1.Aberrant fragmentomic features of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA enable early detection and prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang LIU ; Fan PENG ; Siyuan WANG ; Huanmin JIAO ; Kaixiang ZHOU ; Wenjie GUO ; Shanshan GUO ; Miao DANG ; Huanqin ZHANG ; Weizheng ZHOU ; Xu GUO ; Jinliang XING
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):196-212
Background/Aims:
Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA).
Methods:
Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC).
Results:
The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively).
Conclusions
We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.
2.Outcome after spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy by Warshaw technique for pancreatic body cancer
Endi ZHOU ; Guodong SHI ; Hongyuan SHI ; Kai ZHANG ; Jishu WEI ; Min TU ; Zipeng LU ; Feng GUO ; Jianmin CHEN ; Kuirong JIANG ; Wentao GAO
Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery 2025;29(2):177-186
Background:
s/Aims: Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS) is a common surgical procedure for pancreatic body cancer.However, spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) utilizing the Warshaw technique (WT) in malignancies is generally not favored due to concerns about inadequate resection. This study aims to assess the feasibility and oncologic outcomes of employing SPDP with WT in pancreatic body cancer.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis comparing 21 SPDP patients with 63 DPS patients matched by propensity score from January 2018 to November 2022. Clinical outcomes and follow-up data were analyzed using R.
Results:
Both groups exhibited similar demographic, intraoperative, and pathological characteristics, with the exception of a reduced number of total lymph nodes (p = 0.006) in the SPDP group. There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative complications, recurrence, or metastasis. Local recurrence predominantly occurred in the central region as opposed to the spleen region.There were no cases of isolated recurrences in the splenic region. Median overall survival and recurrence-free survival times were 51.5 months for SPDP vs 30.5 months for DPS and 18.7 months vs 16.8 months, respectively (p > 0.05). The incidence of partial splenic infarction and left-side portal hypertension in the SPDP group was 28.6% (6/21) and 9.5% (2/21), respectively, without necessitating splenic abscess puncture, splenectomy, or causing bleeding from perigastric varices.
Conclusions
SPDP did not negatively impact local recurrence or survival rates in selected pancreatic body cancer patients. Further studies are necessary for validation.
3.Uniportal endoscopic decompression and debridement for infectious diseases of spine with neurological deficits: a retrospective study in China
Hui LV ; Jianhong ZHOU ; Yuan GUO ; Sheng LIAO ; Hui CHEN ; Fei LUO ; Jianzhong XU ; Zhongrong ZHANG ; Zehua ZHANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(2):205-216
Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed 32 consecutive IDS patients who underwent UEDD surgery. Clinical features, laboratory data (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), and treatment outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
Definite microorganisms were identified in 27 patients (84.3%), with 24 (88.9%) meeting cure criteria. The cure rate was significantly higher in the detected pathogen group compared to the undetected pathogen group (88.9% vs. 80%; χ²=19.36, p<0.0001). Metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) provided faster diagnosis (41.72±6.81 hours) compared to tissue culture (95.74±35.47 hours, p<0.05). The predominant causative pathogen was Mycobacterium tuberculosis, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Significant improvements were observed in Visual Analog Scale pain scores, from a mean of 7.9 preoperatively to 1.06 at 1 year postoperatively. The Oswestry Disability Index revealed a similar trend, showing significant improvement (p<0.05).
Conclusions
UEDD is a viable alternative to traditional open surgery for managing IDS in high-risk patients. UEDD offers a dual therapeutic-diagnostic advantage during the initial admission phase, enabling simultaneous debridement, neurological decompression, and targeted biopsy in a single intervention. Compared with traditional tissue culture, mNGS enables rapid microbiological diagnosis and extensive pathogen coverage.
4.A Randomized Controlled Trial of Stone Needle Thermocompression and Massage for Treating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Shoulder and Back:A Secondary Analysis of Muscle Elasticity as a Mediator
Jingjing QIAN ; Yuanjing LI ; Li LI ; Yawei XI ; Ying WANG ; Cuihua GUO ; Jiayan ZHOU ; Yaxuan SUN ; Shu LIU ; Guangjing YANG ; Na YUAN ; Xiaofang YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):935-940
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group, with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes, three times per week; the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement, as the primary outcome, was assessed using the Global Pain Scale (GPS) at baseline, after 2 weeks of treatment, and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms, a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration, the between-group mean difference was -8.8 [95% CI (-18.2, -0.7), P<0.05]. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity, with a mediation effect size of -1.5 [95% CI (-2.0, -0.9), P = 0.024], accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back, partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.
5.Analysis of distortion product otoacoustic emissions results of noise-exposed workers at a metal shipbuilding enterprise
Jieting ZHOU ; Jianyu GUO ; Hairu YANG ; Linyan SHU ; Zhixing FAN ; Jia TANG ; Xinqiang NIE ; Guoyong XU ; Hansheng LIN ; Bin XIAO
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(1):99-105
Objective To evaluate the role of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing in evaluating early hearing loss among noise-exposed workers. Methods A total of 174 noise-exposed workers in a metal shipbuilding enterprise were selected as the research subjects by the convenience sampling method. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), DPOAE and the level of noise exposure were conducted on the workers. The rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DPOAE amplitude and PTA threshold. The multilevel model was used to analyze the effects of gender, age, noise exposure intensity, cumulative noise exposure (CNE), hearing loss classification and PTA threshold on DPOAE results. Results At the frequencies of 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 6.00 and 8.00 kHz, the DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with the PTA threshold (rank correlation coefficients were -0.12, -0.48, -0.47, -0.18, -0.23, -0.44, -0.19, respectively, all P<0.01). At the most frequencies, DPOAE amplitude was negatively correlated with age and CNE (all P<0.05). The results of multilevel model analysis showed that there were significant differences in DPOAE amplitudes at certain frequencies across gender, age, noise intensity, CNE, and hearing loss classification (all P<0.05). Significant differences in DPOAE responses were found among different CNE and hearing loss groups (all P<0.01). Conclusion DPOAE testing can objectively reflect the hearing status of noise-exposed workers and could be considered for inclusion in routine hearing monitoring to facilitate early detection of noise-induced hearing loss.
6.Effect and mechanism of Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula on insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yuxin HONG ; Lei ZHANG ; Mingxue ZHOU ; Sinai LI ; Li LIN ; Meng ZHANG ; Zixuan GUO ; Weihong LIU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):24-29
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and potential mechanism of Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula on insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. METHODS T2DM rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin combined with high-fat and high-sugar diet. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula low-dose and high-dose groups (6.525, 13.05 g/kg, calculated by raw material) and metformin group (positive control, 0.18 g/kg), with 8 rats in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically; normal control group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for consecutive 6 weeks. Body mass and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were determined, and oral glucose tolerance test was conducted. Serum fasting insulin (FINS) level was measured to calculate the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Additionally, the level of serum lipids, liver function, oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors were assessed. The phosphorylation levels of kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) protein in liver tissue of rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group, the body weight, ISI, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and superoxide dismutase were increased significantly in Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula high-dose group and metformin group (P<0.05); FBG, blood glucose level at 120 minutes of glucose loading, area under the curve of glucose, FINS, HOMA-IR, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly reduced (P< Δ0.05); the pathological damage of liver tissue had significantlyimproved, and the phosphorylation levels of PERK and FOXO1 proteins in liver tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qingxue xiaozhi jiangtang formula can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation factor and oxidative stress levels, and alleviate insulin resistance in T2DM rats. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the PERK/FOXO1 signaling pathway.
7.Spatio-temporal clustering analysis of influenza in Jiaxing City
WANG Yuanhang ; FU Xiaofei ; QI Yunpeng ; LIU Yang ; ZHOU Wanling ; GUO Feifei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(1):55-58
Objective:
To investigate the epidemiological and spatio-temporal characteristics of influenza in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide insights into perfecting the prevention and control strategies of influenza.
Methods:
Data of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 were collected from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Population data of the same period were collected from the Zhejiang Health Information Network Reporting System. The epidemiological characteristics of influenza were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Vector map information was collected from the Open Street Map, and the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of influenza were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatio-temporal scanning.
Results:
A total of 181 501 cases of influenza were reported in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 653.93/105. The majority of cases were aged 5 to <15 years (59 785 cases, 32.94%). The majority of the occupations were students (78 239 cases, 43.11%) and pre-school children (33 715 cases, 18.58%). The county (city, district) with the highest reported incidence was Haining City (1 451.70/105), and the town (street) with the highest reported incidence was Chang'an Town (1 932.78/105). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the incidence of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023 had positive spatial correlations (all Moran's I>0, all P<0.05), with a high-high clustering in the southern region. Spatio-temporal scanning analysis showed that there was a spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with the southern region being the primary-type clustering area and the period between November and January of the following year being the clustering time.
Conclusion
There was a significant spatio-temporal clustering of influenza in Jiaxing City from 2019 to 2023, with winter being the peak season and the southern region being the primary area.
8.Modified Xiehuangsan Regulates Microglial Polarization and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway to Treat Tic Disorders in Rats
Mengjie ZHAO ; Qiong ZHAO ; Cuiling YANG ; Hongyun ZHOU ; Xiangjuan SUN ; Xinyi GUO ; Sajiyue HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):10-18
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of modified Xiehuangsan in treating tic disorders (TD) based on microglial polarization and the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, tiapride (0.025 g·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (12, 24, 48 g·kg-1, respectively) modified Xiehuangsan, with 12 rats in each group. Except the control group, the other groups received intraperitoneal injection of 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) for 7 consecutive days for the modeling of TD. After successful modeling, the control and model groups were given normal saline via gavage, and the other groups were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage. After 28 days of continuous intervention, rat behaviors were observed, and the modified Xiehuangsan group showing the best anti-TD effect was selected for deciphering the treatment mechanism. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to observe morphological changes in the rat striatum. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CD16 and CD206 in the striatum. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-4, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in the striatum. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1), Fc receptor family for immunoglobulin (Ig)G type Ⅲ (CD16), mannose receptor (CD206), TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 in the striatum. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed increased stereotyped behaviors, locomotor activity, total movement distance, and movement speed, shortened resting time (P<0.01), and noticeable pathological changes in the striatum. Compared with the model group, the tiapride group and modified Xiehuangsan groups exhibited reduced stereotyped behavior, locomotor activity, total movement distance, and movement speed, prolonged resting time (P<0.05, P<0.01), and alleviated pathological changes in the striatum. Among the modified Xiehuangsan groups, the high-dose group had the best intervention effect and the mildest pathological changes. Therefore, the high-dose group was selected for further research. Compared with the control group, the modeling of TD increased Iba1 and CD16 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA level of IL-4 (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4 and MyD88 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein level of NF-κB p65 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, modified Xiehuangsan reduced Iba1 and CD16 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein level of CD206 (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (P<0.05), up-regulated the mRNA level of IL-4 (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Xiehuangsan demonstrated a definite therapeutic effect on TD in rats. It may reduce neuroinflammation in TD rats by regulating the polarization of microglia in the striatum via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
9.Effect of Slicing Angle and Initial Water Content on Water Migration and Effective Ingredient Content in Drying Process of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma
Guohong YANG ; Bingqian ZHOU ; Heng LU ; Xiao WANG ; Lanping GUO ; Wei LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):208-216
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of angle and original moisture content on the moisture distribution, migration and contents of effective components in the drying process of sliced Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(SMRR). MethodsSet the slicing angles of SMRR at 30°, 45°, and 90°. Cut the fresh samples, 1/3 dehydrated samples, and 2/3 dehydrated samples, dry them in an oven at 40 ℃ and take samples at the set time points. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were used to analyze the changes in transverse relaxation time(T2) of SMRR samples in 9 treatment groups at specific times, as well as the distribution and migration of water in the samples. The contents of tanshinone ⅡA, tanshinone Ⅰ, cryptotanshinone, and salvianolic acid B in samples from 9 different treatment groups were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and the best processing technology of SMRR was screened by combining with One-way ANOVA, Duncan multiple comparison and principal component analysis(PCA). ResultsThe moisture content of dry basis of SMRR in each treatment group decreased with the extension of drying time. The drying rate of fresh cut group decreased slowly at first, while the drying rate of water loss group showed a trend of increasing at first and then decreasing. The internal water of SMRR could be divided into three states, including bound water, non flowing water and free water. During the drying process, the water migration law showed that the free water of fresh cut group disappeared after drying for 12 h, the content of bound water gradually decreased, and the overall fluidity deteriorated. In the water loss group, part of the free water was transformed into more cohesive and non flowing water after drying for 3 h, and the three kinds of water basically disappeared after drying for 12 h. The MRI results showed that the entire dehydration process slowly moved from the outer side to the center, and the internal water eventually dissipated. In terms of the contents of active ingredients, the order of the effect of slicing angle on the total content of active ingredients in SMRR was 30°>45°>90°. The content of tanshinones was ranked as 1/3 dehydrated group>2/3 dehydrated group>fresh cut group, and the content of salvianolic acid B was ranked as 1/3 dehydrated group>fresh cut group>2/3 dehydrated group. Combined with the results of PCA and comprehensive scoring results, the overall level of effective component content in SMRR was the highest when cut at 30° after 1/3 of water loss. ConclusionAfter comprehensive evaluation, SMRR can be sliced at 30° after 1/3 of water loss. It is not only easy to cut, but also the surface and cross-sectional colors remain basically unchanged after drying, which is similar to the color under traditional processing, and the effective ingredients are preserved the highest. This study can provide a basis for the optimization of processing technology of SMRR.
10.Introduction of the main addition and revision of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition(Volume Ⅱ)
ZHOU Yi ; WANG Zhijun ; YUE Zhihua ; CHENG Qilei ; YUE Ruiqi ; YANG Xi ; GUO Wei ; MA Shuangcheng
Drug Standards of China 2025;26(1):023-027
The Pharmacopeia of the People’s Republic of China 2025 Edition (referred to as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, ChP 2025) will be promulgated and implemented. This article introduces the process of development of ChP 2025 Edition (Volume Ⅱ), including the selection, the revision of general notices,the addition and revision of drug monographs, etc., and provides some analysis and examples to illustrate,which can facilitate the readers to understand and implement the ChP 2025 Edition (Volume Ⅱ).


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