1.Effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on outcomes of L5/S1 transforminal lumbar interbody fusion and lumbar sagittal parameters
Yalei WANG ; Xuezhi WANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Xinxin SHEN ; Ding FANG ; Hongliang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):634-641
BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P<0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P>0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.
2.Screening the advantageous population for liver cancer undergoing yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy
Licong Liang ; Yuchan Liang ; Wensou Huang ; Yongjian Guo ; Jingjun Huang ; Jingwen Zhou ; Liteng Lin ; Xinxin Nie ; Mingyue Cai ; Kangshun Zhu
Liver Research 2026;10(1):61-70
Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), also known as transarterial radioembolization, has become one of the pivotal treatments for liver cancer, particularly for selected advantageous patient groups. This review summarizes the characteristics of different patients with liver cancer that could obtain maximum benefit from SIRT and discusses key factors affecting efficacy and safety, including tumor characteristics, liver function, patient performance status, and treatment intent. In evaluating appropriate candidates, mapping serves as a crucial simulation procedure to assess tumor vascular anatomy, predict lung shunting, and guide catheter positioning and dose planning. This procedure substantially enhances therapeutic precision while minimizing the risk of nontarget radiation-related adverse events, such as radiation-induced pneumonitis and gastrointestinal toxicity. Several studies have suggested that SIRT is not only suitable for patients with early or limited hepatocellular carcinoma but can also be used as a bridging therapy for liver transplantation and conversion therapy for unresectable liver cancers. In combination with systemic treatments, SIRT has demonstrated survival benefits in patients with unresectable liver cancer. This review also highlights the importance of further optimizing patient screening through personalized dosimetry and mapping to ensure the precision and safety of treatment. A thorough review of relevant literature and clinical practice offers clinicians comprehensive suggestions on patient screening and clarifies the promise of SIRT in the liver cancer population.
3.Mechanism of Wenyang jieyu granules regulating NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway on antidepressant effect in rats
Shuang MENG ; Jie ZHAO ; Xinxin WANG ; Dandan TAN ; Xiaorong ZHOU ; Huimin SUN ; Xiaojuan MA ; Zhenyu FENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1440-1446
OBJECTIVE To explore the antidepressant mechanism of Wenyang jieyu granules (WYJYG) via the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3)/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)/Caspase-1 pathway. METHODS A rat model of depression was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress combined with single-housing for 42 consecutive days.The experiment set up blank group, model group, MCC950 (NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor) group (10 mg/kg), fluoxetine group (positive control,2.08 mg/kg),low-dose WYJYG(3.78 g/kg) and high-dose WYJYG group (7.56 g/kg),with 10 rats in each group. From the 22nd day of the experiment, rats in the fluoxetine group, low-dose and high-dose WYJYG groups were intragastrically administered with the corresponding drugs and intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Rats in the MCC950 group were intraperitoneally injected with MCC950 at the corresponding concentration and intragastrically administered with an equal volume of distilled water. Rats in the blank group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage and an equal volume of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection. All interventions were performed once a day for 21 consecutive days. Behavioral tests were conducted once a week. After the last administration, the contents of ASC, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-18 in hippocampal tissues were detected. The protein expressions of NLRP3, cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), Caspase-1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein were determined, and neuronal apoptosis was observed. RESULTS After the last administration, compared with the model group, the open-field activity time was significantly prolonged ( P <0.05), and the latency to feed in a novel environment was significantly shortened ( P <0.05) in rats of the high-dose WYJYG group. In hippocampal tissue, the contents of ASC, Iba1, IL-1β, and IL-18, as well as the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and CD68, and the positive rate of neuronal apoptosis were all significantly decreased/downregulated ( P <0.05). Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly upregulated ( P <0.05), and the density of neuronal apoptosis-positive cells was significantly reduced ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS WYJYG play on antidepressant role by inhibiting the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway, reducing microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and inhibiting hippocampal neurons apoptosis.
4.Effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on outcomes of L5/S1 transforminal lumbar interbody fusion and lumbar sagittal parameters
Yalei WANG ; Xuezhi WANG ; Tao ZHOU ; Xinxin SHEN ; Ding FANG ; Hongliang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):634-641
BACKGROUND:The correlation between sacroiliac joint degeneration and lumbar degenerative disease has been analyzed in the literature in the past,but the clinical efficacy and imaging changes after interbody fusion with sacroiliac joint ankylosis in patients with lumbar degenerative disease have not been reported in the literature.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of sacroiliac joint ankylosis on the clinical efficacy and lumbar sagittal regression after L5/S1 single-segment transforminal lumbar interbody fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative disease.METHODS:Thirty-seven patients who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease with sacroiliac joint ankylosis between June 2020 and September 2023 in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed as group A.Thirty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative disease without sacroiliac joint ankylosis who were matched for general information during the same period were selected as controls in group B.Clinical efficacy was assessed using the Oswestry disability index and visual analog scale for lumbar and lower limb pain.The lumbar sagittal parameters included lumbar anterior convexity angle,lumbar partial anterior convexity angle,and lower lumbar anterior convexity angle.Pfirrmann grading was used to assess the degree of preoperative disc degeneration,postoperative endplate damage and screw loosening,and to record the fusion of the operated segments at the final postoperative follow-up visit.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in age,body mass index,bone mineral density,operation time,intraoperative bleeding,preoperative primary diagnosis and postoperative follow-up time between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The preoperative Pfirrmann grading of lumbar disc degeneration in group A patients(3.4±0.9)was significantly higher than that of group B(3.1±0.6),and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.059,P=0.044).(3)All patients showed significant improvement in postoperative lumbar sagittal parameters compared with preoperative ones(all P<0.05).During the follow-up period,there was a loss of correction in patients in group A.There was no statistical difference in the lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative period(P>0.05).The lumbar anterior convexity angle,lower lumbar anterior convexity angle,and local anterior convexity angle in group A were significantly lower than those of group B patients at both preoperative and final follow-up,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).(4)There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative endplate injury between the two groups(x2=0.181,P=0.670),and screw loosening was significantly higher in group A than in group B,with a statistically significant difference(x2=4.163,P=0.041).(5)At the last follow-up,the incidence of grade 3 fusion and grade 4 fusion was significantly higher in group A than in group B.The difference in the distribution of fusion grades between the two groups was statistically significant(x2=7.848,P=0.031).(6)The Oswestry disability index and lower limb visual analog scale scores at the last follow-up of both groups were significantly improved compared with the preoperative period(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores for low back pain at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up of group A were significantly higher than those of group B(t=2.010,P=0.048;t=2.133,P=0.036).(7)It is concluded that regardless of whether it is accompanied by sacroiliac joint ankylosis or not,lumbar degenerative disease patients who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum can achieve good therapeutic effects,but lumbar degenerative disease patients with sacroiliac joint ankylosis who undergo interbody fusion with foramen magnum at the L5/S1 segments have a poorer improvement of low back pain than patients without sacroiliac joint ankylosis after the operation.Furthermore,patients with preoperative sacroiliac ankylosis who underwent L5/S1 segmental transforminal lumbar interbody fusion had a low fusion rate and were prone to loss of correction of the lumbar sagittal position.
5.Construction of a COPD risk prediction model based on machine learning and the COPD-SQ questionnaire
Lin CHEN ; Luna ZHAO ; Yue ZHOU ; Panpan WANG ; Jingkun LI ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Xinxin ZHANG ; Chao WU ; Dong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(7):1261-1268
ObjectiveTo construct and evaluate various machine learning models for predicting the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in individuals, thereby providing data support for early screening and intervention. MethodsA total of 823 subjects were selected for this study, comprising 142 individuals in the high-risk group for COPD and 681 individuals in the low-risk group. Data collected included demographic characteristics, smoking history, symptoms (such as cough and shortness of breath), and scores from the Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening questionnaire. Four machine learning algorithms—Logistic regression, random forest, support vector machine, and XGBoost—were utilized to construct risk prediction models. The performance of these models was assessed using 5-fold cross-validation, with evaluation metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and average precision (AP). Furthermore, a feature importance analysis was performed. ResultsThe Logistic Regression model exhibited superior performance, achieving an AUC of 0.982 and an AP of 0.939. This was closely followed by the Random Forest model, which recorded an AUC of 0.975 and an AP of 0.890. Feature importance analysis revealed that smoking history, symptoms of shortness of breath, and body weight were significant predictors. All models demonstrated robust performance in identifying low-risk populations; however, variations were observed in their efficacy in identifying high-risk populations. ConclusionMachine learning models have proven effective in identifying individuals at high risk for COPD. Among these, the Logistic regression model exhibits the best overall performance, efficiently identifying high-risk populations and serving as a valuable clinical auxiliary screening tool. Various models, each with distinct performance characteristics, are suited to different clinical screening scenarios, thereby offering targeted decision-making support for the establishment of a hierarchical and intelligent COPD screening pathway.
6.BK virus nephropathy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case report and literature review
Wenli ZHANG ; Yingling ZU ; Zhenghua HUANG ; Zhen LI ; Ruirui GUI ; Juan WANG ; Xianjing WANG ; Huili WANG ; Xinxin FAN ; Yongping SONG ; Baijun FANG ; Jian ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2025;46(3):273-275
A 20-year-old male patient with T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia received 9/10 human leukocyte antigen-compatible unrelated peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. He was transplanted with 5.91×10 8 mononuclear cells/kg and 2.88×10 6 CD34 + cells/kg, and neutrophil engraftment was obtained at +11 days and platelet engraftment at +9 days. After transplantation, he presented with repeatedly increased serum creatinine levels, BK virus (BKV) -associated hemorrhagic cystitis, and BKV viremia. BK virus nephropathy was diagnosed based on renal biopsy and metagenomic next-generation sequencing. After adjusting the immunosuppressant, intravenous immunoglobulin, and donor lymphocyte infusion treatment, the patient’s renal function deteriorated progressively, and he eventually died of multiple organ failure at +289 days.
7.Diagnostic characteristics of gastric and duodenal eosinophilic gastroenteritis
Xiaoyu LI ; Xinxin MAO ; Kaiwen LI ; Ji LI ; Weixun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(6):640-645
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic features of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) of the stomach and duodenum.Methods:A case-control study was conducted to retrospectively analyze 238 biopsy specimens of gastric and duodenal EGE (75 cases) and 133 biopsy specimens of chronic active gastroenteritis (97 cases) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China from 2012 to 2023. The eosinophil count, infiltration site and other pathological features (e.g., infiltration of neutrophils into the epithelium, edema, and increase of background lymphocytes and plasma cells) were examined under a microscope. Chi-square test, chi-square multiple comparison ( Bonferroni method) and modified Poisson regression were used to analyze the data. Results:The results showed that there were significant differences in eosinophil count ( χ2=43.926, P<0.01), location ( χ2=31.391, P<0.01), neutrophilic infiltration of the epithelium ( χ2=5.199, P=0.023), edema ( χ2=3.934, P=0.047), and lymphoplasmacytosis ( χ2=36.813, P<0.01) between the EGE and control cases. The results of Chi-square multiple comparisons showed that eosinophils distributed in clusters or sheets (versus other grades of eosinophil presence) were statistically associated with EGE. When eosinophils infiltrated the epithelium (versus eosinophils in other locations of the mucosa), there was a statistically significant association with EGE. Modified Poisson regression also showed that EGE was more likely to have eosinophilic infiltration of epithelium [ RR=1.661, P=0.001,95% CI (1.397,1.973)] and that of muscularis mucosa [ RR=1.818, P<0.01,95% CI (1.491,2.216)]. Conclusions:The important pathological features for diagnosing EGE of the stomach and duodenum are that eosinophils are clustered or distributed in sheets with epithelial infiltration. However, epithelial infiltration by neutrophils, edema and background lymphoplasmacytosis are relatively rare.
8.Relationship between mechanism of buprenorphine in attenuating microglial neuroinflammation and MDGA1
Hongyu WANG ; Xinxin JI ; Jin YAN ; Tianyu WEI ; Xihua LU ; Yi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(10):1309-1312
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the mechanism of buprenorphine in attenuating neuroinflammation in microglia and the MAM domain-containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor gene 1 ( MDGA1). Methods:The human microglial cell line HMC-3 was cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a table of random numbers: control group (Con group), lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group, buprenorphine + LPS group (Bup+ LPS group) and buprenorphine + LPS + MDGA1 knockdown group (Bup+ LPS+ shMDGA1 group). LPS group was incubated with LPS at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml for 4 h. Bup+ LPS group was incubated with buprenorphine at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml for 1 h, followed by incubation with LPS at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml for 4 h. Bup+ LPS+ shMDGA1 group was transfected with MDGA1-specific shorthairpin RNA for knockdown, and the remaining treatment was similar to those previously described in Bup+ LPS group. The expression of MDGA1 in microglia was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Compared with Con group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly increased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was down-regulated in LPS group ( P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly decreased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was up-regulated in Bup+ LPS group ( P<0.05). Compared with Bup+ LPS group, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS in the supernatant were significantly increased, and the expression of MDGA1 in microglia was down-regulated in Bup+ LPS+ sh MDGA1 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which buprenorphine alleviates neuroinflammation in microglia may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of MDGA1.
9.Role of Apolipoprotein E4 in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease and Thoughts for Early Intervention with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jingwen LIU ; Zijia ZHANG ; Kaili WANG ; Jiayan HUANG ; Weimin LI ; Xinxin ZHOU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(2):512-517
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with hidden onset.Recent researches have shown that apolipoprotein E4(APOE4)is a high-risk genetic factor of AD,and the clinical symptoms in APOE4 genotype AD patients are closely related to metabolic disorders.This paper reviewed the role of APOE4 in the pathogenesis of AD,and it is indicated that APOE4 contributes to the injury of the cerebral blood-brain barrier,is associated with the disorder of cerebral glucose and lipid metabolism,and leads to the damage of the scavenging ability of microglia.Moreover,this paper explored the approach of early intervention of AD with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)based on the APOE4 pathogenesis.Based on the pathogenesis of AD being deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality,and under the guidance of the principle of prevention before illness in TCM,it is proposed that early TCM intervention for APOE4 genotype AD patients with metabolic disorders can be performed through improving the phlegm-dampness constitution,by focusing on insulin resistance-related indicators,and with traditional Chinese drug therapy based on syndrome differentiation alone or together with comprehensive management of exercises,diet control and drug interventions,thus to reduce or delay the onset of APOE4 genotype AD.
10.Evolution of grading for solitary fibrous tumors of the central nervous system: a clinical pathological and prognostic analysis
Xiaoling LI ; Hua ZHANG ; Chengcong HU ; Jianfeng ZHOU ; Mengyi ZHUANG ; Xinxin FAN ; Liwen HU ; Yupeng CHEN ; Qian HUANG ; Sheng ZHANG ; Xingfu WANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(3):275-282
Objective:The 5th edition of the WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in 2021 made significant revisions to the nomenclature and grading system of solitary fibrous tumors (SFT). This study aimed to explore the changes in the grading of CNS SFT and its relationship with clinical pathological features and prognosis.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical and pathological data of 82 patients with CNS SFT diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from March 2006 to June 2021, reassessed their grading according to the WHO 5th edition CNS tumor classification, and conducted a comprehensive analysis of their histological morphology, immunohistochemical characteristics, and clinical imaging data.Results:The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 83 years, with a median age of 48 years. Follow-up was completed for 82 patients, during which 10 patients died, 24 recurred, and 5 metastasized. MRI imaging showed that SFT exhibited isointense signals on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and complex signals on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), with signal intensity decreasing as the content of collagen fibers increased. According to the 2021 grading criteria, there was a significant change in the grading of SFT, with the number of grade 1 SFT increasing from 10 cases under the 2016 standard to 39 cases, while the number of grade 2 and 3 SFT decreased accordingly. The 2016 grading system was significantly correlated with the overall survival (OS) of patients ( P=0.009), while the 2021 grading system did not reach statistical significance. Both grading systems were correlated with histological phenotype, Ki-67 index, mitotic figures, and necrosis ( P<0.05). All cases expressed STAT6, and showed varying degrees of expression of vimentin, CD99, BCL-2, and CD34. The staining intensity of type Ⅳ collagen fibers, as analyzed semi-quantitatively, was correlated with the OS of the patients ( P=0.017). Conclusions:The new grading system for CNS SFT has undergone significant changes, and its association with OS requires further validation. In-depth study of the content and fine structure of collagen fibers in SFT may have important clinical significance for the prognosis assessment and the formulation of treatment plans for patients. Moreover, quantitative analysis of T2WI signal intensity may provide a new method for preoperative preliminary assessment of the collagen fiber content in SFT.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail