1.Research on the role of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase in promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells
Jing TANG ; Ping QIU ; Renjie CHEN ; Yaqing LIU ; Hui LIU ; Yu LIU ; Liwen CHEN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):819-826
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7) in promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells and the underlying signaling mechanisms. MethodsThe expression level of DHCR7 in lung adenocarcinoma and its prognosis were analyzed by using public databases. DHCR7 protein expression levels in the lung adenocarcinoma cell lines H1299 and A549 were assessed by Western blot, using the normal lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B as a control. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down DHCR7 expression in H1299 and A549 cells. Assays including colony formation, CCK-8, wound healing, and Transwell experiments were conducted to assess the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the knockdown cells. Next, Western blot was employed to assess the phosphorylation levels of key signaling molecules in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3),mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway (MAPK/ERK) (p-AKT, p-STAT3, p-ERK). ResultsBioinformatics results indicated that both DHCR7 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma compared with normal tissues adjacent to cancer. Furthermore, higher DHCR7 mRNA level was associated with poor prognosis (P<0.001). The expression levels of DHCR7 were significantly higher in both H1299 and A549 cells than that in BEAS-2B cells (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with si-control, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of si-DHCR7 H1299 and A549 cells significantly decreased. Among the phosphorylated signaling molecules detected, p-ERK was significantly downregulated (P<0.000 1, P<0.01) whereas p-AKT and p-STAT3 levels were not significantly changed. ConclusionDHCR7 has prominent effects in promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells, and the underlying mechanisms are related to the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
2.Early-stage diabetes induces structural damage and functional deficits in the mouse primary visual cortex
Hanlu CHEN ; Haoqiong TANG ; Lixia FENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):872-879
ObjectiveTo investigate morphological and functional neural network alterations in the primary visual cortex (V1) during early-stage diabetes. Methods32 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control and diabetic groups(n=16). Type 1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), with model validation via oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at week 4. Nissl staining was used to assess morphological changes in brain slices of the two groups. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ (CaMKⅡ) and somatostatin (SST) in the V1 area. The co-localization density of SST-positive signals on CaMKⅡ+ neurons was then quantified by ImageJ software. In vivo electrophysiology was used for studying neuronal firing and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared with the control mice, nissl staining showed diabetic mice exhibited significant V1 thinning (P=0.02), reduced neuronal density (P=0.01). Immunohistochemistry found decreased SST integral optical density (P=0.02) and elevated mean fluorescence intensity (P=0.01), and lower SST density on CaMKⅡ+ neurons in the diabetic group than in the control group. Compared with the control mice, in vivo electrophysiology studies indicated that diabetic mice showed reduced action potential peak-to-trough ratio and the absolute values of slope (P<0.01), as well as impaired functional connectivity, including conditional firing, mutual information, and Granger causality (P<0.000 1). ConclusionEarly diabetes induces V1 structural atrophy accompanied by SSTergic system disruption and multi-level functional degradation from single neurons to neural networks.
3.Risk factors and altered functional connectivity of brain networks in end-stage renal disease complicated with frailty
Zhaohua SUN ; Dashan LI ; Nan FENG ; Zilian CHEN ; Pei ZHANG ; Yonggui WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):894-900
ObjectiveTo explore the risk factors and alterations in functional connectivity of brain networks in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients complicated by frailty. MethodsA total of 84 patients with ESRD were enrolled and divided into the frailty group (31 cases) and non-frailty group (53 cases) according to the Chinese version of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, neuropsychological test results and clinical data were collected for all subjects. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for frailty in ESRD patients, and image preprocessing and independent component analysis were performed to compare differences in brain network functional connectivity between the two groups. ResultsLogistic regression analysis showed that high blood urea nitrogen level, depression, malnutrition, and sleep disturbance were risk factors for frailty in patients with ESRD (P<0.05), while a higher level of education served as a protective factor (P<0.05). Compared with the non-frailty group, the frailty group exhibited significantly weakened functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network and the visual network (P<0.05). ConclusionHigh levels of blood urea nitrogen, depression, malnutrition, and sleep disorders can increase the risk of frailty in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), while a higher educational level may reduce this risk. Patients with ESRD complicated by frailty exhibit a significant decrease in functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and visual network (VN), which provides novel imaging evidence for exploring the central neural mechanisms underlying the development of frailty in ESRD patients.
4.Analysis of the impact of high progesterone ovulation induction protocols on embryo euploidy rates and clinical pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients
Minjie WANG ; Yongjing ZHANG ; Jin QIAN ; Chao WANG ; Yuping XU ; Tianjuan WANG ; Dawei CHEN ; Yan HAO ; Qiong XING
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):923-930
ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of the progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol on embryo euploidy rate and clinical pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients. MethodsWomen who underwent Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles were selected as study participants (a total of 656 cycles and 3 081 blastocysts). Participants were divided into two age groups (≤35 years and >35 years) and further stratified by ovarian stimulation protocol: the Progestin-Primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) group (n=48 and 60, respectively), the Luteal Phase Long Protocol (LP) group (n=160 and 57, respectively), and the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol (AP) group (n=220 and 111, respectively). Baseline characteristics, ovarian stimulation outcomes, and embryo development parameters were compared among the three protocols within each age group. Additionally, clinical pregnancy outcomes of the first frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle were compared. The primary outcome measure was the embryo euploidy rate. Results① In the ≤35 years age group, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) levels were significantly higher in the PPOS group compared to the LP and AP groups, and the bFSH/bLH ratio was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in the AP group (P < 0.05). In the >35 years age group, bFSH levels in both the PPOS and AP groups were significantly higher than in the LP group (P < 0.05).② In the ≤35 years group, there were no significant differences in the rates of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, 2-pronuclei (2 PN) zygotes, cleavage, 2 PN cleavage, blastocyst formation, high-quality embryos, or embryo euploidy between the PPOS group and either the LP or AP groups. However, the PPOS group showed significantly lower values for the following parameters compared to the other two groups: total oocytes retrieved, number of MII oocytes, number of 2 PN zygotes, number of cleaved embryos, number of 2 PN cleaved embryos, number of blastocysts formed, number of high-quality embryos, number of high-grade blastocysts, number of transferable embryos, number of cryopreserved embryos, number of biopsied blastocysts, number of euploid embryos, and the rate of obtaining at least one euploid embryo. In the >35 years group, no significant differences were observed among the PPOS, LP, and AP groups in the rates of MII oocytes, 2 PN cleavage, blastocyst formation, or in the number of euploid embryos, euploidy rate, and the rate of obtaining at least one euploid embryo. However, the PPOS group had significantly lower numbers of total oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, 2 PN zygotes, cleaved embryos, 2 PN cleaved embryos, blastocysts formed, transferable embryos, and cryopreserved embryos compared to the LP group (P<0.05). The high-quality embryo rate was significantly lower in the PPOS group than in the AP group (P<0.05). The numbers of high-quality embryos, high-grade blastocysts, and biopsied blastocysts were significantly lower in the PPOS group than in both the LP and AP groups (P<0.05). Notably, the 2 PN fertilization rate was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in the AP group, and the cleavage rate was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in both the LP and AP groups (P<0.05).③ No significant differences were found among the three groups in the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, early miscarriage rate, and late miscarriage rate following the first FET cycle. ConclusionCompared to the other two protocols, the PPOS protocol does not significantly affect embryo euploidy or clinical pregnancy rates. However, in freeze-all cycles with PGT-A, the PPOS protocol does not reduce the rate of chromosomally normal embryos but may decrease the total number of available embryos. It may not be the optimal choice for younger women, but it can be considered as a viable option for women of advanced maternal age.
5.Evaluate the effect of morphology driven preparation technique in indirect restoration of posterior teeth
Qikun GAO ; Shiming LIU ; Mingyue WU ; Xiaoting WU ; Zehua WANG ; Mingliang DU ; Huimin CHEN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):943-947
ObjectiveTo evaluate the application effect of morphology driven preparation technique in indirect restoration of posterior teeth. Methods84 patients with dental defects were selected and divided into the control group and the experimental group randomly, with 42 patients in each group (a total of 84 teeth). Traditional preparation and morphology driven preparation techniques were used to complete dental preparation and adhesive glass ceramic restorations, respectively. The satisfaction, masticatory function, World Dental Federation (FDI) Scores for edge fracture and fixation,edge adaptability index,periodontal bleeding index (BI) and plaque index (PLI) of the two groups of patients were evaluated and various indicator data were recorded and statistically analyzed at 3 and 6 months after restoration completion. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in satisfaction between the two groups after 3 and 6 months of repair; Both groups of data showed a significant improvement in masticatory function. There was no statistical difference after 3 and 6 months of repair. However, a statistically significant difference in masticatory function was noted after 6 months of repair compared with before and after 3 months of repair. As the repair time increased, the masticatory effect improved significantly. There was no statistically significant difference in the edge fracture and fixation index between the two groups at 3 months after repair, but there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 6 months with the experimental group outperforming the control group(P<0.05). The edge adaptability, BI, and PLI index were statistically significant between the two groups after 3 and 6 months of repair and the experimental group had a significant advantage (P<0.05). ConclusionBoth types of tooth preparation techniques can improve patient masticatory function and reach high satisfaction after repair. However, morphology driven preparation technique has significant advantages in edge adaptability, edge fracture and fixation index scores and improve periodontal conditions. This technique is an effective method for improving dental preparation in adhesive indirect restoration of posterior teeth.
6.Research progress of macrophage-related microRNA in rheumatoid arthritis
Qijiang JIANG ; Chenggen LUO ; Yanjuan CHEN ; Mei TIAN ; Yong CHEN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):955-960
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovial inflammation and joint destruction, with a complex pathogenesis. Macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in disease progression. Recent studies demonstrate that microRNA (miRNA), as critical post-transcriptional regulators, can participate in the inflammatory response process by regulating the polarization state of macrophages, thereby aggravating RA joint damage. This review summarizes the mechanism of action of various miRNA in regulating macrophage polarization, and emphasizes their potential therapeutic value in RA.
7.Mechanisms and current applications of mechanical forces in cranial bone defect repair
Bingcheng DU ; Qi CHEN ; Yu WANG ; Zhijun ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):961-968
Cranial bone defect repair remains a significant challenge in craniomaxillofacial surgery, particularly when defects exceed the critical size defect (CSD) threshold, rendering them incapable of spontaneous healing without external intervention. Mechanical forces—including compression, tension, and shear stress—play a pivotal role in cranial development and regeneration. These forces regulate osteoblast differentiation and bone regeneration by activating key mechanotransduction pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the piezoelectric mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1, and the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein (Yes-Associated Protein,YAP) and Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif,TAZ). Distinct types of mechanical forces exert specific effects on cellular behavior and the microenvironment. Clinically, applications such as Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) have demonstrated efficacy in promoting angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupling, while tensile forces stimulate the dura mater to secrete osteogenic factors. Preliminary studies using artificial periosteum and other biomaterials have further validated that appropriate mechanical stimulation enhances bone repair. This review summarizes the effects of various mechanical forces and their associated signaling pathways on osteoblasts and their microenvironment, alongside an overview of current technological applications in this field.
8.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
9.Expert consensus on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery (2026 edition)
Junfei ZHAO ; Biaochuan HE ; Yun TENG ; Xiaohua LI ; Zerui CHEN ; Chungeng LIU ; Yijiu REN ; Chang CHEN ; Nianguo DONG ; Jimei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):857-865
This consensus focuses on the clinical application of domestic ultra-high-definition (UHD) medical endoscopes in cardiovascular surgery, addressing their clinical value, key technical aspects, and strategies for broader implementation. It traces the evolution of domestic endoscopic platforms from high-resolution imaging toward integrated advanced functionalities such as fluorescence imaging, three-dimensional visualization, and intelligent assistance. The document outlines standardized procedural steps and perioperative management pathways for minimally invasive endoscopic cardiovascular surgery and summarizes specific application scenarios and technical considerations in congenital heart disease, valvular disorders, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and cardiac tumors. Furthermore, recommendations are provided regarding professional training, multicenter collaboration, the establishment of clinical evaluation systems, and coordinated policy-industry support to promote standardized adoption and high-quality dissemination of domestic medical devices. Based on available evidence and expert agreement, 16 consensus statements are presented, aiming to offer authoritative and actionable guidance for clinical practice.
10.Evaluation system for standardized surgery in elderly patients with lung cancer
Xingqi MI ; Nan CHEN ; Jiandong MEI ; Hecheng LI ; Shuguang ZHANG ; Huanwen CHEN ; Peng JIAO ; Jun WANG ; Chunfang ZHANG ; Guangjian ZHANG ; Xin LI ; Qiang PU ; Peng LIN ; Lunxu LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):866-873
To address the growing challenge of an increasing number of elderly lung cancer patients amidst China's aging population and to fill the gap in quality control standards for surgical treatment in this special population, this study aimed to develop a standardized surgical evaluation system for elderly lung cancer patients tailored to China's national conditions. The system was established through a literature review, integrated the pathophysiological characteristics of elderly patients, and was constructed following review, feedback, and revision by experts from multiple thoracic surgery centers. Employing a 100-point scoring system, it comprises three primary domains: physical infrastructure and geriatric adaptability foundational conditions (10 points); management level and perioperative care models (20 points); and technical proficiency and clinical outcomes (70 points). The system places a strong emphasis on geriatric adaptability, proposing specific, quantifiable indicators for age-friendly facility modifications, control of elderly-specific complications, multidisciplinary collaboration, and standardized perioperative management. It provides a convenient and measurable assessment tool for quality control in the surgical treatment of elderly lung cancer in China, which is expected to promote the standardization and homogenization of diagnosis and treatment.

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