1.Research Progress of Selective Nerve Root Block in the Treatment of Lumbosacral Radiculopathy
Leilei GAO ; Jun LIU ; Xiaoxia HUANG ; Tao LIU ; Yong TENG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):739-748
Lumbosacral radiculopathy refers to the pain syndrome caused by inflammation or mechanical compression of the lumbar nerve root, mainly manifested as low back pain, and radiating to the lower limbs in cutaneous mode, which can be accompanied by numbness, paresthesia, tingling, muscle weakness and loss of specific reflexes and other symptoms, which not only bring physical pain and life inconvenience to the patients, but also bring huge economic burden to the social medical care. Selective nerve root block(SNRB), as a safe, effective, low-cost, precise and minimally invasive clinical technique, can accurately intervene in specific nerve roots and quickly relieve pain symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving the surrounding environment of nerves. However, there are still many challenges and controversies in practice, such as precise targeting requirements, drug selection, potential risks and complications, and differences in efficacy among different patient populations. The purpose of this review is to systematically review and analyze the existing research results on SNRB, so as to provide useful reference and guidance for the further development of this field.
2.Exercise-induced Mitohormesis in Counteracting Age-related Sarcopenia
Zi-Yi ZHANG ; Mei MA ; Hai BO ; Tao LIU ; Yong ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1349-1361
Sarcopenia, an age-related degenerative skeletal muscle disorder characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, diminished strength, and impaired physical function, poses substantial challenges to global healthy aging initiatives. The pathogenesis of this condition is fundamentally rooted in mitochondrial dysfunction, manifested through defective energy metabolism, disrupted redox equilibrium, imbalanced dynamics, and compromised organelle quality control. This comprehensive review elucidates the central role of exercise-induced mitochondrial hormesis as a critical adaptive mechanism counteracting sarcopenia. Mitohormesis represents an evolutionarily conserved stress response wherein sublethal mitochondrial perturbations, particularly transient low-dose reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during muscle contraction, activate cytoprotective signaling cascades rather than inflicting macromolecular damage. The mechanistic foundation of this process involves ROS functioning as essential signaling molecules that activate the Keap1 nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant response element pathway. This activation drives transcriptional upregulation of phase II detoxifying enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thereby enhancing cellular redox buffering capacity. Crucially, Nrf2 engages in bidirectional molecular crosstalk with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), the principal regulator orchestrating mitochondrial biogenesis through coordinated induction of nuclear respiratory factors 1 and 2 (NRF1/2) along with mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), collectively facilitating mitochondrial DNA replication and respiratory complex assembly. Concurrently, exercise-induced alterations in cellular energy status, specifically diminished ATP to AMP ratios, potently activate AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). This energy-sensing kinase phosphorylates PGC-1α while concomitantly stimulating NAD dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity, which further potentiates PGC-1α function through post-translational deacetylation. The integrated AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT1 axis coordinates mitochondrial biogenesis, optimizes network architecture through regulation of fusion proteins mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1), and enhances clearance of damaged organelles via selective activation of mitophagy receptors BCL2 interacting protein 3 (Bnip1) and FUN14 domain containing 1 (FNDC1). Exercise further stimulates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), increasing molecular chaperones such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) and HSP10 to preserve proteostasis. Within the mitochondrial matrix, SIRT3 fine-tunes metabolic flux through deacetylation of electron transport chain components, improving phosphorylation efficiency while attenuating pathological ROS emission. Distinct exercise modalities differentially engage these pathways. Aerobic endurance training primarily activates AMPK/PGC-1α signaling and UPRmt to expand mitochondrial volume and oxidative capacity. Resistance training exploits mechanical tension to acutely stimulate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) mediated protein synthesis while modulating dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) phosphorylation dynamics to support mitochondrial network reorganization. High intensity interval training generates potent metabolic oscillations that rapidly amplify AMPK/PGC-1α and Nrf2 activation, demonstrating particular efficacy in insulin-resistant phenotypes. Strategically designed concurrent training regimens synergistically integrate these adaptations. Mitochondrial-nuclear communication through tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites and mitochondrially derived peptides such as mitochondrial open reading frame of 12s rRNA-c (MOTS-c) coordinates systemic metabolic reprogramming, with exercise-responsive myokines including fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) mediating inter-tissue signaling to reduce inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity. This integrated framework provides the scientific foundation for precision exercise interventions targeting mitochondrial pathophysiology in sarcopenia, incorporating biomarker monitoring and exploring pharmacological potentiators including nicotinamide riboside and MOTS-c mimetics. Future investigations should delineate temporal dynamics of mitohormesis signaling and epigenetic regulation to optimize therapeutic approaches for age-related muscle decline.
3.Construction and practice of an intelligent management system for preoperative anemia based on multidisciplinary collaboration
Cuihua TAO ; Yingsen HU ; Xin LIAO ; Hongling TANG ; Liyuan JIANG ; Jiangshang SUN ; Man MOU ; Xiaohui LIU ; Yong HE ; Jie YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(9):1242-1247
Objective: To improve the efficiency and standardization of preoperative anemia diagnosis and treatment by establishing a systematic intelligent management platform for preoperative anemia. Methods: A multidisciplinary collaborative model was adopted to develop a preoperative anemia management system that integrates intelligent early warning, standardized treatment pathways, and quality control. The system utilizes natural language processing technology to automatically capture laboratory data and establish evidence-based medical decision support functions. A pre-post study design was employed to compare changes in preoperative anemia screening rates, preoperative anemia intervention rates, reasonable use of iron supplements, and perioperative red blood cell transfusion rates before and after system implementation. Results: After system implementation, the standardization of anemia diagnosis and treatment significantly improved: 1) Screening effectiveness: The anemia screening rate increased to 50.00% (an increase of 27.24%); 2) Intervention effectiveness: The anemia treatment rate rose to 56.30% (an increase of 14.02%); 3) Treatment standardization: The reasonable use rate of iron supplements increased to 55.33% (an increase of 21.02%); the red blood cell transfusion rate decreased to 18.29% (a decrease of 4.07%), and the amount of red blood cell transfusions was reduced by 291 units. Conclusion: This system achieves full-process management of preoperative anemia through information technology, significantly enhancing the standardization of diagnosis and treatment as well as intervention effectiveness, providing an effective solution for perioperative anemia management.
4.Progress in preclinical studies of xenogeneic lung transplantation and single-center technical experience
Xiaoting TAO ; Xinzhong NING ; Yong LIU ; Guimei ZHANG ; He XIAO ; Shiyu LIN ; Zizi ZHOU ; Taiyun WEI ; Chunxiao HU ; Hongjiang WEI ; Kun QIAO
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(6):874-880
Lung transplantation is the ultimate therapeutic option for end-stage pulmonary diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumoconiosis. Currently, the shortage of allogeneic lung donors significantly limits the opportunity for end-stage lung disease patients to receive lung transplantation. In recent years, with the rapid development of biomedical engineering technologies, especially the major breakthroughs in genetic modification and cloning, xenogeneic lung transplantation has shown important potential for clinical translation. Among them, genetically modified pigs have become the most promising xenogeneic lung source due to the close similarity of organ size and physiological characteristics to humans, and the ability to perform targeted gene knockouts (such as α-Gal antigen knockout) to reduce the occurrence of hyperacute rejection. This article focuses on the research progress of porcine xenogeneic lung transplantation, systematically reviews the latest achievements and challenges in animal experiments and human trials, and introduces the technical experience accumulated by Shenzhen Third People's Hospital in the porcine-to-monkey xenogeneic lung transplantation model, in the hope of providing practical references for future research in this field.
5.Mortality, morbidity, and care practices for 1750 very low birth weight infants, 2016-2021
Yang HE ; Meng ZHANG ; Jun TANG ; Wanxiu LIU ; Yong HU ; Jing SHI ; Hua WANG ; Tao XIONG ; Li ZHANG ; Junjie YING ; Dezhi MU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(20):2452-2460
Background::Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are the key populations in neonatology, wherein morbidity and mortality remain major challenges. The study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of VLBW infants.Methods::A retrospective cohort study was conducted in West China Second Hospital between January 2016 and December 2021. Neonates with a birth weight of <1500 g were included. Mortality, care practices, and major morbidities were analyzed, and compared with those of previous 7 years (2009-2015).Results::Of the total 1750 VLBW, 1386 were infants born with birth weight between 1000-1499 g and 364 infants were born with weight below 1000 g; 42.9% (751/1750) required delivery room resuscitation; 53.9% (943/1750) received non-invasive ventilation only; 38.2% (669/1750) received invasive ventilation; 1517 VLBW infants received complete treatment. Among them, 60.1% (912/1517) of neonates had neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), 28.7% (436/1517) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 22.0% (334/1517) had apnea, 11.1% (169/1517) had culture-confirmed sepsis, 8.4% (128/1517) had pulmonary hemorrhage, 7.6% (116/1517) had severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)/periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), 5.7% (87/1517) had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and 2.0% (31/1517) had severe retinopathy of prematurity. The total and in-hospital mortality rates were 9.7% (169/1750) and 3.0% (45/1517), respectively. The top three diagnoses of death among those who had received complete treatment were sepsis, NRDS, and NEC. In 2009-2015, 1146 VLBW were enrolled and 895 infants received complete treatment. The proportions of apnea, IVH, and IVH stage ≥3/PVL, were higher in 2009-2015 compared with those in 2016-2021, while the proportions of NRDS and BPD were characterized by significant increases in 2016-2021. The total and in-hospital mortality rates were 16.7% (191/1146) and 5.6% (50/895) respectively in 2009-2015.Conclusion::Among VLBW infants born in 2016-2021, the total and in-hospital mortality rates were lower than those of neonates born in 2009-2015. Incidences of NRDS and BPD increased in 2016-2021, which affected the survival rates and long-term prognosis of VLBW.
6.Application of polyetheretherketone rod semi-rigid pedicle screw internal fixation in lumbar non-fusion surgery
Tao LIU ; Xing YU ; Jian-Bin GUAN ; Yong-Dong YANG ; He ZHAO ; Ji-Zhou YANG ; Yi QU ; Feng-Xian WANG ; Ding-Yan ZHAO ; Zi-Yi ZHAO
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(7):676-683
Objective To investigate the effect of Polyetheretherketone(PEEK)rod semi-rigid pedicle screw fixation sys-tem in lumbar spine non-fusion surgery.Methods A total of 74 patients with tow-level lumbar degenerative diseases who un-derwent surgery from March 2017 to December 2019 were divided into PEEK rod group and titanium rod group.In the PEEK rod group,there were 34 patients,including 13 males and 21 females,aged from 51 to 79 years old with an average of(62.4±6.8)years old;There were 1 patient of L1-L3 segments,7 patients of L2-L4 segments,20 patients of L3-L5 segments and 6 pa-tients of L4-S1 segments.In the titanium rod group,there were 40 patients,including 17 males and 23 females,aged from 52 to 81 years old with an average of(65.2±7.3)years old;There were 3 patient of L1-L3 segments,11 patients of L2-L4 segments,19 patients of L3-L5 segments and 7 patients of L4-S1 segments.The general conditions of operation,such as operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative drainage was recorded.The visual analogue scale(VAS)for low back pain and Os-westry disability index(ODI)were compared in preoperatively and postoperatively(3 months,12 months and last follow-up)between two groups.The change of range of motion(ROM)was observed by flexion and extension x-ray of lumbar Results All patients successfully completed the operation.The follow-up time ranged from 22 to 34 months with an average of(26.8±5.6)months.The operative time(142.2±44.7)min and intraoperative blood loss(166.5±67.4)ml in PEEK group were lower than those in titanium group[(160.7±57.3)min、(212.8±85.4)ml](P<0.05).There was no significant differences in postoperative drainage between the two groups(P>0.05).At the final follow-up visit,in PEEK group and titanium group VAS of low back pain[(0.8±0.4)points vs(1.0±0.5)points],VAS for leg pain[(0.7±0.4)points vs(0.8±0.5)points]and ODI[(9.8±1.6)%vs(12.1±1.5)%]were compared with preoperative[(5.8±1.1)points vs(6.0±1.1)points],[(7.2±1.7)points vs(7.0±1.6)points],[(68.5±8.9)%vs(66.3±8.2)%]were significantly different(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at each postoperative time point(P>0.05).At 3 months after surgery,there was no difference in ODI between the two groups(P>0.05).There were significant differences in ODI between PEEK group and titanium rod group at 12 months[(15.5±2.1)%vs(18.4±2.4)%]and at the last follow-up[(9.8±1.6)%vs(12.1±1.5)%](P<0.05).The total range of motion(ROM)of lumbar decreased in both groups after surgery.At 12 months after surgery and the last follow-up,the PEEK group compared with the titanium rod group,the total range of motion of lumbar was statistically significant(P<0.05).The range of motion(ROM)of the fixed segments decreased in both groups after surgery.The ROM of the fixed segments in PEEK group decreased from(9.5±4.6)° to(4.1±1.9)° at the last follow-up(P<0.05),which in the titanium rod group was de-creased from(9.8±4.3)°to(0.9±0.5)° at the last follow-up(P<0.05).The range of motion(ROM)of upper adjacent segment increased in both groups,there was statistical significance in the ROM of upper adjacent segment between the two groups at 12 months after surgery and the last follow-up,(P<0.05).There was no screw loosening and broken rods in both groups during the follow-up period.Conclusion The PEEK rod semi-rigid pedicle screw internal fixation system used in lumbar non-fusion surgery can retain part of the mobility of the fixed segment,showing comparable short-term clinical efficacy to titanium rod fu-sion.PEEK rod semi-rigid pedicle screw internal fixation system is a feasible choice for the treatment of lumbar spine degener-ative diseases,and its long-term efficacy needs further follow-up observation.
7.Evaluation of Coronary Microcirculatory Function in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Analysis of Preliminary Results
Haobo XU ; Fasheng ZHU ; Weixian YANG ; Jiansong YUAN ; Juan WANG ; Tianjie WANG ; Yilu LIU ; Yong WANG ; Tao TIAN ; Shubin QIAO
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(10):983-988
Objectives:To evaluate the coronary microcirculatory function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). Methods:Patients who diagnosed with HCM and underwent the measurement of index of microcirculatory resistance(IMR)using pressure-sensing guide wire from November 2021 to April 2023 were prospectively included.Coronary microcirculatory dysfunction(CMD)was defined as IMR≥25 U and patients were grouped accordingly to compare the clinical characteristics. Results:A total of 25 HCM patients were included.Mean age was(58.4±13.3)years,18 were men and mean body mass index was(26.7±3.6)kg/m2.Coronary microcirculatory function was successfully evaluated in all patients and the mean value of IMR was(30.5±15.3)U.There were 15 patients with CMD.Baseline clinical characteristics,laboratory examinations and medications were simialr between patients with and without CMD.The maximal left ventricular wall was significant thicker in patients with CMD compared with that in patients without CMD([20.2±2.8]mm vs.[16.9±2.3]mm,P=0.005).There was no significant difference in other echocardiographic parameters between two groups(all P>0.05).In the range of IMR value less than 50 U(n=22),there was a significant linear positive correlation between maximal left ventricular wall thickness and IMR(r=0.423,P=0.049).There was no significant difference in coronary flow reserve and fractional flow reserve between two groups. Conclusions:The severity of CMD is positively correlated with left ventricular wall thickness in HCM patients.
8.Prevalence of pre-diabetes and its association with overweight and obesity in an adult health check-up population
Qinchuan HOU ; Li XIANG ; Huiwang ZHANG ; Beibei ZHANG ; Dongyu LI ; Tao YONG ; Yuping LIU ; Ping SHUAI
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(5):347-353
Objective:To analyze the current prevalence of pre-diabetes (PDM) and its relationship with overweight and obesity in an adult health check-up population.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study and was applied using whole-cluster random sampling method. A total of 491 379 adults who underwent health check-ups at the Health Management Centre of Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2017 to July 2023 were selected to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of PDM and overweight-obesity, as well as the trend of change over time. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 19 001 of the subjects who underwent≥3 health check-ups and did not have diabetes and PDM at baseline, and the relationships between body mass index, waist circumference and the risk for developing PDM were analyzed using Cox proportional risk regression models. And the dose-response relationship between body mass index, waist circumference and the risk for developing PDM was analyzed using restricted cubic spline regression (RCS).Results:Of the 491 379 cases included in the cross-sectional study, 275 084 were male and 216 295 were female, 163 158 cases were under 40 years old, and 328 221 cases were 40 years old and above; the total prevalence of PDM was 19.41% in 2017-2023, with an overall increasing trend. Of the 19 001 people included in the cohort study, a total of 2 487 (13.09%) new cases of PDM were identified at the end of follow-up. After adjusting for confounding factors, overweight ( HR=1.150, 95% CI: 1.047-1.263), obesity ( HR=1.335, 95% CI: 1.149-1.552) and abdominal obesity ( HR=1.218, 95% CI: 1.105-1.342) were risk factors for PDM. The risk of PDM rised with the increase of body mass index (>22.9 kg/m 2, Pnon-linear=0.973) and waist circumference (>80 cm, Pnon-linear=0.830), with a linear dose-response mode. In different gender and age groups, it was found the greater the body mass index (>24.1 kg/m 2 for men,>21.5 kg/m 2 for women;>23.3 kg/m 2 for age≥40 years,>24.1 kg/m 2 for age<40 years) and waist circumference (>85 cm for men, >73 cm for women; >82 cm for age ≥40 years, >85 cm for age <40 years), the higher the risk of PDM. Conclusions:The prevalence of PDM is on the rise in the adult health check-up population. To prevent PDM, it is necessary to control the body mass index and waist circumference to a lower level than the overweight and obesity standards.
9.Insulin resistance caused by iatrogenic hyperinsulinemia in type 1 diabetes
Shuang LI ; Jingfei LIU ; Yang CHEN ; Yong GU ; Tao YANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(9):811-816
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin. Exogenous insulin replacement therapy is a crucial treatment approach for type 1 diabetes. However, the non-physiological insulin administration can lead to iatrogenic hyperinsulinemia, exacerbate peripheral insulin resistance, and subsequently increase the risk of various complications. Emerging insulin infusion technologies, lifestyle interventions, and medications such as metformin are increasingly being utilized in type 1 diabetes management to lower plasma insulin levels and improve patient outcomes.
10.Transperineal versus transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in detection of clinically significant and insignificant prostate cancer:A prospective randomized controlled trial
Wei-Yong LIU ; Tao WANG ; Dan-Dan MA ; Peng WANG
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(1):26-31
Objective:To compare transperineal prostate biopsy(TPB)with transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy(TRUSB)in detection of clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa)and insignificant PCa(insPCa).Methods:We conducted a prospective randomized clinical study on 279 patients receiving TPB(n=144)or TRUSB(n=135)from January 2022 to January 2023,and compared the detection rates of csPCa and insPCa between the two groups.Results:The detection rate of PCa was signifi-cantly higher in the TPB than in the TRUSB group(37.50%vs 28.15%,P=0.026).There were no statistically significant differ-ences between the TPB and TRUSB groups in the detection rates of insPCa(6.94%[n=10]vs 4.45%[n=6],P>0.05)and csPCa(30.56%[n=44]vs 23.70%[n=32],P>0.05),nor in the detection rate of csPCa between different groups of age,PSA concentration and prostate volume(P>0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed between the TPB and TRUSB groups either in the positive rate of biopsy punctures([16.44±2.86]%vs[12.48±2.39]%,P>0.05)or in the bi-opsy-related complications of urinary retention,urinary tract infection,hematuria and rectal bleeding(P>0.05).Conclusion:TPB is more effective than TRUSB in detection of PCa,but there is no statistically significant difference between the two approaches in the detection rates of csPCa and insPCa.

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