1.Mechanisms and treatments of cognitive decline induced by cranial radiation
Yifan HU ; Wenjing YANG ; Shufang CUI ; Xiaoying BI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):128-135
While cranial radiotherapy effectively kills tumor cells and significantly prolongs patient survival, it often leads to progressive cognitive decline. To date, the specific mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cognitive decline have not been fully elucidated, which greatly limits the development of related therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of post-radiation changes in neurogenesis, neuronal synaptic plasticity, myelin injury plasticity, and parenchymal cells such as microglia in the brain, systematically elucidates the potential mechanisms of radiation-induced cognitive decline, and summarizes feasible therapeutic approaches. These findings provide a solid foundation for developing novel strategies to mitigate radiation-induced cognitive decline.
2.Effect and mechanism of action of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid on an in vitro cell model of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Tong LIU ; Sutong LIU ; Lihui ZHANG ; Yijia SONG ; Wenjing WU ; Beilei CUI ; Yajie GUAN ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1586-1596
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential targets of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the molecular mechanism by which it regulates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. MethodsA network pharmacology analysis was performed at first, and related databases were used to obtain the common action targets of 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD, followed by molecular docking and pathway enrichment analysis to predict the potential biological processes and signaling pathways regulated by these targets. Then mouse normal hepatocytes AML-12 were used for cell experiments, and CCK-8 assay was used to determine the three optimal intervention concentrations of 2,5-DHBA. AML-12 cells were divided into control group, model group (cells cultured in a medium containing 2 mmol/L free fatty acid [FFA] to establish a cell model of MAFLD), and three 2,5-DHBA intervention groups (cells cultured with FFA and 2,5-DHBA at the three different concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L, respectively). Oil red O staining was used to observe intracellular lipid accumulation; the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to measure the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); biochemical assays were used to measure the content of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC); quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the expression levels of related genes and proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsA total of 32 common targets were obtained for 2,5-DHBA and MAFLD. Within a concentration range of 1.25 — 20 μmol/L, 2,5-DHBA treatment, starting from the concentration of 2.5 μmol/L, increased the viability of AML-12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The minimum effective concentration of 1.25 μmol/L, the intermediate gradient concentration of 5 μmol/L, and the maximum safe concentration within the effective range of 20 μmol/L were selected for low-, middle-, and high-dose intervention, respectively. Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA intervention at concentrations of 1.25, 5, and 20 μmol/L could significantly reduce lipid droplet accumulation in cells (all P<0.05), and there were significant differences in TG and TC between the model group and the three intervention groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group had a significant increase in ROS fluorescence intensity (P<0.05), and compared with the model group, there was a dose-dependent reduction in intracellular ROS level after treatment with 5 μmol/L or 20 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, 2,5-DHBA treatment at concentrations of 5 and 20 μmol/L significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of the lipogenic genes SREBf1 and FASN and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of the key antioxidant gene Nrf2 and its downstream target gene HO-1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in the model group was significantly increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt were significantly decreased after 5 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein in the model group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). The protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased after treatment with 1.25 μmol/L 2,5-DHBA (P<0.05). ConclusionNetwork pharmacology and cellular experiments confirm that 2,5-DHBA can alleviate lipid deposition and oxidative stress by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on MAFLD.
3.The value of coronary CT angiography-based traditional features and radiomics in identification of culprit plaques to cause acute myocardial infarction
Pei NIE ; Shuo ZHANG ; Yan DENG ; Shifeng YANG ; Xinxin YU ; Kaiyue ZHI ; He ZHU ; Peng LI ; Jingjing CUI ; Wenjing CHEN ; Yanmei WANG ; Yuchao XU ; Dapeng HAO ; Ximing WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(9):1017-1028
Objective:To investigate the value of coronary CTA (CCTA)-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque in the identification of culprit lesions that caused acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:This was a retrospective multicenter study. From July 2016 to November 2023, a total of 344 patients from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (training cohort, n=184), Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University (validation cohort, n=88) and Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (test cohort, n=72) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to AMI and underwent CCTA within 48 hours of AMI were enrolled. The culprit plaques and non-culprit plaques were identified using a combination of electrocardiogram, CCTA, and angiographic findings. The vessel, plaque location, plaque type, Coronary Artery Disease-Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS) score, high-risk plaque characteristics, plaque length, plaque volume, and burden were analyzed, and 1 904 radiomics features were extracted for each plaque. The traditional imaging model, the radiomics model, and the combined model were established by using multivariate Logistic regression analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of each model in identifying culprit lesions. The DeLong test was used for the comparison of AUC between every two models. The net reclassification index (NRI) was used to evaluate the incremental value of the combined model to the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model. The decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of these models. A correlation heatmap was used to evaluate the correlation between the radiomics score and traditional CCTA factors. The interpretable analysis of the decision process of the combined model was performed by the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results:In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the traditional imaging model developed by the vessel, plaque type, positive remodeling and CAD-RADS score was 0.898 (95% CI 0.869-0.922) and 0.881 (95% CI 0.848-0.910), respectively. The radiomics model developed by six radiomics features was 0.863 (95% CI 0.831-0.891) and 0.863 (95% CI 0.827-0.864), respectively. The AUC of the combined model was 0.930 (95% CI 0.905-0.950)and 0.919 (95% CI 0.889-0.942), respectively. In the validation cohort and the test cohort, the AUC of the combined model was higher than that of the traditional imaging model ( Z=4.013, 4.272, P<0.001) and that of the radiomics model ( Z=4.819, 3.784, P<0.001), respectively. In the validation cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 20.43% (95% CI 10.43%-30.44%, P<0.001) and 20.21% (95% CI 9.62%-30.80%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. In the test cohort, the combined model yielded an NRI of 28.05% (95% CI 16.72%-39.38%, P<0.001) and 23.57% (95% CI 13.58%-33.56%, P<0.001) for identifying culprit lesions compared with the traditional imaging model and the radiomics model, respectively. DCA showed the combined model had the highest clinical net benefit. The correlation heatmap showed the radiomics score was not correlated or only weakly correlated with traditional CCTA factors. SHAP indicated the radiomics and CAD-RADS score contributed significantly to the model. Conclusion:The CCTA-based traditional features and radiomics of plaque have favorable performance for the identification of culprit plaques in patients with AMI.
4.Exploration into the needs and social work intervention of patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Yexiang MENG ; Yu CUI ; Wenjing WANG ; Juan YAN
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(6):790-798
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive inherited myopathy caused by a pathogenic variant of the amyotrophic protein gene. Currently, DMD patients have needs for treatment, education, and social integration at different stages of the disease. Faced with the multiple needs of DMD patients, based on the professional value and ethics of social work, the integrative orientation of social work, and the multiple roles of social workers, social workers can build a comprehensive service system centred on DMD patients and provide multiple services. Specifically, social work intervention paths can enhance the health and well-being of DMD patients and improve their quality of life by providing various services such as in-hospital and out-of-hospital health management, psychological support, resource links, empowerment, construction of social support networks, science popularization, and policy advocacy.
5.Role and clinical application prospect of epigenetics in lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Junjiao XU ; Sutong LIU ; Qizhen ZHANG ; Yajie GUAN ; Beilei CUI ; Wenjing WU ; Minghao LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1161-1166
Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially among lean individuals. The research on related epigenetic mechanisms has provided new clues and directions for revealing the underlying causes and treatment strategies of NAFLD. This article introduces the role of epigenetics in the development and progression of NAFLD among lean individuals in recent years, analyzes the latest research advances in the epigenetics of NAFLD in this population, and briefly describes the basic concepts of epigenetics, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation. This article also discusses how epigenetic alterations impact the pathogenesis, disease progression, and treatment strategies of NAFLD in lean individuals.
7.Levels and clinical significance of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries
Xiaosong LI ; Wenjing XU ; Xiaojian CUI ; Songbo JIA
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2497-2501,2506
Objective To investigate the levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)and lipopolysaccha-ride signal receptor(CD14)in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries and their clini-cal significance.Methods A total of 468 preschool children(aged 3-6 years)who underwent oral examina-tions in the hospital from April 2022 to May 2024 were selected as the research objects and were divided into the observation group(with dental caries,n=107)and the healthy group(without dental caries,n=361)based on the presence or absence of dental caries.The observation group was further divided into three sub-groups according to the degree of caries activity test(CAT)score:low activity group(n=29),moderate activ-ity group(n=46),and high activity group(n=32).The children in the observation group were followed up for 6 months,and then divided into the occurrence group(n=36)and the non-occurrence group(n=71)based on whether chronic apical periodontitis occurred during the follow-up period.The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the research objects were detected.The relationship between the levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries and CAT score was ex-plored by Pearson correlation analysis.The predictive value of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid for chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries was explored by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the obser-vation group were higher than those in the healthy group(P<0.05).With the increase of CAT score,the lev-els of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid gradually increased(high activity group>moderate activi-ty group>low activity group),and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries were positively correlated with CAT score(r=0.526,0.634,P<0.001).The levels of HIF-1α and CD14 in gingival crevicular fluid in the occurrence group were significantly higher than those in the non-occurrence group(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of combined prediction of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid for chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries was 0.902(95%CI:0.857-0.952),which was higher than 0.709(95%CI:0.664-0.759)and 0.825(95%CI:0.775-0.870)of individual prediction of HIF-1α and CD14 levels in gingival crevicular fluid.Conclusion HIF-1α and CD14 are highly expressed in gingival crevicular fluid of preschool children with dental caries,and their levels are related to the activity of dental caries and the occurrence of chronic apical periodontitis in preschool chil-dren with dental caries.The combined detection of the two can be used as effective indicators for predicting the occurrence of chronic apical periodontitis in preschool children with dental caries.
8.Risk score model based on clinical and multimodal ultrasound features for differentiating benign and malignant BI-RADS 4A breast lesions
Qifan LIU ; Shuai CUI ; Wenjing GUO ; Wei LI ; Hailong WANG ; Husha LI ; Jundong YAO ; Zhoulong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy 2025;22(1):22-26
Objective To evaluate the value of risk score model based on clinical and multimodal ultrasound features for differentiating benign and malignant breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)4A lesions in breast.Methods Totally 177 patients with BI-RADS 4A lesions detected by multimodal breast ultrasound were prospectively enrolled,and the patients were divided into training set(n=123)and test set(n=54)at the ratio of 7∶3.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze patients'clinical,gray-scale ultrasound,CDFI and elastography ultrasound parameters of lesions,and the independent risk factors for differentiating benign and malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions in breast were screened,so as a risk score model was constructed.Based on the results of sungical pathology or follow-up,the cut-off value of the model for differentiating benign and malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions in breast was obtained by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk subgroups according to the cut-off value,and the efficacy of the model was evaluated.Results Among 177 cases,39 were with benign lesions and 138 were with malignant lesions.Patients'age>58 years,diameter of lesion>15.1 mm,lesions with irregular shape,lesions with grade 1 or 2 of blood flow and standard deviation of sound touch elastography of a 2 mm circular area around the lesion(shell)(shell-STESD)>16.33 kPa were all independent risk factors of malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions in breast.The cut-off value of risk score model for differential diagnosis was 6.5 points,and its sensitivity was 84.69%(83/98)and specificity was 88.00%(22/25)in distinguishing high-risk and low-risk subgroups in training set,while its sensitivity was 77.50%(31/40)and specificity was 71.43%(10/14)in test set.Conclusion Risk score model based on clinical and multimodal ultrasound features could effectively differentiate benign and malignant BI-RADS 4A lesions in breast.
9.Correlation between vascular senescence indicators and total burden score of MRI in patients with cerebral small vascular disease
Xiaoyu CUI ; Ying FAN ; Haibo LI ; Linying MA ; Bin LIU ; Xiaokun WU ; Wenjing MAO ; Jinxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(8):1071-1075
Objective To investigate the correlation of vascular senescence indicators,brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV),cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI),ankle-brachial index(ABI)with total burden of MRI in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods A total of 200 CSVD patients admitted to our hospital from November 2023 to October 2024 were retrospectively recruited,and based on their total MRI burden,they were divided into a low-burden group(score:0-1,103 cases)and a high-burden group(score:2-4,97 cases).A athero-sclerosis monitoring device(VS-1500A)was used to detect baPWV,CAVI,and ABI values.The relationships of the three indicators with total MRI burden score and their predictive values for the burden score were analyzed.Results The high-burden group had significantly higher BMI,el-evated homocysteine and uric acid levels,and increased baPWV and CAVI,but lower ABI than the low-burden group(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic analysis showed that baPWV,CAVI and ABI were independent influencing factors for high MRI burden of CSVD patients.Spearman correlation analysis showed that baPWV and CAVI values were positively correlated(r=0.589,P=0.000;r=0.458,P=0.000),and ABI was negatively correlated with the total MRI burden score of CSVD patients(r=-0.352,P=0.000).ROC curve analysis showed that baPWV(AUC=0.816,P=0.000),CAVI(AUC=0.725,P=0.000)and ABI(AUC=0.676,P=0.000)were all predic-tors for high MRI burden score in CSVD patients.Conclusion baPWV and CAVI are positively,and ABI is negatively correlated with the total MRI burden score of CSVD patients.baPWV,CAVI and ABI show higher predictive value for the high burden score,with baPWV most significant.
10.Expression and clinical significance of serum exosome miR-1246 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Wei ZHAO ; Wenxuan CUI ; Beixuan HUANG ; Xiaoya SHANG ; Zhenda WANG ; Yanyan DU ; Hongzheng ZHAO ; Wenjing JIAO ; Ming MA
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(2):176-188
Objective:To screen for microRNAs(miRNAs)highly expressed in the serum exosomes(Exo)of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)patients and analyze their relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients,and to explore the potential of Exo-derived miRNAs as clinical auxiliary diagnostic markers for ESCC.Methods:Serum and relevant clinical data of 50 healthy subjects and 45 newly diagnosed ESCC patients admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between December 2021 and June 2023 were collected,serving as the control group and the ESCC group respectively.The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database and qPCR were used to screen and identify the candidate miRNA for increased expression in the serum of ESCC patients-miR-1246.The diagnostic efficacy of serum miR-1246 for ESCC was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curve.The relationship between miR-1246 and the clinical feature progression of ESCC patients was analyzed by Logistic regression,and the relationship between miR-1246 and the clinicopathological characteristics of ESCC patients was analyzed by the χ2 test.Exosomes in the serum of the subjects were isolated,purified and characterized for verification.The expression of miR-1246 in Exo was detected by qPCR.ESCC KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells were routinely cultured.mimics-NC and miR-1246 mimics were transfected respectively into KYSE150 cells using Lipofectamine 2000.Inhibitor-NC and miR-1246 inhibitor were transfected into KYSE30 cells,which were respectively denoted as the minics-NC,miR-1246 mimics,inhibitor-NC and miR-1246-inhibitor groups.KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells were treated with Exo derived from KYSE150 cells in the mimics-NC and miR-1246 mimics groups.The proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of cells in each group were detected by the CCK-8 assay,scratch wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay respectively.The expressions of Exo markers,epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins,TET family methylcytosine dioxygenase 2(TET2)and cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM1)proteins in each group of cells were detected by WB assay.The targeting binding relationship between miR-1246 and TET2 and CADM1 was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.Results:Bioinformatics screening showed that the miRNA with the most significant differential expression in the serum of ESCC patients was miR-1246.The serum Exo extracted from the patients conformed to the typical Exo characteristics.The expression level of serum Exo-miR-1246 in ESCC patients at stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects(P<0.01);the level of serum Exo-miR-1246 in ESCC patients at stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in patients at stages Ⅰ-Ⅱ(P<0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that Exo-miR-1246 in serum had a high value for auxiliary differential diagnosis of ESCC(P<0.05),and the auxiliary diagnostic efficacy of Exo-miR-1246 for the clinical progression of ESCC patients was higher than that of CEA and SCC-Ag(P<0.05).The combined detection of the three could further improve the efficacy of auxiliary diagnosis of patient staging(P<0.01).Exo-miR-1246 might be an independent risk factor for the clinical progression of ESCC patients(P<0.05).The expression level of serum Exo-miR-1246 was associated with the T-stage,N-stage and clinical stage of ESCC(P<0.01).Overexpression of miR-1246 could promote the proliferation,migration,invasion,epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inhibit apoptosis of ESCC cells,while inhibition of miR-1246 had the opposite effect.Database data analysis found that TET2 and CADM1 were the target genes of miR-1246.The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that miR-1246 could directly bind to TET2 and CADM1 mRNA and inhibit their expressions(P<0.01).Treatment of KYSE150 and KYSE30 cells with Exo derived from cells overexpressing miR-1246 had the same effect as overexpressing miR-1246 in these cells.Conclusion:Exo-derived miR-1246 has the potential to be a clinical auxiliary diagnostic marker for ESCC.It may affect the occurrence and development of ESCC by regulating the expression levels of TET2 and CADM1.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail