1.Dynamic Monitoring and Correlation Analysis of General Body Indicators, Blood Glucose, and Blood Lipid in Obese Cynomolgus Monkeys
Yanye WEI ; Guo SHEN ; Pengfei ZHANG ; Songping SHI ; Jiahao HU ; Xuzhe ZHANG ; Huiyuan HUA ; Guanyang HUA ; Hongzheng LU ; Yong ZENG ; Feng JI ; Zhumei WEI
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2025;45(1):30-36
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in general body parameters, blood glucose, and blood lipid profiles in obese cynomolgus monkeys, exploring the correlations among these parameters and providing a reference for research on the obese cynomolgus monkey model. Methods30 normal male cynomolgus monkeys aged 5 - 17 years old (with body mass index < 35 kg/m² and glycated hemoglobin content < 4.50%) and 99 spontaneously obese male cynomolgus monkeys (with body mass index ≥35 kg/m² and glycated hemoglobin content < 4.50%) were selected. Over a period of three years, their abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and four blood lipid indicators were monitored. The correlations between each indicator were analyzed using repeated measurement ANOVA, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression correlation analysis method. Results Compared to the control group, the obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, and triglyceride (P<0.05). In the control group, skinfold thickness increased annually, while other indicators remained stable. Compared with the first year, the obese group showed significantly increased abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose in the second year(P<0.05), with this increasing trend persisting in the third year (P<0.05). In the control group, the obesity incidence rates in the second and third years were 16.67% and 23.33%, respectively, while the prevalence of diabetes remained at 16.67%. In the obese group, the diabetes incidence rates were 29.29% and 44.44% in years 2 and 3, respectively. Among the 11-13 year age group, the incidence rates were 36.36% and 44.68%, while for the group older than 13 years, the rates were 28.13% and 51.35%. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations (P<0.05) between fasting blood glucose and age, abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, and triglyceride in the diabetic monkeys. Conclusion Long-term obesity can lead to the increases in general physical indicators and fasting blood glucose levels in cynomolgus monkeys, and an increase in the incidence of diabetes. In diabetic cynomolgus monkeys caused by obesity, there is a high correlation between their fasting blood glucose and age, weight, abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, and triglyceride levels, which is of some significance for predicting the occurrence of spontaneous diabetes.
2.Discussion on the practice of ethical review in organ transplantation under refined management
Fang HUANG ; Xinfeng PAN ; Hui ZENG ; Qing HE ; Yong XU ; Lanlan WEI
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(4):441-447
The development of organ transplantation has brought new hope to many patients with organ failure and their families, but it has also raised numerous ethical issues. How to balance the rights and interests between organ donors and recipients, as well as ensure the fairness and transparency of the transplantation process has become an urgent problem to be solved. Based on the latest Regulations on Organ Donation and Transplantation and the Working Rules of the Ethics Committee for Human Organ Transplantation, the current difficulties and challenges in organ transplantation ethics were deeply analyzed. Taking the ethical review practice of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital as an example, this paper explored issues such as full informed consent of both donors and recipients, risk assessment of marginal donors, and the review of relationships between donors and recipients. It also explored and constructed a set of complete ethical review models for organ transplantation through refined management. This model improved the efficiency and quality of ethical review as well as enriched the related knowledge system. It is expected that the implementation of this model can provide a reference for promoting effective ethical review nationwide, advancing the improvement and development of ethical review work in organ transplantation. Meanwhile, more medical ethics experts and practitioners are called upon to focus on and engage in the research and practice of ethical review in organ transplantation, jointly promoting progress in this field.
3.tRF Prospect: tRNA-derived Fragment Target Prediction Based on Neural Network Learning
Dai-Xi REN ; Jian-Yong YI ; Yong-Zhen MO ; Mei YANG ; Wei XIONG ; Zhao-Yang ZENG ; Lei SHI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2428-2438
ObjectiveTransfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a recently characterized and rapidly expanding class of small non-coding RNAs, typically ranging from 13 to 50 nucleotides in length. They are derived from mature or precursor tRNA molecules through specific cleavage events and have been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes. Increasing evidence indicates that tRFs play important regulatory roles in gene expression, primarily by interacting with target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to induce transcript degradation, in a manner partially analogous to microRNAs (miRNAs). However, despite their emerging biological relevance and potential roles in disease mechanisms, there remains a significant lack of computational tools capable of systematically predicting the interaction landscape between tRFs and their target mRNAs. Existing databases often rely on limited interaction features and lack the flexibility to accommodate novel or user-defined tRF sequences. The primary goal of this study was to develop a machine learning based prediction algorithm that enables high-throughput, accurate identification of tRF:mRNA binding events, thereby facilitating the functional analysis of tRF regulatory networks. MethodsWe began by assembling a manually curated dataset of 38 687 experimentally verified tRF:mRNA interaction pairs and extracting seven biologically informed features for each pair: (1) AU content of the binding site, (2) site pairing status, (3) binding region location, (4) number of binding sites per mRNA, (5) length of the longest consecutive complementary stretch, (6) total binding region length, and (7) seed sequence complementarity. Using this dataset and feature set, we trained 4 distinct machine learning classifiers—logistic regression, random forest, decision tree, and a multilayer perceptron (MLP)—to compare their ability to discriminate true interactions from non-interactions. Each model’s performance was evaluated using overall accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the corresponding area under the ROC curve (AUC). The MLP consistently achieved the highest AUC among the four, and was therefore selected as the backbone of our prediction framework, which we named tRF Prospect. For biological validation, we retrieved 3 high-throughput RNA-seq datasets from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) in which individual tRFs were overexpressed: AS-tDR-007333 (GSE184690), tRF-3004b (GSE197091), and tRF-20-S998LO9D (GSE208381). Differential expression analysis of each dataset identified genes downregulated upon tRF overexpression, which we designated as putative targets. We then compared the predictions generated by tRF Prospect against those from three established tools—tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget—by quantifying the number of predicted targets for each tRF and assessing concordance with the experimentally derived gene sets. ResultsThe proposed algorithm achieved high predictive accuracy, with an AUC of 0.934. Functional validation was conducted using transcriptome-wide RNA-seq datasets from cells overexpressing specific tRFs, confirming the model’s ability to accurately predict biologically relevant downregulation of mRNA targets. When benchmarked against established tools such as tRFTar, tRForest, and tRFTarget, tRF Prospect consistently demonstrated superior performance, both in terms of predictive precision and sensitivity, as well as in identifying a higher number of true-positive interactions. Moreover, unlike static databases that are limited to precomputed results, tRF Prospect supports real-time prediction for any user-defined tRF sequence, enhancing its applicability in exploratory and hypothesis-driven research. ConclusionThis study introduces tRF Prospect as a powerful and flexible computational tool for investigating tRF:mRNA interactions. By leveraging the predictive strength of deep learning and incorporating a broad spectrum of interaction-relevant features, it addresses key limitations of existing platforms. Specifically, tRF Prospect: (1) expands the range of detectable tRF and target types; (2) improves prediction accuracy through multilayer perceptron model; and (3) allows for dynamic, user-driven analysis beyond database constraints. Although the current version emphasizes miRNA-like repression mechanisms and faces challenges in accurately capturing 5'UTR-associated binding events, it nonetheless provides a critical foundation for future studies aiming to unravel the complex roles of tRFs in gene regulation, cellular function, and disease pathogenesis.
4.Clinical Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine Bone-Setting Manipulations Combined with Minimally-Invasive Treatment and Intramedullary Plate Fixation for the Treatment of Moderate Hallux Valgus
Xin-Yuan LIANG ; Qing-Xiang XIE ; Guang-Long ZENG ; Bin-Fu YAO ; Yong-Cong LI ; Bo-Yuan SU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(4):868-875
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)bone-setting manipulations for the treatment of moderate hallux valgus.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 49 patients(62 feet)with moderate hallux valgus were treated with Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate,and were given TCM bone-setting manipulations before the operation,during the operation,and after the operation.The efficacy was evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)forefoot score after the operation.Before the operation and 12 months after the operation,the hallux valgus angle(HVA),intermetatarsal angle(IMA)between the first and second metatarsal bone,and the distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA)showed by X-ray imaging in the weight-bearing position of the foot were recorded.Results(1)All of the 49 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months,with a mean of(20.6±3.1)months.(2)The X-ray imaging assessment showed that 12 months after the operation,the mean HVA,IMA and DMAA values of the 49 patients(62 feet)were significantly lower than those before the operation,and the differences were all statistically significant(P<0.01).(3)Twelve months after the operation,the pain VAS score of 49 patients was(3.14±1.21)points,which was significantly lower than the preoperative score points(7.26±2.52),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).(4)The assessment of joint function showed that 12 months after the operation,the scores of various AOFAS items of pain,function and hallux alignment as well as the overall AOFAS scores of 49 patients were significantly higher than those before the operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(5)For the 62 feet in 49 patients,the excellent efficacy was achieved in 53 feet,good efficacy was achieved in 7 feet,and fair efficacy was achieved in 2 feet,with the fine rate of 96.77%(60/62).Conclusion For the treatment of moderate hallux valgus,the application of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus TCM bone-setting manipulations is effective on promoting the reset of hallux-metatarsophalangeal joint,restoring the balance of the joint,and maintaining the equilibrium state of the joint through postoperative rehabilitation guidance.The combined therapy exerts certain efficacy,reduces the recurrence rate,and eventually achieves the early rehabilitation after the operation.
5.Analysis of disease burden of testicular cancer in China from 1990 to 2019
Shi-Di TANG ; Hao ZI ; Cong ZHU ; Yong-Bo WANG ; Xian-Tao ZENG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(3):272-279
Objective To analyze the burden and changing trend of testicular cancer in China from 1990 to 2019.Methods Based on the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Database(GBD 2019),analyze the incidence,mortality,disability-adjusted life years(DALYs),years of life lost(YLLs),years lived with disability(YLDs)and their variation trend of testicular cancer in Chinese population from 1990 to 2019.Evaluating changes in age standardized rate(ASR)by calculating annual estimated percentage change(EAPC).According to the age grouping,analyze the age distribution characteristics of testicular cancer disease burden by age group.Results In 2019,the incident cases,deaths,age-standardized incidence rate,and age-standardized mortality rate of testicular cancer in China were 17.17×103,1.21×103,2.39/105,and 0.16/105,respectively.Compared to 1990,incident cases,deaths,and age-standardized incidence rate increased obviously in China,which was consistent with the global change trend,while the increase was higher than the global level.However,both Chinese and global age-standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend.From 1990 to 2019,DALYs,YLLs and YLDs of testicular cancer increased by 29.66%,9.83%and 720.91%respectively in China.The two age groups,0-15 years group and 30-35 years group,were with highest incidence of testicular cancer,while the highest disease burden of testicular cancer was 30-35 years.Conclusion From 1990 to 2019,the disease burden of testicular cancer in China showed an upward trend.Adolescents and young adults should be the priority population for screening and prevention due to their higher incidence and disease burden.
6.Clinical effectiveness of endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach vs.open surgery:a comparative study
Huilin LUO ; Mengqiao DAI ; Cao LIU ; Zhener LI ; Yang XIE ; Yong YING ; Xiangtai ZENG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(3):384-388
Objective To compare endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach with open surgery for treating thyroid tumors in terms of the clinical effectiveness.Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinical data and follow-up records of 154 patients in the study,who were hospitalized for thyroidectomy in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.Among them,74 cases undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach were assigned to the endoscopic group and 80 cases undergoing traditional open thyroid surgery to the open surgery group.Results All operations were completed successfully and safely in both groups,with no intermediate openings in the endoscopic group.Compared with the open surgery group,the endoscopic group had significantly fewer intraoperative blood losses[(19.46±10.24)mL vs.(32.05±15.87)mL],significantly less incision length[(1.95±0.30)cm vs.(7.05±0.60)cm],significant shorter operative time[(136.66±22.44)min vs.(82.75±15.20)min],and significantly less total postoperative drainage[(111.35±38.92)mL vs.(95.45±36.73)mL](all P<0.05).Endoscopic patients had superior postoperative pain and cosmetic satisfaction compared to open patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The two groups had no significant differences in the number of lymph node dissections,parathyroid hormone,and postoperative morbidity between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach can achieve the same clinical effectiveness as the traditional open surgery.However,it is advantageous in reducing intra-operative blood loss,relieving post-operative pain,and achieving a better cosmetic effects of neck incision,thus deserving clinical promotion and application.
7.Intervention Effect of Dabufei Decoction on Acute Lung Injury in Rats with High Altitude Hypoxia Based on HIF-1α/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway
Congyi LI ; Wangjie CAO ; Yong HUANG ; Yun SU ; Hongxia GONG ; Guangxian LENG ; Lixia LI ; Yuanding ZENG
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(6):736-742
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the intervention effect of Dabufei decoction on acute lung injury in rats with high altitude hypoxia by regulating the expression of the HIF-1α/NLRP3 signaling pathway and related molecules.
METHODS
Sixty SPF SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups with 10 rats in each group. After 3 d of adaptation to feeding, the rats in the blank group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage, and the rats in Dabufei decoction high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were given gavage for 14 d, respectively. The positive drug group was given dexamethasone by intraperitoneal injection for three consecutive days before entering the chamber. Except for the blank group, the rats in each group were exposed to hypoxia in the experimental animal low-pressure simulation chamber from the 15th day for three consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, the wet to dry ratio(W/D) of the rat lung tissue was detected. The morphology of lung tissue was observed by HE staining. ELISA detected the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, GSDMD, and caspase-1 in the lung tissue of rats.
RESULTS
The W/D value showed that compared with the blank group, the W/D of the model group was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the W/D of rats in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05). HE results showed that compared with the blank group, alveolar septum thickening, pulmonary interstitial congestion, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and a small amount of exudation in the alveolar cavity were seen in the lung tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the thickening of alveolar walls in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were reduced, and the pulmonary interstitial congestion, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced. ELISA results showed that IL-1β and IL-18 in rat serum were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the rats in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the results of Western blotting and RT-qPCR showed that compared with the blank group, the relative protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, GSDMD, and caspase-1 in the lung tissue of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the relative protein and mRNA of HIF-1α, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the positive drug group and Dabufei decoction high-dose group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), the relative protein of HIF-1α, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in Dabufei decoction medium-dose group were significantly decreased and HIF-1α, caspase-1 mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05), the relative protein of HIF-1α and GSDMD in the low-dose group was decreased(P<0.05). The positive drug group and Dabufei decoction high-dose group had the more significant effect.
CONCLUSION
Dabufei decoction can regulate the HIF-1α/NLRP3 signaling pathway, inhibit pyroptosis and reduce inflammation, and has a certain protective effect on acute lung injury in rats with high altitude hypoxia.
10.Analysis of the causes of cage subsidence after oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion
Zhong-You ZENG ; Ping-Quan CHEN ; Xing ZHAO ; Hong-Fei WU ; Jian-Qiao ZHANG ; Xiang-Qian FANG ; Yong-Xing SONG ; Wei YU ; Fei PEI ; Shun-Wu FAN ; Guo-Hao SONG ; Shi-Yang FAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(1):33-44
Objective To observe the cage subsidence after oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF)for lumbar spondylo-sis,summarize the characteristics of the cage subsidence,analyze causes,and propose preventive measures.Methods The data of 144 patients of lumbar spine lesions admitted to our hospital from October 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively ana-lyzed.There were 43 males and 101 females,and the age ranged from 20 to 81 years old,with an average of(60.90±10.06)years old.Disease types:17 patients of lumbar intervertebral disc degenerative disease,12 patients of giant lumbar disc hernia-tion,5 patients of discogenic low back pain,33 patients of lumbar spinal stenosis,26 patients of lumbar degenerative spondy-lolisthesis,28 patients of lumbar spondylolisthesis with spondylolisthesis,11 patients of adjacent vertebral disease after lumbar internal fixation,7 patients of primary spondylitis in the inflammatory outcome stage,and 5 patients of lumbar degenerative scoliosis.Preoperative dual-energy X-ray bone mineral density examination showed 57 patients of osteopenia or osteoporosis,and 87 patients of normal bone density.The number of fusion segments:124 patients of single-segment,11 patients of two-seg-ment,8 patients of three-segment,four-segment 1 patient.There were 40 patients treated by stand-alone OLIF,and 104 patients by OLIF combined with posterior pedicle screw.Observed the occurrence of fusion cage settlement after operation,conducted monofactor analysis on possible risk factors,and observed the influence of fusion cage settlement on clinical results.Results All operations were successfully completed,the median operation time was 99 min,and the median intraoperative blood loss was 106 ml.Intraoperative endplate injury occurred in 30 patients and vertebral fracture occurred in 5 patients.The mean follow-up was(14.57±7.14)months from 6 to 30 months.During the follow-up,except for the patients of primary lumbar interstitial in-flammation and some patients of lumbar spondylolisthesis with spondylolisthesis,the others all had different degrees of cage subsidence.Cage subsidence classification:119 patients were normal subsidence,and 25 patients were abnormal subsidence(23 patients were grade Ⅰ,and 2 patients were grade Ⅱ).There was no loosening or rupture of the pedicle screw system.The height of the intervertebral space recovered from the preoperative average(9.48±1.84)mm to the postoperative average(12.65±2.03)mm,and the average(10.51±1.81)mm at the last follow-up.There were statistical differences between postop-erative and preoperative,and between the last follow-up and postoperative.The interbody fusion rate was 94.4%.The low back pain VAS decreased from the preoperative average(6.55±2.2 9)to the last follow-up(1.40±0.82),and there was statistically significant different.The leg pain VAS decreased from the preoperative average(4.72±1.49)to the final follow-up(0.60± 0.03),and the difference was statistically significant(t=9.13,P<0.000 1).The ODI index recovered from the preoperative av-erage(38.50±6.98)%to the latest follow-up(11.30±3.27)%,and there was statistically significant different.The complication rate was 31.3%(45/144),and the reoperation rate was 9.72%(14/144).Among them,8 patients were reoperated due to fusion cage subsidence or displacement,accounting for 57.14%(8/14)of reoperation.The fusion cage subsidence in this group had obvious characteristics.The monofactor analysis showed that the number of abnormal subsidence patients in the osteopenia or osteoporosis group,Stand-alone OLIF group,2 or more segments fusion group,and endplate injury group was higher than that in the normal bone mass group,OLIF combined with pedicle screw fixation group,single segment fusion group,and no endplate injury group,and the comparison had statistical differences.Conclusion Cage subsidence is a common phenomenon after 0-LIF surgery.Preoperative osteopenia or osteoporosis,Stand-alone OLIF,2 or more segments of fusion and intraoperative end-plate injury may be important factors for postoperative fusion cage subsidence.Although there is no significant correlation be-tween the degree of cage subsidence and clinical symptoms,there is a risk of cage migration,and prevention needs to be strengthened to reduce serious complications caused by fusion of cage subsidence,including reoperation.


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