1.Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Pei-Yang LI ; Feng-Qi LI ; Xiao-Jun HOU ; Xue-Ren LI ; Xin MU ; Hui-Min LIU ; Shou-Chun PENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1998-2017
Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.
2.The clinical value of artificial intelligence quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stage Ⅰ invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Yun LIANG ; Mengmeng REN ; Delong HUANG ; Jingyan DIAO ; Xuri MU ; Guowei ZHANG ; Shuliang LIU ; Xiuqu FEI ; Dongmei DI ; Ning XIE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):598-607
Objective To explore the clinical value of artificial intelligence (AI) quantitative parameters in distinguishing pathological grades of stageⅠ invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC). Methods Clinical data of patients with clinical stageⅠ IAC admitted to Yantaishan Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University from October 2018 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the 2021 WHO pathological grading criteria for lung adenocarcinoma, IAC was divided into gradeⅠ, grade Ⅱ, and grade Ⅲ. The differences in parameters among the groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of AI quantitative parameters for grade Ⅲ IAC patients. Parameters were screened using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. Three machine learning models were constructed based on these parameters to predict grade Ⅲ IAC and were internally validated to assess their efficacy. Nomograms were used for visualization. Results A total of 261 IAC patients were included, including 101 males and 160 females, with an average age of 27-88 (61.96±9.17) years. Six patients had dual primary lesions, and different lesions from the same patient were analyzed as independent samples. There were 48 patients of gradeⅠ IAC, 89 patients of grade Ⅱ IAC, and 130 patients of grade Ⅲ IAC. There were statitical differences in the AI quantitive parameters such as consolidation/tumor ratio (CTR), ect among the three goups. (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the differences in all variables except age were statistically significant (P<0.05) between the group gradeⅠ+grade Ⅱand the group grade Ⅲ . Multivariate analysis suggested that CTR and CT standard deviation were independent risk factors for identifying grade Ⅲ IAC, and the two were negatively correlated. Grade Ⅲ IAC exhibited advanced TNM staging, more pathological high-risk factors, higher lymph node metastasis rate, and higher proportion of advanced structure. CTR was positively correlated with the proportion of advanced structures in all patients. This correlation was also observed in grade Ⅲ but not in gradeⅠand grade ⅡIAC. CTR and CT median value were selected by using LASSO regression. Logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost models were constructed and validated, among which, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best predictive performance. Conclusion Cautious consideration should be given to grade Ⅲ IAC when CTR is higher than 39.48% and CT standard deviation is less than 122.75 HU. The XGBoost model based on combined CTR and CT median value has good predictive efficacy for grade Ⅲ IAC, aiding clinicians in making personalized clinical decisions.
3.Causal Associations between Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), PM 2.5 Absorbance, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk: Evidence from a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.
Xu ZHANG ; Zhi Meng WU ; Lu ZHANG ; Bing Long XIN ; Xiang Rui WANG ; Xin Lan LU ; Gui Fang LU ; Mu Dan REN ; Shui Xiang HE ; Ya Rui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):167-177
OBJECTIVE:
Several epidemiological observational studies have related particulate matter (PM) exposure to Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many confounding factors make it difficult to draw causal links from observational studies. The objective of this study was to explore the causal association between PM 2.5 exposure, its absorbance, and IBD.
METHODS:
We assessed the association of PM 2.5 and PM 2.5 absorbance with the two primary forms of IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship. We conducted two-sample MR analyses with aggregated data from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked with PM 2.5 concentrations or their absorbance were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach and four other standard methods as supplementary analyses for quality control.
RESULTS:
The results of MR demonstrated that PM 2.5 had an adverse influence on UC risk (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.010; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.001-1.019, P = 0.020). Meanwhile, the results of IVW showed that PM 2.5 absorbance was also causally associated with UC ( OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.004-1.019, P = 0.002). We observed no causal relationship between PM 2.5, PM 2.5 absorbance, and CD. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated the absence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy, ensuring the reliability of MR results.
CONCLUSION
Based on two-sample MR analyses, there are potential positive causal relationships between PM 2.5, PM 2.5 absorbance, and UC.
Humans
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Particulate Matter/analysis*
;
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
;
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics*
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Crohn Disease/genetics*
;
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics*
;
Genome-Wide Association Study
;
Risk Factors
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Environmental Exposure
4.Correlation analysis between styloid process length and symptoms in patients with styloid process syndrome
Guoyuan MU ; Xiaohong LIU ; Yin QIANG ; Yao SHI ; Nan CAO ; Yewen SHI ; Yani FENG ; Xiaoyong REN ; Huanan LUO
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2025;32(9):565-569
OBJECTIVE To analyze the correlation between styloid process related parameters and symptoms in patients with styloid process syndrome.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on the 3D reconstruction CT results of the styloid process in 68 patients diagnosed with styloid process syndrome who visited the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2010 to December 2024.The relationship between parameters such as styloid process length,angle,distance from styloid process tip to pharynx,and specific symptoms in patients with styloid process syndrome was analyzed.RESULTS Among 68 patients with styloid process syndrome,44 had unilateral symptoms and 24 had bilateral symptoms.The length of the styloid process on the symptomatic side of patients with unilateral symptoms(3.86±0.16)cm was significantly longer than that on the asymptomatic side(2.98±0.17)cm(Z=-2.191,P=0.028);The length of the styloid process on the side with severe symptoms in patients with bilateral symptoms(3.98±0.37)cm was also significantly longer than that in patients with mild symptoms(3.37±0.15)cm(t=2.448,P=0.024).Patients with styloid process syndrome mainly present with pharyngalgia(64.71%,44/68).There were no significant differences in the length,inclination angle,anteversion angle,and distance between the styloid process tip and the pharynx among those with unilateral pharyngalgia(n=29),bilateral pharyngalgia(n=15),and non pharyngalgia(n=24)(P>0.05).However,among the 68 patients with styloid syndrome,12 had calcification of the styloid hyoid ligament,while 56 did not.The incidence of unilateral pharyngalgia was significantly higher in patients with calcification of the styloid hyoid ligament than in patients without calcification(66.7%vs.35.7%,χ2=3.909,P=0.048).CONCLUSION The severity of symptoms in patients with styloid process syndrome is related to the length of the styloid process,and those with calcification of the styloid hyoid ligament are more likely to experience pharyngalgia.
5.All-round and full-cycle management of primary hyperparathyroidism
Lingquan KONG ; Xiuquan QU ; Liyuan MU ; Fan LI ; Hongyuan LI ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2024;18(1):17-20
Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disease with a large potential population. Some cases of primary hyperparathyroidism are non-primary, preventable and curable at early stage, requiring long-term follow-up after surgery. Therefore, all-round and full-cycle management are necessary for primary hyperparathyroidism, which involves an enhancing focus on etiological prevention, early detection, prompt diagnosis, timely intervention, multi-disciplinary standardized diagnosis and treatment, and postoperative scientific management. Meanwhile, implementing a "12+5+1" multidisciplinary joint diagnosis and treatment model, along with a two-way referral model, to achieve the transition from a disease-oriented diagnostic and treatment model to a patient-oriented, all-round and full-cycle interdisciplinary management model. This management can reduce the incidence and recurrence rate of primary hyperparathyroidism, and related osteoporosis or osteopenia, fractures, nephrolithiasis, metastatic vascular calcification, and systemic abnormal migratory calcium deposits, improve the overall quality of life and prognosis of patients.
6.One case report of repeated chest tightness and palpitation cured after strengthening calcium supplementation
Xiaochun CHENG ; Liyuan MU ; Lingquan KONG ; Fan LI ; Hongyuan LI ; Guosheng REN ; Kainan WU
Chinese Journal of Endocrine Surgery 2024;18(1):147-148
The incidence of parathyroid hyperfunction is high and its clinical manifestations are diverse. Some patients develop chest tightness and palpitations as the main discomfort, which may be caused by the hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia related to negative calcium balance and parathyroid hyperfunction. We report a case of 53 years old male with parathyroid hyperfunction who was diagnosed with osteoporosis before and received conventional regular supplementation of vitamin D and calcium supplements. However, his condition worsened and he developed chest tightness and palpitation. After 1 month of sufficient supplementation of calcium, the symptoms of chest tightness and palpitation disappeared completely. Then we continued to provide the patients enough vitamin D and calcium supplementation actively. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient's condition was stable. His discomfort of chest tightness and palpitation never recurred, and all the bone metabolism indicators returned to normal.
7.Effects of Deduhonghua-7 powder and its main components on CCR1 and DNMT1 proteins in mice with liver fibrosis
Zhi-Qiang HAN ; Yan-Hua XU ; Ren MU ; Da AN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(7):1004-1008
Objective To elucidate the effect of Deduhonghua-7 powder and its main components on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)by regulating chemokine receptor 1(CCR1)and DNA methyltransferase 1(DNMT1).Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Deduhonghua-7 powder group(0.75 g·kg-1 Deduhonghua-7 powder),Scabiosa Atropurea group(0.75 g·kg-1 Scabiosa Atropurea)and Luteolin-L,-H groups(0.02 and 0.04 g·kg-1 Luteolin,respectively).Except the blank group,the other groups were intrabitoneally injected with 10%CC14 olive oil solution to establish liver fibrosis model,and all groups were given 0.5%CMC-Na dissolved intragastric drug once a day for 4 weeks,and blood and liver tissues were collected after the last administration.The serum CCR1,DNMT1,α-smooth muscle actin(α-smA)and precollagen Ⅲ contents were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay;the CCR1,DNMT1,α-smA,Collagen Ⅰprotein expression were detected by Western blot.Result The contents of serum DNMT1 in blank group,model group,Deduhonghua-7 powder group,Luteotin-L,-H groups and Scabiosa Atropurea group were(4.56±0.69),(6.09±0.59),(5.21±0.33),(4.99±0.68),(5.03±0.45)and(5.17±0.61)pg·mL-1;the contents of CCR1 were(13.38±0.47),(11.20±0.73),(12.97±0.80),(12.89±0.75)(12.88±0.95)and(12.92±0.58)pg·mL-1;the contents of α-smA were(181.80±24.50),(281.30±26.60),(220.90±22.30),(193.70±16.10),(199.30±17.70)and(205.80±14.70)pg·mL-1;the contents of procollagen Ⅲ were(49.29±8.26),(77.56±8.61),(67.56±5.63),(55.47±7.07),(64.93±8.66)and(59.66±8.51)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of DNMT1 protein in liver tissues were 0.08±0.03,0.26±0.08,0.13±0.01,0.12±0.05,0.13±0.05 and 0.15±0.03;the CCR1 protein relative expression levels were 0.18±0.03,0.13±0.02,0.21±0.06,0.22±0.07,0.17±0.07 and 0.18±0.06;the α-smA protein relative expression levels were 0.03±0.01,0.27±0.11,0.09±0.05,0.12±0.08,0.09±0.07 and 0.11±0.07;the expression of Colagen Ⅰ protein were 0.09±0.04,0.65±0.22,0.28±0.12,0.26±0.19,0.30±0.22 and 0.25±0.12.The differences of above indicators between the model group and the blank group,between the Deduhonghua-7 powder group,Luteotin-L,-H groups,Scabiosa Atropurea group and the model group were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Conclusion Luteotein is one of the pharmacodynamic substance bases of Deduhonghua-7 powder to alleviate liver fibrosis induced by CC14.It can inhibit or delay the formation of liver fibrosis through CCR1,DNMT1,α-smA and Collagen Ⅰ proteins.
8.Growth Differentiation Factor 5 and Metabolic Diseases
Tian-Mu WANG ; Wu-Jing REN ; Zhen-Jun TIAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(3):564-574
Growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) belongs to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, which is expressed in bone, cartilage, heart, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle and tendon, liver, fat and other organs and tissues as well. GDF-5 binds to receptor BMPR-I/BMPR-II and activates different signaling pathways such as smad1/5/8, PI3K/Akt, p38-MAPK. For a long time, numerous studies have shown that GDF-5 plays an important role in protecting joints. However, researchers have found GDF-5 also plays significant biological functions in other organs. For example, GDF-5 improves cardiac function by reducing oxidative stress and fibrosis in infarcted hearts. GDF-5 can also reduce oxidative stress in the brain and increase the number of neurons in effort to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It is a situation, research on GDF-5, at present, mainly focuses on the growth and repair of bone, cartilage and tendons, while there are few reports on its biological effects in other organs. Therefore, this article reviews and summarizes the research progress on GDF-5 and metabolic diseases in recent years in order to provide new insights and theoretical basis for the role of GDF-5 in improving metabolic diseases.
9.Analysis of epidemic characteristics of human rabies in China in 2007-2023
Yao QIN ; Qian ZHANG ; Shengjie LAI ; Qiulan CHEN ; Qian REN ; Wenwu YIN ; Di MU ; Yanping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(4):373-377
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in China from 2007 to 2023, and to provide reference evidence for tailoring strategies to facilitate the elimination of rabies in the country.Methods:Case data from 2007 to 2023 were obtained from China′s National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System, and the spatial, temporal, and demographic features of cases were analyzed.Results:From 2007 to 2023, a total of 18 751 human rabies cases were reported in China, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.08 per 100 000. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in incidence rate was -18.58% (95% CI: -21.32% to -15.75%, P<0.05), with three significant turning points in 2011, 2018, and 2021. Based on the trend of the epidemic, Chinese provinces can be roughly divided into five categories. The geographical range affected by rabies has decreased from 23 provinces and 984 counties (districts) in 2007 to 17 provinces and 101 counties (districts) in 2023. Since 2019, the high-incidence counties (districts) have been mainly concentrated in the southwestern part of Hunan, the southern part of Henan, and the western part of Anhui. Fourteen provinces have reported no cases for at least two consecutive years. Males (70.24%) and farmers (72.18%) were the main affected groups, and the proportion of cases aged 65 and above increased from 17.43% in 2007 to 36.07% in 2023. Conclusions:The incidence of rabies in China has changed from endemic in many areas to sporadic, with the remaining endemic regions mainly located in parts of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The main vulnerable groups are middle-aged and elderly farmers. The current prevention and control measures can effectively curb the transmission of rabies, but the decline of cases has slowed down recently.
10.Exploring the characteristics changes of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with acute coronary syndrome after PCI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Xingbo MU ; Qiang REN ; Yushan LI ; Jian ZHANG ; Yanchun LIANG ; Yanxia WANG ; Quanyu ZHANG ; Yaling HAN
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2024;52(9):1065-1072
Objective:To investigate the changes in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) characteristics before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:This is a cross-sectional study that included ACS patients who underwent PCI at the General Hospital of the Northern Theater Command from July 2018 to February 2023. Based on the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients were divided into two groups: the pre-pandemic group and the during-pandemic group, with January 2020 as the dividing line. Clinical data were collected from both groups, and a comparative analysis was performed on their postoperative CPET outcomes, including peak oxygen uptake (peak VO 2), peak metabolic equivalents (peak MET), and other indicators. Weber′s classification was used to assess cardiac function. In addition, the 7-tiem generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) and the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess the patients′ psychological anxiety and depression states, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of CPET after PCI. Results:A total of 4 310 post-PCI ACS patients were included, with an average age of (58.7±9.1) years, and 3 464 (80.37%) were male. There were 1 698 patients in the pre-pandemic group and 2 612 patients in the during-pandemic group. The main indicator of the CPET, peak VO 2 (15.04±3.93) ml·min -1·kg -1 in the during-pandemic group, was lower than that in the pre-pandemic group (15.52±3.68) ml·min -1·kg -1, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, female gender, high body mass index, elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, smoking history, history of myocardial infarction, more severe ACS classification, and mild to moderate degree of depression were related to poor cardiopulmonary outcomes ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the cardiopulmonary outcomes of ACS patients after PCI. Reduced physical activity, and increased psychological stress should be given consideration and attention regarding their impact on patients′ cardiopulmonary function.

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