Publications

2025

Jin, Ying-Ying, Peng Zhang, and De-Pei Liu. (2025) 2025. “Optimizing Homology-Directed Repair for Gene Editing: The Potential of Single-Stranded DNA Donors.”. Trends in Genetics : TIG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.04.014.

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) system-based precise genome editing remarkably impacts both scientific investigation and therapeutic practices. Among various techniques, DNA donor-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) represents a promising method for precise gene editing. Although efficiency constraints have previously limited HDR, recent advancements have significantly enhanced its effectiveness. Therefore, it is essential to highlight the progress made in this field and to reassess the potential of the HDR approach. In this review, we explore the fundamental principles of HDR-dependent gene editing and evaluate current strategies to enhance HDR efficiency, with particular emphasis on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) donor-mediated HDR. Finally, we discuss the prospects of high-efficiency ssDNA donor-mediated precise gene editing in laboratory research and clinical therapies.

Xu, Y-Q, Y Xu, and S-H Wang. (2025) 2025. “Retraction Note: Effect of Exosome-Carried MiR-30a on Myocardial Apoptosis in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Rats through Regulating Autophagy.”. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 29 (5): 224. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202505_37233.

The article "Effect of exosome-carried miR-30a on myocardial apoptosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury rats through regulating autophagy" by Y.-Q. Xu, Y. Xu, S.-H. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (16): 7066-7072-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18748-PMID: 31486507 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised by a third party regarding possible overlaps and duplication in the Figures, the journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the concerns, as well as a possible Figure manipulation. The journal's investigation revealed a duplication between panels Model and miR-30a inhibitor of Figure 1. Therefore, the manuscript is retracted due to figure duplication. The journal has contacted the authors to inform them of the ongoing investigation and to request the original data supporting the manuscript; however, the authors have not responded to these communications. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18748.

Hu, X-H, J Dai, H-L Shang, Z-X Zhao, and Y-D Hao. (2025) 2025. “Retraction Note: High Levels of Long Non-Coding RNA DICER1-AS1 Are Associated With Poor Clinical Prognosis in Patients With Osteosarcoma.”. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 29 (5): 223. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202505_37231.

The article "High levels of long non-coding RNA DICER1-AS1 are associated with poor clinical prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma" by X.-H. Hu, J. Dai, H.-L. Shang, Z.-X. Zhao, Y.-D. Hao, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (22): 7640-7645-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201811_16379-PMID: 30536305 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/2F91E52E0FA92A70237B1ECA287AF6), the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the concerns raised. The journal's investigation identified that authors used primers specific to mouse genes for clinical samples, revealing ethical misconduct and data fabrication. The Editorial Team has contacted the authors to inform them of the ongoing investigation and to request the original data supporting the manuscript; however, the authors have not responded to these communications. Consequently, the Editor in Chief has decided to retract the article. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/16379.

Xu, Q-F, Y-X Tang, and X Wang. (2025) 2025. “Retraction Note: LncRNA EBIC Promoted Proliferation, Metastasis and Cisplatin Resistance of Ovarian Cancer Cells and Predicted Poor Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients.”. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 29 (5): 222. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202505_37229.

The article "LncRNA EBIC promoted proliferation, metastasis and cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells and predicted poor survival in ovarian cancer patients" by Q.-F. Xu, Y.-X. Tang, X. Wang published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (14): 4440-4447-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201807_15495-PMID: 30058681 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer (link: https://pubpeer.com/publications/4756B8806339A2FA95E3A77A3FB451), the journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal's investigation identified a discrepancy between the data described in the text and the content presented in Figure 1, raising concerns about the originality and accuracy of the data. Additionally, detailed information regarding Ethics Approval was missing. The authors have been notified about the ongoing investigation and were asked to provide the original data, however, they have not responded to these communications. As a result, due to unresolved concerns regarding data integrity, lack of ethical approval documentation, and the authors' failure to respond to repeated requests for clarification, the article has been retracted. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/15495.

Bai, X-S, G Bai, L-D Tang, Y Li, Y Huan, and H Wang. (2025) 2025. “Retraction Note: MiR-195 Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis in Rats via MAPK Signaling Pathway.”. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 29 (5): 221. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202505_37227.

The article "MiR-195 alleviates ulcerative colitis in rats via MAPK signaling pathway" by X.-S. Bai, G. Bai, L.-D. Tang, Y. Li, Y. Huan, H. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (5): 2640-2646-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202003_20533-PMID: 32196614 has been retracted in accordance with the Publisher and the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised by a third party regarding possible overlaps and duplication in Figure 2, the Editor in Chief has started an investigation to assess the validity of the concerns, as well as a possible Figure manipulation. The journal's investigation revealed overlaps between panels "Model" and "miR-195 agomir" and between "Control" and "Model" of Figure 2. The authors have been notified about the ongoing investigation and were asked to provide the original data, however, they have not responded to these communications. Therefore, the manuscript is retracted for figure duplication and manipulation. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20533.

Pina, Paulo Sergio Souza, Alvaro Tolentino Mendes, Luciana Correa, Fabio Luiz Coracin, and Suzana Cantanhede Orsini Machado de Sousa. (2025) 2025. “Response to the Critique of Our Article ‘The Role of Exfoliative Cytology in Diagnosis of Oral Lesions’  Pina PSS, Mendes AT, Correa L, Coracin FL, de Sousa SCOM. Clin Oral Investig. 2024 Dec 6;29(1):2. Doi: 10.1007/S00784-024-06080-9. PMID: 39641812).”. Clinical Oral Investigations 29 (6): 330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-025-06416-z.

OBJECTIVES: To address critiques of the original study entitled "The role of exfoliative cytology in diagnosis of oral lesions," emphasizing the method's diagnostic value and limitations.

METHODS: Lesions were categorized based on provisional diagnoses provided by clinicians to the Pathology Service. Table II presents the frequency of lesion categories, including fungal lesions such as prosthetic stomatitis, which is known to have a fungal etiology.

RESULTS: A notable disagreement was observed between the clinicians' provisional diagnoses and the final diagnoses obtained through exfoliative cytology.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral candidiasis was the most frequently identified lesion. No cytological features suggestive of squamous cell carcinoma were observed. Although exfoliative cytology can reveal morphological changes associated with malignancy risk, it should be considered a presumptive diagnostic tool, especially in at-risk patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite its diagnostic potential, exfoliative cytology has a limited role in the routine diagnosis of oral lesions. The findings underscore the critical importance of biopsy for definitive diagnosis and highlight the need for improved diagnostic acumen among clinicians.

Nguyen, Chelsea T, Joshua S Richman, Joe W Chiles, Jasvinder A Singh, and Merry-Lynn N McDonald. (2025) 2025. “Manual Validation of an Algorithm for Identifying Osteoarthritis Within the Centralized Interactive Phenomics Resource of the Million Veteran Program.”. MedRxiv : The Preprint Server for Health Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.12.25327449.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate an osteoarthritis (OA) phenotyping algorithm within the Million Veteran Program (MVP) using the United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Centralized Interactive Phenomics Resource (CIPHER).

METHODS: A random sample of 213 veterans was analyzed sing ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM codes from a previously published algorithm (PMID:29559693). OA cases required two OA codes at least 30 days apart, while controls were excluded based on codes for conditions more common in OA patients, such as chondrocalcinosis and crystal arthropathies. Manual chart reviews identified documented OA mentions and joint replacements. Cohen's kappa statistic assessed agreement. Discrepancies between chart data and coding were re-evaluated through re-abstraction.

RESULTS: Among 213 veterans, 174 (82%) had chart-documented OA. Agreement between chart review and code-based general OA identification was moderate (kappa = 0.47). Joint-specific agreement was substantial for knee (kappa = 0.63) and hip OA (kappa = 0.59), but lower for spine (kappa = 0.16) and hand (kappa = 0.34). Agreement was high for hip (kappa = 0.86) and knee replacements (kappa = 0.69). The McNemar test showed significant asymmetry for general OA, hand OA, and thumb OA, indicating discrepancies between chart and coded data. No significant asymmetry was found for knee and hip OA, supporting better alignment.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the validity of the OA phenotyping algorithm using the VA database for identifying OA. The variability in identifying milder cases highlights the need for refined phenotyping algorithms and standardized diagnostic protocols to improve OA detection and personalized care for veterans.

Xue, Qiang, Ruicong Ma, YueYuan Chen, Xiaodi Yan, Jiajia Liu, Jianhua Xue, Yang Yang, and Xianchen Liu. (2025) 2025. “MiR-371b-5p Reduces Osteosarcoma Cell Migration and Proliferation to Induce Apoptosis by Targeting FUT4.”. Journal of Cancer 16 (7): 2388-2400. https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.103286.

In our previous study (PMID: 34671604), we found that miR-317b-5b not only exerted anti-tumor effect, but also downregulated FUT4 expression in human myeloma cell line 143B. This study aims to investigate the biological function of miR-371b-5p in osteosarcoma progression and the role of FUT4 in this process. For in vitro investigations, the human osteosarcoma cell lines (SaOS2, 143B, KHOS and U2OS) as well as the human osteoblast cell line (hFOB1.19) were employed as models. The QRT-PCR assay was utilized to determine the relative amounts of miR-371b-5p and FUT4 expression in the cells. The functions and effects of miR-371b-5p on the abilities to proliferate, migrate, apoptosis and invade of KHOS and U2OS in osteosarcoma cells were investigated using assays including CCK-8, colony formation, EDU, wound-healing, Western blot, TUNEL and Transwell assay. The correlations between miR-371b-5p, its downstream gene FUT4 and its potential mechanisms in mediating osteosarcoma progression were explored with the assistance of dual-luciferase reporter analysis together with rescue experiments. MiR-371b-5p was less expressed in osteosarcoma cells compared with osteoblasts. Its overexpression significantly inhibited the abilities to proliferate, invade and migrate to promote apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. The correlations between FUT4 and miR-371b-5p was established by the gene analysis of the dual-luciferase reporter analysis. FUT4 expression was dramatically decreased after the process of miR-371b-5p mimics being transfected into KHOS and U2OS cells. Additionally, overexpression of FUT4 induced osteosarcoma cell apoptosis and partially overcame miR-371b-5p's inhibitory effects on osteosarcoma cell's abilities to proliferate, invade and migrate. Osteosarcoma cells exhibit down-regulation of miR-371b-5p, that prevents osteosarcoma cells from proliferating, invading and migrating in order to promote osteosarcoma cell apoptosis through concentrating on the breakdown of FUT4.