1.Dual regulation mechanism, clinical value of lncRNA in PCOS and intervention role of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Baosong LIU ; Caixia LI ; Yingying SUN ; Xiaofang ZHANG ; Mengfan PENG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(1):77-84
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, which can cause metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and other complications, seriously endangering the health of the body. China has become one of the countries with the fastest increasing prevalence of PCOS, but its complex pathogenesis leads to highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations, making it difficult to completely cure. Therefore, clarifying the potential pathogenesis of PCOS is of great significance for early clinical screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays a dual role in the pathogenesis of PCOS and is a potential novel biomarker and intervention target. The characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are consistent with the biological properties of lncRNA, which have diverse types, dual roles, and diverse locations. However, research on lncRNA mediated PCOS and how TCM can improve PCOS by regulating lncRNA is relatively scattered, which is not conducive to the recognition of its clinical value. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review of the dual regulatory mechanism, clinical value, and TCM intervention research of lncRNA in the occurrence and development of PCOS, aiming to clarify how lncRNA affects the occurrence and development of PCOS and potential treatment strategies, in order to provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of PCOS.
2.Association between homocysteine and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and its effects on IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes in RPL patients
Manman LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Hebo ZHANG ; Mengfan YUAN ; Bingnan REN ; Junwei ZHANG ; Feng LI ; Wenjuan ZHANG ; Chaozhao LIU ; Yichun GUAN
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(8):779-786
Objective:To investigate the association between homocysteine (Hcy) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), as well as its impact on clinical pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between December 2020 and March 2024. Patients were divided into no history of pregnancy loss group (named control group, n=1 027) and RPL group ( n=743) based on history of pregnancy loss. Peripheral blood Hcy levels were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounding factors and determine whether Hcy is an independent risk factor for RPL. RPL patients were divided into four subgroups based on Hcy quartiles, named Q1 subgroup (Hcy<7.03 μmol/L), Q2 subgroup (7.03 μmol/L≤Hcy<8.63 μmol/L), Q3 subgroup (8.63 μmol/L≤Hcy<10.44 μmol/L), and Q4 subgroup (Hcy≥10.44 μmol/L), to further analyze the impact of Hcy level on pregnancy outcomes after IVF/ICSI-ET in these patients. Results:1) Baseline characteristics between control and RPL groups: statistically significant differences were observed in female age, male age, female body mass index (BMI), duration of infertility, cause of infertility, and peripheral blood Hcy levels (all P<0.05). 2) After adjusting for female age, male age, female BMI, duration of infertility, and cause of infertility via multivariate logistic regression, elevated Hcy levels was identified as an independent risk factor for RPL (a OR=1.366, 95% CI: 1.298-1.438, P<0.001). 3) Baseline characteristics of the four RPL subgroups: antral follicle count (AFC) differed significantly among Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 subgroups [17.00 (11.00, 24.00), 15.00 (10.00, 24.00), 14.00 (7.00, 22.25), 15.50 (8.00, 22.00), P=0.043]. No statistically significant differences were observed in other baseline characteristics (all P>0.05). 4) Pregnancy outcomes across the four RPL subgroups: miscarriage rates in the Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 subgroups were 18.18% (18/99), 30.61% (30/98), 33.70% (31/92), and 35.96% (32/89), respectively, live birth rates were 44.26% (81/183), 36.17% (68/188), 32.80% (61/186), and 30.65% (57/186), respectively. Intergroup differences in miscarriage rate and live birth rate were statistically significant ( P=0.033, P=0.036). Specifically, miscarriage rate in the Q3 and Q4 subgroups, and live birth rate in the Q4 subgroup were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup (all q<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy rate or early miscarriage rate among the four groups (all P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors using multivariate logistic regression, taking the Q1 subgroup as the control, there were no statistically significant differences in the clinical pregnancy rate between the remaining groups and the Q1 subgroup (all P>0.05). The early miscarriage rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=2.184, 95% CI: 1.077-4.426, P=0.030) and the early miscarriage rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=2.290, 95% CI: 1.116-4.697, P=0.024) were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup; the miscarriage rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=2.207, 95% CI: 1.125-4.330, P=0.021) and the miscarriage rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=2.377, 95% CI: 1.209-4.674, P=0.012) were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup; the live birth rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=0.615, 95% CI: 0.401-0.944, P=0.026) and the live birth rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=0.560, 95% CI: 0.364-0.863, P=0.009) were significantly lower than those in the Q1 subgroup. Conclusion:Elevated Hcy is a high-risk factor for RPL in IVF/ICSI-ET patients and may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.
3.Scientific liver resection and personalized treatment:innovative practices to maximize patient benefits
Zhipeng WU ; Gang DU ; Zeyang LIU ; Sai ZHANG ; Mengfan YANG ; Mingkun LIU ; Bin JIN
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(1):54-61
Primary liver cancer,particularly hepatocellular carcinoma,is one of the most common malignancies in China,and hepatectomy remains the primary curative treatment.However,the efficacy of hepatectomy is significantly limited due to the heterogeneity of liver cancer,its high recurrence rate,and the fact that most patients are diagnosed at advanced stages.In recent years,the development of precision medicine has brought new hope to liver cancer treatment,especially with notable advancements in preoperative assessment,systemic therapy,minimally invasive surgery,and personalized treatment strategies.Preoperative assessment,including imaging technologies such as three-dimensional visualization and molecular imaging,helps physicians accurately evaluate tumor characteristics and liver function,guiding the choice of treatment plan.The combined application of immunotherapy and targeted therapy has significantly improved survival rates for patients with advanced liver cancer.The strategy of combining systemic therapy with local treatment has provided new pathways for translational therapy,expanding the indications for hepatectomy.The optimal selection of patients based on tumor biological characteristics,especially molecular subtyping and liver function status,to maximize patient benefit still requires further exploration.The"seven-step"modular laparoscopic hepatectomy,by achieving scientific hepatectomy,demonstrates the clinical practice of maximizing patient benefit,further elucidating a multidisciplinary,personalized treatment model centered on surgical therapy.
4.Dual regulation mechanism, clinical value of lncRNA in PCOS and intervention role of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Baosong LIU ; Caixia LI ; Yingying SUN ; Xiaofang ZHANG ; Mengfan PENG
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(1):77-84
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, which can cause metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and other complications, seriously endangering the health of the body. China has become one of the countries with the fastest increasing prevalence of PCOS, but its complex pathogenesis leads to highly heterogeneous clinical manifestations, making it difficult to completely cure. Therefore, clarifying the potential pathogenesis of PCOS is of great significance for early clinical screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) plays a dual role in the pathogenesis of PCOS and is a potential novel biomarker and intervention target. The characteristics of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway action in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are consistent with the biological properties of lncRNA, which have diverse types, dual roles, and diverse locations. However, research on lncRNA mediated PCOS and how TCM can improve PCOS by regulating lncRNA is relatively scattered, which is not conducive to the recognition of its clinical value. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review of the dual regulatory mechanism, clinical value, and TCM intervention research of lncRNA in the occurrence and development of PCOS, aiming to clarify how lncRNA affects the occurrence and development of PCOS and potential treatment strategies, in order to provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of PCOS.
5.Association between homocysteine and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and its effects on IVF/ICSI-ET outcomes in RPL patients
Manman LIU ; Rui ZHANG ; Hebo ZHANG ; Mengfan YUAN ; Bingnan REN ; Junwei ZHANG ; Feng LI ; Wenjuan ZHANG ; Chaozhao LIU ; Yichun GUAN
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(8):779-786
Objective:To investigate the association between homocysteine (Hcy) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), as well as its impact on clinical pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). Methods:This retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between December 2020 and March 2024. Patients were divided into no history of pregnancy loss group (named control group, n=1 027) and RPL group ( n=743) based on history of pregnancy loss. Peripheral blood Hcy levels were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounding factors and determine whether Hcy is an independent risk factor for RPL. RPL patients were divided into four subgroups based on Hcy quartiles, named Q1 subgroup (Hcy<7.03 μmol/L), Q2 subgroup (7.03 μmol/L≤Hcy<8.63 μmol/L), Q3 subgroup (8.63 μmol/L≤Hcy<10.44 μmol/L), and Q4 subgroup (Hcy≥10.44 μmol/L), to further analyze the impact of Hcy level on pregnancy outcomes after IVF/ICSI-ET in these patients. Results:1) Baseline characteristics between control and RPL groups: statistically significant differences were observed in female age, male age, female body mass index (BMI), duration of infertility, cause of infertility, and peripheral blood Hcy levels (all P<0.05). 2) After adjusting for female age, male age, female BMI, duration of infertility, and cause of infertility via multivariate logistic regression, elevated Hcy levels was identified as an independent risk factor for RPL (a OR=1.366, 95% CI: 1.298-1.438, P<0.001). 3) Baseline characteristics of the four RPL subgroups: antral follicle count (AFC) differed significantly among Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 subgroups [17.00 (11.00, 24.00), 15.00 (10.00, 24.00), 14.00 (7.00, 22.25), 15.50 (8.00, 22.00), P=0.043]. No statistically significant differences were observed in other baseline characteristics (all P>0.05). 4) Pregnancy outcomes across the four RPL subgroups: miscarriage rates in the Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 subgroups were 18.18% (18/99), 30.61% (30/98), 33.70% (31/92), and 35.96% (32/89), respectively, live birth rates were 44.26% (81/183), 36.17% (68/188), 32.80% (61/186), and 30.65% (57/186), respectively. Intergroup differences in miscarriage rate and live birth rate were statistically significant ( P=0.033, P=0.036). Specifically, miscarriage rate in the Q3 and Q4 subgroups, and live birth rate in the Q4 subgroup were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup (all q<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy rate or early miscarriage rate among the four groups (all P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors using multivariate logistic regression, taking the Q1 subgroup as the control, there were no statistically significant differences in the clinical pregnancy rate between the remaining groups and the Q1 subgroup (all P>0.05). The early miscarriage rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=2.184, 95% CI: 1.077-4.426, P=0.030) and the early miscarriage rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=2.290, 95% CI: 1.116-4.697, P=0.024) were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup; the miscarriage rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=2.207, 95% CI: 1.125-4.330, P=0.021) and the miscarriage rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=2.377, 95% CI: 1.209-4.674, P=0.012) were significantly higher than those in the Q1 subgroup; the live birth rate in the Q3 subgroup (a OR=0.615, 95% CI: 0.401-0.944, P=0.026) and the live birth rate in the Q4 subgroup (a OR=0.560, 95% CI: 0.364-0.863, P=0.009) were significantly lower than those in the Q1 subgroup. Conclusion:Elevated Hcy is a high-risk factor for RPL in IVF/ICSI-ET patients and may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.
6.Imaging guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer:A multicenter retrospective study
Shuilian TAN ; Jie ZHOU ; Ping LIANG ; Xiaoling YU ; Xin YE ; Gang DONG ; Xiang JING ; Guanghui HUANG ; Zhen WANG ; Mengfan PENG ; Yan ZHOU ; Jie YU ; Zhiyu HAN ; Fangyi LIU ; Hongjian GAO ; Yubo ZHANG ; Zhigang CHENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(7):1109-1112
Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer.Methods Totally 84 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for unresectable pancreatic cancer were enrolled,and the technical success rate,complete ablation rate,complication rate,pain relief rate and survival time,etc.were observed.Results The median age of 84 cases was 61.5 years.Totally 86 tumors,including 44.19%(38/86)at the head/neck and 55.81%(48/86)at the body/tail of pancreas were detected,and a total of 85 ablation sessions were performed with the median ablation energy applied per tumor of 9.90(1.08,21.60)kJ and the complete ablation rate of 42.86%(36/84).The technical success rate was 100%(85/85).Thirty-nine complication events occurred in 25 cases,no ablation-related death.Among 34 patients underwent ablation mainly for pain symptoms,the pain score decreased from(6.22±1.12)points before treatment to(1.94±1.64)points after treatment(P<0.001).During 6.8(3.3,12.9)months' follow-up,the mean survival time was(8.5±6.7)months,and all 47 patients died due to tumor progression.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation was safe and feasible for unresectable pancreatic cancer.
7.Efficacy analysis of an improved radiofrequency ablation method for primary great saphenous vein varicose
Yingying QING ; Yuang ZHANG ; Gang DONG ; Jie WU ; Jiamin SUN ; Shanshan ZHANG ; Mengfan PENG ; Wenwen YUE
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(10):897-903
Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of a modified radiofrequency ablation(RFA)treatment method for primary great saphenous vein varicose.Methods:Clinical data of 90 patients with primary great saphenous vein varicose treated with ultrasound-guided RFA from January 2021 to April 2024 in the Ultrasound Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. Among them,45 patients were treated with traditional RFA treatment method(traditional group)and 45 patients were treated with improved RFA treatment method(improved group). Number of punctures,operation time,foam hardener dosage,intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded in the two groups. The preoperative and postoperative venous clinical severity score(VCSS)and chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire(CIVIQ-14)were compared. The closure rate and recurrence rate of great saphenous vein varicose were followed up and the efficacy of the two methods were analyzed.Results:The success rate of the improved group and the traditional group was 100%.The number of punctures in the improved group was less than those of the traditional group[1(1,1) vs. 2(2,3), Z = -7.431, P<0.001],and the operation time of the modified group was shorter than that of the traditional group[(15.89 ± 3.63)min vs.(30.91 ± 5.58)min, t=-15.145, P<0.001],the average volume of lauryl foam was lower than that of the traditional RFA group[(7.96 ± 2.36)ml vs.(15.69 ± 2.89)ml, t=-13.892, P<0.001]. The incidence of complications was similar between the two groups,with no statistical significance(all P>0.05). Postoperative VCSS and CIVIQ-14 scores were significantly improved compared with before(all P<0.001),with no statistical significance between the two groups(all P>0.05). At 12 months after the operation,there was no significant difference in the closure rate of the saphenous vein between the improved group and the traditional group( P>0.05),and the recurrence rate of varicose veins in both groups was 0. Conclusions:This modified RFA treatment method for the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins is minimally invasive,safe,and has the same efficacy as the traditional RFA treatment method. Compared with the traditional RFA treatment method,the modified RFA treatment method has the advantages of convenient operation,less puncture times and shorter operation time,and is worthy of clinical promotion.
8.Effect of ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum on the expression of integrin alpha5 and beta1 in degenerative rabbit lumbar intervertebral discs
Can CHEN ; Yu ZHAO ; Binhan HU ; Mengfan DU ; Junning LIU ; Susheng NIU ; Yan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):331-338
BACKGROUND:Needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum can effectively improve symptoms in patients with lumbar degeneration,and ultrasound guidance can increase the precision of needle-knife release;however,the specific effects of needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum on the degenerated intervertebral discs and the possible mechanisms remain to be clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum. METHODS:Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into control(n=6)and model(n=18)groups.A rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration model was established in the model group by cutting the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments of the L5/6 and L6/7 segments to maintain a standing posture and apply axial load to the lumbar spine.After successful modeling,the model rabbits were subdivided into a control group,a model group,an ultrasonic needle-knife group,and a sham needle-knife group according to a random number table method,with six animals in each group.The ultrasonic needle-knife group underwent ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the right yellow ligament of L7/S1,once every week,for a total of four times.The needle-knife approach in the sham needle-knife group was the same as that in the ultrasound needle-knife group,but the ligamentum flavum was not released.At 30 days after the intervention,MRI was used to observe the changes in the signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus within the L7/S1 segment.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the L7/S1 segment.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of type I and II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the L7/S1 segment.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of integrin α5 and β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the L7/S1 segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:MRI findings indicated that the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc of rabbits in the model group was gray-black in color,and the gray value of the nucleus pulposus was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).The brightness of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc of the rabbits in the ultrasonic needle-knife group was elevated compared with that of the model group,and the gray value of the nucleus pulposus was higher than that of the model group(P<0.01).Results from hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the model group,the shape of the nucleus pulposus was irregular,the number of nucleus pulposus cells was reduced,the extracellular matrix was compressed,the fibrous ring was ruptured,the structure and boundary of the end plate were unclear,and the chondrocytes were arranged disorderly.Compared with the model group,the ultrasonic needle-knife group showed an increase in the number of the nucleus pulposus,an improvement in the rupture of the fibrous ring,and more regular arrangement of cartilage endplate cells.Results from immunohistochemical staining showed an increase in positive expression of type I collagen(P<0.01)and a decrease in positive expression of type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the model group compared with the control group as well as a decrease in positive expression of type I collagen and an increase in positive expression of type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the ultrasonic needle-knife group compared with the model group(P<0.01).RT-PCR and western blot assays showed that the mRNA and protein expression of integrin α5,integrin β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the intervertebral discs of rabbits in the model group were increased compared with that in the control group(P<0.01);the mRNA and protein expression of integrin α5,integrin β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the intervertebral discs of rabbits in the ultrasonic needle-knife group was decreased compared with that in the model group(P<0.01).To conclude,ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum can improve the degree of lumbar disc degeneration in rabbits,which may be related to the inhibition of p38 and nuclear factor-κB expression by modulating integrin α5 and β1 expression.
9.Theoretical Research on the Detailed Classification of Traditional Chinese Medicine Visceral Syndrome Differentiation Based on Syndrome-Formula Correspondence
Liqiu YU ; Zhuien WANG ; Mengfan LI ; Chengye CHEN ; Jiayu ZHANG ; Yi YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1504-1507
The current classification methods for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) visceral syndrome differentiation suffer from excessive generalization, which hinders their clinical application. Based on the analysis of the pattern of "one syndrome corresponding to multiple formulas", this paper focused on the principle of syndrome-formula correspondence, and proposed that formula-syndromes are the smallest units for refining visceral syndromes. By establishing the correspondence between formula-syndromes and visceral syndromes, this study aims to further clarify the refined categories of syndromes and their treatment patterns, providing a new perspective for the standardization and objectification of TCM syndromes.
10.Aging and perioperative brain health: Mechanisms, management, and future.
Peilin CONG ; Qian CHEN ; Qianqian WU ; Jing WANG ; Xinwei HUANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Zheping CHEN ; Huanghui WU ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Mengfan HE ; Zhouxiang LI ; Li TIAN ; Lize XIONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2381-2398
Globally, over 300 million surgeries are performed each year, and more than 50% of surgeries involve patients aged 65 and older. Aging poses significant challenges to perioperative brain health, as the deterioration of brain structure and function increases susceptibility to postoperative neurological complications. Protecting perioperative brain health remains a worldwide clinical challenge. With senescence, the brain undergoes a progressive decline in homeostasis across various molecular, cellular, and regional functions. Anesthetics and surgical stimuli may accelerate the disruption of brain homeostasis and exacerbate age-related neurodegeneration. This review provides a framework for understanding how anesthesia and surgery can affect brain health in the aging population and contribute to postoperative neurological complications, with a particular focus on perioperative neurocognitive disorder.

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