1.Research progress on the application of virtual reality technology in amblyopia visual training
Kang WANG ; Qiao WANG ; Pengfei LI ; Yunfan ZHANG ; Zifan QIN ; Jing LI
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1411-1416
The therapeutic concept of amblyopia has gradually shifted from improving the visual acuity of the amblyopic eye to restoring binocular visual function.Conventional occlusion therapy and routine visual training have issues such as long treatment cycles, insufficient entertainment value and poor patient compliance, which limits the stability of therapeutic effects. Virtual reality(VR)technology, characterized by immersion, interactivity, and adjustable stimulus parameters, has been increasingly applied to visual training for amblyopia.Current evidence suggests that VR-based training can improve visual acuity and binocular visual function in amblyopia patients to a certain extent.Moreover, its gamified interactions and feedback-driven design may also enhance patient motivation and treatment adherence. This review begins with the mechanisms and theoretical basis of VR training for amblyopia, proceeds to summarizeits advantages over conventional methods, current systems, training modes, clinical efficacy, commonly used outcome measures, as well as safety and acceptability, aiming to provide a reference for its standardization, clinical translation, and widespread adoption.
2.Lipidomics Combined with Machine Learning for Screening Biomarkers of Early-Stage Lung Cancer in the Elderly
Qing WANG ; Yue HE ; Xu LIU ; Zifan LI ; Kezhong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):652-662
Based on plasma lipidomics combined with machine learning approaches, this study aimed to screen molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer in elderly patients and to evaluate their diagnostic performance. This was a retrospective diagnostic study consisting of two parts. The first part involved molecular biomarker screening. Elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer (early lung cancer group), patients with benign pulmonary nodules (benign nodule group), and contemporaneous healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations (healthy control group) were enrolled from Peking University People's Hospital between November 2023 and November 2024. In addition, early-stage lung cancer patients and healthy controls meeting the inclusion criteria from a previous study of our research group were included as an independent validation cohort. Plasma samples were collected from all subjects, and untargeted lipidomics analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to evaluate metabolic differences between groups. L1-regularized support vector machine combined with incremental feature selection was employed to screen diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage lung cancer. Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, Brier scores, and decision curve analysis. The second part involved functional validation of the molecular biomarkers using the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, with palmitoylcarnitine (CAR 16∶0) selected as a representative biomarker for functional validation via CCK-8 and cell scratch assays. A total of 36 patients in the early lung cancer group, 35 patients in the benign nodule group, and 41 healthy controls were enrolled, along with an independent validation cohort of 110 individuals (59 patients with early-stage lung cancer and 51 healthy controls). The principal component analysis results demonstrated that quality control samples were tightly aggregated at the centroid of all samples, reflecting robust instrument performance and dependable data quality.Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed significant metabolic differences between the early lung cancer group and the control group (benign nodule group + healthy control group) (R2X=0.406, R2Y=0.529, Q2Y=0.44). L1-regularized support vector machine identified five carnitine-related lipids-palmitoleoylcarnitine(CAR 16∶1), palmitoylcarnitine, The five plasma carnitine-related lipids screened based on untargeted lipidomics and machine learning may serve as potential molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer in elderly patients. The high-sensitivity characteristic of the model makes it particularly suitable for screening scenarios in early-stage lung cancer.
3.Hei Xiaoyaosan Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Clearing Peripheral Aβ via AMPK/SREBP2/PCSK9/LRP-1 Signaling Pathway
Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Jiao YANG ; Ruixue JIN ; Qian WANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):61-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan (HXS) in ameliorating cognitive impairment in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2)/proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) signaling pathway to clear amyloid-β (Aβ) from the peripheral circulation. MethodsNinety 8-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF)-grade male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were acclimatized for 1 week. After acclimatization, 10 rats were randomly selected as the blank control group, and the remaining 80 rats were prepared for surgical modeling. Among the 80 rats for modeling, 70 were anesthetized and injected with 1 μL of amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) solution into the bilateral hippocampal CA1 region for the modeling of AD, and the remaining 10 were assigned to the sham operation group, which received an injection of 1 μL normal saline at the same anatomical site. The successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=10 per group): a model group, a donepezil hydrochloride group, an acadesine (AICAR, an AMPK agonist) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose HXS groups. After 42 consecutive days of administration intervention, the Morris water maze test and T-maze test were performed to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining was conducted to observe pathological changes of neurons in the rat hippocampus, and thioflavin S staining to quantify the area of Aβ deposition in the hippocampal region. Immunofluorescence double staining (IF-DS) was performed to detect the expression of LRP-1 and Aβ signals in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of Aβ1-42 and soluble LRP-1 (sLRP-1) in the serum. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), SREBP2, PCSK9, and LRP-1 in the liver tissue. Real time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was adopted to assess the mRNA levels of AMPK, SREBP2, PCSK9, and LRP-1 in the liver tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed increased total swimming distance on day 6 and path length in the target quadrant on day 7 (P<0.01), a decreased correct alternation rate in the T-maze test (P<0.01), disarrangement of hippocampal neurons, increased FJB-positive cells (P<0.01), enlarged area of Aβ deposition (P<0.01). reduced LRP-1 fluorescence signals and enhanced Aβ fluorescence signals in the liver tissue (P<0.01), elevated serum level of Aβ1-42, declined serum level of sLRP-1 (P<0.01), downregulated protein levels of p-AMPK and LRP-1 as well as mRNA levels of AMPK and LRP-1, and upregulated protein and mRNA levels of SREBP2 and PCSK9 in the liver tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose HXS group, donepezil hydrochloride group, and AICAR group exhibited reduced total swimming distance and target quadrant path length (P<0.05, P<0.01), an increased correct alternation rate in the T-maze test (P<0.05), decreased FJB-positive cells (P<0.01), reduced Aβ deposition (P<0.01) in the hippocampal tissue, enhanced LRP-1 signals and weakened Aβ signals in the liver tissue (P<0.01), a declined serum level of Aβ1-42 and an elevated serum level of sLRP-1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of p-AMPK and LRP-1 as well as mRNA levels of AMPK and LRP-1, and downregulated protein and mRNA levels of SREBP2 and PCSK9 in the liver tissue (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can regulate the AMPK/SREBP2/PCSK9/LRP-1 signaling pathway to enhance the clearance of peripheral Aβ by the liver tissue and reduce Aβ deposition in the brain, thereby improving the learning and memory abilities of AD rats.
4.Hei Xiaoyaosan Inhibits AEP to Prevent and Treat Alzheimer's Disease
Yumei HAN ; Wenli PEI ; Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Jiao YANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):74-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in regulating asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) to inhibit tau protein (tau) phosphorylation, amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) deposition, and neuroinflammation in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). MethodsNinety SPF-grade SD male rats of 8 weeks old were selected and randomly grouped as follows: 10 rats in the blank group, 10 rats in the sham group (bilateral hippocampus injected with 1 μL normal saline), and 70 rats in the modeling group (bilateral hippocampus injected with 1 μL Aβ1-42 solution for the modeling of AD). Fifty successfully modeled rats were selected and randomly assigned into the model, donepezil hydrochloride (positive control, 0.45 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (15.30, 7.65, and 3.82 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage once a day for 42 days. Morris water maze and Y maze tests were carried out to assess the cognitive abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe morphological changes in hippocampal neurons, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to assess phosphorylation (p)-tau and Aβ expression in the hippocampal tissue of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AEP, tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), α-Syn (α-Syn), phosphorylated α-Syn (p-α-Syn), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3). Real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed prolonged escape latency, a decreased percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant, and a decreased alternation rate (P<0.01), a reduced number, shrinkage, and increased vacuoles of hippocampal neurons, increased expression of p-tau and Aβ in the hippocampus (P<0.01), elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and Aβ1-42, up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3, and up-regulated protein levels of p-tau and p-α-Syn (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive control group and the high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group exhibited shortened escape latency (P<0.01), an increased percentage of retention time in the target quadrant, an increased alternation response rate (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated neuronal shrinkage, regular morphology and arrangement of neurons in the hippocampal tissue, lowered levels of p-tau and Aβ in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), declined levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and Aβ1-42, downregulated mRNA and protein levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3, and downregulated protein levels of p-tau and p-α-Syn (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can protect hippocampal neurons and ameliorate cognitive impairment in the rat model of AD. Specifically, it may inhibit AEP to regulate tau phosphorylation, Aβ deposition, and neuroinflammation.
5.Hei Xiaoyaosan Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Activating Autophagy Through Regulating AMPK/ULK1 Signaling Pathway
Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Ruixue JIN ; Qian WANG ; Jiao YANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):91-101
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by activating autophagy through regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/UNC-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway. MethodsNinety 8-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were selected and randomized into two groups: a blank control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=80). From the modeling group, 10 rats were randomly assigned as a sham group (bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL normal saline), while the remaining 70 rats were injected with 1 μL Aβ1-42 solution bilaterally into the hippocampus to replicate the AD model. The Morris water maze test was conducted to screen the successfully modeled rats, which were then randomly allocated to the model, donepezil hydrochloride, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR, an AMPK agonist), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 10 rats per group. After 42 days of drug intervention, the Morris water maze and open field tests were conducted to assess learning and memory abilities and motor function. Pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining, and autophagy-related pathological damage was examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of LC3 in the hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The protein levels of AMPK, phosphorylate (p)-AMPK, ULK1, p-ULK1, p62, and autophagy related 7 (Atg7) were determined by Western blot, while the mRNA levels of AMPK and ULK1 were measured by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed increased escape latency (P<0.01) and decreased platform crossings (P<0.01) on day 6 in the water maze test, reduced total distance traveled and average speed in the open field test (P<0.01), disarranged neurons with Nissl body loss and evident autophagic damage, weakened LC3 fluorescence signal (P<0.01), downregulated protein levels of p-AMPK, p-ULK1, and Atg7 and mRNA levels of AMPK and ULK1 in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and upregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive drug group, high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, and AICAR group showed decreased escape latency (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased platform crossings (P<0.01) on day 6, and increased total distance traveled and average speed in the open field test (P<0.05). The positive drug group, high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, and the AICAR group showed alleviated cellular structural damage, regular neuronal arrangement, increased Nissl bodies, and orderly distribution of autophagosomes. Furthermore, the LC3 fluorescence intensity was enhanced in the positive drug group, high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, and the AICAR group (P<0.01). The positive drug group, high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, and the AICAR group exhibited upregulated protein and mRNA levels of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), upregulated protein level of Atg7 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can improve learning and memory abilities and alleviate pathological status in the rat model of AD by regulating the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular autophagy, and repairing damaged nerve cells.
6.Analysis of factors influencing blood transfusion and hematopoietic reconstitution in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Rong WANG ; Qing LIU ; Zifan MENG ; Shaoqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(9):1246-1253
Objective: To show the characteristics of blood component transfusion and differences in hematopoietic reconstitution time among patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) retrospectively, with the aim of identifying factors affecting blood transfusion and hematopoietic reconstitution, and providing evidence for optimizing stem cell collection strategies and developing individualized transfusion regimens. Methods: A total of 95 patients who received allo-HSCT treatment in our hospital from January 2023 to December 2025 were enrolled. Data including disease classification, HLA matching status, ABO blood group compatibility, and cellular composition of grafts were analyzed, and differences in red blood cell and platelet transfusion requirements, as well as the hematopoietic reconstitution time, were compared among groups. Factors affecting transfusion requirements and hematopoietic reconstitution time were evaluated. Results: Different disease classifications showed no significant effect on red blood cell or platelet transfusion requirements. No statistically significant differences were observed in blood component transfusion volumes or hematopoietic reconstitution time between HLA semi-matched and fully matched status, ABO blood group compatibility, and graft platelet count. A statistically significant difference was observed only in granulocyte engraftment time between the graft MNC count group of (6-10)×10
/kg and the (2-4)×10
/kg group [12.00 (11.00, 13.00) vs 18.00 (17.00, 30.00) days, P<0.05]. Regarding graft CD34
cell count, the (6-10)×10
/kg group had a platelet transfusion volume of 3.00 (3.00, 4.00) therapeutic units, with granulocyte and platelet engraftment time of 11.00 (10.25, 13.75) days and 12.00 (11.00, 14.00) days, respectively; the (>10)×10
/kg group had corresponding values of 3.00 (2.00, 3.25) therapeutic units, 11.50 (10.00, 12.00) days, and 12.00 (11.00, 13.00) days. Compared with the (2-4)×10
/kg group [6.00 (3.00, 8.00) therapeutic units, 13.00 (12.00, 15.00) days, 15.00 (15.50, 22.50) days], all these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Patients in the CD34
<4×10
/kg group demonstrated delayed granulocyte and platelet engraftment and significantly increased platelet transfusion requirements. Conclusion: The CD34
cell dose in the graft is a significant correlate of hematopoietic reconstitution time after allo-HSCT and is significantly associated with platelet transfusion requirements. Blood transfusion is a necessary measure for supportive treatment of allo-HSCT patients. Optimizing stem cell harvesting protocols to achieve the target CD34
cell dose, along with developing individualized transfusion strategies based on graft CD34
counts, may facilitate hematopoietic recovery, reduce transfusion burden, and ultimately improve patient outcomes after transplantation.
7.Progress in research of intergenerational transmission of health based on population cohort
Zifan ZHANG ; Hui WANG ; Sunyi WANG ; Xiaolin XU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1688-1696
Intergenerational transmission exists within families, which is considered as key factor influencing individual health. Previous studies of intergenerational transmission were diverse and fragmented, in which the impacts of parental health-related characteristics and health risk behaviors on their children and grandchildren were reported, yet there is a lack of systematic reviews based on high-quality epidemiological research. From a population-based cohort perspective, this paper summarizes the theoretical foundations, designs and contents, outcomes, and statistical approaches of research of intergenerational transmission of health to provide theoretical support for the research in this field.
8.Immunological efficacy of OprI as a component in a multi-subunit vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Jinqiong YAN ; Zifan ZHU ; Yating WANG ; Meilin WU ; Bo HUANG ; Ziyu WU ; Hongrong CUI ; Yueyue ZHANG ; Weijun ZHANG ; Gang CHEN ; Jiang GU
Immunological Journal 2025;41(2):65-71,79
Objective The aim of this study was to clarify the role and mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine subunit OprI in the fusion protein vaccine rePO(PcrV-OprI).Methods The in vitro stability of rePO,PcrV and OprI at 4 ℃,25 ℃,and 37 ℃ was examined.After immunizing mice with rePO,OprI and PcrV,respectively,the specific antibody potency in serum and the proportion of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in the spleen were examined;Additionally,detection of the levels of protein uptake by DC2.4 cells in vitro using laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry,and their ability to promote the maturation of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDC).Results The heat stability of fusion protein rePO was significantly better than that of PcrV.The induced anti-PcrV IgG and anti-OprI IgG potency of rePO was significantly higher than that of monomeric PcrV and OprI.Additionally,the number of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 induced by immunization with rePO was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.The uptake rate of fusion protein rePO by DC2.4 cells was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.Furthermore,rePO promoted the maturation of mouse BMDC more effectively than PcrV and OprI.Conclusion OprI in the fusion protein rePO can significantly improve its thermal stability and immunogenicity,which lays the foundation for the successful development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine.
9.Research progress on the mechanism of new antidiabetic drugs in delaying cognitive impairment
Yingjie FENG ; Yajing WANG ; Zifan ZHU ; Na LUO ; Penghua FANG ; Zhenwen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(6):380-384,后插1
Patients with diabetes mellitus are at a significantly elevated risk of developing cognitive impairment,which adversely impacts their quality of life and imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system.Novel antidiabetic agents,including sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT-2i),dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors(DPP-4i),glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs),and dual glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists(e.g.,Tirzepatide),have been shown to not only effectively regulate glycemic control but also mitigate cognitive decline by inhibiting inflammation,reducing oxidative stress,preventing apoptosis,attenuating amyloid β-protein(Aβ)deposition,and suppressing tau protein phosphorylation.
10.Efficiency analysis and improvement strategies for operating room from a phenomenological perspec-tive:a case study from a tertiary TCM orthopedic hospital
Xiao DU ; Peng YUAN ; Zhuo FU ; Shuhui ZHAI ; Zifan WANG ; Xiang ZHOU
Modern Hospital 2025;25(2):198-201
Objective To explore the efficiency of operating room(OR)and its influencing factors from a phenomeno-logical perspective,proposing corresponding improvement strategies.Methods A phenomenological method was adopted,invol-ving in-depth interviews with 13 surgical team members from a tertiary Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)orthopedic hospital in Henan Province,to collect and analyze their multifaceted understanding of OR efficiency.Results The study demonstrated eight interpretative ways of efficiency among team members.The overall framework was largely organization-oriented,with addi-tional human-centered considerations regarding the factors influencing efficiency.Conclusion A unified understanding is crucial for improving both efficiency and quality.This study suggests strategies to optimize OR processes through lean management and human-centered team development to enhance operating room efficiency.Additionally,it highlights the need for future research to incorporate more patient views.

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