1.Causal relationship between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A bi-directional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Xuanyu WU ; Xiang XIAO ; Jiajing CHEN ; Xiaomin YU ; Han YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(04):584-591
Objective To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data of gut microbiota and IPF were obtained from MiBioGen and IEU OpenGWAS, respectively. Instrumental variables were screened by means of significance, linkage disequilibrium, weak instrumental variable screening, and removal of confounding factors (genetics, smoking, host characteristics). Inverse variance weighted (IVW) was used as the main Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis method, and the weighted median, simple mode, MR-Egger, and weighted mode were used to perform MR to reveal the causal effect of gut microbiota and IPF. The Cochrane's Q, leave-one-out, MR-Egger-intercept, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) and Steiger tests were used to analyze the heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and directionality, respectively. Results IVW analysis results showed that Actinobacteria [OR=1.773, 95%CI (1.323, 2.377), P<0.001], Erysipelatoclostridium [OR=2.077, 95%CI (1.107, 3.896), P=0.023], and Streptococcus [OR=1.35, 95%CI (1.100, 1.657), P=0.004] could increase the risk of IPF. Bifidobacterium [OR=0.668, 95%CI (0.620, 0.720), P<0.001], Ruminococcus [OR=0.434, 95%CI (0.222, 0.848), P=0.015], and Tyzzerella [OR=0.479, 95%CI (0.304, 0.755), P=0.001] could reduce the risk of IPF. No significant heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, outliers, and reverse causality were found. Conclusion Actinobacteria, Erysipelatoclostridium and Streptococcus may increase the risk of IPF, while Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus and Tyzzerella may reduce the risk of IPF. Regulation of the above gut microbiota may become a new direction in the study of the pathogenesis of IPF.
2.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
3.Thrombus Migration After Tenecteplase Versus Alteplase in Acute Large Vessel Occlusion
Lu WANG ; Fuxia YANG ; Xiao WU ; Lulan LI ; Xueqiao JIAO ; Fangfang ZHANG ; Fengyuan CHE ; Hongxing HAN ; Weidong LIU ; Peifu WANG ; Xuesong LI ; Junfeng SHI ; Jia LIU ; Xunming JI ; Xiuhai GUO
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(2):283-292
Background:
and Purpose In patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO), intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) frequently alters thrombus location; however, the clinical impact of this phenomenon remains unclear. We aimed to compare post-IVT thrombus dynamics between tenecteplase and alteplase and to evaluate the association between thrombus dynamics and 3-month outcomes.
Methods:
This retrospective study analyzed prospectively collected, multicenter data from consecutive patients with LVO who underwent bridging therapy between January 2022 and December 2024. Thrombus dynamics were classified as resolution, migration, or stability. Analyses incorporated propensity score matching with weighting to balance baseline characteristics.
Results:
Of the 806 initially included patients, 746 were included after matching (373 treated with tenecteplase and 373 treated with alteplase). The incidence of thrombus migration was significantly higher in the tenecteplase group than in the alteplase group (19.3% vs. 11.3%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–2.91). The advantage of tenecteplase over alteplase was restricted to patients with an IVT-to-puncture time of <60 minutes (18.6% vs. 6.2%; p=0.001) and was no longer significant when the interval ≥60 minutes (19.7% vs. 15.0%; p=0.204; pinteraction=0.043). Additionally, thrombus migration was associated with a better functional outcome (OR: 1.62; 95% CI 1.04–2.53). Finally, tenecteplase was associated with improved functional independence compared with alteplase (OR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.04–1.95).
Conclusions
Tenecteplase demonstrated superior efficacy in inducing thrombus migration compared with alteplase, particularly within 60 minutes of IVT administration. Thrombus migration independently predicted improved functional independence. These findings support the preferential use of tenecteplase for bridging therapy in patients with LVO.
4.Echinococcosis control in China from the One Health perspective
Shijie YANG ; Xiaonong ZHOU ; Shizhu LI ; Ning XIAO ; Shuai HAN ; Liying WANG ; Ying WANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(4):337-346
Echinococcosis is a neglected zoonotic parasitic disease across the world, which imposes a substantial burden on human health and socioeconomic development in endemic areas. From a One Health perspective, this review systematically summarizes the legal framework, scheme, integrated interventions, control achievements, and challenges in the national echinococcosis control programme of China. An integrated strategy centered on control of the source of Echinococcus infections has been implemented for echinococcosis control in China, and cross-sectoral and cross-regional multidisciplinary coordination mechanisms have been progressively established, resulting in remarkable achievements gained in human health, animal health, and integrated environmental management. The endemicity of echinococcosis remarkably reduced in China in 2023 as compared to results from the national echinococcosis epidemiological survey in China between 2012 and 2016 (baseline), with an 82.14% reduction in human prevalence, an 80.00% reduction in detection of echinococcosis among children, a reduction of prevalent echinococcosis patients to 25 400 cases, a 36.96% reduction in the number of dogs, an 88.24% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in dogs, a 67.00% reduction in the number of stray dogs, an 80.77% reduction in the prevalence of echinococcosis in live-stock, and a 69.23% reduction in the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in rodents. Nevertheless, an estimated 14 600 canines were found to have Echinococcus infections in endemic areas across China in 2023, and the prevalence of Echinococcus infections increased by 241.03% in wild canines in 2023 relative to in 2021, which underscores the persistent threat to echinococcosis transmission. Future efforts are required to strengthen the One Health governance system, increase the financial investment, foster innovations in integrated control technologies, enhance cross-sectoral collaboration, and improve the capacity building at the grassroots level to advance the achievement of the national target of basically controlling echinococcosis in all endemic counties in China by 2030, thereby facilitating the process towards echinococcosis control and elimination.
5.Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic study of lymph node metastasis of stage ⅠA-ⅢB lung invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma
Yuanzi Ye ; Siyuan Zhang ; Wanli Xia ; Ruxue Yang ; Han Xiao ; Wei Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(5):834-841
Objective :
To explore the correlation between the clinical, pathological, genetic features, prognosis, and tumor lymph node metastasis in patients with stage ⅠA-Ⅲ B lung invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma(INMA).
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 67 eligible patients with INMA. Clinical data, histopathological assessments, and genetic testing were collected. Disease progression-free survival(PFS) was the primary endpoint through follow-up. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to analyse the correlation between tumour lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological and genetic characteristics. The Cox proportional hazards regression model and Kaplan-Meier method were used to analyse the impact of tumour lymph node metastasis on prognosis.
Results:
A total of 67 patients were included, aged 46-77 years, with a median age of 61 years. Age, gender, and smoking history were not significantly associated with tumor lymph node metastasis. Larger tumor diameter, tumor progression, and receiving postoperative adjuvant treatment were associated with tumour lymph node metastasis(P<0.05). Poorer differentiated tumors according to International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer(IASLC) grading system was more likely to have lymph node metastasis(P=0.043). There was no significant difference in the types of driver gene mutations and lymph node metastasis. However,EGFRmutations were more common in patients without lymph node metastasis, while co-mutations were more common in patients with lymph node metastasis. Lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with PFS. Patients without lymph node metastasis had a significantly better PFS compared to those with lymph node metastasis(P=0.002). Under different treatment conditions, patients without lymph node metastasis exhibited a significant advantage in PFS when untreated. While treatment showed a trend toward improved PFS, the difference did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, no significant differences in PFS were observed between patients with or without lymph node metastasis following chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
Conclusion
Lymph node metastasis in INMA patients is related to tumor size, progression status, and gene co-mutations, and is a key prognostic indicator affecting PFS.
6.Analysis of clinical features, histopathological growth patterns and prognosis in stage ⅣB pulmonary adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations
Juan Qian ; Siyuan Zhang ; Yang Wang ; Ruxue Yang ; Han Xiao ; Jiahui Dong ; Wei Wang ; Yuanzi Ye
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(5):842-850
Objective:
To investigate the correlations among clinicopathological features, histopathological growth patterns and prognosis of extrapulmonary multiple metastatic(stage ⅣB) pulmonary adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutations.
Methods :
A total of 488 eligible patients with adenocarcinoma of stage ⅣB. Clinicopathological data,EGFRgene mutation subtypes, metastatic sites, histopathological growth patterns and survival information were collected. The chi-square test(χ2test) and Fisher's exact probability method were used to detect the correlation between the metastasis status and various clinical characteristics; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to conduct survival analysis on the median Progression-Free Survival(PFS) under different clinical characteristics. Cox univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of various clinical characteristics on prognosis.
Results :
The metastatic patterns of stage ⅣB pulmonary adenocarcinoma withEGFRmutations was correlated with histopathological growth patterns(P<0.05). In the group with multiple metastases in a single organ, the proportion of micropapillary type in the group with multiple metastases in a single organ was higher than that in the group with multiple-organ metastases(51.1%vs41.1%), while the proportion of solid type in the group with multiple-organ metastases was higher than that in the group with multiple metastases in a single organ(23.8%vs14.2%). Multiple brain or multiple bone metastases were correlated with histopathological growth patterns and tumor differentiation degree. Compared with the multiple bone metastases group, the proportion of acinar type decreases in the multiple brain metastasis group, while the proportion of micropapillary type increased. Moreover, the proportion of poorly differentiated tumors increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with multiple bone metastases, the proportion of poorly differentiated tumors significantly increases in the group with multiple brain metastases. The median progression-free survival(PFS) of patients with a predominant solid growth pattern was shorter than that of patients with other growth patterns(12.7 monthsvs17.8 months,P<0.05). The PFS of patients in the poorly differentiated group was worse than that in the moderately differentiated group(15.6 monthsvs17.8 months,P<0.05). There were significant differences in PFS among patients with common sensitive mutations and rare mutationsEGFR(17.3 monthsvs10.2 months,P<0.01). Cox proportional hazards regression model suggested that solid growth pattern, poor differentiation and rare single gene mutation were adverse prognostic factors.
Conclusion
In stage ⅣB pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients withEGFRmutations, both the metastatic patterns and metastatic sites are significantly correlated with the histopathological growth patterns of tumors. Moreover, theEGFRmutation subtypes as well as the histopathological growth patterns and differentiation degree of tumors significantly affect the prognosis of patients.
7.Establishment and validation of a nomogram prediction model for cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension based on the CHARLS database
Weiye YANG ; Xiaofei GAO ; Han XIAO ; Yuqing WANG
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(10):1329-1337
Objective:To establish a predictive model for the risk of cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension.Methods:Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS),and 17 indicators were analyzed,including demographic features,behavioral factors,and health status.The study cohort was randomly divided into a training set(n=2 918)and an internal validation set(n=1 249)at a ratio of 7∶3,and 1 457 patients with hypertension who were treated in Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January to December 2024 were included as an external validation set.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was used to identify predictive variables,and 10-fold cross-validation was used to determine the optimal model.A logistic regression model was used to investigate the risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with hypertension,and then a nomogram prediction model was established.The calibration curve was used to assess the accuracy of the model,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)and the decision curve analysis were used to assess the predictive performance of the model.Results:A total of 4167 hypertensive patients aged≥45 years were included from the CHARLS database,among whom 668 had cognitive impairment.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age(odds ratio[OR]=1.408,95%CI=1.040-1.056),sex(OR=0.570,95%CI=0.492-0.660),body mass index(OR=0.931,95%CI=0.914-0.948),educational level(OR=0.235,95%CI=0.200-0.277),place of residence(OR=1.674,95%CI=1.447-1.936),physi-cal activity(OR=0.459,95%CI=0.373-0.562),depression(OR=1.386,95%CI=1.198-1.604),and total cholesterol level(OR=0.997,95%CI=0.995-0.999)were predictive variables.The ROC curve analysis showed that the nomogram model had good performance,with an AUC of 0.814(95%CI=0.802-0.826)in the training set,0.817(95%CI=0.788-0.846)in the internal validation set,and 0.725(95%CI=0.699-0.752)in the external validation set.Conclusion:The nomogram model developed in this study can effectively predict the risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese patients with hyperten-sion and has a good application value.
8.An Electronic Microbial Growth Analyzer-based Method for Rapidly Screening Viable Salmonella in Food
Ruo-Han LIANG ; Xiao-Dan PU ; Feng LU ; Xue-Ting ZHU ; Yuan-Yuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Yang WANG ; Qian-Qian YANG ; Hao LI ; Xu-Zhi ZHANG ; Chen-Zhong LI ; Shan LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1694-1704
Foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella pose significant threats to worldwide public health safety.In this study,a rapid method for screening viable Salmonella in oyster sauce and milk was developed by utilizing an electronic microbial growth analyzer(EMGA).Target food samples were diluted 10-fold with RVS broth and loaded into test tubes.Test tubes were positioned in the EMGA to determine the bacterial growth curves and the time required to reach the maximum growth rate(Tmgr).Using Salmonella typhimurium(S.typhimurium)asan model species,there was linear relationship between the logarithmic value of viable bacterial concentration(lgC)and Tmgr over the range of 5×101-5×106 CFU/mL,with a detection limit of 10 CFU/mL.For oyster sauce,the regression equation was Tmgr(min)=-80.775lg[C/(CFU/mL)]+754.96(R2=0.9907),and the recovery rates of S.typhimurium ranged from 95.2%to 119.8%,with relative standard deviations(RSD)ranging from 3.5%to 16.3%.For milk,the regression equation was Tmgr(min)=-71.922 lg[C/(CFU/mL)]+618.65(R2=0.9985),with recovery rates ranging from 98.4%to 110.6%and RSD ranging from 6.4%to 12.8%.The EMGA method required only one portable instrument,and involving only three manual steps,i.e.,dilution,transfer,and insertion.When S.typhimurium contamination reached 106 CFU/mL,the total time consumption,from the unwrapping of samples to the readout of bacterial concentration,was no more than 7 h.When applied to detection of actual oyster sauce and milk samples,the new method demonstrated strong consistency with plate counting results in positive detection rates.This method was superior to the plate counting method,which was generally considered as a gold standard,in terms of accuracy,precision,simplicity and efficiency,representing a promising alternative for the on-site screening and quantification of viable Salmonella in oyster sauce and milk products.
9.Establishment of predictive model for postoperative delirium in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery
Yichun ZHENG ; Yang HAN ; Keshi YAN ; Jianming XIAO ; Ju GAO ; Yali GE
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(9):1117-1123
Objective:To construct a predictive model for postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery using machine learning.Methods:This retrospective study used clinical data from patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery at Subei People′s Hospital between September 2022 and April 2024. The entire dataset was randomly divided into the training and validation sets in an 8∶2 ratio. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing POD. Eleven machine learning models were established and compared. The performance of the models was validated using metrics, including accuracy, precision, recall, Youden′s index, F1 score, Matthews′ correlation coefficient, Kappa coefficient, log loss, and Brier score. Receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves were plotted to assess the discrimination and consistency of the model. Shapley additive explanations were used in Python for interpretative analysis of the model with the best predictive performance, and the importance of the feature parameters was ranked.Results:A total of 1, 785 patients were ultimately included, of which 833 (46.67%) experienced POD. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age, lower preoperative serum calcium ion concentration, postoperative pulmonary infection, and higher preoperative systolic blood pressure were independent risk factors for POD in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, while laparoscopic surgery was a protective factor ( P<0.05). Among the 11 machine learning models, the categorical feature gradient boosting model exhibited the best performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.77-0.87). The ranking of feature importance indicated that age had the greatest contribution in predicting POD. Conclusions:The predictive model for POD established based on the categorical boosting algorithm has higher predictive efficacy and clinical application value in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.
10.MR Three-Dimensional Multi-Echo Ultrashort Echo Time Quantitative Technique in Differential Diagnosis in Benign and Malignant Pulmonary Nodules and Masses
Heng LI ; Wei WEI ; Xiao YANG ; Na ZHAO ; Xiuzheng YUE ; Yuedong HAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(10):1115-1119
Purpose To explore the value of quantitative parameters(T2* value,R2* value)of three-dimensional multi-echo ultrashort echo time technique for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and masses(PNMs).Materials and Methods The MRI data of 68 patients with PNMs in Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital from July 2021 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and PNMs were grouped into benign(34 cases)and malignant(34 cases)categories using histopathology or clinical follow-up as the reference standard.Two observers respectively outlined the regions of interest on three-dimensional multi-echo ultrashort echo time-T2* and R2* maps,and quantitatively measured the T2* and R2* values.The intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)was used to evaluate the consistency of the measured values.Differences in the above indicators between the two groups of PNMs were analyzed,and their diagnostic efficacy was assessed.The predictive probability of the combined two indicators was computed,the receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated.Results The measurement results of each parameter of PNMs in the benign and malignant groups by the two observers were consistent(ICC>0.75).The T2* value of the malignant group was higher than that of the benign group(Z=-5.158,P<0.001),and the R2* value was lower than that of the benign group(Z=-4.845,P<0.001),and the differences were statistically significant.The AUC of the T2* value was 0.864(95%CI 0.775-0.953,P<0.001),with a maximum Youden index of 0.677,a threshold of 9.675 ms,a sensitivity of 76.5%,and a specificity of 91.2%.The AUC of the R2* value was 0.842(95%CI 0.746-0.937,P<0.001),with a maximum Youden index of 0.647,and a threshold of 109.15/s,with a sensitivity of 73.5%and a specificity of 91.2%.The AUC of the combined diagnosis of T2* and R2* values was 0.867(95%CI 0.779-0.955,P<0.001),with a maximum Youden index of 0.677,a sensitivity of 82.4%,and a specificity of 85.3%.There was no statistically significant difference in the pairwise comparison of T2* values,R2* values,and their combined AUC(all P>0.05).Conclusion The T2* value and R2* value of the three-dimensional multi-echo ultrashort echo time technique,as well as the combination of the two indicators,are all helpful in differentiating benign and malignant PNMs,providing imaging support for the preoperative non-invasive and precise differentiation of PNMs and optimizing clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail