1.Mechanism of NAFLD-associated Intestinal Barrier Damage and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention Strategies Based on "Turbid Pathogenic Factors Entering the Blood" Theory
Haoyang QIN ; Lei LUO ; Mengge LI ; Xueqian KONG ; Fanghua ZHANG ; Zhongqin DANG ; Zhibo DANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):277-287
Intestinal barrier damage is a prominent feature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and serves as a critical factor driving the progression from simple fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory integrates classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles with contemporary disease evolution trends and research findings. It posits that endogenous turbid pathogenic factors within the body infiltrate the blood vessels, leading to impure and viscous blood quality, thereby triggering various diseases. Based on this theory, this article elucidated the pathogenic mechanism of NAFLD-associated intestinal barrier damage. It argued that in NAFLD, the liver loses its dredging function, and the spleen becomes obstructed and dysfunctional. Moreover, essential nutrients fail to be properly transformed, resulting in the internal generation of turbid pathogenic factors. This subsequently initiates a series of pathological changes, namely, "infiltration of phlegm-turbidity into the blood, eroding the intestinal mucosa", "infiltration of glucose-turbidity into the blood, macerating and eroding the intestinal mucosa", "infiltration of heat-turbidity into the blood, scorching and eroding the intestinal mucosa", and "infiltration of stasis-turbidity into the blood, stagnating and eroding the intestinal mucosa", ultimately causing intestinal barrier damage. Furthermore, guided by the "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory, this article explored TCM intervention strategies: employing medicinals targeting the liver meridian to address the root cause and reduce the generation and deposition of turbid pathogenic factors in the liver, administering blood-system medicinals to clear the blood and purge turbidity, thereby intercepting the progression of the disease mechanism, and applying tonifying medicinals to bolster healthy Qi and defend against turbid invasion, allowing the damaged intestinal mucosa to gradually heal. This article presented novel theoretical and medicinal perspectives for analyzing NAFLD-associated intestinal barrier damage based on the "turbid pathogenic factors entering the blood" theory, aiming to provide new entry points and broader horizons for related research and clinical practice.
2.Study on the Evaluation Method of Collaborative Dust Prevention Effect with Coal Miners-Based on Feature Reduction, Genetic Algorithm, and Backpropagation
Shulei SHI ; Haotian ZHENG ; Haoyang LI ; Xue WANG
Safety and Health at Work 2026;17(1):83-90
Background:
High coal dust exposure threatens miners’ occupational health and safety. While dust control is mainly implemented by enterprises, miners’ active participation is crucial for effective collaborative prevention. This study develops a feature reduction, genetic algorithm, and backpropagation (RS-GA-BP) hybrid evaluation model integrating behavioral and psychosocial factors to quantitatively assess collaborative dust prevention performance in coal mines.
Methods:
Guided by the theory of collaborative dust prevention among coal miners, this study incorporated human factors into the evaluation framework of prevention effectiveness. Using the rough set method, five key influencing factors were identified from twelve candidate variables. A prediction model for collaborative dust prevention effectiveness (RS-GA-BP) was then developed and applied by optimizing the BP neural network with a genetic algorithm.
Results:
The results indicated that technical context, conformity tendency, group cohesion, group driving force, and group dissipative force were the principal factors influencing collaborative prevention outcomes. Based on 955 survey responses from front-line coal miners, the model was trained and validated. The results showed that the GA-BP model outperformed the traditional BP model in terms of root mean square error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute percentage error, achieving a prediction accuracy of 95.73%.
Conclusion
The research results indicate that the RS-GA-BP model can effectively evaluate the dust prevention and control effectiveness among coal miners, thereby enriching the methodological framework for assessing dust prevention effectiveness in coal mines.
3.Effect of Zhishi Daozhi Formula (枳实导滞方) on Intestinal Flora and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Rats with Sepsis-Induced Gastrointestinal Dysfunction
Chenyu LIU ; Changhui LI ; Haoyang CHENG ; Zhiyang TIAN ; Yixuan LIU ; Jiuzhuo TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(18):2003-2010
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Zhishi Daozhi Formula (枳实导滞方, ZDF) on inflammation in rats with sepsis-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction based on the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor 88/nuclear factor-κB (TLR4/MyD88/NF‑κB) signaling pathway and intestinal flora. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly divided into sham‑operation group, model group, ulinastatin group, and low‑, medium‑ and high‑dose ZDF groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham‑operation group, the rat model of sepsis‑induced gastrointestinal dysfunction was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Three days before modeling and 12 h after modeling, the low-, medium- and high-dose ZDF groups were intragastrically administered with ZDF solution at doses of 3.80, 7.60 and 15.20 g·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹, respectively. The ulinastatin group received intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin at 100,000 U/kg, while the sham-operation and model groups were given normal saline at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. All interventions were performed once daily for 4 consecutive days. Tow hours after the last intervention, gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were detected. Gastrointestinal function indicators including D‑lactic acid (D‑LA) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (i‑FABP), as well as inflammatory indicators including procalcitonin (PCT) and C‑reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA 24 h after modeling. The counts of Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the intestine were compared. The histopathological morphological changes of the rat intestinal mucosa were observed by HE staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of IκB kinase (Ikk), TLR4, MyD88 and NF‑κB in ileal tissues were detected by western blot and qRT‑PCR, respectively. ResultsCompared to the sham-operation group, the model group showed decreased gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, increased intestinal Escherichia coli count, elevated serum D‑LA, i‑FABP, PCT and CRP levels, increased protein and mRNA expressions of Ikk, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB in ileal tissue, decreased counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (P<0.05), accompanied by obvious pathological injury of ileal mucosa. Compared to the model group, all medication groups exhibited significant improvements in the above mentioned indicators and alleviated intestinal mucosal injury (P<0.05). Compared to the ulinastatin group, except for D-LA in the medium-dose ZDF group, the differences in the above indicators between the low- and medium-dose ZDF groups were statistically significant (P<0.05), while the differences between the high-dose ZDF group and the ulinastatin group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). With increasing dosage, the gastric emptying rate, small intestinal propulsion rate, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts in the rats of all three ZDF groups increased, while the levels of serum D-LA, PCT, CRP, and i-FABP, the protein levels of Ikk, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in intestinal tissue, and the Escherichia coli count decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionZDF can ameliorate intestinal mucosal injury, maintain intestinal flora balance and inhibit inflammatory response in rats with sepsis‑induced gastrointestinal dysfunction, with the high-dose group showing the best efficacy, which may be achieved by down‑regulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.
5.Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Shenlong Decoction Granules in Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Qi SI ; Ningzi ZANG ; Mei WANG ; Weidong ZHENG ; Chuang LIU ; Yongming LIU ; Haoyang ZHANG ; Zhongxue ZHAO ; Jiyu ZOU ; Jingze LI ; Lijian PANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):237-245
ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation (30 patients) and control groups (30 patients). All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally,the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules,while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each,taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed,and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and 6 min walk test (6MWT). The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test [actual value/expected value of total lung volume (TLC%),actual value/expected value of vital capacity(FVC%),actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide(DLCO%),actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%),and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC)],blood gas analysis [arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2),partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2),and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2)],serum inflammatory factors [transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),interleukin-4 (IL-4),interleukin-13 (IL-13),interleukin-12 (IL-12),and gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)],and quality of survival evaluation [St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score]. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment, and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study,comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period,the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% (9/27),whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% (14/26),which was statistically superior to the control group (χ2=4.034,P<0.05). After the treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,6MWT,DLCO%,FEV1%,PaO2,PaCO2,TGF-β1,IL-4,IL-13,IL-12,and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved (P<0.01). Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period,the TCM syndrome scores,6MWT,PaO2,and PaCO2 were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication (P<0.01). Three months after the end of medication,the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group (P<0.05),and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF,enhance exercise tolerance,improve the quality of life,and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.
6.Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Shenlong Decoction Granules in Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Qi SI ; Ningzi ZANG ; Mei WANG ; Weidong ZHENG ; Chuang LIU ; Yongming LIU ; Haoyang ZHANG ; Zhongxue ZHAO ; Jiyu ZOU ; Jingze LI ; Lijian PANG ; Xiaodong LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):237-245
ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation (30 patients) and control groups (30 patients). All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally,the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules,while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each,taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed,and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and 6 min walk test (6MWT). The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test [actual value/expected value of total lung volume (TLC%),actual value/expected value of vital capacity(FVC%),actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide(DLCO%),actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%),and FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC)],blood gas analysis [arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2),partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2),and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2)],serum inflammatory factors [transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),interleukin-4 (IL-4),interleukin-13 (IL-13),interleukin-12 (IL-12),and gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)],and quality of survival evaluation [St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score]. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment, and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study,comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period,the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% (9/27),whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% (14/26),which was statistically superior to the control group (χ2=4.034,P<0.05). After the treatment,the TCM syndrome scores,6MWT,DLCO%,FEV1%,PaO2,PaCO2,TGF-β1,IL-4,IL-13,IL-12,and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved (P<0.01). Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period,the TCM syndrome scores,6MWT,PaO2,and PaCO2 were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication (P<0.01). Three months after the end of medication,the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group (P<0.05),and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF,enhance exercise tolerance,improve the quality of life,and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.
7.Role of respiratory microbiota in the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer
Wenbo DONG ; Haoyang YU ; Yifan ZHU ; Zhijian ZHANG ; Wenyang LI ; Delei KONG
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(1):82-86
Microbiota can be recognized by the human immune system,trigger specific immune responses,and play a significant role in the onset and progression of diseases through intricate regulatory mechanisms.The tumor microenvironment comprises the peritumoral extracellular matrix,immune cells,tumor-associated fibroblasts,and endothelial cells,among others.In this context,the tumor immune microenvironment,characterized by immune cells,significantly influences cancer progression and treatment.Notably,the tumor immune microenvironment is closely associated with the tumor microbiota.The presence of respiratory microbiota is correlated with the typing and staging of non-small cell lung cancer.This study investigated the mechanisms by which respiratory microbiota affect innate and adaptive immune cells within the tumor immune microenvironment and explored the role of respiratory microbiota in the immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer.The aim was to identify potential biomarkers that could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
8.Establishment and clinical efficacy comparison of day 4 embryo evaluation protocol based on blastocyst quality
Yasong GENG ; Bo ZHENG ; Haoyang DAI ; Linlin TAO ; Guozhen LI ; Zhiwei YANG ; Shusong WANG ; Fangfang DAI
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(11):1131-1138
Objective:To establish a day 4 embryo evaluation protocol by analyzing embryonic characteristics affecting blastocyst formation, and validate its clinical effectiveness.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included clinical data from 1 037 patients who underwent fresh in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) on day 4 in Center for Reproductive Medicine of Xingtai Meihe Reproductive and Genetic Hospital between January 2018 and April 2024. Morphological assessments were performed at (92±2) h post-fertilization. After excluding 1 326 embryos selected for fresh transfer, 2 723 embryos underwent blastocyst culture. To address selection bias in transferred embryos, the scoring system was primarily based on high-quality blastocyst formation rates. Multivariate binary regression analysis evaluated how day 4 developmental stage, fragmentation rate, stage-specific cleavage patterns, multinucleation/vacuolization affected transferable blastocyst formation rate and high-quality blastocyst rate. Regression coefficients determined parameter weights for high-quality blastocyst formation, establishing a day 4 embryo scoring protocol that compared outcomes across different grades. The scoring system was validated by comparing transferable blastocyst formation rate, high-quality blastocyst rate, and implantation rate among different day 4 embryo grades. All embryos were further rescored according to three previously reported evaluation schemes [Feil 2008, Gemma 2015, and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 2011]. The predictive values of these three day 4 scoring systems and the day 4 scoring system established in this study were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in predicting the formation rate of transferable blastocyst, the formation rate of high-quality blastocyst, and implantation rate. Results:In the prediction of high-quality blastocyst formation, early blastocyst showed the highest influence weight compared to embryos with the ratio of blastomere numbers on day 4 to those on day 3 (BNR) <1.2 ( B=3.398, OR=29.915, P<0.001), followed by fragmentation <10% versus ≥50% ( B=1.263, OR=3.535, P<0.001), a stage-specific cleavage pattern ( B=0.903, OR=2.467, P=0.005), and absence of multinucleation or vacuoles ( B=0.797, OR=2.218, P=0.007). Using the newly developed day 4 scoring system, embryos were graded A, B, C, D, E. Transferable blastocyst formation rates were 88.57% (279/315), 76.99% (241/313), 56.11% (280/499), 40.27% (238/591) and 14.22% (143/1 005), respectively; high-quality blastocyst rates were 51.42% (162/315), 35.46% (111/313), 20.04% (100/499), 9.47% (56/591) and 3.98% (40/1 005). All inter-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.005). Implantation rates for transferred embryos of grades A-E declined sequentially: 63.18% (381/603), 56.19% (322/573), 38.29% (54/141), 26.53% (13/49) and 9.67% (3/31). The day 4 embryo scoring system proposed in this study demonstrated significantly higher predictive efficacy for transferable blastocyst formation rate (AUC=0.812), high-quality blastocyst formation rate (AUC=0.804), and implantation rate (AUC=0.603) compared with Feil 2008 (AUC=0.797, P<0.001; AUC=0.781, P<0.001; AUC=0.585, P<0.001), Gemma 2015 (AUC=0.773, P<0.001; AUC=0.771, P<0.001; AUC=0.542, P=0.006), and ESHRE 2011 (AUC=0.710, P<0.001; AUC=0.745, P<0.001; AUC=0.592, P<0.001). We also observed the presence of pseudo-compacted embryo, whose transferable blastocyst formation rate [38.28% (49/128)] and high-quality blastocyst formation rate [7.03% (9/128)] were similar to those of cleavage-stage embryos with a BNR≥1.2. Conclusion:The established day 4 morphological assessment system reliably predicts the potential to transferable blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst, and effectively forecasts implantation rates.
9.Effects and Mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in Sodium Palmitate-Induced Lipid Deposition in HepG2 Cells
Yixuan LIU ; Haoyang WU ; Jingjing YANG ; Yuzhe CAI ; Zheng LUO ; Dingxiang LI ; Yihui DENG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(4):72-78
Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium in sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells.Methods The effect of sodium palmitate and lyophilized powder of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium on the viability of HepG2 cells was determined by the CCK-8 method to determine the subsequent dosage administered.The HepG2 cells were divided into blank group,model group,pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium low-,medium-and high-dosage group,the lipid deposition model of HepG2 cells was established using 350 μmol/L sodium palmitate,the medication group were given pioglitazone and low-,medium-and high-dosage of Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium(100,250,500 μg/mL)for 12 h respectively.The intracellular lipid deposition was observed by Nile red staining and BODIPY493/503 fluorescent probe staining,the content of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatant of cell culture medium were detected by ELISA,Western blot was used to detect PI3K,Akt,sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1(SREBP-1),fatty acid synthase(FAS),Bcl-2,Bax protein expression,qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of adipose triglyceride lipase(ATGL)and CD36.Results Compared with the blank group,the lipid deposition of HepG2 cells in the model group increased,TNF-α and IL-6 contents in the supernatant of cell culture medium significantly increased(P<0.01),the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax in cells significantly increased,while the protein expression of Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA expression of ATGL significantly decreased,and the mRNA expression of CD36 significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the intracellular lipid deposition of the pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium groups improved to varying degrees,the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in the cell supernatant decreased,the expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,SREBP-1,FAS and Bax proteins decreased,the expression of Bcl-2 protein increased,the expression of ATGL mRNA increased,and the expression of CD36 mRNA decreased,with statistical significance in pioglitazone group and Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium high-dosage group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Cyclocaryae Paliuri Folium may ameliorate sodium palmitate-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 model cells by modulating the PI3K/Akt/SREBP-1/FAS signaling pathway and affecting triacylglycerol metabolism.
10.Intraoperative direct sonication for the diagnostic efficacy of periprosthetic joint infection
Haoyang TIAN ; Yicheng LI ; Xiaobin GUO ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Li CAO
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(9):821-828
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of intraoperative direct sonication in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 490 patients with PJI or aseptic prosthesis loosening after hip or knee arthroplasty admitted to the Department of Orthopaedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 209 male cases, 281 female cases, aged ( M(IQR)) 63 (19) years (range: 15 to 89 years). There were 328 cases of PJI (123 cases of traditional sonication, 205 cases of intraoperative direct sonication, and 204 cases had simultaneous intraoperative synovial fluid), and 162 patients of aseptic loosening (89 cases of traditional sonication, 73 cases of intraoperative direct sonication, and 96 cases had simultaneous intraoperative synovial fluid). The method of traditional sonication: the prosthesis components were placed in a sterile container, vortexed for 30 seconds, then placed in an ultrasound bath to sonication (frequency:(40±2) kHz, power density:(0.22±0.04) W/cm2) for 5 minutes, vortexed again for 30 seconds, and the resulting sonicate fluid was extracted for culture. The method of intraoperative direct sonication: during the operation, the surgical area, the prosthesis and the tissues around the prosthesis which were placed in a sterile container were respectively subjected to sonication for 5 minutes using a portable handheld ultrasonic cell disruptor device (frequency: 25 kHz, power density:(0.22±0.04) W/cm2), and the fluids before and after sonication were extracted for culture. The method of intraoperative synovial fluid: during the operation, the joint capsule was incised, and the synovial fluid was extracted under direct vision for culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Youden index, the effect of preoperative antimicrobial agents on culture results, and culture duration for different culture methods. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the diagnostic efficacy of these methods for PJI was compared using the χ2 test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and other appropriate statistical methods. Results:The sensitivity of intraoperative direct sonication was significantly higher than that of intraoperative synovial fluid culture (89.8%(184/205) vs.56.9%(116/204), χ2=44.457, P<0.01) and traditional sonication (89.8%(184/205) vs.66.7%(82/123), χ2=121.588, P<0.01). However, its specificity was lower compared to intraoperative synovial fluid (87.5%(64/73) vs. 99.0%(95/96), χ2=9.491, P=0.002). The culture duration for intraoperative direct sonication was shorter than for intraoperative synovial fluid 87.0 (41.8) hours vs. 112.5 (78.5) hours, Z=-5.121, P<0.01) and traditional sonication (87.0 (41.8) hours vs. 119.0 (67.5) hours, Z=-7.119, P<0.01). Gram-positive bacteria (predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) were the most common isolates across all three culture methods. Furthermore, intraoperative direct sonication was more likely to detect polymicrobial infections compared to traditional sonication (38.6% vs. 2.4%, χ2=37.223, P<0.01) and intraoperative synovial fluid (38.6% vs. 0.9%, χ2=55.527, P<0.01). The ROC curve revealed that the area under the curve of intraoperative direct sonication,intraoperative synovial fluid culture and traditional sonication were 0.886 (95% CI:0.843 to 0.930), 0.779 (95% CI:0.743 to 0.815) and 0.788 (95% CI: 0.736 to 0.839). Conclusions:Compared with intraoperative synovial fluid and traditional sonication, intraoperative direct sonication has excellent sensitivity, the shortest appropriate culture duration for pathogenic bacteria, and it is more likely to diagnose PJI patients with polymicrobial infections, having better diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis of PJI.

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