1.Prediction of testicular histology in azoospermia patients through deep learning-enabled two-dimensional grayscale ultrasound.
Jia-Ying HU ; Zhen-Zhe LIN ; Li DING ; Zhi-Xing ZHANG ; Wan-Ling HUANG ; Sha-Sha HUANG ; Bin LI ; Xiao-Yan XIE ; Ming-De LU ; Chun-Hua DENG ; Hao-Tian LIN ; Yong GAO ; Zhu WANG
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):254-260
Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans
;
Male
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Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging*
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Deep Learning
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Testis/pathology*
;
Retrospective Studies
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Adult
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Ultrasonography/methods*
;
Sperm Retrieval
;
Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*
2.Engineered MSCs-EV for repairing cartilage damage with a focus on delivery of curcumin
Xiao-ming DU ; Yu-lin MA ; Xue-qing DUAN ; Zhao-xi YANG ; Xian-zhe ZHANG ; Jin-ming ZHANG ; Yi-mei HU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1222-1226
Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration,and the extracellular vesicle(EV)released by them holds great promise for applications in clinical biomarkers,vaccines,and drug delivery.However,MSCs-derived EV(MSCs-EV)face challenges such as low pro-duction yield,poor retention,and targeted delivery issues.There-fore,engineering MSCs-EV to enhance their performance and en-able visual research has become a hot topic.Curcumin(CUR),an active component in traditional chinese medicine,exhibits pharmacological effects but has limited bioavailability.Using MSCs-EV as a carrier for CUR delivery can address its solubility and bioavailability challenges.This article reviews the drug loading methods,engineering strategies of MSCs-EV,and their important applications in the delivery and treatment of CUR for cartilage injury diseases.It provides a basis for the clinical ap-plication of engineered MSCs-EV in CUR delivery for cartilage repair,offering potential solutions to the challenges in cartilage tissue repair.
3.Clinicopathological features and molecular genetic characteristics of central nerv-ous system high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with BCOR alterations
Ming HAN ; Wanming HU ; Hongjuan ZHANG ; Yingmei WANG ; Danhui ZHAO ; Zhenyu KE ; Zhe WANG ; Yu-qiao XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(9):1156-1162
Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,and molecular genetic characteris-tics of central nervous system(CNS)high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with BCOR alterations.Methods Five cases of CNS high-grade neuroepithelial tumors harboring BCOR alterations were collected.Using immunohistochemistry and molecular detection to analyze its clinical and histological characteristics,and review relevant literatures.Results A-mong the 5 patients,3 cases with EP300 ∷ BCOR tumor(male-to-female ratio 2∶1).These tumors were located in supratentorial regions(right temporal lobe,right frontotemporal lobe,and right frontal lobe).The 2 patients with BCOR-ITD tumors were younger,both with tumors located in the left cerebellum.Imaging studies revealed well-defined large mass lesions in all cases.Histologically,all 5 cases tumor exhibited ependymoma-like or oligodendroglioma-like morphology,featuring uniformly oval or round cells.Focal areas showed increased cellular density,nuclear enlarge-ment,and readily identifiable mitotic figures indicative of anaplastic features.A rich capillary network was frequently observed in the stroma.Palisading necrosis,microcystic changes,and microcalcifications were present in 3 cases.Im-munohistochemically,all 5 cases consistently expressed vimentin and CD56,focal Olig-2 positivity,variable S-100 ex-pression,and were uniformly negative for GFAP.BCOR immunostaining was weakly positive in 1 case with an EP300∷ BCOR fusion and strongly positive in 2 cases with BCOR-ITD.NGS identified an EP300 ∷ BCOR fusion in 3 cases,and Sanger sequencing confirmed the ITD in exon 15 of BCOR gene in 2 cases.During a follow-up period of 8 to 77 months,one pediatric patient with a BCOR-ITD tumor died,while the remaining four patients were alive with no evi-dence of recurrence or metastasis.Conclusion BCOR-ITD and EP300 ∷ BCOR fusion tumors are similar in morphology and immunophenotype,and the incidence rate of BCOR fusion tumors may be underestimated.NGS sequencing based on DNA and RNA and DNA methylation spectrum analysis are helpful for accurate diagnosis of this type of tumor.
4.Clinicopathological features and molecular genetic characteristics of central nerv-ous system high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with BCOR alterations
Ming HAN ; Wanming HU ; Hongjuan ZHANG ; Yingmei WANG ; Danhui ZHAO ; Zhenyu KE ; Zhe WANG ; Yu-qiao XU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(9):1156-1162
Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,and molecular genetic characteris-tics of central nervous system(CNS)high-grade neuroepithelial tumors with BCOR alterations.Methods Five cases of CNS high-grade neuroepithelial tumors harboring BCOR alterations were collected.Using immunohistochemistry and molecular detection to analyze its clinical and histological characteristics,and review relevant literatures.Results A-mong the 5 patients,3 cases with EP300 ∷ BCOR tumor(male-to-female ratio 2∶1).These tumors were located in supratentorial regions(right temporal lobe,right frontotemporal lobe,and right frontal lobe).The 2 patients with BCOR-ITD tumors were younger,both with tumors located in the left cerebellum.Imaging studies revealed well-defined large mass lesions in all cases.Histologically,all 5 cases tumor exhibited ependymoma-like or oligodendroglioma-like morphology,featuring uniformly oval or round cells.Focal areas showed increased cellular density,nuclear enlarge-ment,and readily identifiable mitotic figures indicative of anaplastic features.A rich capillary network was frequently observed in the stroma.Palisading necrosis,microcystic changes,and microcalcifications were present in 3 cases.Im-munohistochemically,all 5 cases consistently expressed vimentin and CD56,focal Olig-2 positivity,variable S-100 ex-pression,and were uniformly negative for GFAP.BCOR immunostaining was weakly positive in 1 case with an EP300∷ BCOR fusion and strongly positive in 2 cases with BCOR-ITD.NGS identified an EP300 ∷ BCOR fusion in 3 cases,and Sanger sequencing confirmed the ITD in exon 15 of BCOR gene in 2 cases.During a follow-up period of 8 to 77 months,one pediatric patient with a BCOR-ITD tumor died,while the remaining four patients were alive with no evi-dence of recurrence or metastasis.Conclusion BCOR-ITD and EP300 ∷ BCOR fusion tumors are similar in morphology and immunophenotype,and the incidence rate of BCOR fusion tumors may be underestimated.NGS sequencing based on DNA and RNA and DNA methylation spectrum analysis are helpful for accurate diagnosis of this type of tumor.
5.Engineered MSCs-EV for repairing cartilage damage with a focus on delivery of curcumin
Xiao-ming DU ; Yu-lin MA ; Xue-qing DUAN ; Zhao-xi YANG ; Xian-zhe ZHANG ; Jin-ming ZHANG ; Yi-mei HU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1222-1226
Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration,and the extracellular vesicle(EV)released by them holds great promise for applications in clinical biomarkers,vaccines,and drug delivery.However,MSCs-derived EV(MSCs-EV)face challenges such as low pro-duction yield,poor retention,and targeted delivery issues.There-fore,engineering MSCs-EV to enhance their performance and en-able visual research has become a hot topic.Curcumin(CUR),an active component in traditional chinese medicine,exhibits pharmacological effects but has limited bioavailability.Using MSCs-EV as a carrier for CUR delivery can address its solubility and bioavailability challenges.This article reviews the drug loading methods,engineering strategies of MSCs-EV,and their important applications in the delivery and treatment of CUR for cartilage injury diseases.It provides a basis for the clinical ap-plication of engineered MSCs-EV in CUR delivery for cartilage repair,offering potential solutions to the challenges in cartilage tissue repair.
6.Clinical trial of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of adults with mild and moderate depression
Shu-Zhe ZHOU ; Zu-Cheng HAN ; Xiu-Zhen WANG ; Yan-Qing CHEN ; Ya-Ling HU ; Xue-Qin YU ; Bin-Hong WANG ; Guo-Zhen FAN ; Hong SANG ; Ying HAI ; Zhi-Jie JIA ; Zhan-Min WANG ; Yan WEI ; Jian-Guo ZHU ; Xue-Qin SONG ; Zhi-Dong LIU ; Li KUANG ; Hong-Ming WANG ; Feng TIAN ; Yu-Xin LI ; Ling ZHANG ; Hai LIN ; Bin WU ; Chao-Ying WANG ; Chang LIU ; Jia-Fan SUN ; Shao-Xiao YAN ; Jun LIU ; Shou-Fu XIE ; Mao-Sheng FANG ; Wei-Feng MI ; Hong-Yan ZHANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):815-819
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P<0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59%(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49%(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35%(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.
7.Modified Shuyuwan Mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy Improve APP/PS1 Mice Oxidative Stress Injury and Ability of Learning and Memory
Jian-jie ZHOU ; Zi-hu TAN ; Zhe YANG ; Ming LI ; Yu LIU ; Jian-ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(6):43-53
ObjectiveTo explore the effects and related mechanisms of modified Shuyuwan on the decline of learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. MethodForty 5-month-old SPF APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model group, Donepezil group, modified Shuyuwan group, modified Shuyuwan+ chloroquine (CQ) group, 10 mice in each group, the same background wild type C57BL/6J ten mice were set as the normal group. Among them, the modified Shuyuwan group was given the modified Shuyuwan decoction (10 g·kg-1), the Donepezil group was given the Donepezil hydrochloride solution (0.45 mg·kg-1), the modified Shuyuwan + CQ group was CQ (10 mg·kg-1) was injected intraperitoneally on the basis of the modified Shuyuwan group, and the normal group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for a total of 35 days. After the administration, Morris water maze experiment and new object recognition experiment to detect the spatial memory ability of mice. TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling(TUNEL) staining to detect the apoptosis level of mouse hippocampal CA1 neurons, biochemical detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide in mouse hippocampal neurons dismutase (SOD) levels. transmission electron microscopy to observe the ultrastructure of neuronal mitochondria in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampus. Western blot to detect mouse hippocampal mitochondrial autophagy adaptor protein (p62) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ), PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), E3 Ubiquitin Ligase(Parkin)protein expression level. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) detection of mouse hippocampal mitochondrial forkhead transcription factor O1 (FoxO1), PINK1, Parkin mRNA expression level. ResultCompared with the normal group, the escape latency of the model group mice increased significantly, the number of crossing platforms and the retention time in the target quadrant decreased significantly, the relative resolution index decreased significantly, and the ability to recognize new objects was weakened (P<0.05), neurons in the hippocampus CA1 area decreased. The number of dead cells increased significantly (P<0.05), the level of ROS was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the level of SOD was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the morphology of hippocampal mitochondria was severely damaged, the expression of p62 and LC3Ⅱ proteins increased (P<0.01), Parkin protein expression decreased (P<0.05), and PINK1 protein expression increased (P<0.05), FoxO1, PINK1, Parkin mRNA expressions all decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mice's escape latency was significantly shortened after the intervention of the modified Shuyuwan, the number of crossing platforms and the proportion of residence time in the target quadrant increased significantly, the relative resolution index increased significantly, and the ability to identify new objects was enhanced (P<0.05). Apoptotic cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05). ROS levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and SOD levels were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), mitochondrial morphology and various structures were significantly improved, p62, LC3Ⅱ protein expression decrease (P<0.05,P<0.01), PINK1, Parkin protein expression increased (P<0.01). FoxO1, PINK1, Parkin mRNA expression increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the modified Shuyuwan group, the evasion latency of mice in the modified Shuyuwan + CQ group increased significantly, the number of crossing platforms and the proportion of residence time in the target quadrant decreased, and the relative resolution index decreased (P<0.05), the SOD level was significantly reduced (P<0.01). The damage of mitochondrial morphology and structure increased again, the expression of p62 and LC3Ⅱ protein increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the expression of PINK1 and Parkin decreased significantly(P<0.05, P<0.01). FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin mRNA expression was significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Shuyuwan can effectively improve the oxidative stress damage and learning and memory ability of AD mice. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of FoxO1, PINK1, and Parkin factors, promoting mitochondrial autophagy, reducing oxidative stress, and protecting neuronal damage.
8.Establishment and optimization of a hyperuricemic nephropathy mouse model
Ming-hui LI ; Kai-reng WU ; Zhe CHEN ; Lei-yan SUN ; Xiao-qi HUANG ; Xu-guang HU ; Tian LAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2022;57(6):1673-1678
The aim of this study was to establish an efficient and stable mouse model of hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) by testing different modes of administration of potassium oxonate (PO) combined with hypoxanthine (Hx). Animal welfare and experimental procedures were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a PO+Hx group (i.g.; 100 mg·kg-1·d-1 and 500 mg·kg-1·d-1, respectively), and a PO+Hx group (i.p.; 100 mg·kg-1·d-1, and 500 mg·kg-1·d-1). This HN model was induced by combination of PO and Hx administration once daily for 21 days. The results of serum biochemistry showed that the levels of serum creatinine and 24 h albuminuria were increased compared with the normal group in intragastric administration of PO combined with Hx (
9.Apoptosis of Endothelial Cells Induced by Anti-Platelet Integrin β3 Antibody.
Jian-Yu WANG ; Ming-Jing WANG ; Ping SUN ; Yan SUN ; Xue-Zhe WANG ; Xiao-Mei HU ; Ri-Cheng QUAN ; Simon-Xun LIANG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2021;29(2):567-573
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the damaging of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) induced by antiplatelet integrin β3 antibodies in vitro.
METHODS:
The serum from 36 chronic ITP patients were collected, flow cytometry and monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of platelet antigen (MAIPA) assay were used to collect antiplatelet integrin β3 antibodies from the serum of the patients. After HUVEC were treated by ITP patient serum (PS) containing anti-integrin β3 antibodies, the cell damage was detected by Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, the expression of apoptosis-related gene Bax was detected by Reverse transcription-Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), and expression of Apoptosis-related signaling pathway protein Akt and related protein Bax were detected by Western blot. HUVEC were treated by PS combined with Akt activator SC79, the cells damage were detected by LDH assay, apoptosis of the cells were detected by flow cytometry, the expression of apoptosis-related gene Bax was detected by RT-qPCR.
RESULTS:
Among 36 cases of serum from the chronic ITP patients, 5 patients' serum containing anti-integrin β3 antibodies were collected. After HUVEC was treated by PS, the viability of LDH was significant increased(P<0.05), so as for the apoptosis of the cells(P<0.05), the expression of gene and protein of Bax was increased up-regulated(P<0.05), the protein expression of pAkt was down-regulated(P<0.05). Comparing with HUVEC cultured with PS alone, the viability of LDH of HUVEC treated by PS combined with SC79 was significantly reduced(P<0.05), so as for the apoptosis of the cells(P<0.05), and gene expression of Bax was significantly decreased(P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Anti-integrin β3 serum can cause the damage and apoptosis of HUVEC through Akt signaling pathway,the apoptotic effects of anti-integrin β3 antibodies to HUVEC was effectively reversed by SC79.
Apoptosis
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Cells, Cultured
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Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
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Humans
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Integrin beta3
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Signal Transduction
10.Research on polymer impurities in cefazolin sodium raw materials and products
Xia ZHANG ; Jin LI ; Chen WANG ; Ying LIU ; Shang-chen YAO ; Li-hui YIN ; Ming-zhe XU ; Chang-qin HU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2021;56(6):1677-1682
Research on polymer impurities has always been important in the quality control of cephalosporins. Research on polymers in cephalosporins that lack active amino groups on the C-7 side chain has not been reported. Therefore, our study used cefazolin sodium, which is widely used in the clinic, as an example. The polymer in cefazolin sodium and its product "cefazolin sodium pentahydrate for injection" was analyzed by column switching liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Two polymer impurity peaks were detected and the possible structures of these polymers were suggested. Through two-dimensional liquid chromatography, the chromatographic peaks following Sephadex gel chromatography and high-performance gel chromatography were compared to those obtained by reverse high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for cefazolin sodium as reported in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The HPLC method proves more suitable for polymer detection than Sephadex gel chromatography and high-performance gel chromatography. The method of polymer detection for cefazolin sodium was established using the method of related substances HPLC as described in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

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