1.Effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on the tear film homeostasis of patients wearing orthokeratology lenses
Jiahong HAN ; Jianjun LIU ; Qinbin BAO ; Xu YANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1667-1671
AIM:To investigate the effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.METHODS:Retrospective study. A total of 340 patients(564 eyes)fitted with night-worn orthokeratology lenses from June to December 2022 were respectively divided into a diquafosol sodium group(200 cases, 323 eyes, treated with 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops)and a sodium hyaluronate group(140 cases, 241 eyes, treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops). The uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT), meibomian gland infrared imaging score, and corneal epithelial fluorescein staining were analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Compared to baseline, both groups showed significant improvements in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)at 1 wk, 1, and 3 mo after lens wear(all P<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)was observed between the two groups at any time point(all P>0.05). No significant differences in NIBUT or OSDI scores were found between the groups before and at 1 wk after lens wear(all P>0.05). At the 1- and 3 mo follow-ups, the 3% diquafosol sodium group demonstrated significantly longer NIBUT(all P<0.001)and lower OSDI scores(all P<0.001)compared to the sodium hyaluronate group. After wearing lens for 3 mo, the meibomian gland infrared imaging scores were significantly better in the diquafosol sodium group(P<0.001), whereas no significant intergroup difference was observed in corneal fluorescein staining(P>0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events during the study period did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with sodium hyaluronate, 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops were more effective in maintaining tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.
2.Intermittent hypoxia aggravates asthma inflammation via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by HIF-1α signalling pathway.
Ling ZHOU ; Huojun ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Fengqin ZHANG ; Lingling WANG ; Pengdou ZHENG ; Zhenyu MAO ; Xiaoyan ZHU ; Guisha ZI ; Lixiang CHEN ; Xiaojing CAI ; Huiguo LIU ; Wei LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(14):1714-1729
BACKGROUND:
Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved.
METHODS:
A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro .
RESULTS:
In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
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Humans
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Asthma/metabolism*
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Animals
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Pyroptosis/physiology*
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Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism*
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Mice
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Signal Transduction/physiology*
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Male
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Hypoxia/metabolism*
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Female
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Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Inflammation/metabolism*
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Middle Aged
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
3.Prediction of postoperative progression-free survival in patients with endometrial cancer based on MRI radiomics nomogram
Caihong LIANG ; Ling LIU ; Xiaodong JI ; Lixiang HUANG ; Yujiao ZHAO ; Cheng ZHANG ; Luyang MA ; Yanqi ZHOU ; Wen SHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(7):1116-1120
Objective To investigate the clinical application value of MRI Radiomics score(Radscore)combined with clinicopatho-logical features in predicting postoperative progression-free survival(PFS)of patients with endometrial cancer(EC).Methods A total of 127 patients with EC were selected.The radiomic features of the lesions were extracted from T2 WI,diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)images.The features were screened by random forest model and Radscore was calcu-lated.Simultaneously,clinical and pathological characteristics of patients were collected and incorporated,and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors related to PFS.The MRI Radscore and clinicopathological features were mapped to the nomogram,and the performance of nomogram was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and calibration curve.Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that progesterone receptor(PR),human epididymis protein 4(HE4)and MRI Radscore were independent risk factors for predicting PFS in patients with EC(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the predicted PFS at 1,3 and 5 years after surgery were 0.91,0.804 and 0.776,respectively.Calibration curves showed that nomogram had a good fit in predicting PFS in patients with EC 1,3 and 5 years after surgery.Conclusion The nomogram con-structed based on multi-sequence MRI Radscore and clinicopathological features has favorable accuracy and stability in predicting postoperative PFS in individuals diagnosed with EC.
4.Analysis on clinical efficacy of anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and posterior cervical expansive open-door laminopasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Lixiang WANG ; Chungen LI ; Genzhe LIU ; Ziyi ZHAO ; Sihao ZHAO ; Chao CHEN ; Yonggang ZHU ; Wei LI
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(1):228-235
Objective:To analyze the efficacy of anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty(EODL)in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy,and to discuss the selection of surgical methods for the patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods:The retrospective analysis was conducted of 70 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent surgery at Affilated Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Capital Medical University from July 2017 to July 2020.Based on the different surgical methods,the patients were divided into anterior group(n=35)and posterior group(n=35).The patients in anterior group underwent Hybrid surgery[anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF)combined with artificial cervical disc replacement(ACDR)],and the patients in posterior group underwent EODL.The hospitalization time,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative drainage volume of the patients in two groups were recorded;the efficacy was evaluated by Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)score,JOA improvement rate,neck disability index(NDI),visual analogue scale(VAS)for pain,and postoperative satisfaction score;the complications of the patients in two groups after surgery were recorded.Results:Compared with posterior group,the intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage volume,hospitalization time,and operation time of the patients in anterior group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the preoperative score had no significant difference(P>0.05).At the final follow-up after surgery,compared with posterior group,the JOA score and JOA improvement rate of the patients in anterior group were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the NDI score and VAS score were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with before surgery,the JOA scores of the patients in two groups at the final follow-up after surgery were increased(P<0.01),and the NDI and VAS scores were significant decreased(P<0.01).The postoperative satisfaction of the patients in two groups was high based on the postoperative satisfaction score.There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complication of the patients between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Both the anterior cervical Hybrid surgery and EODL achieve the satisfactory results in the treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Hybrid surgery has the advantages of less bleeding and shorter surgery time,and the most suitable surgical method should be chosen clinically based on the actual situation of the patients.
5.Modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang Down-regulates PI3K/Akt Pathway to Treat Basilar Artery Dolichoectasia
Feixiang LIU ; Daopei ZHANG ; Zhaoxin WU ; Huailiang ZHANG ; Yunke ZHANG ; Jinxin MIAO ; Zhenqiang ZHANG ; Ruiqin SUN ; Lixiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):87-94
ObjectiveTo establish a mouse model of basilar artery dolichoectasia (BAD) and explore the mechanism of modified Tongqiao Huoxuetang (JTQHX) in regulating BAD via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. MethodSixty C57/BL6 female mice were randomized into sham operation (injected with 10 U·mL-1 inactivate elastase), model, atorvastatin calcium tablets (2.6 mg·kg·d-1), and low- and high-dose (crude drug 3.4, 17 g·kg-1·d-1, respectively) JTQHX groups. The mouse model of BAD was established by injection with 10 U·mL-1 elastase. After 14 days of modeling, the sham operation group and model group were administrated with equal volumes of pure water by gavage, and other groups with corresponding drugs for 2 months. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and calpain (LpA) in the serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Verhoeff 's Van Gieson (EVG) staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of blood vessels. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to examine the apoptosis rate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Image Pro Plus was used to observe and calculate the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle of the basilar artery vessels in mice. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of PI3K and Akt in the vascular tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the model group showed lowered IL-6 level (P<0.01), no significant change in LpA level, increased apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), and increased curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.01). Furthermore, the modeling up-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01) and aggravated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. Compared with the model group, 2 months of treatment with JTQHX elevated the IL-6 level (P<0.01), reduced the apoptosis of VSMCs (P<0.01), decreased the curvature index, elongation length, percentage increase in vessel diameter, and curvature angle (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of PI3K and Akt in blood vessels (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment alleviated the destruction of the inner elastic layer, atrophy of the muscular layer, and hyaline changes in the connective tissue of the medial membrane of the basilar artery wall. ConclusionJTQHX inhibits the elongation, expansion, and curvature of basilar artery vessels and alleviates the pathological changes by reducing the apoptosis of VSMCs and down-regulating the expression of PI3K/Akt pathway.
6.Modern Thinking on the Indications of Daoyin (导引) based on the Theory of "Wei (痿) Diseases should be Treated by Daoyin"
Yan YU ; Xueyin CHEN ; Lihong YANG ; Shaonan LIU ; Yu CHEN ; Lixiang LIU ; Ping YUE ; Jinpeng WU ; Xinfeng GUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(11):1170-1173
It has been proposed by Basic Questions On Proper Therapies for Different Diseases Geographically (《素问·异法方宜论篇》) that "wei (痿) diseases should be treated by Daoyin (导引)". Furthermore, it is clarified that the indications of Daoyin are those conditions related to spleen and dampness caused by dampness pathogen, excessive food intake and less exercise, and mainly manifested as heavy limbs, fatigue and flaccidity, which is similar to the metabolic imbalance in the early stage of glucose or lipid metabolism disorder in modern medicine. Based on modern clinical and basic research evidence, Daoyin can inhibit the response of inflammation, alleviate oxidative stress, regulate intestinal microbiota, and modulate gene expression to improve metabolic abnormalities, and this will provide ideas for researches on the indications of Daoyin.
7.Psychological problems in breast cancer patients should be taken seriously
Lijuan HOU ; Liyuan LIU ; Fei WANG ; Lixiang YU ; Zhigang YU
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(2):110-115
With the transformation of the biopsychosocial medical model, psychological problems and related interventions for breast cancer patients have received more and more attention. Patients often have various psychological problems, in diagnosis, treatment, and even in the state of disease-free survival, such as anxiety and depression, which not only seriously reduces the quality of life, but also affects the follow-up treatment and increases the risk of recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, physicians should perform routine psychological screening and appropriate intervention for patients. In recent years, psychological intervention has gradually become an important part of comprehensive breast cancer treatment, in which cognitive behavior therapy can alleviate patients′ anxiety and sleep disorders, mindfulness therapy can treat patients′ anxiety, depression and fear of cancer recurrence, and psychoeducational support is mainly used to address patients′ mood disorders and sexual dysfunction. Improving patients′ compliance with treatment and quality of life is the main goal of psychological intervention for breast cancer patients.
8.An analysis of breast cancer patients with ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions after minimally invasive excision in clinicopathological features and influencing factors of residual tumor
Liang LI ; Zequn FENG ; Lianfang ZHANG ; Ruiqing WANG ; Xiaoxia ZHANG ; Liyuan LIU ; Lixiang YU ; Zhigang YU ; Zhongcheng GAO
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(2):135-140
Objectives:To examine the clinicopathological characteristics and the influencing factors of the residual tumor of patients with Breast Image Report and Data System (BI-RADS) grade 3 lesions diagnosed with malignancy after minimally invasive excision.Methods:In this retrospective case-control study, clinicopathological data of 69 cases, which had been evaluated as BI-RADS 3 lesions by ultrasound (4 151 cases) diagnosed with breast cancer by minimally invasive excision pathology, were analyzed between May 2012 and June 2016 at the Department of Breast Surgery of the Second Hospital of Shandong University and Linyi People′s Hospital. All patients were female, aged (43.4±8.2) years (range: 22 to 70 years). Based on residual tumor after minimally invasive excision, patients were classified into two subgroups: tumor residual group ( n=39) and non-tumor residual group ( n=30). The clinicopathological features between the two groups were compared. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics were compared in different groups using the χ 2 test and the t test. Potential variables identified in the univariate analysis and other relevant variables will be analyzed multivarially using Logistic regression models. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for survival analysis and survival curves. Results:The breast cancer detection rate of ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions was 1.66% (69/4 151), and their maximum diameter of the masses was (1.27±0.45) cm (range: 0.5 to 2.3 cm). Among them, the maximum diameter were ≤1 cm in 28 cases and >1 cm in 41 cases. Histopathological results showed carcinoma in situ in 24 cases and invasive carcinoma in 41 cases, positive expression of the estrogen receptor in 47 cases, positive expression of the progesterone receptor in 43 cases, Ki-67 proliferation index elevated in 26 cases. Axillary metastasis positive rate was 10.1% (7/69). Residual tumor after minimally invasive surgery was found in 39 cases (56.5%). Univariate analysis showed that the tumour residual group showed a significantly increased rate of positive expression of the estrogen receptor (91.9%(34/37) vs. 61.9%(13/21), χ2=7.838, P=0.012). In multivariate analysis, the only variable found to significantly affect the residual tumor was the positive expression of the estrogen receptor ( OR=16.852, 95% CI: 1.819 to 156.130, P=0.013). The 5-year disease-free survival rate of breast cancer patients with breast ultrasound BI-RADS 3 lesions was 97.1% and the overall survival rate was 98.6%. Conclusions:BI-RADS 3 lesions diagnosed by ultrasound undergoing ultrasound-guided minimally invasive excision have a certain risk of detected malignancy, approximately 1.66%. Patients with positive expression of the estrogen receptor are more likely to develop residual tumor. A secondary operation should be considered to ensure that no tumor residues remain in the cavity.
9.Combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome on the effect of virulence protein Mp1p from Talaromyces marneffei on macrophages
LIU Yuxuan ; WEI Wudi ; BAO Xiuli ; CHEN Lixiang ; ZHANG Baili ; HE Xiaotao ; YE Li ; JIANG Junjun ; LIANG Hao
China Tropical Medicine 2024;24(3):265-
Objective To explore the effect of Mp1p on host macrophages through transcriptomics combined with metabolomics. Methods Firstly, a THP-1 macrophage strain (THP-1-Mp1p+) stably expressing Mp1p was constructed using lentivirus. Secondly, using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA Seq) technology, the expression level of intracellular mRNA was detected in transcriptomics analysis to determine differentially expressed genes; In metabolomics analysis, metabolite identification was performed through database comparison, and pathway analysis was performed on differential metabolites to reveal potential mechanisms of action. Finally, the results of metabolomics and transcriptomics were combined for analysis, and differential metabolites and genes were analyzed to further elucidate the mechanism of action of Mp1p on macrophages. Results Transcriptome analysis showed that, compared with the negative control group, the THP-1-Mp1p+ group had a total of 1 180 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 345 upregulated genes and 835 downregulated genes. GO enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that there were 135 differentially expressed genes, including 105 in biological processes (BP), 28 in cellular components (CC), and 2 in molecular functions (MF). The KEGG analysis results showed that the effect of Mp1p on THP-1 macrophages was highly correlated with the TNF pathway. The metabolomic analysis found that both the blank control group and the THP-1-Mp1p+ macrophage group achieved good separation between QC samples in both positive and negative ion modes. The threshold for significant differential metabolites was set at: VIP≥1 and T-test P<0.05, resulting in the identification of 488 differential metabolites, with 230 in the positive ion mode and 258 in the negative ion mode. Pathway enrichment analysis of the identified metabolites pointed to significant enrichment in metabolic pathways. The combined analysis confirmed that the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and NF-kappaB signaling pathway were important metabolic pathways involved. Conclusions The virulence factor Mp1p may affect host macrophages by modulating the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, interleukin-17 signaling pathway, and NF-kappaB signaling pathway. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of Mp1p and may offer potential directions for the selection of relevant diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the future.
10.An advanced machine learning method for simultaneous breast cancer risk prediction and risk ranking in Chinese population: A prospective cohort and modeling study
Liyuan LIU ; Yong HE ; Chunyu KAO ; Yeye FAN ; Fu YANG ; Fei WANG ; Lixiang YU ; Fei ZHOU ; Yujuan XIANG ; Shuya HUANG ; Chao ZHENG ; Han CAI ; Heling BAO ; Liwen FANG ; Linhong WANG ; Zengjing CHEN ; Zhigang YU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(17):2084-2091
Background::Breast cancer (BC) risk-stratification tools for Asian women that are highly accurate and can provide improved interpretation ability are lacking. We aimed to develop risk-stratification models to predict long- and short-term BC risk among Chinese women and to simultaneously rank potential non-experimental risk factors.Methods::The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women, a large ongoing prospective dynamic cohort study, includes 122,058 women aged 25-70 years old from the eastern part of China. We developed multiple machine-learning risk prediction models using parametric models (penalized logistic regression, bootstrap, and ensemble learning), which were the short-term ensemble penalized logistic regression (EPLR) risk prediction model and the ensemble penalized long-term (EPLT) risk prediction model to estimate BC risk. The models were assessed based on calibration and discrimination, and following this assessment, they were externally validated in new study participants from 2017 to 2020.Results::The AUC values of the short-term EPLR risk prediction model were 0.800 for the internal validation and 0.751 for the external validation set. For the long-term EPLT risk prediction model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.692 and 0.760 in internal and external validations, respectively. The net reclassification improvement index of the EPLT relative to the Gail and the Han Chinese Breast Cancer Prediction Model (HCBCP) models for external validation was 0.193 and 0.233, respectively, indicating that the EPLT model has higher classification accuracy.Conclusions::We developed the EPLR and EPLT models to screen populations with a high risk of developing BC. These can serve as useful tools to aid in risk-stratified screening and BC prevention.

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