1.Evaluation of the Histological Staining Performance of Rat Eyeball Sections Prepared Using a Self-Developed Fixative
Xiaohang TANG ; Yingmin GU ; Yangyang LÜ ; Mingshu HUANG ; Xuesong TIAN
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(2):261-270
ObjectiveTo compare the histological staining performance of four various tissue fixatives, including a self-developed fixative, for preparing paraffin sections of rat eyeball tissue. MethodsTwenty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5 per group). After anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of Zoletil™ 50 at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight, the rats were euthanized by exsanguination via the abdominal aorta. Bilateral eyeballs were carefully extracted intact and fixed for 72 h in 10% formaldehyde fixative, glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde mixed fixative, Davidson's fixative, and self-developed fixative, respectively. After fixation, the eyeballs were longitudinally sectioned along the optic nerve, with the portions containing the optic nerve preserved. The tissues were then dehydrated, embedded, and sectioned. Following hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, histological staining quality was compared among ocular structures including the cornea, lens, and retina. ResultsThe overall appearance of rat eyeballs showed marked shrinkage in the 10% formaldehyde group and the glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde group, whereas the eye morphology remained round and intact in the modified Davidson's fixative group and self-developed fixative group. The corneal stroma exhibited obvious rupture, and the cells were arranged in folded arrangement in the modified Davidson's fixative group, 10% formaldehyde group, and self-developed fixative group. In contrast, the corneal cells in the glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde group were neatly arranged, showing no rupture or folding, and exhibited clear staining, indicating the highest quality of corneal sectioning among all groups. In the 10% formaldehyde group, cracks were observed in the equatorial and cortical regions of the lens, but the lens fiber structure remained intact. The lenses in the modified Davidson's fixative group showed extensive rupture and detachment. The glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde group displayed only slight cracks at the equator. In the self-developed fixative group, mild red folding was limited to the peripheral lens region, with the remaining structures intact and unbroken. These findings indicated that the glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde and self-developed fixative groups achieved the best lens sectioning quality. The retina was severely detached from the choroid/sclera layer, with extensive rupture of each cellular layer in the 10% formaldehyde fixative group. In the glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde group, partial detachment between the retina and choroid/sclera was observed. The outer plexiform layer and nerve fiber layer showed separation with edema, while the cells in all layers were neatly arranged. In both the Davidson's fixative and the self-developed fixative groups, the retina remained intact without rupture, and no structural separation was observed in any layer. Both demonstrated advantages in preserving the integrity and orderly arrangement of all retinal layers; however, the self-developed fixative group exhibited greater contrast. ConclusionThe choice of fixative significantly affects the morphological preservation of various structures in the rat eye. The self-developed fixative demonstrates the best overall performance in maintaining overall eye morphology, the structural integrity of the lens, and retinal adhesion. For studies focusing solely on the corneal structure, the glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde mixed fixative is recommended. The 10% formaldehyde fixative exhibits unsatisfactory fixation effects for all the aforementioned ocular structures and is not recommended for detailed morphological studies of eyeball tissues.
2.Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for Wilson disease
Yumei GU ; Yeqing HUANG ; Bei ZHANG ; Aiqun LIU ; Zhongxing PENG ; Mingfan HONG ; Zhihua ZHOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):529-534
Wilson disease (WD) is one of the few treatable neurogenetic disorders. Currently, Western medicine remains the main treatment method for WD, while since the 1990s, multiple studies conducted by Professor Yang Renmin and his team have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also has a favorable therapeutic effect. Based on the principle of low-copper diet for WD, this article systematically elaborates on the advantages, limitations, and key considerations of current Western medicine therapies (pharmacotherapy, liver transplantation, and splenectomy) and reviews the research findings of TCM in China, especially the wide application of Gandou Decoction in clinical practice. Studies have shown that Gandou Decoction can effectively improve neurological symptoms, protect hepatic and renal function, and avoid the adverse drug reactions associated with metal chelating agents, and therefore, it can be used an effective long-term adjuvant therapy for WD. It should be noted that symptoms and signs should be considered in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for WD, and high-copper TCM drugs should be avoided to prevent deterioration.
3.Mechanistic study on ITGA6 regulation of abdominal wall endometriosis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Rong GU ; Hailiang HUANG ; Xinrui WANG ; Hanlu LI ; Kaijiang LIU ; Ying ZHU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):67-74
ObjectiveTo investigate the differential expression of integrin alpha-6(ITGA6) in abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) tissues and its molecular mechanisms in regulating AWE. Methods36 AWE lesions were designated as the experimental group, while 36 cases of normal endometrial tissues served as the controls. Differential expression of ITGA6 between the two groups was assessed through immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Human ITGA6 gene-specific interference sequences were designed, synthesized, and packaged into lentiviral vectors to establish the Ishikawa cell line with ITGA6-knockdown. Similarly, the ITGA6-overexpression cell line was constructed using the coding sequence (CDS) of the gene. Real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related markers and angiogenesis-related indicators. Cell invasion and migration capabilities were assessed by Cell Scratch and Transwell assays. Furthermore, Western blot was conducted to profile PI3K/AKT pathway dynamics. ResultsEctopic endometrial tissues exhibited a marked increase in the number of ITGA6-positive cells and their expression intensity compared to eutopic endometrium (each P < 0.001). Compared with the NC group, the ITGA6-knockdown group showed significantly reduced expression of N-cadherin, VEGF, and TGF-β1 (all P < 0.01), while E-cadherin expression was markedly increased (P < 0.01). Concomitantly, the invasion and migration capacities of ITGA6-low expression were significantly impaired (P < 0.001 for both), accompanied by a marked reduction in AKT and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT) levels (P < 0.001). Conversely, overexpressing ITGA6 resulted in opposite effects. ConclusionITGA6 modulates EMT and angiogenesis in Ishikawa cells via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby enhancing cell invasion and migration capabilities, which contributes to the pathogenesis of AWE.
4.Construction and validation of a medication deviation prediction model for hospital-to-home transition period in coronary heart disease patients with initial treatment
Yushuang LI ; Shu LI ; Qianying ZHANG ; Yan HUANG ; Kun LIU ; Xiulin GU ; Huanhuan JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):491-496
OBJECTIVE To develope a predictive model for medication deviation risks during the hospital-to-home transition period in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with initial treatment, aiming to assist medical staff in rapidly identifying high-risk groups for medication deviation. METHODS A total of 462 CHD patients with initial treatment from the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “our hospital”) between January and July 2024 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into a modeling group and an internal validation group. The modeling group was further categorized into a medication deviation group and a non-medication deviation group based on whether medication deviations occurred. Similarly, 57 CHD patients with initial treatment from the cardiology department of our hospital between June and September 2025 were collected as an external validation group. Univariate analysis was used to screen predictive factors, followed by multivariate Logistic regression to construct the predictive model. Internal validation methods were employed to evaluate model performance, while external validation methods were used to test the model’s generalizability. RESULTS The 462 patients were divided into a modeling group (319 cases) and an internal validation group (143 cases). In the modeling group, the medication deviation group (192 cases, 60.19%) and the non-medication deviation group (127 cases, 39.81%) were identified. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, medication type, medication adherence, and self-efficacy in rational medication use were predictive factors for medication deviations in CHD patients with initial treatment ( P <0.05). The predictive model equation was logit P =ln[ P /(1- P ) ] =1.321+1.732×age+4.091×medication type -4.360×medication adherence -3.081×self-efficacy in rational medication use. The model demonstrated good discrimination, with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test P -value of 0.439, an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.870, sensitivity of 0.970, and specificity of 0.607. A risk nomogram with a total score of 350 points and a cutoff value of 110 points was plotted. The internal validation group showed an AUC o f 0.787 and a prediction accuracy of 77.6%, while the external validation group exhibited an AUC of 0.802 and a prediction accuracy of 73.7%. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully developed a predictive model for medication deviation risks during the hospital-to-home transition period in CHD patients with initial treatment. The model demonstrates excellent discrimination and predictive accuracy, effectively identifying high-risk populations for medication deviations. Age (>70 years), number of drug types≥5, poor medication adherence, and poor self-efficacy in rational medication use are independent risk factors for medication deviations.
5.Introduction and enlightenment of the Recommendations and Expert Consensus for Plasma and Platelet Transfusion Strategies in Critically Ill Children Following Severe Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or Intracranial Hemorrhage: From the Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding
Zhenzhen JIANG ; Rong GUI ; Rong HUANG ; Junhua ZHANG ; Jiaohui ZENG ; Hao TANG ; Zhi LIN ; Dan WAN ; Mingyi ZHAO ; Minghua YANG ; Lan GU ; Haiting LIU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(2):285-293
Transfusion and Anemia Expertise Initiative-Control/Avoidance of Bleeding developed a strategy for platelet and plasma infusion management in critically ill children based on systematic reviews and consensus meetings of international multidisciplinary experts. One good practice statement and six expert consensus statements were proposed for plasma and platelet transfusions in critically ill children following severe trauma, traumatic brain injury, and/or intracranial hemorrhage. This article introduces the specific methods and basis for the formation of recommendations in this part of the guide.
6.Related factors and pathway analysis of e-cigarette use behavior among primary and secondary school students in Pudong New Area,Shanghai
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(6):795-798
Objective:
To examine the prevalence of e-cigarette use and associated factors among primary and secondary school students in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, and to explore the pathways linking harm perception of e-cigarettes, interpersonal social influence, and attitudes toward e-cigarette use with experimentation behavior, in order to provide scientific basis for further optimizing the prevention and control strategies of e-cigarette among adolescents.
Methods:
From September to October 2025, a multi stage cluster random sampling method was used to select 5 144 primary and secondary school students aged 8-19 years from 47 primary and secondary schools in Pudong New Area, Shanghai, to conduct an anonymous questionnaire survey. The questionnaire collected information on e-cigarette use, harm perception of e-cigarette, interpersonal social influence, and attitudes toward e-cigarette use. The Chi-square test was applied to analyze the differences in cigarette and e-cigarette use behavior among primary and secondary school students with different demographic characteristics. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was constructed using Mplus 8.3 software, and the bootstrap method was utilized to test the mediating effects.
Results:
The reported rates of cigarette experimentation, e-cigarette experimentation, and current e-cigarette use among primary and secondary school students were 1.85%, 2.10%, and 0.70%, respectively. Higher reporting rates of e-cigarette experimentation were observed among boys (2.82%), secondary school students aged 16-19 (3.39%), senior high school students (3.05%), and those with weekly pocket money >100 yuan ( 6.11% ) ( χ 2=11.67, 8.61, 8.00, 54.18, all P <0.05). Structural pathway analysis results demonstrated that e-cigarette harm perception positively predicted interpersonal social influence ( β =0.61) and e-cigarette use attitude ( β = 0.53 ), and interpersonal social influence ( β =0.65) and e-cigarette use attitude ( β =0.25) further promoted e-cigarette experimentation behavior among primary and secondary school students (all P <0.01), with interpersonal social influence playing a major mediating role (indirect effect=0.40).
Conclusions
E-cigarette experimentation behavior among primary and secondary school students in Pudong New Area is jointly influenced by multiple psychosocial factors. Intervention strategies should strengthen interpersonal social factors such as family and peers on the basis of health education, thereby constructing a comprehensive prevention and control strategy for e-cigarette use among primary and secondary school students.
7.Comparison of Postoperative Shivering Incidence and Associated Factors in Female Patients Undergoing Gynecological or General Surgery
Xuanwei HUANG ; Qingling GU ; Fang YE ; Zhanxin DU ; Zhongxing WANG ; Faling XUE
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):913-922
ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of postoperative shivering between female patients undergoing gynecological and general surgery and to examine perioperative factors associated with postoperative shivering. MethodsThis retrospective study included 12 186 patients who underwent gynecological or general surgery between January 1, 2022, and March 15, 2024, of whom 10 884 female patients constituted the primary analysis population. Among the female patients, 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was performed using a caliper of 0.02 on the raw propensity score scale, with exact matching on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status. After matching, the incidence of postoperative shivering was compared using the McNemar test. Conditional logistic regression stratified by matched pair was used to assess the associations of surgical categories and perioperative factors with postoperative shivering. ResultsBefore propensity score matching, the incidences of postoperative shivering were 2.98% (28/940) in the general surgery group and 4.94% (491/9 944) in the gynecological surgery group (P=0.007). After matching, 881 matched pairs were obtained, and the absolute standardized mean differences (SMDs) for all covariates were < 0.10. The incidences of postoperative shivering were 3.06% (27/881) in the general surgery group and 4.99% (44/881) in the gynecological surgery group. The McNemar test without continuity correction yielded P=0.044, whereas the exact McNemar test showed a P value of 0.057. Unifactorial conditional logistic regression showed that gynecological surgery was associated with higher odds of postoperative shivering than general surgery [odds ratio (OR)=1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.63, P=0.046]. However, the association was not statistically significant in the multifactorial conditional logistic regression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.62, 95%CI: 0.78-3.37, P=0.197]. Each 30-min increase in the duration of surgery was associated with 32% higher odds of postoperative shivering (aOR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.07-1.62, P=0.009). Each 1 °C increase in the minimum intraoperative body temperature was associated with lower odds of postoperative shivering, although the association did not reach statistical significance (aOR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.10-1.02, P=0.053). ConclusionAfter propensity score matching, the incidence of postoperative shivering was higher among female patients undergoing gynecological surgery than among those undergoing general surgery; however, neither the exact comparison nor the adjusted association reached statistical significance. A longer duration of surgery was associated with higher odds of postoperative shivering, whereas a higher minimum intraoperative body temperature may be associated with lower odds.
8.Comparison of Postoperative Shivering Incidence and Associated Factors in Female Patients Undergoing Gynecological or General Surgery
Xuanwei HUANG ; Qingling GU ; Fang YE ; Zhanxin DU ; Zhongxing WANG ; Faling XUE
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(5):913-922
ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of postoperative shivering between female patients undergoing gynecological and general surgery and to examine perioperative factors associated with postoperative shivering. MethodsThis retrospective study included 12 186 patients who underwent gynecological or general surgery between January 1, 2022, and March 15, 2024, of whom 10 884 female patients constituted the primary analysis population. Among the female patients, 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was performed using a caliper of 0.02 on the raw propensity score scale, with exact matching on American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status. After matching, the incidence of postoperative shivering was compared using the McNemar test. Conditional logistic regression stratified by matched pair was used to assess the associations of surgical categories and perioperative factors with postoperative shivering. ResultsBefore propensity score matching, the incidences of postoperative shivering were 2.98% (28/940) in the general surgery group and 4.94% (491/9 944) in the gynecological surgery group (P=0.007). After matching, 881 matched pairs were obtained, and the absolute standardized mean differences (SMDs) for all covariates were < 0.10. The incidences of postoperative shivering were 3.06% (27/881) in the general surgery group and 4.99% (44/881) in the gynecological surgery group. The McNemar test without continuity correction yielded P=0.044, whereas the exact McNemar test showed a P value of 0.057. Unifactorial conditional logistic regression showed that gynecological surgery was associated with higher odds of postoperative shivering than general surgery [odds ratio (OR)=1.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.63, P=0.046]. However, the association was not statistically significant in the multifactorial conditional logistic regression [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.62, 95%CI: 0.78-3.37, P=0.197]. Each 30-min increase in the duration of surgery was associated with 32% higher odds of postoperative shivering (aOR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.07-1.62, P=0.009). Each 1 °C increase in the minimum intraoperative body temperature was associated with lower odds of postoperative shivering, although the association did not reach statistical significance (aOR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.10-1.02, P=0.053). ConclusionAfter propensity score matching, the incidence of postoperative shivering was higher among female patients undergoing gynecological surgery than among those undergoing general surgery; however, neither the exact comparison nor the adjusted association reached statistical significance. A longer duration of surgery was associated with higher odds of postoperative shivering, whereas a higher minimum intraoperative body temperature may be associated with lower odds.
9.Development and Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence-Driven Full-Link Teaching Model for Clinical Diagnostic Thinking
Yinru CHEN ; Zijin CHEN ; Feiyue HUANG ; Zhenye GONG ; Qian GU ; Weiqiong GU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(5):1242-1249
To retrospectively summarize the clinical teaching application of our team's self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) full-chain clinical diagnostic reasoning training teaching agent, observe the differences in teaching outcomes among medical students under different teaching models, and preliminarily analyze the application trends and potential value of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management mechanism in AI-assisted clinical teaching, so as to provide reference practical data and experiential insights for the optimization and improvement of "AI + clinical medical teaching". This study was a retrospective observational study that enrolled clinical medicine students who had completed the Fundamentals of Diagnostics course at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2024 to September 2025 as the study subjects. Based on the established teaching reform implementation plan, the participants were divided into three groups: traditional teaching group (Group A), blended AI teaching group (Group B), and PDCA cycle-optimized blended AI teaching group (Group C). The three groups maintained essential consistency in teaching syllabi, core content, and total class hours (32 credit hours). Group A received conventional lecture-based classroom instruction and ward-based small-group mentoring. Group B received traditional teaching plus AI-assisted instruction using the AI full-chain clinical diagnostic reasoning training system, but without implementing PDCA management. Group C received traditional teaching plus AI-assisted instruction with PDCA management, i.e., a full-cycle teaching quality management closed-loop system based on conventional teaching and AI training. Baseline assessment data before the course, final theoretical examination scores in Basic Diagnostics, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) clinical skills assessment data after course completion were collected across the three groups to compare the differences in teaching effectiveness among different teaching models. A total of 180 clinical medicine students were enrolled, with 60 students in each of Groups A, B, and C. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups in baseline data, including age, gender, previous grade point average, pre-internship diagnostic theory test scores, and doctor-patient communication assessment scores (all Compared with the traditional teaching model, the teaching protocol incorporating our self-developed AI full-chain teaching tool, combined with the PDCA closed-loop management composite teaching model, may help improve medical students' practical abilities in clinical diagnostic reasoning, without exerting negative interference on their mastery of theoretical knowledge. The teaching format integrating AI empowerment with PDCA closed-loop optimization may have potential effects in enhancing the stability and homogenization level of clinical teaching outcomes. It may serve as an optional improvement strategy for clinical diagnostic reasoning teaching. However, its long-term effectiveness and broader applicability still require further validation.
10.Associations between neighborhood built environment and blood pressure levels among residents and joint exposure profiles of built environment factors
Huiqin WANG ; Kangkang GU ; Peihong LI ; Haoliang WANG ; Yucheng HUANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(9):1123-1131
Background Chronic non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, have become major threats to urban public health. The built environment has been linked to blood pressure. Objective To examine joint exposure patterns of built environment factors in relation to residents' blood pressure status and to identify environmental profiles of neighborhoods that may be favorable or unfavorable to hypertension prevention. Methods (1) A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1910 residents in Longzihu District, Bengbu City. Demographic characteristics, clinical indicators (including blood pressure), and lifestyle behavioral data were collected. Nine built environment indicators were derived within a 500-meter buffer zone surrounding each participant's residential address. (2) Using elevated blood pressure status as a binary outcome (all residents) and grade of elevated blood pressure as an ordinal multi-class outcome (residents with elevated blood pressure), the predictive performance of four binary classification models and nine multi-class classification models was compared, respectively. Feature importance was ranked based on the best-performing model. Multi-variable logistic regression with stepwise adjustment was then used to identify key environmental factors. (3) Using partial dependence plots, a joint exposure analysis was conducted in the target population of residents with elevated blood pressure (high-normal blood pressure and hypertension grades 1–3), with the 25th and 75th percentiles of key environmental factors as the low- and high-level thresholds, respectively. The 95% confidence intervals were estimated using the Bootstrap method. Results (1) Among the study participants, 863 had elevated blood pressure: 349 (40.4%) had high-normal blood pressure, and 398 (46.1%), 93 (10.8%), and 23 (2.7%) had hypertension grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. (2) Logistic regression showed the best performance in analyzing the association between built environment factors and elevated blood pressure status (n=1910), whereas random forest showed the best performance in analyzing the association between built environment factors and grade of elevated blood pressure (n=863). Road density, bus stop density, and hospital/clinic density were key environmental factors. (3) Pairwise joint exposure patterns were observed among the three key environmental factors: When any two were both below the low-level thresholds (road ≤0.54 km·km−2, bus stop ≤0.51 points·km−2, hospital ≤5.99 points·km−2), the risk of a higher grade of elevated blood pressure was greater than the overall sample average (relative predicted odds 1.29–1.31, 95% confidence interval lower bound >1); when any two were both above the high-level thresholds (road ≥0.75 km·km−2, bus stop ≥1.25 points·km−2, hospital ≥15.00 points·km−2), the risk was lower than the overall sample average (relative predicted odds 0.54–0.61, 95% confidence interval upper bound <1); low-high and high-low combinations did not differ significantly from the overall sample average (P > 0.05). Conclusion Joint exposure profiles characterized by road density, bus stop density, and hospital/clinic density are associated with elevated blood pressure among residents: Simultaneously low levels of any two of these environmental indicators are associated with a higher predicted risk of a more severe grade, whereas simultaneously high levels are associated with a lower predicted risk. These findings suggest that coordinated configurations of road networks, public transit accessibility, and medical service facilities may represent important environmental feature of neighborhoods favorable to hypertension prevention and control.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail