1.Improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Ruifeng LIANG ; Wenjing GE ; Xiaobo KOU ; Ping TIAN ; Hongzhi AN ; Zheng WEI ; Mingli ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):331-337
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata total saponins (ABS) extract on vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) based on cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A)/20-hydroxyeicosatetetraenoic acid (20-HETE)/G protein-coupled receptor 75 (GPR75) axis. METHODS Ten Wistar- Kyoto rats were taken as the normal control group. Forty SHR were first stratified by systolic blood pressure and then, within each stratum, randomly assigned using a random-number table to the model group (MOD group), captopril positive control group (CAP group, 10 mg/kg), ABS low- and high-dose extract groups (ABS-L group, ABS-H group, 60 and 120 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Animals in each group were given the corresponding drug or equal volume of pure water by gavage, once a day, for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration, systolic blood pressure of rats was measured. The levels of vasoactive substances, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators in serum were measured. The pathological changes of rat thoracic aorta were observed. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aortic tissue was analyzed. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), CYP4A, GPR75, nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65), phosphorylated NF-κB p65, p22phox, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4(NOX4) in thoracic aorta tissue were detected. RESULTS After 28 d of treatment, compared with MOD group, the systolic blood pressure of rats in the ABS-L and ABS-H groups decreased significantly. The levels of 20-HETE, angiotensin Ⅱ, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and malondialdehyde in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the levels of nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Intimal damage of thoracic aorta was reduced, and endothelial cell morphology was improved. The expressions of ROS, CYP4A, GPR75, p22phox, NOX4 and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 protein in thoracic aorta were down-regulated or reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the expression of eNOS was up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ABS extract may alleviate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in SHR effectively by down-regulating the expression of CYP4A, reducing the production of 20-HETE, inhibiting the activation of GPR75, and subsequently suppressing the activation of downstream NF-κB and NOX4, thereby improving hypertension-related vascular endothelial dysfunction.
2.Case report and literature review of myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridge
Xiao-qing KOU ; Yi-rong GAN ; Yun-long ZHANG ; Ding-xiong XIE ; Rui MAO ; Tian-xiang LIANG ; Xiao-li YANG ; Yan-zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):111-116
Medical therapy and surgical intervention are the two primary approaches for treating myocardial bridge.However,there remains controversy regarding the use of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and myocardial bridge unroofing.Here,we report a case of myocardial infarction following CABG in a patient with a myocardial bridge.The patient was admitted to Lanzhou First Peopie's Hospital with persistent chest pain,chest tightness,and shortness of breath lasting 2 hours.Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities.Electrocardiography(ECG)indicated extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Laboratory findings showed myoglobin levels of 140.1 ng/ml and troponin Ⅰ levels of 2.59 ng/ml,with no other significant abnormalities.The initial diagnosis was acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Emergency coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD).Emergency CABG using the left internal mammary artery to the LAD was performed,leading to symptomatic improvement,and the patient was discharged in stable condition.However,the patient experienced a recurrent myocardial infarction seven years post-surgery and received secondary preventive medical therapy.The patient is currently under ongoing follow-up care.CABG is an effective treatment for myocardial bridge.However,based on the case reported in this study,we recommend careful evaluation of whether a patient may benefit from CABG.
3.Risk factor analysis and nomogram model construction of pulmonary hemorrhage complicating lung nodule localization with a new type of 4-hook localization needle
Wenli HUO ; Xuechun KOU ; Yonghao DU ; Ting LIANG ; Chenguang GUO ; Gang NIU ; Jin SHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):1028-1036
Objective To construct a nomogram model for predicting pulmonary hemorrhage associated with the positioning of pulmonary nodules with the new four-hook positioning needle based on clinical-CT imaging features and evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods We made a retrospective analysis of the clinical,imaging and pathological data of 449 patients with pulmonary nodules positioned by the new four-hook positioning needle.According to the random number table method(7∶3),they were divided into a training set of 314 cases and a validation set of 135 cases.Each data set was further divided into positive group and negative group for pulmonary hemorrhage according to the presence or absence of pulmonary hemorrhage.We evaluated the CT imaging features of pulmonary nodules,including nodule nature(pure ground-glass density,mixed ground-glass density,solid nodule),nodule diameter,distance from the nodule to the pleural surface(hereinafter referred to as length),nodule positioning time,and association with pulmonary hemorrhage.Independent sample t-test,Mann-Whitney U test and x2 test were used to compare the correlations of clinical and CT features of pulmonary nodules with pulmonary hemorrhage.LASSO regression and multivariate Logistic regression were employed to screen the independent risk factors related to pulmonary hemorrhage and construct a nomogram model.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model,and the calibration curve and decision curve were respectively used for the verification of the nomogram model and evaluation of the clinical net benefit.Results The results of LASSO regression showed that the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length were the characteristic variables related to pulmonary hemorrhage.Based on the minimum akaike information criterion(AIC),the screened characteristic variables were included in the multivariate Logistic backward stepwise regression analysis.The results showed that the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length were all independent risk factors related to pulmonary hemorrhage.A nomogram was established according to the above independent risk factors and the ROC curve was drawn.The AUC of the training set was 0.86(95%CI:0.80-0.91),and the AUC of the validation set was 0.88(95%CI:0.80-0.96),with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The calibration curve suggested that the predicted values of the nomogram were close to the actual values,and the decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the model was good.Conclusion The nomogram model established by combining clinical-CT features such as the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length can effectively predict pulmonary hemorrhage associated with the positioning of pulmonary nodules with the new four-hook positioning needle.
4.Risk factor analysis and nomogram model construction of pulmonary hemorrhage complicating lung nodule localization with a new type of 4-hook localization needle
Wenli HUO ; Xuechun KOU ; Yonghao DU ; Ting LIANG ; Chenguang GUO ; Gang NIU ; Jin SHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):1028-1036
Objective To construct a nomogram model for predicting pulmonary hemorrhage associated with the positioning of pulmonary nodules with the new four-hook positioning needle based on clinical-CT imaging features and evaluate its predictive efficacy.Methods We made a retrospective analysis of the clinical,imaging and pathological data of 449 patients with pulmonary nodules positioned by the new four-hook positioning needle.According to the random number table method(7∶3),they were divided into a training set of 314 cases and a validation set of 135 cases.Each data set was further divided into positive group and negative group for pulmonary hemorrhage according to the presence or absence of pulmonary hemorrhage.We evaluated the CT imaging features of pulmonary nodules,including nodule nature(pure ground-glass density,mixed ground-glass density,solid nodule),nodule diameter,distance from the nodule to the pleural surface(hereinafter referred to as length),nodule positioning time,and association with pulmonary hemorrhage.Independent sample t-test,Mann-Whitney U test and x2 test were used to compare the correlations of clinical and CT features of pulmonary nodules with pulmonary hemorrhage.LASSO regression and multivariate Logistic regression were employed to screen the independent risk factors related to pulmonary hemorrhage and construct a nomogram model.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model,and the calibration curve and decision curve were respectively used for the verification of the nomogram model and evaluation of the clinical net benefit.Results The results of LASSO regression showed that the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length were the characteristic variables related to pulmonary hemorrhage.Based on the minimum akaike information criterion(AIC),the screened characteristic variables were included in the multivariate Logistic backward stepwise regression analysis.The results showed that the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length were all independent risk factors related to pulmonary hemorrhage.A nomogram was established according to the above independent risk factors and the ROC curve was drawn.The AUC of the training set was 0.86(95%CI:0.80-0.91),and the AUC of the validation set was 0.88(95%CI:0.80-0.96),with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The calibration curve suggested that the predicted values of the nomogram were close to the actual values,and the decision curve analysis showed that the net benefit of the model was good.Conclusion The nomogram model established by combining clinical-CT features such as the nature of pulmonary nodules,underlying diseases,smoking and length can effectively predict pulmonary hemorrhage associated with the positioning of pulmonary nodules with the new four-hook positioning needle.
5.Case report and literature review of myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridge
Xiao-qing KOU ; Yi-rong GAN ; Yun-long ZHANG ; Ding-xiong XIE ; Rui MAO ; Tian-xiang LIANG ; Xiao-li YANG ; Yan-zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):111-116
Medical therapy and surgical intervention are the two primary approaches for treating myocardial bridge.However,there remains controversy regarding the use of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and myocardial bridge unroofing.Here,we report a case of myocardial infarction following CABG in a patient with a myocardial bridge.The patient was admitted to Lanzhou First Peopie's Hospital with persistent chest pain,chest tightness,and shortness of breath lasting 2 hours.Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities.Electrocardiography(ECG)indicated extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Laboratory findings showed myoglobin levels of 140.1 ng/ml and troponin Ⅰ levels of 2.59 ng/ml,with no other significant abnormalities.The initial diagnosis was acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Emergency coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD).Emergency CABG using the left internal mammary artery to the LAD was performed,leading to symptomatic improvement,and the patient was discharged in stable condition.However,the patient experienced a recurrent myocardial infarction seven years post-surgery and received secondary preventive medical therapy.The patient is currently under ongoing follow-up care.CABG is an effective treatment for myocardial bridge.However,based on the case reported in this study,we recommend careful evaluation of whether a patient may benefit from CABG.
6.Current status of parental decision-making of childhood 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization and related factors in China
Yuhong LI ; Wenwen WANG ; Liangpeng WU ; Meicui DU ; Jingyi KOU ; Sihui PENG ; Xiaofeng LIANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(9):1209-1215
Objective:To analyze the relationship between health belief and the stages of parental decision-making on childhood 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) immunization in China.Methods:Cross-sectional multistage survey sampling method was used to select study subjects. The study subjects were parents who were aged 20-45 years and had one and more children ≤5 years old in three cities in China. A self-administered questionnaire designed based on health belief model was used to collect the information. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between perceived susceptibility, perceived severity of illness, perceived effect of PCV13 and stages of parental decision-making on childhood PCV13 immunization.Results:A total of 1 716 valid questionnaires were returned (89.33%). The average age of the study subjects was (35.33±4.95) years, and 79.60% of them were women. In the study subjects, 48.31% had in action, 21.79% were in contemplation and 29.90% were in pre-contemplation. The multinominal logistic regression analysis indicated that high perceived susceptibility ( OR=0.14, 95% CI:0.09-0.22; OR=0.54, 95% CI:0.39-0.76), high perceived severity of illness ( OR=0.55, 95% CI:0.42-0.73), and high perceived effect of PCV13 ( OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.18-0.40; OR=0.51, 95% CI:0.32-0.81) were significantly lower in those who were in contemplation or pre-compared with those who had in action. For study subjects with low perceived susceptibility, high perceived effect of PCV13 might decrease the probabilities of contemplation ( OR=0.53, 95% CI:0.32-0.87) and pre-contemplation ( OR=0.27, 95% CI:0.18-0.41). For those with high perceived susceptibility, perceived severity of illness might decrease the probability of contemplation ( OR=0.43, 95% CI:0.23-0.82). Conclusions:Childhood PCV13 vaccination willingness and level is low in China. It is important to pay greater attention to the intervention on health belief in child parents, such as perceived effect of PCV13, perceived severity of illness, and perceived susceptibility, in health policy development and health promotion.
7.Risk factors and construction of prediction model of perineural invasion of gallbladder carcinoma based on enhanced CT-image features
Wenli HUO ; Xuechun KOU ; Qi LI ; Zhe LIU ; Ting LIANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(3):455-460
Objective To construct the prediction model of perineural invasion(PNI)in gallbladder carcinoma(GBC)based on preoperative enhanced CT image features and evaluate its prediction efficiency.Methods The clinical,imaging and pathological data of 180 GBC patients undergoing radical operation were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into positive and negative groups according to the presence or absence of PNI.Preoperative enhanced CT imaging features(including presence of gallstones,imaging hepatic invasion,vascular invasion,T-stage,and hilar or retroperitoneal lymph node metastases)were evaluated by two radiologists.Independent sample t-test,Mann Whitney U test,and X2 test were used to compare the correlation between CT signs and PNI.Logistics regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors and establish the prediction model formula.ROC curve was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the prediction model and the corresponding area under the curve(AUC)was calculated.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to verify the prediction model.Results Unifactorial analysis showed that CA199,CA125,imaging hepatic invasion,vascular invasion(hepatic artery or portal vein),T-stage,and hilar or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were correlated with nerve invasion(P<0.05).Logistics multi-factor analysis results showed that CA199,imaging vascular invasion(hepatic artery or portal vein),and imaging T stage were independent risk factors for PNI.Based on the above independent risk factors,a prediction model formula was established and ROC curve was drawn,with an AUC of 0.807(95%CI:0.734~0.879),sensitivity of 0.792,specificity of 0.697,and the chi-square value of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test of 0.594(P=0.997),indicating that the predicted value of the model was close to the actual value.Conclusion Combining CA199,imaging vascular invasion,T-stage,and other preoperative clinically-enhanced CT features to establish a prediction model can effectively predict postoperative PNI of GBC.
8.Mechanism of black phosphorus regulating oxidative stress-inflammation cascade in retarding intervertebral disc degeneration
Yu KOU ; Yong GU ; Liang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(15):2338-2345
BACKGROUND:Oxidative stress plays a critical role in intervertebral disc degeneration.As a reducing material with good biocompatibility,black phosphorus quantum dots have the potential to resist oxidative stress and retard intervertebral disc degeneration.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of black phosphorus quantum dots on scavenging reactive oxygen species in the microenvironment of an intervertebral disc through in vivo and in vitro experiments,and further explore the role of black phosphorus quantum dots in Nrf2/ARE pathway and intervertebral disc inflammation.METHODS:Black phosphorus quantum dots were prepared by a liquid exfoliation technique.(1)In vitro experiment:The nucleus pulposus cells of SD rats were isolated and extracted,and the passages 2-4 nucleus pulposus cells were cocultured with different solutions,including F12-DMEM medium(blank group),black phosphorus quantum dot solution,hydrogen peroxide solution,hydrogen peroxide+black phosphorus quantum dot solution,hydrogen peroxide+black phosphorus quantum dot+Nrf2 specific inhibitor ML385 solution.Cell live/dead staining and intracellular reactive oxygen species,mitochondrial membrane potential and western blot assay were performed respectively.(2)In vivo experiment:Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation,puncture and puncture + black phosphorus groups,with 10 rats in each group.A Co7-10 intervertebral disc degeneration model was established using intervertebral disc puncture in the puncture group and the puncture+black phosphorus group.Black phosphorus quantum dot solution was injected in the intervertebral disc after a puncture in the puncture+black phosphorus group.The intervertebral disc tissue imaging and histological staining were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiment:Live/dead staining revealed that the black phosphorus quantum dots had good biocompatibility,were non-toxic to cells,and had a protective effect on nucleus pulposus cells under oxidative stress.Intracellular reactive oxygen species and JC-1 fluorescent probes showed that black phosphorus quantum dots could regulate the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential caused by oxidative stress in nucleus pulposus cells and protected cells from hydrogen peroxidation-induced intracellular oxidative stress.Western blot analysis showed that compared with the blank group,the protein expressions of Nrf2,heme oxygenase 1,quinone oxidoreductase and type Ⅱ collagen were decreased in the hydrogen peroxide group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,matrix metalloproteinase 13 and p65 were increased(P<0.05).The addition of black phosphorus quantum dots could reverse the inhibitory effect of hydrogen peroxide on the Nrf2 pathway and reduce the inflammatory response caused by oxidative stress,but NrF2-specific inhibitors could cancel this effect.(2)In vivo experiment:X-ray and MRI demonstrated that at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery,the intervertebral disc height and water content of nucleus pulposus in the puncture group were lower than those in the sham operation group(P<0.05),and the intervertebral disc height and water content of nucleus pulposus in the puncture+black phosphorus group were higher than those in the puncture group(P<0.05).Histological staining exhibited that the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration in the puncture+black phosphorus group was less than that in the puncture group,and the expression of heme oxygenase 1 protein was higher than that in the puncture+black phosphorus group.(3)Our results have indicated that black phosphorus quantum dots can exert an antioxidant effect and delay intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating Nrf2/ARE pathway.
9.Study on Tongue Image Features Based on Deep Learning
Tao CUI ; Jiajun HE ; Hua HE ; Rui LI ; Liang ZHAO ; Deshuang KOU
Journal of Medical Informatics 2024;45(7):81-87
Purpose/Significance To apply deep learning technology to achieve the purpose of tongue image analysis automation,so as to provide references for the standardization of tongue image of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and further promote the moderni-zation of TCM diagnosis and treatment technology.Method/Process It develops a new semantic segmentation loss function with region-based correlation and label relaxation to enhance the capability of tongue image segmentation model to learn pixel relationships and handle mislabeled data.Additionally,leveraging inherent color-related priors in tongue image features,the model is simplified by decomposing it into two multi-label classification tasks,thereby accelerating model training and reducing its complexity.Result/Conclusion The pro-posed algorithm is proven effective on a self-constructed dataset,attaining a high 96.57%MIoU in tongue segmentation,and demon-strating strong performance with a macro F1-score of 88.58%and average accuracy of 82.59%.
10.Preliminary investigation on indoor radon concentrations in urban and rural areas of Ningxia
Liang DONG ; Yunyun WU ; Yanchao SONG ; Shanshan KOU ; Xuli JI ; Hongcheng LI ; Meilin WANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(9):771-775
Objective:To investigate the indoor radon concentrations and to analyze their seasonal variations in urban and rural residential dwellings in Ningxia province.Methods:From March 2022 to March 2023, based on the administrative region division and population distribution in Ningxia, a total of 143 typical residential dwellings, including 82 urban houses and 61 rural houses, were selected to measure indoor radon concentration by CR-39 solid nuclear track detectors for 1 year in Ningxia, with detectors changed every 3 months.Results:The annual average indoor radon concentration in Ningxia was 88 Bq/m 3, range 39-226 Bq/m 3. The annual average indoor radon concentration was below 100 Bq/m 3 for 69.9% of the measured dwellings, and below 300 Bq/m 3 for all of surveyed dwellings. Indoor radon concentrations in rural areas were much higher than those in urban areas ( Z=5.85, P<0.05). Indoor radon concentration varied significantly with the seasons, higher in autumn and winter, but lower in spring and summer, in total ( χ2=63.97, P<0.05), urban ( χ2=24.74, P<0.05), and rural ( χ2=43.15, P<0.05). Conclusion:The annual average indoor radon concentrations in all the measured dwellings are below the reference level of 300 Bq/m 3 recommended by Indoor Air Quality Standard (GB/T 18883-2022) in China.

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