Biomedical subjects

Quan Sun

Publications and source records attributed to Quan Sun.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Gravity-driven millifluidic platform for magnetic solid-phase extraction of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei DNA from complex shrimp hepatopancreas.

Effective detection of Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) in aquaculture is currently hindered by the lack of field-deployable extraction methods capable of processing complex, inhibitor-rich hepatopancreatic tissue. This study presents a gravity-driven millifluidic platform for the rapid extraction of EHP genomic DNA using an optimized, surfactant-compatible magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) chemistry. Utilizing 5% PEG 8000 and 2.0 M NaCl, the platform facilitates the selectively capture of DNA from inhibitor-rich crustacean lysates. The 3D-printed device employs a tilting rocking plate to generate passive, gravity-driven flow, maintaining homogeneous magnetic bead suspension and maximizing solid-phase capture efficiency without external pumps. The integrated platform achieved a DNA yield of 2804.33 ± 15.31 ng/μL, a 5.9-fold increase over manual magnetic bead extraction. TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation targeting the EHP SSU rRNA gene was developed. Using a standard curve spanning 101 to 107 plasmid copies (Ct = -3.611 log10 [copy] + 42.309, R2 = 0.998, amplification efficiency 89.2%), the on-chip MSPE achieved a validated analytical limit of detection (LOD) of 1 spore per reaction (100% detection rate, n = 21), whereas a commercial CTAB-based DNA extraction kit failed to achieve a validated LOD even at 10 spores (85.7%, 18/21). Nested PCR targeting the SWP gene was employed for field evaluation. A pilot study across two cohorts (N = 40) demonstrated consistent detection of confirmed EPH-positive cases; however, the small sample size precludes definitive diagnostic accuracy claims. With a total processing time under 30 min, this platform provides a high-efficiency extraction module. Future work will couple the device with isothermal amplification (e.g., LAMP or RPA) to realize a sample-to-answer system for resource-limited aquaculture.

Aquaculture diagnostics↗

PubMed2026

PEARL: integrative multi-omics classification and omics feature discovery via deep graph learning.

MOTIVATION: Integrating multi-omics data provides valuable insights into biological processes by capturing information across multiple molecular layers, enabling a comprehensive understanding of complex diseases and driving advancements in precision medicine. However, existing computational methods for multi-omics integration face significant challenges, such as low reliability and poor generalizability, due to the high dimensionality and low sample size nature of omics data. RESULTS: To address these challenges, we present PEARL (Pearson-Enhanced spectrAl gRaph convoLutional networks), a novel deep graph learning method for biomedical classification and functional important omics features identification. PEARL leverages a simple yet effective learning architecture to achieve superior and robust performance in high-dimensional, low-sample-size multi-omics settings. Our results demonstrate that PEARL significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods on both synthetic and real biomedical datasets. Furthermore, applied to Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain multi-omics data, features prioritized by PEARL lead to functionally important genes that demonstrate significant enrichment in AD-related pathways. These findings highlight PEARL's practical utility in biomedical research and its potential to enhance biological interpretability in multi-omics studies. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The source code of our computational framework is available at https://github.com/zqq121017/PEARL.

Multiomics↗

PubMed2025

Genome-wide gene-sleep interaction study identifies novel lipid loci in 732,564 participants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Deviations from the population mean in sleep duration have been associated with increased risk for developing dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism of effect is poorly characterized. We performed large-scale genome-wide gene-sleep interaction analyses of lipid levels to identify genetic variants underpinning the biomolecular pathways of sleep-associated lipid disturbances and to suggest possible druggable targets. METHODS: We collected data from 55 cohorts with a combined sample size of 732,564 participants (87 % European ancestry) with data on lipid traits (high-density lipoprotein [HDL-c] and low-density lipoprotein [LDL-c] cholesterol and triglycerides [TG]). Short (STST) and long (LTST) total sleep time were defined by the extreme 20 % of the age- and sex-standardized values within each cohort. Based on cohort-level summary statistics data, we performed meta-analyses for one-degree of freedom tests of interaction and two-degree of freedom joint tests of the SNP-main and -interaction effect on lipid levels. RESULTS: The one-degree of freedom variant-sleep interaction test identified 10 novel loci (Pint<5.0e-9), and we additionally identify 7 loci within the two-degree of freedom analyses (Pjoint<5.0e-9 in combination with Pint<6.6e-6). Multiple loci, including those mapped to APSH (target for aspartic and succinic acid) and SLC8A1 showed biological plausibility and druggability potential based on literature. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, the 17 (9 with short and 8 with long sleep) loci provided evidence into the biomolecular mechanisms underlying sleep-associated lipid changes, including potential involvement of the vitamin D receptor pathway. Collectively, these findings may contribute developing novel interventions for treating dyslipidemia in people with sleep disturbances.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Genomic loci and molecular genetic mechanisms for hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a common, chronic and debilitating inflammatory disease that most commonly affects intertriginous skin. Despite its high heritability, the genetic underpinnings of HS remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To identify genetic signals associated with HS, determine genetic relationships with other diseases and investigate potential molecular genetic mechanisms. METHODS: We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis of six studies, totalling 4540 patients with HS and > 1 million control participants, and identified genetic correlations with other common diseases. We integrated the HS data with expression quantitative trait loci from 10 trait-relevant tissues, epigenomic and transcriptomic data from human scalp, differential expression data from HS lesions vs. adjacent skin and mesenchymal Hi-C chromatin looping data. To identify functional noncoding variants, we performed transcriptional reporter assays for signals near KLF5 and SOX9. RESULTS: We identified 11 significant HS signals across 7 loci: 4 corresponded to previously reported associations, 4 represented novel signals within known loci and 3 were signals in newly implicated loci. We identified significant genetic correlations between HS and other inflammatory conditions, particularly inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes mellitus and asthma. We prioritized candidate genes for the 11 signals. The risk allele at KLF5 exhibited 10-fold greater transcriptional activity than the nonrisk allele, while risk alleles at SOX9 showed significantly reduced transcriptional activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide insights into potential genetic mechanisms underlying HS and suggest potential therapeutic targets for this challenging condition.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Expression of angiopoietins, Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in angiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the significance of angiopoietins, Tie2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the angiogenesis and progress of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fresh surgically resected specimens of HCC and noncancerous liver (NCL) tissue from 38 patients with HCC were obtained, and expression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), Tie2, and VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression pattern of each gene in HCC and NCL tissue specimens was compared and the potential role and interaction in angiogenesis of HCC were analyzed. Genes' expression level and its relationship with tumor's clinicopathological parameters were also investigated. Immunohistochemical staining of CD34 was performed to determine the microvessel density (MVD) and Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio was calculated. Relationships between Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, VEGF and MVD and clinicopathological features were also tested so as to evaluate their significance in the progression of HCC. RESULTS: Ang-2 and VEGF mRNAs in HCC were significantly higher than those in NCL tissue (P < 0.05), whereas the Ang-1 and Tie2 mRNAs showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05), though slightly lower level of Ang-1 mRNA in HCC was observed. Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio and VEGF were both positively correlated to MVD. The Ang-2/ Ang-1 ratio, Ang-2 and VEGF were all associated with tumor's clinicopathological parameters (P < 0.05) except for histological grades (P > 0.05). Ang-1 and Tie2 levels in different clinicopathological groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dominant Ang-2 expression against Ang-1 through Tie2 receptor in the presence of VEGF plays a critical role in initiating early neovascularization and transformation of noncancerous liver to hepatocellular carcinoma. Its consequently constant operation in formed HCC induces further angiogenesis and progression of HCC.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Anti-tumor effect of thalidomide and paclitaxel on hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice].

BACKGROUND: Thalidomide is reviving for its antiangiogenic effect on corneal neovascularization models. Recently, it has been employed in tumor research in several types of solid carcinomas. However, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been clarified. METHODS: A total of 48 nude mice bearing human HCC with a high metastatic potential were randomly divided into 4 groups. Thalidomide (200 mg/kg), paclitaxel (13 mg/kg), or their combination, which was dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) suspension, was intraperitoneally injected in each group since the second day of the establishment of animal model. The group simply administered with 0.5% CMC was set as placebo-control. The mice were sacrificed on the 30th day, for the measurement of tumor size, weight and metastasis in the lungs. The levels of CD34 and endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in tumor tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative RT-PCR, respectively, and microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found in tumor weight and volume between the thalidomide group and control (P>0.05). Paclitaxel showed a growth-inhibiting effect on tumors (P<0.05). The value of MVD and VEGF mRNA and metastases to the lungs in each group were lower than those in the placebo-control group (P<0.05); such difference in the combination group was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel, but not thalidomide, has significant growth inhibitory effect on tumors, but both significantly inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis of human HCC in nude mice, such effects of paclitaxel can be amplified by thalidomide.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Measurement of the collision time of dense electronic plasma induced by a femtosecond laser in fused silica.

Electronic plasma induced by a focused femtosecond pulse (130 fs, 800 nm) in fused silica was investigated by use of pump-probe technology. Pump and probe shadow imaging and interferometric fringe imaging were combined to determine electronic collision time tau in the conduction band, and tau was measured to be 1.7 fs at an electron density near 5 x 10(19) cm(-3). The lifetime of the electronic plasma is also measured to be approximately 170 fs by use of the time-resolved shadow imaging technique.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Effects of thalidomide on angiogenesis and tumor growth and metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice.

AIM: To investigate the effects of thalidomide on angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice. METHODS: Twenty-four nude mice were randomly divided into therapy group and control group, 12 mice in each group. Thalidomide dissolved in 0.5% sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) suspension was administered intraperitoneally once a day at the dose of 200 mg/kg in therapy group, and an equivalent volume of 0.5% CMC in control group. Mice were sacrificed on the 30th d, tumor size and weight and metastases in liver and lungs were measured. CD34 and VEGF mRNA in tumor tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR respectively and microvessel density (MVD) was counted. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and ALT and AFP were also tested. RESULTS: MVD and VEGF mRNA in therapy group were less than those in control group (31.08+/-16.23 vessels/HP vs 80.00+/-26.27 vessels/HP, 0.0538+/-0.0165 vs 0.7373+/-0.1297, respectively, P<0.05). No statistical difference was observed in tumor size and weight and metastases in liver and lungs. TNF-alpha was significantly lower in therapy group than in control group (28.64+/-4.64 ng/L vs 42.69+/-6.99 ng/L, P<0.05). No statistical difference in ALT and AFP was observed between groups. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide can significantly inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. It also has inhibitory effects on circulating TNF-alpha.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2004

Role of mitochondria in cell apoptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning.

AIM: To investigate the role of mitochondria in cell apoptosis during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and protective effect of ischemic postconditioning (IPC). METHODS: A rat model of acute hepatic ischemia-reperfusion was established, 24 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (IR) and IPC group. IPC was achieved by several brief pre-reperfusions followed by a persistent reperfusion. Concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of several antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissue were measured respectively. Apoptotic cells were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and expression of Bcl-2 protein was measured by immunohistochemical techniques. Moreover, mitochondrial ultrastructure and parameters of morphology of the above groups were observed by electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with IR group, the concentration of MDA and the hepatocellular apoptotic index in IPC group was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the activity of antioxidant enzymes and OD value of Bcl-2 protein were markedly enhanced (P<0.05). Moreover, the injury of mitochondrial ultrastructure in IPC group was also obviously relieved. CONCLUSION: IPC can depress the synthesis of oxygen free radicals to protect the mitochondrial ultrastructure and increase the expression of Bcl-2 protein that lies across the mitochondrial membrane. Consequently, IPC can reduce hepatocellular apoptosis after reperfusion and has a protective effect on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Tissue-specific effect of estradiol on endothelial cell-dependent lymphocyte recruitment.

Estrogen profoundly affects onset and severity of many immune-mediated diseases. In our murine model of drug-induced autoimmunity, female-specific, estrogen-dependent increase in splenic lymphocyte homing was directly implicated in increased disease severity. The present study evaluated the effect of estradiol on microvascular endothelial cells from the spleen compared to endothelial cells from the dermis, which has no disease manifestation in this model. Estradiol increased spleen endothelial cell estrogen receptor (ER) alpha 2.9-fold and decreased estrogen receptor beta 2.1-fold while decreasing both receptors on dermal cells. Estradiol enhanced adhesion of D10 cells to spleen but not dermal endothelial cells 1.53-fold (P < 0.001), an increase that was inhibited by antibodies to VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, and by the estrogen receptor antagonists tamoxifen and ICI 182,780. Estradiol induced greater VCAM-1 expression on spleen than dermal endothelial cells (P < 0.05). Estradiol increased spleen endothelial cell estrogen receptor alpha 2.9-fold and decreased estrogen receptor beta 2.1-fold while decreasing both receptors on the dermal cells. Estrogen specifically and preferentially promoted spleen chemokine protein expression for MCP-1 and MCP-3, while having no effect on dermal protein expression for these chemokines. Estradiol-mediated effects on splenic chemokines were abrogated by tamoxifen and ICI 182,780. The gender-specific increase in lymphocyte homing to spleen may be attributable, at least in part, to tissue-specific estrogen-mediated effects on microvascular endothelial cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Study on extraction and isolation of active constituents from Sorbaria sorbifolia and antitumor effect of the constituents in vivo].

OBJECTIVE: To study the constituents from Sorbaria sorbifolia and their antitumor activities. METHODS: The constituents were isolated with silia gel column chromatography and identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Thirty six mice were inoculated with sarcocarcinoma 180 according to the standard method, Sorbaria sorbifolia ethyl acetate etract was administrated for 10 days, tumor and body weight, the activities of NK cell and the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-2 in serum were detected. RESULTS: Three compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract and identified as 5,2',4'-trihydroxy-6,7,5'-trimethoxyflavone(I), succinic acid(II) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid(III). The tumor of the test groups were lighter than that of control group(P < 0.05). There was no remarkable difference between the control and test groups in body weight (P > 0.05). The activity of NK cell and the contents of TNF-alpha, IL-2 in serum were higher than that of control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compounds I and II were isolated from Sorbaria sorbifolia ethyl acetate extract for the first time. The ethyl acetate extract could improve immune function and strengthen antitumor effect in sarcocarcinoma 180.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Effect of Sorbaria Sorbifolia extract on anti-oxidative activities in rats with precancerosis induced by diethylnitrosamine].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Sorbaria Sorbifolia extract on anti-oxidative activities in rats with precancerosis induced by diethylnitrosamine. METHODS: Sorbaria sorbifolia was perfused into stomach of rats with DEN-induced precancerosis, then the biochemical indexes were investigated. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) were investigated by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Sorbaria sorbifolia extract increased SOD, GSH-PX and decreased MDA, GSH levels in serum and liver homogenate. CONCLUSION: Sorbaria Sorbifolia extract significantly increased anti-oxidative activities in rats with precancerosis induced by diethylnitrosamine.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Prevention and therapy of fungal infection in severe acute pancreatitis: A prospective clinical study.

AIM: To investigate the prevention and therapy of fungal infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Seventy patients with SAP admitted from Jan. 1998 to Dec. 2002 were randomly divided into garlicin prevention group, fluconazole (low dosage) prevention group and control group. The incidence of fungal infection, the fungal clearance and mortality after treatment were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of fungal infection in garlicin group and fluconazole group was lower than that in control group (16% vs 30%, P<0.05 and 9% vs 30%, P<0.01, respectively). Amphotericin B or therapy-dose fluconazole had effects on patients with fungal infection in garlicin group and control group, but had no effects on patients with fungal infection in fluconzole group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic dosage of antifungal agents (garlicin or low dosage fluconazole) can reduce the incidence of fungal infection in patients with SAP. But once fungal infection occurs, amphotericin B should be used as early as possible if fluconazole is not effective.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2002

Early prediction of severe acute pancreatitis by urinary trypsinogen activation peptide.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of urinary trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) in the early prediction of severe acute pancreatitis and to compare it with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II). METHODS: We assessed the predictive value of urinary TAP concentrations measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Urine samples were collected for detecting TAP concentrations at admission, and 24, 48, and 72 h from 41 patients with acute pancreatitis (12 with severe disease, 29 with mild disease) who presented within 48 h the onset of symptoms and from 11 control patients, while APACHE II scores were recorded at 48 h after admission. RESULTS: The peak median urinary TAP concentration was seen at admission. The median urinary TAP concentration at admission for severe pancreatitis (95 nmol/L) was significantly higher than the median for patients with mild pancreatitis (20 nmol/L, P<0.005) and controls (15 nmol/L, P<0.005). TAP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with severe acute pancreatitis than the median in patients with mild pancreatitis (P<0.05) and controls (P<0.05) on days 2 to 3. The median APACHE II scores of severe patients were significantly different from those of mild patients (10.5 vs 6.0, P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values of an admission urinary TAP>/=35 nmol/L for severe pancreatitis were 91.7%, 89.7%, 78.6% and 96.3%, whereas 48 h after admission the values for APACHE II scores (>/=9) were 75.0%, 72.7%, 52.9% and 87.5%. In prediction of disease severity, the urine TAP concentration was much better than APACHE II at 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary TAP obtained at the first 48 h of the onset of symptoms can predict severe acute pancreatitis. In prediction of disease severity, the urinary TAP is much better than APACHE II score.

APACHE↗