1.Application of mass spectrometry imaging in the diagnosis and molecular mechanism of liver cancer
Qianxue YU ; Yongsheng HU ; Yanqiu HUANG ; Xiaofei CHEN ; Gao LI ; Yue LIU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):329-334
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an emerging molecular imaging technique that combines high spatial resolution and the ability to acquire molecular information. This technology can directly obtain spatial distribution maps of metabolites, proteins, lipids and other molecules in tumor tissues, reveal the abnormal molecular changes during the occurrence and development of liver cancer, and make up for the deficiency of information at the molecular level in traditional imaging (such as CT, MRI). In liver cancer research, MSI has demonstrated unique advantages and application potential in early diagnosis and screening, precise classification, tumor heterogeneity analysis, and exploration of molecular mechanisms. The principle characteristics of MSI technology and its latest progress in the early diagnosis, classification and molecular mechanism research of liver cancer were reviewed, and the current challenges and future development directions were discussed, which aimed to provide a new perspective and theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the pathological mechanism of liver cancer and promoted its precise diagnosis and treatment.
2.Interpretation of Updates for Diagnosis and Staging Criterion of NIA-AA Alzheimer's Disease(2024 Edition):Diagnostic and Therapeutic Significance of Multimodal Imaging
Xiaofei HU ; Li GUI ; Xiao CHEN ; Dingde HUANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2025;33(5):454-460
The National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association(NIA-AA)released the"Revised criteria for diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer's disease"in 2024,representing a significant update following the 2011 and 2018 frameworks.This new standard aims to advance Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment from a"clinical-pathological"model to a"precision biology"era,improving early diagnosis rates and guiding precise therapeutic interventions.Nuclear medicine molecular imaging plays an irreplaceable role in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and staging,with key updates in the 2024 standard being the replacement of traditional clinical diagnosis with biological definitions and the hierarchical classification of biomarkers.This article focuses on interpreting the core positioning and clinical application value of multimodal imaging technologies within the new standard framework,particularly the critical roles of amyloid β-protein PET and tau PET in early diagnosis,biological staging and treatment monitoring of Alzheimer's disease,aiming to provide guidance for clinical practice.
3.Identification and biomimetic synthesis of iphionanes and cyperanes from Artemisia hedinii and their anti-hepatic fibrosis activity.
Xiaofei LIU ; Xing WANG ; Chunping TANG ; Changqiang KE ; Bintao HU ; Sheng YAO ; Yang YE
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(7):871-880
Two novel skeleton sesquiterpenoids (1 and 6), along with four new iphionane-type sesquiterpenes (2-5) and six new cyperane-type sesquiterpenes (7-11), were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia hedinii (A. hedinii). The two novel skeleton compounds (1 and 6) were derived from the decarbonization of iphionane and cyperane-type sesquiterpenes, respectively. Their structures were elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The absolute configurations were determined using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) ECD calculation, density functional theory (DFT) NMR calculations, and biomimetic syntheses. The biomimetic syntheses of the two novel skeletons (1 and 6) were inspired by potential biogenetic pathways, utilizing a predominant eudesmane-type sesquiterpene (A) in A. hedinii as the substrate. All compounds were evaluated in LX-2 cells for their anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. Compounds 2, 8, and 10 exhibited significant activity in downregulating the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a protein involved in hepatic fibrosis.
Artemisia/chemistry*
;
Sesquiterpenes/chemical synthesis*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Humans
;
Liver Cirrhosis/genetics*
;
Biomimetics
;
Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
4.Expert consensus on non-surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain (version 2025)
Hui CHE ; Wenge DING ; Shiming FENG ; Xueping GU ; Qinwei GUO ; Jianchao GUI ; Yinghui HUA ; Yuefeng HAO ; Qinglin HAN ; Bo HU ; Xiaojun LIANG ; Guoping LI ; Yunxia LI ; Qi LI ; Yanlin LI ; Xin MA ; Jun MA ; Xudong MIAO ; Jianzhong QIN ; Xiaodong QIN ; Xu SUN ; Kefu SUN ; Weidong SONG ; Dai SHI ; Zhongmin SHI ; Youlun TAO ; Xu WANG ; Youhua WANG ; Liheng WANG ; Anli WANG ; Aiguo WANG ; Weidong WU ; Yajun XU ; Weidong XU ; Renjie XU ; Yongsheng XU ; Tengbo YU ; Lianqi YAN ; Xiaodong YUAN ; Yuan ZHU ; Mingzhu ZHANG ; Hongtao ZHANG ; Xintao ZHANG ; Xiaofei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(6):517-529
Acute lateral ankle sprain (ALAS) is one of the most common sport injuries, with high incidence, recurrence and disability rates. Currently, exercise rehabilitation-based non-surgical treatment is the primary management approach for ALAS. However, there remain improper practices such as excessive immobilization or uncontrolled activity, which contribute to recurrent sprains and chronic ankle instability, significantly impairing patients′ athletic function and quality of life. To standardize the non-surgical management of ALAS, improve the cure rates, and reduce the recurrence and disability rates, Chinese Sports Rehabilitation Medicine Training Project of Chinese Medical Association, Foot and Ankle Basics and Orthopedics Group, Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Sports Medicine Branch of Jiangsu Medical Association organized relevant experts to formulate Expert consensus on non-surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain ( version 2025), following the principles of scientific vigor, practicality, and innovation. Thirteen recommendations were proposed for standardized treatment protocols across different healing phases, aiming to provide references for standard management of ALAS and improve the therapeutic outcomes.
5.Risk factors for postoperative premature epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures and their predictive efficacy
Xiaofei XIE ; Xiaobo JING ; Wei MEI ; Yi SHEN ; Fuli CHENG ; Chenhui YANG ; Yi XIE ; Zilong SHEN ; Tenglong HU ; Bingbing ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(7):669-674
Objective:To investigate the risk factors and their predictive efficacy for postoperative premature epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 216 pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures admitted to Zhengzhou Orthopedics Hospital from January 2018 to December 2023, including 136 males and 80 females, aged 2-16 years [11.8(9.8, 13.3)years]. Among them, 112 patients were affected on the left side and 104 on the right. According to the Salter-Harris fracture classification, the fracture was classified as type I in 14 patients, type II in 97, type III in 38, type IV in 64 and type VI in 3. According to the presence of premature epiphyseal closure after surgery, the patients were divided into premature epiphyseal closure group ( n=38) and normal epiphyseal group ( n=178). Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), injury mechanism, side of injury, Salter-Harris classification of fracture, initial displacement distance of the fracture end, medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line surgical fixation method, operation duration, reduction method, and reduction quality were recorded in the two groups. Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate and determine the independent risk factors for postoperative premature physeal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fracture. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the predictive efficacy of each risk factor for the occurrence of premature physeal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures. Results:Univariate analysis showed the occurrence of postoperative premature epiphyseal closure of the distal tibia was associated with age, Salter-Harris fracture classification, medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line, surgical fixation method, reduction method, and reduction quality ( P<0.05), while it was not correlated with gender, BMI, injury mechanism, side of injury, initial displacement distance of the fracture end, and operation duration ( P>0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line ( OR=0.18, 95% CI 0.04, 0.76, P<0.05) and reduction quality ( OR=43.18,95% CI 10.71, 174.05, P<0.01) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postoperative premature epiphyseal closure of the distal tibia. The results of ROC curve analysis showed that medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line had limited predictive efficiency (AUC=0.53, 95% CI 0.43, 0.63), reduction quality had moderate predictive efficacy (AUC=0.81, 95% CI 0.72, 0.91), while their combination demonstrated even higher predictive efficacy (AUC=0.83, 95% CI 0.74, 0.91). Conclusions:Medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line and reduction quality are independent risk factors for postoperative premature epiphyseal closure in pediatric patients with distal tibial epiphyseal fractures. Reduction quality demonstrates good predictive efficacy, while medial malleolar involvement by the fracture line shows limited predictive value. The combination of both factors achieves even better predictive performance.
6.Differential endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling underlies the FLASH effect in human lung epithelial and lung cancer cells
Xiaofei WANG ; Guangming ZHOU ; Wentao HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(11):1138-1143
Objective:To investigate the differential responses of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-to-apoptosis cascade induced by proton ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation between lung epithelial and lung cancer cells.Methods:Human lung epithelial cells (KT) and lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549) were irradiated with protons, and divided into Ctrl, CONV and FLASH groups. Survival curves were generated using colony formation assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis regulators were assessed via Western blot and RT-qPCR. The concentration of IL-6 secreted into the culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:In KT cells, compared to the CONV group, FLASH irradiation resulted in a significantly higher survival fraction ( P<0.05), increased GRP78 protein expression ( t= 7.52, P < 0.05) and UPR-related genes PERK, ATF4, and CHOP. In A549, the cell survival rate did not differ significantly between the CONV and FLASH groups ( P > 0.05). UPR pathway was not activated in either group. However, both CONV and FLASH irradiation significantly promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=4.31, 4.47, P<0.05), while no difference was identified between two groups. In KT, both irradiation promoted secretion of IL-6 ( t=7.43, 3.07, P<0.05) while IL-6 concentration in FLASH group was significantly lower than that in CONV group ( t=7.63, P<0.05). Additionally, a pro-apoptotic propensity in KT cells following FLASH irradiation and in A549 cells following both FLASH and CONV irradiation was identified. Conclusions:In KT cells, FLASH irradiation cleared misfolded proteins through activating UPR pathway, promoted apoptosis of damaged cells, suppressed IL-6 secretion to attenuate inflammatory injury, and ultimately enhanced cell survival. Furthermore, proton FLASH irradiation bypasses ER stress activation in A549 cells, instead directly priming an apoptotic disposition with concomitant IL-6 hypersecretion. This paracrine damage amplification cascade potentiates radiation-induced tumoricidal efficacy through sustained cytotoxic microenvironment remodeling.
7.Establishment of indirect competitive ELISA method for detection of ribavirin in chicken
Xiaofei HU ; Yunrui XING ; Guangxu XING ; Yaning SUN ; Lin WANG ; Gaiping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(10):2495-2498,2504
Objective:To establish a highly sensitive indirect competitive ELISA(icELISA)method for detecting ribavirin in chicken.Methods:Based on the obtained monoclonal antibodies against ribavirin,a chessboard test was employed to determine the optimal working concentration of artificial antigen and antibody,and then established an icELISA method.Furthermore,performance of the detection method was evaluated.Results:The established icELISA method has a linear range of 0.44~32.71 ng/ml,IC50 of which was 3.78 ng/ml,and the limit of detection(LOD)was 0.20 ng/ml.Except for specific reaction with ribavirin,there were no cross reactions with other antiviral drugs.Recovery rate of sample spiking was between 91.60%and 100.76%,and coefficient of variation was between 7.29%and 10.63%.Conclusion:A highly sensitive and specific icELISA method for detection of ribavirin has been estab-lished,which can be used to determine the residue of ribavirin in chicken.
8.Deep learning model for non-contrast CT predicting contrast medium extravasation in patients with tumors prior to contrast-enhanced CT
Lili HU ; Xiaofei WU ; Ying ZHANG ; Shudong HU ; Ling HANG ; Yuxi GE
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(10):1723-1728
Objective To investigate the potential value of a deep learning(DL)model based on non-contrast CT images in predicting contrast medium extravasation in contrast-enhanced CT scans of tumor patients.Methods A total of 298 tumor patients were retrospectively selected,including 90 patients with extravasation and 208 without extravasation,and divided into training set(207 patients),validation set(46 patients),and external test set(45 patients)in a ratio of 7︰1.5︰1.5.U-Net was employed to segment the right common carotid artery/internal jugular vein and right subclavian artery/vein in non-contrast CT images,and ResNet50 was utilized to extract imaging features to construct the DL model,which was subsequently integrated with independent clinical predictors to establish the combined model.The segmentation performance of the DL model was evaluated using Dice similarity coefficient(DSC)and Intersection over Union(IoU),while the area under the curve(AUC),accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity of the model were calculated.Results The DL model demonstrated superior vascular segmentation(DSC 0.81-0.95,IoU 0.79-0.90).The combined model achieved optimal predictive performance,with AUC of 0.961[95%confidence interval(CI)0.924-0.983],0.949(95%CI 0.840-0.992),and 0.891(95%CI 0.762-0.964)in the training,validation,and external test sets,respectively.Its accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity were consistently higher than those of the standalone clinical model.Conclusion The DL model based on non-contrast CT images shows significant potential value in predicting contrast medium extravasation risk in tumor patients,providing an objective and intelligent tool for clinical risk assessment.
9.Construction and validation of a novel prognostic risk scoring table for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure
Zhanhu BI ; Haifeng HU ; Hong DU ; Linxu WANG ; Xiaofei YANG ; Yidi DING ; Jianqi LIAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2102-2109
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and to construct a risk scoring table that can accurately predict the prognosis of patients in the early stage. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 502 patients with ACLF who were admitted to Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020 (training set), and the influencing factors for 28-day mortality rate were identified. The 69 ACLF patients who were admitted to Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, from January 1 to December 31, 2021 were enrolled as the validation set. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A univariate Cox regression analysis was used to obtain the early warning indicators associated with the 28-day prognosis of ACLF patients, and variance inflation factors were used to assess multicollinearity among predictors; a multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to construct a risk model for ACLF prognosis (mortality). A risk scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) was developed based on regression coefficients (β) from the model equation and weight assignments in the nomogram. Internal validation and comparison were performed for the risk model for ACLF prognosis (mortality), the scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality), and other scoring models (Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD] score, MELD combined with serum sodium concentration [MELD-Na] score, and integrated MELD [iMELD] score) in the training set, while external validation and comprehensive evaluation of the scoring table and the other scoring models were performed in the validation set. The Nagelkerke’s R2 test and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to assess the degree of fitting of the risk model for ACLF prognosis (mortality), the scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality), and other scoring models, and fitting curves were plotted. C-index was used to assess the discriminatory ability of the scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) and the other scoring models, and the Z-test was used for comparison of C-index between different models. The decision curve analysis was used to compare the clinical benefits of the scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) and the other scoring models. ResultsThe multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age (hazard ratio [HR]=1.027, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.015 — 1.039, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy grade (grade 1: HR=2.928, 95%CI: 1.463 — 5.858, P=0.002; grade 2: HR=3.811, 95%CI: 2.078 — 6.988, P<0.001; grade 3: HR=3.916, 95%CI: 1.917 — 8.001, P<0.001; grade 4: HR=6.966, 95%CI: 4.559 — 10.644, P<0.001), an increase in total bilirubin (TBil) by ≥17.1 μmol/L per day (HR=1.771, 95%CI: 1.248 — 2.513, P=0.001), creatinine (HR=1.005, 95%CI: 1.004 — 1.006, P<0.001), neutrophil count (HR=1.092, 95%CI: 1.060 — 1.126, P<0.001), and international normalized ratio (HR=1.298, 95%CI: 1.187 — 1.418, P<0.001) were independent risk factors associated with the 28-day mortality rate of ACLF patients, and a risk scoring table was constructed for ACLF prognosis (mortality). The Nagelkerke’s R2 test showed that the risk scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) had an R2 value of 0.599 in the training set and 0.722 in the validation set, which were higher than the R2 values of CTP, MELD, MELD-Na, and iMELD scores. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the risk scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) had a P value of 0.280 in the training set and 0.788 in the validation set. The C-index analysis showed that the scoring table had a higher C-index than the other scoring models in the validation set (all P<0.001), as well as a higher C-index than CTP score in the training set (P<0.001). The decision curve analysis showed that the risk scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) had higher clinical net benefits than the other scoring models. ConclusionCompared with other scoring models currently used in clinical practice, the novel risk scoring table for ACLF prognosis (mortality) constructed based on the six predictive factors of age, hepatic encephalopathy grade, an increase in TBil by ≥17.1 μmol/L per day, creatinine, neutrophil count, and international normalized ratio has a relatively high value in predicting the 28-day prognosis of ACLF patients.
10.A preclinical and first-in-human study of superstable homogeneous radiolipiodol for revolutionizing interventional diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hu CHEN ; Yongfu XIONG ; Minglei TENG ; Yesen LI ; Deliang ZHANG ; Yongjun REN ; Zheng LI ; Hui LIU ; Xiaofei WEN ; Zhenjie LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Syed Faheem ASKARI RIZVI ; Rongqiang ZHUANG ; Jinxiong HUANG ; Suping LI ; Jingsong MAO ; Hongwei CHENG ; Gang LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5022-5035
Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a widely utilized therapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the clinical implementation is constrained by the stringent preparation conditions of radioembolization agents. Herein, we incorporated the superstable homogeneous iodinated formulation technology (SHIFT), simultaneously utilizing an enhanced solvent form in a carbon dioxide supercritical fluid environment, to encapsulate radionuclides (such as 131I,177Lu, or 18F) with lipiodol for the preparation of radiolipiodol. The resulting radiolipiodol exhibited exceptional stability and ultra-high labeling efficiency (≥99%) and displayed notable intratumoral radionuclide retention and in vivo stability more than 2 weeks following locoregional injection in subcutaneous tumors in mice and orthotopic liver tumors in rats and rabbits. Given these encouraging findings, 18F was authorized as a radiotracer in radiolipiodol for clinical trials in HCC patients, and showed a favorable tumor accumulation, with a tumor-to-liver uptake ratio of ≥50 and minimal radionuclide leakage, confirming the feasibility of SHIFT for TARE applications. In the context of transforming from preclinical to clinical screening, the preparation of radiolipiodol by SHIFT represents an innovative physical strategy for radionuclide encapsulation. Hence, this work offers a reliable and efficient approach for TARE in HCC, showing considerable promise for clinical application (ChiCTR2400087731).

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail