1.Research progress on risk assessment and predictive early warning of severe perioperative complications in elderly lung cancer patients
Zixiao HE ; Ziyue LUO ; Ruihao ZHOU ; Yanbingshi WANG ; Le SHEN ; Guo CHEN ; Tao ZHU ; Lunxu LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1129-1141
With the aging population and the widespread implementation of lung cancer screening programs, an increasing number of elderly patients are undergoing curative lung resection. Due to diminished physiological reserve and complex comorbidities, this demographic exhibits a significantly higher incidence of severe perioperative complications (defined as Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ), which adversely affects both perioperative safety and long-term prognosis. In recent years, the research paradigm has shifted from univariate analysis toward multidimensional risk integration and the development of predictive models. This article systematically reviews the key risk factors for severe perioperative complications in elderly lung cancer patients, encompassing biological aging processes, frailty and sarcopenia, cardiopulmonary and renal functional reserves, inflammatory-immune and coagulation status, and perioperative interventions. Furthermore, it traces the evolution of risk assessment tools from traditional regression models to machine learning models that integrate multimodal data. The review also discusses common challenges in this field, including the standardization of outcome definitions, external validation, calibration assessment, and clinical translation. Future efforts should prioritize the deep integration of predictive tools with clinical decision support systems to establish a closed-loop care pathway from risk identification to stratified intervention, thereby effectively reducing complication rates and enhancing surgical outcomes for elderly lung cancer patients.
2.Berg Balance Scale score is a valuable predictor of all-cause mortality among acute decompensated heart failure patients.
Yu-Xuan FAN ; Jing-Jing CHENG ; Zhi-Qing FAN ; Jing-Jin LIU ; Wen-Juan XIU ; Meng-Yi ZHAN ; Lin LUO ; Guang-He LI ; Le-Min WANG ; Yu-Qin SHEN
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2025;22(6):555-562
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients.
METHODS:
A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis.
RESULTS:
For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.
3.High-dose estrogen impairs demethylation of H3K27me3 by decreasing Kdm6b expression during ovarian hyperstimulation in mice.
Quanmin KANG ; Fang LE ; Xiayuan XU ; Lifang CHEN ; Shi ZHENG ; Lijun LOU ; Nan JIANG ; Ruimin ZHAO ; Yuanyuan ZHOU ; Juan SHEN ; Minhao HU ; Ning WANG ; Qiongxiao HUANG ; Fan JIN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(3):269-285
Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female
;
Mice
;
Demethylation/drug effects*
;
Embryonic Stem Cells
;
Estrogens/administration & dosage*
;
Gene Expression/drug effects*
;
Histones/metabolism*
;
Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Oocytes
;
Ovary/drug effects*
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Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
;
Animals
4.Independent and Interactive Effects of Air Pollutants, Meteorological Factors, and Green Space on Tuberculosis Incidence in Shanghai.
Qi YE ; Jing CHEN ; Ya Ting JI ; Xiao Yu LU ; Jia le DENG ; Nan LI ; Wei WEI ; Ren Jie HOU ; Zhi Yuan LI ; Jian Bang XIANG ; Xu GAO ; Xin SHEN ; Chong Guang YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):792-809
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases.
METHODS:
TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases.
RESULTS:
Increased TB risk was linked to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall, whereas NO 2, SO 2, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM 2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM 10 ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO 2 ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO 2 ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM 2.5 on TB.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology*
;
Humans
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Tuberculosis/epidemiology*
;
Incidence
;
Meteorological Concepts
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Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
;
Environmental Exposure
;
Male
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Air Pollution
;
Middle Aged
5.Modern understanding and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of obesity
Le BU ; Chuyan TONG ; Shen QU
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(3):185-191
As a multifactorial chronic metabolic disorder with complex causes and serious health risks, obesity has drawn significant societal and medical attention. This article systematically reviewed the latest advancements in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of obesity. A disease-centered diagnosis and treatment concept has been proposed, which combines BMI and introduces a brand-new clinical diagnosis and treatment standard centered on fat content and functional disorders, such as new diagnostic markers like adipose tissue distribution, visceral adiposity, and waist-to-height ratio, to conduct a comprehensive assessment and lifespan management of patients. In recent years, novel biomarkers and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnosis have provided new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of obesity. In terms of treatment, combined therapy based on lifestyle and behavioral intervention has been widely recognized. The advent of new weight-loss drugs, such as glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1), minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(ESG), which reduced surgical risks, have provided possibilities for the treatment of obesity. The current concept of obesity management has become increasingly mature, feasible, and standardized. The construction principles of a weight management center, characterized by centralized management and individualized treatment, ensure the long-term stability of body weight and promote a healthy quality of life for patients with obesity.
6.Natural products modulate pyroptosis for treatment of spinal cord injury
Xuesan ZHANG ; Zheng ZHANG ; Le SHEN ; Qingqing GENG ; Shusen TAN ; Chunbiao LOU ; Kang HAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6520-6528
BACKGROUND:Neuroinflammation is a major cause of exacerbation after spinal cord injury.In recent years,pyroptosis has received much attention due to its remarkable pro-inflammatory features.Some of these natural products can significantly inhibit the inflammatory response and improve the damaged nerve function by regulating the level of pyroptosis after spinal cord injury,which provides a new therapeutic idea for spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the mechanism of action of natural products in regulating pyroptosis for the treatment of spinal cord injury,with a view to providing lessons and references for future research on the treatment of spinal cord injury.METHODS:The search terms"spinal cord injury,pyroptosis,inflammasome,natural products,natural compounds,traditional Chinese medicine"in Chinese and English were used to search for relevant literature since the establishment of the database up to September 2024 in the databases of PubMed,Web of Science,WanFang,and CNKI.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,75 relevant articles were finally obtained.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Pyroptosis is an important pro-inflammatory pathway in spinal cord injury,and controlling pyroptosis is an effective way to improve damaged nerve function.(2)Some natural products can regulate pyroptosis via the NLRP3/Caspase-1 classical pyroptosis pathway,the NF-κB-related pathway,other upstream pathways such as Nrf2/HO-1,and autophagy,thereby affecting the level of tissue inflammation and accelerating neurological recovery after spinal cord injury.(3)The anti-pyroptosis effects of these natural products are mostly dependent on the NLRP3 classical pyroptosis pathway,and there is a lack of studies on other pyroptosis pathways.(4)There are still many problems in this field,such as the fact that these natural products are not currently supported by evidence from appropriate clinical studies.(5)The natural product has great potential in regulating pyroptosis and is expected to be a powerful weapon in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
7.Risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia
Yanbingshi WANG ; Xue ZHANG ; Yuelun ZHANG ; Le SHEN
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(5):537-541
Objective:To identify the risk factors for perioperative cardiac arrest (POCA) in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia.Methods:This case-control study enrolled elderly patients aged ≥60 yr who underwent surgery under general anesthesia at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2013, and November 30, 2024. The case group consisted of patients who experienced POCA, defined as cessation of cardiac mechanical activity and loss of effective circulation, requiring immediate chest compressions and/or defibrillation within 24 h from entering the operating room to the end of anesthesia. The control group consisted of elderly patients without POCA, matched to cases by sex and date of surgery in a ratio of 1∶3. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for POCA based on patients′ baseline and surgical characteristics.Results:A total of 53 POCA cases and 159 matched controls were included. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis identified an American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ ( OR=4.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2.21-10.89, P<0.001) and the presence of peripheral vascular disease ( OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.10-5.81, P=0.028) as independent risk factors for POCA. Higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration was found to be a protective factor ( OR=0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P<0.001). Conclusions:An American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification of ≥Ⅲ and comorbid peripheral vascular disease are independent risk factors for POCA in elderly patients undergoing general anesthesia, while higher preoperative hemoglobin concentration serves as a protective factor.
8.The computer-aided diagnosis model of middle ear cholesteatoma based on integrated convolutional neural networks
Yutong ZHAO ; Ruixia MA ; Hailing REN ; Ningyu FENG ; Ning ZHANG ; Le WANG ; Yongchun LI ; Xueliang SHEN ; Jiao HE
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;60(5):511-519
Objective:Middle ear cholesteatoma is a common otolaryngological disease, and traditional diagnostic methods have certain limitations. This study aims to construct a computer-aided diagnosis model for middle ear cholesteatoma based on integrated convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.Methods:Firstly, Data were collected from patients who visited the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan between January 2020 and December 2021. 8 000 temporal bone CT images were collected, including 5 000 images diagnosed pathologically as middle ear cholesteatoma and 3 000 normal images. A five-fold cross-validation method was used to divide the dataset into training and testing sets. Next, a transfer learning approach was used to initialize model parameters, and the AlexNet, GoogleNet, and ResNet networks were pre-trained to extract deep features from the images. Then, the Softmax classification algorithm was applied to classify the features, resulting in three independent classifiers. These classifiers were combined using an ensemble learning method with a weighted voting approach to obtain the final diagnostic results. Finally, the model was evaluated by comparing the ensemble classifier with individual classifiers to assess its accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic time, and a comparison with low-mid-and high-experience physician groups was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the model′s diagnostic performance.Results:The experimental results showed that the model achieved an accuracy of 88.8%(178/200), precision of 92.9%,(112/120) sensitivity of 89.8%(108/120), and specificity of 88.1%(70/80). The average diagnostic time for individual patient temporal bone CT images was reduced to 2-3 seconds. Compared to the diagnostic results from low-mid-and high-experience physician groups, the model demonstrated significant advantages and effectively assisted clinicians in making rapid and accurate middle ear cholesteatoma diagnoses.Conclusion:The proposed middle ear cholesteatoma diagnostic model based on integrated convolutional neural networks exhibits high recognition accuracy and rapid diagnostic speed, significantly improving clinical diagnostic efficiency, especially in early screening and auxiliary diagnosis, making it of considerable value in clinical practice.
9.Application of ECMO in perioperative airway management
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(4):422-427
Traditional airway management techniques may fail to provide adequate oxygenation and ventilation for high-risk patients in complex cases.As an extracorporeal life support(ECLS)technology,extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)offers continuous oxygenation and homodynamic support for these patients and provides critical assistance in perioperative airway management.ECMO can be applied in various scenarios,including diffi-cult airways,complex airway surgeries and emergency airway management.It plays a vital role in ensuring peri-op-erative safety,optimizing surgical field exposure,reducing the risk of severe peri-operative complications and im-proving clinical outcomes.
10."One-day"intensive training on perioperative cardiac ultrasound for anesthesiologists
Bing BAI ; Xu LI ; Chunhua YU ; Le SHEN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(9):1248-1252
Objective To explore the teaching effect of a"one-day"training model for basic application of periop-erative echocardiography for refresher anesthesiologists based on AR glasses and simulators.Methods The cardiac ultrasound teaching team of the Department of Anesthesiology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital designed a"one-day"teaching course for 60 trainees with no prior experience,based on AR glasses and simulators,covering basic applications of transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE).We col-lected the scores of theoretical and practical assessments before and after the training and conducted a survey on trainee satisfaction and changes in clinical behavior post-training.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 software.Results The theoretical knowledge scores before and after the training were 52.35±12.33 and 81.20±22.78,respectively(P<0.05);the practical assessment scores were 30.33±10.65 and 73.96±23.15,respectively(P<0.05).Overall satisfaction rate was 96.66%(58/60).Conclusions The"one-day"teaching model for basic application of perioperative cardiac ultrasound based on AR glasses and simulators,as an introductory training model,can help beginners quickly master the core content at the entry level and lay a solid foundation for subsequent clinical application.

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