1.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
2.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
3.Harnessing Machine Learning for Personalized Care of Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Yen-Ting GUO ; Ching-Ting TAN ; Chen-Chi WU ; Chun-Ying WANG ; Chein-Yu HUANG ; Tzu-Hsiang YANG ; Ting-Yi LEE ; Ting-Hua YANG ; Tien-Chen LIU ; Pey-Yu CHEN ; Pei-Hsuan LIN
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(2):194-204
Objectives:
. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a significant cause of hearing loss. Intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) is commonly used as an initial or salvage treatment; however, the lack of a standardized treatment protocol has resulted in variability in clinical practice. In addition, no efficient prediction model currently exists to support personalized management. Therefore, this study aimed to develop tailored management strategies for ISSNHL using a machine-learning model.
Methods:
. This retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020, with data analysis performed between January 2021 and March 2024. Patients were selected based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria for ISSNHL, along with relevant medication and procedure codes. Patients with pure-tone audiogram results not meeting ISSNHL criteria, better initial hearing in the affected ear, an identifiable etiology, no post-treatment audiogram, or delayed treatment (>6 weeks) were excluded. We included 770 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who received ITSI. The primary outcome was the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction performance. Recovery status was determined using the last pure-tone audiogram. Modeling was conducted on the Quanta for Medical Care AI platform using five machine-learning algorithms and a nested cross-validation framework, in which feature selection and hyperparameter tuning were performed in the inner folds and model performance was evaluated in the outer folds.
Results:
. A random forest classifier outperformed the other models in predicting hearing outcomes, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.788. Time to ITSI was the most influential treatment-related factor, with ITSI administered within 10 days of hearing loss being associated with better outcomes. This model can be used to provide personalized prognostic estimates under different treatment protocols.
Conclusion
. The machine-learning-based prediction model facilitates personalized treatment strategies and timely treatment adjustments for ISSNHL, thereby optimizing the likelihood of complete recovery.
4.Analysis and the impact of CLSI on the automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing system after the update of Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa breakpoints
Shuo YANG ; Qi WANG ; Hua YU ; Xiangning HUANG ; Kang LIAO ; Hui WANG
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;48(2):230-240
Objective:To assess the precision of various automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin before and after the update of the breakpoints by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.Methods:A total of 65 strains of Enterobacterales (34 Escherichia coli and 31 Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 33 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from Peking University People′s Hospital, Sichuan Provincial People′s Hospital, and the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in 2023. Broth microdilution (BMD) was employed as the reference method to assess the accuracy of ten antimicrobial susceptibility panels (NMIC-413, GN09, N335, NMIC45, GN4F, NMIC-150, DL-120E, DL-120NE, ONE-96 and NF-96) in seven automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems currently utilized in China. Results:Except for the GN-09, N-335, and NMIC-150, there were breakpoints that were not covered for the minimum inhibitory concentrations reported by the other panels in the validation. There was no very major error (VME) in the verification results except for the cases of not covered. Among the 65 strains of Enterobacterales, the essential agreement rate (EA%) of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin was higher than 92.3% (60/65), and the categorical agreement rate (CA%) of ciprofloxacin using the new breakpoint decreased from 100% (65/65)-98.5% (64/65) to 95.4% (62/65)-86.2% (56/65). The major error rate (ME%) of N-335 card increased from 1.5% (1/65) to 4.6% (3/65); except for GN-09 and N-335 cards, the CA% of other cards under new breakpoint was ≥96.9% (63/65) with no ME; the EA% of piperacillin/tazobactam was ≥93.8% (61/65), and the CA% under new breakpoint was ≥92.3% (60/65), and the ME% of N-335 card increased from 1.5% (1/65) to 4.6% (3/65). The EA% and CA% under new breakpoint of amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin were all ≥ 96.9% (63/65) with no ME. Among the 33 tested Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, the EA% of ciprofloxacin was ≥93.8% (30/32), and after applying the new breakpoints, the CA% of ciprofloxacin decreased from 90.6% (29/32)-100% (33/33) to 84.4% (27/32)-100% (33/33). On the NMIC-413 card, 2 strains showed ME. For levofloxacin, the EA% was ≥90.9% (30/33), and the CA% of the new breakpoint interpretation decreasing from 90.6% (29/32)-100% to 69.7% (23/33)-93.8% (30/32), with no ME. For amikacin and tobramycin, the EA% was ≥93.8% (30/32), and on most panels, the CA% of new breakpoints for amikacin and tobramycin were ≥96.9% (31/32).Conclusions:At present, the breakpoints cannot be covered by the panels in many automated antimicrobial sensitivity testing systems in China. Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin did not meet the validation requirements for Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in most antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems. After the breakpoints updated, it is essential to validate the automated antimicrobial susceptibility system for clinical application.
5.True aneurysm combined with pseudoaneurysm rupture was successfully treated: a case report
Yu HUANG ; Leizhi KU ; Hua YAN ; Handong ZHU
Clinical Medicine of China 2025;41(5):397-400
Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm was a rare and potentially dangerous complication after myocardial infarction. Compared with true aneurysm, left ventricular pseudoaneurysm had a worse prognosis. A 56-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with "chest pain for 15 years, recurrent gasping and loss of consciousness for 6 years". After admission, echocardiography and cardiac CT were performed to confirm true aneurysm complicated with left ventricular pseudoaneurysm rupture, and aneurysm resection plus coronary artery bypass grafting was performed. Enhanced cardiac CT examination 6 years after surgery showed complete repair of the rupture, and the patient was generally fine.
6.Microchannel-based Electrochemiluminescence Sensor for Tetracycline Detection Using Luminol/Hydrogen Peroxide as Reporter System
Shao-Kun HUANG ; Xiu-Lin XIE ; Hua-Bin CAI ; Yan-Ling HUANG ; Yue LIN ; Zhen-Yu LIN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):356-363
A microchannel-based electrochemiluminescence(ECL)sensor was developed for detection of tetracycline(TC)utilizing luminol/H2O2 as ECL reporting system.The low excitation potential of luminol/H2O2 effectively mitigated the impact of clamping voltage,thereby enhancing the detection performance of the microchannel-based ECL sensor.The microchannel modified with TC aptamer selectively recognized and captured target TC.The positively charged TC reduced the surface charge density within the microchannel,thereby increasing the ionic current in the microchannel,leading to change of ECL signal of system.The experimental conditions such as electrolyte concentration,TC-aptamer concentration,and reaction time between TC and TC-aptamer were optimized.Under optimal conditions,the difference of ECL signal in the absence and presence of TC(?ECL)exhibited a good linear relationship with TC concentration in the range from 1.00 ng/mL to 200 ng/mL,with a detection limit as low as 0.69 ng/mL.The sensor had good selectivity and was successfully used in detection of TC in milk samples.
7.Rapid Screening of Etomidate and Its Analogues Using a Portable Mass Spec-trometer
Meng-Yao TANG ; Bo-Yu HUANG ; Cui-Mei LIU ; Xue-Yan LIU ; Wei JIA ; Zhen-Dong HUA
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):348-354
Objective To establish a rapid screening and analysis method for etomidate and its ana-logues using a portable mass spectrometer equipped with a thermal desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source-linear ion trap.Methods A 10 μL aliquot of a standard solution at a con-centration of 1 μg/mL was taken,and after the solvent evaporated,the sample was inserted into the in-let of the portable mass spectrometer for detection.By adjusting the collision-induced dissociation pa-rameters,the molecular ion peak and fragment ion peak information of the standard were obtained and used to establish a reference database.In addition,the method was applied to 29 seized liquid and plant samples.Results A screening system for etomidate and its analogues was established based on the portable mass spectrometer and the corresponding mass spectrometry library.The system enables qualitative screening analysis by identifying primary protonated molecular ions and secondary product ions of etomidate and its analogues.The limits of detection for etomidate and its 12 analogues ranged from 0.1 to 10 μg/mL.Etomidate and its analogues were detected in all 29 liquid and plant samples.However,this method could not distinguish between isomeric imidazole esters,such as isopropoxate and propoxate.Additionally,when testing 2-SH-etomidate,there was a false positive for the detection of etomidate.Conclusion This study established a rapid screening method for etomidate and its ana-logues using a portable mass spectrometer.The method combines the high sensitivity of mass spectrome-try with the on-site applicability of portable devices,significantly improving detection efficiency and meeting the on-site detection needs of etomidate and its analogues.
8.Comparison of Acute Hemodynamics,Left Ventricular Fluid and Energy Losses Between Different Pacing Sites of the Cardiac Conduction System in Beagles
Yiran HU ; Han JIN ; Hui LI ; Sijing CHENG ; Sixian WENG ; Hao HUANG ; Juwei YANG ; Yu YU ; Ligang DING ; Min GU ; Hongxia NIU ; Wei HUA
Chinese Circulation Journal 2025;40(1):82-89
Objectives:Comparative analysis of the beagles acute-phase electrocardiographic,hemodynamic,left ventricular flow field status,and energy consumption characteristics of pacing at different sites of conduction system may help to elucidate the scientific mechanism of left bundle branch pacing(LBBP)as a option of physiological pacing therapy.Methods:Eight healthy adult beagles were used in this study.Initially,an active fixation lead was implanted in the right atrial appendage,followed by implantation of another active fixation lead at the right ventricular apex,distal His bundle,and left bundle septal branch,respectively.After connecting a dual-chamber pacemaker,electrocardiographic and acute phase hemodynamic parameters under sinus rhythm,right ventricular apex pacing(RVAP),distal His bundle pacing(DHBP),and LBBP states were collected and analyzed.Three complete cardiac cycles of standard apical three-chamber color Doppler dynamic images were acquired under vector flow mapping(VFM)mode.Offline analysis was performed on obtained parameters including isovolumic contraction period,rapid ejection period,isovolumic relaxation period,rapid filling period,atrial contraction period,and left ventricular intracavitary energy consumption.These parameters were compared under pacing at different sites and the linear correlations of major parameters were analyzed.Results:The QRS duration of baseline intrinsic sinus rhythm,RVAP,DHBP and LBBP were(45.0±4.0)ms,(98.4±6.2)ms,(50.0±4.5)ms and(62.0±4.7)ms,respectively.The LBBP-QRS duration was significantly wider than intrinsic sinus rhythm and DHBP,but significantly narrower than RVAP(all P<0.01).Compared with baseline AOO mode(the pacing rate was performed at 10 beats/min above the intrinsic heart rate),the change of acute phase maximum left ventricular pressure rise rate(LVdP/dtmax)in RVAP,DHBP and LBBP was([-7.89±5.67]% ),([0.74±2.05]% )and([-0.14±3.59]% ),respectively.There was no significant difference in LVdP/dtmax changes between DHBP and LBBP(P=0.667),but both pacing modalities were significantly better than RVAP(all P<0.01).The average energy consumption of the left ventricle under RVAP was significantly higher than that of intrinsic sinus rhythm,DHBP,and LBBP in isovolumic contraction period,rapid ejection period,isovolumic relaxation period,rapid filling period,and atrial contraction period(all P<0.01).However,there was no statistically significant difference in energy consumption among intrinsic sinus rhythm,DHBP,and LBBP during the above five phases(all P>0.05).DHBP and LBBP did not show a significant increase in the number of left ventricular vortices,vortex area,and circulation intensity compared to intrinsic sinus rhythm,and LBBP did not show a significant increase in vortex area and circulation intensity compared to DHBP.Conclusions:Although LBBP canines significantly prolonged the paced QRS duration,it showed no significant differences in acute phase left ventricular hemodynamics,left ventricular flow field status,and energy consumption compared to intrinsic sinus rhythm and DHBP.Performance of LBBP was superior to RVAP.This study may contribute to revealing the theoretical basis of LBBP as a feasible physiological pacing therapy.
9.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
10.Profiling the chemical differences of diterpenoid alkaloids in different processed products of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry combined with untargeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry imaging.
Yang YU ; Changliang YAO ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Yong HUANG ; Shuai YAO ; Hua QU ; Tong ZHANG ; Dean GUO
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):1009-1015
Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) represents a significant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that exhibits both notable pharmacological effects and toxicity. Various processing methods are implemented to reduce the toxicity of raw Fuzi by modifying its toxic and effective components, primarily diterpenoid alkaloids. To comprehensively analyze the chemical variations between different Fuzi products, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was employed to systematically characterize Shengfuzi, Heishunpian and Baifupian. A total of 249 diterpenoid alkaloids present in Shengfuzi were identified, while only 111 and 61 in Heishunpian and Baifupian were detected respectively, indicating substantial differences among these products. An untargeted metabolomics approach combined with multivariate statistical analysis revealed 42 potential chemical markers. Through subsequent validation using 52 batches of commercial Heishunpian and Baifupian samples, 8 robust markers distinguishing these products were identified, including AC1-propanoic acid-3OH, HE-glucoside, HE-hydroxyvaleric acid-2OH, dihydrosphingosine, N-dodecoxycarbonylvaline and three unknown compounds. Additionally, the MS imaging (MSI) technique was utilized to visualize the spatial distribution of chemical constituents in raw Fuzi, revealing how different processing procedures affect the chemical variations between Heishunpian and Baifupian. The distribution patterns of different diterpenoid alkaloid subtypes partially explained the chemical differences among products. This research provides valuable insights into the material basis for future investigations of different Fuzi products.
Diterpenes/chemistry*
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Alkaloids/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
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Aconitum/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Metabolomics
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Mass Spectrometry/methods*
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Plant Roots/chemistry*
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Molecular Structure

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