Biomedical subjects

Qing Wu

Publications and source records attributed to Qing Wu.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Development of a recombinant goose parvovirus VP2 neutralizing epitope-containing region vaccine adjuvanted with IL-2 and FliC for enhanced immune responses and protection against challenge.

Gosling plague (GP), caused by goose parvovirus (GPV), is a highly contagious and fatal viral disease. Vaccination is essential for disease prevention; however, conventional attenuated and inactivated vaccines have several limitations. Genetically engineered vaccines based on defined antigenic regions represent a promising alternative strategy. This study aimed to identify neutralizing epitope-containing regions within the GPV VP2 protein and develop effective recombinant vaccines. The GPV VP2 protein was divided into 11 overlapping fragments, and the anchored periplasmic expression (APEx) bacterial display system combined with flow cytometry (FCM) was used for antigenic region screening. GPV VP2-specific single-domain antibodies (VHHs) were further applied to identify neutralizing epitope-containing regions. Six neutralizing epitope-containing regions were identified and linked together to construct the VP2M recombinant antigen. The VP, VP2M, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and flagellin (FliC) genes were inserted into prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression vectors to generate protein and DNA vaccines. Three-day-old goslings were randomly assigned into 15 experimental groups for immunization. Immune responses were evaluated by measuring anti-GPV antibody levels, IgG, IgM, and IgA production, IFN-γ levels, immune-related gene expression, splenocyte proliferation, neutralizing activity, and protective efficacy against GPV challenge. The results showed that vaccines containing neutralizing epitope-containing regions induced stronger immune responses than control vaccines. Vaccinated groups exhibited increased anti-GPV antibody levels, IgG, IgM, IgA production, IFN-γ levels, immune-related gene expression, and splenocyte proliferation. Following GPV challenge, VP2M-based vaccines significantly reduced viral genome copies in the bursa of Fabricius, spleen, thymus, and intestinal tissues, accompanied by decreased histopathological lesions based on semi-quantitative scoring. Furthermore, the protective efficacy exceeded 50% in vaccines without adjuvants and reached 90% in groups containing combined IL-2 and FliC adjuvants. In conclusion, this study identifies novel neutralizing epitope-containing regions within GPV VP2 and provides a potential strategy for developing safe and effective recombinant vaccines against GP infection.

GP↗

PubMed2026

Identification of molecular subtypes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma based on chromatin regulators and tumor immune microenvironment profiling.

In the histological classification of renal cell carcinoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for the highest proportion and is the most common subtype. Despite advances in management, it continues to be associated with considerable incidence and mortality. Although surgery and systemic therapies are available, their efficacy is constrained by pronounced intratumoral heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Identifying robust biomarkers and clarifying the underlying biological mechanisms are therefore essential to improving diagnosis, risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. In this work, we identified two ccRCC molecular subtypes displaying divergent chromatin regulator (CR) profiles and different clinical prognoses. Using the genes differentially expressed between these subgroups, we constructed a CR-related score (CRS) that effectively stratified patients according to survival. More analysis concluded that the low expression of CR was more linked with the immune-activated tumors, which encompassed the immune pathway enrichment, as well as the elevation of numerous immune cell subtypes. Moreover, elevated CRS was associated with improved immunotherapy responsiveness. Drug-sensitivity analyses nominated several candidate agents, and SMARCD3 knockdown in 786-O cells inhibited proliferation and migration and reduced sensitivity to masitinib. Collectively, these findings support the prognostic and therapeutic relevance of CR-related states in ccRCC and provide a framework for future experimental validation of chromatin-regulated tumor-immune interactions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Prognostic Association of Handgrip-Defined Probable or Possible Sarcopenia Status and Polygenic Risk with 10-Year Fracture Incidence among Black, Hispanic, and White Women: A Women's Health Initiative Study.

PURPOSE: The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) excludes objective skeletal muscle health and genetic variables. We evaluated the prognostic associations of handgrip-defined probable/possible sarcopenia and genome-wide polygenic scores (GPS) with 10-year fracture risk, and their incremental predictive value beyond FRAX across racial/ethnic groups and GPS strata. METHODS: We analyzed 2,051 postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative. Race-specific analyses focused on Black, Hispanic, and White participants (n=2,009), excluding American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals due to sparse fracture events. Sarcopenia status was operationalized by low handgrip strength alone via EWGSOP2 (<16.0 kg) and AWGS 2025 (<18.0-20.0 kg) criteria. Fine-Gray models estimated subdistribution hazard ratios (sHR), treating death as a competing risk. Predictive performance at 10 years was assessed using time-dependent AUC, Brier scores, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Handgrip-defined probable or possible sarcopenia prevalence was 4.4% (EWGSOP2) and 6.4% (AWGS 2025). Black women demonstrated lower risk for major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) (adjusted sHR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.08-0.48) and hip fractures (adjusted sHR=0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.52) compared to White women. Neither sarcopenia status nor high GPS showed statistically significant independent associations with fractures after FRAX adjustment. Adding sarcopenia status to baseline FRAX (AUC: 0.71 for MOF; 0.69 for hip) yielded near-identical AUCs, Brier scores, and within-sample net benefit. CONCLUSION: Handgrip-defined probable/possible sarcopenia and current GPS do not provide independent or incremental predictive value beyond the clinical FRAX framework within this genomic sub-sample of older women.

FRAX↗

PubMed2026

Relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and incidence risk of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is widely prescribed for alleviating menopausal symptoms. Prior studies have mainly focused on individual hormone therapy formulations. This meta-analysis comprehensively synthesized evidence across various regimens to systematically evaluate the association between MHT and breast cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science from inception through August 2024. Eligible studies examining breast cancer risk following MHT were independently screened and assessed by two reviewers. The review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included. The random-effects model showed a significant but heterogeneous overall association (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22; I² = 92.4%). Subgroup analysis identified hormone type, use status, and region as key determinants (P for interaction < 0.001). Stratification by hormone type resolved much of the heterogeneity, revealing risk confined to estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT; OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.26-1.64), while estrogen-only therapy (ET) showed no overall association (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10). Study type, region, and sample size were significant effect modifiers. For ET, randomized controlled trials demonstrated a protective effect (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70-0.87), contrasting with neutral findings from observational studies. CONCLUSIONS: MHT is associated with a modest but significant increase in breast cancer risk, primarily driven by EPT. This risk was not observed with ET in observational studies, though trials suggested a protective effect. Crucially, the association shows marked geographical heterogeneity, indicating risk is modified by regimen and regional factors.

Humans↗