1.A randomized controlled study on improving the repeatability of setup in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancers through neck muscle group exercise
Jie LI ; Xiaowei YAO ; Bo LI ; Linlin XU ; Zhaodi XU ; Lihua ZHANG ; Fei BAI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(10):979-985
Objective:To explore the effect of neck muscle group exercise on setup errors in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.Methods:A total of 126 head and neck cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Medical University from February 2021 to October 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Among these patients, four patients discontinued treatment due to personal reasons, and the remaining 126 patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 61 patients in each group. The experimental group received neck muscle group exercise, while the control group received routine treatment without intervention. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans were performed weekly to measure setup errors at the levels of the clivus and the 4 th and 7 th cervical vertebrae (C4 and C7, respectively). Three-dimensional displacement, systematic errors, and random errors were calculated for each level. The appropriate margins of planning target volumes (PTVs) were determined using the Van Herk formula. Results:Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups, with no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly smaller setup errors in the left-right ( x) and anterior-posterior ( z) directions at the clivus level, as well as in the z direction at the C4 and C7 vertebral levels ( t = 2.30, 5.29, 4.07, 2.40, P < 0.05). The required PTV margin in the z direction increased to 4.0 mm at C7 from 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm at the clivus in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between the x-direction at the clivus and C4 vertebral levels and the couch angle (RTN) among all patients ( r = -0.548, -0.452, P < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between the inferior-superior ( y) direction and the z-direction at the C4 and C7 vertebral levels ( r = -0.160, -0.222, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Neck muscle group exercise can reduce setup errors and PTV margins in the anterior-posterior direction in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients.
2.Clinical observation of acupuncture and Tuina combined with Ba Duan Jin in improving motor function in patients with Parkinson disease in the early and middle stages
Liang ZENG ; You GU ; Jiawei HU ; Hualan YANG ; Xiaowei DONG ; Guoliang PAN ; Fei ZHOU ; Ling'er LIU
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(2):151-158
Objective:To observe the improving effect of acupuncture and Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)combined with Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)on motor function in patients with Parkinson disease(PD)in the early and middle stages.Methods:Seventy patients with early-or middle-stage PD were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment such as oral levodopa hydrochloride tablets;the observation group was treated with acupuncture,Tuina,and Ba Duan Jin in addition to the control group's treatment.Acupuncture and Tuina were administered twice a week,and Ba Duan Jin was performed five times a week.Each course of treatment lasted 4 weeks,and a total of 3 courses were completed.The changes in the unified Parkinson disease rating scale Ⅲ(UPDRS Ⅲ)score,Berg balance scale(BBS)score,15-meter walking speed,and 6-minute walk distance were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.6%,which was significantly higher than 45.7%in the control group(P<0.01).After 4,8,and 12 weeks of treatment,the UPDRS Ⅲ score in the observation group was significantly lower than the previous score(P<0.05);the BBS score was significantly higher than the previous score(P<0.05),and the 6-minute walk distance also significantly increased compared to the previous result(P<0.05).After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment,the 15-meter walking speed in the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment and the previous measurement(P<0.05).In comparison with the control group,the observation group showed significantly lower UPDRS Ⅲ scores after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment(P<0.05).Additionally,after 4,8,and 12 weeks of treatment,the observation group had significantly higher BBS scores,15-meter walking speed,and the 6-minute walk distance than the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the above indicators before and after treatment in the control group(P>0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture,Tuina,and Ba Duan Jin to Western medication treatment can effectively improve motor function,balance ability,and walking ability in patients with early-or middle-stage PD.
3.From organoids to organoids-on-a-chip: Current applications and challenges in biomedical research.
Kailun LIU ; Xiaowei CHEN ; Zhen FAN ; Fei REN ; Jing LIU ; Baoyang HU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(7):792-807
The high failure rates in clinical drug development based on animal models highlight the urgent need for more representative human models in biomedical research. In response to this demand, organoids and organ chips were integrated for greater physiological relevance and dynamic, controlled experimental conditions. This innovative platform-the organoids-on-a-chip technology-shows great promise in disease modeling, drug discovery, and personalized medicine, attracting interest from researchers, clinicians, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders. This review traces the evolution from organoids to organoids-on-a-chip, driven by the necessity for advanced biological models. We summarize the applications of organoids-on-a-chip in simulating physiological and pathological phenotypes and therapeutic evaluation of this technology. This section highlights how integrating technologies from organ chips, such as microfluidic systems, mechanical stimulation, and sensor integration, optimizes organoid cell types, spatial structure, and physiological functions, thereby expanding their biomedical applications. We conclude by addressing the current challenges in the development of organoids-on-a-chip and offering insights into the prospects. The advancement of organoids-on-a-chip is poised to enhance fidelity, standardization, and scalability. Furthermore, the integration of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations will be crucial for the progression of organoids-on-a-chip technology.
Organoids/physiology*
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Humans
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Biomedical Research/methods*
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Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
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Animals
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Microphysiological Systems
4.A randomized controlled study on improving the repeatability of setup in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancers through neck muscle group exercise
Jie LI ; Xiaowei YAO ; Bo LI ; Linlin XU ; Zhaodi XU ; Lihua ZHANG ; Fei BAI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2025;45(10):979-985
Objective:To explore the effect of neck muscle group exercise on setup errors in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.Methods:A total of 126 head and neck cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Medical University from February 2021 to October 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Among these patients, four patients discontinued treatment due to personal reasons, and the remaining 126 patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 61 patients in each group. The experimental group received neck muscle group exercise, while the control group received routine treatment without intervention. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans were performed weekly to measure setup errors at the levels of the clivus and the 4 th and 7 th cervical vertebrae (C4 and C7, respectively). Three-dimensional displacement, systematic errors, and random errors were calculated for each level. The appropriate margins of planning target volumes (PTVs) were determined using the Van Herk formula. Results:Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups, with no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly smaller setup errors in the left-right ( x) and anterior-posterior ( z) directions at the clivus level, as well as in the z direction at the C4 and C7 vertebral levels ( t = 2.30, 5.29, 4.07, 2.40, P < 0.05). The required PTV margin in the z direction increased to 4.0 mm at C7 from 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm at the clivus in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between the x-direction at the clivus and C4 vertebral levels and the couch angle (RTN) among all patients ( r = -0.548, -0.452, P < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between the inferior-superior ( y) direction and the z-direction at the C4 and C7 vertebral levels ( r = -0.160, -0.222, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Neck muscle group exercise can reduce setup errors and PTV margins in the anterior-posterior direction in postoperative radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients.
5.Clinical observation of acupuncture and Tuina combined with Ba Duan Jin in improving motor function in patients with Parkinson disease in the early and middle stages
Liang ZENG ; You GU ; Jiawei HU ; Hualan YANG ; Xiaowei DONG ; Guoliang PAN ; Fei ZHOU ; Ling'er LIU
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(2):151-158
Objective:To observe the improving effect of acupuncture and Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)combined with Ba Duan Jin(Eight-brocade Exercise)on motor function in patients with Parkinson disease(PD)in the early and middle stages.Methods:Seventy patients with early-or middle-stage PD were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional treatment such as oral levodopa hydrochloride tablets;the observation group was treated with acupuncture,Tuina,and Ba Duan Jin in addition to the control group's treatment.Acupuncture and Tuina were administered twice a week,and Ba Duan Jin was performed five times a week.Each course of treatment lasted 4 weeks,and a total of 3 courses were completed.The changes in the unified Parkinson disease rating scale Ⅲ(UPDRS Ⅲ)score,Berg balance scale(BBS)score,15-meter walking speed,and 6-minute walk distance were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.6%,which was significantly higher than 45.7%in the control group(P<0.01).After 4,8,and 12 weeks of treatment,the UPDRS Ⅲ score in the observation group was significantly lower than the previous score(P<0.05);the BBS score was significantly higher than the previous score(P<0.05),and the 6-minute walk distance also significantly increased compared to the previous result(P<0.05).After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment,the 15-meter walking speed in the observation group was significantly higher than that before treatment and the previous measurement(P<0.05).In comparison with the control group,the observation group showed significantly lower UPDRS Ⅲ scores after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment(P<0.05).Additionally,after 4,8,and 12 weeks of treatment,the observation group had significantly higher BBS scores,15-meter walking speed,and the 6-minute walk distance than the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the above indicators before and after treatment in the control group(P>0.05).Conclusion:The addition of acupuncture,Tuina,and Ba Duan Jin to Western medication treatment can effectively improve motor function,balance ability,and walking ability in patients with early-or middle-stage PD.
6.Study on the effect of control scan method in precise CT localization scan on patients with head and neck tumors
Jieying ZHUANG ; Min WANG ; Feiyue SHI ; Lin FU ; Lili CHEN ; Fei CHEN ; Xiaowei WEI
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(3):8-11,18
Objective:To study the position of computed tomography(CT)slice of marker points of radiotherapy,which was determined by control scan(CS)method,on the application effect of patients with head and neck tumors who received radiotherapy.Methods:Based on Control Scan(CS)method,a calculator program of mark-point slice position was made,which was an enterprise WeChat program that could be used in calculating position and CT position scan of patients with head and neck tumor(slice thickness was 3mm).A total of 60 patients with head and neck tumor were selected,and the patients who underwent CT positioning scan by using CS method were divided into observation group,and patients who underwent CT position scan by using conventional method were divided into control group,with 30 cases in each group.The number of cases with three metal marker points displayed at the same slice,and the number of slices containing the CT images of marker point between the located CT scan were compared.Results:The number of patients in the observation group and the control group who showed three markers at the same level at the same time were respectively 26 cases and 13 cases,and observation group increased by 13 cases(43.4%)than control group,and the difference was significant(x2=12.382,P<0.05).The number of CT images with only 1 slice of observation group and control group were respectively 4 cases and 0 cases,which increased by 4 cases(13.3%)than the control group,and the difference was significant(x2=2.411,P<0.05).Conclusions:The CT localization scan of radiotherapy,which uses CS to assist patients with head and neck tumor,can precisely calculate and obtain the primary position of target of CT localization scan.It can take the images of 3 mental marker points of patient who receives radiotherapy to occur at the same CT slice as soon as possible,which has better application effect.It can effectively improve the convenience and work effectiveness of radiotherapy.
7.Logic-gated tumor-microenvironment nanoamplifier enables targeted delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 for multimodal cancer therapy.
Yongchun PAN ; Xiaowei LUAN ; Fei ZENG ; Xuyuan WANG ; Shurong QIN ; Qianglan LU ; Guanzhong HE ; Yanfeng GAO ; Xiaolian SUN ; Xin HAN ; Bangshun HE ; Yujun SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2024;14(2):795-807
Recent innovations in nanomaterials inspire abundant novel tumor-targeting CRISPR-based gene therapies. However, the therapeutic efficiency of traditional targeted nanotherapeutic strategies is limited by that the biomarkers vary in a spatiotemporal-dependent manner with tumor progression. Here, we propose a self-amplifying logic-gated gene editing strategy for gene/H2O2-mediated/starvation multimodal cancer therapy. In this approach, a hypoxia-degradable covalent-organic framework (COF) is synthesized to coat a-ZIF-8 in which glucose oxidase (GOx) and CRISPR system are packaged. To intensify intracellular redox dyshomeostasis, DNAzymes which can cleave catalase mRNA are loaded as well. When the nanosystem gets into the tumor, the weakly acidic and hypoxic microenvironment degrades the ZIF-8@COF to activate GOx, which amplifies intracellular H+ and hypoxia, accelerating the nanocarrier degradation to guarantee available CRISPR plasmid and GOx release in target cells. These tandem reactions deplete glucose and oxygen, leading to logic-gated-triggered gene editing as well as synergistic gene/H2O2-mediated/starvation therapy. Overall, this approach highlights the biocomputing-based CRISPR delivery and underscores the great potential of precise cancer therapy.
8.Prospective clinical study of effect of neck muscle training on reducing setup error of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Lihua ZHANG ; Xiaowei YAO ; Bo LI ; Linlin XU ; Zhaodi XU ; Fei BAI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2024;33(10):942-949
Objective:To evaluate the effect of neck muscle training on reducing the neck setup error during radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who were treated with radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from February 2021 to October 2022 were selected and analyzed. All subjects were randomly divided into the experimental group ( n=48) and control group ( n=51) at a ratio of 1:1 using a random number table method. In the experimental group, patients received neck muscle training prior to treatment, and those in the control group received conventional treatment without additional interventions. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed weekly to measure and analyze the setup errors at the level of the slopes, 4th cervical vertebra (C4) and 7th cervical vertebra (C7). The four-dimensional displacement [left-right (LR), superior-inferior (SI), anterior-posterior (AP), rotation (Rtn)] systematic errors and random errors at each level were calculated, and the planning target volume (PTV) boundary was calculated. The differences at three different levels of slope, C4, C7 (LR, SI, AP axis) were compared between two groups. The correlation of setup errors in each direction was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The changes of cervical curvature, cutaneous toxicity (common terminology criteria for adverse events V3.0) and pain assessment (numerical rating scale) were compared between two groups. Qualitative data between two groups were compared by χ2 test. Quantitative data between two groups were compared by t-test. Results:Baseline features were well balanced in both groups. The setup error in the experimental group was smaller than that in the control group. For the setup error in the AP direction, the setup errors at the levels of slope, C4 and C7 in the experimental group were (0.94±0.88) mm, (1.13±1.03) mm and (1.32±1.22) mm, significantly less than (1.66±1.23) mm, (1.63±1.35) mm and (1.89±1.48) mm in the control group (all P<0.001). In the SI direction, the setup errors at the levels of slope, C4 and C7 in the experimental group were (1.14±0.87) mm, (1.31±0.93) mm and (1.39±0.95) mm, compared with (1.22±0.95) mm, (1.40±1.11) mm and (1.52±1.08) mm in the control group ( P=0.278, 0.272, 0.100). The differences in the AP direction at the level of C4 and C7 in the experimental group were smaller than those in the control group ( P=0.014, 0.005). The required PTV boundary in the AP direction in the experimental group was increased from 1.77 mm at the slope level to 2.98 mm at the level of C7. In the control group, it was increased from 3.02 mm at the slope level to 4.78 mm at the level of C7. Correlation analysis showed that at the C4 and C7 levels, and the setup errors in the SI direction were moderately negatively correlated with those in the AR direction. There were no significant differences in cervical curvature, skin toxicity and pain assessment between two groups. Conclusion:Neck muscle training can reduce the setup error in the AP direction and PTV boundary of radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
9.Feasibility of core cervical muscle group exercises and massage in the improvement of cervical spine curvature changes during radiotherapy for head and neck neoplasms
Fei BAI ; Lihua ZHANG ; Linlin XU ; Jie LI ; Xiaowei YAO
Cancer Research and Clinic 2023;35(8):568-572
Objective:To investigate the role of cervical core muscle group exercise and massage in the change of cervical spine curvature during radiotherapy for head and neck tumors and the effect on set-up errors.Methods:A total of 40 patients with head and neck tumours receiving radiotherapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from March 2020 to July 2021 were prospectively selected, and all of them underwent different degrees of changes in cervical spine curvature during radiotherapy. The cervical core muscle exercise and manual massage were used to do treatment intervention on the change in the cervical spine curvature. Changes in cervical spine curvature at the time of the curvature change of the cervical spine and at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after the intervention were observed by using cone beam CT, and then data were recorded in 3 dimensions. The set-up error when cervical spine curvature changed was compared with that after the muscle group exercise and manipulation, and Pearson was used to analyze the linear correlation of set-up errors in each direction.Results:There were 23 males and 17 females, with a median age of 41 years (26-62 years). The significant improvement of cervical curvature at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after the intervention could be found in 2 cases (5.0%), 20 cases (50.0%) and 39 cases (97.5%). Using the cervical 4 vertebrae as the matching standard, the set-up errors at the time of change in cervical spine curvature and at 1 d, 3 d and 5 d after treatment were (1.3±0.9) mm, (1.2±0.8) mm, (1.3±0.7) mm and (1.3±0.7) mm in the left-right direction respectively; (2.0±0.7) mm, (1.7±0.8) mm, (1.8±0.7) mm and (1.9±0.8) mm in the head-foot direction respectively; (4.9±0.7) mm, (4.6±0.7) mm, (3.4±0.7) mm, (1.7±0.6) mm in the anterior-posterior direction respectively. The set-up error in the anterior-posterior directions at 3 d and 5 d after treatment intervention was lower than that at the time of change in cervical spine curvature and at 1 d after treatment intervention (all P < 0.01), and that at 5 d after treatment intervention was lower than that at 3 d after treatment intervention ( P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the left-right direction and head-foot direction at each time point (all P > 0.05). There was no correlation between left-right direction and head-foot direction ( r = 0.049, P = 0.540), between left-right direction and anterior-posterior direction ( r = 0.041, P = 0.607), and between head-foot direction and anterior-posterior direction ( r = 0.003, P = 0.931) in terms of set-up errors. Conclusions:Core cervical muscle group training and massage could improve the change in cervical spine curvature, increase the repeatability of the set-up, which provides a favourable guarantee for accurate treatment.
10.Age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index predicts mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Wendan WANG ; Lei WANG ; Chen CHAI ; Xiaowei ZHANG ; Fei LV ; Suting ZHONG ; Tiantian WANG ; Long WU ; Zehai TANG
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2023;32(1):76-81
Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) for in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD).Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study, and the clinical data of ATAAD patients admitted to Wuhan Union Hospital from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2018 were collected for analysis. All the patients were confirmed by computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance imaging of the aorta and the onset time was less than 14 days. Patients who survived at discharge were followed up to obtain 1-year survival information. The ACCI score was calculated for patients based on their comorbidities and age at admission, and they were divided into three groups of 0, 1 and ≥2 according to the ACCI score. The in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality of the three groups were compared. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the independent predictors for in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality.Results:Among 1 133 ATAAD patients, 383, 357 and 393 patients had ACCI score of 0, 1, and ≥2, respectively. The in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality of patients with ACCI score ≥2 were significantly higher than those of patients with ACCI score of 0 (25.4% vs. 17.0%, 30.0% vs. 19.6%, both P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ACCI score ≥2 was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality ( OR=1.670, 95% CI: 1.176-2.370, P=0.004) and 1-year mortality ( OR=1.762, 95% CI: 1.264-2.456, P<0.001). Age (per 10-year increase) and cerebrovascular diseases were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality, while diabetes mellitus was a protective factor for in-hospital mortality. Conclusions:ACCI can predict the in-hospital mortality and 1-year mortality of ATAAD patients, and patients with ACCI score ≥2 have a poorer prognosis.

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