1.Intelligent segmentation and staging system for esophageal cancer based on DAEUnet and ConvNeXt networks
Lingyan XIONG ; Runyuan WANG ; Fanghong ZHANG ; You YANG ; Yi WU ; Wei WU ; Shulei WU
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(10):1135-1144
Objective To construct an intelligent segmentation and T-stage diagnostic model for esophageal cancer based on the DAEUnet and ConvNeXt networks using transfer learning.Methods Dicom raw data from 126 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between January 2018 and April 2022 were collected,including 100 cases from Department of Thoracic Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University and 26 cases from the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Shanxi Cancer Hospital.After data augmentation,a total of 60 275 images were obtained.The DAEUnet esophageal cancer intelligent segmentation network was built,and on this basis,3 classification networks,ConvNeXt,Swin Transformer,and ResNet were constructed for T-stage diagnosis of esophageal cancer.Results The Dice similarity coefficient(DSC)for esophageal cancer intelligent segmentation using the DAEUnet network was 0.82,and the DSC value of the esophagus,aorta,normal esophagus,mediastinal lymph nodes,and heart was 72.4%,87.5%,79.3%,60.5% and 96.8%,respectively.Among the 3 T-stage diagnosis models for esophageal cancer,the ConvNeXt model performed the best,with a precision value for T1~T4 stages of 0.65,0.727,0.889 and 0.92,respectively,and an AUC value of 0.892,which were superior to the ResNet and Swin Transformer networks.Conclusion The proposed DAEUnet and ConvNeXt-based intelligent segmentation and T-stage diagnosis model for esophageal cancer improves T-stage accuracy and treatment efficiency.
2.Relationship between serum NRF2,HO-1 levels and disease activity and prognosis in patients with lupus nephritis
Linfang LI ; Lingyan LI ; Yuanhui WU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(19):2371-2377
Objective To analyze the relationship between serum nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)levels and disease activity and prognosis in patients with lupus nephritis(LN).Methods A total of 188 LN patients who visited the hospital from March 2020 to January 2022 were selected as the case group,and were divided into a stable group(60 cases,<10 points)and an active group(128 cases,≥ 10 points)according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index(SLEDAI)score.Another 160 healthy subjects were selected as control group.The differences of serum NRF2 and HO-1 levels between case group and control group were compared,the serum NRF2 and HO-1 levels and renal func-tion indexes[glomerular filtration rate(GFR),serum creatinine(Scr),urea nitrogen(BUN)]were compared between stable group and active group,and the correlation between serum NRF2 and HO-1 levels and disease activity and renal function in LN patients was analyzed by Pearson.After 2 years of follow-up,LN patients were divided into good prognosis group(117 cases)and poor prognosis group(71 cases)according to the oc-currence of renal-related endpoint events.Serum NRF2,HO-1 levels and other clinical data were compared be-tween two groups,and the prognostic factors of LN patients were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression model.A nomogram prediction model was constructed and verified based on the influencing factors.Results The levels of serum NRF2 and HO-1 in case group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05).NRF2,HO-1 and GFR levels in active group were lower than those in stable group,and Scr,BUN and SLEDAI scores were higher than those in the stable group(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that,serum NRF2 and HO-1 levels were negatively correlated with SLEDAI score,Scr and BUN in LN pa-tients(r<0,P<0.05),and positively correlated with GFR(r>0,P<0.05).The NRF2,HO-1 and GFR in poor prognosis group were lower than those in good prognosis group,and the proportion of CKD stage 3-4 and SLEDAI score in poor prognosis group were higher than those in good prognosis group(P<0.05).Multi-variate Logistic regression model showed that CKD stage 3-4 and the increase of SLEDAI score were inde-pendent risk factors for poor prognosis of LN patients(P<0.05),while the increase of NRF2,HO-1 and GFR levels were independent protective factors(P<0.05).The nomogram prediction model based on influen-cing factors had a good predictive value for the prognosis of LN patients.Conclusion NRF2 and HO-1 are lowly expressed in the serum of LN patients,and the two are closely related to their disease activity and renal function.The high expression of NRF2 and HO-1 will reduce the risk of renal-related endpoint events in LN patients.The nomogram prediction model based on influencing factors has a good predictive value for the prognosis of LN patients.
3.Ameliorating vascular endothelial injury for lipolysacharide-induced via mitochondrial targeting function of octaarginine-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres.
Lingyan LI ; Zengqiu YANG ; Qiqi LI ; Qianqian GUO ; Xingjie WU ; Yu'e WANG ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ying CHEN ; Ling TAO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):340-351
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the therapeutic potential of octaarginine (R8)-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres (EOFAZ@R8LM) for cardiovascular therapy.
METHODS:
EOFAZ@R8LM was developed by leveraging the volatilization of EOFAZ and integrating it with the oil phase of LM, followed by surface modification with cell-penetrating peptide R8 to target the site of vascular endothelial injury. The therapeutic effects of this formulation in alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular endothelial inflammation were evaluated by assessing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels.
RESULTS:
EOFAZ@R8LM effectively delivered EOFAZ to the site of injury and specifically targeted the mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction through regulation of MMP and reduction of intracellular ROS levels. Moreover, it attenuated the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β, exerting protective effects on the vascular endothelium.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the significant therapeutic potential of EOFAZ@R8LM in cardiovascular therapy, providing valuable insights for developing novel dosage forms utilizing EOFAZ for effective treatment against cardiovascular diseases.
4.Literature Based Analysis on Adverse Reactions in Simultaneously Clinical Use of Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae)- Wutou (Aconitum)
Can CAO ; Wenyong LIAO ; Jiwen ZHANG ; Yinghao WU ; Xiangnan XU ; Meijing WU ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Shaohong CHEN ; Haiyan LIU ; Linlin XIU ; Xiangqing CUI ; Gaoyang LI ; Ying ZHANG ; Gansheng ZHONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):955-962
ObjectiveTo analyze the adverse reactions associated with the clinical use of Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae)- Wutou (Aconitum) in the same formula, with the aim of providing a reference for the safety of their clinical application. MethodsLiterature on the clinical application of antagonistic herbs "Banxia-Wutou" used in the same formula, published from January 1st, 2014, to June 30th, 2023, was retrieved from databases including CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. A database was established, and information related to adverse reactions was extracted, including descriptions, classifications, specific manifestations, management and outcomes, patients' primary diseases (western medicine diseases and traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses and syndromes), and medication information (dosage, ratio, administration routes, and dosage forms). ResultsA total of 79 researches simultaneously used antagonistic herbs Banxia-Wutou in the same formula and reported associated advers reactions. Gastrointestinal adverse reactions were the most common, with 8 studies reporting management of adverse reactions and 3 studies reporting improvement with no intervention. Among the 11 researches, the adverse reaction relieved to extant, while other 69 researches didn't report the managment of adverse reaction and its prognosis. For the primary disease in western medicine system, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were most common, while gastric pain was the most common symptom in traditional Chinese medicine with spleen and kidney deficiency and spleen stomach cold deficiency being the most frequent syndromes. The most common Banxia dosage was 10 g, while for the Wutou, Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) was predominant with the highest dose at 15 g. The most frequent herbal combination was Banxia-fuzi, with a 1∶1 ratio. The main administration route was oral, and the primary dosage form was decoction. ConclusionGastrointestinal adverse reactions are the most common in the clinical use of Banxia-Wutou antagonistic herb combinations. Research on the safety of "Banxia-Wutou" combinations should focus on respiratory system diseases and spleen-stomach related conditions.
5.Effect of cholesterol on distribution, cell uptake, and protein corona of lipid microspheres at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury.
Lingyan LI ; Xingjie WU ; Qianqian GUO ; Yu'e WANG ; Zhiyong HE ; Guangqiong ZHANG ; Shaobo LIU ; Liping SHU ; Babu GAJENDRAN ; Ying CHEN ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ling TAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):101182-101182
Cholesterol (CH) plays a crucial role in enhancing the membrane stability of drug delivery systems (DDS). However, its association with conditions such as hyperlipidemia often leads to criticism, overshadowing its influence on the biological effects of formulations. In this study, we reevaluated the delivery effect of CH using widely applied lipid microspheres (LM) as a model DDS. We conducted comprehensive investigations into the impact of CH on the distribution, cell uptake, and protein corona (PC) of LM at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury. The results demonstrated that moderate CH promoted the accumulation of LM at inflamed cardiac and vascular sites without exacerbating damage while partially mitigating pathological damage. Then, the slow cellular uptake rate observed for CH@LM contributed to a prolonged duration of drug efficacy. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that CH depended on LM and exerted its biological effects by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) expression in vascular endothelial cells and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein levels in myocardial cells, thereby enhancing LM uptake at cardiovascular inflammation sites. Proteomics analysis unveiled a serum adsorption pattern for CH@LM under inflammatory conditions showing significant adsorption with CH metabolism-related apolipoprotein family members such as apolipoprotein A-V (Apoa5); this may be a major contributing factor to their prolonged circulation in vivo and explains why CH enhances the distribution of LM at cardiovascular inflammatory injury sites. It should be noted that changes in cell types and physiological environments can also influence the biological behavior of formulations. The findings enhance the conceptualization of CH and LM delivery, providing novel strategies for investigating prescription factors' bioactivity.
6.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Syndrome Treatment of Brain Tumor Based on the"Deficient Qi and Kenang"Theory
Yi JI ; Lingyan ZHU ; Xueping XIA ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(7):969-973
Professor Wu Mianhua,a renowned national traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioner,proposed the"deficient qi and Kenang"theory based on the doctrines of"deficient qi"and"Kenang".This theory is applied to the pathogenesis analysis and clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of brain tumors.It posits that the fundamental pathogenesis of brain tumors involves orig-inal qi deficiency,internal generation of deficient qi,intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis,and conglomeration of toxins into nest-like foci.The treatment strategy emphasizes reinforcing healthy qi,regulating qi,resolving phlegm,dispelling stasis,attacking toxins,dispersing nodules,and adjusting treatment according to disease stages.In the early stage,it is to support healthy qi and regulate qi to remove qi deficiency;in the middle stage,it is to dissipate phlegm and expel blood stasis to resolve pathological nests;in the late stage,it is to attack toxins and resolve masses to break up nest sac.Throughout the treatment,strictly adhere to the principle of"rein-forcing healthy qi without retaining pathogens,and breaking accumulations without impairing healthy qi".
7.Effect of cholesterol on distribution,cell uptake,and protein corona of lipid microspheres at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury
Lingyan LI ; Xingjie WU ; Qianqian GUO ; Yu'e WANG ; Zhiyong HE ; Guangqiong ZHANG ; Shaobo LIU ; Liping SHU ; Babu GAJENDRAN ; Ying CHEN ; Xiangchun SHEN ; Ling TAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):1542-1564
Cholesterol(CH)plays a crucial role in enhancing the membrane stability of drug delivery systems(DDS).However,its association with conditions such as hyperlipidemia often leads to criticism,overshadowing its influence on the biological effects of formulations.In this study,we reevaluated the delivery effect of CH using widely applied lipid microspheres(LM)as a model DDS.We conducted comprehensive in-vestigations into the impact of CH on the distribution,cell uptake,and protein corona(PC)of LM at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury.The results demonstrated that moderate CH promoted the accumulation of LM at inflamed cardiac and vascular sites without exacerbating damage while partially mitigating pathological damage.Then,the slow cellular uptake rate observed for CH@LM contributed to a prolonged duration of drug efficacy.Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that CH depended on LM and exerted its biological effects by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-γ)expression in vascular endothelial cells and estrogen receptor alpha(ERα)protein levels in myocardial cells,thereby enhancing LM uptake at cardiovascular inflam-mation sites.Proteomics analysis unveiled a serum adsorption pattern for CH@LM under inflammatory conditions showing significant adsorption with CH metabolism-related apolipoprotein family members such as apolipoprotein A-V(Apoa5);this may be a major contributing factor to their prolonged circu-lation in vivo and explains why CH enhances the distribution of LM at cardiovascular inflammatory injury sites.It should be noted that changes in cell types and physiological environments can also influence the biological behavior of formulations.The findings enhance the conceptualization of CH and LM delivery,providing novel strategies for investigating prescription factors' bioactivity.
8.Development of a questionnaire for residents to evaluate the quality of general practice teaching clinics
Jiali WANG ; Congling ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Guifen ZHANG ; Ruoxia ZHANG ; Xinmei ZHOU ; Weifang MO ; Lingyan WU ; Yuling TONG ; Yi GUO ; Zhijie XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(11):1505-1511
Objective:To develop a scientific and practical questionnaire for general practice residents, and to conduct multidimensional and comprehensive evaluation of the quality of general practice teaching clinics.Methods:A preliminary draft of the questionnaire items was formulated based on a literature review and in-depth interviews. The Delphi method was employed to conduct two rounds of consultation with 14 experts. Following revisions, a convenience sampling method was used to invite general practice residents from three standardized residency training bases to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Results:The questionnaire consisted of 23 items, covering the three dimensions of preparation, implementation process, and comprehensive evaluation of the teaching clinics. The response rates for the two rounds of the expert consultation were both 100.00%, with expert authority coefficients of 0.89 and 0.90, respectively. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.93, and the correlation coefficients between each item score and the total score were all >0.30. Structural validity analysis revealed that three common factors were extracted from the questionnaire, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 77.89%. Conclusions:The General Practice Teaching Clinic Quality Evaluation Questionnaire for Residents developed in this study demonstrates high reliability and validity. The questionnaire provides a scientific basis for the standardized assessment of teaching quality in general practice clinics. By incorporating resident feedback on the teaching process, the questionnaire promotes the development of a teaching clinic quality improvement mechanism focused on residents and plays a significant role in enhancing the teaching capabilities of supervising physicians in clinics.
9.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Syndrome Treatment of Brain Tumor Based on the"Deficient Qi and Kenang"Theory
Yi JI ; Lingyan ZHU ; Xueping XIA ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(7):969-973
Professor Wu Mianhua,a renowned national traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioner,proposed the"deficient qi and Kenang"theory based on the doctrines of"deficient qi"and"Kenang".This theory is applied to the pathogenesis analysis and clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of brain tumors.It posits that the fundamental pathogenesis of brain tumors involves orig-inal qi deficiency,internal generation of deficient qi,intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis,and conglomeration of toxins into nest-like foci.The treatment strategy emphasizes reinforcing healthy qi,regulating qi,resolving phlegm,dispelling stasis,attacking toxins,dispersing nodules,and adjusting treatment according to disease stages.In the early stage,it is to support healthy qi and regulate qi to remove qi deficiency;in the middle stage,it is to dissipate phlegm and expel blood stasis to resolve pathological nests;in the late stage,it is to attack toxins and resolve masses to break up nest sac.Throughout the treatment,strictly adhere to the principle of"rein-forcing healthy qi without retaining pathogens,and breaking accumulations without impairing healthy qi".
10.Development of a questionnaire for residents to evaluate the quality of general practice teaching clinics
Jiali WANG ; Congling ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Guifen ZHANG ; Ruoxia ZHANG ; Xinmei ZHOU ; Weifang MO ; Lingyan WU ; Yuling TONG ; Yi GUO ; Zhijie XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(11):1505-1511
Objective:To develop a scientific and practical questionnaire for general practice residents, and to conduct multidimensional and comprehensive evaluation of the quality of general practice teaching clinics.Methods:A preliminary draft of the questionnaire items was formulated based on a literature review and in-depth interviews. The Delphi method was employed to conduct two rounds of consultation with 14 experts. Following revisions, a convenience sampling method was used to invite general practice residents from three standardized residency training bases to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Results:The questionnaire consisted of 23 items, covering the three dimensions of preparation, implementation process, and comprehensive evaluation of the teaching clinics. The response rates for the two rounds of the expert consultation were both 100.00%, with expert authority coefficients of 0.89 and 0.90, respectively. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.93, and the correlation coefficients between each item score and the total score were all >0.30. Structural validity analysis revealed that three common factors were extracted from the questionnaire, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 77.89%. Conclusions:The General Practice Teaching Clinic Quality Evaluation Questionnaire for Residents developed in this study demonstrates high reliability and validity. The questionnaire provides a scientific basis for the standardized assessment of teaching quality in general practice clinics. By incorporating resident feedback on the teaching process, the questionnaire promotes the development of a teaching clinic quality improvement mechanism focused on residents and plays a significant role in enhancing the teaching capabilities of supervising physicians in clinics.

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