1.Safety analysis of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy on malignant liver tumors
Jia CAI ; Shiwei TANG ; Rongli LI ; Mingxin KONG ; Hongyan DING ; Xiaofeng YUAN ; Yuying HU ; Ruimei LIU ; Xiaoyan ZHU ; Wenjun LI ; Haibin ZHANG ; Guanwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(1):24-29
Objective To explore the safety of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (90Y-SIRT) on malignant liver tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with malignant liver tumors who underwent 90Y-SIRT from February 2023 to November 2024 at Weifang People’s Hospital. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were analyzed to assess the safety of 90Y-SIRT. Results Among the 64 patients, there were 52 males (81.25%) and 12 females (18.75%); the average age was (56.29±11.08) years. Seven patients (10.94%) had tumors with maximum diameter of less than 5 cm, 38 patients (59.38%) had tumors with maximum diameter of 5-10 cm, and 19 patients (29.68%) had tumors with maximum diameter of greater than 10 cm. There were 47 cases (73.44%) of solitary lesions and 17 cases (26.56%) of multiple lesions; 53 cases (82.81%) were primary liver cancers and 11 cases (17.19%) were metastatic liver cancers. Of the 64 patients, 63 successfully completed the Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) perfusion test and received the 90Y-SIRT; one patient received 90Y-SIRT after the second 99mTc-MAA perfusion test due to a work error. The most common adverse reactions included grade 1 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in 26 cases (40.62%) and grade 2 in 2 cases (9.37%), grade 1 aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation in 27 cases (42.18%) and grade 2 in 7 cases (10.93%); grade 1 nausea in 17 cases (26.56%) and grade 2 in 6 cases (9.37%); grade 1 abdominal pain in 12 cases (18.75%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%); grade 1 vomiting in 11 cases (17.18%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%). Conclusion The adverse reactions of 90Y-SIRT for treating malignant liver tumors are mild, indicating good safety.
2.Improvement effect and mechanism of Wuling San on TGF-β1-induced fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress damage in HK-2 cells.
Jun WU ; Xue-Ning JING ; Fan-Wei MENG ; Xiao-Ni KONG ; Jiu-Wang MIAO ; Cai-Xia ZHANG ; Hai-Lun LI ; Yun HAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1247-1254
This study investigated the effect of Wuling San on transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) and its mechanism of antioxidant stress injury. HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into a control group, a TGF-β1 model group, and three treatment groups receiving Wuling San-containing serum at low(2.5%), medium(5.0%), and high(10.0%) doses. TGF-β1 was used to establish the model in all groups except the control group. CCK-8 was used to analyze the effect of different concentrations of Wuling San on the activity of HK-2 cells with or without TGF-β1 stimulation. The expression of key fibrosis molecules, including actin alpha 2(Acta2), collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(Col1α1), collagen type Ⅲ alpha 1 chain(Col3α1), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1(Timp1), and fibronectin 1(Fn1), was detected using qPCR. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), and interleukin-4(IL-4), were measured using ELISA kits. Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), malondialdehyde(MDA), catalase(CAT), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) biochemical kits were used to analyze the effect of Wuling San on TGF-β1-induced oxidative stress injury in HK-2 cells, and the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) was analyzed by qPCR and immunofluorescence. The CCK-8 results indicated that the optimal administration concentrations of Wuling San were 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0%. Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 model group showed significantly increased levels of key fibrosis molecules(Acta2, Col1α1, Col3α1, Timp1, and Fn1) and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-4). In contrast, the Wuling San administration groups were able to dose-dependently inhibit the expression levels of key fibrosis molecules and inflammatory cytokines compared with the TGF-β1 model group. Wuling San significantly increased the activities of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD enzymes in TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells and significantly inhibited the level of MDA. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 model group exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 genes and proteins. After Wuling San intervention, the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 genes and proteins was significantly increased. Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant stress enzymes(GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD) and Nrf2 signaling were significantly negatively correlated with key fibrosis molecules and inflammatory cytokines in the TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cell model. In conclusion, Wuling San can inhibit TGF-β1-induced fibrosis in HK-2 cells by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, improving oxidative stress injury, and reducing inflammation.
Humans
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Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*
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Fibrosis/genetics*
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Cell Line
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Epithelial Cells/immunology*
;
Inflammation/metabolism*
3.Seeing the macro in the micro: a diffusion model-based approach for style transfer in cellular images.
Jiayi CAI ; Yong HE ; Feng LIU ; Byung-Ho KANG ; Xuping FENG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(6):609-612
The internal structures of cells as the basic units of life are a major wonder of the microscopic world. Cellular images provide an intriguing window to help explore and understand the composition and function of these structures. Scientific imagery combined with artistic expression can further expand the potential of imaging in educational dissemination and interdisciplinary applications. This study presents an innovative diffusion model-based approach for style transfer in cellular images, combining scientific rigor with artistic expression. By leveraging training-free large-scale pre-trained diffusion models, the proposed method integrates the intricate morphological and textural features of cellular images with diverse artistic styles. Key techniques such as the inversion of denoising diffusion implicit models (DDIMs), adaptive instance normalization (AdaIN), self-attention style injection, and attention temperature scaling ensure the preservation of cellular structures while enhancing visual expressiveness. The results showcase the potential of this strategy for interdisciplinary applications, enriching both the visualization and educational dissemination of cellular imagery through compelling storytelling and aesthetic appeal.
Humans
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
;
Cells
;
Diffusion
4.Ching Shum Pills alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders.
Biyun LUO ; Xin YI ; Yijing CAI ; Shiqing ZHANG ; Peng WANG ; Tong LI ; Ken Kin Lam YUNG ; Pingzheng ZHOU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(9):1840-1849
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of Ching Shum Pills (CSP) for alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the underlying mechanism.
METHODS:
In a mouse model of NAFLD, the therapeutic effect of CSP was evaluated by measuring serum glucose, lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C), and hepatic function markers. Network pharmacology was employed to identify active compounds in CSP and their targets using TCMSP, HERB, SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG pathway analyses were conducted. Molecular docking (AutoDock Vina) was used to assess the compound-target binding affinities. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to validate the mRNA expressions of the core genes in the liver tissue of the mouse models.
RESULTS:
In the mouse model of NAFLD, treatment with CSP significantly reduced body weight gain and serum TG levels of the mice, and high-dose CSP treatment resulted in obvious reduction of ALT levels and hepatic fat accumulation. Network pharmacology analysis identified quercetin and 2-monolinolenin as the key bioactives in CSP, which target TNF, AKT1, IL6, TP53, and ALB. Docking simulations suggested strong binding between the two core compounds and their target proteins. The results of qRT-PCR showed that high-fat diet induced significant downregulation of Tp53, Cpt1, and Ppara expressions in mice, which was effectively reversed by CSP treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
CSP can improve lipid metabolism disorders in NAFLD mice through a regulatory mechanism involving multiple targets and pathways to reduce liver fat accumulation and protect liver function. The key components in CSP such as quercetin and linolenic acid monoacylglycerol may participate in the regulation of such metabolic processes as fatty acid oxidation by targeting TP53.
Animals
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy*
;
Mice
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects*
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Disease Models, Animal
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Male
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Lipid Metabolism Disorders/drug therapy*
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PPAR alpha/metabolism*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Network Pharmacology
5.Lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for advanced symptomatic juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy: a long-term follow-up pilot study.
Zhao ZHANG ; Hua JIANG ; Li HUANG ; Sixi LIU ; Xiaoya ZHOU ; Yun CAI ; Ming LI ; Fei GAO ; Xiaoting LIANG ; Kam-Sze TSANG ; Guangfu CHEN ; Chui-Yan MA ; Yuet-Hung CHAI ; Hongsheng LIU ; Chen YANG ; Mo YANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Shuo HAN ; Xin DU ; Ling CHEN ; Wuh-Liang HWU ; Jiacai ZHUO ; Qizhou LIAN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):16-27
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans
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Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics*
;
Pilot Projects
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Genetic Therapy/methods*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Male
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Female
;
Lentivirus/genetics*
;
Child
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Child, Preschool
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism*
;
Adolescent
6.Dynamin 1-mediated endocytic recycling of glycosylated N-cadherin sustains the plastic mesenchymal state to promote ovarian cancer metastasis.
Yuee CAI ; Zhangyan GUAN ; Yin TONG ; Weiyang ZHAO ; Jiangwen ZHANG ; Ling PENG ; Philip P C IP ; Sally K Y TO ; Alice S T WONG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):602-608
7.Regional variations in physical activity among children and adolescents in China
PENG Li ao, LIU Mingyi, JING Yan, KONG Nianxin, YIN Zikang, CAI Jingjie
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(9):1290-1293
Objective:
To understand the current situation and differences in physical activity among children and adolescents in different regions of China, so as to provide a scientific reference for promoting the level of overall physical activity promotion among children and adolescents in China.
Methods:
From June to December 2023, the student satisfaction assessment questionnaire for the national children and adolescents theme fitness activity "Run, Youth!" was conducted, which was administered via a combined online and offline questionnaire survey to explore 397 013 students participation in the "Run, Youth!" activity in 2023. Descriptive statistics, Logistic regression, and other approaches were utilized for data analysis.
Results:
There were notable disparities in the rates of children and adolescents meeting the physical activity standards among northeast China, northwest China, north China, east China, central China and southwest China (10.27%, 11.79%, 9.32%, 8.48%, 8.81%, 7.30%) ( χ 2=33.48, P <0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that rate of recommended level of physical activity among children in northwest China, boys, children aged 16-18, children in urban areas were relatively high ( OR =1.12, 1.68, 0.60, 1.88, P < 0.05 ). After adjusting for confounding factors, the results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that there was an interactive effect relationship between the interaction of region, age, gender, and urban-rural distribution and physical activity among children and adolescents ( OR=0.51, P <0.01). Based on gender analysis, weekly physical activity duration of boys in each region surpassed that of girls; based on age analysis, except for the central and southwestern regions, weekly physical activity duration of children and adolescents gradually increased with age in other regions; based on the proportion of urban and rural areas, weekly physical activity duration of children and adolescents in urban areas across all regions exceeded that in rural areas.
Conclusions
The attainment rate of sufficient physical activity among children and adolescents in northwest China is the highest, and the differences between regions are not significant. The participation and level of physical activity of male students in each region surpass those of females and the attainment rate of physical activity of physical activity of urban children and adolescents is higher than that of those in rural areas.
8.Occupational health risk assessment of n-hexane based on four risk assessment models
Fei LI ; Lu KONG ; Boshen WANG ; Fanwei XU ; Na CAI ; Baoli ZHU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(6):655-660
Background N-hexane has been a widely used solvent in industrial production, but it is volatile at room temperature and can be accumulated in the body, and its prolonged occupational exposure may lead to serious chronic diseases in workers. Objective To use four risk assessment models to evaluate the health risk levels of n-hexane-exposed workers, discuss the applicability of the four models in the health risk assessment of n-hexane exposure, and make an important supplement to the health risk assessment of n-hexane in China. Methods In 2022, a total of 167 jobs (1724 workers) exposed to n-hexane in 85 manufacturing enterprises in Jiangsu Province were selected, and a cross-sectional study was conducted and included questionnaire surveys and evaluation of on-site air n-hexane of each job. Subsequently, the China’s classification standards of occupational hazards at workplaces (China model), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model, Singapore semi-quantitative risk assessment model (Singapore model), and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) model were applied to the quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative assessments of the occupational health risk level of n-hexane-exposed workers. Results All job’s 8-h time-weighted average concentrations (CTWA) of n-hexane were within the national occupational exposure limits (OELs). The results of the China model graded all jobs as relatively harmless. The Singapore model graded all jobs as low risk, except that two monitoring sites of adhesive jobs were assessed as medium risk. The ICMM quantitative model evaluated all jobs as intolerable for n-hexane airborne exposure, while the matrix method evaluated all jobs as low risk. The U.S. EPA model identified five sites involving painting, printing, and adhesive jobs as high risk and the other jobs as low risk. Conclusion Inconsistent grading results are observed by using the four models for the occupational health risk assessment of n-hexane exposure, that is, harmless for all jobs by China model, while medium and high risks by Singapore model and U.S. EPA model. Therefore, we recommend to combine the Singapore model and the U.S. EPA model with the China model to assess the occupational risk of n-hexane-exposed workers by considering actual concentrations of exposure.
9.Application of diagnosis-related groups performance evaluation in fine management of medical quality
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(7):636-639,643
Abstract
Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), designed to reflect the complexity of grouped cases and the consumption of medical resources, has been utilized for evaluating hospital specialty capabilities and assessing performance. A provincial tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province has developed a management model based on DRGs performance evaluation with strengthening the medical record quality control, optimizing disease admission structures, and refining data analysis. This article introduced the application of DRGs performance evaluation in this hospital, and proposed suggestions for improvement, including leveraging artificial intelligence and big data and integrating clinical pathway management to further enhance medical care quality. These insights provided the reference for high quality development of hospitals.
10.Analysis of the Spatio-temporal Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Local Hospitalization Propor-tion of Guangdong Province
Shengliang CHEN ; Sihui JIN ; Dongbao ZHAO ; Kangmei KONG ; Renjia SHU ; Qiumao CAI ; Yixiang HUANG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(1):23-27
Objective To analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics and influencing factors of local hospitalization proportion in 57 counties of Guangdong Province.Methods Using local hospitalization proportion and related indicators in 57 counties of Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2019,temporal trend analysis and spatial autocorrelation analy-sis were used to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics.Bayesian spatio-temporal model was used to explore in-fluencing factors of local hospitalization proportion.Results The local hospitalization proportion in Guangdong Province rose from 79.8%in 2016 to 84.1%in 2019,showing an increasing trend and the overall characteristics of"high in the west and low in the east".The global and local spatial autocorrelation results show that there is a spatial correla-tion in the local hospitalization proportion within the counties of Guangdong Province,and spatial aggregation has formed in some areas.There is a"high"aggregation in western Guangdong,and a"low"aggregation in eastern Guangdong Province.The Bayesian spatio-temporal model shows that the number of people with a bachelor's de-gree or above per 1 000 population and the CMI of county hospitals had an effect on the local hospitalization propor-tion(P<0.05).Conclusion Guangdong Province can improve the medical service capacity of county hospitals sub-stantially and introduce or train high-quality talents through multiple measures,and continue to improve the local hospitalization proportion.


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