1.Mechanism and clinical research progress of calcineurin inhibitor-induced hyperglycemia
Suna LU ; Qiuxia MIN ; Xi WEN ; Ling ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(3):407-412
Calcineurin inhibitor(CNI) is potent immunosuppressive agents and serve as cornerstone therapies in the treatment of organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases, with cyclosporine A and tacrolimus being the representative drugs. Long-term use of CNI can lead to drug-induced hyperglycemia, severely affecting patients’ prognosis. The pathogenesis involves multilevel pathological alterations: at the pancreatic β-cell level, CNI directly damage β-cell by inducing calcium overload, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, suppressing the expression of key insulin synthesis factors and promoting apoptosis; in peripheral tissues, CNI interfere with insulin receptor substrate phosphorylation and inhibit the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway, resulting in decreased glucose uptake and insulin resistance; additionally, CNI can also induce β-cell injury by suppressing the secretion and receptor signal transduction of glucagon-like peptide-1, as well as by activating the nuclear factor kappa B pathway to promote inflammatory responses. Clinical studies demonstrate that the incidence of CNI-associated hyperglycemia is closely related to drug type, dosage, and individual patient factors. For high-risk patients, dose adjustment of CNI, switching to agents with lower metabolic toxicity when necessary, and selection of appropriate glucose-lowering regimens based on glycemic levels are recommended. Future research should further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of CNI metabolic toxicity and optimize individualized pharmacotherapy strategies to improve long-term patient outcomes.
2.Self-Supervised Multi-Organ Segmentation in Pediatric Abdominal CT Based on Vision Foundation Models
Qinghua ZHANG ; Ming LI ; Zhedian ZHOU ; Jian ZHENG ; Huadan XUE ; Qiuxia WANG ; Yu DU ; Zhen LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(4):954-962
To address the scarcity of annotated data for pediatric abdominal CT imaging and the insufficient generalization capability of existing models, we constructed a self-supervised pretraining architecture tailored for pediatric CT domain adaptation based on the visual foundation model DINOv3, and validated its performance in the task of pediatric abdominal multi-organ segmentation. We built a general-purpose radiological visual representation using the large-scale adult CT dataset CT-3M, and introduced a Gram-anchoring mechanism that employs a frozen adult pretrained model as a structural teacher to guide domain alignment of local topological structures on unlabeled pediatric CT data. Combined with a multi-scale feature aggregation strategy and a lightweight Primus decoder, downstream segmentation tasks were evaluated on a public pediatric CT dataset. Based on case-wise paired results, we compared the mean Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean intersection over union (IoU) between our model and the baseline nnU-Net using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and computed the relative performance improvements. A total of 867 abdominal CT imaging cases were collected, constituting a pretraining dataset comprising 367 588 two-dimensional CT slices. On the public Pediatric-CT-SEG dataset (359 cases), our model achieved a mean DSC of (71.38±1.08)% and a mean IoU of (63.73±1.01)%, representing improvements of 3.22% and 3.59% over the baseline nnU-Net, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( The self-supervised pretraining framework proposed in this study effectively alleviates the domain shift between adult and pediatric abdominal CT images, significantly enhances segmentation accuracy for pediatric abdominal multi-organs-particularly small organs and structures with complex boundaries-and provides a reliable technical solution for intelligent pediatric imaging analysis in scenarios with limited annotated data.
3.A study on the correlation between symptom networks structure and rehabilitation confidence in middle-aged patients during the recovery period of stroke
Peiran GUO ; Zhixia ZHANG ; Jiao YE ; Rong CHENG ; Linru QIAO ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Fang JIANG ; Yaping LIU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(15):1837-1843
Objective To investigate the interaction relationship among symptoms in middle-aged patients during the recovery period of stroke and explore its correlation with rehabilitation confidence,providing a reference for the implementation of precise rehabilitation nursing.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted,and 365 middle-aged patients in the recovery period of stroke who were hospitalized in 4 tertiary general hospitals in Wuhan from April 20 to August 31,2024 were conveniently selected as the subjects of the investigation.Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire,Stroke Symptom Experience Scale,and Confidence after Stroke Measure Questionnaire.Symptom network analysis was conducted using R software,and a network structure model of symptoms-rehabilitation confidence was constructed;meanwhile,the stability of the network structure was evaluated.Results Finally,350 middle-aged stroke patients in the recovery period were included.The most common symptom was"limb weakness"(81.1%).Symptom network analysis showed that"limited limb movement"was the core symptom(rs=1.118).The symptoms strongly associated with recovery confidence were"limited physical movement","annoyance at not being able to do what you want to do"and"slow reaction times".Stability tests suggest that the model results are all good.Conclusion Symptoms of middle-aged patients in the recovery period after stroke are interrelated,and the mechanisms by which different symptoms affect rehabilitation confidence are also different.It is recommended that healthcare professionals prioritize interventions based on core symptoms and inter-symptom relationships in order to accurately enhance patient outcomes and improve recovery outcomes.
4.Relationship between active exercise rehabilitation behavior and symptoms trajectory in middle aged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rong CHENG ; Zhixia ZHANG ; Limin LIU ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Zhen YANG ; Hui WU ; Fang JIANG ; Linru QIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(16):1996-2002
Objective To explore the temporal characteristics and correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms in middle-aged chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients,and to provide a basis for constructing a full cycle precision rehabilitation management system.Methods The ecological momentary assessment method was used to select 63 middle-aged COPD patients from the respiratory and critical care medicine department of a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Wuhan from October 15 to December 1,2024,using convenience sampling.Their active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(number of exercise projects,duration)and related symptoms(dyspnea,fatigue,anxiety)were continuously monitored for a week by using baseline survey,daily active exercise rehabilitation behavior assessment questionnaire,daily symptom assessment questionnaire.A multi-layer linear model was used to analyze the dynamic correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and symptoms.Results 58 patients were included.During the 1-week ecological momentary assessment,the system triggered a total of 1,218 momentary assessments and obtained 1,120 valid responses(with the valid response rate of 91.95%),with patients completing an average of(2.76±0.39)assessments per day.Multilevel linear models showed that momentary dyspnoea,fatigue,anxiety symptoms and baseline kinesiophobia all significantly negatively influenced active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(P<0.05).Conclusion There are dynamic changes in the active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms of middle-aged COPD patients.Nursing staff should establish a precise rehabilitation intervention system based on symptom fluctuations,strengthen patient self-management efficiency through dynamic monitoring and hierarchical management,and achieve long-term optimization of lung rehabilitation effects.
5.A study on the correlation between symptom networks structure and rehabilitation confidence in middle-aged patients during the recovery period of stroke
Peiran GUO ; Zhixia ZHANG ; Jiao YE ; Rong CHENG ; Linru QIAO ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Fang JIANG ; Yaping LIU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(15):1837-1843
Objective To investigate the interaction relationship among symptoms in middle-aged patients during the recovery period of stroke and explore its correlation with rehabilitation confidence,providing a reference for the implementation of precise rehabilitation nursing.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted,and 365 middle-aged patients in the recovery period of stroke who were hospitalized in 4 tertiary general hospitals in Wuhan from April 20 to August 31,2024 were conveniently selected as the subjects of the investigation.Data were collected using the General Information Questionnaire,Stroke Symptom Experience Scale,and Confidence after Stroke Measure Questionnaire.Symptom network analysis was conducted using R software,and a network structure model of symptoms-rehabilitation confidence was constructed;meanwhile,the stability of the network structure was evaluated.Results Finally,350 middle-aged stroke patients in the recovery period were included.The most common symptom was"limb weakness"(81.1%).Symptom network analysis showed that"limited limb movement"was the core symptom(rs=1.118).The symptoms strongly associated with recovery confidence were"limited physical movement","annoyance at not being able to do what you want to do"and"slow reaction times".Stability tests suggest that the model results are all good.Conclusion Symptoms of middle-aged patients in the recovery period after stroke are interrelated,and the mechanisms by which different symptoms affect rehabilitation confidence are also different.It is recommended that healthcare professionals prioritize interventions based on core symptoms and inter-symptom relationships in order to accurately enhance patient outcomes and improve recovery outcomes.
6.Relationship between active exercise rehabilitation behavior and symptoms trajectory in middle aged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rong CHENG ; Zhixia ZHANG ; Limin LIU ; Qiuxia CHEN ; Zhen YANG ; Hui WU ; Fang JIANG ; Linru QIAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(16):1996-2002
Objective To explore the temporal characteristics and correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms in middle-aged chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients,and to provide a basis for constructing a full cycle precision rehabilitation management system.Methods The ecological momentary assessment method was used to select 63 middle-aged COPD patients from the respiratory and critical care medicine department of a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Wuhan from October 15 to December 1,2024,using convenience sampling.Their active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(number of exercise projects,duration)and related symptoms(dyspnea,fatigue,anxiety)were continuously monitored for a week by using baseline survey,daily active exercise rehabilitation behavior assessment questionnaire,daily symptom assessment questionnaire.A multi-layer linear model was used to analyze the dynamic correlation between active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and symptoms.Results 58 patients were included.During the 1-week ecological momentary assessment,the system triggered a total of 1,218 momentary assessments and obtained 1,120 valid responses(with the valid response rate of 91.95%),with patients completing an average of(2.76±0.39)assessments per day.Multilevel linear models showed that momentary dyspnoea,fatigue,anxiety symptoms and baseline kinesiophobia all significantly negatively influenced active exercise rehabilitation behaviour(P<0.05).Conclusion There are dynamic changes in the active exercise rehabilitation behaviour and related symptoms of middle-aged COPD patients.Nursing staff should establish a precise rehabilitation intervention system based on symptom fluctuations,strengthen patient self-management efficiency through dynamic monitoring and hierarchical management,and achieve long-term optimization of lung rehabilitation effects.
7.Effect of galangin on immune function in nephrotic syndrome rats by regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway
Qiuxia ZHANG ; Chunmei XU ; Wenjing LIN ; Yu ZHANG ; Chun LIN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(8):1945-1950
Objective:To investigate effect of galangin(Gal)on immune function in nephrotic syndrome(NS)rats by regula-ting stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)signaling pathway.Methods:A NS rat model was established by injecting doxorubicin into tail vein.After successful modeling,rats were randomly grouped into Model group,Gal low,medium and high doses groups,activator group.Twelve rats were randomly selected as control group,and each group was given corre-sponding drug by gavage and intraperitoneal injection,once a day for 6 consecutive weeks.Biochemical indicators such as 24-hour urine protein,urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Scr)and total cholesterol(TC)were detected in rats;HE staining was applied to observe pathological damage in rat kidney tissue;spleen and thymus were taken and weighed,and organ index was calculated;flow cytometry was applied to detect levels of CD3+T,CD4+T,CD8+T,Th1 and Th2 cells in rat peripheral blood;ELISA was applied to detect IL-10,IL-2,TNF-α,IgG and IgM in serum;qRT-PCR and Western blot were applied to detect mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4.Results:Compared with control group,24-hour urine protein,BUN,Scr,TC,triglyceride(TG)contents,CD8+T,Th1,Th1/Th2,IL-2,TNF-α,SDF-1,CXCR4 mRNA and protein expressions of rats in Model group were obviously in-creased,albumin(ALB)content,spleen index,thymus index,CD3+T,CD4+T,Th2 cell proportions,CD4+T/CD8+T,IL-10,IgG,and IgM levels were obviously reduced(P<0.05);compared with Model group,24-hour urine protein,BUN,Scr,TC,TG contents,CD8+T,Th1,Th1/Th2,IL-2,TNF-α,SDF-1,CXCR4 mRNA and protein expressions of rats in Gal low,medium and high doses groups were gradually decreased,ALB content,spleen index,thymus index,CD3+T,CD4+T,Th2 cell proportions,CD4+T/CD8+T,IL-10,IgG and IgM levels were gradually increased(P<0.05);compared with high-dose Gal group,changes in above indicators in activator group of rats were obviously reversed(P<0.05).Conclusion:Gal may enhance T lymphocyte immune function by inhibiting SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway,thereby alleviating renal injury in NS rats.
8.NAD+Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension via Activation of SIRT3/IDH2 Signal Pathway
Yumin QIU ; Xi CHEN ; Jianning ZHANG ; Zhangchi LIU ; Qiuxia ZHU ; Meixin ZHANG ; Jun TAO ; Xing WU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):70-80
[Objective]To investigate the effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide on vascular endothelial injury in hypertension and its molecular mechanism.[Methods]C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into saline group(Saline)and hypertension group(Ang Ⅱ,which were infused with Ang Ⅱ via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps),and supplemented daily with nicotinamide mononucleotide(300 mg/kg),a precursor of NAD+.Blood pressure,endothelial relaxation function and pulse wave velocity were measured after 4 weeks.Wound healing assay and adhesion assay were used to evaluate the function of endothelial cells in vitro.mtROS levels were detected by immunofluorescence staining.RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of mtDNA,SIRT3 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2(IDH2).8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The protein expression levels of p-eNOS,eNOS,SIRT3 and IDH2 were detected by Western blot.[Results]NMN supplementation reduced blood pressure(P<0.001)and improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness(P<0.001)in hypertensive mice.In vitro,NMN improved endothelial function in Ang Ⅱ-stimulated endothelial cells(P<0.05)and attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress levels(P<0.001).Mechanistically,NMN elevated SIRT3 activity(P<0.001),which subsequently enhanced IDH activity(P<0.001)and reduced oxidative stress levels in endothelial cells.Conversely,knockdown of IDH2 would reverse the effect of SIRT3 in improving endothelial function(P<0.001).[Conclusion]NAD+lowers blood pressure and enhances vascular function in hypertension by reducing the level of oxidative stress in endothelial cells through activation of the SIRT3/IDH2 signal pathway.
9.Multicenter epidemiological features of parainfluenza virus respiratory tract infections among children in Hainan Province, 2012-2022
CHEN Qiuxia ; LU Chun ; ZHANG Xuemei
China Tropical Medicine 2025;25(1):57-
Objective To explore the parainfluenza virus (PIV) infection in children hospitalized in Hainan between March 2012 and December 2022, and to analyze its epidemiological characteristics. Methods The samples were obtained from 62 553 kids with respiratory infections who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics of multiple hospitals in various regions of Hainan from March 2012 to December 2022. Indirect immunofluorescence was employed to detect IgM antibodies in serum for nine respiratory pathogens, including PIV, adenovirus, influenza A virus, Legionella pneumophila, respiratory syncytial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza B virus, Coxiella burnetii, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Epidemiological and clinical data (time, gender, age, season, etc.) of PIV-IgM antibody-positive cases were analyzed in a descriptive study. Results The total PIV-IgM antibody positive rate of 62 553 respiratory tract infected children was 3.29% (2 015/62 553), with the highest positive rate of 11.01% (385/3 496) in 2017, and the second highest positive rate of 8.37% (351/4 196) in 2016, which were significantly higher than the positive rate of the rest of the years (P<0.001). The PIV positive rate was 3.18% (1 248/39 225) in males and 3.29% (767/23 328) in females, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). PIV infection occurred in all age groups, with the highest positive rate in the 6 to <12 years group at 4.50% (357/7 941), followed by the 3 to <6 years group at 4.47% (656/14 689), significantly higher than other age groups (P<0.001). The highest positive rate for PIV was in summer at 4.30% (693/16 093), followed by 3.78% (598/15 804) in spring, and the lowest rate of 2.27% (342/15 065) in winter, with statistically significant differences (P<0.001). Single PIV infection accounted for 63.08% (1 271/2 015), while mixed infections accounted for 36.92% (744/2 015), and the most common co-infection being with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection at 23.13% (466/2 015). Conclusions PIV is an important pathogen for children's acute respiratory infections in Hainan Province, exhibiting year-round sporadic occurrence with alternating high and low periods characteristics. PIV infection is to the gender of the child, predominantly affects preschool and school-age children, peaks in spring and summer, and commonly co-infects with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
10.Research progress on the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in diabetic retinopathy
Deshuang LI ; Haitao ZHANG ; Yishen WANG ; Qiuxia ZHOU ; Li LI ; Sheng CHEN
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1983-1988
Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss globally.Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)therapies remain the clinical mainstay, a significant proportion of patients exhibit suboptimal responses, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP), a multifunctional neuropeptide, is gaining attention due to its roles in vascular regulation, neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of CGRP and its receptor-mediated signaling, and explores emerging evidence of CGRP's involvement in DR through its vasodilatory effects and regulatory effect on neurodegenerative disorders and release of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of targeting the CGRP pathway in DR is evaluated, especially in cases unresponsive to VEGF inhibition. Despite currently the lack of CGRP-targeted drugs applied for DR, the peptide demonstrates efficacy and safety in other diseases, such as migraine, suggests promising translational opportunities. However, CGRP may play a dual role in different pathological stages of DR, thus its treatment strategy needs to be considered precisely. Future research elucidating the precise mechanisms of CGRP in DR may pave the way for innovative intervention strategies.

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