1.Advances in the mechanisms of fibrosis at the electrode interface of invasive brain-computer interfaces and intervention strategies
Qi GAO ; Xiaofang CAO ; Hua HE ; Huajun ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):203-212
The invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) is a method that involves implanting microelectrodes into brain tissue to collect neural electrical signals. The signals obtained through this method are often of high precision and relatively stable. However, the chronic fibrotic reaction resulting from long-term implantation can significantly impair the quality of the collected brain electrical signals. Therefore, ensuring the long-term stability of signal acquisition is a major challenge in the development of invasive BCI. This paper systematically reviews the formation mechanisms of fibrosis at the electrode interface, elaborating on the progression from acute inflammatory responses to the development of chronic glial scars and the formation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It introduces the roles, advantages, and disadvantages of three anti-fibrosis strategies: material and surface optimization, drug and biological factor intervention, and integration of immune regulation and tissue engineering. This paper also evaluates their practical effects and limitations in animal and human clinical applications. Finally, it highlights the importance of establishment of standardized follow-up recording mechanisms in ensuring the long-term reliability and stability of invasive BCIs, providing references and insights for future in-depth interface optimization and clinical translation.
2.Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough: a randomized controlled trial.
Mingjie TANG ; Wen LU ; Xiaoni ZHANG ; Jiawei GAO ; Xinchang WEI ; Jin LU ; Jia ZHU ; Yulu FENG ; Lejing JIAO ; Xiaofang XIA ; Zhi ZHOU ; Zhaoming CHEN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(8):1047-1052
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux for gastroesophageal reflux cough (GERC).
METHODS:
A total of 120 GERC patients were randomly assigned to an observation group (60 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (60 cases, 1 case was eliminated). The observation group received acupoint thread-embedding treatment at positive response points of governor vessel. If no such points were detected, the following acupoints were used: Dazhui (GV14), Fenghu (Extra), Shendao (GV11), Lingtai (GV10), and Zhiyang (GV9). Treatment was administered once every two weeks. The control group received oral rabeprazole enteric capsules at 20 mg twice daily. All the treatment was given for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using cough symptom score, reflux disease questionnaire (RDQ) score, and Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) score before and after treatment in the two groups. Clinical efficacy was also compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:
After treatment, both groups showed decreased cough symptom scores and the each item scores and total scores of RDQ (P<0.001), and increased LCQ scores (P<0.001) compare with those before treatment. The observation group exhibited lower cough symptom score and chest pain, reflux and total score of RDQ, and higher LCQ score compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 94.9% (56/59), which was higher than 84.7% (50/59) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Acupoint thread-embedding therapy of regulating governor vessel, dispersing lung, and suppressing reflux could effectively alleviate cough and reflux symptoms in patients with GERC and improve their quality of life.
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
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Gastroesophageal Reflux/physiopathology*
;
Male
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Female
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Cough/physiopathology*
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Adult
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Treatment Outcome
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Lung/physiopathology*
;
Meridians
3.Development and dissemination of precision medicine approaches in gastric cancer management.
Zhemin LI ; Jiafu JI ; Guoxin LI ; Ziyu LI ; Zhaode BU ; Xiangyu GAO ; Di DONG ; Lei TANG ; Xiaofang XING ; Shuqin JIA ; Ting GUO ; Lianhai ZHANG ; Fei SHAN ; Xin JI ; Anqiang WANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(5):864-867
Gastric cancer is a high-incidence malignancy that poses a serious threat to public health in China, ranking among the top three cancers in both incidence and mortality. The majority of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in limited treatment options and poor prognosis. To address key challenges in gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment, a research team led by Professor Jiafu Ji at Peking University Cancer Hospital has focused on the project "Development and Dissemination of Precision Medicine Approaches in Gastric Cancer Management". Through a series of high-quality multicenter clinical studies, the team established a set of new international standards in perioperative treatment, individua-lized drug selection, intelligent noninvasive diagnostics, and novel immunotherapy strategies. These advances have significantly improved treatment efficacy and reduced surgical trauma, achieving key technological breakthroughs in diagnosis, therapy, and mechanistic understanding, and systematically enhancing outcomes for gastric cancer patients. The project ' s findings had a broad international impact, including hosting China ' s first International Gastric Cancer Congress. Through nationwide dissemination, they have promoted the development of precision diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer as a discipline, and led the formulation of the National Health Commission's guidelines for gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment. In recognition of its achievements, the project was awarded the First Prize of the 2024 Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award.
Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*
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Humans
;
Precision Medicine/methods*
;
China
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
4.Pathogenic Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Treatment of 161 Patients with Biliary Calculi Complicated by Acute Biliary Tract Infection
Dan LIN ; Lindan LIAO ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Kezhang HU ; Yan GAO ; Yujiao LUO ; Wenting CHEN ; Xiaofang XIE ; Bichuan SU ; Lingyan LUO ; Jing TANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):770-777
Objective To analyze the distribution and drug resistance patterns of pathogenic bacteria in bile and blood cultures obtained from patients with biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection,to evaluate the clinical appropriate-ness of antibiotic use based on drug sensitivity results,and to provide evidence for empirical antibiotic treatment in such patients.Methods The clinical data of 161 patients with biliary calculi complicated by acute biliary tract infection who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Neijiang from 2017 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The results of microbial culture,drug sensitivity analysis,and patient characteristics were assessed to evaluate the appropriateness of clinical antimicrobial therapy.Results Among the 161 patients with positive cultures,212 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected.The predominant patho-gens were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies,and Enterococcus faecium.Age and underlying diseases significantly affected the distribution of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies.Within the gram-negative bacterial group,Esche-richia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies exhibited higher drug resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum penicillin,third-generation cephalosporin and quinolones but lower resistance rates to piperacillin and tazobactam;furthermore,elderly indi-viduals aged ≥65 years showed higher resistance rates to ceftriaxone than those under age 65 while people with drug exposure history had higher ceftazidime resistance rates that were statistically significant.In contrast to Enterococcus faecalis which displayed low antimicrobial resistance rates for most drugs tested in this study,Enterococcus faecium demonstrated high levels of antibiotic resistance;however,both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium exhibited zero-resistance rates against vancomycin and tigecycline although this may be attributed to their small sample size in our study cohort.Finally,we found that empirical anti-in-fective drugs,as well as target anti-infective drugs,were not prescribed rationally among these patients due mainly to inappropriate combinations of antibiotics or incorrect dosages.Conclusions The predominant pathogens in patients with acute biliary tract infection are gram-negative bacteria,Gram-positive bacteria,and fungi;however,the potential involvement of anaerobic bacteria should not be overlooked.Vancomycin exhibits sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria,yet the overall rationality of antibiotic usage remains suboptimal.Enhanced clinical testing for pathogenic microorganisms is imperative in the management of biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection.In contrast,clinical pharmacists should provide comprehensive training on anti-infective drugs to clinicians to facilitate their judicious selection of antibiotics based on drug sensitivity results and prevent the e-mergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
5.Pathogenic Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Treatment of 161 Patients with Biliary Calculi Complicated by Acute Biliary Tract Infection
Dan LIN ; Lindan LIAO ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Kezhang HU ; Yan GAO ; Yujiao LUO ; Wenting CHEN ; Xiaofang XIE ; Bichuan SU ; Lingyan LUO ; Jing TANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):770-777
Objective To analyze the distribution and drug resistance patterns of pathogenic bacteria in bile and blood cultures obtained from patients with biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection,to evaluate the clinical appropriate-ness of antibiotic use based on drug sensitivity results,and to provide evidence for empirical antibiotic treatment in such patients.Methods The clinical data of 161 patients with biliary calculi complicated by acute biliary tract infection who were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Neijiang from 2017 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The results of microbial culture,drug sensitivity analysis,and patient characteristics were assessed to evaluate the appropriateness of clinical antimicrobial therapy.Results Among the 161 patients with positive cultures,212 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected.The predominant patho-gens were Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies,and Enterococcus faecium.Age and underlying diseases significantly affected the distribution of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies.Within the gram-negative bacterial group,Esche-richia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies exhibited higher drug resistance to commonly used broad-spectrum penicillin,third-generation cephalosporin and quinolones but lower resistance rates to piperacillin and tazobactam;furthermore,elderly indi-viduals aged ≥65 years showed higher resistance rates to ceftriaxone than those under age 65 while people with drug exposure history had higher ceftazidime resistance rates that were statistically significant.In contrast to Enterococcus faecalis which displayed low antimicrobial resistance rates for most drugs tested in this study,Enterococcus faecium demonstrated high levels of antibiotic resistance;however,both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium exhibited zero-resistance rates against vancomycin and tigecycline although this may be attributed to their small sample size in our study cohort.Finally,we found that empirical anti-in-fective drugs,as well as target anti-infective drugs,were not prescribed rationally among these patients due mainly to inappropriate combinations of antibiotics or incorrect dosages.Conclusions The predominant pathogens in patients with acute biliary tract infection are gram-negative bacteria,Gram-positive bacteria,and fungi;however,the potential involvement of anaerobic bacteria should not be overlooked.Vancomycin exhibits sensitivity against gram-positive bacteria,yet the overall rationality of antibiotic usage remains suboptimal.Enhanced clinical testing for pathogenic microorganisms is imperative in the management of biliary stones accompanied by acute biliary tract infection.In contrast,clinical pharmacists should provide comprehensive training on anti-infective drugs to clinicians to facilitate their judicious selection of antibiotics based on drug sensitivity results and prevent the e-mergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
6.Interventional effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenic patients
Yanli LIU ; Kesong LI ; Hongqiang JIN ; Yue CUI ; Xiaofang WANG ; Ya LIU ; Yu GAO ; Yunzhao CHEN
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(13):98-102
Objective To explore the interventional effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on tardive dyskinesia (TD) in schizophrenic patients. Methods A total of 105 schizophrenic patients were selected as subjects and randomly divided into 1 Hz treatment group, 10 Hz treatment group and control group, with 35 patients in each group. All three groups received rTMS treatment for 12 weeks. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) scores were compared among the three groups. Physiological indicators such as electrocardiogram, blood routine, blood biochemistry and hormone levels were monitored. Results After treatment, the total AIMS scores in the 1 Hz and 10 Hz treatment groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and those in the 1 Hz and 10 Hz treatment groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (
7.Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Caused by Lys55Glu Mutation in TTR Gene:a Pedigree Report and Literature Review
Xiaoyang JI ; Lili XIAO ; Xintong CAI ; Zhe ZHENG ; Xiaofang WANG ; Youyou DU ; Lu GAO
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(10):1009-1015
Objectives:To report a novel mutation site in the pathogenic gene TTR of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis(ATTR-CA),and to identify family members at risk,and provide suitable clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of the proband with ATTR-CA who visited the Department of Cardiology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in March 2021.The proband underwent whole exome sequencing using high-throughput methods to detect mutation genes.Sanger sequencing was used to test candidate pathogenic loci in suspected family members,and relevant literature was reviewed. Results:Among 51 individuals spanning 5 generations in the pedigree,10 family members(including the proband)carried the heterozygous TTR gene c.163A>G mutation,resulting in the amino acid residue at position 55 changing from lysine(Lys)to glutamic acid(Glu).This mutation follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern,with early onset in adulthood,rapid progression,and presenting as a mixed-type ATTR-CA.Five mutation carriers had different clinical manifestations,while the remaining 5 mutation carriers,who are at younger age,have not yet shown symptoms.Within the pedigree,7 individuals died(the proband's uncle[Ⅱ-1]who died from stroke at 65 years old,the rest 6 family members died from heart disease before the age of 50). Conclusions:According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines,TTR gene Lys55Glu mutation is classified as likely pathogenic,this mutation site has not been reported in the literature before.Present study adds clinical evidence that might broaden the spectrum of TTR mutations.
8.Evaluation of the effect of meteorological risk forecasting service intervention on acute onset and medical expenses of patients with COPD in Pudong New Area of Shanghai
Zhitao LI ; Xiaonan WANG ; Xiaolin LIU ; Juzhong KE ; Yang LIU ; Chaowei FU ; Qingping LIU ; Jiaojiao GAO ; Jiahui SONG ; Kang WU ; Li PENG ; Xiaofang YE ; Xiaonan RUAN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(2):197-202
ObjectiveTo evaluate the intervention effect of meteorological risk forecasting service on acute onset and medical expenses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients, and to provide scientific basis for the establishment of health management model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients. MethodsStudy subjects were recruited from chronic obstructive pulmonary patients aged ≥40 in Pudong New Area. Propensity score matching method was used to determine the intervention group and the control group. The control group received regular health education and follow-up management, and the intervention group was provided with meteorological and environmental risk forecasting services through WeChat, mobile phone short message service(SMS)and telephone. Finally, a total of2 589 subjects were included in the analysis, including 1 300 in the intervention group and 1 289 in the control group. General demographic data, past medical history and family history of COPD, COPD related knowledge and practice survey, COPD related symptom assessment, acute onset, health service utilization and medical expenses before and after intervention were collected through questionnaire survey. The differences of acute attack, health service utilization and related medical expenses between the two groups before and after intervention were compared to evaluate the intervention effect. ResultsIn terms of acute attacks, after intervention, the incidence of acute attacks in the intervention group was lower than that before intervention(χ2=52.901, P<0.001), and the incidence of acute attacks in the groups with different intervention methods was lower than that before intervention (P<0.001). WeChat had the best effect, decreasing the incidence by 14.4%, followed by mobile phone SMS SMS decreasing by 12.3%. In terms of utilization of health services, the outpatient rate due to acute attack was lower in the intervention group after intervention than that before intervention (χ2=7.129, P=0.008), and the outpatient rate due to acute attack was lower in the subjects who received the forecast service through mobile phone SMS than that before intervention (χ2=4.675, P<0.001). In terms of medical expenses, there was no significant difference between control group and intervention group with different intervention methods before intervention (P>0.05). After intervention, the difference between the control group and the intervention group with different intervention methods was statistically significant (H=11.864, P<0.05). The results of multiple comparisons showed that compared with the control group, the average annual medical expenses of patients receiving mobile phone SMS and telephone forecasting services after intervention were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionMeteorological risk forecasting service can reduce the acute onset of COPD, reduce the rate of consultation and medical expenses due to acute onset, and provide scientific basis for the basic COPD health management model.
9.Efficacy and prognosis comparison of first-line treatment with EGFR-TKI versus chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR rare mutation
Yanrong GUO ; Jing WANG ; Qinxiang GUO ; Chang ZHAO ; Yuan LI ; Ning GAO ; Xiaofang ZHANG ; Weihua YANG
Cancer Research and Clinic 2024;36(1):16-23
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect difference between first-line treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) and chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) rare mutation.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was performed. Data of NSCLC patients with rare EGFR mutation who were treated in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. EGFR mutations in living tissues or blood were detected by using amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) before first-line treatment. According to first-line treatment methods,they were divided into EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group. Objective remission rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of both groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) curves. Log-rank test was used for comparison among groups. Single-factor and multi-factor Cox proportional risk models were used to analyze the influencing factors of PFS and OS.Results:A total of 169 patients with EGFR rare mutations were included, and the age [ M (IQR)] was 63 years (12 years); there were 96 cases (56.8%) < 65 years and 73 cases (43.2%) ≥65 years; 70 (41.4%)males and 99 (58.6%) females; 55 cases (32.5%) had EGFR G719X mutation,45 cases (26.6%) had L861Q mutation, 17 cases (10.1%) had S768I mutation, and 52 cases (30.8%) had complex mutation; 55 cases (32.5%) received the first-line chemotherapy and 114 cases (67.5%) received the first-line EGFR-TKI treatment. In the chemotherapy group, ORR was 36.4% (20/55) and DCR was 85.5% (47/55); in EGFR-TKI treatment group, ORR was 72.8% (83/114) and DCR was 90.4% (103/114). The ORR of EGFR-TKI treatment group was higher than that of chemotherapy group ( χ2 = 20.70, P = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in DCR between two groups ( χ2 = 1.76, P = 0.184). Subgroup analysis showed that ORR in EGFR-TKI treatment group with G719X, L861Q and complex mutations was higher than that of the corresponding mutations in chemotherapy group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in DCR among subgroups (all P > 0.05). The median PFS time was 9.7 months (95% CI: 6.0-13.4 months) and 3.8 months (95% CI: 3.1-7.1 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was a statistically significant difference in PFS between the two groups ( P < 0.001). The median OS time was 25.6 months (95% CI: 18.0-37.9 months) and 31.7 months (95% CI: 18.0-42.8 months), respectively in EGFR-TKI treatment group and chemotherapy group, and there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups ( P = 0.231). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that brain metastasis [with vs. without: HR = 2.306, 95% CI: 1.452-3.661, P < 0.001] and the first-line treatment methods (EGFR-TKI vs. chemotherapy: HR = 0.457, 95% CI:0.317-0.658, P < 0.001) were independent influencing factors for PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation; brain metastasis (with vs. without: HR = 2.087, 95% CI: 1.102-3.953, P = 0.024; unknown vs. without: HR = 2.118,95% CI: 1.274-3.520, P = 0.004) were independent influencing factors for OS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation. Conclusions:Compared with the first-line chemotherapy, EGFR-TKI first-line treatment could improve objective remission and PFS of NSCLC patients with EGFR rare mutation, while no OS benefit is observed.
10.Interactions of multi-target stool DNA, intestinal flora, carcinoembryonic antigen and fruit intake on the risk of colorectal cancer
GAO Hanlu ; YU Xiaofang ; LÜ ; Lebin ; YE Guoliang ; FAN Jinqing
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(3):219-223
Objective:
To explore the interaction of multi-target stool DNA (MT-sDNA), intestinal flora and environmental factors in the development of colorectal cancer, so as to provide insights into pathogenesis study of colorectal cancer.
Methods:
A total of 54 cases of colorectal cancer from the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University were included in the case group and 51 healthy subjects were included in the control group. Demographic information, diet and family history of colorectal cancer were collected by a questionnaire survey. MT-sDNA, intestinal flora, cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and other tumor markers were detected. Interactions of MT-sDNA, intestinal flora and environmental factors with the development of colorectal cancer was analyzed by multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR), crossover analysis and additive model.
Results:
The case group included 20 males (37.04%) and 34 females (62.96%), and had a mean age of (64.89±9.72) years. The control group included 24 males (47.06%) and 27 females (52.94%), and had a mean age of (53.94±10.33) years. MDR analysis showed that subjects with both high absolute intestinal flora indexes and positive MT-sDNA had an increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR=3.782, 95%CI: 1.190-5.034). Crossover analysis showed that subjects with positive MT-sDNA and >5 μg/L of CEA had an increased risk of colorectal cancer (OR=2.121, 95%CI: 1.162-4.033). Additive model analysis showed that MT-sDNA had positive additive interaction with CEA (SI=3.687, 95%CI: 1.229-7.238), and MT-sDNA had negative additive interaction with fruit intake (SI=0.145, 95%CI: 0.020-0.753).
Conclusion
Positive MT-sDNA can synergistically increase the risk of colorectal cancer with high intestinal flora index and CEA, and fruit intake can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in MT-sDNA-positive population.


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