1.Infectious status and pathogen characteristics of Leptospira in rodents and the environment in Fujian Province from 2020 to 2023
Weijun LIU ; Tengwei HAN ; Jinsong YANG ; Fangzhen XIAO ; Shenggen WU ; Zhiwei ZENG ; Jing LIU ; Lingqiong HUANG ; Guoying XU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):866-872
This study investigated the infectious status and pathogen characteristics of Leptospira in rodents and the environment in Fujian province to provide data for the prevention and control of leptospirosis.A total of 723 rodents and 31 water samples were col-lected from 19 regions in Fujian Province during 2020-2023.The prevalent rodent species was Rattus losea(35.82%,259/723),which was followed by Rattus norvegicus(20.06%,145/723),Rattus tanezumi(19.64%,142/723),and Niviventer fulvescens(13.97%,101/723).A total of 144 positive samples of Leptospira spp.were detected in rodent kidney samples,accounting for 19.92%(144/723).The positivity rate of Leptospira spp.in wild rodents was higher than that in domestic rodents(χ2=8.48,P<0.05),and the positivity rate in adult rodents was higher than that in juvenile rodents(χ2=14.19,P<0.05).The positivity rates varied among rodent species(χ2=46.11,P<0.05),and differences in the positivity rates of Leptospira spp.were observed among regions(χ2=32.113,P<0.05).Ten strains were isolated from 440 rodent samples,and the isolation rate was 2.27%(10/440).Genospecies identification indi-cated that Leptospira borgpetersenii accounted for seven of the ten isolates,and L.interrogans accounted for three.MLST typing divided 10 isolates into three ST types:ST1,ST16,and ST143.5 isolates were isolated from 31 water samples,with an isolation rate of 16.13%,all of which were nonpathogenic L.tsangambouensis.Although pathogenic Leptospira spp.were not isolated from the water samples,the rodents in Fujian Province were generally infected with pathogenic Leptospira spp.Surveillance of the environment and ro-dents infected with Leptospira spp.should be strengthened.
2.Study of a deep learning-based artificial intelligence model for automatic measurement and classification of cystocele
Ting XIAO ; Xiduo LU ; Yunqing CAO ; Zhuoru LUO ; Siyun DU ; Yide QIU ; Chaojiong ZHEN ; Yinghong WEN ; Dong NI ; Weijun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(4):334-339
Objective:To explore the clinical application value of convolutional neural network(CNN)based on deep learning in the automatic measurement of dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound video parameters and the diagnosis and classification of cystocele.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound videos from 398 postpartum women who underwent examinations at the First People's Hospital of Foshan between June 2020 and June 2022. The lowest point of the posterior bladder wall(PWB),urethral rotation angle(URA),and retrovesical angle(RVA)were manually measured by a senior radiologist(R1)and a junior radiologist(R2),and cystocele was classified according to the Green standard. The CNN model was employed to automatically extract the above parameters and to diagnose and classify cystocele. Using R1 measurements as a reference,intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the consistency between the CNN model and R1,as well as between R2 and R1. The Kappa value was used to assess the agreement between the CNN model,R2,and R1 in the diagnosis and classification of cystocele. Additionally,the time consumption of the three measurement methods was compared.Results:The CNN model showed good consistency with R1 in measuring PWB and URA(ICC = 0.983,0.894),while its consistency in measuring RVA was moderate(ICC = 0.614). The ICC between R2 and R1 in measuring PWB,URA,and RVA was 0.979,0.815,and 0.627,respectively. In the measurement of PWB and URA,the consistency between the CNN model and R1 was superior to that between R2 and R1. For cystocele diagnosis,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.924,which was higher than that between R2 and R1(0.904). In cystocele classification,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.503,also higher than that between R2 and R1(0.426). The CNN model processed a single video in 2.5(0.6)s,significantly faster than R1[59.9(16.9)s]and R2[56.8(11.2)s](all P < 0.001). Conclusions:The CNN model demonstrates high accuracy and efficiency in the measurement,diagnosis,and classification of cystocele,outperforming a junior radiologist and showing potential for clinical application.
3.Targeting ceramide-induced microglial pyroptosis: Icariin is a promising therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Hongli LI ; Qiao XIAO ; Lemei ZHU ; Jin KANG ; Qiong ZHAN ; Weijun PENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):101106-101106
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive dementia, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical trial results of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing. There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD. Herein, we spotlight the dysregulation of lipid metabolism, particularly the elevation of ceramides (Cers), as a critical yet underexplored facet of AD pathogenesis. Our study delineates the role of Cers in promoting microglial pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis, characterized by cellular swelling, and membrane rupture mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Utilizing both in vivo experiments with amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) transgenic mice and in vitro assays with BV-2 microglial cells, we investigate the activation of microglial pyroptosis by Cers and its inhibition by icariin (ICA), a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Our findings reveal a significant increase in Cers levels and pyroptosis markers (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, caspase-1, gasdermin D (gasdermin D (GSDMD)), and interleukin-18 (IL-18)) in the brains of AD model mice, indicating a direct involvement of Cers in AD pathology through the induction of microglial pyroptosis. Conversely, ICA treatment effectively reduces these pyroptotic markers and Cer levels, thereby attenuating microglial pyroptosis and suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism of action against AD. This study not only advances our understanding of the pathogenic role of Cers in AD but also introduces ICA as a promising candidate for AD therapy, capable of mitigating neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-NLRP3 inflammasome-gasdermin D (GSDMD) axis. Our results pave the way for further exploration of Cer metabolism disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting microglial pyroptosis in AD.
4.Targeting ceramide-induced microglial pyroptosis:Icariin is a promising therapy for Alzheimer's disease
Hongli LI ; Qiao XIAO ; Lemei ZHU ; Jin KANG ; Qiong ZHAN ; Weijun PENG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(4):786-803
Alzheimer's disease(AD),a progressive dementia,is one of the most common neurodegenerative dis-eases.Clinical trial results of amyloid-β(Aβ)and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing.There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD.Herein,we spotlight the dysregulation of lipid metabolism,particularly the elevation of ceramides(Cers),as a critical yet underexplored facet of AD pathogenesis.Our study delineates the role of Cers in promoting microglial pyroptosis,a form of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis and necroptosis,characterized by cellular swelling,and membrane rupture mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.Utilizing both in vivo experiments with amyloid precursor protein(APP)/presenilin 1(PS1)transgenic mice and in vitro assays with BV-2 microglial cells,we investigate the activation of microglial pyroptosis by Cers and its inhibition by icariin(ICA),a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.Our findings reveal a significant increase in Cers levels and pyroptosis markers(NOD-like receptor family,pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain,caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),and interleukin-18(IL-18))in the brains of AD model mice,indicating a direct involvement of Cers in AD pathology through the induction of microglial pyroptosis.Conversely,ICA treatment effec-tively reduces these pyroptotic markers and Cer levels,thereby attenuating microglial pyroptosis and suggesting a novel therapeutic mechanism of action against AD.This study not only advances our un-derstanding of the pathogenic role of Cers in AD but also introduces ICA as a promising candidate for AD therapy,capable of mitigating neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through the cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)-NLRP3 inflammasome-gasdermin D(GSDMD)axis.Our results pave the way for further exploration of Cer metabolism disorders in neurodegenerative diseases and highlight the therapeutic potential of tar-geting microglial pyroptosis in AD.
5.Discussion on Pathogenesis and Treatment of"Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency"in Diabetes Mellitus Based on Intestinal Flora Disorder and Inflammatory Reaction
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Weijun HUANG ; Zhu LIU ; Yonghua XIAO ; Guanxun SU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):173-177
Diabetes mellitus has the characteristics of chronic inflammatory diseases,often accompanied by intestinal flora disorders.Based on the TCM theory of"stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency",combined with modern medical research,this article explained the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus from intestinal flora and inflammatory reaction.Diabetes mellitus was divided into three categories:stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yin,stomach heat and deficiency of spleen qi,and stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yang,and summarized the three methods of"clearing and draining heat,nourishing yin and moistening intestine","clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and qi"and"clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and warming yang",which could treat diabetes mellitus by improving intestinal flora disorder and reducing inflammatory reaction.
6.Infectious status and pathogen characteristics of Leptospira in rodents and the environment in Fujian Province from 2020 to 2023
Weijun LIU ; Tengwei HAN ; Jinsong YANG ; Fangzhen XIAO ; Shenggen WU ; Zhiwei ZENG ; Jing LIU ; Lingqiong HUANG ; Guoying XU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(8):866-872
This study investigated the infectious status and pathogen characteristics of Leptospira in rodents and the environment in Fujian province to provide data for the prevention and control of leptospirosis.A total of 723 rodents and 31 water samples were col-lected from 19 regions in Fujian Province during 2020-2023.The prevalent rodent species was Rattus losea(35.82%,259/723),which was followed by Rattus norvegicus(20.06%,145/723),Rattus tanezumi(19.64%,142/723),and Niviventer fulvescens(13.97%,101/723).A total of 144 positive samples of Leptospira spp.were detected in rodent kidney samples,accounting for 19.92%(144/723).The positivity rate of Leptospira spp.in wild rodents was higher than that in domestic rodents(χ2=8.48,P<0.05),and the positivity rate in adult rodents was higher than that in juvenile rodents(χ2=14.19,P<0.05).The positivity rates varied among rodent species(χ2=46.11,P<0.05),and differences in the positivity rates of Leptospira spp.were observed among regions(χ2=32.113,P<0.05).Ten strains were isolated from 440 rodent samples,and the isolation rate was 2.27%(10/440).Genospecies identification indi-cated that Leptospira borgpetersenii accounted for seven of the ten isolates,and L.interrogans accounted for three.MLST typing divided 10 isolates into three ST types:ST1,ST16,and ST143.5 isolates were isolated from 31 water samples,with an isolation rate of 16.13%,all of which were nonpathogenic L.tsangambouensis.Although pathogenic Leptospira spp.were not isolated from the water samples,the rodents in Fujian Province were generally infected with pathogenic Leptospira spp.Surveillance of the environment and ro-dents infected with Leptospira spp.should be strengthened.
7.Discussion on Pathogenesis and Treatment of"Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency"in Diabetes Mellitus Based on Intestinal Flora Disorder and Inflammatory Reaction
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Weijun HUANG ; Zhu LIU ; Yonghua XIAO ; Guanxun SU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(5):173-177
Diabetes mellitus has the characteristics of chronic inflammatory diseases,often accompanied by intestinal flora disorders.Based on the TCM theory of"stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency",combined with modern medical research,this article explained the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus from intestinal flora and inflammatory reaction.Diabetes mellitus was divided into three categories:stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yin,stomach heat and deficiency of spleen qi,and stomach heat and deficiency of spleen yang,and summarized the three methods of"clearing and draining heat,nourishing yin and moistening intestine","clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and qi"and"clearing dampness and heat,strengthening spleen and warming yang",which could treat diabetes mellitus by improving intestinal flora disorder and reducing inflammatory reaction.
8.Study of a deep learning-based artificial intelligence model for automatic measurement and classification of cystocele
Ting XIAO ; Xiduo LU ; Yunqing CAO ; Zhuoru LUO ; Siyun DU ; Yide QIU ; Chaojiong ZHEN ; Yinghong WEN ; Dong NI ; Weijun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(4):334-339
Objective:To explore the clinical application value of convolutional neural network(CNN)based on deep learning in the automatic measurement of dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound video parameters and the diagnosis and classification of cystocele.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on dynamic pelvic floor ultrasound videos from 398 postpartum women who underwent examinations at the First People's Hospital of Foshan between June 2020 and June 2022. The lowest point of the posterior bladder wall(PWB),urethral rotation angle(URA),and retrovesical angle(RVA)were manually measured by a senior radiologist(R1)and a junior radiologist(R2),and cystocele was classified according to the Green standard. The CNN model was employed to automatically extract the above parameters and to diagnose and classify cystocele. Using R1 measurements as a reference,intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the consistency between the CNN model and R1,as well as between R2 and R1. The Kappa value was used to assess the agreement between the CNN model,R2,and R1 in the diagnosis and classification of cystocele. Additionally,the time consumption of the three measurement methods was compared.Results:The CNN model showed good consistency with R1 in measuring PWB and URA(ICC = 0.983,0.894),while its consistency in measuring RVA was moderate(ICC = 0.614). The ICC between R2 and R1 in measuring PWB,URA,and RVA was 0.979,0.815,and 0.627,respectively. In the measurement of PWB and URA,the consistency between the CNN model and R1 was superior to that between R2 and R1. For cystocele diagnosis,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.924,which was higher than that between R2 and R1(0.904). In cystocele classification,the Kappa value between the CNN model and R1 was 0.503,also higher than that between R2 and R1(0.426). The CNN model processed a single video in 2.5(0.6)s,significantly faster than R1[59.9(16.9)s]and R2[56.8(11.2)s](all P < 0.001). Conclusions:The CNN model demonstrates high accuracy and efficiency in the measurement,diagnosis,and classification of cystocele,outperforming a junior radiologist and showing potential for clinical application.
9.Analysis of confirmed cases of pertussis reported in Shaanxi Province
Ruize WANG ; Xiao ZHENG ; Weixuan LI ; Tiantian ZHOU ; Yake LYU ; Weijun HU
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(6):485-488
Objective:To investigate the current status of pertussis laboratory diagnosis and confirmed pertussis cases reporting in Shaanxi Province, and evaluate the quality of case reports.Methods:The information of confirmed pertussis cases reported in Shaanxi Province from January to July 2022 was collected through the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The laboratory diagnostic methods and pertussis vaccine immunization history of confirmed cases were investigated, and the descriptive epidemiological method was used for statistical description.Results:Of the 164 confirmed cases of pertussis reported from January to July 2022, two were not tested in the laboratory and 162 were tested in the laboratory. The proportions of different detection methods were 1.85% (3/162) of isolation and culture, 31.48% (51/162) of serum antibody IgG, 14.20% (23/162) of serum antibody IgM, 49.38% (80/162) of serum antibody PCR and 3.09% (5/162) of serum antibody IgM+ PCR. Among the 79 serological positive cases, 12 cases (15.19%)had no history of pertussis immunization, and 15 cases (18.99%), 11 cases (13.92%) and 41 cases (51.90%) had the time interval from vaccination to detection of <1 year, 1-3 years and >3 years, respectively. Based on the analysis of laboratory testing methods and vaccination history, 38 cases were misdiagnosed/misreported among 164 cases, with a misdiagnosis or misreported rate of 23.17%. There were 17, 12 and 9 cases of misdiagnosis/misreport in 0-2 years old group, 3-6 years old group and≥7 years old group, and the misdiagnosis or misreported rates were 27.42%(17/62), 26.67%(12/45) and 15.79%(9/57), respectively.Conclusions:The selection of pertussis laboratory testing methods in some medical institutions in Shaanxi Province is incorrect, which leads to a certain proportion of misdiagnosis or misreport, and it is necessary to further strengthen the training and standardization.
10.Pathogenesis and Treatment of Stomach Exuberance and Spleen Deficiency in Metabolic Disease
Wenxuan LUO ; Jinxi ZHAO ; Jinyan WEI ; Jiangteng LIU ; Zhichao RUAN ; Kaitong ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Weijun HUANG ; Yonghua XIAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(19):2041-2044
Stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency are common pathogenesis of many metabolic diseases. Through analyzing the pathogenesis of stomach exuberance and spleen deficiency, it is believed that its essence is stomach heat and spleen deficiency. Stomach heat includes gastrointestinal heat, spleen and stomach damp-heat, and spleen deficiency is divided into deficiency of spleen yin, deficiency of spleen qi , and deficiency of spleen yang. It is suggested that the metabolic diseases of stomach-exuberance and spleen-deficiency syndrome can be divided into three categories,i.e. stomach-heat and spleen yin-deficiency, stomach-heat and spleen qi-deficiency, and stomach-heat and spleen yang-deficiency, and the main treatment methods are clearing and draining heat, nourishing yin and moistening intestine, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and qi, clearing dampness and heat, strengthening spleen and warming yang, respectively, with prescriptions as Maziren Pills (麻子仁丸), Qinlian Pingwei Powder (芩连平胃散), and Jiawei Lianli Decoction (加味连理汤) accordingly.

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