1.Electroacupuncture Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Rats by Suppressing the cGAS–STING Pathway
Baobao MA ; Shiwen FAN ; Jiaojiao DENG ; Kaihua WEI ; Yan LI ; Jiangwen YIN ; Liping XIE
Experimental Neurobiology 2026;35(1):42-55
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a clinically significant complication in elderly patients, largely driven by surgery-induced neuroinflammation. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a crucial regulator of innate immunity, has been implicated in neuroinflammatory activation. This study investigated whether electroacupuncture (EA) improves POCD by modulating this pathway in aged rats. Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sevoflurane anesthesia and splenectomy to establish a POCD model. Animals were divided into sham, POCD, POCD+EA, and POCD+EA+cGAS inhibitor groups. The EA groups received stimulation at Baihui (Governor Vessel 20 (GV20)), Neiguan (Pericardium 6 (PC6)), and Zusanli (Stomach 36 (ST36)) acupoints. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze, while hippocampal expression of cGAS-STING pathway components and downstream effectors—interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)—was assessed by Western blot. Cellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Compared with the Sham group, rats in the POCD group showed significant impairments in spatial memory, accompanied by upregulated protein expression of cGAS, STING, NF-κB, IRF3, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Upon pathway activation, cGAS and STING proteins were predominantly co-localized with neurons, and their fluorescence intensity in the hippocampus was markedly increased. These behavioral deficits and molecular alterations were partially reversed in both the POCD+EA and POCD+EA+inhibitor groups. Electroacupuncture alleviates POCD in aged rats by inhibiting hippocampal cGAS-STING pathway activation and reducing neuroinflammation, suggesting a promising non-pharmacological strategy for POCD management.
2.Preliminary application of MRI image fusion technology in guiding percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia
Tao AN ; Weiguo XU ; Kaihua WU ; Yong WANG ; Jianwen HUANG ; Changchun LIAO ; Kaijun LI ; Na RUAN
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(10):1099-1104
Objective To discuss the technical advantages of MRI image fusion technology in guiding percutaneous balloon compression(PBC)for trigeminal neuralgia(TN).Methods The clinical data of 13 patients with TN,who received MRI image fusion technology-guided PBC from November 2022 to July 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The MRI images of the trigeminal nerve obtained one week before surgery were fused with the intraoperative DynaCT images of the skull base so as to simultaneously display the Meckel s cave and foramen ovale,and under the 3-D view the optimal puncture path was determined.The needle was positioned at the entry point of the skin,than the skin was cut open with a sharp surgical blade and the needle was inserted to the foramen ovale area to a predetermined depth.Lateral skull base fluoroscopy and DynaCT scan were used to check that the puncture needle tip was placed into the foramen ovale.Than the puncture needle was replaced by a fine guiding-needle and it was pushed into the Meckel's cave.Under the dual guidance of lateral fluoroscopy and fusion image,the balloon was push forward and was filled with iodine contrast media to compress the trigeminal ganglion within the Meckel's cave.After completion of the treatment,the balloon and puncture needle were removed and manual oppression was applied on the face to achieve hemostasis.Results Immediately after PBC,the pain was relieved in all patients.No permanent or serious complications occurred.One patient had a relapse 3 months after PBC and a second PBC procedure had to be carried out.No obvious pain recurrence was observed in the remaining patients during follow-up period.During the surgery,the mean number of foramen ovale puncturing was(1.31±0.46)times,the mean X-ray exposure time was(8.64±5.66)min,and the mean cumulative dose of X-ray was(570.29±257.15)mGy.After PBC,12 patients(92.31%)developed facial numbness and one patient(7.69%)developed facial pain,all of which were healed after treatment.Conclusion MRI image fusion technology can improve the visualization and accuracy of PBC procedure.It can also reduce the number of puncturing,decrease the radiation exposure dose,and improve the surgical ability of young doctors.Therefore,MRI image fusion technology should be further developed and applied in clinical practice.
3.Advances in research on the application of Lactobacillus and its engineered probiotics to the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced intestinal injury
Xiaoxiao JIA ; Kaihua JI ; Manman ZHANG ; Yingshuang LIU ; Jianguo LI ; Qiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(10):1015-1024
Intestinal radiosensitivity makes radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) as a common complication among individuals exposed to accidental radiation and patients with abdominal or pelvic malignancies receiving radiotherapy. At present, there are no effective measures for the prevention and treatment of RIII. Developing novel prevention and treatment strategies is of great significance for improving the prognosis and quality of life for both individuals exposed to accidental radiation and cancer patients. Lactobacillus, a Gram-positive bacterium, is widely observed in humans and animals. It exhibits notable probiotic functions, including maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, preserving intestinal barrier, and modulating immune responses. Substantial studies have demonstrated that Lactobacillus has remarkable protective and therapeutic effects against radiation-induced injury, specifically significantly alleviating RIII. These probiotic functions of Lactobacillus make it have high priority to become the chassis of genetically engineered strains. However, multiple factors influence the construction of a genetically engineered strain, limiting the application of Lactobacillus as a chassis. This review focuses on the probiotic functions of Lactobacillus, highlighting advances in research on Lactobacillus and its engineered probiotics in radiation protection and treatment. Furthermore, it summarizes key factors influencing the construction of genetically engineered strains based on the Lactobacillus chassis. It aims to provide insights for developing genetically engineered strains with radioprotective and therapeutic effects using Lactobacillus as the chassis.
4.Impact of stratified diabetes glycemic control status on shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rota-tor cuff repair surgery
Kaihua LIU ; Wenhui ZHANG ; Yichun XU ; Ping LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(8):1167-1174
Objective To investigate the impact of diabetes stratification on the recovery of shoulder joint function following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Methods Between January 2020 and April 2024,a total of 216 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our hospital were enrolled in this study.According to preoperative blood glucose control status,the patients were categorized into four groups:Group A(non-diabetic patients),Group B(diabetic patients with well-controlled blood glucose),Group C(diabetic patients with mild dysglycemia),and Group D(diabetic patients with severe dysglycemia).All participants received standardized arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery and followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol.We assessed inflammatory factor levels,shoulder joint range of motion,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)pain scores,and Constant-Murley scores both preoperatively and at 1,2,3,and 6 months post-surgery.Furthermore,we examined rotator cuff thickness,axillary pouch width,and complication rates at the 6-month follow-up.A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify factors influencing shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Results At 1,3,and 6 months post-surgery,the levels of ESR(erythrocyte sedimentation rate)and CRP(C-reactive protein)in Groups A,B,C,and D exhibited a gradual increase(P<0.05).Simultaneously,the shoulder joint flexion,abduction,external rotation,internal rotation,and extension angles in all groups dem-onstrated a gradual decrease(P<0.05).The VAS pain scores in Group D were significantly higher at 1,3,and 6 months compared to Groups A,B,and C(P<0.05),while the Constant-Murley scores in Group D were signifi-cantly lower than those in Groups A,B,and C(P<0.05).No significant differences in VAS or Constant-Murley scores were observed between Groups A,B,and C(P>0.05).The rotator cuff thickness and axillary pouch width in Group D were significantly greater than those in Groups A and B(P<0.05).Furthermore,the incidence of superficial incision infection in Group D was significantly higher than that in Group A(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age,HbA1c levels,and complete tear were risk factors for impaired shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair(P<0.05),whereas early repair served as a protective factor(P<0.05).Conclusion Poor blood glucose control in diabetic patients markedly compromises shoulder joint function and structural recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,leading to more severe postoperative pain,a higher incidence of incision infections,and a delayed resolution of the inflammatory response.
5.Design and Development of Diagnosis Related Group(DRG)
Kaihua GAO ; Lü XUAN ; Yu HOU ; Jie LUO ; Ming LU ; Qinghong LI ; Hongquan YANG ; Xianchen MENG ; Xiaowei ZHU ; Mu HU ; Jing YANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(4):46-49
In July 2024,the Diagnosis Related Groups(DRG)2.0 is released based on the Notice from the National Healthcare Security Administration on Issuing the DRG 2.0 and Deepening the Relevant Work.Compared with DRG 1.1,version 2.0 was established based on a wider range of suggestions regarding the Adjacent Diagnosis Related Groups(ADRG),Major Comorbidity or Complication(MCC),and Comorbidity or Complication(CC)from various institutions.A list of disease diagnoses and surgical operations that are not used as grouping rules was compiled,and grouping efficacy was further improved by upgrading the algorithms for MCC and CC with the help of AI.Meanwhile,it is necessary to pay more attention to the number of cases of ADRG,the better methods to list the MCC/CC,the suggestions of various doctors and continuously standardize the data and update the grouping scheme of DRG.
6.Advances in research on the application of Lactobacillus and its engineered probiotics to the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced intestinal injury
Xiaoxiao JIA ; Kaihua JI ; Manman ZHANG ; Yingshuang LIU ; Jianguo LI ; Qiang LIU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(10):1015-1024
Intestinal radiosensitivity makes radiation-induced intestinal injury (RIII) as a common complication among individuals exposed to accidental radiation and patients with abdominal or pelvic malignancies receiving radiotherapy. At present, there are no effective measures for the prevention and treatment of RIII. Developing novel prevention and treatment strategies is of great significance for improving the prognosis and quality of life for both individuals exposed to accidental radiation and cancer patients. Lactobacillus, a Gram-positive bacterium, is widely observed in humans and animals. It exhibits notable probiotic functions, including maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, preserving intestinal barrier, and modulating immune responses. Substantial studies have demonstrated that Lactobacillus has remarkable protective and therapeutic effects against radiation-induced injury, specifically significantly alleviating RIII. These probiotic functions of Lactobacillus make it have high priority to become the chassis of genetically engineered strains. However, multiple factors influence the construction of a genetically engineered strain, limiting the application of Lactobacillus as a chassis. This review focuses on the probiotic functions of Lactobacillus, highlighting advances in research on Lactobacillus and its engineered probiotics in radiation protection and treatment. Furthermore, it summarizes key factors influencing the construction of genetically engineered strains based on the Lactobacillus chassis. It aims to provide insights for developing genetically engineered strains with radioprotective and therapeutic effects using Lactobacillus as the chassis.
7.Impact of stratified diabetes glycemic control status on shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rota-tor cuff repair surgery
Kaihua LIU ; Wenhui ZHANG ; Yichun XU ; Ping LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(8):1167-1174
Objective To investigate the impact of diabetes stratification on the recovery of shoulder joint function following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Methods Between January 2020 and April 2024,a total of 216 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our hospital were enrolled in this study.According to preoperative blood glucose control status,the patients were categorized into four groups:Group A(non-diabetic patients),Group B(diabetic patients with well-controlled blood glucose),Group C(diabetic patients with mild dysglycemia),and Group D(diabetic patients with severe dysglycemia).All participants received standardized arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery and followed the same postoperative rehabilitation protocol.We assessed inflammatory factor levels,shoulder joint range of motion,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)pain scores,and Constant-Murley scores both preoperatively and at 1,2,3,and 6 months post-surgery.Furthermore,we examined rotator cuff thickness,axillary pouch width,and complication rates at the 6-month follow-up.A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify factors influencing shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Results At 1,3,and 6 months post-surgery,the levels of ESR(erythrocyte sedimentation rate)and CRP(C-reactive protein)in Groups A,B,C,and D exhibited a gradual increase(P<0.05).Simultaneously,the shoulder joint flexion,abduction,external rotation,internal rotation,and extension angles in all groups dem-onstrated a gradual decrease(P<0.05).The VAS pain scores in Group D were significantly higher at 1,3,and 6 months compared to Groups A,B,and C(P<0.05),while the Constant-Murley scores in Group D were signifi-cantly lower than those in Groups A,B,and C(P<0.05).No significant differences in VAS or Constant-Murley scores were observed between Groups A,B,and C(P>0.05).The rotator cuff thickness and axillary pouch width in Group D were significantly greater than those in Groups A and B(P<0.05).Furthermore,the incidence of superficial incision infection in Group D was significantly higher than that in Group A(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age,HbA1c levels,and complete tear were risk factors for impaired shoulder function recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair(P<0.05),whereas early repair served as a protective factor(P<0.05).Conclusion Poor blood glucose control in diabetic patients markedly compromises shoulder joint function and structural recovery after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair,leading to more severe postoperative pain,a higher incidence of incision infections,and a delayed resolution of the inflammatory response.
8.Design and Development of Diagnosis Related Group(DRG)
Kaihua GAO ; Lü XUAN ; Yu HOU ; Jie LUO ; Ming LU ; Qinghong LI ; Hongquan YANG ; Xianchen MENG ; Xiaowei ZHU ; Mu HU ; Jing YANG
Chinese Health Economics 2025;44(4):46-49
In July 2024,the Diagnosis Related Groups(DRG)2.0 is released based on the Notice from the National Healthcare Security Administration on Issuing the DRG 2.0 and Deepening the Relevant Work.Compared with DRG 1.1,version 2.0 was established based on a wider range of suggestions regarding the Adjacent Diagnosis Related Groups(ADRG),Major Comorbidity or Complication(MCC),and Comorbidity or Complication(CC)from various institutions.A list of disease diagnoses and surgical operations that are not used as grouping rules was compiled,and grouping efficacy was further improved by upgrading the algorithms for MCC and CC with the help of AI.Meanwhile,it is necessary to pay more attention to the number of cases of ADRG,the better methods to list the MCC/CC,the suggestions of various doctors and continuously standardize the data and update the grouping scheme of DRG.
9.Self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy in children with periventricular white matter injury
Tingting HUANG ; Zhuochen WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Kaihua YANG ; Hanyu ZHANG ; Man LI ; Wei XING ; Gang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):723-728
Objective To observe the efficacy of self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy(CP)in children with periventricular white matter injury(PVWMI).Methods Totally 383 children with PVWMI were retrospectively enrolled and divided into CP group(n=243)and non-CP group(n=140),while 214 children without obvious brain abnormality on brain MRI were taken as control group.ROI of 4 key anatomical structures related to CP,i.e.centrum semiovale,posterior limb of internal capsule,cerebral peduncle and thalamus were delineated on T1WI,while responsible lesions related to CP within the key anatomical structures were labeled on T2WI,and the images were then registrated and used as input of the networks.ResNet34 network was adopted combined with attention and self-guided networks to train the network for detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI,and their efficacies were evaluated.The optimal network was screened,and its efficacy for segmenting the key anatomical structures was evaluated.Results Self-guided attention network was the optimal network,its area under the curve(AUC)for detecting lesions was 0.794-0.914,and the Dice similarity coefficient for segmenting the key anatomical structures was 0.702-0.764.Conclusion Self-guided attention network could be used for preliminarily detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI.
10.Self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy in children with periventricular white matter injury
Tingting HUANG ; Zhuochen WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Kaihua YANG ; Hanyu ZHANG ; Man LI ; Wei XING ; Gang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):723-728
Objective To observe the efficacy of self-guided attention network for detecting responsible lesions related to cerebral palsy(CP)in children with periventricular white matter injury(PVWMI).Methods Totally 383 children with PVWMI were retrospectively enrolled and divided into CP group(n=243)and non-CP group(n=140),while 214 children without obvious brain abnormality on brain MRI were taken as control group.ROI of 4 key anatomical structures related to CP,i.e.centrum semiovale,posterior limb of internal capsule,cerebral peduncle and thalamus were delineated on T1WI,while responsible lesions related to CP within the key anatomical structures were labeled on T2WI,and the images were then registrated and used as input of the networks.ResNet34 network was adopted combined with attention and self-guided networks to train the network for detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI,and their efficacies were evaluated.The optimal network was screened,and its efficacy for segmenting the key anatomical structures was evaluated.Results Self-guided attention network was the optimal network,its area under the curve(AUC)for detecting lesions was 0.794-0.914,and the Dice similarity coefficient for segmenting the key anatomical structures was 0.702-0.764.Conclusion Self-guided attention network could be used for preliminarily detecting responsible lesions related to CP in children with PVWMI.

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