Ji Liu

Dr. Ji Liu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 June 2024 in Heliyon
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JLJi Liu
Ji Liu
ZZZhang Zhijin
Zhang Zhijin
WZWentao Zhang
Wentao Zhang
MNMaskey Niraj
Maskey Niraj
FYFuhan Yang
Fuhan Yang
XYXudong Yao
Xudong Yao
The exosome is a critical component of the intercellular communication., playing a vital role in regulating cell function. These small vesicles contain proteins, mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs, surrounded by lipid bilayer substances. Most cells in the human body can produce exosomes, released into various body fluids such as urine, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. Bladder cancer is the most common tumor in the urinary system, with high recurrence and metastasis rates. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study employed the PubMed search engine to retrieve publicly accessible data pertaining to urinary exosomes. We summarize the origins and intricate biological characteristics of urinary exosomes, the introduction of research methodologies used in basic experiments to isolate and analyze these exosomes, the discussion of their applications and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer, and the exploration of the current limitations associated with using urinary exosomes as molecular biomarkers for diagnosing bladder cancer. Exosomes isolated from urine may be used as molecular biomarkers for early detection of bladder cancer.

11 July 2022 in BMC Anesthesiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZHZhen Hu
Zhen Hu
YZYingjie Zhou
Yingjie Zhou
GZGuohao Zhao
Guohao Zhao
XZXinxin Zhang
Xinxin Zhang
CLChunchun Liu
Chunchun Liu
FWFen Wang
Fen Wang
Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on perioperative multimodal analgesia and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Methods: A total of 80 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were randomly divided into two groups: general anaesthesia with QLB (QLB group; n = 40) and general anaesthesia with sham QLB (normal saline [NS] group; n = 40). QLB or sham QLB was performed before the induction of anaesthesia. Sufentanil was intravenously administered for postoperative analgesia. The primary outcome was the pain score (measured using a numerical rating scale [NRS]) at different time points within 48 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the cumulative dose of sufentanil within 48 h postoperatively, subjective comfort, grip strength, first time of exhaustion, first fluid intake time, time to get out of bed, length of postoperative hospital stay and overall satisfaction. The SPSS software, version 17.0, was used for all statistical analyses. Results: Postoperative NRS at rest was significantly lower at 2 h (1.7 ± 1.1 versus 3.0 ± 2.1), 4 h (1.8 ± 1.2 versus 4.1 ± 2.3), 6 h (1.9 ± 2 versus 4.4 ± 2) and 12 h (3.5 ± 2.3 versus 5 ± 3.3) and was also lower when coughing at 2 h (2.3 ± 1.1 versus 4 ± 2.1), 4 h (2.3 ± 1. 1 versus 4.3 ± 2) and 6 h (2.4 ± 1.1 versus 5.9 ± 2.3) in the QLB than that in the NS group. The cumulative dose of sufentanil was significantly lower in the QLB than that in the NS group at 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The nausea score was significantly lower in the QLB group at 24 h postoperatively, and the first time of exhaustion and time to get out of bed were significantly shorter (P < 0.05). The overall satisfaction score was significantly higher in the QLB than in the NS group (4 ± 0.7 versus 2.6 ± 0.9). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided bilateral QLB can provide effective postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, reduce the need for sufentanil, facilitate comfort and improve postoperative outcomes. QLB can be a good component of multimodal analgesia. Trial registration: The clinical trial is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). Current Controlled Trials:ChiCTR1900022009. the date of registration:2019/03/20.

4 September 2024 in Molecular Biomedicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JZJingcheng Zhang
Jingcheng Zhang
WZWentao Zhang
Wentao Zhang
JLJi Liu
Ji Liu
YLYuchao Liu
Yuchao Liu
YJYufeng Jiang
Yufeng Jiang
YYYang Yan
Yang Yan
Bladder cancer (BCa) stands out as a highly prevalent malignant tumor affecting the urinary system. The Sex determining region Y-box protein family is recognized for its crucial role in BCa progression. However, the effect of Sex determining region Y-box 7 (SOX7) on BCa progression has not been fully elucidated. Herein, RNA-sequencing, western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF) and tissue microarray were utilized to assess SOX7 expression in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, SOX7 expression, prognosis, and SOX7 + cytoglobin (CYGB) score were analyzed using R software. In vitro and vivo experiments were performed with BCa cell lines to validate the effect of SOX7 knockdown and overexpression on the malignant progression of BCa. The results showed that SOX7 exhibits low expression in BCa. It functions in diverse capacities, inhibiting the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities of BCa. In addition, the experimental database demonstrated that SOX7 binds to the promoter of DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B), leading to the transcriptional inhibition of DNMT3B. This subsequently results in a reduced methylation of CYGB promoter, ultimately inhibiting the tumor progression of BCa. SOX7 + CYGB scores were significantly linked to patient prognosis. In conclusion, SOX7 inhibits the malignant progression of BCa via the DNMT3B/CYGB axis. Additionally, the SOX7 + CYGB score is capable of predicting the prognostic outcomes of BCa patients. Therefore, SOX7 and CYGB may play an important role in the progression of bladder cancer, and they can be used as prognostic markers of bladder cancer patients.

27 November 2024 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YWYicheng Wang
Yicheng Wang
CHChen Haotian
Chen Haotian
ZZZhijin Zhang
Zhijin Zhang
YHYanyan He
Yanyan He
JLJi Liu
Ji Liu
WLWei Li
Wei Li
When a patient has two or more primary tumors, excluding the possibility of diffuse, recurrent, or metastatic, they can be defined as having multiple primary malignant neoplasms (MPMNs). Moreover, cases of three primary urinary tract tumors are very rare. Here, we reported a patient of MPMNs with four primary tumors, including three urinary tract cancers (renal cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer) and lung cancer. The four tumors appeared over 13 years, and pathological results confirmed that they were all primary tumors after different surgeries. In addition, we established patient-derived organoids (PDOs) by collecting tumor specimens. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of PDOs showed that the organoids were histopathological consistent with parental tumor. Immunohistochemistry showed that PDOs can also reflect the expression of pathological markers in patients. At the same time, PDOs may also serve as “avatars” of patients to predict sensitivity to different drugs. In summary, we reported a case of MPMNs with four primary tumors and established PDOs from its tumor specimens. A personalized treatment strategy was established based on the histopathological characteristics of the organoids.

27 January 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YZYuke Zhang
Yuke Zhang
LDLi Ding
Li Ding
ZZZhijin Zhang
Zhijin Zhang
LSLiliang Shen
Liliang Shen
YGYadong Guo
Yadong Guo
XYXudong Yao
Xudong Yao
Introduction: Prostate cancer, notably prostate adenocarcinoma (PARD), has high incidence and mortality rates. Although typically resistant to immunotherapy, recent studies have found immune targets for prostate cancer. Stratifying patients by molecular subtypes may identify those who could benefit from immunotherapy. Methods: We used single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from GEO and TCGA databases. We characterized the tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level, analyzing cell interactions and identifying fibroblasts linked to mitophagy. Target genes were narrowed down at the bulk transcriptome level to construct a PARD prognosis prediction nomogram. Unsupervised consensus clustering classified PARD into subtypes, analyzing differences in clinical features, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, the cellular functions of the genes of interest were verified in vitro. Results: We identified ten cell types and 160 mitophagy-related single-cell differentially expressed genes (MR-scDEGs). Strong interactions were observed between fibroblasts, endothelial cells, CD8+ T cells, and NK cells. Fibroblasts linked to mitophagy were divided into six subtypes. Intersection of DEGs from three bulk datasets with MR-scDEGs identified 26 key genes clustered into two subgroups. COX regression analysis identified seven prognostic key genes, enabling a prognostic nomogram model. High and low-risk groups showed significant differences in clinical features, immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and drug sensitivity. In prostate cancer cell lines, CAV1, PALLD, and ITGB8 are upregulated, while CLDN7 is downregulated. Knockdown of PALLD significantly inhibits the proliferation and colony-forming ability of PC3 and DU145 cells, suggesting the important roles of this gene in prostate cancer progression. Conclusions: This study analyzed mitophagy-related genes in PARD, predicting prognosis and aiding in subtype identification and immunotherapy response analysis. This approach offers new strategies for treating prostate cancer with specific molecular subtypes and helps develop potential biomarkers for personalized medicine strategies.

6 April 2023 in PeerJ
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HZHeping Zhang
Heping Zhang
JLJi Liu
Ji Liu
ZZZongtai Zheng
Zongtai Zheng
Cuproptosis is a kind of cell death dependent on copper. We aimed to explore the functions of the cuproptosis in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and construct a cuproptosis-related prognosis signature in bladder cancer (BCa). Using BCa patients in the public cohort, the cuproptosis-related molecular subtypes and cuproptosis-related prognosis signature were developed. Three cuproptosis-related molecular subtypes, with different prognoses and TME characteristics, were identified in BCa. The cuproptosis-related prognosis signature can divide patients into high- and low-risk groups with different prognoses, TME characteristics, chemotherapeutic drug susceptibility and immunotherapeutic response. Low risk group patients had a favored prognosis and response to immunotherapy. The dysregulation of cuproptosis-related genes expression levels was validated in multiple BCa cells using in vitro experiments. Cuproptosis has an important role in the tumor progression and the characterization of TME in BCa. The cuproptosis-related prognosis signature is a useful biomarker that can reflect the prognosis, TME characteristics, immunotherapeutic response and chemotherapeutic drug susceptibility in BCa patients.