1.Advances in the mechanisms of fibrosis at the electrode interface of invasive brain-computer interfaces and intervention strategies
Qi GAO ; Xiaofang CAO ; Hua HE ; Huajun ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):203-212
The invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) is a method that involves implanting microelectrodes into brain tissue to collect neural electrical signals. The signals obtained through this method are often of high precision and relatively stable. However, the chronic fibrotic reaction resulting from long-term implantation can significantly impair the quality of the collected brain electrical signals. Therefore, ensuring the long-term stability of signal acquisition is a major challenge in the development of invasive BCI. This paper systematically reviews the formation mechanisms of fibrosis at the electrode interface, elaborating on the progression from acute inflammatory responses to the development of chronic glial scars and the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It introduces the roles, advantages, and disadvantages of three anti-fibrosis strategies: material and surface optimization, drug and biological factor intervention, and integration of immune regulation and tissue engineering. This paper also evaluates their practical effects and limitations in animal and human clinical applications. Finally, it highlights the importance of establishment of standardized follow-up recording mechanisms in ensuring the long-term reliability and stability of invasive BCIs, providing references and insights for future in-depth interface optimization and clinical translation.
2.Epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province
Ying ZHANG ; Yixuan CHEN ; Rong CAO ; Yue GAO ; Yutong HAN ; Ye WANG ; Ruilin MENG ; Xueyan ZHENG ; Yu LIAO ; Zhuanping ZENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):68-72
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of liver cancer in Guangdong Province in 2020, and to provide a scientific foundation for the development of regionalized prevention and control strategies for liver cancer. Methods According to the cancer registry data of Guangdong Province, the incidence, mortality and age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population in 2020 were calculated to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of liver cancer. The disability adjusted life years (DALYs), year of life loss (YLL), year of lived with disability (YLD), and cause-eliminated life expectancy were used to assess the disease burden of liver cancer. Results In 2020, the crude incidence rate and the age-standardized incidence rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 27.79/100 000 and 20.84/100 000,respectively, and the crude mortality rate and the age-standardized mortality rate of liver cancer were 25.49/100,000 and 17.64/100 000, respectively. The total DALY and DALY rate of liver cancer in Guangdong Province were 515 311 person-years and 513.83/100 000, respectively. After eliminating the causes of death from liver cancer, the life expectancy in Guangdong Province increased from 84.60 years to 84.99 years. All indicators consistently demonstrated that the burden of liver cancer was higher in males than that in females, and the burden of liver cancer was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas. Conclusion Liver cancer in Guangdong Province exhibits a high incidence, mortality and disease burden level in 2020. There are obvious differences of gender, age and region in cancer burden. It is necessary to strengthen liver cancer screening and diagnosis and treatment in men, the elderly and those in rural areas to reduce the burden of liver cancer gradually in Guangdong Province.
3.Safety of endoscopic variceal ligation and endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection in treatment of esophagogastric varices in patients with liver cirrhosis and influencing factors for postoperative bleeding
Luyao JIA ; Baoying CAO ; Chunming HUANG ; Biao XIE ; Hongbo GAO ; Chuo LI ; Qinghua HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):356-361
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) or endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection (ECI) for the treatment of esophagogastric varices in patients with liver cirrhosis, as well as the safety of EVL/ECI in patients with thrombocytopenia. MethodsA total of 489 patients with liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices who underwent EVL/ECI in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, from January 2018 to December 2023 were enrolled as subjects, and according to the presence or absence of bleeding after surgery, they were divided into bleeding group and non-bleeding group. The risk factors for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after surgery were analyzed. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test or the continuity-corrected chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the cut-off value of MELD score; a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding. ResultsThere were no significant differences in the bleeding rates within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI between the 386 patients with a platelet count of ≥50×109/L and the 103 patients with a platelet count of (25 — 49)×109/L (5 days: 1.94% vs 2.85%, P=0.870; 2 weeks: 2.91% vs 4.92%, P=0.544). The overall bleeding rate was 2.66% (13/489) and 4.50% (22/489), respectively, within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MELD score was an independent risk factor for bleeding within 5 days (odds ratio [OR]=3.726, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.214 — 11.429, P=0.021) and 2 weeks (OR=5.760, 95%CI: 1.779 — 18.651, P=0.003) after EVL/ECI, while hemoglobin (Hb) was a protective factor against bleeding within 5 days (OR=0.972, 95%CI: 0.948 — 0.996, P=0.025) and 2 weeks (OR=0.976, 95%CI: 0.957 — 0.995, P=0.016) after surgery; portal vein tumor thrombus (OR=2.667, 95%CI: 1.000 — 7.117, P=0.050) was an independent risk factor for bleeding within 2 weeks after surgery, while platelet count [(25 — 49)×10⁹/L] was not a risk factor for postoperative bleeding (P>0.05). ConclusionBoth EVL and ECI have good safety in patients with liver diseases and grade 3 thrombocytopenia. MELD score is an independent risk factor for bleeding within 5 days and 2 weeks after EVL/ECI, while Hb is a protective factor; portal vein tumor thrombus is an independent risk factor for bleeding within 2 weeks after surgery.
4.Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy:a network meta-analysis
Xinyan CAO ; Zifu YU ; Xiaoxuan LENG ; Shiai GAO ; Jinhui CHEN ; Xihua LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1539-1548
OBJECTIVE:Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation have shown positive effects in improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.A network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on the improvement of lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy.METHODS:Randomized controlled trials(RCT)about repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy were collected from CNKI,WanFang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed,Web of Science,Medline.The search time limit was from the inception to October 5,2024.After screening literature,extracting data and evaluating the risk of bias of included studies,Stata 15.0 software was used for network meta-analysis,AND GRADE profiler was used for quality evaluation.RESULTS:A total of 19 studies were included,involving 4 treatment measures:conventional therapy,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodic transcranial direct current stimulation.The results of network meta-analysis showed that in terms of improving gross motor function,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation[mean difference(MD)=9.48,95%confidence interval(CI)(6.61,12.34),P<0.05]was the most effective.In terms of alleviating spasticity,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation[MD=-0.63,95%CI(-1.72,0.45),P<0.05]had the best efficacy.In terms of improving ankle joint range of motion and step speed,transcranial direct current stimulation[MD=2.27,95%CI(1.37,3.17),P<0.05;MD=0.11,95%CI(0.05,0.17),P<0.05]was the most effective.CONCLUSION:Existing clinical evidence suggests that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has the best therapeutic effect compared with other intervention measures in terms of improving lower limb gross motor function.In terms of reducing spasticity,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a more significant effect.In terms of improving gait,transcranial direct current stimulation has more advantages.
5.Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy:a network meta-analysis
Xinyan CAO ; Zifu YU ; Xiaoxuan LENG ; Shiai GAO ; Jinhui CHEN ; Xihua LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1539-1548
OBJECTIVE:Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation have shown positive effects in improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.A network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on the improvement of lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy.METHODS:Randomized controlled trials(RCT)about repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation on lower limb motor function and gait in children with cerebral palsy were collected from CNKI,WanFang,VIP,SinoMed,PubMed,Web of Science,Medline.The search time limit was from the inception to October 5,2024.After screening literature,extracting data and evaluating the risk of bias of included studies,Stata 15.0 software was used for network meta-analysis,AND GRADE profiler was used for quality evaluation.RESULTS:A total of 19 studies were included,involving 4 treatment measures:conventional therapy,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and anodic transcranial direct current stimulation.The results of network meta-analysis showed that in terms of improving gross motor function,low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation[mean difference(MD)=9.48,95%confidence interval(CI)(6.61,12.34),P<0.05]was the most effective.In terms of alleviating spasticity,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation[MD=-0.63,95%CI(-1.72,0.45),P<0.05]had the best efficacy.In terms of improving ankle joint range of motion and step speed,transcranial direct current stimulation[MD=2.27,95%CI(1.37,3.17),P<0.05;MD=0.11,95%CI(0.05,0.17),P<0.05]was the most effective.CONCLUSION:Existing clinical evidence suggests that low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has the best therapeutic effect compared with other intervention measures in terms of improving lower limb gross motor function.In terms of reducing spasticity,high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a more significant effect.In terms of improving gait,transcranial direct current stimulation has more advantages.
6.Impacts of pre-pregnancy exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on menstrual characteristics among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology
Huyi TAO ; Yujie CAO ; Yitao PAN ; Jiuru ZHAO ; Zhiwei LIU ; Yu GAO ; Ying TIAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):652-660
Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants widely used in various products, leading to population exposure and long-term accumulation. At present, there is a lack of research on the relationships between pre-pregnancy PFAS and menstrual characteristics among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) in China. Objective To explore the relationships between pre-pregnancy PFAS exposure among women undergoing ART and menstrual characteristics prior to assisted reproductive treatment. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional research design, recruiting women undergoing ART treatment at the Reproductive Clinic of the International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, from 2017 to 2020 as study participants. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect 42 types of PFAS in pre-pregnancy serum samples. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and menstrual characteristics (average menstrual cycle length, average menstrual period length, menstrual irregularities, and menstrual bleeding volume) of women undergoing ART. Multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between individual PFAS exposure before pregnancy and menstrual characteristics among ART women. Additionally, weighted quantile sum (WQS) model was applied to analyze the association between PFAS mixtures and menstrual characteristics. Results In the pre-pregnancy serum samples of the study population, 15 PFAS were detected in more than 60% of the samples, including perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA), 8:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (8:2 Cl-PFESA), perfluoro-2-propoxypropanoic acid (HFPO-DA), perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA), and perfluoro-(3,5,7,9,11-pentaoxadodecanoic) acid (PFO5DoDA). Among them, PFOA had the highest median concentration of 9.160 ng·mL−1. The single PFAS exposure analysis revealed a positive correlation between PFAS and irregular menstrual cycles. Specifically, for every natural-log unit (e) increase in PFOA, PFBS, or PFHxS level, the incidence of irregular menstrual cycles increased by 57%, 42%, or 39%, respectively. Most PFAS were positively correlated with the average number of menstrual cycle days, such as PFHpA (b=1.08, 95%CI: 0.11, 2.05), PFOA (b=1.69, 95%CI: 0.39, 3.00), PFBS (b=1.23, 95%CI: 0.25, 2.22), PFHxS (b=1.47, 95%CI: 0.61, 2.32), PFHpS (b=1.48, 95%CI: 0.35, 2.61), and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (b=0.90, 95%CI: 0.08, 1.72). Furthermore, levels of PFHpA (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.82), PFOA (OR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.30), PFBS (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.80), PFHxS (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.71), PFHpS (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.14), and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.70) were positively correlated with low menstrual blood volume, while PFOA (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.71), PFHpS (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.29, 0.71), and HFPO-DA (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.48, 0.97) were negatively correlated with high menstrual blood volume. The mixed exposure model showed that PFAS mixtures were positively correlated with the average number of menstrual cycle days (b=1.60, 95%CI: 0.49, 2.71), irregular menstrual cycles (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.19, 2.63), and low menstrual blood volume (OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.35), but negatively correlated with high menstrual blood volume (OR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.73). Conclusion Women undergoing ART in Shanghai are widely exposed to PFAS prior to conception. Exposure to PFAS before pregnancy may be related to menstrual characteristics among women seeking ART before undergoing fertility treatments, but additional data from larger populations are required to validate the findings of this study.
7.LC-MS-based phosphoproteomic profiling of the acute phase of myocardial infarction in mice
Yang GAO ; Jian ZHANG ; Shiyu HU ; Jingpu WANG ; Yiwen WANG ; Jiatian CAO ; Feng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):392-402
Objective To investigate dynamic changes in myocardial protein phosphorylation during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. Methods Six 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to MI model (n=3) or sham-operated control (n=3) groups. Cardiac tissues were harvested 72 hours post-intervention for proteomic analysis. Phosphorylation modifications were systematically characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Bioinformatics analyses included differential phosphorylation screening, functional enrichment, hierarchical clustering, and protein-protein interaction network. Results LC-MS identified 1 921 differentially phosphorylated sites (20 tyrosine and 1 901 serine/threonine sites) across 851 proteins. Compared with controls, MI hearts exhibited significant phosphorylation upregulation at 1 545 sites and downregulation at 376 sites (P<0.05). Conclusions This study delineates MI-associated phosphorylation dynamics, providing mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic targets for acute MI intervention.
8.Postoperative Stage-based Functional Protection Strategies for Lung Cancer Based on Theory of "Lungs Governing Qi"
Luchang CAO ; Guanghui ZHU ; Ruike GAO ; Manman XU ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Wei HOU ; Ying ZHANG ; Jie LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):86-93
Lung cancer (LC) is a significant global public health issue, with both its incidence and mortality rates ranking among the highest worldwide. The age-standardized incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually, posing a serious threat to the life and health of LC patients. Radical surgical resection is the primary treatment for malignant lung tumors. However, postoperative multidimensional functional impairments, including respiratory, mucosal, and psychological functions, are common. These impairments not only reduce patients' quality of life and affect their treatment tolerance and duration, but also negatively correlate with prognosis, facilitating disease recurrence and metastasis. At present, postoperative functional dysfunction after LC surgery remains a key clinical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed. There is a lack of standardized and regulated postoperative rehabilitation treatment management and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation and treatment strategies for LC. Focusing on the core underlying pathogenesis of "Qi sinking" after LC surgery, and guided by the classical TCM theory of "lungs governing Qi", this study, based on the core concept of the "five perspectives on treatment" theory, innovatively proposes the respiratory dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking in the chest" during the rapid rehabilitation phase, mucosal dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Yin deficiency and Qi sinking" during the postoperative adjuvant treatment phase, and the psychological dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking with emotional constraint" during the consolidation phase. Accordingly, stage-specific dynamic functional protection strategies are constructed. In the rapid rehabilitation phase, the strategy emphasizes tonifying Qi and uplifting sinking Qi, with differentiation and treatment based on the principle of ''descending before ascending''. In the adjuvant treatment phase, the approach focuses on nourishing Yin and uplifting Qi, with prescription combinations that integrate unblocking and tonification. In the consolidation phase, the strategy aims to resolve constraint and uplift Qi, with clinical treatment emphasizing a combination of dynamic and static methods. At each stage of functional rehabilitation, clinical differentiation and treatment should support healthy Qi and eliminate pathogenic factors simultaneously. This study is the first to propose the concept of postoperative functional protection in TCM, offering a new approach for TCM differentiation and treatment in the full-cycle, stage-based, and dynamic protection of postoperative function in LC patients. It is expected to contribute to the construction and development of an integrated TCM-Western medicine comprehensive program for cancer prevention and treatment in China.
9.A Hierarchical Strategy for Differentiation and Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Oral Ulcers Related to Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer Based on Yin Deficiency and Qi Collapse
Luchang CAO ; Guanghui ZHU ; Ruike GAO ; Manman XU ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Ming LIN ; Ying ZHANG ; Jie LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):116-125
Tumor treatment-related adverse reactions are a major focus of clinical concern, among which recurrent aphthous oral ulcers (RAU) associated with targeted therapy for lung cancer (LC) are among the most painful and distressing for patients. Currently, modern medical interventions show limited efficacy, and there is an urgent need for more effective treatment strategies. This study differentiates RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC from chemotherapy-related and ordinary oral ulcers, elucidates the pathophysiological basis of such ulcers, and traces the theoretical origin of "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse". Based on the new system of "five perspectives on diagnosis and treatment" for tumor prevention and treatment, with a focus on the core and symptom perspectives and rooted in the traditional concept of "lung dominating Qi", we innovatively propose the concept of "medicine-induced ulcer" and are the first to introduce the theory of "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse" into the syndrome differentiation and treatment of RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC (i.e., medicine-induced ulcer). We propose that "Yin deficiency and Qi collapse" is the core pathogenesis of medicine-induced ulcers, in which the collapse of formless Qi is the key to their onset, while the deficiency and stasis of tangible Yin and blood constitute the root of recurrence. A hierarchical strategy for syndrome differentiation and treatment is established: first treating the collapse of formless Qi, then replenishing tangible deficiencies, and concurrently preventing recurrence. We emphasize that treatment should address both root and manifestation, with appropriate prioritization. In the acute phase, while relieving symptoms and promoting ulcer healing by nourishing Qi, uplifting collapse, and generating body fluids, attention should also be paid to nourishing spleen Yin, facilitating the circulation of nutritive Qi, and alleviating stasis to target the root pathogenesis and reduce recurrence. A verified case is presented to support this approach. This study enriches the theoretical framework and clinical methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of RAU associated with targeted therapy for LC, promotes symptom management of treatment-related adverse reactions through integrated TCM and Western medicine, and provides theoretical support for the construction and development of a comprehensive differentiation and treatment system for lung cancer prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
10.Study on component analysis,fingerprint establishment and anti-inflammatory spectrum-effect relationship of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum
Dan QIN ; Peng FU ; Jiajie CAO ; Qingchen TANG ; Jie GAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(18):2244-2249
OBJECTIVE To analyze chemical components of Yao ethnic medicine Pittosporum pauciflorum, establish its fingerprint and investigate the spectrum-effect relationship of its anti-inflammatory effect. METHODS UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS technology was used to analyze the chemical components of P. pauciflorum (batch S6). The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum from different producing areas in Guangxi Province (batches S1-S10) were established by HPLC, and similarity assessment and chemometric pattern recognition analysis were conducted. RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was induced by lipopolysaccharide, and the anti-inflammatory activity of P. pauciflorum was investigated. Using inhibition rates of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β as efficacy indicators, grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis were adopted to evaluate the spectrum-effect relationship of the anti-inflammatory effect of P. pauciflorum. RESULTS There were 60 chemical components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, etc., identified in P. pauciflorum. The fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum showed 14 common peaks,with similarity values ranging from 0.883 to 0.991. Three common peaks were assigned neochlorogenic acid (peak 5), chlorogenic acid (peak 7), and syringaldehyde (peak 10). The classification results of the systematic clustering analysis and the principal component analysis were basically consistent. Batches S1 to S10 of P. pauciflorum significantly reduced the levels of NO, TNF-α, IL-6 (except for batch S5) and IL-1β in the cell supernatant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Inhibition rates of above inflammatory indexes were 10.26%-39.96%, 14.96%-31.36%, 1.38%-21.27%, 18.54%-28.00%, respectively. The contents of neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, as well as the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14,exhibited a strong correlation with the anti-inflammatory effects of P. pauciflorum. CONCLUSIONS The present study has analyzed the chemical components of P. pauciflorum and established HPLC fingerprints for 10 batches of P. pauciflorum. Each batch of medicinal herbs demonstrates certain anti- inflammatory activities, among which neochlorogenic acid, syringaldehyde, and the components corresponding to peaks 1, 3, 9, 12 and 14 are likely to be the active anti-inflammatory components.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail