1.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
2.Arginine Metabolic Disorder in Heart Failure Rats: Analysis Based on Targeted Metabolomics and Bioinformatics
Zeyu LI ; Xiaoqing WANG ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yurou ZHAO ; He XIAO ; Penghaobang LIU ; Haiming ZHANG ; Chunyan LIU ; Yanhong HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):229-237
ObjectiveThis study systematically analyzed the arginine metabolic dysregulation in the rat model of heart failure (HF), providing a modern scientific basis for elucidating the pathogenesis of HF and offering new insights for the prevention and treatment of HF with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). MethodsA thoracotomy was performed to ligate the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats, which induced acute myocardial ischemia and thus led to the development of post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The rats were divided into a sham surgery group and a model group, with eight rats in each group. Serum targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-TQ-S), and the spatial distribution of metabolites in cardiac tissue was observed using airflow-assisted desorption electrospray ionizationmass spectrometry imaging (AFADESI-MSI). Targets associated with HF and arginine metabolism were screened from databases including GeneCards and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and enrichment analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) was performed. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to verify the binding between core metabolic components and key targets, and potential TCMs were predicted based on the core pathways and targets. ResultsCompared with the sham surgery group, the levels of arginine and citrulline in the serum of model rats were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while those of proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine and glutamate were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cardiac mass spectrometry imaging showed a decreased abundance of arginine in the local myocardial tissue. Bioinformatics analysis identified 24 core functional targets, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and enrichment analysis indicated that these targets were significantly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding activities between arginine, citrulline and HTR2A, as well as between creatine, creatinine and EGFR. Based on pathway-target prediction, potential TCM interventions, such as ginseng and magnolia, were identified. ConclusionThis study revealed characteristic arginine metabolic disorder in HF, and the core targets of HF were closely associated with the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway. It provides a modern biological interpretation of the pathogenesis of HF in TCM from the perspectives of metabolites and signaling pathways, and offers valuable insights for targeted therapy of HF and the development of TCM.
3.Curcumae Rhizoma: An anti-cancer traditional Chinese medicine.
Yu LUO ; Lin ZHU ; Zhengyu REN ; Jian XIAO ; Erwei HAO ; Jiahong LU ; Jinmin ZHAO ; Chun YAO ; Yitao WANG ; Hua LUO
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(3):428-447
Curcumae Rhizoma, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin, was called Ezhu in China. In the past, Curcumae Rhizoma extracts were obtained through water decoction or alternative methods, which showed significant anti-cancer effects. However, the mixed extracts contain various compound components of Curcumae Rhizoma, leading to an ambiguous mechanism of action for Curcumae Rhizoma extracts anti-cancer. Contemporary researchers have extracted the chemical components of Curcumae Rhizoma separately for experimental verification of its active ingredients in the anti-cancer field. Numerous studies demonstrated that curcumol, germacrone, β-elemene, and curcumin in Curcumae Rhizoma extracts have significant governing effects in anti-cancer activities. Pharmacological studies have shown that Curcumae Rhizoma suppresses cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, triggering apoptosis and regulating cellular autophagy to achieve anticancer effects. Here, we summarized the research progress of Curcumae Rhizoma on anti-cancer effects from 2013 to 2022, aiming to explore the deeper molecular mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma's active components in cancer treatment.
4.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
5.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
6.Establishment and validation of a predictive model for the progression of pancreatic cystic lesions based on clinical and CT radiological features
Wenyi DENG ; Feiyang XIE ; Li MAO ; Xiuli LI ; Zhaoyong SUN ; Kai XU ; Liang ZHU ; Zhengyu JIN ; Xiao LI ; Huadan XUE
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2024;24(1):23-28
Objective:To construct a machine-learning model for predicting the progression of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) based on clinical and CT features, and to evaluate its predictive performance in internal/external testing cohorts.Methods:Baseline clinical and radiological data of 200 PCLs in 177 patients undergoing abdominal thin slice enhanced CT examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2014 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. PCLs were divided into progressive and non-progressive groups according to whether the signs indicated for surgery by the guidelines of the European study group on PCLs were present during three-year follow-up. 200 PCLs were randomly divided into training (150 PCLs) and internal testing cohorts (50 PCLs) at the ratio of 1∶3. 15 PCLs in 14 patients at Jinling Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Nanjing University from October 2011 to May 2020 were enrolled as external testing cohort. The clinical and CT radiological features were recorded. Multiple feature selection methods and machine-learning models were implemented and combined to identify the optimal machine-learning model based on the 10-fold cross-validation method. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and area under curve (AUC) was calculated. The model with the highest AUC was determined as the optimal model. The optimal model's predictive performance was evaluated on testing cohort by calculating AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Permutation importance was used to assess the importance of optimal model features. Calibration curves of the optimal model were established to evaluate the model's clinical applicability by Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results:In training and internal testing cohorts, the progressive and non-progressive groups were significantly different on history of pancreatitis, lesions size, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation, thick cyst wall, presence of septation and thick septation (all P value <0.05) In internal testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on gender, lesion calcification and pancreatic atrophy (all P value <0.05). In external testing cohort, the two groups were significantly different on lesions size and pancreatic duct dilation (both P<0.05). The support vector machine (SVM) model based on five features selected by F test (lesion size, thick cyst wall, history of pancreatitis, main pancreatic duct diameter and dilation) achieved the highest AUC of 0.899 during cross-validation. SVM model for predicting the progression of PCLs demonstrated an AUC of 0.909, sensitivity of 82.4%, specificity of 72.7%, and accuracy of 76.0% in the internal testing cohort, and 0.944, 100%, 77.8%, and 86.7% in the external testing cohort. Calibration curved showed that the predicted probability by the model was comparable to the real progression of PCLs. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test affirmed the model's consistency with actual PCLs progression in testing cohorts. Conclusions:The SVM model based on clinical and CT features can help doctors predict the PCLs progression within three-year follow-up, thus achieving efficient patient management and rational allocation of medical resource.
7.Challenges and Development in Suzhou Laboratory Animal Industry Over the Past Five Decades
Lijuan ZHAO ; Chunlan XIAO ; Yajie SHENG ; Xi LU ; Zhengyu ZHOU
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2024;44(6):645-653
Since the 1970s, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has gone through five stages: its inception, emergence, growth, transformation, and scaling up. It began with the manufacturing of caging equipment for laboratory animals, initially by imitation and later through independent innovation. The industry evolved from sporadic factories to clustered enterprises, gradually growing and opening up the export market for caging equipment. In the 21st century, with industrial upgrading and transformation, purification systems and related products began to develop, and industry organizations emerged. As China has modernized, the rise of automation and intelligent production has led to technological innovation in enterprises and the emergence of various outsourcing services in the laboratory animal industry, driving the large-scale development of the industrial chain. After nearly half a century of growth, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has formed a complete industrial chain, including the production of laboratory animals, caging equipment, feed and bedding materials, design and construction of laboratory animal facilities, quality testing of laboratory animals and environments, and animal experimentation services. Laboratory animal breeding equipment, the core of the industry, has reached the level of developed countries, and the industry's scale and influence are unmatched in China. Since the 21st century, biopharmaceuticals have become the "No.1 industry" in the development of Suzhou. With government support, the guidance of the local economy, and the assistance from universities and research institutes, the animal experiment outsourcing industry has begun to cluster in Suzhou. The continuous influx of CROs has driven the construction of large-scale laboratory animal facilities, and key research projects have been initiated, significantly enhancing the industry's R&D capabilities. The Suzhou laboratory animal industry has quickly expanded alongside the "No. 1 industry," creating a unique "Suzhou Path" for laboratory animals. Over nearly fifty years, the laboratory animal industry in Suzhou has been essential to the rapid development of the biopharmaceutical industry in Suzhou and China.
8.The recovery of abdominal function and patients’ satisfaction rate after the reconstruction of extensive soft tissue defects in limbs using lower abdominal flap based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography
Lining ZHAO ; Jianwei WANG ; Yong XIAO ; Zhengyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(6):612-620
Objective:To explore the recovery of abdominal function and and satisfaction rate in patients who received lower abdominal skin flap repair of extensive soft tissue defects in the limbs based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography(3D-CTA) technology.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze clinical data from patients with extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs, who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between March 2017 and February 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) group and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) group, with SIEA flaps and DIEP flaps utilized respectively for tissue defect repair. Based on 3D-CTA imaging, the distribution range and vessel diameters of bilateral SIEA, superficial inferior epigastric veins (SIEV), and DIEP were delineated, facilitating the design and harvest of SIEA and DIEP flaps. Comparisons were drawn between preoperative 3D-CTA findings on the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV, and intraoperative anatomical observations. In addition, the concordance between vessel diameters and pedicle lengths determined via preoperative 3D-CTA and intraoperative measurements was assessed. The flap survival, wound healing and surveyed patients’ satisfaction with wound repair were analyzed. A customized evaluation scale was utilized to assess abdominal contour one year post-surgery, scoring from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. The abdominal health module of the BREAST-Q scale evaluated patients’ satisfaction with abdominal function preoperatively, three months postoperatively, and one year postoperatively, scoring from 20 to 100, with increasing scores indicating greater satisfaction. The measurement data that conform to the normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD, and the comparison between the two groups was performed using independent samples t-test. The comparison were conducted at multiple time points, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed, and for the comparison of scores within the group, paired t-test was applied. Results:A total of 21 patients were included, 3 males and 18 females, with an age range of 21 to 60 years and a mean age of 41 years. The range of skin and soft tissue defects was from 10.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 22.0 cm × 14.0 cm, and the range of skin flap harvesting was from 11.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 15.0 cm. There were 11 cases in the SIEA group and 10 cases in the DIEP group. Preoperative 3D-CTA examination showed that the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV were consistent with intraoperative anatomical observations. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of vessel diameters, pedicle lengths, and actual measurements between preoperative 3D-CTA examination and intraoperative measurements (all P > 0.05). No flap necrosis occurred postoperatively, wound healing was uneventful in all cases. At 1 year postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference in abdominal contour scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups [(21.96±3.51) points vs. (21.62±3.17) points, P > 0.05]. Comparison of preoperative abdominal function satisfaction scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups showed no statistically significant difference [(87.56 ± 5.70) points vs. (85.79 ± 6.33) points, P > 0.05]. However, at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, the SIEA group had higher scores than the DIEP group [at 3 months postoperatively, (77.62 ± 7.68) points vs. (65.21 ± 8.27) points; at 1 year postoperatively, (86.93 ± 5.65) points vs. (77.59 ± 5.92) points; both P < 0.01], indicating higher abdominal function satisfaction of the SIEA group postoperatively. The scores of both the SIEA and DIEP groups decreased at 3 months postoperatively compared to preoperative scores (both P < 0.01). At 1 year postoperatively, the score of the SIEA group was similar to preoperative levels, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05), while the score of the DIEP group remained lower than preoperative levels ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Reconstruction of extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs using SIEA flaps, without injury to the deep tissues of the abdominal wall, allows for near-complete restoration of abdominal function and appearance to preoperative levels, with minimal impact on the donor site. Preoperative 3D-CTA reveals the anatomical variations in the vascular supply of SIEA flaps among individuals, achieving comparable wound repair outcomes to other lower abdominal flaps.
9.Development and external validation of a quantitative diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions in clinical opportunistic screening: A multicenter real-world study
Hongchen ZHENG ; Zhen LIU ; Yun CHEN ; Ping JI ; Zhengyu FANG ; Yujie HE ; Chuanhai GUO ; Ping XIAO ; Chengwen WANG ; Weihua YIN ; Fenglei LI ; Xiujian CHEN ; Mengfei LIU ; Yaqi PAN ; Fangfang LIU ; Ying LIU ; Zhonghu HE ; Yang KE
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(19):2343-2350
Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.
10.The recovery of abdominal function and patients’ satisfaction rate after the reconstruction of extensive soft tissue defects in limbs using lower abdominal flap based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography
Lining ZHAO ; Jianwei WANG ; Yong XIAO ; Zhengyu WANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(6):612-620
Objective:To explore the recovery of abdominal function and and satisfaction rate in patients who received lower abdominal skin flap repair of extensive soft tissue defects in the limbs based on three-dimensional computed tomography angiography(3D-CTA) technology.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze clinical data from patients with extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs, who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital between March 2017 and February 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups: the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) group and the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) group, with SIEA flaps and DIEP flaps utilized respectively for tissue defect repair. Based on 3D-CTA imaging, the distribution range and vessel diameters of bilateral SIEA, superficial inferior epigastric veins (SIEV), and DIEP were delineated, facilitating the design and harvest of SIEA and DIEP flaps. Comparisons were drawn between preoperative 3D-CTA findings on the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV, and intraoperative anatomical observations. In addition, the concordance between vessel diameters and pedicle lengths determined via preoperative 3D-CTA and intraoperative measurements was assessed. The flap survival, wound healing and surveyed patients’ satisfaction with wound repair were analyzed. A customized evaluation scale was utilized to assess abdominal contour one year post-surgery, scoring from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better outcomes. The abdominal health module of the BREAST-Q scale evaluated patients’ satisfaction with abdominal function preoperatively, three months postoperatively, and one year postoperatively, scoring from 20 to 100, with increasing scores indicating greater satisfaction. The measurement data that conform to the normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD, and the comparison between the two groups was performed using independent samples t-test. The comparison were conducted at multiple time points, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed, and for the comparison of scores within the group, paired t-test was applied. Results:A total of 21 patients were included, 3 males and 18 females, with an age range of 21 to 60 years and a mean age of 41 years. The range of skin and soft tissue defects was from 10.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 22.0 cm × 14.0 cm, and the range of skin flap harvesting was from 11.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 15.0 cm. There were 11 cases in the SIEA group and 10 cases in the DIEP group. Preoperative 3D-CTA examination showed that the course and distribution of SIEA and SIEV were consistent with intraoperative anatomical observations. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of vessel diameters, pedicle lengths, and actual measurements between preoperative 3D-CTA examination and intraoperative measurements (all P > 0.05). No flap necrosis occurred postoperatively, wound healing was uneventful in all cases. At 1 year postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference in abdominal contour scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups [(21.96±3.51) points vs. (21.62±3.17) points, P > 0.05]. Comparison of preoperative abdominal function satisfaction scores between the SIEA and DIEP groups showed no statistically significant difference [(87.56 ± 5.70) points vs. (85.79 ± 6.33) points, P > 0.05]. However, at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, the SIEA group had higher scores than the DIEP group [at 3 months postoperatively, (77.62 ± 7.68) points vs. (65.21 ± 8.27) points; at 1 year postoperatively, (86.93 ± 5.65) points vs. (77.59 ± 5.92) points; both P < 0.01], indicating higher abdominal function satisfaction of the SIEA group postoperatively. The scores of both the SIEA and DIEP groups decreased at 3 months postoperatively compared to preoperative scores (both P < 0.01). At 1 year postoperatively, the score of the SIEA group was similar to preoperative levels, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05), while the score of the DIEP group remained lower than preoperative levels ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:Reconstruction of extensive skin and soft tissue defects in the limbs using SIEA flaps, without injury to the deep tissues of the abdominal wall, allows for near-complete restoration of abdominal function and appearance to preoperative levels, with minimal impact on the donor site. Preoperative 3D-CTA reveals the anatomical variations in the vascular supply of SIEA flaps among individuals, achieving comparable wound repair outcomes to other lower abdominal flaps.

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