1.Optical coherence tomography angiography in diabetic retinopathy: focusing on microvascular changes
Xiongyi YANG ; Guoguo YI ; Yanxia CHEN ; Siyu YANG ; Shibei AI ; Cong ZHENG ; Mingzhe CAO ; Min FU
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):179-190
AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.
2.Correlation between blood pressure trajectory and hearing threshold among workers exposed to occupational noise in a city's rail transit enterprise
Hongting ZHAN ; Qia WANG ; Xinmei CHEN ; Zhiping LIANG ; Cong LI ; Danyan CAO ; Aichu YANG ; Minghui XIAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):724-731
Background Hypertension is one of the chronic diseases with the highest prevalence in China, and a history of hypertension may potentially exacerbate hearing loss. Investigating the association between long-term blood pressure trends and hearing thresholds could contribute to hearing protection efforts for occupationally noise-exposed populations. Objective By investigating hearing thresholds and blood pressure levels among occupationally noise-exposed workers in an urban rail transit enterprise, and conducting a comprehensive analysis of the association between long-term blood pressure changes and hearing thresholds, to provide data references for health management strategies targeting occupationally noise-exposed workers. Methods Workers exposed to occupational noise at a rail transit enterprise were enrolled as study subjects and underwent pure-tone audiometry. Group-based trajectory modeling was employed to identify blood pressure trajectories. Categorical data were compared using chi-square tests, while normally distributed continuous variables were analyzed via t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were subsequently applied toexamine associations between these trajectory groups and high-frequency hearing thresholds. Results Among 2 002 occupationally noise-exposed workers, the median (P25, P75) age was 32 (28, 35) years, with a median (P25, P75) working tenure of 7 (3, 10) years. In 2019, the positive hypertension rate was 9.04%, with a mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (122.97±11.60) mmHg and a mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of (76.37±9.02) mmHg. The hearing loss prevalence was 10.1%, showing bilateral high-frequency average hearing thresholds of (17.18±8.71) dB and speech-frequency average thresholds of (13.79±3.46) dB. Three distinct trajectory groups were identified for both SBP and DBP. Compared with other trajectory groups, the high-stable DBP group exhibited significantly higher hearing loss prevalence (χ2=6.34, P=0.042) and elevated high-frequency hearing thresholds (all Ps<0.05). Specifically, within the 30-39 age subgroup, the moderate-stable DBP group demonstrated 1.96 dB lower high-frequency thresholds than the high-stable group [β(95%CI): −1.96 (−3.61, −0.32), P=0.020]. Conclusion Among occupationally noise-exposed workers in a municipal rail transit enterprise, DBP trajectories demonstrated a positive association with high-frequency hearing thresholds. Notably, in young and middle-aged occupationally noise-exposed populations, DBP may exert a more critical influence than SBP on the progression of hearing loss.
3.Analysis of current status and trend of global research on diabetic cataract in the perspective of bibliometrics
Qian ZHANG ; Fengren ZHOU ; Yan ZHANG ; Suhua LI ; Cong WU ; Hanyu CAO
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1754-1763
AIM: To review and summarize the current research and achievements in the field of diabetic cataract, with the aim of better identifying research hotspots and trends in this area.METHODS: Based on the relevant literature retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science databases, and Pubmed, a bibliometric analysis of the diabetic cataract was conducted by means of Microsoft Office Excel 2017 and CiteSpace 6.3R2. Research hotspots were subsequently synthesized after visualizations of author/country collaborations, co-citation networks of highly cited literature, keyword clustering, and emergence.RESULTS: A total of 815 Chinese and 572 English publications were finally included. Overall, this field had maintained substantial scholarly attention globally, though publications had progressively decreased since 2018. While inter-institutional collaboration in this area remained limited, a multinational collaborative network had emerged with the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Spain as central hubs. Core research priorities in diabetic cataract consistently encompassed surgical and pharmacological interventions, pathogenesis, associated ocular/systemic complications; while international and domestic research contents aligned fundamentally in these domains, but the domestic research was unique in nursing interventions and herbal medicine-based interventions. Recent analytical trends revealed that Chinese investigations prioritized the pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic cataract, whereas international efforts concentrated on clinical therapeutics.CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis of diabetic cataract research literature(2000-2024)synthesizes the current advancements, research priorities, and scholarly contributions in the field, and intuitively demonstrates significant academic merit and clinical relevance, which can provide evidence-based guidance for the future research trajectories.
4.Synergistic Effect of IGF1-R Inhibitor AEW541 on Imatinib Indu-cing SUP-B15 Cell Death
Cong-Yue WANG ; Wen-Wen ZHANG ; Li NIAN ; Xu CAO ; Jing-Jing XI ; Wen-Tong GUO ; Chong CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(6):1704-1710
Objective:To explore whether Ph+acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)cell line SUP-B15 treated with imatinib occurs a tolerant status charactered by cell proliferation suppression but apoptotic resistance,then evaluate whether IGF1-R inhibitor AEW541 can break this tolerance,and further explain its mechanisms.Methods:SUP-B15 cells were treated with different concentrations of imatinib or AEW541.Cell proliferation was assayed by Deep Blue,and apoptotic cells were determined by Annexin V/7-AAD staining.Apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry after co-treatment of imatinib and AEW541.Western blot was used to evaluate ABL downstream signals,including the phosphorylation of STAT5,ERK1/2,and AKT,as well as to detect cleaved caspase-3 and PARP1,the molecular signatures of apoptosis.Furthermore,an inhibitor of STAT5 or MEK-ERK1/2 was used to confirm the key mechanism of the combination of imatinib and AEW541 induced SUP-B15 cell apoptosis.Results:Imatinib monotherapy effectively suppressed the proliferation of SUP-B15 cells,but did not induce significant increase of apoptotic rate,leading to occurrence of tolerant status.AEW541 monotherapy did not dramatically affect the proliferation and apoptosis of SUP-B15 cells,but significantly increased apoptotic rate of SUP-B15 cells and cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP1 when combined with imatinib simultaneously. A combination of imatinib and AEW541 reduced STAT5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation as compared with imatinib monotherapy in SUP-B15 cells,but had no impact on AKT phosphorylation.Apoptosis could be induced by STAT5 inhibitor AC-4-130,but not by MEK-ERK1/2 inhibitor trametinib in SUP-B15 cells.Conclusion:SUP-B15 cells treated with imatinib can establish drug tolerance.IGF1-R inhibitor AEW541 can further reduce STAT5 activation,thereby boosting the effect of apoptotic induction of imatinib on SUP-B15 cells.This research may provide a new idear to overcome imatinib tolerance.
5.Effects of early debridement and conservative eschar removal followed by wound coverage with acellular dermal matrix in the treatment of children with deep burns
Yan LIANG ; Wen SHI ; Yang SHAO ; Xinzhuang LIU ; Hongmin GONG ; Guohui CAO ; Cong GAO ; Naijun XIN ; Guodong SONG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2024;40(4):348-357
Objective:To explore the effects of early debridement and conservative eschar removal followed by wound coverage with acellular dermal matrix (ADM), i.e., early surgery, in the treatment of children with deep burns.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. From January 2017 to December 2022, 278 deep burned hospitalized children aged 1-7 years who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University. According to the differences in treatment processes, 134 children who underwent early surgery+routine dressing change were enrolled in eschar removal+dressing change group (77 males and 57 females, aged 1 (1, 2) years), and 144 children who underwent only routine dressing change were enrolled in dressing change alone group (90 males and 54 females, aged 1 (1, 2) years). Fifty-one children without full-thickness burns in eschar removal+dressing change group were enrolled in eschar removal+dressing change group 1 (26 males and 25 females, aged 1 (1, 2) years), and 57 cases of the 83 children with full-thickness burns who did not undergo autologous skin grafting at the same time of early surgery (namely early skin grafting) in eschar removal+dressing change group were included in eschar removal+dressing change group 2 (37 males and 20 females, aged 1 (1, 2) years). Seventy-six children without full-thickness burns in dressing change alone group were included in dressing change alone group 1 (51 males and 25 females, aged 1 (1, 3) years), and 68 children with full-thickness burns in dressing change alone group were included in dressing change alone group 2 (39 males and 29 females, aged 1 (1, 2) years). For deep partial-thickness burn wounds and small full-thickness burn wounds in eschar removal+dressing change group, the eschar removal was performed on the basis of retaining a thin layer of denatured dermis so as to preserve the healthy tissue of the wound base, and ADM was applied to all wounds externally after eschar removal. For larger full-thickness burn wounds in this group, especially those located in the functional part of joints, eschar removal to the plane layer of viable tissue and early autologous skin grafting was needed. When the superficial wounds of children healed or tended to heal, the residual wounds were evaluated, and elective autologous skin grafting was performed if it was difficult to heal within 14 days. The healing time, intervention healing time, times of operation/dressing change, and times of intervention operation/dressing change in children with deep partial-thickness burn wounds of children in eschar removal+dressing change group, dressing change alone group, eschar removal+dressing change group 1, and dressing change alone group 1 were recorded. At the last follow-up (follow-up period was set to 7-12 months), the modified Vancouver scar scale (mVSS) scores of the most severe area of scar hyperplasia of healed deep partial-thickness burn wounds of 54 children in eschar removal+dressing change group and 48 children in dressing change alone group were recorded. The healing time and times of operation/dressing change of all burn wounds of children in eschar removal+dressing change group and dressing change alone group, and the healing time and times of operation/dressing change of full-thickness burn wounds of children in eschar removal+dressing change group 2 and dressing change alone group 2 were recorded. The incidences of wound infection, sepsis, fever, and fever after 5 days of burns in children of eschar removal+dressing change group and dressing change alone group during wound healing.Results:Compared with those in dressing change alone group, the healing time and intervention healing time were significantly shortened, and the times of operation/dressing change and times of intervention operation/dressing change were significantly reduced in children with deep partial-thickness burn wounds in eschar removal+dressing change group (with Z values of -11.00, -11.33, -12.64, and -11.65, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with those in dressing change alone group 1, the healing time and intervention healing time were significantly shortened, and the times of operation/dressing change and times of intervention operation/dressing change were significantly reduced in children with deep partial-thickness burn wounds in eschar removal+dressing change group 1 (with Z values of 6.57, 6.46, 8.04, and 6.57, respectively, P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the mVSS score of the most severe scar hyperplasia area of healed deep partial-thickness burn wounds of 54 children in eschar removal+dressing change group was 4.00 (3.00,5.00), which was significantly lower than 6.50 (5.00,7.00) of 48 children in dressing change alone group ( Z =-4.67, P<0.05).Compared with those in dressing change alone group, the healing time was significantly shortened, and times of operation/dressing change was significantly reduced in all burn wounds in eschar removal+dressing change group (with Z values of -5.20 and -6.34, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with those in dressing change alone group 2, the healing time was significantly shortened, and times of operation/dressing change was significantly reduced in full-thickness burn wounds in eschar removal+dressing change group 2 (with Z values of -5.22 and -5.73, respectively, P<0.05). During wound healing, the probabilities of fever and fever after 5 days of burns in children of eschar removal+dressing change group were significantly lower than those in dressing change alone group (with χ2 values of 4.13 and 3.91, respectively, P<0.05); only 1 child in dressing change alone group developed sepsis, and there was no statistically significant difference in the wound infection rate of children in the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:For children with deep burns, early surgery, and early skin grafting or elective autologous skin grafting as needed, have better short-term and long-term effects than those without early surgery.
6.The progress of treatment for brain metastases of triple-negative breast cancer
Xiaoshan CAO ; Beibei YANG ; Binbin CONG ; Hong LIU
China Oncology 2024;34(8):777-784
Breast cancer has been the second most common solid tumor that metastasizes to the central nervous system after lung cancer.Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)has an earlier occurrence and high incidence of brain metastasis with its associated poor prognosis and limited treatment options due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier and lack of targeted drugs.Local treatment,including surgery and radiation therapy,are still the main therapy for brain metastasis.Surgical resection can not only relieve neurologic impairment of brain metastasis patients,but also can clarify the pathological type.Moreover,surgical resection combined with radiotherapy can improve the prognosis of brain metastasis patients compared to surgery or radiotherapy alone.By now,whole-brain radiation therapy(WBRT)is still considered the gold standard for multiple brain metastases,and meningeal metastases,but it will lead to neurocognitive decline,so hippocampal avoidance is essential.For selected patients with oligometastases,stereotactic radiotherapy has replaced WBRT to reduce cognitive toxicity.However,local treatment of TNBC brain metastasis cannot control the progress of brain metastasis and has significant side effects,so systemic therapy is needed.Chemotherapy drugs such as capecitabine and cisplatin can penetrate the blood-brain barrier,but their efficacy is limited.Therefore,the research and development of new targeted drugs and the exploration of new targets are necessary for TNBC brain metastasis.Research has found that patients carrying germline BRCA1/2 mutations have a higher risk of brain metastasis.Currently,the poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase(PARP)inhibitor demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with advanced breast cancer and a germline BRCA1/2 mutation,and it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier.The phase Ⅲ trial EMBRACA reported that the PARP inhibitor talazoparib can prolong the progression-free survival of TNBC patients with brain metastasis.In addition,antibody drug conjugates(ADCs)trastuzumab deruxtecan(T-DXd)can also penetrate the blood-brain barrier.Studies such as DEBBRAH have shown that T-DXd has significant therapeutic effects in HER2 positive brain metastasis patients,while research on HER2 low expression patients has not yet reached the endpoint,and its role in TNBC brain metastasis is worth looking forward to.Sacituzumab govitecan(SG)is also an ADC composed of an antibody targeting the human trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2.The phase Ⅲ ASCENT study showed that in the full population(including 61 patients with brain metastasis),SG could significantly prolong the progression-free survival of advanced TNBC patients compared to the patients who received chemotherapy.ANG1005,a novel taxane derivative,can cross the blood-brain barrier as well.A multicenter,open-label phase Ⅱ study revealed that ANG1005 could prolong overall survival of patients with brain metastasis.In addition,phosphoinositide3-kinase,(PI3K)/protein kinase(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway inhibitors,fatty acid synthase inhibitors,and the drugs with new delivery systems have become potential treatment options for TNBC brain metastasis patients.Although the Impassion 130 reported that no benefit trend for immunotherapy in TNBC brain metastasis,basic research has shown that radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy has a synergistic effect.Currently,multiple clinical trials(NCT03483012,NCT03449238,etc.)are exploring the efficacy of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy in brain metastasis,and the results are promising.This article reviewed the research progress of TNBC brain metastasis treatment.
7.Clinical Prediction Model for Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Lijiao LU ; Nan XU ; Xinxin LIU ; Fangfang DU ; Cong ZHENG ; Hongjun PENG ; Mingzhe CAO ; Shibei AI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(2):253-260
ObjectiveTo construct and validate a clinical prediction model for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). MethodsThis study enrolled 567 diabetes patients. The random forest algorithm as well as logistic regression analysis were applied to construct the prediction model. The model discrimination and clinical usefulness were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. ResultsThe clinical prediction model for DKD based on OCTA was constructed with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878 and Brier score of 0.11. ConclusionsThrough multidimensional verification, the clinical prediction nomogram model based on OCTA allowed for early warning and advanced intervention of DKD.
8.Construction and evaluation of a universal influenza mRNA vaccine
Yuying TIAN ; Zhuoya DENG ; Cong LI ; Fang SUN ; Rui CAO ; Penghui YANG
Journal of Army Medical University 2024;46(7):725-731
Objective To construct a universal influenza mRNA vaccine and evaluate its immunogenicity.Methods The antigen sequence of hemagglutinin(HA),nucleoprotein(NP)and matrix protein 2 ectodomain(M2e)in influenza A/California/04/2009 was optimized.HA,NP and 3 tandem M2e(3M2e)were cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector,respectively.Then the mRNAs were synthesized by linearization,in vitro transcription,enzymatic capping and enzymatic tailing,and named as mRNA-HA,mRNA-NP and mRNA-3M2e,respectively.The protein expression of the 3 kinds of mRNAs in 293T cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay.Comb-mRNA vaccine was prepared by enveloped mRNA-HA,mRNA-NP and mRNA-3M2e with lipid nanoparticles,respectively,and the particle size and potential were identified.Twenty-eight 6-week-old female BALB/c mice(18~22 g)were randomly divided into LNP group(n=14)and Comb-mRNA group(n=14).Hemagglutination inhibition(HI)method and microneutralization(MN)test were used to evaluate the serum antibody titer induced by Comb-mRNA vaccines.The mice were infected by 5LD50 wild-type H1 N1 influenza virus to evaluate the protective efficacy.Results The mRNA-HA,mRNA-NP and mRNA-3M2e were successfully constructed,and the 3 mRNAs could be expressed in 293T cells.The average size of mRNA encapsulated by lipid nanoparticles was 119.53±6.5 nm,and the average potential was-8.23±1.3 mV.The geometric mean titer(GMT)of HI and MN in the Comb-mRNA group were 179.6 and 201.6,compared with the LNP group.The ratio of IFN-γ+CD4+/CD8+Tcells was increased.The Comb-mRNA group could provide protection against 5LD50 wild type influenza H1 N1 virus after 2 weeks of booster immunization.Conclusion Comb-mRNA,an influenza vaccine candidate,can induce immune responses and protect mice from influenza virus challenge.
9.Application of WHO molecular classification in endometrial cancer(2020)and its clinicopathological significance
Liyu CAO ; Zhuangzhuang TIAN ; Lili ZHU ; Zhenzhen BAI ; Cong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2024;40(3):279-284
Purpose To explore the application and clini-copathological significance of molecular classification in endome-trial cancer(EC)of WHO(2020)tumors of the female repro-ductive system.Methods Sixty-two EC patients were collected and categorized into four subgroups,namely POLE mutation type,mismatch repair deficient(MMRd)type,non-specific molecular spectrum(NMSP)type,and p53 mutation type,based on WHO molecular classification tested by PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The correlation among four molecular sub-groups and their clinicopathological features were analyzed.Re-sults The molecular classification was distributed as follows:3(4.8%)cases were POLE-mutated,15(24.2%)cases MMRd,36(58.1%)cases NSMP and 8(12.9%)cases p53 abnormal expression.There were no significant differences a-mong POLE-mutated and infiltration depth,grade,lymph vascu-lar space invasion and other pathological factors such as lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage(P>0.05).Among 15 patients with MMRd,the proportion of FIGO stage Ⅱ+Ⅲ significantly increased.One case showed abnormal overexpression of p53 pro-tein,while two cases showed complete loss of expression in MMRd subgroup.36 cases of NSMP were associated with low histopathological grade(Grade Ⅰ+Ⅱ)(P<0.05),and no significant differences were observed among NSMP and other clinicopathological factors(P>0.05).The p53 abnormal ex-pression in 8 cases was related to high histopathological grade(Grade Ⅲ)(P<0.05),and the rate of lymph node metastasis and FIGO stage Ⅱ+Ⅲ significantly increased in patients with p53 abnormal expression,and although the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The molecu-lar subgroups of EC have certain clinical application value,the cases with MMRd and p53 abnormal expression may have poor prognosis than these with POLE-mutated and NSMP.
10.Protective effect of quercetin mediated ferroptosis pathway on hypertonic stimulation induced dry eye cell model
Jia-Di WANG ; Bai-Ping AN ; Yue LIU ; Cong-Hong CAO ; Bei-Ting ZONG ; Jing YAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(4):529-533
Objective To investigate the effect of quercetin on HCE-2 injury of human corneal epithelial cells induced by high osmotic pressure and its mechanism.Methods HCE-2 cells were randomly divided into control group(normal osmotic pressure),model group(high osmotic pressure),experimental-L group(high osmotic pressure+31.25 pg·mL-1 quercetin),experimental-M group(high osmotic pressure+62.50 μg·mL-1 quercetin),experimental-H group(high osmotic pressure+125.00 μg·mL-1 quercetin),erastin group(high osmotic pressure+125.00 μg·mL-1 quercetin+30.00 μmol·L-1 iron death inducer erastin).Cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit 8;reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels was detected by C11-BODIPY 581/591 probe staining;glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were determined by kit method;the expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),dihydrolactate dehydrogenase(DHODH)and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1(FSP1)were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results The cell survival rates of control group,model group,experimental-H group and erastin group were(100.00±3.97)%,(50.05±5.83)%,(86.35±7.35)%and(58.32±4.66)%,respectively;ROS levels were 1.00±0.09,2.45±0.16,1.19±0.05 and 2.09±0.30,respectively;GPX4 protein levels were 1.09±0.11,0.34±0.03,0.91±0.12 and 0.30±0.04,respectively;FSP1 protein levels were 0.92±0.06,0.25±0.03,0.89±0.07 and 0.39±0.07,respectively;DHODH protein levels were 0.89±0.11,0.31±0.04,0.86±0.11,0.41±0.04,respectively.Compared with model group,the above indexes in control group were statistically significant(all P<0.05);the differences between experimental-H group and model group were statistically significant(all P<0.05);the above indexes in erastin group were significantly different from those in experimental-H group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Quercetin can ameliorate HCE-2 cell damage induced by high osmotic pressure by inhibiting iron death pathway.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail