1.Influencing factors for calcium salt deposition in patients with alveolar echinococcosis
Zitong XIONG ; Zhiyi LIN ; Yanxin HUANG ; Fuzhong FANG ; Zhengzhan WU ; Zirui XIN ; Chunxia HU ; Jiayu ZHOU ; Yuan YAO ; Hongwei ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):372-379
ObjectiveTo investigate the imaging features of calcium salt deposition and serological markers in patients with alveolar echinococcosis through a retrospective analysis, as well as independent risk factors for the degree of calcium salt deposition in lesions, and to provide a basis for assessing disease process. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the imaging and clinical data of 107 patients with alveolar echinococcosis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from December 2023 to June 2025, and according to the volume of calcium salt deposition, they were divided into non-deposition group with 16 patients, mild deposition group with 52 patients, moderate deposition group with 16 patients, and severe deposition group with 23 patients. A one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The four groups were further combined into the low deposition group (no/mild deposition) and the high deposition group (moderate/severe deposition). A binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent influencing factors for calcium salt deposition, and a predictive model was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive performance of the model, and the Bootstrap method was used for internal validation. ResultsThere were significant differences between the four groups in sex distribution, involvement of other sites, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, fibrinogen, uric acid, sodium ion, chloride ion, and calcium ion (all P<0.05). The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences between the four groups in sex, involvement of other sites, white blood cell count, lymphocyte percentage, fibrinogen, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, sodium ion, chloride ion, and calcium ion (all P<0.1). The multi-collinearity diagnosis showed that the VIF values for all continuous variables ranged from 1.104 to 1.760, suggesting that collinearity did not affect modeling. An ordinal logistic regression model was established based on sex, involvement of other sites, calcium ion, lymphocyte percentage, and uric acid. The multivariate analysis showed that lymphocyte percentage (odds ratio [OR]=1.106, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.041 — 1.174, P=0.001) and blood calcium level (OR=0.005, 95%CI: 0.000 —0.230, P=0.007) were independent influencing factors for the degree of calcium salt deposition. The regression equation was established as Logit(P)=8.231 + 0.100 × lymphocyte percentage -5.344 × calcium ion. The ROC curve analysis showed that the model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.716, with a Youden index of 0.353, a sensitivity of 1.000, and a specificity of 0.353. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model had poor calibration (χ2=20.688, P=0.008). The Bootstrap method with 1000 repeated samples showed that the estimated values of lymphocyte percentage (OR=1.106, 95%CI: 1.049 — 1.186, P=0.002) and calcium ion (OR=0.005, 95%CI: 0.000 — 0.214, P=0.010) were consistent with the original model, and the confidence intervals did not include 1, which further supported the reliability of the model. ConclusionBoth lymphocyte percentage and blood calcium level are independent influencing factors for calcium salt deposition in alveolar echinococcosis, and the degree of calcium salt deposition in alveolar echinococcosis lesions increases with the reduction in blood calcium level and the increase in lymphocyte percentage.
2.Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion for 24 cases of comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
Zhongxian LI ; Pan ZHANG ; Qiaoyu JI ; Min PENG ; Zitong JIAO ; Yifu ZHOU ; Junquan LIANG ; Luda YAN ; Wenbin FU ; Peng ZHOU
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1559-1564
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical effect of Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion (holistic treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion by adjusting the mind and consolidating the root) on comorbidity of depression and insomnia.
METHODS:
Twenty-four patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia were included and treated with Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion. Acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Neiguan (PC6), etc. The refined moxibustion therapy was delivered at Zhongwan (CV12), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Yongquan (KI1), etc. Subcutaneous embedding therapy with thumb-tack needle was adopted at bilateral Xinshu (BL15), bilateral Pishu (BL20), etc. The intervention was operated once every other day, 3 treatments a week, and for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after treatment completion, and in 1 month after treatment, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD-17) were adopted to assess sleep quality and depression symptoms in the patients, respectively. Before and after treatment completion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the functional connectivity (FC) of locus coeruleus (LC) in brain regions was evaluated; and the levels of serum norepinephrine (NE), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) were detected.
RESULTS:
Compared with the scores before treatment, PSQI and HAMD-17 scores after treatment completion and in 1 month after treatment were reduced (P<0.01); and strengthened FC was revealed between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the lateral occipital lobe region. After treatment completion, serum NE was elevated (P<0.01), the levels of CORT, ACTH and CRH were reduced (P<0.01). Before and after treatment completion, the difference in FC between the right LC and the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus was negatively correlated with the differences in PSQI score (r = -0.484, P = 0.016) and HAMD-17 score (r = -0.233, P = 0.027).
CONCLUSION
Tiaoshen Guben holistic therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion can effectively alleviate depression symptoms and improve sleep quality in the patients with comorbidity of depression and insomnia, which is obtained probably through reducing the levels of serum CORT, ACTH and CRH, increasing serum NE, strengthening the FC of the right LC with the pars opercularis of the left inferior frontal gyrus and the lateral occipital lobe region.
Humans
;
Moxibustion
;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Depression/complications*
;
Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Comorbidity
3.Intercellular communication interference through energy metabolism-related exosome secretion inhibition for liver fibrosis treatment.
Mengyao ZHANG ; Huaqing JING ; Xinyi LIU ; Valentin A MILICHKO ; Yunsheng DOU ; Yingzi REN ; Zitong QIU ; Wen LI ; Weili LIU ; Xinxing WANG ; Nan LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4900-4916
As activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) play a central role in fibrogenesis, they have become key target cells for anti-fibrotic treatment. Nevertheless, the therapeutic efficiency is constrained by the exosomes they secrete, which are linked to energy metabolism and continuously stimulate the activation of neighboring quiescent hepatic stellate cells (qHSCs). Herein, an intercellular communication interference strategy is designed utilizing paeoniflorin (PF) loaded and hyaluronic acid (HA) coated copper-doped ZIF-8 (PF@HA-Cu/ZIF-8, PF@HCZ) to reduce energy-related exosome secretion from aHSCs, thus preserving neighboring qHSCs in a quiescent state. Simultaneously, the released copper and zinc ions disrupt key enzymes involved in glycolysis to reduce bioenergy synthesis in aHSCs, thereby promoting the reversion of aHSCs to a quiescent state and further decreasing exosome secretion. Therefore, PF@HCZ can effectively sustain both aHSCs and qHSCs in a metabolically dormant state to ultimately alleviate liver fibrosis. The study provides an enlightening strategy for interrupting exosome-mediated intercellular communication and remodeling the energy metabolic status of HSCs with boosted antifibrogenic activity.
4.Expert consensus on imaging diagnosis and analysis of early correction of childhood malocclusion.
Zitong LIN ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Ziyang HU ; Zuyan ZHANG ; Yong CHENG ; Bing FANG ; Hong HE ; Hu WANG ; Gang LI ; Jun GUO ; Weihua GUO ; Xiaobing LI ; Guangning ZHENG ; Zhimin LI ; Donglin ZENG ; Yan LIU ; Yuehua LIU ; Min HU ; Lunguo XIA ; Jihong ZHAO ; Yaling SONG ; Huang LI ; Jun JI ; Jinlin SONG ; Lili CHEN ; Tiemei WANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):21-21
Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans
;
Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging*
;
Child
;
Consensus
5.Identification and functional characterization of a new flavonoid glycosyltransferase from Rheum palmatum.
Shiwen ZHANG ; Jianzhen ZOU ; Zitong HAO ; Mengqi GAO ; Gang ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(2):307-314
OBJECTIVE:
To characterize a glycosyltransferase (RpUGT1) from Rheum palmatum and investigate its specificity toward flavonoid compounds.
METHODS:
The RpUGT1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and screened for catalytic activity against a range of flavonoid substrates using a high-throughput HPLC assay method. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to determine the structure of the product. Homology modeling, molecular docking analyses and site-directed mutagenesis studies were conducted to identify key residues responsible for its function.
RESULTS:
The recombinant RpUGT1 protein exhibited catalytic activity towards various flavonoids. Notably, RpUGT1 catalyzed the glycosylation of isorhamnetin to form 3-O-glucoside and kaempferol to form 7-O-glucoside, utilizing uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucose as the sugar donor. The homology modeling and molecular docking analyses identified key residues responsible for its activity. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis studies highlighted the crucial role of K307 in catalysis.
CONCLUSION
These discoveries offer valuable perspectives on the role of the UGT family and establish a groundwork for forthcoming research on the synthesis of flavonoids in plants.
6.Research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Guorui ZHU ; Qinqing YANG ; Zitong ZHANG ; Hongjuan ZHANG ; Shikui GUAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(6):440-448
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been used in the mainstream treatment of HCC for many years,but their therapeutic efficacy is limited and the prognosis of patients is very poor.In recent years,the rapid rise of immunotherapy has provided a new direction for tumor treatment.In particular,immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown excellent clinical effect in the treatment of various solid tumors,including HCC.This article reviews various immune checkpoint inhibitors related to HCC and their clinical practice and research progress,aiming to provide a relevant reference and theoretical basis for the immunotherapy of HCC.
7.Report Quality Evaluation of Randomized Controlled Trials on Acupuncture for Dysmenorrhea Based on the CONSORT Statement,STRICTA and SHARE Checklist
Zitong JIAO ; Zhongxian LI ; Min PENG ; Pan ZHANG ; Peng ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(6):58-65
Objective To evaluate the quality of the reports of randomized controlled trials(RCT)on acupuncture treatment of dysmenorrhea.Methods RCT English and Chinese literature about acupuncture for the treatment of dysmenorrhea was systematically retrieved from PubMed,EMbase,Cochrane Library,CNKI,SinoMed,Wanfang Data and VIP from the establishment of the databases to March 31,2024.Based on the CONSORT statement,STRICTA,and SHARE,RCTs for acupuncture treatment of dysmenorrhea that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated and statistically analyzed.Results Totally 28 RCTs were included.According to the analysis and statistics,although the reporting rate of the basic implementation points of RCT was satisfactory,reporting rates of the CONSORT statement,STRICTA and SHARE related to the implementation details of blind method,the demarcation of outcome indicators and statistical analysis,the determination method of sample size,the rationality analysis of sham acupuncture and the implementation details were still below 50%or even 0%.Among them,the items with a reporting rate less than 30%were mainly the identification of the title,the integrity of the trial design,the comprehensiveness of the outcome indicators,the comprehensiveness of the statistical analysis,the rationality analysis of acupuncture treatment,the operation details of false acupuncture,and the full report of the trial information.Conclusion At present,the quality of RCT reports on the treatment of dysmenorrhea with sham acupuncture as control at home and abroad is generally low,especially in the rationality of sham acupuncture,implementation methods and statistical analysis of outcome indicators,etc.It is suggested that the CONSORT statement,STRICTA and SHARE should be strictly followed when designing clinical trial protocols in the future,with multi-stage self-evaluation,timely adjustment and improvement of the program design,in order to improve the safety,authenticity and scientificity of the program.
8.Construction Method of Drug Adverse Reaction Knowledge Graph Based on Knowledge-Driven Technology Path
Wei REN ; Yan XU ; Qing WANG ; Zitong PEI ; Tao WANG ; Ying LIU ; Yexiang ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):565-569
Objective In view of the potential threat of adverse drug reaction(ADR)to patients'health and the limitations of traditional monitoring methods,this study investigates the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path to promote the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.Methods In this study,an adverse drug reaction knowledge base was established,and the data within the knowledge base were preprocessed.The BERT-CRF model was utilized to identify and extract the relevant entities,relationships and attribute information,and knowledge alignment was carried out by combining the rule method and statistical method.The knowledge fusion data was stored in the Neo4j graph database to construct the knowledge graph.Results Based on the established knowledge base,this study explored the method of constructing knowledge graph of adverse drug reaction by knowledge-driven technology,laying the groundwork for data mining and the development of intelligent auxiliary system tools based on knowledge graph.Conclusions The study on the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path provides a new perspective and technical path for the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.It holds important theoretical and practical significance for improving drug safety,protecting patients'health,and promoting the healthy development of pharmaceutical industry.
9.Construction Method of Drug Adverse Reaction Knowledge Graph Based on Knowledge-Driven Technology Path
Wei REN ; Yan XU ; Qing WANG ; Zitong PEI ; Tao WANG ; Ying LIU ; Yexiang ZHANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):565-569
Objective In view of the potential threat of adverse drug reaction(ADR)to patients'health and the limitations of traditional monitoring methods,this study investigates the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path to promote the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.Methods In this study,an adverse drug reaction knowledge base was established,and the data within the knowledge base were preprocessed.The BERT-CRF model was utilized to identify and extract the relevant entities,relationships and attribute information,and knowledge alignment was carried out by combining the rule method and statistical method.The knowledge fusion data was stored in the Neo4j graph database to construct the knowledge graph.Results Based on the established knowledge base,this study explored the method of constructing knowledge graph of adverse drug reaction by knowledge-driven technology,laying the groundwork for data mining and the development of intelligent auxiliary system tools based on knowledge graph.Conclusions The study on the construction method of an ADR knowledge graph based on a knowledge-driven technology path provides a new perspective and technical path for the intelligent upgrading of pharmacovigilance field.It holds important theoretical and practical significance for improving drug safety,protecting patients'health,and promoting the healthy development of pharmaceutical industry.
10.Research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Guorui ZHU ; Qinqing YANG ; Zitong ZHANG ; Hongjuan ZHANG ; Shikui GUAN
Immunological Journal 2025;41(6):440-448
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the most common malignant tumors.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been used in the mainstream treatment of HCC for many years,but their therapeutic efficacy is limited and the prognosis of patients is very poor.In recent years,the rapid rise of immunotherapy has provided a new direction for tumor treatment.In particular,immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown excellent clinical effect in the treatment of various solid tumors,including HCC.This article reviews various immune checkpoint inhibitors related to HCC and their clinical practice and research progress,aiming to provide a relevant reference and theoretical basis for the immunotherapy of HCC.

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