1.Mechanism of action of sex hormones in regulating T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis: A study based on the phenomenon of female bias
Haiqiang WANG ; Dasha SUN ; Han WANG ; Jiahua TIAN ; Xinyue CUI ; Ming LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):742-747
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune disease characterized by liver parenchymal destruction and chronic fibrosis, and it is often mediated by T cells. The pathogenesis of AIH involves multiple factors, including sex, region, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility. A notable predisposition is observed in female individuals, and the incidence rate of AIH in female individuals is significantly higher than that in male individuals. This sex difference is associated with various factors, and sex hormones may be an important cause of the female predominance of AIH, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of AIH will help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease and may provide important clues for developing future treatment methods and prevention strategies. This article reviews the mechanism of action of estrogen and androgen in regulating the pathogenesis of AIH by regulating T cells, in order to provide new ideas and directions for further exploring the potential role of sex hormones in the etiology of autoimmune diseases.
2.Research progress on impacts of air pollutants, gut microbiota, and seminal microbiota on semen quality
Wenchao XIA ; Jiahua SUN ; Yuya JIN ; Ruixin LUO ; Ruyan YAN ; Yuming GUI ; Yongbin WANG ; Fengquan ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Weidong WU ; Huijun LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):1003-1008
In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.
3.The efficacy and safety of irreversible electroporation in the treatment of localized prostate cancer
Baijun DONG ; Jun YANG ; Yanqing WANG ; Haifeng WANG ; Jiahua PAN ; Shaogang WANG ; Wei XUE
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(8):603-607
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of irreversible electroporation in focal ablation of localized prostate cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 128 patients with localized prostate cancer treated with irreversible electroporation from August 2019 to September 2023 at Renji Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Dongfang Hospital of Tongji University, were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 68 (62, 75) years. The median PSA was 8.64 (5.83, 12.57) ng/ml. Gleason score was 6 in 57 cases, 7 in 39 cases, and greater than 7 in 19 cases. There were 4 cases of T 1c, 69 cases of T 2a, 27 cases of T 2b, and 28 cases of T 2c. No lymph node or distant metastasis was seen in preoperative examination. All patients had no preoperative urinary retention or urinary incontinence. Irreversible electroporation treatment was administered under general anesthesia with patients in the lithotomy position. A transrectal ultrasound probe was used to measure prostate lesion size, determining the type and number of electrode needles. Electrode needles were strategically positioned around the targeted lesion. The distance between each pair of needles used for ablation ranged from 0.5 to 2.0 cm. The system automatically generated treatment parameters, including voltage, current, and the number of pulses, with each pulse cycle lasting approximately 5 minutes. After treatment, the needles were removed, gauze was applied for 1 minute. The urethra was then irrigated with a painless iodine solution diluted 1∶1 with 0.9% saline, followed by the insertion of a urinary catheter. Treatment efficacy and adverse reactions were documented. Biochemical recurrence was defined as a PSA increase of over 2 ng/ml from the post-treatment nadir; imaging recurrence was identified by abnormal lesions on MRI or contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Results:All 128 surgeries were successfully completed. At 6 months postoperatively, 116 cases were followed. Tne median PSA was 1.58 (0.56, .95) ng/ml, which was 82.22% (65.37%, 93.33%) lower than preoperative level( P<0.01). Five patients (4.31%) had biochemical recurrence, and MRI or contrast-enhanced ultrasound examinations were negative, 1 patient underwent radical prostatectomy with pathology of prostate cancer, and the remaining 4 were continued to be followed up. Ninety-eight patients underwent MRI or contrast-enhanced ultrasound review, including 6 patients (6.12%) detected imaging recurrence, of which 2 patients underwent radical prostatectomy with pathology of prostate cancer, and the remaining 4 underwent endocrine therapy. The postoperative continence rate was 98.28%, and 8 patients (6.89%) had complications of class II. Conclusions:Irreversible electroporation for focal treatment of localized prostate cancer has shown favorable results in terms of tumor control, safety and urinary continence.
4.Relationship between IRE1α/XBP1 signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum and neutrophil extracellular traps during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in mice
Yibo WANG ; Qi ZHANG ; Lili SUN ; Jiahua ZHOU ; Ruijin XUN ; Lixin SUN ; Fuguo MA ; Wei HAN
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(7):871-875
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-X box-binding protein 1 (IRE1α-XBP1) signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum and neutrophil extracellular traps during endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice.Methods:Forty-eight SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 25-30 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), STF-083010 group (ST group), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI group (ALI group) and LPS-induced ALI + STF-083010 group (ALI+ ST group). The ALI model was established by inhaling aerosolized LPS in ALI group and ALI+ ST group. The equal volume of aerosolized normal saline was inhaled in C and ST groups. IRE1α inhibitor STF-083010 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before developing the model in ST and ALI+ ST groups, and the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in the other two groups. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia at 24 h after developing the model. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were collected for determination of the pathological changes (by light microscopy) which were scored, wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio, concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the BALF supernatant, and expression of phosphorylated IRE1α(p-IRE1α), XBP1s and citrullinated histone H3 (Cit H3) in lung tissues (using Western blot). Results:Compared to group C, the lung injury scores and W/D ratio were significantly increased at 24 h after developing the model, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18 and MPO in BALF were increased, and the expression of p-IRE1α, XBP1s and Cit H3 in lung tissues was up-regulated in ALI and ALI+ ST groups. Compared to group L, the lung injury scores and W/D ratio were significantly decreased at 24 h after developing the model, the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18 and MPO in BALF were decreased, and the expression of p-IRE1α, XBP1s and Cit H3 in lung tissues was down-regulated in group ALT+ ST ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway in endoplasmic reticulum is involved in endotoxin-induced ALI by up-regulating the expression of neutrophil extracellular traps in mice.
5.Practical research of basic medical integrated courses and clinical medical integrated courses based on organ system
Jiahua ZHOU ; Zhonghua HU ; Xiaoting WANG ; Liang ZHANG ; Zhong ZHANG
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(5):532-536
Objective:To compare the teaching effect of basic medical integrated courses and clinical medical integrated courses based on organ system with the traditional teaching model based on discipline,so as to provide theoretical reference for training medical talents.Methods:The program of integration of basic medical courses and clinical medical courses was formulated.The current clinical medical students who participated in the medical licensing examination were selected as the research objects under the three teaching models of basic and clinical medical integrated courses,clinical medical integrated courses,and discipline-based courses.The students'scores of comprehensive basic medicine,comprehensive clinical medicine,and medical licensing examination were analyzed to preliminarily evaluate the implementation effect of the integrated teaching model of basic medicine and clinical medicine.Result:There was no significant difference in the examination scores of students under the three teaching modes.Conclusion:The organ system-based integrated teaching model has no significant effect on students'academic performance in the short term.
6.Research progress on the ionizing radiation-induced mutational signatures
Ting WANG ; Sutong YU ; Jie LI ; Yihan GUO ; Jiahua YU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(7):628-632
In the past decade, high-throughput sequencing technologies have generated a massive amount of genomic mutation data. The interpretation of mutation data from tumor samples has revealed mutational features highly associated with carcinogenic factors, which are referred to as mutational signatures. These mutational signatures enable the assessment of the contribution rates of various carcinogenic factors during the multi-stage development of tumors. Ionizing radiation-induced gene mutations constitute the molecular basis for its carcinogenic effects. Clarifying the patterns of mutational signatures induced by ionizing radiation is of great importance for a profound understanding of stochastic effects. This review presents the research history and analytical method of mutational signatures as well as a comprehensive summary of the current status of research on mutational signatures induced by ionizing radiation. The future development of this field is also discussed.
7.Analysis of the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping, China
Chaohui LI ; Yuanhao ZHANG ; Jiahua TAN ; Zhiyuan XU ; Jun WANG ; Jieqiong WANG ; Chenwen YOU ; Bin LIU ; Lili QIU ; Jun DENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(2):170-175
Objective To investigate the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping, China and its distribution, and to provide a basis for the rational application of therapy-oriented oral radiation and the effective allocation of resources in Nanping. Methods A questionnaire was designed to investigate the frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in all oral radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions in Nanping. Results In 2021, there were 54 oral radiation diagnosis and treatment institutions and 79 oral radiation machines in Nanping. The total frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation was 61593 visits and the radiation frequency was 19.54 visits per thousand patients. The average annual frequency of medical institutions at all levels was 721.87 to 3713.25 visits per institution; the male-to-female composition ratio of frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation in December 2021 was 50.5%:49.5%. The proportion of radiation frequency of different devices was as follows: 38.7% (intraoral dental film), 46.5% (oral panorama), 10.3% (oral computed tomography [CT]), and 4.5% (cranial photography). The proportion of radiation frequency in patients of different ages was as follows: 17.1% (0−15 years), 48.2% (15−40 years), and 34.7% (over 40 years). The frequency of therapy-oriented oral radiation grew by 77.43%, 35.18%, and 8.16% every two years from 2015 to 2021, respectively. Conclusion The frequency level of therapy-oriented oral radiation in Nanping is at the level of Class II health care. The distribution of therapy-oriented oral radiation is highly unbalanced and is related to the level of economic development. Private healthcare institutions are growing rapidly, and public healthcare institutions of grade two and above occupy the main healthcare resources. The oral panorama accounts for the most, cranial photography accounts for the least, and oral CT is the fastest-growing portion. Therapy-oriented oral radiation is predominantly performed in the young and middle-aged populations, regardless of sex. Except for intraoral dental films, the general trend is upward.
8.Short-term efficacy of minimally invasive esophagectomy combined with three-field versus two-field lymphadenectomy for 257 patients
Zengfeng SUN ; Junqiang LIU ; Boshi FAN ; Weian SONG ; Caiying YUE ; Shouying DI ; Jiahua ZHAO ; Shaohua ZHOU ; Hai DONG ; Jusi WANG ; Siyu CHEN ; Taiqian GONG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(04):556-561
Objective To explore the safety of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with three-field lymphadenectomy (3-FL) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by comparing the short-term outcomes between the 3-FL and the two-field lymphadenectomy (2-FL) in MIE. Methods The clinical data of patients with ESCC who underwent minimally invasive McKeown esophagectomy in our hospital from July 2015 to March 2022 were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into a 3-FL group and a 2-FL group according to lymph node dissection method. And the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 257 patients with ESCC were included in this study. There were 211 males and 46 females with an average age of 62.2±8.1 years. There were 109 patients in the 3-FL group and 148 patients in the 2-FL group. The operation time of the 3-FL group was about 20 minutes longer than that of the 2-FL group (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the intraoperatve blood loss (P=0.376). More lymph nodes (P<0.001) and also more positive lymph nodes (P=0.003) were obtained in the 3-FL group than in the 2-FL group, and there was a statistical difference in the pathological N stage between the two groups (P<0.001). But there was no statistical difference in the incidence of anastomotic leak (P=0.667), chyle leak (P=0.421), recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (P=0.081), pulmonary complications (P=0.601), pneumonia (P=0.061), cardiac complications (P=0.383), overall complications (P=0.147) or Clavien-Dindo grading (P=0.152) between the two groups. Conclusion MIE 3-FL can improve the efficiency of lymph node dissection and the accuracy of tumor lymph node staging, but it does not increase the postoperative complications, which is worthy of clinical application.
9.Retrospective study of role of neoadjuvant rectal scores in evaluating the 10-year disease-free survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery
Weili ZHANG ; Chi ZHOU ; Weifeng WANG ; Weihao LI ; Jiahua HE ; Zhenhai LU ; Xiaojun WU ; Junzhong LIN ; Jianhong PENG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(6):608-614
Objective:To investigate the correlation between the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score and long-term survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Methods:Clinical and pathological data of 487 patients diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma from October 2004 to April 2014 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed and the impact of NAR score on prognosis studied. Disease-free-survival (DFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and survivals compared using the log-rank test. Cox models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to evaluate the predictive capability of NAR and tumor regression grade scores for the risk of 10-year postoperative recurrence and metastasis. The Delong test was employed to compare the diagnostic performance of the two scores.Results:Of the 487 patients included in the study, 166 were men (34.1%). The median age was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 46–63). All patients completed adequate preoperative chemoradiotherapy and underwent R0 resection.The median interval between the end of chemoradiotherapy and surgery was 51 days (IQR: 44–58). Post-chemoradiotherapy downstaging occurred in 329 patients (67.6%). Tumor regression grades (TRGs) were 1–2 in 246 patients (50.5%) and 3–4 in 241 patients (49.5%). A total of 394 patients (80.9%) received postoperative chemotherapy. NAR scores were <8 in 182 patients (37.4%), 8–16 in 180 (37.0%), and >16 in 125 (25.6%). The median follow-up time was 111.5 months (IQR: 70.7–133.7 months). One hundred and thirteen patients died of rectal cancer, among whom 13 patients developed local recurrence, 88 patients developed distant metastasis, and 12 patients had unknown recurrence patterns. The 10-year DFS and overall survival rate of f the whole group were 68.9% and 71.5% respectively. The 10-year DFS rates for patients with NAR scores <8, 8–16, and >16 were 85.1%, 80.5%, and 66.4%, respectively ( P<0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that the Dixon operation (HR=0.606, 95%CI: 0.408–0.902, P=0.014), and >16 (HR=2.569, 95%CI: 1.559–4.233, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the 10-year DFS of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer ( P<0.05 for all). In the entire patient cohort, the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic curve for NAR score predicting 10-year recurrence and metastasis was 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62–0.72), whereas the AUC for TRG score was 0.54 (95%CI: 0.49–0.60). The two scores differed significantly in accuracy ( Z=-4.06, P<0.001), the NAR score being a significantly better predictor of risk of 10-year recurrence and metastasis than the TRG score. Conclusion:The NAR score is a reliable predictor of 10-year DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by curative surgery.
10.Effects of high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet combined with radiotherapy on tumor microenvironment of Lewis lung cancer bearing mice
Ling XIAO ; Jiahua LYU ; Meihua CHEN ; Jianming HUANG ; Ming FAN ; Hongyuan JIA ; Yudi LIU ; Yuan WANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):737-745
Objective:To investigate the effect of high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet combined with radiotherapy on the tumor microenvironment of mice with lung xenografts.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were selected to establish the Lewis lung cancer model, and they were divided into the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, the normal diet + radiotherapy group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, with 18 mice in each group. The mice in the normal diet group and the normal diet + radiotherapy group were fed with the normal diet with 12.11% fat for energy supply, and the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were fed with high-fat and low-carbohydratediet with 45.00% fat for energy. On the 12th to 14th days, the tumor sites of the mice in the normal diet + radiotherapy group and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group were treated with radiotherapy, and the irradiation dose was 24 Gy/3f. The body weight, tumor volume, blood glucose and blood ketone level, liver and kidney function, and survival status of the mice were observed and monitored. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the tumor-associated microangiogenesis molecule (CD34) and lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1), Sirius staining was used to detect collagen fibers, and multiplex immunofluorescence was used to detect CD8 and programmed death-1 (PD-1). Expression of immune cell phenotypes (CD3, CD4, CD8, and Treg) was detected by flow cytometry.Results:On the 27th day after inoculation, the body weigh of the common diet group was(24.78±2.22)g, which was significantly higher than that of the common diet + radiotherapy group [(22.15±0.48)g, P=0.030] and high-fat low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group [(22.02±0.77)g, P=0.031)]. On the 15th day after inoculation, the tumor volume of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (220.88±130.05) mm 3, which was significantly smaller than that of the normal diet group [(504.37±328.48) mm 3, P=0.042)] and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group [(534.26±230.42) mm 3, P=0.016], but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(274.64±160.97) mm 3]. In the 4th week, the blood glucose values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were lower than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (8.00±0.36) mmol/L and (9.57±0.40) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The blood ketone values of the mice in the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group were higher than those in the normal diet group, with the value being (1.00±0.20) mmol/L and (0.63±0.06) mmol/L, respectively, in the second week. In the third week, the blood ketone values of the two groups of mice were (0.90±0.17) mmol/L and (0.70±0.10) mmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). On the 30th day after inoculation, there were no significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea between the normal diet group and the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet group (all P>0.05). The hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys of the mice in each group had no obvious toxic changes and tumor metastasis. In the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, the expression of CD8 was up-regulated in the tumor tissues of mice, and the expressions of PD-1, CD34, LYVE-1, and collagen fibers were down-regulated. The proportion of CD8 + T cells in the paratumoral lymph nodes of the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group was (25.13±0.97)%, higher than that of the normal diet group [(20.60±2.23)%, P<0.050] and the normal diet + radiotherapy group [(19.26±3.07)%, P<0.05], but there was no statistically significant difference with the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group [(22.03±1.75)%, P>0.05]. The proportion, of CD4 + T cells in the lymph nodes adjacent to the tumor in the normal diet + radiotherapy group (31.33±5.16)% and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group (30.63±1.70)% were higher than that in the normal diet group [(20.27±2.15)%, P<0.05] and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group (23.70±2.62, P<0.05). Treg cells accounted for the highest (16.58±5.10)% of T cells in the para-tumor lymph nodes of the normal diet + radiotherapy group, but compared with the normal diet group, the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet group, and the high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet + radiotherapy group, there was no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Conclusion:High-fat and low-carbohydrate diet plus radiotherapy can enhance the recruitment and function of immune effector cells in the tumor microenvironment, inhibit tumor microangiogenesis, and thus inhibit tumor growth.

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