1.Changes and diagnostic value of serum HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection
Xiaowei YE ; Ailin FAN ; Haiwei ZHAO ; Mengmeng CHENG ; Min SUN ; Yushu GAN ; Yuan LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(9):1108-1113
Objective To investigate the changes and diagnostic value of serum hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha(HIF-1α)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection.Methods A total of 240 COPD patients who visited Xi'an Qinhuang Hospital(hereinafter referred to as the hospital)from December 2020 to Decem-ber 2023 were selected as the study subjects in the study,and another 218 volunteers who underwent physical examinations at the hospital were selected as the control group.The COPD patients were separated into an in-fected group(124 cases)and an uninfected group(116 cases)based on whether they had pulmonary Aspergil-losis infection.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in patients.Fully automated biochemical analyzer was applied to detect lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and albu-min(ALB)levels.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of infection in COPD patients.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in the infected group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic val-ue of HIF-1α and TLR4 levels for the occurrence of infection in COPD patients.Results Compared with the control group,the COPD group showed an increase in HIF-1α and TLR4 levels(P<0.05).Compared with the uninfected group,the proportion of dyspnea,antibiotics>3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,mechanical ventilation procedures,the longer glucocorticosteroid(GC)use time,and levels of LDH,HIF-1α,TLR4 in the infected group were higher(P<0.05),while the level of ALB was lower(P<0.05).The types of antibiotics>3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,the duration of GC use,and elevat-ed levels of LDH,HIF-1α,and TLR4 were independent risk factors for infection in COPD patients(P<0.05),while elevated level of ALB was an independent protective factor for infection in COPD patients(P<0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in the infected group were positively correlated(r=0.453,P<0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of HIF-1α and TLR4 in diagnosing infection in COPD patients alone was 0.816 and 0.813,and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 0.930,which was better than their indi-vidual diagnoses(Zcombination-HIF-1α=4.923,Z combination-TLR4=5.192,P<0.001,P<0.001).Conclusion The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 increase in COPD patients,and further increase after infection with pulmonary Aspergil-lus.They are independent risk factors for infection in patients,and the two are positively correlated.The combined di-agnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis has certain value and provides a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis.
2.Advances and future research prospects in regulatory policies for clin-ical trials of artificial intelligence medical devices
Hao LIANG ; Shun WANG ; Cheng CUI ; Ling SONG ; Ailin SUN ; Man LI ; Jie QIAO ; Chun-li SONG ; Haiyan LI ; Yangguang ZHAO ; Haiyan LI ; Chenguang ZHANG ; Dongyang LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(3):427-431
Artificial intelligence(AI)has emerged as a cutting-edge technology leading the future and is a key engine for China's development.In the innovation and research of medical devices,AI has provided critical support in the areas of intelligent diagnostic assistance,intelligent therapeutic assis-tance,intelligent monitoring,life support,et al.Ma-chine learning-enabled device software functions(ML-DSFs)have become an essential component of many medical devices.Recently,the United States Food and Drug Administration(FDA)released a draft guidance titled"Marketing Submission Rec-ommendations for a Predetermined Change Con-trol Plan for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learn-ing(AI/ML)-Enabled Device Software Functions(Draft)."that aimed to provide a forward-looking approach to foster the development of ML medical devices.By supporting iterative updates through modifications,this approach ensures the continu-ous safety and effectiveness of the devices.This guidance represents the latest in regulatory direc-tion and is especially beneficial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of clinical trials for AI prod-ucts.Therefore,we plan to provide a detailed intro-duction and interpretation of the guidance,with the aim of learning from international advanced regulatory concepts and experiences to promote the development of ML-DSFs with more profound international influence.
3.Advances and future research prospects in regulatory policies for clin-ical trials of artificial intelligence medical devices
Hao LIANG ; Shun WANG ; Cheng CUI ; Ling SONG ; Ailin SUN ; Man LI ; Jie QIAO ; Chun-li SONG ; Haiyan LI ; Yangguang ZHAO ; Haiyan LI ; Chenguang ZHANG ; Dongyang LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(3):427-431
Artificial intelligence(AI)has emerged as a cutting-edge technology leading the future and is a key engine for China's development.In the innovation and research of medical devices,AI has provided critical support in the areas of intelligent diagnostic assistance,intelligent therapeutic assis-tance,intelligent monitoring,life support,et al.Ma-chine learning-enabled device software functions(ML-DSFs)have become an essential component of many medical devices.Recently,the United States Food and Drug Administration(FDA)released a draft guidance titled"Marketing Submission Rec-ommendations for a Predetermined Change Con-trol Plan for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learn-ing(AI/ML)-Enabled Device Software Functions(Draft)."that aimed to provide a forward-looking approach to foster the development of ML medical devices.By supporting iterative updates through modifications,this approach ensures the continu-ous safety and effectiveness of the devices.This guidance represents the latest in regulatory direc-tion and is especially beneficial for enhancing the quality and efficiency of clinical trials for AI prod-ucts.Therefore,we plan to provide a detailed intro-duction and interpretation of the guidance,with the aim of learning from international advanced regulatory concepts and experiences to promote the development of ML-DSFs with more profound international influence.
4.Establishment of risk prediction model for postoperative liver injury after non-liver surgery based on different machine learning algorithms
Yizhu SUN ; Yujie LI ; Hao LIANG ; Xiang LIU ; Jiahao HUANG ; Xin SHU ; Ailin SONG ; Zhiyong YANG ; Bin YI
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(7):760-767
Objective To construct a machine learning prediction model for postoperative liver injury in patients with non-liver surgery based on preoperative and intraoperative medication indicators.Methods A case-control study was conducted on 315 patients with liver injury after non-liver surgery selected from the databases developed by 3 large general hospitals from January 2014 to September 2022.With the positive/negative ratio of 1 ∶3,928 cases in corresponding period with non-liver surgery and without liver injury were randomly matched as negative control cases.These 1243 patients were randomly divided into the modeling group(n=869)and the validation group(n=374)in a ratio of 7∶3 using the R language setting code.Preoperative clinical indicators(basic information,medical history,relevant scale score,surgical information and results of laboratory tests)and intraoperative medication were used to construct the prediction model for liver injury after non-liver surgery based on 4 machine learning algorithms,k-nearest neighbor(KNN),support vector machine linear(SVM),logic regression(LR)and extreme gradient boosting(XGBoost).In the validation group,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,precision-recall curve(P-R),decision curve analysis(DCA)curve,Kappa value,sensitivity,specificity,Brier score,and F1 score were applied to evaluate the efficacy of model.Results The model established by 4 machine learning algorithms to predict postoperative liver injury after non-liver surgery was optimal using the XGBoost algorithm.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUROC)was 0.916(95%CI:0.883~0.949),area under the precision-recall curve(AUPRC)was 0.841,Brier score was 0.097,and sensitivity and specificity was 78.95%and 87.10%,respectively.Conclusion The postoperative liver injury prediction model for non-liver surgery based on the XGBoost algorithm has effective prediction for the occurrence of postoperative liver injury.
5.Evaluation of tubal patency by hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography: moving forward in controversies and dilemmas
Zining XU ; Yaoting WANG ; Juan SUN ; Shuangxi CHEN ; Yan ZOU ; Ailin CUI ; Jing SHU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2024;44(6):656-660
In recent years, the incidence rate of tubal infertility has been rising. In China, most patients with tubal infertility prioritize conservative management or tubal reconstruction surgery in order to preserve fallopian tubes as far as possible. In order to meet the reproductive needs of tubal infertile patients, clinicians in the reproductive field need to evaluate various infertility risk factors comprehensively, weigh the pros and cons, and explore individualized reproductive programs which are more in line with the interests of patients. Correspondingly, higher requirements for the imaging evaluation efficiency of the fallopian tubes have been put forward. Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy), as a first-line imaging technique for evaluating tubal patency, still faces many controversies and dilemmas despite its value being widely recognized in clinical practice. This paper aims to provide viewpoints for the advancement of HyCoSy by reviewing literature and summarizing experiences.
6.Evaluation of tubal patency by hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography: moving forward in controversies and dilemmas
Zining XU ; Yaoting WANG ; Juan SUN ; Shuangxi CHEN ; Yan ZOU ; Ailin CUI ; Jing SHU
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2024;44(6):656-660
In recent years, the incidence rate of tubal infertility has been rising. In China, most patients with tubal infertility prioritize conservative management or tubal reconstruction surgery in order to preserve fallopian tubes as far as possible. In order to meet the reproductive needs of tubal infertile patients, clinicians in the reproductive field need to evaluate various infertility risk factors comprehensively, weigh the pros and cons, and explore individualized reproductive programs which are more in line with the interests of patients. Correspondingly, higher requirements for the imaging evaluation efficiency of the fallopian tubes have been put forward. Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy), as a first-line imaging technique for evaluating tubal patency, still faces many controversies and dilemmas despite its value being widely recognized in clinical practice. This paper aims to provide viewpoints for the advancement of HyCoSy by reviewing literature and summarizing experiences.
7.Effects of hemoglobin level on the risk of acute kidney injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Ling SUN ; Boyu CHI ; Lipeng MAO ; Ailin ZOU ; Qingjie WANG ; Jianguang JIANG ; Yuan JI ; Xuejun ZHOU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2022;34(12):1243-1247
Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) level on the risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. The hospitalized patients diagnosed with AMI who underwent PCI from May 2015 to May 2020 in the department of cardiology in the Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. According to the serum creatinine (SCr) level before and after interventional therapy, the patients were divided into an AKI group and a non-AKI group. The difference in patients' Hb levels between the AKI and non-AKI groups was compared. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of Hb levels on the risk of AKI after interventional therapy in patients with AMI. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate the effects of Hb levels on patients with AMI in all-cause death in the hospital.Results:A total of 922 AMI patients were enrolled in this study, of which 165 patients (17.9%) developed AKI. Compared with the non-AKI group, female patients in the AKI group had a higher proportion [35.8% (59/165) vs. 26.9% (204/757)], older (age: 69.78±14.56 vs. 66.61±13.44), with a lower rate of smoking [42.4% (70/165) vs. 51.7% (391/757)] and a higher prevalence of hypertension [73.3% (121/165) vs. 63.5% (481/757)], however, the patients in AKI group also had a worse cardiac function [the proportion of Killip grade 3 or above was higher: 33.9% (56/165) vs. 13.9% (105/757)], lower Hb level (g/L: 127.61±22.18 vs. 132.79±19.45), and there were less patients using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin Ⅱreceptor blocker [ACEI/ARB, 60.0% (99/165) vs. 74.5% (564/757)] and more patients using diuretics [24.8% (41/165) vs. 17.7% (134/757)] in AKI group, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with non-AKI group, patients in AKI group had a longer operation time [operation time > 60 minutes: 4.2% (7/165) vs. 1.5% (11/757)] and received more contrast media during the operative procedure [contrast media > 100 mL: 16.4% (27/165) vs. 3.6% (27/757)], the individuals had a higher rate of intra-operative hypotension [16.4% (27/165) vs. 8.2% (62/757)], and more patients were implanted more than 2 stents [8.5% (14/165) vs. 3.6% (27/757), all P < 0.05]. Univariate Logistic regression analysis suggested that each 1 g/L increase in preoperative Hb level was associated with a 1.2% decrease in the risk of postoperative AKI [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.988, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.980-0.996, P = 0.003]. Meanwhile, for every 1 standard deviation increase in preoperative Hb level, the risk of postoperative AKI decreased by 22.1% ( OR = 0.779, 95% CI was 0.661-0.918, P = 0.003). The patients were divided into low, medium and high concentration groups according to Hb levels (Hb levels were < 110 g/L, 110-150 g/L, ≥ 150 g/L, respectively), and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of AKI was significantly reduced in the high concentration group compared with that in the low concentration group ( OR = 0.463, 95% CI was 0.241-0.888, P = 0.020). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis indicated that the short term survival after coronary intervention in AMI patients with low Hb concentration was significantly lower than that in patients with medium and high Hb concentration (Log-Rank: χ2= 23.215, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative lower Hb level is an independent risk factor for postoperative AKI in AMI patients. AMI patients with lower Hb levels have an increased risk of all-cause mortality within 1 month after AMI.
8.Development and validation of a clinical predictive model for the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia during hospitalization in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Ling SUN ; Lipeng MAO ; Ailin ZOU ; Boyu CHI ; Xin CHEN ; Yuan JI ; Jianguang JIANG ; Xuejun ZHOU ; Qingjie WANG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2021;33(4):438-442
Objective:To develop and validate a clinical prediction model for the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during hospitalization, and evaluate the effect of the prediction model.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. A total of 2 649 patients with AMI admitted to cardiology department of Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2012 to August 2020 were enrolled. The clinical characteristics including gender, age, medical history, discharge diagnosis, vital signs during hospitalization, electrocardiogram characteristics at admission, laboratory examination indexes, interventional treatment, drug usage, malignant ventricular arrhythmias [mainly included sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular flutter or ventricular fibrillation (VF)], and death were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups according to whether VT/VF occurred during their hospitalization. Independent risk factors for VT/VF during hospitalization were evaluated by multivariate Logistic regression analysis, and a clinical prediction model was constructed. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model.Results:A total of 2 649 eligible patients with AMI were enrolled, of whom 134 (5.06%) developed VT/VF during hospitalization. The in-hospital mortality rate in VT/VF group was significantly higher than that in non-VT/VF group (38.1% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.01). Compared with the non-VT/VF group, the patients in the VT/VF group with lower systolic blood pressure [SBP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 125.9±28.2 vs. 132.0±24.2], higher random blood glucose (mmol/L: 8.6±4.8 vs. 7.4±3.7), worse cardiac function [Killip heart function grade ≥ 3: 36.6% vs. 10.7%, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 0.50: 56.7% vs. 33.6%, frequent premature ventricular contractions: 12.7% vs. 1.2%] and more hypokalemia (46.3% vs. 17.3%), with significant differences (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Killip classification of cardiac function ≥ 3 [odds ratio ( OR) = 3.540, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 2.336-5.363], random blood glucose > 11.1 mmol/L ( OR = 1.841, 95% CI was 1.171-2.893), LVEF < 0.50 ( OR = 0.546, 95% CI was 0.374-0.797), frequent premature ventricular contractions ( OR = 12.361, 95% CI was 6.077-25.144), potassium < 3.5 mmol/L ( OR = 4.268, 95% CI was 2.910-6.259), SBP < 90 mmHg ( OR = 0.299, 95% CI was 0.150-0.597) and creatinine (Cr) > 100 μmol/L ( OR = 2.498, 95% CI was 1.170-5.334) were independent risk factors for VT/VF in patients with AMI (all P < 0.05). The clinical prediction model of VT/VF risk was constructed based on the variables selected by multivariate regression analysis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the model in predicting VT/VF was 0.779 (95% CI was 0.735-0.823, P < 0.001); the optimal cut-off value of the model was 17, the sensitivity was 76.1%, the specificity was 67.3%. Conclusions:The incidence of VT/VF during hospitalization of AMI patients significantly increases the risk of in-hospital death. The independent risk factors of VT/VF are Killip grade ≥ 3, random blood glucose > 11.1 mmol/L, LVEF < 0.50, frequent ventricular premature beats, potassium < 3.5 mmol/L, SBP < 90 mmHg and Cr > 100 μmol/L. The newly constructed clinical prediction model has certain predictive value for the occurrence risk of VT/VF.
9.Anesthesia management for cesarean section during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic
Zhiqiang ZHOU ; Xingxing SUN ; Shiyong LI ; Li WAN ; Ailin LUO ; Dongji HAN
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2020;40(3):291-295
Thirty-six puerperas who underwent emergency cesarean section at Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 24, 2020 to February 9, 2020, who all wore medical surgical masks, were retrospectively included in this study.Anesthesia management was performed under tertiary medical protection measures.A dedicated anesthesia equipment was separately sterilized.Narcotic drugs were used for one patient only, and disposable medical supplies were used for anesthetic supplies.Contact transmission should be avoided when a neonate required resuscitation, and early isolation and nucleic acid testing were provided for the neonates.The rate of suspected cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was 11% , and the rate of clinically diagnosed cases was 17% before surgery.The rate of clinically diagnosed cases of SARS-CoV-2 was 22%, the rate of confirmed cases was 8%, and the total positive rate of diagnosis was 31% after surgery.The rate of neuraxial anesthesia was 86%, the rate of general anesthesia was 14%, the time of spinal puncture was (15±7) min, the time of tracheal intubation under general anesthesia was (2.1±1.3) min, the operation time was (95±36) min, and blood loss was (276±166) ml.The Apgar score of newborns was 8.8±0.5.There was 1 neonate whose mother was diagnosed as having coronavirus disease 2019 after operation, an oropharyngeal swab specimen was obtained at 36 h of birth, and the swab was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by nucleic acid testing.As of February 10, 2020, an anesthesiologist involved in the operation was diagnosed to have infection by SARS-CoV-2.In conclusion, diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 during pregnancy is more difficult, it is necessary to perform anesthesia management for cesarean section under tertiary medical protection.Although the difficulty in anesthesia operation is increased under tertiary medical protection, anesthesiologists can carry out standardized anesthesia management and guarantee the safety of maternal and infants and anesthesiologists themselves as long as they are rigorously trained and adhere to protective protocols.
10.Toll-like Receptor 4 Deficiency Aggravates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation by Impairing Neutrophil Apoptosis in a Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Murine Asthma Model
Shuyu CHEN ; Yao DENG ; Qiaoling HE ; Yanbo CHEN ; De WANG ; Weimin SUN ; Ying HE ; Zehong ZOU ; Zhenyu LIANG ; Rongchang CHEN ; Lihong YAO ; Ailin TAO
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research 2020;12(4):608-625
Purpose:
Accumulating evidence has suggested that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is critically involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic airway inflammation.
Methods:
TLR4−/− and wild-type (WT) C57BL/10J mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to generate a TDI-induced asthma model. B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitors, ABT-199 (4 mg/kg) and ABT-737 (4 mg/kg), were intranasally given to TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice after each challenge.
Results:
TDI exposure led to increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), granulocyte flux, bronchial epithelial shedding and extensive submucosal collagen deposition, which were unexpectedly aggravated by TLR4 deficiency. Following TDI challenge, TLR4−/− mice exhibited down-regulated interleukin-17A and increased colony-stimulating factor 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while WT mice did not. In addition, TLR4 deficiency robustly suppressed the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 and NLR family CARD domain containing 4, decreased caspase-1 activity in TDI-exposed mice, but had no effect on the level of high mobility group box 1 in BALF. Flow cytometry revealed that TDI hampered both neutrophil and eosinophil apoptosis, of which neutrophil apoptosis was further inhibited in TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice, with marked up-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, inhibition of Bcl-2 with either ABT-199 or ABT-737 significantly alleviated neutrophil recruitment by promoting apoptosis.
Conclusions
These data indicated that TLR4 deficiency promoted neutrophil infiltration by impairing its apoptosis via up-regulation of Bcl-2, thereby resulting in deteriorated AHR and airway inflammation, which suggests that TLR4 could be a negative regulator of TDI-induced neutrophilic inflammation.

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