1.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
2.Application advances, ethical dilemmas, and future directions of large language models in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment
Zhizhen REN ; Yufan XI ; Xu ZHU ; Yijie LUO ; Geting HUANG ; Junqiao SONG ; Xiuyuan XU ; Nan CHEN ; Qiang PU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(03):353-362
Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Coupled with the substantial workload, the clinical management of lung cancer is challenged by the critical need to efficiently and accurately process increasingly complex medical information. In recent years, large language models (LLMs) technology has undergone explosive development, demonstrating unique advantages in handling complex medical data by leveraging its powerful natural language processing capabilities, and its application value in the field of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment is continuously increasing. The paper systematically analyzes that the exceptional potential of LLMs in lung cancer auxiliary diagnosis, tumor feature extraction, automatic staging, progression/outcome analysis, treatment recommendations, medical documentation generation, and patient education. However, they face critical technical and ethical challenges including inconsistent performance in complex integrated decision-making (e.g., TNM staging, personalized treatment suggestions) and "black box" opacity issues, along with dilemmas such as training data biases, model hallucinations, data privacy concerns, and cross-lingual adaptation challenges ("data colonization"). Future directions should prioritize constructing high-quality multimodal corpora specific to lung cancer, developing interpretable and compliant specialized models, and achieving seamless integration with existing clinical workflows. Through dual drivers of technological innovation and ethical standardization, LLMs should be prudently advanced for holistic lung cancer management processes, ultimately promoting efficient, standardized, and personalized diagnosis and treatment practices.
3.Analysis of latent classes of health literacy and related factors among junior high school students in Zhongshan
WU Zhuowen, PU Xueya, HUANG Sizhe, CHEN Yajun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):342-346
Objective:
To identify the latent class characteristics of health literacy and related factors among junior high school students, so as to provide evidence for developing precise and systematic health literacy promotion strategies.
Methods:
In November 2024, a two stage random cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 8 933 junior high school students in Zhongshan. Health literacy was assessed across six dimensions: health behavior and lifestyle, disease prevention and control, mental health, growth development and puberty health, safety emergency and risk avoidance, and medical knowledge and appropriate healthcare utilization. Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct health literacy classes, and multinomial Logistic regression was applied to analyze the related factors.
Results:
Three latent classes of health literacy among junior high school students were identified: the well balanced type(71.7%,6 406), the medical knowledge deficit type(22.3%,1 992), and the overall low literacy type(6.0%,537). Logistic regression analysis showed that girls had lower risks of belonging to the medical knowledge deficit type( OR =0.53, 95% CI =0.48-0.59) and the overall low literacy type( OR =0.27,95% CI =0.22-0.33) compared with boys(both P <0.05). Students in rural schools had the highest risks of belonging to these two profiles above [ OR (95% CI ) =1.89 (1.61-2.21), 3.18 (2.50-4.06),both P <0.05]. Junior high school students having ≥2 siblings were positively associated with belonging to these two profiles, with risks 1.60 (95% CI = 1.35-1.89) and 2.25 times (95% CI =1.66-3.05) higher than those of only children (both P <0.05). Junior high school students with parental education of bachelor s degree or above were associated with lower risk of belonging to the medical knowledge deficit type (father: OR =0.63, 95% CI =0.47-0.84; mother: OR =0.68, 95% CI = 0.52 -0.90,both P <0.05). Junior high school students with receiving health education courses ≥3 times per month were associated with lower risks of belonging to both the medical knowledge deficit type and overall low literacy type ( OR =0.51, 95% CI =0.43- 0.60 ; OR =0.33, 95% CI =0.25-0.42, both P <0.05).
Conclusions
Three latent classes of health literacy exist among junior high school students in Zhongshan. Targeted interventions should be implemented based on profile characteristics, with an emphasis on strengthening medical knowledge education and providing comprehensive support for vulnerable groups.
4.Manganese porphyrin metal-organic framework nanoparticles loaded with DMXAA combined with sonodynamic therapy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer mouse xenografts
LIU Qianhui ; GUI Bin ; PU Huan ; LI Zhouchang ; HUANG Xin ; ZHOU Qing ; DENG Qing
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(3):262-269
[摘 要] 目的:构建负载STING激动剂DMXAA的锰卟啉金属有机框架纳米颗粒(DPM),探讨其对三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC)细胞4T1及其小鼠移植瘤的治疗效果。方法:通过物理吸附法制备 DPM 纳米颗粒,利用透射电镜、扫描电镜及纳米粒度电位仪表征其形貌与理化性质。常规培养4T1细胞,细胞实验分为对照组、超声辐照组(US组)、DPM治疗组(DPM组)和DPM治疗联合超声辐照组(DPM + US组),用CCK-8法检测细胞活性,免疫荧光法检测高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)和钙网蛋白(CRT)的表达,WB法检测STING通路相关蛋白的表达。构建4T1细胞移植瘤小鼠模型,分为四组,处理同细胞实验,测量肿瘤体积,免疫荧光法检测移植瘤组织中Ki-67、HMGB1、CRT和缺氧诱导因子-1ɑ(HIF-1ɑ)蛋白的表达,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,流式细胞术检测免疫细胞活化情况,对主要器官进行H-E染色,以评估纳米材料的体内安全性。结果:DPM呈梭形,平均粒径(268 ± 3.302)nm,电位(33.1 ± 0.87)mV。细胞实验中,DPM联合超声辐照可明显抑制4T1细胞的增殖(P < 0.001),提高4T1细胞中ROS水平(P < 0.001),诱导4T1细胞CRT表达上调(P < 0.001),HMGB1从细胞核中移至细胞质,激活STING信号通路[p-STING、p-TBK1、p-IRF3蛋白表达均显著增加(均P < 0.001)]。体内实验中,DPM联合超声辐照可显著抑制4T1细胞移植瘤生长(P < 0.001)并促进免疫细胞表型转化(P < 0.001),抑制移植瘤组织中Ki-67、HIF-1α蛋白表达(均P < 0.01),谷胱甘肽(GSH)产生(P < 0.01),促进CRT、HMGB1蛋白表达、ROS产生(P < 0.001),对主要器官结构无明显影响。结论: DPM联合超声辐照可通过激活STING通路显著抑制4T1细胞及其移植瘤的生长,诱导抗肿瘤免疫应答,且对主要器官无明显毒性。
5.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
6.Research Progress of Clinical Quality Control Phantoms for MRI Equipment
Chengwei LI ; Jiao LI ; Hui XU ; Tianrui ZHAO ; Pu ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Zhengshan HUANG ; Jie SUN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):607-610,617
With the rapid increase of MRI systems in hospitals in China,national multi-sectoral strategies have been put forward to clarify requirements for improving image quality of MRI systems and preventing application risks in clinic.Quality control of MRI systems becomes an important task for regulators as well as hospital radiology departments.The tools used for quality control include imaging performance phantom and specialized function phantom,which can realize detection or calibration for parameters such as high contrast resolution,image uniformity and relaxation time.This article mainly reviews the research progress of the operation principles,common types and clinical applications for these two types of phantoms mentioned above.
7.Whole-Body Specific Absorption Rate Measurement Method Based on NIM Calorimetry
Zhengshan HUANG ; Pu ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Chengwei LI ; Jie SUN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(6):589-594
Purpose To explore the feasibility and practical value of using National Institute of Metrology(NIM)calorimetry method to measure whole-body specific absorption rate(SAR)values of in-service MRI equipment.Materials and Methods A NIM calorimetry device for measuring whole-body SAR values was developed,SAR values of different MRI devices were measured by NIM calorimetry,and compared with National Electrical Manufacturers Association(NEMA)calorimetry and pulse-energy method to verify the measurement accuracy and applicability of the NIM calorimetry method.Results The NIM calorimetry device developed in this study had reliable performance,and the experimental results indicated the difference in measurement results between NIM calorimetry(1.63 W/kg)and NEMA calorimetry(1.80 W/kg)was within 10%.The difference between the SAR measurement results of multiple MRI devices based on NIM calorimetry(0.46,0.93,0.61 W/kg)and the pulse energy method(0.42,0.89,0.56 W/kg)was within 10%.Conclusion The NIM calorimetry method in this study can accurately measure whole-body SAR values and has applicability.
8.Application of three-dimensional CT-assisted pedicle measurement in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty
Peng-ji PU ; Min-jun HUANG ; Xiang AO ; Wei-yi LAI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(6):515-520
Objective To investigate the application effect of three-dimensional CT-assisted pedicle measurement in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP).Methods A total of 80 osteoporotic patients with L1 vertebral compression fracture who were treated in People's Hospital of Qujiang District in Shaoguan from March 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the study subjects.Three-dimensional CT-assisted pedicle measurement was performed before surgery,including L1 axial effective angle,axial effective pedicle transverse,oblique sagittal effective angle,oblique sagittal effective longitudinal diameter,and pedicle transverse diameter,and their differences between different genders were analyzed.Four patients with an effective pedicle diameter of less than 3 mm were included into the bilateral group,and the rest of the patients were divided into the unilateral group(received unilateral-approach PVP)and the bilateral group(received bilateral-approach PVP)according to the random number table method.The perioperative conditions of patients in the two groups were collected.The follow-up was performed for six months after surgery,and the visual analogue scale(VAS)score and Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI)score of patients between the two groups were compared before surgery,1 month after surgery and 6 months after surgery.X-ray examinations were performed before and after surgery to evaluate the recovery of Cobb angle and cement leakage.Results No significant difference was observed in axial universal effective angle or universal oblique sagittal effective angles between genders(P>0.05).The male patients showed greater axial lateral effective angle,axial lateral effective pedicle transverse,axial universal effective pedicle transverse,lateral oblique sagittal effective angle,lateral oblique sagittal effective longitudinal diameter,universal oblique sagittal effective longitudinal diameter,and pedicle transverse as compared to female patients,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The intraoperative fluoroscopy times and bone cement injection volume of patients in the unilateral group were less/lower than those in the bilateral group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the operation time of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).During the follow-up period,3 patients were lost to follow-up in the unilateral group and 4 patients in the bilateral group.One patient in the unilateral group had cement leakage.There were no significant differences in the VAS scores,ODI scores before surgery and 1 month after surgery or Cobb angles before and after surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).The VAS and ODI scores of patients in the unilateral group 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than those in the bilateral group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion In the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,three-dimensional CT-assisted pedicle measurement before PVP can help to achieve accurate puncture,and improve the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.
9.Advanced patient motion correction technology applicated in pediatric chest CT imaging
Xiaocong CHEN ; Yi ZHAI ; Hongping TIAN ; Kun PU ; Youqiang CHEN ; Yilong HUANG ; Yindeng LUO
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):811-815
Objective To observe the value of advanced patient motion correction(APMC)technology for improving imaging quality of low-dose pediatric chest CT.Methods Ninety-six children who received low-dose chest CT scan were retrospectively enrolled.CT images were reconstructed using full reconstruction technique(FULL)or APMC for both lung window and mediastinal window.Then the imaging qualities were subjectively evaluated according to image clarity,degree of motion artifacts,sharpness of structural edges and overall quality.The indexes of objective evaluation of imaging quality included the mean CT values of unit density pixel within ROI on lung window and mediastinal window,the standard deviation of CT values(SDCT)representing image noise,as well as signal-to-noise ratio(SNR).Sobel operator edge detection was performed on images,recording the mean gray level(G)and the standard deviation of gray value in Sobel(SDsobel)within ROI.Comparisons were made between FULL reconstruction and corrected images with APMC reconstruction in terms of subjective and objective evaluations,as well as parameters obtained from Sobel output images.Results Compared to FULL reconstruction,APMC corrected images showed reduced motion artifacts,improved edge structure sharpness and enhanced overall image quality(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference of image clarity(P>0.05).Meanwhile,with APMC reconstructions,the mean CT values,SDCT on lung window and SDCT on mediastinal window increased(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference for the mean CT values on mediastinal window(P>0.05),and SNR on both lung window and mediastinal window decreased(both P<0.05).Besides,for Sobel output images,compared to FULL reconstruction,APMC reconstruction had increased G and SDsobel on both lung window and mediastinal window(all P<0.05).Conclusion APMC technology applicated in low-dose chest CT scan of children could effectively reduce motion artifacts,improve edge clarity and imaging quality,hence enhance diagnostic sensitivity.
10.Application of nanoprobe based on aggregation-induced luminescence in photothermal diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
Bin GUI ; Nan JIANG ; Xin HUANG ; Fanglu ZHONG ; Zhiwen WANG ; Qianhui LIU ; Yuxin GUO ; Yueying CHEN ; Huan PU ; Qing DENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(16):3400-3409
BACKGROUND:A novel aggregation induced luminescence fluorescence probe based on the mechanism of intramolecular motility restriction can be used for the detection of disease markers,tumor diagnosis,and bacterial imaging recognition.OBJECTIVE:To prepare a near-infrared Ⅱ nanoprobe called FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs based on aggregation-induced luminescence,and to explore its potential of targeted fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy for prostate cancer.METHODS:Lecithin,polyethylene glycol phospholipids,folate polyethylene glycol phospholipids,and aggregation induced luminescent molecule 2TT-oC26B were used as raw materials.The folate-targeted nanoprobe FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation method,and basic characterization of the nanoprobe was detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were selected as experimental objects.The cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were detected.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were selected as the experimental objects.Flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining were used to assess the efficacy of photothermal therapy.PC3 human prostate cancer cells were injected subcutaneously into the abdomen of BALB/C nude mice to establish a tumor model,and nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs were injected into the tail vein.The mice were immediately subjected to near-infraced Ⅱ fluorescence imaging.12 hours later,the tumor was irradiated by laser for 5 minutes,and the photothermal treatment effect was observed within 14 days.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs with a mean diameter of(171.0±0.3)nm showed a well-defined spherical morphology.The nanoprobe had a wide absorption spectrum and tail emission extending to the near-infrared Ⅱ which emitted a bright near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence signal under laser irradiation.(2)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had low cytotoxicity and high phototoxicity.The results of flow cytometry and calcein/propidium iodide staining showed that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs had an obvious photothermal killing effect on human prostate cancer cells.(3)The nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs successfully achieved near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging of mouse blood vessels and the maximum enrichment time of the tumor was 12 hours.The vessel widths of the hind leg and single blood vessels of abdomen were estimated to be 0.63 mm and 0.42 mm.The tumor volume of mice was significantly smaller after 14 days of treatment.(4)The results show that nanoprobes FA-DSPE-PEG-AIE@NPs can achieve near-infrared Ⅱ fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy of prostate cancer effectively,which may provide a new method for early diagnosis and combined treatment of prostate cancer.


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