cellular protein content, and Y. lipolytica strains showed a higher glucose-to-biomass/protein yield and methionine content. We further applied computational approaches to explain that metabolism economy was the main underlying factor for the limited amount of scarce/carbon-inefficient amino acids (such as methionine) within yeast cell proteins. We additionally verified that the specialized metabolism was a key reason for the high methionine content in Y. lipolytica strains, and proposed Y. lipolytica strain as a potential producer of high-quality single-cell protein rich in scarce amino acids. Through experimental evaluation, we identified Pichia jadinii CICC 1258 as a potential strain for high-quality protein production under unfavorable pH/temperature conditions. Our work suggests a promising avenue for optimizing microbial protein production, identifying the factors influencing amino acid composition, and paving the way for the use of unconventional yeast strains to meet the growing protein demands.
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GPSFun: geometry-aware protein sequence function predictions with language models.
Yuan, Q, Tian, C, Song, Y, Ou, P, Zhu, M, Zhao, H, Yang, Y
Nucleic acids research. 2024;(W1):W248-W255
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Abstract
Knowledge of protein function is essential for elucidating disease mechanisms and discovering new drug targets. However, there is a widening gap between the exponential growth of protein sequences and their limited function annotations. In our prior studies, we have developed a series of methods including GraphPPIS, GraphSite, LMetalSite and SPROF-GO for protein function annotations at residue or protein level. To further enhance their applicability and performance, we now present GPSFun, a versatile web server for Geometry-aware Protein Sequence Function annotations, which equips our previous tools with language models and geometric deep learning. Specifically, GPSFun employs large language models to efficiently predict 3D conformations of the input protein sequences and extract informative sequence embeddings. Subsequently, geometric graph neural networks are utilized to capture the sequence and structure patterns in the protein graphs, facilitating various downstream predictions including protein-ligand binding sites, gene ontologies, subcellular locations and protein solubility. Notably, GPSFun achieves superior performance to state-of-the-art methods across diverse tasks without requiring multiple sequence alignments or experimental protein structures. GPSFun is freely available to all users at https://bio-web1.nscc-gz.cn/app/GPSFun with user-friendly interfaces and rich visualizations.
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Imaging specific proteins in living cells with small unnatural amino acid attached Raman reporters.
Cai, E, Chen, Y, Zhang, J, Li, H, Li, Y, Yan, S, He, Z, Yuan, Q, Wang, P
The Analyst. 2024;(22):5476-5481
Abstract
Fluorescence labeling via fluorescent proteins (FPs) or immunofluorescence has been routinely applied for microscopic imaging of specific proteins. However, due to these over-weight and oversized labels (e.g. GFP, 238 aa, 27 kDa, ∼4 nm in size), the potential physiological malfunctions of the target proteins are largely underestimated in living cells. Herein, for living cells, we report a small and minimally-invasive Raman reporter (about 2 aa and <1 kDa), which can be site-specifically introduced into proteins by genetic codon expansion. After a single unnatural amino acid (UAA) is precisely incorporated into the target protein, the strained alkyne can rapidly undergo copper-free Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions with the tetrazine-functionalized Raman reporter, which features a fine vibrational spectrum in contrast to fluorescence. In our experimental results, the UAA-based Raman tag was successfully incorporated into vimentin, histone 3.3 and huntingtin (Htt74Q) proteins in living HeLa cells and further utilized for stimulated Raman imaging. The site-specific bioorthogonal fusion of small Raman tags with intracellular proteins will pave the way for minimally-invasive protein labeling and multi-color imaging in living cells.
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Lactylation in cancer: Mechanisms in tumour biology and therapeutic potentials.
He, Y, Song, T, Ning, J, Wang, Z, Yin, Z, Jiang, P, Yuan, Q, Yu, W, Cheng, F
Clinical and translational medicine. 2024;(11):e70070
Abstract
Lactylation, a recently identified form of protein post-translational modification (PTM), has emerged as a key player in cancer biology. The Warburg effect, a hallmark of tumour metabolism, underscores the significance of lactylation in cancer progression. By regulating gene transcription and protein function, lactylation facilitates metabolic reprogramming, enabling tumours to adapt to nutrient limitations and sustain rapid growth. Over the past decade, extensive research has revealed the intricate regulatory network underlying lactylation in tumours. Large-scale sequencing and machine learning have confirmed the widespread occurrence of lactylation sites across the tumour proteome. Targeting lactylation enzymes or metabolic pathways has demonstrated promising anti-tumour effects, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this modification. This review comprehensively explores the mechanisms of lactylation in cancer cells and the tumour microenvironment. We expound on the application of advanced omics technologies for target identification and data modelling within the lactylation field. Additionally, we summarise existing anti-lactylation drugs and discuss their clinical implications. By providing a comprehensive overview of recent advancements, this review aims to stimulate innovative research and accelerate the translation of lactylation-based therapies into clinical practice. KEY POINTS Lactylation significantly influences tumour metabolism and gene regulation, contributing to cancer progression. Advanced sequencing and machine learning reveal widespread lactylation sites in tumours. Targeting lactylation enzymes shows promise in enhancing anti-tumour drug efficacy and overcoming chemotherapy resistance. This review outlines the clinical implications and future research directions of lactylation in oncology.
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Experimental research on compressive strength deterioration of coal seam floor sandstone under the action of acidic mine drainage.
Han, W, Chen, Z, Liu, H, Zheng, X, Wu, J, Yuan, Q
Scientific reports. 2024;(1):4593
Abstract
In sulphur-coal symbiotic coal seams, after the mining of sulphide iron ore, when the coal resources are mined, the mine water accumulated in the roadway mining area will have a certain impact on the stability of the surrounding rock of the coal seam roadway. Taking the floor sandstone of sulfur coal symbiotic coal seam as the research object, the roof fissure water with pH values of 7.48, 4.81 and 2.62 was used as the experimental solution. 10 experimental schemes were designed to measure the compressive strength of the samples under the action of AMD, and the hydrochemical analysis of AMD was conducted. The pore structures of the samples before and after the action of AMD were analyzed. Based on the hydrochemistry and pore structure, the deterioration mechanism of compressive strength of the coal seam floor sandstone under the action of AMD was explained. The results indicated that the compressive strength of the samples decreased with the increasing action time of AMD. The compressive strength decreased with the increment of the porosity. The concentration of H+ ion in AMD was relatively small. Na2O in albite dissolved and reacted with water, leading to an increase in the concentration of Na+ ion. Soluble substances such as MgCl2 and CaSO4 in the pore structure dissolved, leading to an increase in the concentration of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. The dissolution of soluble substances and the physical-chemical reactions between solutions and minerals were the essential causes of the continuous deterioration of the compressive strength of the coal seam floor sandstone. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for the deterioration of the mechanical properties of the peripheral rock in the roadway of the sulphur coal seam, and can also provide a certain engineering reference for the sulphur coal seam roadway.
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Corrigendum to "Anthocyanin supplementation improves obesity-related inflammatory characteristics: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials" [Nutrition Research 2023;116:1-11].
Song, W, Yuan, Q, Wang, Y, Mai, M, Luo, M, Guo, H
Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). 2024;:1-3
