1.Consistent Detection of Aquaporin-4 Antibodies:A Comparative Analysis Between Fixed and Live Cell-Based Assays
Jing WANG ; Linge WANG ; Xiaolin YANG ; Zhizhong LI ; Jinyu JIANG ; Qiao XU ; Siyuan HUANG ; Qing FU ; Yang YANG ; Rongrong ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Ai CHEN ; Xiaopeng ZENG ; Ke XU ; Peng ZHENG ; Xinyue QIN ; Jinzhou FENG
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2026;22(2):212-220
Background:
and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.
Methods:
We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients.
Results:
Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups.
Conclusions
Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.
2.Pathogenic Mechanisms of Spleen Deficiency-Phlegm Dampness in Obesity and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment Strategies:from the Perspective of Immune Inflammation
Yumei LI ; Peng XU ; Xiaowan WANG ; Shudong CHEN ; Le YANG ; Lihua HUANG ; Chuang LI ; Qinchi HE ; Xiangxi ZENG ; Juanjuan WANG ; Wei MAO ; Ruimin TIAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):31-37
Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity, and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity, this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs that strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation, promoting water-damp metabolism, and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness, internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity, this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.
3.Pharmacodynamic Substances and Mechanisms of Xinglou Chengqi Tang in Treating Post-stroke Complications: A Review
Yujin ZHANG ; Xiangzhuo LIU ; Zhouyang CHEN ; Zihao SONG ; Xinyi LIU ; Yizhi YAN ; Chaoya LI ; Yingyan FANG ; Shasha YANG ; Xueqin CHENG ; Zhou XIE ; Sijie TAN ; Peng ZENG ; Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):327-337
Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability among adults in China, and its common complications include digestive system abnormalities, cognitive impairment, depression, stroke-associated pneumonia, and hemiplegia. The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine has great potential in treating post-stroke complications. Xinglou Chengqitang (XLCQT) is a representative prescription of alleviating the disease in the upper part by treating the lower part. It has definite therapeutic effect and high safety. Clinically, XLCQT is often used to treat stroke and its complications. However, the quantity and quality of clinical trials of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications need to be improved. Additionally, since the basic research is weak, the material basis and multi-target mechanism for the efficacy of this prescription are unknown. This article reviews XLCQT in terms of the pharmacodynamic basis, medicinal properties, safety evaluation, and progress in clinical research and mechanisms in treating post-stroke complications. This article summarizes 22 key active ingredients of XLCQT in treating acute stroke complicated with syndrome of phlegm heat and fu-organ excess. Among these key active ingredients, resveratrol, kaempferol, luteolin, chrysoeriol, apigenin, (+)-catechin, and adenosine have good pharmacokinetic properties and high bioavailability. The mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications are complex, including inflammatory response, brain-gut axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, intestinal flora, neurotrophic factors, autophagy, oxidative stress, and free radical damage. This review helps to deeply understand the pharmacodynamic basis and mechanisms of XLCQT in treating post-stroke complications and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of XLCQT against post-stroke complications and the development of drugs.
4.A study on the application of predictive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation intraoperative support in high-risk liver transplant recipients
Zhiying LEI ; Xuyong SUN ; Yuanyuan MO ; Jianhui DONG ; Ning WEN ; Rong PENG ; Juhua ZENG ; Silin LI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(4):618-624
Objective To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of predictive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support during liver transplantation in high-risk recipients. Methods A single-center retrospective study was conducted. A total of 35 liver transplant recipients who underwent predictive ECMO assistance during surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2021 to April 2025 were included. Baseline characteristics, ECMO application, ECMO operating parameters and hemodynamic conditions during ECMO operation were analyzed. The cumulative survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and survival curves were plotted. Results Veno-arterial ECMO in 35 recipients was established after induction of general anesthesia. The median ECMO operation time was 8.5 h, and the success rate of weaning from ECMO was 97%. The cardiac index (CI) during the non-liver period and the new liver period was higher than that before cannulation, and CI increased during the non-liver period and before weaning (all P<0.001). The mean invasive arterial pressure and central venous pressure remained stable. No ECMO-related complications occurred in the recipients. The average survival time was (25 ± 3) months. The main causes of death were severe pulmonary infection and multiple organ failure. Conclusions For liver transplant recipients with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction, hemodynamic disorders, or multiple organ failure risk factors, implementing predictive ECMO support during liver transplantation through active risk prediction is a safe and effective circulatory guarantee strategy.
5.Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by anorexia
Dan PENG ; Tao LI ; Ping ZHANG ; Cong LIU ; Ling LIN ; Yuqin ZENG ; Ping CHEN ; Qing SONG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(6):809-814
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by anorexia.Methods:This cross-sectional study included patients registered in the RealDTC study from May 2023 to December 2023. Demographic data, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea questionnaire score, Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) score, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted of percentage (FEV 1%pred), FEV 1/forced vital capacity (FVC), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade, GOLD group, number of acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in the past year, and score of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia Cachexia Therapy-Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale-12 (FAACT-A/CS-12) were collected. Patients with a FAACT-A/CS-12 score ≤30 were diagnosed as having anorexia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of anorexia in COPD patients. Results:A total of 617 COPD patients were included, of whom 109(17.7%) had anorexia. Compared with non-anorexia patients, COPD patients with anorexia had higher age, CAT, mMRC and CCQ scores, and more acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in the past year, while body mass index, FEV 1, FEV 1%pred and FEV 1/FVC were lower (all P<0.05). The proportions of patients with primary education or below, GOLD 3-4 grade and GOLD E group were higher in COPD patients with anorexia (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that a CAT score of 10-<20 [odds ratio ( OR)=4.017, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.673-59.645], a CAT score of 20-<30 ( OR=9.686, 95% CI: 3.777-24.842), a CAT score of ≥30 ( OR=78.286, 95% CI: 7.654-800.689) and ≥1 hospitalization in the past year ( OR=2.050, 95% CI: 1.292-3.254) were independent risk factors for anorexia in COPD patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions:COPD patients with anorexia have poor lung function, high symptom burden and high risk of acute exacerbation. Clinicians should pay attention to the management of COPD patients with anorexia and take corresponding intervention measures.
6.The association between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative cerebral ischemia in patients undergoing malignant brain tumor resection
Guoming LI ; Min ZENG ; Xiaoyuan LIU ; Yuming PENG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(5):405-410
Objective:To investigate the association between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative cerebral ischemia in patients undergoing malignant brain tumor resection.Methods:The study was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Four hundred and eighty patients with malignant brain tumor from November 2018 to September 2022 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University were selected. All patients were treated with selective supratentorial tumor resection. The demographic characteristics, perioperative indexes, postoperative outcomes and intraoperative hypotension characteristics were recorded. The cerebral ischemia during postoperative hospitalization (within 10 d after operation) was documented, and the patients were categorized based on the occurrence of postoperative cerebral ischemia.Results:Among 480 patients, 28 cases (5.83%) developed postoperative cerebral ischemia (cerebral ischemia group), while 452 cases did not experience cerebral ischemia during hospitalization (non-cerebral ischemia group). The proportion of WHO grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ, secondary surgery rate and postoperative hospital stay in cerebral ischemia group were significantly higher than those in non-cerebral ischemia group: 96.43% (27/28) vs. 81.19% (367/452), 10.71% (3/28) vs. 1.99% (9/452) and 13 (10, 16) d vs. 10 (8, 14) d, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in gender composition, age, body mass index, medical history, medication history, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Charlson comorbidity index, preoperative Karnofsky performance status score, tumor laterality, tumor volume, midline shift, operative time, operative time >5 h, fluid intake, red blood cell transfusion, plasma transfusion, blood loss, urine output, fluid balance, serum urea, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, β 2-microglobulin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, postoperative complications, ICU admission, ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation and hospitalization costs between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were also no statistical difference in the duration, time-weighted average and cumulative area under the threshold curve for mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 65, 70 and 75 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), nor in the duration, time-weighted average and cumulative area under the threshold curve for relative reductions of 20%, 30% and 40% in MAP between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The patients undergoing malignant brain tumor resection have the higher risk of postoperative cerebral ischemia. The association between intraoperative hypotension and postoperative cerebral ischemia is not significant. Maintenance of intraoperative circulation should be guided by individualized monitoring and target values, which requires further interventional studies for validation.
7.Effect of a novel cryoprotectant in tissues and cells
Qingfang WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Guangping CHANG ; Zihan LI ; Lan XING ; Hao PENG ; Xiuping ZENG ; Guiqiang ZHONG ; Hui CHEN ; Bo LIU ; Zhenyu LIU ; Xiao LIANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(36):7816-7826
BACKGROUND:The cryopreservation technology enables tissues/cells to be stored for a long time in a low-temperature environment while maintaining the integrity of their activity and function,which is of great significance for the construction of cell therapy,tissue engineering and biological sample banks.Cryoprotective agents often contain dimethyl sulfoxide and serum.To avoid the toxic side effects of dimethyl sulfoxide,the complexity of serum components and immune responses,although some finished cryoprotective agents have been marketed,they are faced with many difficulties such as high cost and limited application.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop a cryoprotective agent with clear components and the ability to solve the above problems.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of a novel cryoprotectant on cryopreservation efficiency of different tissue and cell sources.METHODS:By applying the novel cryoprotectant as an experimental group with the commercially available and widely used cryoprotectant(control group)to umbilical cord Wharton's jelly tissue,umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,umbilical cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,NK and CIK cells,comparative analyses were conducted in terms of cell morphology,number,viability,surface markers,differentiation potential,and cell-killing toxicity assay before cryopreservation and after resuscitation thawing.We confirmed the cryopreservation effect of the new cryoprotectant and its potential application value.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The novel cryoprotectant facilitated the normal growth of cryopreserved Wharton's jelly tissue upon recovery,exhibiting mesenchymal stem cell morphology.No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in terms of cell recovery rate,surface markers,and differentiation potential.(2)There was no significant difference in the number and viability of cells between the experimental group and the control group after cryopreservation of cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,and the cryo-resuscitated cell numbers and viability of derived NK cells/CIK cells did not show significant difference between the experimental and control groups.(3)For NK cells derived and differentiated from cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the proportion of CD56+CD16+cell subpopulations between the experimental group and the control group.For CIK cells derived and differentiated from cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the proportions of CD3+CD8+and CD3+CD56+cell subpopulations between the experimental group and the control group.(4)In terms of cytotoxicity testing,when the effective-target ratio of immune cells and melanoma cell line Mel624 was 20:1,whether it was NK cells/CIK cells derived from cord blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells,there was no significant difference in the tumoricidal activity of cells between the experimental group and the control group.These findings suggest that the novel cryoprotectant can replace existing commercially available and widely used cryoprotectants,and is applicable to Wharton's jelly tissue,umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,umbilical cord blood/peripheral blood mononuclear cells,as well as NK and CIK cells,providing a solid technical foundation for the scaling,standardization,and commercialization of universal cryoprotectants.
8.Molecular epidemiological characteristics of clinical isolates of CRKP resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam
Wenzhen ZHANG ; Yajie DENG ; Huoli HU ; Ling ZENG ; Peng LIU ; Dandan WEI ; Xinping XU ; Ping LI ; Xiuhua KANG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(5):641-646
OBJECTIVE To investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics of clinical isolates of carbapen-em-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam(CZA).METHODS From Jan.2022 to Dec.2023,totally 63 strains of non-repetitive CZA-resistant CRKP that were isolated for the first time from hospitalized patients of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled in the study,and 50 strains of CZA-sensitive CRKP were randomly chosen as the research subjects.The drug susceptibility rates of the strains were observed.The drug resistance genes,virulence genes and capsular serotypes of the strains were detected by means of polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The molecular epidemiological characteristics of the strains were observed by using molecular biological techniques such as pulse field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)and multilocus sequence typing(MLST).RESULTS Among the CZA-resistant CRKP strains,45(71.43%)were iso-lated from sputum.The result of drug susceptibility testing showed that the drug resistance rates of the CZA-re-sistant strains to amikacin,aztreonam and minocycline were lower than those of the CZA-sensitive strains(P<0.05),and the drug resistance rates of the CZA-resistant strains to tigecycline was higher than that of the CAZ-sensitive strains(P<0.05).The carrying rates of blaKPC,blaNDM,blaSHV-1,blaTEM-1,blaCTX-M,blaqnrS,blaacc(6')-Ib and blarmtB genes of the CZA-resistant strains were relatively high.Among the detected capsular serotypes,K64(n=18,28.57%)was dominant.ST11(n=25,39.68%)was predominant strain among the CZA-resistant CRKP strains.CONCLUSIONS ST11 is dominant among the CZA-resistant CRKP strains.The strains carry with multiple drug resistance genes and virulence genes.The drug resistance rate of the CZA-resistant strains to tigecycline is higher than that of the CZA-sensitive strains,and it is necessary to attach great importance during the clinical treatment.
9.Mechanisms of polysaccharides from dendrobium officinale improving neurological function and sleep in ischemic stroke rats
Chunhua LI ; Dingsheng MO ; Kaimin ZENG ; Jingjing PENG ; Zhihong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):305-313
Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of dendrobium officinale polysaccharides(DOP)on neural function and sleep in a rat model of ischemic stroke.Methods:Rats with ischemic stroke were modeled using middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).The neurological function was assessed using the Longa scale.Sleep was monitored by electroencephalography.The hippocampal tissue damage was evaluated by TTC staining,HE staining,Nissl staining and TUNEL staining.The kits were used to detect reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-1β,and IL-18 in the hippocampal tissue.West-ern blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3)and Bec-lin1,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),cleaved caspase-1(C-caspase-1),GSDMD-N-terminal domain(GSDMD-N),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in the hippocampal tissue.Results:DOP can improve sleep quality and neurological func-tion in rats with ischemic stroke,alleviate hippocampal tissue damage,inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in the hippocampus,decrease the expression of Beclin1,NLRP3,ASC,C-caspase-1,GSDMD-N,cytosolic Nrf2 protein,and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio in the hippocampus,while increasing the expression of HO-1 and nuclear Nrf2 protein.The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 partially reversed the ameliorative effects of DOP.Conclusion:DOP may improve neurological function and sleep in rats with ischemic stroke by inhibiting autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway,thereby alleviating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
10.Analysis of clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by anorexia
Dan PENG ; Tao LI ; Ping ZHANG ; Cong LIU ; Ling LIN ; Yuqin ZENG ; Ping CHEN ; Qing SONG
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(6):809-814
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by anorexia.Methods:This cross-sectional study included patients registered in the RealDTC study from May 2023 to December 2023. Demographic data, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea questionnaire score, Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) score, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted of percentage (FEV 1%pred), FEV 1/forced vital capacity (FVC), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grade, GOLD group, number of acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in the past year, and score of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia Cachexia Therapy-Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale-12 (FAACT-A/CS-12) were collected. Patients with a FAACT-A/CS-12 score ≤30 were diagnosed as having anorexia. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of anorexia in COPD patients. Results:A total of 617 COPD patients were included, of whom 109(17.7%) had anorexia. Compared with non-anorexia patients, COPD patients with anorexia had higher age, CAT, mMRC and CCQ scores, and more acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in the past year, while body mass index, FEV 1, FEV 1%pred and FEV 1/FVC were lower (all P<0.05). The proportions of patients with primary education or below, GOLD 3-4 grade and GOLD E group were higher in COPD patients with anorexia (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that a CAT score of 10-<20 [odds ratio ( OR)=4.017, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.673-59.645], a CAT score of 20-<30 ( OR=9.686, 95% CI: 3.777-24.842), a CAT score of ≥30 ( OR=78.286, 95% CI: 7.654-800.689) and ≥1 hospitalization in the past year ( OR=2.050, 95% CI: 1.292-3.254) were independent risk factors for anorexia in COPD patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions:COPD patients with anorexia have poor lung function, high symptom burden and high risk of acute exacerbation. Clinicians should pay attention to the management of COPD patients with anorexia and take corresponding intervention measures.

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