1.Value of pulmonary transit time by contrast-enhanced echocardiography in evaluating cardiac dysfunction in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction after PCI
Ziqin LIU ; Xin ZHONG ; Yongjun HU ; Huiping YOU ; Xu XIE ; Yutao ZHANG ; Xiangdang LONG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(8):670-677
Objective:To explore the value of contrast-enhaoced echocardiography for measuring pulmonary transit time(PTT)in assessing heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)patients.Methods:From September 2023 to September 2024,120 patients with STEMI undergoing PCI at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital were prospectively selected and divided into a heart failure group( n=42)and a non-heart failure group( n=78)according to the guidelines. The differences in general clinical data,laboratory parameters,and echocardiographic parameters between the two groups were compared. The diagnostic efficacies of PTT,normalized PTT(nPTT),and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)were analyzed. Consistency between them and New York Heart Association(NYHA)heart function classification was tested. Results:Compared to the non-heart failure group,the NT-proBNP,PTT,and nPTT values in the heart failure group were significantly increased(all P<0.05). The area under the curve(AUC)of nPTT was 0.944,better than that of PTT and NT-proBNP(AUC=0.871,0.887). After K-means clustering reclassified patients into four levels based on nPTT values,nPTT classification showed moderate consistency with NYHA classification(Kappa=0.580, P<0.001),and nPTT differed significantly across NYHA classifications( P<0.05). Conclusions:PTT,as an echocardiographic index for assessing cardiac function,has similar diagnostic efficacy to NT-proBNP,the nPTT is even better. It shows moderate consistency with the NYHA classification and holds potential for differentiating overlapping NYHA grades. Importantly,it offers a fresh objective way to evaluate cardiac dysfunction after PCI in STEMI patients.
2.Ferroptosis contributes to immunosuppression.
Nina HE ; Dun YUAN ; Minjie LUO ; Qing XU ; Zhongchi WEN ; Ziqin WANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Ying LIU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):1-22
As a novel form of cell death, ferroptosis is mainly regulated by the accumulation of soluble iron ions in the cytoplasm and the production of lipid peroxides and is closely associated with several diseases, including acute kidney injury, ischemic reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The term "immunosuppression" refers to various factors that can directly harm immune cells' structure and function and affect the synthesis, release, and biological activity of immune molecules, leading to the insufficient response of the immune system to antigen production, failure to successfully resist the invasion of foreign pathogens, and even organ damage and metabolic disorders. An immunosuppressive phase commonly occurs in the progression of many ferroptosis-related diseases, and ferroptosis can directly inhibit immune cell function. However, the relationship between ferroptosis and immunosuppression has not yet been published due to their complicated interactions in various diseases. Therefore, this review deeply discusses the contribution of ferroptosis to immunosuppression in specific cases. In addition to offering new therapeutic targets for ferroptosis-related diseases, the findings will help clarify the issues on how ferroptosis contributes to immunosuppression.
Ferroptosis/immunology*
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Humans
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Immune Tolerance/immunology*
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Animals
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Immunosuppression Therapy
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Iron/metabolism*
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Neoplasms/immunology*
3.Automatic segmentation of female urine control anatomical elements and related structures in MRI images based on deep learning
Ziqin ZHANG ; Yi WU ; Xiaoqin ZHANG ; Zhou XU ; Ling LEI ; Yanzhou WANG ; Yan WANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2025;47(14):1568-1576
Objective To construct an automatic segmentation model to segment female urine control anatomy on MRI images based on deep learning methods in order to improve the segmentation efficiency and accuracy.Methods A dataset comprising 49 female pelvic floor muscle MRI images[30 women with varying degrees of pelvic organ prolapse(POP)and 19 healthy individuals],obtained from Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Imaging in Army Medical University,was used for model training and testing.The dataset was split into a training set(17 normal cases and 22 POP cases)and a testing set(4 normal cases and 6 POP cases)in a ratio of 8∶2.The training set was used to train UNet,UNet+++,Dense UNet,and UNet++models separately,and then input into each network.The model achieving the highest testing accuracy was selected as the backbone network.Results Under the training of UNet,UNet+++,Dense UNet,and UNet++,the 4 models achieved average Dice similarity coefficients of 61.82%,57.94%,57.63%,and 62.76%,respectively,for the segmentation of 5 anatomical structures(compressor urethrae,urethra sphincter body,bladder wall,bladder cavity and urethra submucosa).The corresponding Intersection over Union(IoU)score was 49.74%,46.59%,46.07%,and 49.44%,while the accuracy rate was 61.74%,55.03%,59.23%,and 61.91%,respectively for the 4 models.Notably,UNet++consistently outperformed UNet,UNet+++,and Dense UNet across the 3 metrics,indicating that UNet++achieved the highest overall segmentation accuracy.Conclusion In UNet,UNet++,Dense UNet and UNet++for automatic segmentation of 5 female urine control anatomical elements,UNet++achieves the best overall segmentation accuracy.
4.Value of pulmonary transit time by contrast-enhanced echocardiography in evaluating cardiac dysfunction in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction after PCI
Ziqin LIU ; Xin ZHONG ; Yongjun HU ; Huiping YOU ; Xu XIE ; Yutao ZHANG ; Xiangdang LONG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2025;34(8):670-677
Objective:To explore the value of contrast-enhaoced echocardiography for measuring pulmonary transit time(PTT)in assessing heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)patients.Methods:From September 2023 to September 2024,120 patients with STEMI undergoing PCI at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital were prospectively selected and divided into a heart failure group( n=42)and a non-heart failure group( n=78)according to the guidelines. The differences in general clinical data,laboratory parameters,and echocardiographic parameters between the two groups were compared. The diagnostic efficacies of PTT,normalized PTT(nPTT),and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)were analyzed. Consistency between them and New York Heart Association(NYHA)heart function classification was tested. Results:Compared to the non-heart failure group,the NT-proBNP,PTT,and nPTT values in the heart failure group were significantly increased(all P<0.05). The area under the curve(AUC)of nPTT was 0.944,better than that of PTT and NT-proBNP(AUC=0.871,0.887). After K-means clustering reclassified patients into four levels based on nPTT values,nPTT classification showed moderate consistency with NYHA classification(Kappa=0.580, P<0.001),and nPTT differed significantly across NYHA classifications( P<0.05). Conclusions:PTT,as an echocardiographic index for assessing cardiac function,has similar diagnostic efficacy to NT-proBNP,the nPTT is even better. It shows moderate consistency with the NYHA classification and holds potential for differentiating overlapping NYHA grades. Importantly,it offers a fresh objective way to evaluate cardiac dysfunction after PCI in STEMI patients.
5.Postoperative longitudinal changes of serum calcium level and its influencing factors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Na KONG ; Qiqi XU ; Nan BAI ; Ziqin ZHANG ; Aimin CUI ; Shen TAN ; Pengji GAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2023;38(5):346-351
Objective:To compare the changes of serum calcium level before and after surgical resection in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.Methods:Two hundred and seventy-one patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled from Dec 1992 to Dec 2020 in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Serum calcium concentrations were measured before operation, 20 min during surgery, then 2 weeks 1-6 months , 7-12 months and 1 year respectively after operation. The baseline data of postoperative serum calcium such as sex, age, other genetic endocrine diseases, osteopathia and urolithiasis were calculated. The generalized estimation equation was used to analyze the changes of serum calcium in different types of patients before and after operation.Results:The most common postoperative hypocalcemia occurred within 2 weeks, and it occurred frequently half a year after surgery. There was no significant difference in blood calcium between male patients ( t=0.875, P=1.000) and patients with bone lesions ( t=0.034, P=3.049) from 1 to 6 months after surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Blood calcium level in patients aged 15-35 years old from 1 to 6 months ( t=0.239, P=1.000) , from 7 to 12 months ( t=1.380, P=0.935) and 2 weeks after surgery was not statistically different. The change of bone mineral density was correlated with the change of blood calcium after operation ( F=6.895, P=0.004). Conclusions:The incidence of hypocalcemia was the highest in patients with hyperparathyroidism 2 weeks after surgery, and the blood calcium level was stable within the normal range 1 year later. The blood calcium value of male patients was still at a lower level than that of female patients within six months after surgery. In patients with bone disease, the blood calcium value was lower and recovered slowly 2 weeks after surgery. The blood calcium value of patients aged 15-35 was at a low level within 1 year after surgery.
6.Value of ultrasonography, radionuclide imaging and CT in preoperative location diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism
Qiqi XU ; Na KONG ; Chunrui LIANG ; Aimin CUI ; Ziqin ZHANG ; Shen TAN ; Nan BAI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2021;36(12):922-925
Objectiv:To evaluate ultrasound, radionuclide imaging and CT in preoperative localization diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).Method:A total of 170 PHPT patients admitted to the hospital between Jan 1992 and Dec 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative localization diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography, radionuclide and CT alone and in combination was compared in groups.Results:The overall sensitivity of ultrasound, radionuclide and CT were 82.13%,80.43% and 75.74%. For normal positioned parathyroid adenoma: as for sensitivity of location diagnosis, ultrasound (86.67%) was higher than radionuclide (81.82%, P<0.05) and CT (80.59%, P<0.05), ultrasound/CT parallel test (94.70%, P<0.05) was higher than ultrasound alone. For specificity of location diagnosis, radionuclide (97.78%) was higher than ultrasound (91.62%) and CT (93.39%), both ultrasound/radionuclide series tests (99.00%, P<0.001)and ultrasound/CT series tests (96.94%, P<0.001) were higher than ultrasound alone. In case of ectopic parathyroid adenoma and parathyroid hyperplasia: the sensitivity and specificity of radionuclide seemed higher than ultrasound and CT. Conclusions:Ultrasound is the first choice for preoperative location diagnosis of PHPT. Ultrasound combined with radionuclide or CT can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency of parathyroid lesions.
7.Effects of spautin-1 on autophagy and apoptosis of acute pancreatitis cell model induced by cerulein
Xueliang ZHANG ; Ziqin XU ; Jianhua XIONG
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2018;18(4):247-250
Objective To investigate the potential of Spautin-1 to treat acute pancreatitis by inhibiting impaired autophagy and promoting apoptosis using an acute pancreatitis cell model induced by cerulein in vitro.Methods Pancreatic acinar cells AR42J were treated with sterile saline,100 nmol/L cerulein,and 100 nmol/L cerulein combined with 10 μmol/L spautin-1 for 24 h,respectively,and then western blot was used to detect the expression of LC3,p62 and Beclin1 in the cells to reflect autophagy;the trypsin activity in cells was detected by BGAM.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis;LDH cytotoxicity assay kit was used to detect cell necrosis.Results The expression of LC3 Ⅰ (0 h-24 h:4.32±0.46,4.68±0.41,5.22± 0.38,5.88 ±0.63),LC3 Ⅱ (0 h-24 h:0.36 ±0.02,0.64 ±0.05,0.93 ±0.08,2.43 ±0.23) and p62 (0 h-24 h:0.24 ± 0.01,0.22 ± 0.02,0.84 ± 0.09,1.25 ± 0.13) was increased in AR42J cell model treated with cerulein (P < 0.05),indicated that cells undergo autophagy,but autophagy flux is blocked.The expression of LC3 Ⅰ (0.65 ± 0.06 vs 0.24 ± 0.01),LC3 Ⅱ (1.26 ± 0.15 vs 0.71 ± 0.08) and p62 (1.06 ± 0.09 vs 0.56 ± 0.06) were decreased after incubated with spautin-1,with the decreased trypsin activity (1.65 ±0.18 vs 1.13 ±0.14),increased apoptosis (6.58 ±4.01 vs 23.64 ±2.12) (P <0.05) and reduced cellnecrosis (27.58± 3.46vs7.64 ± 2.12) (P<0.05).Conclusions Inthe AR42 Jcellmodel ofacute pancreatitis induced by cerulein in vitro,spautin-1 can inhibit impaired autophagy induced by cerulein,decrease trypsin activity,increase apoptosis and reduce cell necrosis to protect pancreatic cells from damage,which has a certain value for remissing and even curing acute pancreatitis.
8. Clinical manifestation and gene analyses of 15 patients with intellectual disability or developmental delay complicated with congenital nystagmus
Zhijie GAO ; Qian JIANG ; Qian CHEN ; Keming XU ; Ziqin LIU ; Xiaobo CHEN ; Xiaoli CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2017;55(11):824-829
Objective:
To analyze the clinical and genetic features of 15 cases with intellectual disability or developmental delay (ID/DD) complicated with congenital nystagmus.
Method:
The clinical characteristics and the results of laboratory tests, images and genetics of 15 patients with ID/DD complicated with congenital nystagmus, confirmed by gene diagnosis in the Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from March 2015 to October 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The physiological function of 13 disease genes and the molecular signaling pathways were also comparatively studied.
Result:
The patients included 11 males and four females, with an age of 2 months-15 years (median age 27 months). The result of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was positive in two patients only with hypomyelination on head MRI. Positive results were found in 13 patients with or without abnormal head MRI or other deformities using targeted capture technology and next generation sequencing. Two patients were diagnosed with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, two had hypomyelination with an atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum and two had oculocutaneous albinism. Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease was found in one case, cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal syndrome in one case, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome in one case, mental retardation type 5 in one case, methylmalonic aciduria combined with hyperhomocysteinemia in 1 case, ataxia telangiectasia in one case, hypomyelinating leukodystrophy type 8 in one case, Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome in one case and CHARGE syndrome in one case. A total of 12 novo mutations were reported in this study.
Conclusion
The causes of children with ID/DD complicated with congenital nystagmusis are complex. Comprehensive clinical and auxiliary examinations should be performed to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. Reasonable application of different genetic testing methods can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of molecular genetic etiology in children with ID/DD.
9.Progress in Association between Genetic Correlation and Human Violent Behavior
Hui LI ; Lei LI ; Hongmei XU ; Ziqin ZHAO ; Wenbin LIU ; Huaigu ZHOU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2015;(5):381-386
H um an violent behavior is a com plex behavior w hich is influenced by genetic and environ-m ental factors. T here is a trend in investigating the m echanism of violent behavior by using the genetic m ethods. T his article review s several candidate genes and advances in epigenetics w hich are associated w ith violent behavior. T he prospects and significance of violent behavior research from the view of gene polym orphism and epigenetics are also discussed.
10.Effects of capsaicin on oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice
Chao NAN ; Wenwen HAN ; Genlin LIU ; Liyan XU ; Ziqin XU ; Zhongqiu LU ; Qiaomeng QIU
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2014;23(1):50-55
Objective To investigate the effects of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 activation by capsaicin on the oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in mice in order to elucidate the potential mechanisms.Methods A total of 108 specific pathogen free (SPF) ICR male mice were randomly divided into six groups:normal control group (n =18),capsaicin control group (CAP control group,n =18),capsazepine control group (CAPZ control group,n =18),acute lung injury group (n =18),capsaicin treatment group (CAP treatment group,n =18) and capsazepine treatment group (CAPZ treatment group,n =18).After modeling,superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT) and malondiachehyche (MDA) levels in lung were measured with the method of chromatometry,and the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in lung tissue was assessed with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),while the level of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was determined by western blotting and the expression of Nrf2 mRNA was measured by RTPCR.Pathological changes of lung tissue were observed under light microscope.Results The activities of SOD and CAT in lung tissue at 3,8,16 h were dramatically lower in acute lung injury group than those in normal control group (P < 0.05),while the level of MDA was higher.Compared with acute lung injury group,the lung levels of SOD and CAT at 8 h and 16 h were higher in CAP treatment group (P <0.05),while the lung level of MDA was lower (P < 0.05).The levels of SOD and CAT in CAPZ treatment group were decreased at 8 h and 16 h,while the levels of MDA in this group were increased at 3,8,16 h (P <0.05).The pulmonary levels of HO-1,Nrf2 and expression of Nrf2 mRNA were significantly higher in acute lung injury group than those in normal control group (P < 0.05).Compared with acute lung injury group,the levels of HO-1,NRF2 and expression of NRF2 mRNA were increased markedly in CAP treatment group (P < 0.05)and were obviously decreased in CAPZ treatment group (P <0.05).At 8 h,16 h after modeling,the degree of lung damage was ameliorated in CAP treatment group compared with acute lung injury group under light microscope,while the lung damage was aggravated in CAPZ treatment group.Conclusions The activation of TRPV1 could apparently up-regulate the levels of CAT,SOD,Nrf2,HO-1,and reduce the MDA level in lung tissue of mice with acute lung injury,ultimately protecting the endotoxemia mice from oxidative stress.

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