1.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
2.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
3.Frequent association of malignant effusions in plasmablastic lymphoma:a single‑institutional experience of nine cases in Taiwan
Bo‑Jung CHEN ; Yu‑Ting KUO ; Sheng‑Tsung CHANG ; Khin‑Than WIN ; Shang‑Wen CHEN ; Sheng‑Yen HSIAO ; Yin‑Hsun FENG ; Yen‑Chuan HSIEH ; Shih‑Sung CHUANG
Blood Research 2025;60():22-
Purpose:
Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma that is characterized by terminal B-cell differ‑ entiation. In the West, PBL usually occurs in patients with immunodeficiencies, particularly those induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We investigated the clinicopathological features of PBL at a single institute in Taiwan, where HIV infection is rare.
Methods:
This retrospective chart review identified PBL cases that were treated at a single institute in southern Tai‑ wan between 2008 and 2024.
Results:
We identified nine patients (four males and five females; median age 71 years). Of the eight patients tested for HIV, only one tested positive. Pathologically, the tumors showed plasmablastic morphology and immunopheno‑ type, and three (33%) cases tested positive for Epstein–Barr virus. Six (67%) patients presented with Stage IV disease, including five (56%) with malignant effusion. Six patients were treated with chemotherapy and the remaining three received only supportive care. During a median follow-up of 10 months, five patients died of progressive disease, two died of unrelated diseases, and two were alive with PBL relapse.
Conclusion
In Taiwan, PBL constitutes a rare and aggressive clinical condition and is frequently associated with malignant effusion. In contrast to Western patients, the PBL in most patients from Taiwan was unrelated to HIV infection.
4.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
5.Upregulation of NR2A in Glutamatergic VTA Neurons Contributes to Chronic Visceral Pain in Male Mice.
Meng-Ge LI ; Shu-Ting QU ; Yang YU ; Zhenhua XU ; Fu-Chao ZHANG ; Yong-Chang LI ; Rong GAO ; Guang-Yin XU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2113-2126
Chronic visceral pain is a persistent and debilitating condition arising from dysfunction or sensitization of the visceral organs and their associated nervous pathways. Increasing evidence suggests that imbalances in central nervous system function play an essential role in the progression of visceral pain, but the exact mechanisms underlying the neural circuitry and molecular targets remain largely unexplored. In the present study, the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was shown to mediate visceral pain in mice. Visceral pain stimulation increased c-Fos expression and Ca2+ activity of glutamatergic VTA neurons, and optogenetic modulation of glutamatergic VTA neurons altered visceral pain. In particular, the upregulation of NMDA receptor 2A (NR2A) subunits within the VTA resulted in visceral pain in mice. Administration of a selective NR2A inhibitor decreased the number of visceral pain-induced c-Fos positive neurons and attenuated visceral pain. Pharmacology combined with chemogenetics further demonstrated that glutamatergic VTA neurons regulated visceral pain behaviors based on NR2A. In summary, our findings demonstrated that the upregulation of NR2A in glutamatergic VTA neurons plays a critical role in visceral pain. These insights provide a foundation for further comprehension of the neural circuits and molecular targets involved in chronic visceral pain and may pave the way for targeted therapies in chronic visceral pain.
Animals
;
Male
;
Visceral Pain/metabolism*
;
Up-Regulation/physiology*
;
Ventral Tegmental Area/metabolism*
;
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Neurons/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism*
;
Chronic Pain/metabolism*
;
Glutamic Acid/metabolism*
6.CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF AEDES AEGYPTI IN LEIZHOU PENINSULA,ZHANJIANG CITY,GUANGDONG PROVINCE
Rui-Peng LU ; Jin-Hua DUAN ; Yu-Wen ZHONG ; Hui DENG ; Jun WU ; Li-Ping LIU ; Wei-Xiong YIN ; Feng XING ; Hui HUANG ; Chang-Jie FU ; Zong-Jing CHEN ; Ming-Ji CHENG ; Sheng-Jun HU ; Ya-Ting CHEN ; Wen-Ting GUO ; Li-Feng LIN
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(1):16-21
Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.
7.The Quantitative Evaluation of Automatic Segmentation in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Images
Yao-Wen LIANG ; Yu-Ting FANG ; Ting-Chun LIN ; Cheng-Ru YANG ; Chih-Chang CHANG ; Hsuan-Kan CHANG ; Chin-Chu KO ; Tsung-Hsi TU ; Li-Yu FAY ; Jau-Ching WU ; Wen-Cheng HUANG ; Hsiang-Wei HU ; You-Yin CHEN ; Chao-Hung KUO
Neurospine 2024;21(2):665-675
Objective:
This study aims to overcome challenges in lumbar spine imaging, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis, by developing an automated segmentation model using advanced techniques. Traditional manual measurement and lesion detection methods are limited by subjectivity and inefficiency. The objective is to create an accurate and automated segmentation model that identifies anatomical structures in lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Methods:
Leveraging a dataset of 539 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, the study utilizes the residual U-Net for semantic segmentation in sagittal and axial lumbar spine magnetic resonance images. The model, trained to recognize specific tissue categories, employs a geometry algorithm for anatomical structure quantification. Validation metrics, like Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficients, validate the residual U-Net’s segmentation accuracy. A novel rotation matrix approach is introduced for detecting bulging discs, assessing dural sac compression, and measuring yellow ligament thickness.
Results:
The residual U-Net achieves high precision in segmenting lumbar spine structures, with mean IOU values ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 across various tissue categories and views. The automated quantification system provides measurements for intervertebral disc dimensions, dural sac diameter, yellow ligament thickness, and disc hydration. Consistency between training and testing datasets assures the robustness of automated measurements.
Conclusion
Automated lumbar spine segmentation with residual U-Net and deep learning exhibits high precision in identifying anatomical structures, facilitating efficient quantification in lumbar spinal stenosis cases. The introduction of a rotation matrix enhances lesion detection, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, and supporting treatment decisions for lumbar spinal stenosis patients.
8.Mechanisms of Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction in preventing acute radiation enteritis in rats through the PI3K/Akt pathway
Lin ZHU ; Ting ZHANG ; Huafang YIN ; Weisheng SHEN ; Yu LI ; Jian WANG ; Weidong SHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(7):571-577
Objective:To explore the regulatory effects of Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction on oxidative stress and inflammation in acute radiation enteritis in rats, as well as its impact on the PI3K/Akt pathway. Methods:A total of 36 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups using block randomization, namely the control, model, low-dose group (6.17 g/kg), and high-dose (24.68 g/kg) groups, with nine rats in each group. These rats were exposed to X-ray irradiation at a dose of 17.5 Gy to induce acute radiation enteritis, followed by continuous intragastric administration for seven days pre- and post-irradiation. Seven days post-irradiation, the perianal and fecal conditions of rats in each group were observed, and rectal tissues were collected and ground. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to assess the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) expression, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicative of lipid peroxidation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to analyze the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the rectal tissues of each group. Additionally, Western blot was conducted to examine the expression of proteins associated with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rectal tissues. The IEC-6 cells were categorized into the control, radiation, blank, and drug administration groups, with all these groups except for the control group subjected to 10 Gy single irradiation. ELISA was then employed to determine the concentrations of SOD, CAT, MDA, TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β in cell supernatants, while Western blot was utilized to assess the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins in each group.Results:Compared to the model group, rats in the low-dose and high-dose groups exhibited a trend toward normal perianal and fecal conditions, increased SOD activity ( t = 4.86, 8.50, P < 0.05), elevated CAT expression ( t = 8.72, 14.28, P<0.05), and decreased MDA level ( t = 6.94, 10.66, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β in rectal tissues was significantly inhibited in both low-dose and high-dose groups ( t = 5.60, 2.95, 4.31, 9.16, 4.66, 13.35, P < 0.05), along with lower p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in rectal tissues compared to the model group ( t = 22.35, 13.56, 18.23, 13.85, P < 0.05). Compared to the radiation group, the drug administration groups (10% drug-containing serum) exhibited increased SOD and CAT expressions ( t = 6.85, 10.44, P < 0.05), as well as decreased MDA expression ( t = 10.44, P < 0.05), in the supernatant. Furthermore, compared to the radiation group, this group displayed significantly inhibited TNF-ɑ, IL-6, and IL-1β concentrations in the cell supernatant ( t = 12.07, 6.87, 14.80, P < 0.05), while lowering p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in cells ( t = 10.95, 5.59, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Qinghua Liangxue Huluo Decoction demonstrates the potential for mitigating oxidative stress-induced injury and suppressing the expressions of inflammatory factors in rats with acute radiation enteritis. The mechanism behind the potential is likely associated with the negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
9.HuiNet report of 2023: The distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical bacterial isolates in Anhui
Yanyan LIU ; Yasheng LI ; Liang YU ; Yi YANG ; Ting WU ; Jun YIN ; Lifen HU ; Ying YE ; Jiabin LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2024;17(2):113-125
Objective:To analyse the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical bacterial isolates in Anhui province.Methods:Surveillance data was collected from 83 members of the Anhui Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network(HuiNet)during October 2022 to September 2023,to analyze the resistance of major bacteria to commonly used antibiotics and the detection of clinically common drug-resistant bacteria. The data was analyzed using WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software.Results:A total of 201 647 clinical bacteria isolates were collected,with Gram-negative bacteria accounting for 74.8%(150 847/201 647). The most prevalent Gram-positive bacterial strains were Staphylococus aureus(32.8%,16 648/50 800),followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis(14.0%,7 098/50 800), Enterococcus faecalis(10.7%,5 458/50 800), Enterococcus faecium(9.1%,4 613/50 800)and Staphylococcus hominis(7.4%,3 778/50 800);the most prevalent Gram-negative bacterial strains were Escherichia coli(28.9%,43 577/150 847),followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae(22.5%,34 006/150 847), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(14.7%,22 171/150 847), Acinetobacter baumannii complex(9.4%,14 194/150 847)and Enterobacter cloacae(3.5%,5 235/150 847). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus(MRCNS)were 39.5%(6 442/16 325)and 75.7%(12 343/16 312),respectively. No vancomycin- and teicolanin-resistant Staphylococcus were detected. The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were 0.5% and 0.6%,respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae(CR-KPN)were 1.9%(805/42 956)and 11.7%(3 950/33 761),respectively. The resistance rate of CR-KPN to tigecycline was 3.9%. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CR-PAE)and Acinetobacter baumannii(CR-ABA)complex were 18.4%(3 936/21 447)and 62.9%(8 649/13 744),respectively,with low resistance rate to polycolistin B(6.9% and 1.7%,respectively). The detection rates of MRSA,CR-ABA complex,third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli(CTX/CRO-R-ECO)and quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli(QNR-ECO)in northern Anhui were the highest(50.3%,72.9%,59.2% and 55.6%,respectively),which were higher than those in central and southern Anhui( χ2=112.734 and 575.069,132.747 and 233.885,93.986 and 471.209,60.062 and 230.669,all P<0.001),and the detection rate in central Anhui was higher than that in southern Anhui( χ2=278.671,29.219,207.395 and 80.267,all P<0.001). The detection rates of CR-KPN and thirdgeneration cephalosporinresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CTX/CRO-R-KPN)in central Anhui were the highest(15.5% and 33.3%,respectively),which were higher than those in northern and southern Anhui( χ2=156.237 and 325.533,76.928 and 180.686,all P<0.001),and the detection rate in northern Anhui was higher than that in southern Anhui( χ2=32.202 and 25.539, P<0.001). The detection rates of CTX/CRO-R-ECO and QNR-ECO were the highest in the elderly(55.2% and 55.8%,respectively),which were higher than those in children,and young and middle aged adults( χ2=23.906 and 120.575,376.404 and 196.612, P<0.001). The detection rate of CTX/CRO-R-KPN in neonates was the highest(57.1%),which was significantly higher than that in children,adults and the elderly( χ2=46.141,38.843 and 32.093, P<0.001),and the detection rate in the elderly was higher than that in children and adults( χ2=13.604 and 13.471, P<0.001). The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS were the highest in children(42.8% and 77.8%,respectively),which were higher than those in adults( χ2=21.766 and 10.704, P<0.001). Except MRSA and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and faecalis,the detection rates of major drug-resistant bacteria in tertiary hospitals were higher than those in secondary hospitals( P<0.05 or <0.01). Conclusion:In 2023,the situation of antimicrobial resistance in Anhui province was serious,especially in northern and central Anhui,and targeted drug resistance control measures should be taken according to the monitoring results. At the same time,it is necessary to pay attention to the bacterial resistance in the elderly,newborns and children,and strengthen the rational use of antibiotics by clinicians to curb the spread of drug-resistant bacteria.
10.The Quantitative Evaluation of Automatic Segmentation in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Images
Yao-Wen LIANG ; Yu-Ting FANG ; Ting-Chun LIN ; Cheng-Ru YANG ; Chih-Chang CHANG ; Hsuan-Kan CHANG ; Chin-Chu KO ; Tsung-Hsi TU ; Li-Yu FAY ; Jau-Ching WU ; Wen-Cheng HUANG ; Hsiang-Wei HU ; You-Yin CHEN ; Chao-Hung KUO
Neurospine 2024;21(2):665-675
Objective:
This study aims to overcome challenges in lumbar spine imaging, particularly lumbar spinal stenosis, by developing an automated segmentation model using advanced techniques. Traditional manual measurement and lesion detection methods are limited by subjectivity and inefficiency. The objective is to create an accurate and automated segmentation model that identifies anatomical structures in lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Methods:
Leveraging a dataset of 539 lumbar spinal stenosis patients, the study utilizes the residual U-Net for semantic segmentation in sagittal and axial lumbar spine magnetic resonance images. The model, trained to recognize specific tissue categories, employs a geometry algorithm for anatomical structure quantification. Validation metrics, like Intersection over Union (IOU) and Dice coefficients, validate the residual U-Net’s segmentation accuracy. A novel rotation matrix approach is introduced for detecting bulging discs, assessing dural sac compression, and measuring yellow ligament thickness.
Results:
The residual U-Net achieves high precision in segmenting lumbar spine structures, with mean IOU values ranging from 0.82 to 0.93 across various tissue categories and views. The automated quantification system provides measurements for intervertebral disc dimensions, dural sac diameter, yellow ligament thickness, and disc hydration. Consistency between training and testing datasets assures the robustness of automated measurements.
Conclusion
Automated lumbar spine segmentation with residual U-Net and deep learning exhibits high precision in identifying anatomical structures, facilitating efficient quantification in lumbar spinal stenosis cases. The introduction of a rotation matrix enhances lesion detection, promising improved diagnostic accuracy, and supporting treatment decisions for lumbar spinal stenosis patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail