1.COVID-19-associated Invasive Pulmonary Mucormycosis:A Case Report and Literature Review
Bing-qian YI ; Bo-wen XU ; Xi YU ; Huan-huan BI ; Yu-ting XIAO ; Hong-mei WANG ; Ning CUI ; Jia-xing SUN
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(13):2216-2222
Objective:Invasive pulmonary mucormycosis(PM)is a rare but highly lethal opportunistic infection.COVID-19 associated mucormycosis(CAM)is difficult to diagnose,often leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis,and has poor treatment outcomes.This study reports a case of successfully treated CAM and explores optimized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment process in a 50-year-old female patient with COVID-19 associated with diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA)and invasive pulmonary mucormycosis was conducted.Combined with a literature review,the therapeutic efficacy of local bronchoscopic instillation in conjunction with systemic treatment using liposomal Amphotericin B(L-AmB)was specifically evaluated.Results:The patient was rapidly diagnosed with Rhizopus microsporus infection through metagenomic next-generation sequencing(mNGS).She subsequently received antifungal treatment with intravenous L-AmB combined with local bronchoscopic instillation.After treatment,the patient was significantly improved,with imaging studies showing gradual absorption of the lesions.Follow-up at six months revealed no recurrence.A literature review suggests that early diagnosis and multimodal therapy are key to improving survival rates in patients with CAM.Conclusion:mNGS can significantly improve the early diagnosis rate of CAM.The combination of local and systemic treatment with L-AmB is valuable in improving prognosis.Early diagnosis,multimodal antifungal therapy,and individualized management are key to increasing the survival rate of patients with CAM.
2.Exploring the immuno-inflammatory regulatory effects of the Qing Gan San Jie Xiao Ying Formula(QGSJXYF)on Hashimoto's thyroiditis based on thyroid cell-derived exosomes
Si-miao YAO ; Shuo QI ; Xiao-ning SUN ; Xin-ai LI ; Hui-long LI ; Zhi-guo DING
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(4):253-258
Objective:To investigate the immuno-inflammatory regulatory effects of the Qing Gan San Jie Xiao Ying Formula(QGSJXYF)on Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)by modulating thyroid cell-derived exosomes to provide experi-mental evidence for its immunomodulatory mechanisms.Methods:Nthy-ori-3-1 thyroid cells were treated with QGSJXYF-medicated serum,with untreated cells serving as controls.Exosomes from both groups were extracted and analyzed using nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and Western blot to assess concentration,size distribution,morphology,and the expression of characteristic exosomal markers.An inflammatory model of human T lymphocytes(H9)was established and co-incubated with normal exosomes(EXO-C group)or QGSJXYF-treated exosomes(EXO-T group).The levels of inflammatory cytokines in H9 cells were measured using Western blot(WB)and ELISA.Results:Exosome characterization showed that the particle concentration of Nthy-ori-3-1 cell-derived exosomes in both the control and QGSJXYF groups ranged from 1×109 to 1×1011/mL,with particle diameters between 80~300 nm.The exosomes exhibited a typical spherical or cup-shaped morphology with positive expression of TSG101,CD63,and HSP70.Compared with the inflammation model group and the EXO-C group,the EXO-T group significantly reduced the intracellular expression of IL-17A protein in H9 cells(P<0.05)and suppressed IL-17 and IL-6 levels in the cell supernatant(P<0.01).Conclusion:QGSJXYF may exert its anti-inflammatory and thyroid-protective effects by modulating the functional state of thyroid cell-derived exosomes,regulating the inflamma-tory microenvironment,and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
3.Icaritin Targets P53 to Regulate DNA Damage Repair and FOXO Signaling Pathways to Inhibit Glioma Cell Growth
Zhi-Qiong LUO ; Zhuo-Yi WANG ; Yong-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Zhong CHEN ; Jia YU ; Sha CHENG ; Ning-Ning ZAN ; Bao-Fei SUN ; Heng LUO
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(5):753-763
Icaritin(ICT)is an 8-isopentenylflavonoid,which is the main effective component of the tra-ditional Chinese medicine Epimedium.Previously,we found that Icaritin inhibits the growth of glioblasto-ma(GBM)cells.Herein we aim to study the in vivo anti-GBM effectiveness of Icaritin and explore its mechanism.The results of MTT assay,flow cytometry,comet assay and cellular immunofluorescence as-say in vitro showed that ICT inhibited the proliferation of four kinds of GBM cells,U87,U251,U118 and A172,induced early apoptosis(P<0.001)and late apoptosis(P<0.05)in U87 cells,induced DNA damage in U87 cells,and blocked the growth of U87 cells at the G0/G1 phase(P<0.0001)in a concen-tration-time-dependent manner.In vivo subcutaneous tumor transplantation tumor experiments showed that feeding 200 mg/kg(P<0.01)and 400 mg/kg(P<0.001)ICT had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of GBM subcutaneous tumors,and had no significant toxic effects on heart,liver,spleen,lung and kidney tissues.The results of network pharmacological analysis,molecular docking and cellular thermodynamic experiments showed that there were 26 possible target proteins between ICT and GBM,a-mong which the expression of p53 in GBM tissues was significantly(P<0.001)higher than in normal tis-sues,and the binding energy of ICT and p53 was lower;cellular thermodynamic experiments verified that ICT significantly enriched the level of p53 in the living cells of GBM,which indicated that ICT could tar-get p53.The expression of key proteins in the DNA damage repair and apoptosis-associated FOXO signa-ling pathway was detected by ICT.The results showed that the expression of ATR(P<0.01),P53(P<0.001),P21(P<0.05)and γ-H2AX(P<0.05)was up-regulated,whereas the expression of Cyc-lin E1(P<0.01),E2F1(P<0.05),CDK2(P<0.01),Rb(P<0.001),p-Rb(P<0.0001)and WRN(P<0.0001)expression were down-regulated.There was no significant change in the expres-sion of FOXO 1 in the FOXO pathway or a significant down-regulation of its phosphorylation level.This study demonstrated that ICT could effectively inhibit the growth of GBM cells in vivo.It targets p53 to regulate the DNA damage repair pathway and FOXO signaling pathway to induce GBM cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
4.Structural equation analysis and modeling of fect and ankles WMSDs and its adverse ergonomic factors
Xi ZHANG ; Ning JIA ; Xin SUN ; Meibian ZHANG ; Qing XU ; Huadong ZHANG ; Ruijie LING ; Yimin LIU ; Gang LI ; Yan YIN ; Hua SHAO ; Hengdong ZHANG ; Yanmin QI ; Bing QIU ; Tiebing LIU ; Dayu WANG ; Qiang ZENG ; Yan YE ; Bin XIAO ; Hua ZOU ; Jianchao CHEN ; Dongxia LI ; Yongquan LIU ; Jixiang LIU ; Enfei JIANG ; Jun QI ; Liangying MEI ; Tianlai LI ; Mimi YANG ; Xinwei GUO ; Zhongxu WANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(2):101-109
Objective:To explore the structural equation model to explore the levels of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and various risk factors in the feet and ankle of China's occupational population, providing scientific basis for for preventing WMSDs in feet and ankles.Methods:Data of 73497 national occupational epidemiological cases were selected from June 2018 to December 2023 used the Chinese version of the Electronic Questionnaire on Musculoskeletal Disorders. The adverse ergonomic factors and their source classification standard and confirmatory factor analysis were used to investigate foot and ankle WMSDs and their related risk factors (including individual factors, work organization, work posture, work type, fatigue, etc.) in key occupational groups in China, and structural equation model hypothesis, fitting, verification, and path and intermediary effect analysis were carried out. The model fit evaluation indexes included Chi-square specific degrees of freedom ( χ2/ df), gauge fit index (NFI), Tucker Lewis index (TLI), goodness of Fit index (GFI), adjusted Goodness of Fit index (AGFI) and approximate root mean square error (RMSEA) . Results:A total of 73497 occupational workers were surveyed, with local muscle fatigue and WMSDs incidence rates in the feet and ankles being 17.17% and 12.06%, respectively. The fitting index of the adjusted structural equation model basically meets the standard (GFI=1, AGFI=1, RMESA=0.042, NFI=0.716, TLI=0.663). The top three factors affecting feet and ankle WMSDs are feet and ankle muscle fatigue, work type, and work organization, with standardized path coefficients of 0.221, 0.105, and 0.095, respectively. The top two factors affecting feet and ankle muscle fatigue are work organization and work type, with standardized path coefficients of 0.548 and 0.383, respectively. Feet and ankle muscle fatigue, work type, work organization, and work posture have a direct effect on feet and ankle WMSDs, with effect values of 0.221, 0.105, 0.095, and 0.077, respectively. The organization and type of work can also have indirect effects through feet and ankle muscle fatigue, with effect values of 0.121 and 0.084, respectively.Conclusion:Feet and ankle muscle fatigue has a direct impact on WMSDs, and plays a mediating role between ankle and ankle WMSDs caused by work organization and work type. Feet and ankle muscle fatigue is an important pathway leading to feet and ankle WMSDs. It is recommended that employers and managers detect job fatigue early and take corresponding prevention and intervention measures, which can play a key role in preventing feet and ankle WMSDs.
5.Structural equation analysis and modeling of upper limb WMSDs and their adverse ergonomic factors
Siwu ZHONG ; Ning JIA ; Xin SUN ; Meibian ZHANG ; Qing XU ; Huadong ZHANG ; Ruijie LING ; Yimin LIU ; Gang LI ; Yan YIN ; Hua SHAO ; Jue LI ; Hengdong ZHANG ; Bing QIU ; Dayu WANG ; Qiang ZENG ; Rugang WANG ; Yan YE ; Bin XIAO ; Hua ZOU ; Jianchao CHEN ; Dongxia LI ; Yongquan LIU ; Qinghua SHI ; Jixiang LIU ; Enfei JIANG ; Jun QI ; Liangying MEI ; Xianfeng ZHAO ; Mimi YANG ; Xinwei GUO ; Zhi WANG ; Zhongxu WANG
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(4):254-263
Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.
6.Research progress in anti-tuberculosis drug targets and novel therapeutic strategies
Yang ZHANG ; Ming-rui SUN ; Xiao-tian LI ; Ren FANG ; Jia-yin XING ; Ning-ning SONG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(4):351-357
Tuberculosis(TB),a chronic infectious disease caused by infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex(MTBC),has re-emerged as the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent worldwide.Because of widespread use and mis-use of anti-tuberculosis drugs,the emergence of multidrug-resistant TB(MDR-TB)and extensively drug-resistant TB(XDR-TB)is increasing,thus posing a serious threat to global health.The current problem of drug resistance is a major prevention and treatment challenge;therefore,the search for new drug targets is urgently needed.In recent years,substantial progress has been made in re-search on anti-tuberculosis drug targets and novel therapeutic strategies.Herein,we summarize recent research progress in anti-tuberculosis drug targets,primarily cell wall synthesis,nucleic acid replication and transcription,and energy metabolism.We also provide an overview of research progress regarding two novel therapeutic strategies,to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for the development of new clinical drugs.
7.Chemical constituents from the petroleum ether fraction of the roots of Gypsophila licentiana
Zhi-ning GAO ; Tian-tian QIU ; Tian-yi CUI ; Xiao-ya SUN ; Shu-juan XUE ; Sui-qing CHEN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(3):821-827
AIM To study the chemical constituents from the petroleum ether fraction of the roots of Gypsophila licentiana Hand.-Mazz.METHODS Silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC were used for isolation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as dibutyl phthalate(1),glyceryl arachidate(2),bis(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate(3),9,12-octadecadienoic acid(Z,Z)-methyl ester(4),(3'S,4'S)-3'-acetoxy-4'-angeloyloxy-3',4'-dihydroseselin(5),3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propanoic acid(6),bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(7),2,2'-oxybis(1,4)-di-tert-butylbenzene(8),gypsogenin(9),3-keto,16α-hydroxy,24-noroleanolic acid(10),3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid(11),10-eicosenoic acid(12),hexacosanic acid(13),enniatin B(14),(R,Z)-21-methyl-8-pentatriacontene(15),ethyl gallate(16),stellarine A(17),pentacosane(18).CONCLUSION All compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.
8.Analysis of the efficacy and safety of balloon-assisted enteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of Dieulafoy lesions of the small intestine (with video)
Donglin ZHAO ; Mengnan XU ; Zhimeng JIANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Yan YU ; Nianjun XIAO ; Bairong LI ; Chongxi FAN ; Shoubin NING ; Tao SUN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(11):881-886
Objective:To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, factors affecting initial diagnosis, efficacy, and safety of therapy and prognosis of small intestinal Dieulafoy lesions (DL).Methods:Clinical data including clinical background, diagnosis, and treatment details of patients who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Air Force Medical Center, for suspected small bowel bleeding, diagnosed as having small bowel DL and treated with balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) were retrospectively analyzed from November 2017 to March 2024.Results:Among 800 patients, 30 cases (3.75%, 30/800, 17 males and 13 females) were diagnosed as having small intestine DL with the mean age of 60.90 years. Clinical symptoms included melena (56.67%, 17/30), hematochezia (43.33%, 13/30), and hemodynamic instability (30.00%, 9/30). Active bleeding occurred in 23 (76.67%) patients. Comorbidities existed in 70.00% (21/30) and 33.33% (10/30) used long-term antithrombotic agents. Diagnosis was confirmed after a single BAE in 63.33% (19/30) and after multiple BAEs (mean 1.6 procedures) in 36.67% (11/30). Lesions were predominantly located at jejunal. All patients achieved successful treatment with a single BAE procedure. The median follow-up period was 12.25 months (range: 5.25-23.00 months). Five cases (16.67%) experienced recurrent bleeding, with one case transfered to surgical intervention. Two cases (6.67%) reported post-operative symptoms of dizziness and fatigue, which resolved after symptomatic management. Multivariate analysis showed that long-term oral anticoagulant therapy ( OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.73) was an independent predictor of single-session diagnosis. Conclusion:Small intestinal DL is rare and challenging to diagnose. Antithrombotic therapy may facilitate the diagnosis of DL at the first BAE. Jejunal localization is common, and combined endoscopic therapy (including clipping) is effective and safe.
9.Key factors affecting complications and operative time in endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach
Yifan LIU ; Hui OUYANG ; Lei XIAO ; Botao SUN ; Ning BAI ; Xinying LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):879-891
Background and Aims:To overcome the limitations of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach,such as restricted operative space and high complication risks,our team proposed a modified technique—endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach(ETOSA).Preliminary studies have confirmed its safety and feasibility.This study aims to systematically evaluate the key factors affecting postoperative complications and operative time in ETOSA,explore the interactions among these variables,and construct a learning curve model to support its broader clinical adoption.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 125 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent ETOSA at Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,between March 2022 and March 2023.Clinical characteristics,surgical parameters,and postoperative complications were extracted.A random forest model was employed to identify the major influencing factors for complications and operative time,as well as their interaction effects.Partial dependence plots based on case sequence were used to generate the learning curve.Results:All 125 patients successfully underwent ETOSA with no conversion to open surgery.The median operative time was 95.0 min,and the median intraoperative blood loss was 15.0 mL.The overall postoperative complication rate was 16.0%,with no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia.The average neck appearance score was 1.05,indicating high patient satisfaction.The random forest analysis identified case number,surgical extent,lymph node yield(LNY),Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT),and body mass index(BMI)as the key predictors of postoperative complications,while surgical extent,case number,LNY,HT,and blood loss were the key factors affecting operative time.A significant positive interaction was observed between case number and both surgical extent and HT,particularly in the first 20 cases,suggesting a higher risk during the early learning phase.The learning curve analysis indicated that surgical proficiency stabilized after 20 cases.Operative time and complication rate in the proficient phase were significantly lower than those in the learning phase(90.0 min vs.102.5 min;11.4%vs.40.0%,both P<0.05).Conclusion:ETOSA is a safe and feasible technique characterized by minimal invasiveness,favorable cosmetic outcomes,and a relatively short learning curve.case number,surgical extent,LNY,HT,BMI,and blood loss are key factors affecting complications and operation time.
10.Key factors affecting complications and operative time in endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach
Yifan LIU ; Hui OUYANG ; Lei XIAO ; Botao SUN ; Ning BAI ; Xinying LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):879-891
Background and Aims:To overcome the limitations of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach,such as restricted operative space and high complication risks,our team proposed a modified technique—endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach(ETOSA).Preliminary studies have confirmed its safety and feasibility.This study aims to systematically evaluate the key factors affecting postoperative complications and operative time in ETOSA,explore the interactions among these variables,and construct a learning curve model to support its broader clinical adoption.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 125 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent ETOSA at Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,between March 2022 and March 2023.Clinical characteristics,surgical parameters,and postoperative complications were extracted.A random forest model was employed to identify the major influencing factors for complications and operative time,as well as their interaction effects.Partial dependence plots based on case sequence were used to generate the learning curve.Results:All 125 patients successfully underwent ETOSA with no conversion to open surgery.The median operative time was 95.0 min,and the median intraoperative blood loss was 15.0 mL.The overall postoperative complication rate was 16.0%,with no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia.The average neck appearance score was 1.05,indicating high patient satisfaction.The random forest analysis identified case number,surgical extent,lymph node yield(LNY),Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT),and body mass index(BMI)as the key predictors of postoperative complications,while surgical extent,case number,LNY,HT,and blood loss were the key factors affecting operative time.A significant positive interaction was observed between case number and both surgical extent and HT,particularly in the first 20 cases,suggesting a higher risk during the early learning phase.The learning curve analysis indicated that surgical proficiency stabilized after 20 cases.Operative time and complication rate in the proficient phase were significantly lower than those in the learning phase(90.0 min vs.102.5 min;11.4%vs.40.0%,both P<0.05).Conclusion:ETOSA is a safe and feasible technique characterized by minimal invasiveness,favorable cosmetic outcomes,and a relatively short learning curve.case number,surgical extent,LNY,HT,BMI,and blood loss are key factors affecting complications and operation time.

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