1.The application prospects, ethical risks, and governance pathways of artificial womb technology
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(5):656-662
The research on artificial womb technology and “fetus and newborn” by Deby et al., as well as the Food and Drug Administration’s discussion on whether the world’s first human clinical trial of “artificial womb” technology should be approved, have sparked a new wave of research on artificial womb technology. By extending and deepening relevant foreign research, the three potential application prospects of artificial womb technology were clarified, including rescuing extremely preterm infants, reducing the burden of pregnancy, and assisting advanced maternal age. The ethical risks it faced were pointed out, encompassing the moral status of the gestational entity was questionable, and the risks of technological experimentation could not be quantified. The governance pathways were clarified, involving multi-layered ethical considerations to complete the clear identification of the gestational entity’s identity, and multi-faceted patient-doctor consultations to achieve clear risk notification. Through discussions on the application prospects, ethical risks, and governance pathways of artificial womb technology can improve human welfare and realize the technology for human use.
2.Discovery of E0199: A novel compound targeting both peripheral NaV and KV7 channels to alleviate neuropathic pain.
Boxuan ZHANG ; Xiaoxing SHI ; Xingang LIU ; Yan LIU ; Xuedong LI ; Qi WANG ; Dongyang HUANG ; Weidong ZHAO ; Junru CUI ; Yawen CAO ; Xu CHAI ; Jiahao WANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Xiangyu WANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101132-101132
This research study focuses on addressing the limitations of current neuropathic pain (NP) treatments by developing a novel dual-target modulator, E0199, targeting both NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 and KV7 channels, a crucial regulator in controlling NP symptoms. The objective of the study was to synthesize a compound capable of modulating these channels to alleviate NP. Through an experimental design involving both in vitro and in vivo methods, E0199 was tested for its efficacy on ion channels and its therapeutic potential in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) mouse model. The results demonstrated that E0199 significantly inhibited NaV1.7, NaV1.8, and NaV1.9 channels with a particularly low half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for NaV1.9 by promoting sodium channel inactivation, and also effectively increased KV7.2/7.3, KV7.2, and KV7.5 channels, excluding KV7.1 by promoting potassium channel activation. This dual action significantly reduced the excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons and alleviated pain hypersensitivity in mice at low doses, indicating a potent analgesic effect without affecting heart and skeletal muscle ion channels critically. The safety of E0199 was supported by neurobehavioral evaluations. Conclusively, E0199 represents a ground-breaking approach in NP treatment, showcasing the potential of dual-target small-molecule compounds in providing a more effective and safe therapeutic option for NP. This study introduces a promising direction for the future development of NP therapeutics.
3.Correlation between muscle strength levels with bone mineral density and bone metabolism indices at different menopausal stages
Dongyang WANG ; Xinchao LIN ; Ruochen LI ; Qiaohui YANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2024;44(11):1557-1562
Objective To investigate the correlation between muscle strength level and bone mineral density and bone metabolism indexes in postmenopausal women in Beijing.Methods Postmenopausal women who were investi-gated by on-site questionnaires and followed by bone mineral density examination in Beijing from September 2017 to May 2018 were recruited as study subjects.They were divided into early menopausal group,middle menopausal group,late menopausal group,and twilight menopausal group according to the years of menopause.Changes in grip strength,5 times sit-to-stand test(FTSST)with bone mineral density(BMD)and bone metabolism indexes were observed in the four groups and their correlations were analyzed.Results A total of 815 cases of postmenopausal women were included.At different menopausal stages,muscle strength was all found to decrease with the increase of menopausal years(P<0.05),there was non-significance of different bone metabolism indexes among the four groups(P>0.05);Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD decreased with the increase of menopausal years(P<0.05).Maximum grip strength was positively correlated with both femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD(R=0.158,P<0.05;R=0.130,P<0.05).There was no correlation between muscle strength and bone metabo-lism indexes(P<0.05).Conclusions Different bone metabolism indexes are not associated with muscle strength in menopausal women.Maximum grip strength is positively correlated with bone mineral density,which can be used as an auxiliary screening tool for osteoporosis(OP)in women.The FTSST suggests that the lower limb muscle strength of menopausal women decreases with age,which can be used as one of the indicators for predicting the risk of falls in menopausal women.
4.Efficacy and learning curve of Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate by laser controller anchored at six o'clock position of bladder neck in the treatment of BPH with large gland
Jiling WEN ; Guosheng YANG ; Rongbing LI ; Weihua CHEN ; Dongyang LI ; Hao WANG ; Liqun HUANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(7):521-526
Objective:To analyze the efficacy, safety and learning curve of Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate by laser controller(LC-THuLEP) anchored at six o'clock position of the bladder neck in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) with large gland.Methods:The clinical data of the 1st to 45th BPH cases with large gland(prostate volume> 80 ml) treated by a doctor with LC-THuLEP anchored at six o'clock position of bladder neck in Shanghai East Hospital from January to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into groups A, B and C according to the order of operation time, with 15 cases in each group. There were no significant differences among the three groups( P>0.05) in age[(71.8±9.4)years old vs. (73.5±8.2) years old vs.(71.4±5.5)years old], prostate volume[88.3(84.8, 100.6)ml vs.91.5(86.1, 118.4)ml vs. 94.5(84.7, 101.8)ml], prostate specific antigen(PSA)[4.8(2.9, 8.5)ng/ml vs. 7.2(3.2, 11.2)ng/ml vs. 7.8(4.5, 12.7)ng/ml], postvoid residual volume[44.0(34.0, 67.0)ml vs. 60.0(40.0, 76.0)ml vs. 39.0(0, 59.0)ml], maximum urine flow rate(Q max)[8.4(7.6, 11.1)ml/s vs. 8.6(6.5, 10.6)ml/s vs. 10.4(7.8, 13.2)ml/s], international prostate symptom score(IPSS)[20(18, 21) vs. 20(20, 22) vs. 20(20, 25)]and quality of life(QOL)[4(4, 5) vs. 4(4, 4) vs. 4(3, 5)].The doctor had more than 100 cases of TURP surgery experience. LC-THuLEP anchored at six o'clock position of bladder neck was described as follows. The bladder neck at six o'clock position is reserved 0.5-1.0 cm as an "anchor" to fix the prostatic bladder neck when the gland was pushed directly by the laser controller, preventing the detached prostate gland from turning. Finally the bladder neck was cut off at six o'clock position, and the prostate was en-bloc removed. The effect of surgery and postoperative complications were compared. The enucleation efficiency was equal to the weight of prostate tissue removed divided by the time of enucleation. Results:The differences among the three groups in operation time [100.0(90.0, 110.0)min vs. 80.0(70.0, 90.0)min vs. 75.0(70.0, 90.0)min], enucleation time[89.0(72.0, 97.0)min vs. 67.0(64.0, 77.0)min vs. 64.0(60.0, 77.0)min] and the efficiency of enucleation [0.65(0.62, 0.68)g/min vs. 0.84(0.83, 0.94)g/min vs. 0.93(0.82, 1.00)g/min] were statistically significant( P<0.05). The operation time and enucleation time in groups B and C were significantly lower than those in group A, and the enucleation efficiency was significantly higher than that in group A( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between group B and C. However, the difference of three groups in hemoglobin decrease [8.0(5.0, 11.0)g/L vs. 7.0(2.0, 10.0)g/L vs. 11.0(4.0, 16.0)g/L] and catheter indwelling duration[4.0(2.0, 6.0)d vs. 6.0(3.0, 7.0)d vs. 4.0(3.0, 6.0)d] were not statistically different( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery. In three groups, postoperative Q max were 23.2(21.0, 25.1)ml/s, 22.7(21.1, 26.1)ml/s and 22.9(21.5, 25.7)ml/s, IPSS were 6(5, 8), 7(6, 8) and 7(7, 8), QOL were 2(1, 2), 2(1, 2) and 2(1, 2), postvoid residual volume were 20.0(10.0, 25.0)ml, 22.0(15.0, 25.0)ml and 5.0(0, 25.0)ml, respectively, which were all significantly different from that of pre-operation( P<0.05).However, there were no statistically significant differences in the postoperative indicators among the three groups ( P>0.05). No statistical difference was found in postoperative complications among the three groups[26.7%(4/15) vs. 20.0%(3/15) vs. 20.0%(3/15), P>0.05]. Conclusions:LC-THuLEP anchored at six o'clock position of bladder neck was an effective operation in the treatment of BPH with large gland, and the learning curve could be reached after 15 cases.
5.Application of peritoneal interposition flap technique in the prevention of pelvic lymphocysts after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection
Liqun HUANG ; Xuelei WANG ; Guosheng YANG ; Rongbing LI ; Dongyang LI ; Jing YE ; Weitao HUANG ; Hang WANG ; Jianming GUO ; Xiaofei WEN
Chinese Journal of Urology 2024;45(8):608-613
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Peritoneal interposition flap (PIF) technique in preventing postoperative pelvic lymphocele formation during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (LRP+ ePLND).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 113 patients with locally high-risk or locally advanced prostate cancer who underwent LRP+ ePLND at Shanghai East Hospital, from January 2020 to November 2023. Among them, 27 patients received PIF technique and 86 received traditional LRP+ ePLND. ePLND was carried out as the clearance of external iliac vessels, medial side of the internal iliac artery, and pararectal lymph nodes. The PIF technique was the suturing the peritoneal flap after freeing the bladder to the lateral side of the bladder, pulling the peritoneal edge that follows the bladder's free edge posteriorly to the pubis, curling it onto the lateral surface of the bladder. This could expose the lymph node clearance bed, establishing a pathway from the lymph node clearance bed to the abdominal cavity space, allowing exuded lymphatic fluid to flow into the abdominal cavity for absorption by the peritoneum. There were no statistically significant differences in age [(68.37±6.92)years vs.(70.47±5.72)years], body mass index [(25.47±2.49)kg/m 2vs.(24.46±2.80)kg/m 2], and preoperative PSA [(23.28±13.94)ng/ml vs.(24.81±13.99)ng/ml] between the PIF group and the control group ( P>0.05). Biopsy Gleason score in PIF group: 6 in 2 cases, 7 in 9 cases, 8 in 9 cases, 9-10 in 2 cases. Biopsy Gleason score in control group: 6 in 4 cases, 7 in 35 cases, 8 in 27 cases, 9-10 in 20 cases. Clinic stage in PIF group: T 2 in 18 cases, T 3 in 6 cases, T 4 in 3 cases. Clinic stage in control group: T 2 in 51cases, T 3 in 27 cases, T 4 in 8 cases. The preoperative Gleason scores and TNM staging comparisons between the PIF group and the control group showed no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). Surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, lymph node positivity rate, incidence of postoperative lymphocele, and recovery of urinary control were compared between the two groups. Results:All surgeries were completed successfully without intraoperative complications in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the PIF group and the control group in terms of surgical duration [(202.96±24.15)min vs.(201.1±29.85)min], intraoperative blood loss [(85.56±32.27)ml vs.(90.7±49.25)ml], and lymph node positivity rate [(4 in PIF group, 14.8%)vs.(25 in control group, 29.1%)]( P>0.05). Urinary catheters were retained for 10-14 days postoperatively. Following catheter removal, there were no statistically significant differences in urinary control rates at 1 month [51.85%(14/27)vs. 48.83%(42/86)]and 2 months[74.07%(20/27) vs. 72.09%(62/86)] between the PIF group and the control group ( P>0.05). At the 2 to 6-month follow-up CT scan, none of the 27 patients in the PIF group developed pelvic lymphocele, whereas 9 patients in the control group did (6 cases bilateral, 3 cases unilateral), showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P=0.002). Postoperatively, 3 patients in the control group experienced symptoms, with 1 case of lymphocele infection causing fever 1 month after surgery. Lymphocysts were found in 2 patients with ipsilateral lower extremity swelling 2 weeks after surgery. Conclusions:The application of PIF technique during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection via the abdominal approach could be safe and feasible. It may prevent postoperative pelvic lymphocele formation.
6.Advances in the effect of inflammatory factors on immune mechanism of aplastic anemia
Pingxin ZHANG ; Limin CHAI ; Guiyu FENG ; Dongyang LI ; Song SUN ; Wei LIU ; Yingkai ZHANG
Journal of Xinxiang Medical College 2024;41(3):298-301
The pathogenesis of aplastic anemia(AA)is complex and associated with hematopoietic stem cell defect,abnormal bone marrow microenvironment,immune dysfunction,and somatic mutation,in which the immune mechanism plays an important role.This article reviews the pathogenesis of AA from the following aspects:regulatory T cell reduction,hematopoietic stem cell reduction caused by factor-related apoptosis/factor-related apoptosis ligand signaling pathway,aberrant target gene expression induced by inflammatory factor-stimulated microRNAs,and regulatory T cell dysfunction,so as to provide ideas and methods for clinical practice.
7.Relationship of physical activity and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment: a mediating effect of resting EEG
Xiaochen MA ; Shufan LI ; Shuqi JIA ; Cong LIU ; Zhenyu ZHANG ; Dongyang HAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(12):1442-1451
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of physical activity (PA) and cognitive function to sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment based on resting electroencephalogram (EEG), and to explore the mediating role of specific EEG markers in the relationship between PA and sleep quality. MethodsFrom March to May, 2024, 137 older adults were recruited from Chenfu Jiayuan and Qiangwei Jiuli in Songjiang district, and Luyan communities in Jinshan district, Shanghai. The assessments included Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), along with a five-minute EEG recording. ResultsThere was significant difference in sleep quality among older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment (t = -7.400, P < 0.001). The PSQI total score was negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = -0.412, P < 0.001) and total physical activity level (PAL) (r = -0.363, P < 0.001). The θ power in the frontal areas (F3, F4) was significantly correlated with both PSQI scores and PAL (P < 0.01). The θ power in F3 + F4 exhibited a significant partial (effect size = -0.0004, 95%CI -0.0007 to -0.0002) mediating effect between PA and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment. ConclusionOlder adults with more severe cognitive impairment tend to have poorer sleep quality, whereas higher PAL is associated with better sleep quality. PA can indirectly influence sleep quality in older adults with cognitive impairment by affecting θ power (F3 + F4).
8.The relationship between the expression of fibroblast growth factor 19 and insulin-like growth factor 1 in colorectal polyp tissues and the occurrence of colorectal adenomas
Hao WANG ; Haipeng WANG ; Yao YAO ; Dongyang WANG ; Ming CHEN ; Yanlai SUN ; Hao ZHANG ; Guangfeng DONG ; Zengjun LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):776-781
Objective:This investigation sought to delineate the associations among colorectal adenomatous polyps, diabetes, and biomolecules involved in glucose metabolism.Method:Data were collected from 40 patients who underwent endoscopic polypectomy at the Endoscopy Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital between June 2019 and September 2021. This cohort included 27 patients with inflammatory polyps and 13 with adenomatous polyps. We assessed fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the mRNA expressions of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the polyp tissues. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to ascertain the determinants influencing the emergence of adenomatous polyps. From these analyses, a predictive nomogram was constructed to forecast the occurrence of adenomatous polyps, and evaluations on the discriminative capacity, calibration, and clinical utility of the model were conducted.Results:The adenomatous polyp group exhibited markedly elevated levels of glucose, insulin, FGF-19, and IGF-1, with respective concentrations of (8.67±2.70) mmol/L, (12.72±7.69) μU/L, 2.20±1.88, and 1.36±0.69. These figures were significantly higher compared to the inflammatory polyp group, which showed levels of (5.51±0.72) mmol/L, (5.49±2.68) μU/L, 0.53±0.97, and 0.41±0.46, respectively, P=0.001. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the relative expression of IGF-1 served as an independent risk factor for the development of colorectal adenomatous polyps ( OR=5.622, 95% CI:1.085-29.126). The nomogram displayed a C-index of 0.849, indicating substantial discriminative capability. The calibration curve affirmed the model's accuracy in aligning predicted probabilities with actual outcomes, and the clinical decision curve demonstrated thepractical clinical applicability of the model. Conclusions:There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps and glucose metabolic pathways. Individuals with diabetes showed a higher propensity to develop such polyps.
9.The relationship between the expression of fibroblast growth factor 19 and insulin-like growth factor 1 in colorectal polyp tissues and the occurrence of colorectal adenomas
Hao WANG ; Haipeng WANG ; Yao YAO ; Dongyang WANG ; Ming CHEN ; Yanlai SUN ; Hao ZHANG ; Guangfeng DONG ; Zengjun LI
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):776-781
Objective:This investigation sought to delineate the associations among colorectal adenomatous polyps, diabetes, and biomolecules involved in glucose metabolism.Method:Data were collected from 40 patients who underwent endoscopic polypectomy at the Endoscopy Department of Shandong Cancer Hospital between June 2019 and September 2021. This cohort included 27 patients with inflammatory polyps and 13 with adenomatous polyps. We assessed fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the mRNA expressions of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF-19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the polyp tissues. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to ascertain the determinants influencing the emergence of adenomatous polyps. From these analyses, a predictive nomogram was constructed to forecast the occurrence of adenomatous polyps, and evaluations on the discriminative capacity, calibration, and clinical utility of the model were conducted.Results:The adenomatous polyp group exhibited markedly elevated levels of glucose, insulin, FGF-19, and IGF-1, with respective concentrations of (8.67±2.70) mmol/L, (12.72±7.69) μU/L, 2.20±1.88, and 1.36±0.69. These figures were significantly higher compared to the inflammatory polyp group, which showed levels of (5.51±0.72) mmol/L, (5.49±2.68) μU/L, 0.53±0.97, and 0.41±0.46, respectively, P=0.001. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the relative expression of IGF-1 served as an independent risk factor for the development of colorectal adenomatous polyps ( OR=5.622, 95% CI:1.085-29.126). The nomogram displayed a C-index of 0.849, indicating substantial discriminative capability. The calibration curve affirmed the model's accuracy in aligning predicted probabilities with actual outcomes, and the clinical decision curve demonstrated thepractical clinical applicability of the model. Conclusions:There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps and glucose metabolic pathways. Individuals with diabetes showed a higher propensity to develop such polyps.
10.The effects and mechanism of long non-coding RNA CASC15 on proliferation,invasion and migration of hepatocellular car-cinoma
Dongyang WU ; Qingshan CAI ; Dong LIU ; Ganggang ZUO ; Shudong LI ; Liyou LIU ; Jianxing ZHENG
Practical Oncology Journal 2024;38(1):18-29
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular regulatory mechanism of cancer susceptibility candidate 15(CASC15),a long-stranded non-coding RNA(lncRNA),in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods Bioinformat-ics methods were used to predict the expression of target genes and analyze the relationship between the expression of target genes and the survival time of patients;Hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues from patients with HCC were collected;CCK-8,Tr-answell,and flow cytometry experiments were used to detect proliferation,invasion,migration and apoptosis of SMMC7721 cells and Huh-7 cells;The dual-luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-144-3p and CASC15,as well as leucine rich repeat containing protein 1(LRRC1);RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of target genes;Immunofluorescence was used for protein localization of target genes;Replicate experiment was performed to verify the effect of CASC15/miR-144-3p/LRRC1 on the progression of HCC.In vivo experiment was performed to verify the effect of CASC15 on HCC progression.Results TCGA database and RT-qPCR assay showed high expression of CASC15,low expression of miR-144-3p,and high expression of LRRC1 in HCC tissues and cells(P<0.05).The results of cell function experiments on proliferation,inva-sion and migration showed that CASC15 and LRRC1 played a promoting role in tumor development,while miR-144-3p had an inhibi-tory effect,consistent with the results of apoptosis experiments(P<0.05).Cell function experiments showed that CASC15 inhibited miR-144-3p function,miR-144-3p inhibited LRRC1,and CASC15 bound to miR-144-3p,leading to the upregulation of LRRC1.The replicate experimental results indicated that CASC15 promoted LRRC1 expression through inhibiting miR-144-3p,thereby pro-moting HCC cell proliferation,invasion and migration,and inhibiting apoptosis.Conclusion CASC15 may promote HCC progression by regulating the miR-144-3p/LRRC1 axis.

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