1.A prediction model for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women:information analysis based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database
Guangzheng LI ; Wei LI ; Bochun ZHANG ; Haoqin DING ; Zhongqi ZHOU ; Gang LI ; Xuezhen LIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):849-857
BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related systemic skeletal muscle disease,which is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes such as falls,functional decline,frailty,and death.Postmenopausal women are one of the high-risk groups for sarcopenia.OBJECTIVE:To develop a predictive model for assessing the risk of sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women based on high-quality database.METHODS:Data for this study were derived from 2 370 postmenopausal women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),and sarcopenia was assessed using the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019(AWGS2019)recommended metrics.The study cohort was randomized into a training set(70%)and a validation set(30%).Risk factors for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,ten-fold cross-validation,and logistic regression.Nomogram predicting the risk of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women was constructed based on the risk factors,and the model efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sarcopenia in this study was 23.50%and age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and the number of chronic diseases were selected as predictors of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.The nomogram model showed good discrimination between the training and validation sets,with an AUC value of 0.751(95%confidence interval=0.724-0.778,P<0.001),a specificity of 72.2%,and a sensitivity of 63.2%in the training set,and an AUC value of 0.763(95%confidence interval=0.721-0.805,P<0.001),with a specificity of 69.6%and a sensitivity of 70.8%.The calibration curve showed a relatively significant agreement between the nomogram model and the actual observations,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated broad and good clinical utility.To conclude,the nomogram to assess the risk of sarcopenia constructed based on age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and number of chronic diseases,provides an effective tool for identifying and eliminating risk factors for sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women,and helps to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia.
2.Clinical analysis of assisted reproductive technology assisted pregnancy outcome in female patients with thyroid cancer after surgery
Xiang YAO ; Wenjuan XU ; Jianye WANG ; Qun GAO ; Gang ZHAO ; Ping ZHOU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):151-155
ObjectiveTo evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women with a history of thyroid cancer who retained fertility intentions after completing cancer treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 61 patients with a history of thyroid cancer who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm microinjection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). These patients were included as the case group. A total of 122 non-cancer patients who received ART during the same period were selected as the control group using 1∶2 matching based on age and oocyte retrieval time. Baseline characteristics, outcomes of the first ART cycle, and cumulative pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the basic data, the total amount of gonadotropin (Gn) and the days of use between the case group and the control group (P>0.05). However, the case group had significantly fewer retrieved oocytes, mature oocytes (MII), lower fertilization and cleavage rates, and fewer transferable and high-quality embryos, as well as fewer embryos transferred during the first cycle (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the rate of first embryo implantation and first clinical pregnancy between the two groups (P>0.05). In the analysis of cumulative outcomes, the two groups did not show statistically significant differences in the cumulative pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate per transfer cycle, the number of oocyte retrieval cycles required per live birth, the number of embryo transfer cycles required per live birth, and the number of embryos used for each live birth (P>0.05). However, the cumulative live birth rate was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.005). ConclusionAfter treatment for thyroid cancer, when ART is used to help pregnant women, the pregnancy outcome is comparable to that of women without tumors. Individualized reproductive management and timely fertility preservation strategies are recommended to optimize reproductive outcomes in this population.
3.Changes in contrast-enhanced computed tomography quantitative parameters and their relationships with pathological grades in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Gang ZHOU ; Rong HUANG ; Qian CHENG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):49-55
Objective To explore the change pattern of quantitative parameters in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scans during the cortical and nephrographic phases in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of these quantitative parameters in predicting the pathological grade of ccRCC preoperatively, and provide imaging reference for clinically evaluating preoperative disease severity and formulating individualized therapeutic regimens. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 84 patients with ccRCC treated in our hospital between September 2022 and September 2024. According to the World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) pathological grading system, patients were divided into a high-grade group (n = 32) and a low-grade group (n = 52). CECT features and quantitative parameters were compared between the two groups. The relationships between CECT quantitative parameters and pathological grading in ccRCC patients were analyzed using Spearman correlation. The diagnostic value of these parameters for preoperative pathological grading was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results The maximum tumor diameter and the proportion of tumors with blurred margins were higher in the high-grade group than in the low-grade group (P<0.05). The CT values, net enhancement values, and enhancement rates during both the cortical and nephrographic phases were lower in the high-grade group than in the low-grade group (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the CT values, net enhancement values, and enhancement rates during both the cortical and nephrographic phases were negatively correlated with preoperative pathological grades in ccRCC patients (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve for preoperative pathological grading using the combination of cortical phase CT value, cortical phase net enhancement value, cortical phase enhancement rate, nephrographic phase CT value, nephrographic phase net enhancement value, and nephrographic phase enhancement rate was 0.912, which was higher than the areas for any individual parameter used alone (0.770, 0.748, 0.763, 0.751, 0.739, and 0.718, respectively; P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence interval for the parameters used in combination were 96.88%, 69.23%, and 0.853-0.970, respectively. Conclusion CECT quantitative parameters were negatively correlated with pathological grades in patients with single ccRCC and demonstrated high diagnostic efficiency for pathological grading, providing a reference for clinical treatment planning.
4.Construction of Risk Prediction Model for Frequent Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Under Disease-syndrome Combination
Jing ZHOU ; Gang TENG ; Nianzhi ZHANG ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Qianqian ZHANG ; He HUANG ; Ling LIU ; Mei DONG ; Juan JI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):143-151
ObjectiveTo construct a risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) under disease-syndrome combination, thus providing decision support for precise clinical intervention. MethodsA total of 2 029 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to August 2024 were retrospectively included. These patients were classified into groups of frequent acute exacerbations (≥2 times/year) and infrequent acute exacerbations (<2 times/year) according to the hospitalization times per year. Risk factors were screened by LASSO regression combined with logistic regression, and a nomogram model was constructed. The model performance was assessed based on the area under the curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsThe differences in baseline characteristics between the frequent acute exacerbations group (1 196 cases) and infrequent acute exacerbations group (833 cases) were not statistically significant. LASSO regression combined with multivariate logistic regression screened the following independent risk factors: body mass index (BMI), hospitalization days, number of smoking years, place of residence, use of noninvasive ventilators, oxygen-demanding therapy, liver cirrhosis, use of systemic glucocorticosteroids, and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (phlegm and stasis obstructing the lung). The nomogram model showed good discrimination and calibration in both the training set (AUC=0.748) and validation set (AUC=0.774). ConclusionThe risk prediction model for frequent acute exacerbations of COPD, integrating traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, constructed in this study has high accuracy. It can provide a scientific basis for early clinical identification of high-risk patients and individualized intervention.
5.A prediction model for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women:information analysis based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database
Guangzheng LI ; Wei LI ; Bochun ZHANG ; Haoqin DING ; Zhongqi ZHOU ; Gang LI ; Xuezhen LIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):849-857
BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related systemic skeletal muscle disease,which is associated with a variety of adverse outcomes such as falls,functional decline,frailty,and death.Postmenopausal women are one of the high-risk groups for sarcopenia.OBJECTIVE:To develop a predictive model for assessing the risk of sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women based on high-quality database.METHODS:Data for this study were derived from 2 370 postmenopausal women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),and sarcopenia was assessed using the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019(AWGS2019)recommended metrics.The study cohort was randomized into a training set(70%)and a validation set(30%).Risk factors for sarcopenia in postmenopausal women were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator,ten-fold cross-validation,and logistic regression.Nomogram predicting the risk of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women was constructed based on the risk factors,and the model efficacy was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sarcopenia in this study was 23.50%and age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and the number of chronic diseases were selected as predictors of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.The nomogram model showed good discrimination between the training and validation sets,with an AUC value of 0.751(95%confidence interval=0.724-0.778,P<0.001),a specificity of 72.2%,and a sensitivity of 63.2%in the training set,and an AUC value of 0.763(95%confidence interval=0.721-0.805,P<0.001),with a specificity of 69.6%and a sensitivity of 70.8%.The calibration curve showed a relatively significant agreement between the nomogram model and the actual observations,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated broad and good clinical utility.To conclude,the nomogram to assess the risk of sarcopenia constructed based on age,place of residence,sleep quality,cognitive function,depression,and number of chronic diseases,provides an effective tool for identifying and eliminating risk factors for sarcopenia in Chinese postmenopausal women,and helps to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia.
6.Effects of Shujin Jiannao Formula (舒筋健脑方) on Neural Repair and PI3K-Akt-mTOR Pathway of Brain Tissue in Cerebral Palsy Model Rats
Ruiqin YU ; Yanjun MO ; Houjun ZHANG ; Gang LIU ; Zhuoluo ZHOU ; Zechen RUAN ; Lin XU ; Xiaohong MU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1038-1045
ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Shujin Jiannao Formula (舒筋健脑方) for cerebral palsy. MethodsThirty 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and Shujin Jiannao Formula group, with 10 rats in each group. The model group and Shujin Jiannao Formula group established a cerebral palsy model by the classic Rice-Vannucci method. After successful modeling, rats in Shujin Jiannao Formula group were given Shujin Jiannao Formula 16 g/(kg·d) by gavage, while the normal group and model group were given normal saline 10 ml/(kg·d) by gavage once a day. After one week of intervention, the rats' body weight was measured, and Zea-Longa scores, the righting reflex test, and the hindlimb suspension test were conducted for assessment; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in brain tissue, and the number of Nissl-positive neurons was counted; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure levels of inflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue, specifically interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression levels of neurofilament protein 200 (NF200) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in brain tissue; Western Blot analysis was conducted to determine the protein levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt/PKB/Rac), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group, rats in the model group showed significantly higher Zea-Longa scores and lower scores in the hindlimb suspension test (P<0.01); pathological findings revealed loose structure in the cerebral cortex, hippocampal atrophy, and neuronal damage in brain tissue. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α elevated, and the number of Nissl-stained positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region reduced, and immunofluorescence intensity of NF200 and MBP, as well as protein expression levels of PI3K and mTOR, significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in Shujin Jiannao Formula group showed decreased Zea-Longa scores and increased hindlimb suspension test scores (P<0.05); pathological damage in brain tissue alleviated, levels of IL-1β and TNF-α reduced, the number of Nissl-stained positive neurons in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region increased, and the immunofluorescence intensity of NF200 and MBP, as well as the protein levels of PI3K and mTOR, significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences among the groups in body weight, body-turning time, or AKT protein levels in brain tissue (P>0.05). ConclusionShujin Jiannao Formula can improve the neurological function of rats with cerebral palsy, exert neurorestorative effects, and its mechanism of action may be related to the reduction of inflammatory response in brain tissue and the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
7.Epidemiology and trends of major respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing in 2014-2023
Xiao HU ; Yanlin GAO ; Yunping SHI ; Yang LIU ; Chao WANG ; Ying ZHOU ; Wei LI ; Jiaze LI ; Gang LI
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(2):101-109
Objective To analyze the epidemiology and trends of measles,tuberculosis,pertussis,scarlet fever,influenza,mumps and rubella in Beijing between 2014 and 2023 in order to provide data for prevention and control of related diseases.Methods Data on the incidences of seven respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing between 2014 and 2023 was collected.Descriptive epidemiological methods were employed to analyze their demographic,temporal and spatial distribution.Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess temporal trends in incidence.Results A total of 1 406 777 cases of seven respiratory infectious diseases were reported in Beijing between 2014 and 2023,which corresponded to an average crude rate of 649.76/100 000 reported annually.The crude rate of incidencewas higher among females than among males,with the most vulnerable age groups being 0-4 years and 5-19 years,and was higher in the six districts than on the outskirts.Most of the respiratory infectious diseases peaked in winter and spring.The annual increase in the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing in this period averaged 27.27%,with no statistically significant differences in trends.The incidence rates of measles,tuberculosis,scarlet fever,mumps and rubella decreased significantly while those of pertussis and influenza increased,but with no statistically significant difference.Conclusion The overall incidence of major respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing is increasing.It is recommended that more people get vaccinated,surveillance of such diseases as pertussis and influenza be enhanced,and regional health resources be allocated more effectively,all of which will be critical to subsequent prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in Beijing.
8.Cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein inhibits oxidative stress through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Gang ZHOU ; Yunzhao LI ; Hui WU ; Di LIU ; Dong ZHANG ; Qingzhuo YANG ; Yanfang LIU ; Yi LI
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2025;34(1):40-46
Objective:To investigate the role and mechanisms of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP) in mediating oxidative stress induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats with body weight of 180-200 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=12 per group) using a random number table: sham operation group (sham group), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), virus control group (I/R+Ad-NC group), and cFLIPL-overexpressing group (I/R+Ad-cFLIPL group). A myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 3 h of reperfusion. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) in rats were evaluated via echocardiography, and a biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) levels to evaluate the extent of myocardial injury. The 2,3,5- triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method was used to detect the infarct area of the rat myocardium, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the morphology of the rat myocardial tissue. Commercial kits were used to measure the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to assess the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-positive cells in the myocardial tissue. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the protein expression of cFLIPL, Nrf2, and HO-1. Results:During MI/RI, compared with the sham group, the protein expression of cFLIPL was significantly decreased in the I/R group, and compared with the I/R+Ad-NC group, the protein expression of cFLIPL was significantly increased in the I/R+Ad-cFLIPL group (both P<0.05). Compared with sham group, the level of LDH, CK-MB, MDA, ROS-positive cell count, and myocardial infarct size were significantly increased, whereas the LVEF, LVFS, SOD, and GSH-px were significantly decreased in I/R group (all P<0.05). Compared to the I/R+Ad-NC group, the level of LDH, CK-MB, MDA, ROS-positive cell count, and myocardial infarct area were significantly decreased, whereas the LVEF, LVFS, SOD, and GSH-px were significantly increased in I/R+Ad-cFLIPL group (all P<0.05). Western blot revealed that compared with the sham group, the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in I/R group were significantly increased, and compared with the I/R+Ad-NC group, the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the I/R + Ad-cFLIPL group were significantly increased (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Overexpression of cFLIPL can alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) in rats by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.
9.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
10.Influencing factors and current status of heart failure in patients with unstable angina pectoris
Nan FENG ; Xing WU ; Qingrong ZHOU ; Jianfeng WANG ; Gang CHEN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(6):184-187
Objective To explore the current status and influencing factors of heart failure occurrence in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and to provide a scientific basis for developing individualized prevention and treatment strategies. Methods A total of 310 patients with UAP admitted to the Fifth People's Hospital from October 2021 to October 2024 were selected as study subjects. The current status of the patients' heart failure was statistically analyzed, and the patients were divided into heart failure group and non-heart failure group according to whether they had heart failure. Univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of heart failure in patients with UAP. Results Among the 310 patients with UAP, 63 cases had heart failure, with an incidence rate of 20.32%. After logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, number of coronary artery lesions, homocysteine and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels were risk factors of heart failure in patients with UAP, and hemoglobin level was a protective factor (OR: 2.010, 95%CI: 1.063-3.800; OR: 4.495, 95%CI: 2.228-9.067; OR: 2.408, 95%CI: 1.256-4.617; OR: 3.655, 95%CI: 1.812-7.372; OR: 4.693, 95%CI: 2.622-8.399; OR: 0.359, 95%CI: 0.205-0.628, P<0.05). Conclusion The coronary heart disease risk of heart failure is high in patients with UAP, and is affected by comorbidities, number of coronary artery lesions, homocysteine, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels. It is necessary to perform clinical screening and pay attention to such patients, and take active prevention and control interventions.


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