1.Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Fanna WEI ; Renjie ZHANG ; Yahong HU ; Xiaoyu QIN ; Yunhai GUO ; Xiaojin MO ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Jiatian GUO ; Peng SONG ; Yanhong CHU ; Bin XU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yuchun CAI ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):163-175
Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.
2.Dimethyl fumarate alleviates nerve damage in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Ranran LU ; Xu ZHOU ; Lijie ZHANG ; Xinling YANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):989-994
BACKGROUND:Parkinson's disease is a multifactorial neurological disorder characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons,and dimethyl fumarate(DMF)has potent neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects in neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE:To explore the neuroprotective mechanism of DMF in a mouse model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease. METHODS:Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into control group,model group,low-dose DMF,and high-dose DMF groups.An animal model of Parkinson's disease was established in the latter three groups by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg MPTP,once a day for 5 consecutive days.Intragastric administration was given 30 minutes after each injection of MPTP.Mice in the low-dose DMF group(30 mg/kg)and high-dose DMF group(50 mg/kg)were intragastrically administered once a day for 7 consecutive days.The control and model groups were initially administered the same dose of normal saline.Behavioral testing,western blot,oxidative stress marker detection,and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze the regulatory effects of DMF on oxidative stress and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice,as well as the protective mechanism of DMF on degeneration of dopamine neurons. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group,mice in the low-dose DMF group exhibited significant improvements in motor retardation and postural imbalance(P<0.01),with even more remarkable improvements observed in the high-dose DMF group(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the model group showed a significant increase in the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde and a decrease in superoxide dismutase expression(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the low-dose DMF group reduced malondialdehyde production and increased superoxide dismutase expression(P<0.01),and similar improvements were observed in the high-dose DMF group(P<0.01).Immunohistochemical and western blot assays demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression in the substantia nigra of mice in the model group compared with the control group(P<0.01).However,in the low-dose DMF group,there was an increase in the number of dopaminergic neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression in the substantia nigra(P<0.01),with even more significant improvements in the high-dose DMF group(P<0.01).Western blot results revealed that the model group exhibited elevated Keap1 protein expression and decreased Nrf2 protein expression.In contrast,the DMF groups showed reduced Keap1 protein expression and increased Nrf2 protein expression compared to the model group(P<0.01).To conclude,DMF regulates the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in the substantia nigra of mice with Parkinson's disease,and this regulatory effect is positively correlated with the dose of DMF(P<0.01).Therefore,we infer that DMF exerts neuroprotective effects through the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
3.Mechanism of electroacupuncture treating detrusor-bladder neck dyssynergia after suprasacral spinal cord injury by proteomics
Liya TANG ; Qirui QU ; Jincan LIU ; Ming XU ; Lu ZHOU ; Qiong LIU ; Kun AI
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(2):267-278
Objectives:
To elucidate the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) in restoring detrusor-bladder neck dyssynergia (DBND) following suprasacral spinal cord injury (SSCI).
Methods:
A total of 52 specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade famale Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (10 – 12 weeks, 250 – 280 g) were randomly assigned to either a sham group (n = 12) or a spinal cord injury model group (n = 40). In the model group, DBND was induced through Hassan Shaker spinal cord transection at T10 level, with 24 rats meeting inclusion criteria and subsequently randomized into DBND group (n = 12) and EA intervention group (DBND + EA group, n = 12). After spinal shock recovery (day 19 after modeling), DBND + EA group received EA treatment at Ciliao (BL32), Zhongji (RN3), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints for 20 min per session at 10/50 Hz frequencies, once daily for 10 d. Sham and DBND groups received anesthesia only without EA intervention. On day 29 post-modeling, all rats underwent urodynamic assessments, followed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics, and Western blot (WB) analysis of detrusor and bladder neck tissues. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were defined as proteins with P < 0.05, unique peptides ≥ 2, and fold change > 1.2 or < 0.83. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed using KOBAS 3.0 (P < 0.01), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were analyzed using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) 11.5 and Cytoscape 3.9.1.
Results:
Compared with sham group, DBND group showed significantly elevated leak point pressure (LPP) and maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (both P < 0.01). EA treatment significantly reduced both LPP and MCC compared with DBND group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). HE staining revealed that EA reduced detrusor fibrosis and improved bladder neck inflammation. TMT proteomics identified 30 overlapping DEPs in detrusor and 59 overlapping DEPs in bladder neck when comparing DBND + EA/DBND groups with sham group. In detrusor tissue, KEGG analysis revealed 10 significantly enriched pathways (P < 0.01), including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. PPI analysis showed 22 of 30 DEPs were interconnected. In bladder neck tissue, 14 pathways were significantly enriched (P < 0.01), including relaxin signaling pathway, with 51 of 59 DEPs showing interconnections. Both TMT and WB validations demonstrated that compared with sham controls, DBND rats exhibited upregulated collagen type IV alpha 2 chain (Col4a2) and downregulated guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(z) subunit alpha (Gnaz) in detrusor tissue, while EA treatment normalized both proteins (both P < 0.05). In bladder neck tissue, DBND rats showed decreased expression of smoothelin (Smtn) and calcium-activated potassium channel subunit beta-1 (Kcnmb1) compared with sham controls (both P < 0.01), which were both upregulated following EA treatment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).
Conclusion
EA restores detrusor-bladder neck coordination in DBND through dual-target mechanisms. In detrusor tissue, EA modulates contraction via extracellular matrix remodeling, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway regulation, and enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) biosynthesis mediated by neurotransmitters. In bladder neck tissue, EA promotes relaxation by maintaining contractile phenotypes, reducing fibrosis, suppressing smooth muscle excitation, and regulating presynaptic neurotransmitter release. These findings provide mechanistic insights into EA's therapeutic role in managing DBND.
4.Identification of unknown pollutants in drinking water based on solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction
Zixin QIAN ; Yuhang CHEN ; Chao FENG ; Yuanjie LIN ; Qian XU ; Ziwei LIANG ; Xinyu WANG ; Dasheng LU ; Ping XIAO ; Zhijun ZHOU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(7):854-861
Background With the progression of industrialization, an increasing number of emerging contaminants are entering aquatic environments, posing significant threats to the safety of drinking water. Therefore, establishing a system for identifying unknown hazardous factors and implementing safety warning mechanisms for drinking water is of paramount importance. Among these efforts, non-target screening plays a critical role, but its effectiveness is largely constrained by the scope of coverage of sample pre-treatment methods. Objective To integrate modern chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques with advanced data mining methods to develop a non-discriminatory sample pre-treatment method for comprehensive enrichment of unknown contaminants in drinking water, laying a technical foundation for the discovery and identification of unknown organic hazardous factors in drinking water. Methods A non-discriminatory pre-treatment method based on supramolecular and solid-phase extraction was developed. The final target compounds including 333 pesticides, 194 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and 59 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were used for optimizing the pre-treatment method, confirming its coverage. The impacts of different eluents on the absolute recovery rates of target compounds were compared to select the conditions with the highest recovery for sample pre-treatment. The effects of different supramolecular solvents and salt concentrations on target compound recovery were also evaluated to determine the most suitable solvent and salt concentration. Results The solid-phase extraction elution solvents, supramolecular extraction solvents, and salt concentrations were optimized based on the target compound recovery rates. The optimal recovery conditions were achieved using 2 mL methanol, 2 mL methanol (containing 1% formic acid), 2 mL ethyl acetate, 2 mL dichloromethane, hexanediol supramolecular solvent, and 426 mg salt. The detection method developed based on these conditions showed a good linear relationship for all target compounds in the range of 0.1-100.0 ng·mL−1, with R² > 0.99. The method’s limit of detection ranged from 0.01 ng−1 to 0.95 ng−1, and 95% of target compounds were recovered in the range of 20%-120%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 30%, indicating good precision. Conclusion The combined pre-treatment method of solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction can effectively enrich contaminants in drinking water across low, medium, and high polarities, enabling broad-spectrum enrichment of diverse trace contaminants in drinking water. It provides technical support for broad-spectrum, high-throughput screening and identification of organic pollutants in drinking water, and also serves as a reference for establishing urban drinking water public safety warning systems.
5.Data mining of current research status of clinical trial drug management in China by bibliometrics
Chang XU ; Xinna ZHOU ; Lu QI ; Yu WANG ; Xinghe WANG
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2025;43(8):404-409
Objective To clarify the current development status and research hotspots in the field of experimental drug management in China through data mining by bibliometric. Methods Key words such as “experiment”, “drug”, and “management” were used to search the Chinese literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The title, author name, author affiliation, Chinese abstract, Chinese keywords, publication period, journal name, and other content of the literature were extracted from the literature. Cluster analysis was performed by CNKI literature visualization analysis system, CiteSpace and other software, and a network knowledge map was drawn. Results The literature in the field of experimental drug management in China was first published in 1994, and a total of 140 articles were published until 2022. Among them, 20 articles were supported by relevant funds, and the keyword co-occurrence frequency was highest among “subjects”. The most frequently published medium was the Chinese Pharmacological Yearbook. Conclusion At present, the quantity and quality of literature in the field of experimental drug management in China were relatively small, and the cooperation and communication among authors were not close. The funding from various fund projects in this field was also lacking. These factors led to a lower overall development level and slower development speed in this field.
6.Clinical value of peripheral immune function status in the assessment of ‘Deficiency of Vital Qi’ in lung cancer metastasis
XU Fan1,2 ; TIAN Jianhui1,2 ; LIU Youjun1,2 ; CHENG Zhenyang1,2 ; QUE Zujun2 ; LUO Bin1 ; YANG Yun1 ; YAO Jialiang1 ; YAO Wang1 ; LU Xinyi1,2 ; LIU Yao1,2 ; ZHOU Yiyang1 ; WU Jianchun1 ; LUO Yingbin1 ; LI Minghua1 ; SHI Wenfei1 ; CUI Yajing1 ; SHANGGUAN Wenji3 ; LI Yan1
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(10):1065-1070
[摘 要] 目的:探索外周免疫功能状态与肺癌转移的关联,筛选可用于肺癌转移“正虚”评估的外周血免疫标志物。方法:回顾性分析2023年3月至2025年4月期间上海中医药大学附属市中医医院收治的肺癌患者治疗前的外周血免疫标志物,根据是否存在远处转移,将患者分为无转移组与转移组,比较两组间免疫细胞和细胞因子的表达差异。将单因素分析P < 0.05的外周血免疫指标纳入多因素二元Logistic回归模型,以识别肺癌转移的独立预测因素。结果:共纳入193例肺癌患者(无转移组101例,转移组92例),两组在性别、年龄、吸烟史、饮酒史、病理类型间的差异均无统计学意义(均P > 0.05)。单因素分析显示,无转移组与转移组间有多项免疫指标存在显著差异(均P < 0.05),包括:淋巴细胞计数,CD3+、CD4+、CD8+ T、CD19+ B细胞及CD3-CD16+56+ NK细胞绝对计数,Treg细胞、CD8+CD28+ Treg细胞、G-MDSC和CD3-CD16+CD56+dim NK细胞百分率,以及细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6和IL-10水平。将差异性指标行二元Logistic回归分析,提示外周血中Treg细胞和CD8+CD28+ Treg细胞百分率是肺癌发生远处转移的独立预测因素[OR = 1.193, 95% CI(1.047, 1.36), P < 0.01; OR = 0.978, 95% CI(0.957, 0.999), P < 0.05]。结论:外周血免疫功能紊乱是肺癌转移“正虚”的生物学基础,本研究以量化指标证实外周免疫功能状态与肺癌转移的相关性,为“正虚伏毒”和“肿瘤转移态”理论提供了实证。
7.Arsenic trioxide preconditioning attenuates hepatic ischemia- reperfusion injury in mice: Role of ERK/AKT and autophagy.
Chaoqun WANG ; Hongjun YU ; Shounan LU ; Shanjia KE ; Yanan XU ; Zhigang FENG ; Baolin QIAN ; Miaoyu BAI ; Bing YIN ; Xinglong LI ; Yongliang HUA ; Zhongyu LI ; Dong CHEN ; Bangliang CHEN ; Yongzhi ZHOU ; Shangha PAN ; Yao FU ; Hongchi JIANG ; Dawei WANG ; Yong MA
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2993-3003
BACKGROUND:
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI.
METHODS:
In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent.
CONCLUSION
Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals
;
Arsenic Trioxide
;
Autophagy/physiology*
;
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology*
;
Arsenicals/therapeutic use*
;
Oxides/therapeutic use*
;
Liver/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
8.Novel CD19 Fast-CAR-T cells vs. CD19 conventional CAR-T cells for the treatment of relapsed/refractory CD19-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Xu TAN ; Jishi WANG ; Shangjun CHEN ; Li LIU ; Yuhua LI ; Sanfang TU ; Hai YI ; Jian ZHOU ; Sanbin WANG ; Ligen LIU ; Jian GE ; Yongxian HU ; Xiaoqi WANG ; Lu WANG ; Guo CHEN ; Han YAO ; Cheng ZHANG ; Xi ZHANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2491-2497
BACKGROUND:
Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL.
METHODS:
A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups.
RESULTS:
Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.
9.Role of artificial intelligence in medical image analysis.
Lu WANG ; Shimin ZHANG ; Nan XU ; Qianqian HE ; Yuming ZHU ; Zhihui CHANG ; Yanan WU ; Huihan WANG ; Shouliang QI ; Lina ZHANG ; Yu SHI ; Xiujuan QU ; Xin ZHOU ; Jiangdian SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2879-2894
With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence
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Humans
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
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Neural Networks, Computer
;
Deep Learning
;
Diagnostic Imaging/methods*
10.Mechanism of Zexie Decoction against liver injury in rats with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis based on network pharmacology.
Tian-Tian TANG ; Rong-Zhan ZHANG ; Fang HUANG ; Lu-Zhou XU ; Jia ZHOU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4352-4362
This study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of Zexie Decoction against liver injury in rats with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis(HLAP). The network pharmacology-related databases were used to screen the active components and potential targets of Zexie Decoction, as well as the disease targets of HLAP. A protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the overlapping targets was constructed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment analysis were performed on the overlapping targets. Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, low-dose Zexie Decoction group, and high-dose Zexie Decoction group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits were used to detect serum biochemical indicators. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the pancreas and liver tissues, while oil red O staining was employed to assess hepatic steatosis. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of IL-1β and NLRP3 in pancreatic tissues. Western blot analysis was conducted to evaluate the expression levels of proteins related to oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and autophagy. Network pharmacology predictions identified 721 targets of Zexie Decoction and 2 486 targets associated with HLAP, with 279 overlapping targets. GO enrichment analysis yielded 1 112 entries, and KEGG enrichment analysis identified 179 signaling pathways. Experimental results showed that Zexie Decoction could reduce the levels of lipid metabolites, serum enzymes, and inflammatory cytokines in HLAP rats, alleviate pathological damage to the pancreas and liver, decrease hepatic lipid accumulation, and decrease the expression of IL-1β and NLRP3 in pancreatic tissues. In addition, Zexie Decoction significantly upregulated the expression of antioxidant stress-related proteins NRF2 and HO-1, downregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins BiP, xBP1s, p-eIF2α, eIF2α, and ATF4, inhibited the expression of PI3K and phosphorylation of AKT, increased the expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1, ATG3, ATG5, and ATG12, and reduced the expression of p62. In conclusion, Zexie Decoction can improve HLAP, and its mechanism may be associated with alleviating oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress, inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway, and inducing autophagy in hepatocytes.
Animals
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Network Pharmacology
;
Rats
;
Pancreatitis/genetics*
;
Hyperlipidemias/genetics*
;
Male
;
Liver/injuries*
;
Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Interleukin-1beta/genetics*
;
Humans

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