1.Nanomedicine strategies for cuproptosis: Metabolic reprogramming and tumor immunotherapy.
Ruixuan ZHANG ; Yunfei LI ; Hui FU ; Chengcheng ZHAO ; Xiuyan LI ; Yuming WANG ; Yujiao SUN ; Yingpeng LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4582-4613
Cuproptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death involving copper ion metabolism, has emerged as a promising approach for tumor therapy. This pathway not only directly eliminates tumor cells but also promotes immunogenic cell death (ICD), reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME) and initiating robust anti-tumor immune responses. However, translating cuproptosis-based therapies into clinical applications is hindered by challenges, including complex metabolic regulation, TME heterogeneity, and the precision required for effective drug delivery. To address these limitations, nanoparticles offer transformative solutions by providing precise delivery of cuproptosis-inducing agents, controlled drug release, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy through simultaneous modulation of metabolic pathways and immune responses. This review systematically discusses recent advancements in nanoparticle-based cuproptosis delivery systems, highlighting nanoparticle design principles and their synergistic effects when integrated with other therapeutic modalities such as ICB, PTT, and CDT. Furthermore, we explore the potential of cuproptosis-based nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment by emphasizing strategies for TME stratification and therapeutic optimization tailored to patient profiles. By integrating current insights from metabolic reprogramming, tumor immunotherapy, and nanotechnology, this review aims to facilitate the clinical translation of cuproptosis nanomedicine and significantly contribute to the advancement of precision oncology.
2.A nomogram model for predicting the 28-day death of patients with septic shock based on serum growth differentiation factor 11 and killer cell lectin-like receptor B1 was constructed.
Zhenzhen SANG ; Xiuyan PANG ; Jie CUI ; Weifeng WANG ; Xin RAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(10):909-915
OBJECTIVE:
To observe change in serum growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) and killer cell lectin-like receptor B1 (KLRB1), to construct a nomogram model for 28-day death in patients with septic shock, and to explore its predictive value.
METHODS:
A prospective observational study was conducted. The patients with septic shock admitted to the emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of Cangzhou Central Hospital from September 2023 to March 2025 were selected as the septic shock group, the patients with sepsis admitted to the emergency general ward during the same period were selected as the sepsis group, and healthy individuals undergoing physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. On the day of hospital admission or physical examination for the research subjects, the levels of serum GDF11 and KLRB1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients with septic shock were divided into survival and death groups based on their 28-day survival status. The patients' gender, age, past medical history, infection site, severity of illness, mechanical ventilation, blood purification, infection indicators, biochemical indicators, coagulation function indicators, and blood lactic acid (Lac) were collected. The clinical data of the patients with septic shock between the two groups with different prognoses were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for 28-day death in patients with septic shock, and bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. A nomogram model was constructed based on the risk factors for 28-day death in patients with septic shock. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram model were evaluated using the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, and calibration curve. The clinical utility of the model was evaluated using clinical decision curve analysis (DCA).
RESULTS:
A total of 168 patients in the emergency ICU were enrolled in the septic shock group, 40 patients in the emergency general ward were enrolled in the sepsis group, and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled in the control group. Compared with the healthy control group, the serum GDF11 levels in the sepsis and septic shock groups were significantly increased (μg/L: 13.09±3.51, 19.28±5.36 vs. 4.17±0.92, both P < 0.05), and the serum KLRB1 levels were significantly decreased (ng/L: 57.36±11.28, 45.52±9.07 vs. 84.19±17.16, both P < 0.05), with more significant changes in the septic shock group (both P < 0.05). Among the 168 patients with septic shock, 96 survived and 72 died within 28 days. Compared with the survival group, the serum GDF11 level in the death group was significantly increased (μg/L: 24.24±4.81 vs. 15.56±4.62, P < 0.05), and the serum KLRB1 level was significantly decreased (ng/L: 28.53±8.69 vs. 58.26±9.45, P < 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, procalcitonin (PCT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, and Lac between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that SOFA score [odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.38-3.65), Lac (OR = 1.38, 95%CI was 1.09-2.01), GDF11 (OR = 1.54, 95%CI was 1.21-2.33) and KLRB1 (OR = 0.64, 95%CI was 0.41-0.78) were independent risk factors for 28-day death in patients with septic shock (all P < 0.05). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that SOFA score was significantly positively correlated with Lac and GDF11 (r value was 0.37 and 0.58, respectively, both P < 0.05), and significantly negatively correlated with KLRB1 (r = -0.72, P < 0.05). A nomogram model was constructed based on the risk factors for 28-day death in patients with septic shock. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the nomogram model for predicting 28-day death in patients with septic shock was 0.963 (95%CI was 0.929-0.990), indicating that the model had good discrimination and predictive ability. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (χ 2 = 9.578, P = 0.295) and calibration curve indicated that the predicted values of the model were in good agreement with the actual values. DCA indicated that the model provided a high net benefit for clinical decision-making.
CONCLUSIONS
The serum GDF11 level was significantly increased and the KLRB1 level was significantly decreased in patients with septic shock. The nomogram model based on GDF11 and KLRB1 could more accurately evaluate the 28-day death of patients with septic shock.
Humans
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Shock, Septic/blood*
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Nomograms
;
Prospective Studies
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Prognosis
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Intensive Care Units
3.Relationship between sexual function and marital adjustment of postpartum women and their spouses based on actor-partner interdependence model
Liu LIU ; Hong LU ; Shanshan GUO ; Jianhua WANG ; Xiuyan SUN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(12):1562-1566
Objective:To investigate the status quo of sexual function and marital adjustment of postpartum women and their spouses, so as to analyze the subject-object effects of sexual function and marital adjustment.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 240 postpartum women and their spouses who gave birth in PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center from October 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research objects by the convenient sampling method. The general data questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Male Sexual Function Index (MSFI) and Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test were used to investigate them. Pearson correlation analysis and actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) were used to explore the relationship between sexual function and marital adjustment of postpartum women and their spouses.Results:In this study, 480 questionnaires were distributed to 240 couples, and 450 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective recovery rate of 93.75% (450/480). The sexual function index score of 225 postpartum women was (24.89±4.97), and that of their spouses was (49.64±7.99). The marital adjustment scores of postpartum women was (96.42±22.64) and that of their spouses was (103.38±23.93). The results of APIM showed that the sexual function of postpartum women and their spouses could predict their own marital adjustment (β-values of 0.765 and 0.176, P<0.01). In terms of object effect, the sexual function of postpartum women could predict the marital adjustment of their spouses (β=0.632, P<0.01), but the sexual function of their spouses could not predict the marital adjustment of postpartum women ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:Postpartum women and their spouses have sexual dysfunction and marital disorder, their own sexual function is closely related to marital adjustment, and women's sexual function can also positively affect their spouses' marital adjustment. Medical staff should take postpartum women and their spouses as a whole to formulate intervention measures to promote the recovery of postpartum women's sexual function, balance family relations, enhance the satisfaction of sexual life between husband and wife and improve the level of marital adjustment.
4.Acquired facial hyperpigmented macules in children: seven case reports
Yuli ZHANG ; Shuangshuang JI ; Xiuyan SHI ; Xianmin MENG ; Wenhui LIU ; Chong WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(5):458-460
To report 7 Chinese children with characteristic hyperpigmented macules on the forehead and temples. Among the 7 cases, there were 2 males and 5 females, with the age at onset ranging from 9 to 24 months (12.43 ± 5.32 months), and the disease duration being 1 - 4 months (2.57 ± 1.27 months). Skin examination revealed that the children presented with varying numbers of irregular brown macules and patches scattered on their foreheads and temples, without obvious desquamation. Dermoscopic examination revealed multiple yellowish-brown patches with irregular borders, and linear vessels were observable in some skin lesions. A diagnosis of acquired facial hyperpigmented macules was made in these children. The children received no treatment. After 2 years of follow-up, hyperpigmented macules completely subsided in 2 cases and regressed to varying degrees in 4 cases, while 1 case exhibited no changes in the skin lesions. Considering the literature and the cases discussed in this article, it is hypothesized that acquired facial hyperpigmented macules in young children may represent an independent condition.
5.Prenatal diagnosis of a case with Congenital myasthenic syndrome due to compound heterozygous variants of SCN4A gene
Fanrong MENG ; Yunfang SHI ; Duan JU ; Xiuyan WANG ; Haiwei DONG ; Xuebing LI ; Xiaozhou LI ; Xuexia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(4):450-455
Objective:To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a fetus diagnosed with Congenital myasthenic syndrome type 16 (CMS16).Methods:A couple who had visited Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in February 2018 due to "adverse outcome of two pregnancies" was selected as the study subject. Clinical data was gathered. Peripheral blood and amniotic fluid samples were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Low-depth whole-genome sequencing was carried out to detect copy number variation (CNV) in the fetus.Results:The couple′s first pregnancy had resulted in a miscarriage at 27 + 5 weeks, when ultrasound had revealed pleural effusion and polyhydramnios in the fetus. Their second pregnancy was terminated at 30 + 5 weeks due to fetal hand malformations, polyhydramnios and pleural fluid. Both couple had denied family history of genetic conditions. For their third pregnancy, no CNV abnormality was detected, whilst a compound heterozygous variants, including a maternally derived c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) and paternal c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) in the SCN4A gene were detected. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) was predicted as a likely pathogenic variant (PM1+ PM2_supporting+ PP3+ PP4), whilst the c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) was predicted as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+ PM2_supporting+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 3172C>T (p.R1058W) and c. 1431delG (p.K477fs*89) compound heterozygous variants of the SCN4A gene probably underlay the CMS16 in the third fetus.
6.Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis of a Chinese pedigree affected with Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome due to a novel variant of AR gene
Fanrong MENG ; Xiaozhou LI ; Yunfang SHI ; Duan JU ; Xiuyan WANG ; Chunying WANG ; Xuebing LI ; Wenjun YU ; Yingmei WANG ; Xuexia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1206-1212
Objective:To explore the clinical and molecular basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS).Methods:A CAIS pedigree presented at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between 2019 and 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the proband was collected, along with peripheral blood samples from the proband and her family members. Chromosomal karyotyping, sex-determining region of the Y chromosome ( SRY) testing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were carried out for the proband, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of her family members. Prenatal diagnosis was provided for the sister of the proband. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital (Ethics No. IRB2023-WZ-070). Results:The 18-year-old proband, who has a social gender of female, underwent laparoscopic examination, which showed no presence of uterus and ovaries. The karyotype of peripheral blood sample was 46, XY, with SRY gene detected. NGS indicated that the proband has harbored a heterozygous c. 1988C>G (p.Ser663Ter) variant of the AR gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that her mother and sister had both harbored the same variant, whilst her father and younger sister were of the wild-type. Prenatal diagnosis revealed that her sister′s first fetus had harbored carried the same variant, which had led to termination of pregnancy. Her second fetus did not carry the variant, and a healthy boy was born. Based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was classified as likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+ PM4+ PP3_Moderate+ PP4). Conclusion:The c. 1988C>G (p.Ser663Ter) variant of the AR gene probably underlay the CAIS in the proband. The accurate diagnosis of sex development disorders will rely on the physicians′ thorough understanding of the clinical symptoms and pathogenic genes. Genetic testing and counseling can enable precise diagnosis, prenatal diagnosis, and guidance for reproduction
7.The thought and method of constructing diagnostic specification for syndrome/pattern of defensive qi deficiency
Yuwen CHE ; Tianfang WANG ; Yang JIAO ; Yan ZHAO ; Zhisong WU ; Xiuyan WU ; Zhaolan LIU ; Xiaolin XUE ; Ning LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(8):1180-1184
The syndrome/pattern of defensive qi deficiency is a common basic syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice. However,there is a lack of standardized and operable diagnostic specifications in practical applications. Based on the previous literature,this study proposed the idea of starting from the elements of the syndrome,qualitative diagnostic criteria for the syndrome/pattern of defensive qi deficiency oriented to the entire region of the disease were constructed based on the two dimensions of " deficient defensive qi failing to consolidate the exterior" and " qi deficiency" and constructing a set of quantitative evaluation criteria as the supporting content for the diagnostic items. The core members of the research group attempted to formulate the draft standard,then reached a consensus through the Delphi method expert questionnaire consultation and the Nominal group technique,and finally evaluated the reliability and validity of the standard through clinical verification to provide ideas for the standardization and normalization of research on syndromes.
8.Application of dual-model strategy in image intelligent diagnosis of nail diseases
Junxiao CHEN ; Jie YIN ; Dongying HU ; Zhao WU ; Xiuyan ZHU ; Shiyong WANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2024;45(8):981-989
Objective To explore a method to improve the accuracy and generalization ability of medical diagnostic neural network models under conditions of small data volumes,and to address the issue of poor neural network model performance in computer-aided diagnosis of nail diseases due to limited training data.Methods A dual-model strategy integrating instance segmentation with fine-grained feature classification was proposed.The neural network model based on dual-model strategy was trained using the dataset of Image-Based Intelligent Diagnosis of Nail Disease Model task of the first National Digital Health Innovation Application Competition & Health and Medical Big Data Theme Competition.This dataset covered 8 types of nail diseases,including nail matrix nevi,paronychia,nail psoriasis,onychomycosis,subungual hemorrhage,melanonychia,periungual warts,and nail melanoma,with class imbalance present.The diagnostic performance of the dual-model strategy was evaluated and compared with single-model strategies(image classification models[ResNet50 and Swin Transformer]and target detection model based on faster region-based convolutional neural network[Faster R-CNN])under the same hardware and software training conditions.Results The dataset included 1 048 samples,including 210 cases of nail matrix nevi,186 cases of paronychia,69 cases of nail psoriasis,203 cases of onychomycosis,149 cases of subungual hemorrhage,71 cases of melanonychia,93 cases of periungual warts,and 67 cases of nail melanoma,with 90%used for training various models and 10%for evaluation.The micro F1 score was 0.324 in the image classification model based on ResNet50,0.381 in the image classification model based on Swin Transformer,0.572 in the target detection model based on Faster R-CNN,and 0.714 in the dual-model strategy model Mask R-CNN+Swin Transformer.The accuracy rates for diagnosing different nail diseases in the dual-model strategy were:nail matrix nevi 80.95%(17/21),paronychia 89.47%(17/19),nail psoriasis 100.00%(7/7),onychomycosis 70.00%(14/20),subungual hemorrhage 73.33%(11/15),melanonychia 14.29%(1/7),periungual warts 55.56%(5/9),and nail melanoma 42.86%(3/7).The micro F1 score for evaluating the dual-model strategy on a test set of 1 000 cases was 0.844.Conclusion The dual-model strategy can effectively combine models with different functions to well accomplish the task of intelligent diagnosis of nail diseases under small data volume training conditions.
9.Comparison of clinical characteristics between first-episode and relapse of major depressive disorder
Xiuyan ZHENG ; Chengxia TANG ; Zhaorui LIU ; Tingting ZHANG ; Yueqin HUANG ; Liang ZHOU ; Yuandong GONG ; Yan LIU ; Bo LIU ; Jie ZHANG ; Haiming WANG ; Zhengmin FENG ; Jun GUO ; Wenming CHEN ; Linling JIANG ; Defang CAI ; Jin LU
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):25-32
Objective:To describe demographic,clinical and physiological characteristics,treatment between first-episode major depressive disorder(MDD)and relapse MDD,and to explore characteristics of relapse MDD.Methods:Totally 858 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for depression of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition(DSM-5),were included by using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview(MINI),Clinician-Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity,and Hamilton Depression Scale etc.Among them,529(58.6%)were first-episode depression and 329(36.0%)were relapsed.The differences of demographic characteristics,clinical and physiological characteristics,treatment were compared byx2test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test.Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the characteristics of MDD recur-rence.Results:Compared to first-episode MDD,relapse MDD had more comorbidity(OR=2.11,95%CI:1.00-4.44),more days out of role(OR=1.26,95%CI:1.01-1.56),more history of using psychiatric drug more than one month(OR=1.41,95%CI:1.02-1.97)and electroconvulsive therapy(OR=3.23,95%CI:1.42-7.36),and higher waist-hip ratio(OR=33.88,95%CI:2.88-399.32).Conclusion:Relapse MDD has positive as-sociation with comorbidity of mental disorders,out of role,and higher waist-hip ratio.
10.Application of esophageal sponge cytology to esophageal carcinoma screening in high-incidence districts
Shu HUANG ; Ye GAO ; Yadong FENG ; Hailang ZHOU ; Wei WANG ; Xiuyan HAN ; Fazhen XU ; Aijun ZHOU ; Luowei WANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(10):768-773
Objective:To investigate the safety, feasibility and accuracy of esophageal sponge cytology in esophageal carcinoma screening in high-incidence districts.Methods:Opportunistic screening for esophageal carcinoma was conducted on individuals aged 40-75 years with high-risk factors for esophageal carcinoma and visited out-patient clinic in Lianshui People's Hospital from May 2021 to June 2022. A new esophageal cell collector independently developed in China was used for esophageal sponge cytology sampling followed by cytopathological analysis. Atypical squamous cells or more severe lesions were defined as positive esophageal sponge cytology. Then gastroscopy was performed, and all suspicious areas under the endoscopy were biopsied for histopathological examination. Gastroscopy, biopsy histopathology and esophageal sponge cytology were conducted blindly in pairs. Outcome measures included adverse reactions during sampling, subject tolerability (using a visual simulation score), sampling quality, and diagnostic efficacy of esophageal sponge cytology using gastroscopy plus biopsy histopathology as the gold standard.Results:A total of 1 590 patients completed the screening program. During esophageal sponge cytology sampling, no serious adverse events were observed, and the adverse reactions were mainly manifested as vomiting during sampling [0.31% (5/1 590)] and sore throat after sampling [2.45% (39/1 590)], all of which resolved spontaneously without further medical intervention. The majority of subjects [98.62% (1 568/1 590)] reported good tolerance during the procedure. After sampling, 1 526 (95.97%) subjects had completely expanded sponge material, meeting the standard of good sampling quality. The scanning analysis of the digital pathology system showed that the number of sampled cells in 1 590 subjects ranged (2.01-4.00)×10 6, with a median of 3.48×10 6 cells, which could meet the requirements for interpreting cytological results. Using the positive esophageal sponge cytology for the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma including high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 98.57% (69/70), 91.51% (1 391/1 520), 34.85% (69/198), 99.93% (1 391/1 392), and 91.82% (1 460/1 590), respectively. Conclusion:Esophageal sponge cytology presents promising diagnostic efficacy for esophageal carcinoma screening, offering a simple, safe, convenient, and effective approach in high-incidence esophageal carcinoma regions.

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