1.Diagnostic Techniques and Risk Prediction for Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) Syndrome
Song HOU ; Lin-Shan ZHANG ; Xiu-Qin HONG ; Chi ZHANG ; Ying LIU ; Cai-Li ZHANG ; Yan ZHU ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2585-2601
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and metabolic disorders are the 3 major chronic diseases threatening human health, which are closely related and often coexist, significantly increasing the difficulty of disease management. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) proposed a novel disease concept of “cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome” in October 2023, which has triggered widespread concern about the co-treatment of heart and kidney diseases and the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders around the world. This review posits that effectively managing CKM syndrome requires a new and multidimensional paradigm for diagnosis and risk prediction that integrates biological insights, advanced technology and social determinants of health (SDoH). We argue that the core pathological driver is a “metabolic toxic environment”, fueled by adipose tissue dysfunction and characterized by a vicious cycle of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which forms a common pathway to multi-organ injury. The at-risk population is defined not only by biological characteristics but also significantly impacted by adverse SDoH, which can elevate the risk of advanced CKM by a factor of 1.18 to 3.50, underscoring the critical need for equity in screening and care strategies. This review systematically charts the progression of diagnostic technologies. In diagnostics, we highlight a crucial shift from single-marker assessments to comprehensive multi-marker panels. The synergistic application of traditional biomarkers like NT-proBNP (reflecting cardiac stress) and UACR (indicating kidney damage) with emerging indicators such as systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and Klotho protein facilitates a holistic evaluation of multi-organ health. Furthermore, this paper explores the pivotal role of non-invasive monitoring technologies in detecting subclinical disease. Techniques like multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) and impedance cardiography (ICG) provide a real-time window into microcirculatory and hemodynamic status, enabling the identification of early, often asymptomatic, functional abnormalities that precede overt organ failure. In imaging, progress is marked by a move towards precise, quantitative evaluation, exemplified by artificial intelligence-powered quantitative computed tomography (AI-QCT). By integrating AI-QCT with clinical risk factors, the predictive accuracy for cardiovascular events within 6 months significantly improves, with the area under the curve (AUC) increasing from 0.637 to 0.688, demonstrating its potential for reclassifying risk in CKM stage 3. In the domain of risk prediction, we trace the evolution from traditional statistical tools to next-generation models. The new PREVENT equation represents a major advancement by incorporating key kidney function markers (eGFR, UACR), which can enhance the detection rate of CKD in primary care by 20%-30%. However, we contend that the future lies in dynamic, machine learning-based models. Algorithms such as XGBoost have achieved an AUC of 0.82 for predicting 365-day cardiovascular events, while deep learning models like KFDeep have demonstrated exceptional performance in predicting kidney failure risk with an AUC of 0.946. Unlike static calculators, these AI-driven tools can process complex, multimodal data and continuously update risk profiles, paving the way for truly personalized and proactive medicine. In conclusion, this review advocates for a paradigm shift toward a holistic and technologically advanced framework for CKM management. Future efforts must focus on the deep integration of multimodal data, the development of novel AI-driven biomarkers, the implementation of refined SDoH-informed interventions, and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration to construct an efficient, equitable, and effective system for CKM screening and intervention.
2.Influence of Modified Shashen Maidong Decoction Combined with Camrelizumab Immunotherapy Plus Chemotherapy on the Efficacy,Survival Status,and Serum CYFRA21-1 and NSE Levels in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Hai-Feng WANG ; Yi-Qun ZHAO ; Xiao-Li DU ; Lu LIU ; Bao-Song HOU ; Wen-Yan ZHAN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(3):606-611
Objective To investigate the influence of modified Shashen Maidong Decoction combined with Camrelizumab immunotherapy plus chemotherapy on the efficacy,survival status and serum cytokeratin 19 fragment(CYFRA21-1)and neuron-specific enolase(NSE)levels in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods Forty patients with advanced NSCLC of lung-stomach yin deficiency with intense heat-toxin type were randomly divided into a control group and a study group,with 20 patients in each group.The patients in the control group were given Camrelizumab immunotherapy plus chemotherapy,and the patients in the study group were given modified Shashen Maidong Decoction combined with Camrelizumab immunotherapy plus chemotherapy,with 21 days as a course of treatment and for a total of 4 courses of treatment.The changes of serum NSE and CYFRA21-1 levels in the two groups before and after treatment were observed,and the clinical efficacy,survival status and the incidence of toxic and side effects were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After 4 courses of treatment,the total effective rate of the study group was 70.00%(14/20),which was significantly higher than that of the control group(9/20,45.00%),but the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).(2)After 2 years of follow-up,the overall survival(OS),time to progression(TTP),and progression-free survival(PFS)of the patients in the study group were significantly prolonged compared with those in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum NSE and CYFRA21-1 levels of the patients in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of serum NSE and CYFRA21-1 levels in the study group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(4)The incidence of toxic and side effects in the study group was 25.00%(5/20),which was significantly lower than that of 65.00%(13/20)in the control group,and the intergroup comparison showed that the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Shashen Maidong Decoction combined with Camrelizumab immunotherapy plus chemotherapy has satisfactory therapeutic effect on patients with advanced NSCLC,which can reduce the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy,lower the level of serum tumor markers,and prolong the survival period and time to progression(TTP)of the patients.
3.Mingshi Formula (明视方) for Low Myopia in Children with Heart Yang Insufficiency Syndrome: A Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomised Placebo-Controlled Study
Jianquan WANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Zefeng KANG ; Yingxin YANG ; Xinquan LIU ; Zhihua SHEN ; Xiaoyi YU ; Jing YAO ; Fengming LIANG ; Fengmei ZHANG ; Jingsheng YU ; Ningli WANG ; Man SONG ; Hongrui SUN ; Xin YAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(6):587-593
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness and safety of the Chinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules (明视方颗粒) for low myopia in children with heart yang insufficiency. MethodsA multicentre, prospective, double-blind randomised controlled study was conducted, in which 290 children with low myopia from 8 centres were randomly divided into 145 cases in the treatment group and 145 cases in the control group, and the treatment group was given education, dispensing glasses, and Chinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules, while the control group was given education, dispensing glasses, and granules placebo. Both Mingshi Granules and placebo granules were taken orally, 1 bag each time, twice daily, 4 weeks of oral intake and 2 weeks of rest as 1 course of treatment, a total of 4 courses of treatment (24 weeks). Equivalent spherical lenses, best naked-eye distance visual acuity, ocular axis, corneal curvature K1, adjustment amplitude, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores, calculate the amount of progression of equivalent spherical lenses, were observed at the 12th and the 24th week of treatment, at the 36th week and 48th week of follow-up, resectively, the control rate of myopia progression was evaluated at the 24th week, and safety indexes were observed before treatment. ResultsThe amount of progression of equivalent spherical lenses was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at the 48-week follow-up (P<0.05). The control rate of myopia progression at 24 weeks after treatment in the treatment group was higher (57.60%, 72/125) than that in the control group (44.63%, 54/121) (P<0.05). The best naked-eye distance visual acuity at 36-week follow-up in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Equivalent spherical lenses were significantly lower in both groups at all observation time points compared with pre-treatment (P<0.05), and were higher in the treatment group than in the control group at the 48-week follow-up (P<0.05). The ocular axes of both groups were significantly higher at each observation time point after treatment and at follow-up compared with before treatment (P<0.05). The amount of eye axis growth in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group at 24 weeks after treatment and at the 48-week follow-up (P<0.05). Corneal curvature K1 was significantly lower in the treatment group at the 24th week of treatment compared to pre-treatment (P<0.05). The magnitude of adjustment in the treatment group was significantly higher at the 36-week follow-up and at the 48-week follow-up than before treatment (P<0.05). The scores of white/dark complexion, white coating thin pulse, fatigue and total TCM symptom scores of children in both groups at the 12th, 24th, 36th and 48th weeks of follow-up were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); the scores of blurred vision at the 24th and 36th weeks of follow-up were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); and the scores of blurred vision in the treatment group at the 48th week of follow-up were signi-ficantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the score of fatigue was higher than that of the control group at the 36-week follow-up, and the score of blurred vision was lower than that of the control group at the 48-week follow-up (P<0.05). No adverse reactions or obvious abnormalities of the safety indexes were observed of the two groups during the treatment. ConclusionChinese herbal medicine Mingshi Granules showed the effect of controlling the progression of low myopia, improving the best naked eye distance visual acuity, slowing down the growth of the eye axis, improving some of the TCM symptoms, with good safety.
4.Regulatory role of PI3K/AKT pathway in diabetic retinopathy
Baohua LI ; Zefeng KANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Jianquan WANG ; Man SONG ; Danyu LI ; Mengyu LIU ; Xin YAN
International Eye Science 2024;24(9):1426-1431
Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus, characterized by neurodegeneration and microangiopathy. Currently, the treatment of DR is mainly focused on the management of late complications and has not achieved the desired clinical outcome. Evidence suggests that the PI3K/AKT pathway, as one of the important intracellular signaling pathways during the cell cycle, is involved in the whole process of DR pathogenesis. This article focuses on the structural composition, activation and blocking pathways, conduction pathways, regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to review its role in DR and to explore the potential of targeting the PI3K/AKT pathway for the treatment of DR.
5.Progress of circulating tumor DNA methylation for gastric cancer screening and management
Qinxing CAO ; Li YAN ; Nengyi HOU ; Jinfeng CHEN ; Song YU ; Hejiang LU ; Zhenjia DAN ; Minghui PANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(5):535-544
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is cell-free DNA released by tumors or circulating tumor cells, containing abundant tumor-specific information that can serve as biomarkers for cancer early screening, monitoring, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response. This is particularly attractive in the field of gastric cancer, where high-quality screening, monitoring, and prediction methods are currently lacking. Gastric cancer exhibits significant tumor heterogeneity, with large differences in genetic and epigenetic characteristics among different subgroups. Methylated ctDNA has high sensitivity and specificity, which can help clarify tumor genotyping and facilitate the formulation of precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, numerous studies have confirmed the unique advantages of methylated DNA in predicting treatment response, adjuvant therapy, and drug resistance assessment, which may be used in the future to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy regimens and improve patient chemotherapeutic response, and even treat multidrug resistance. However, there are several challenges associated with methylated ctDNA, such as low sensitivity and specificity at single-target sites, limited association between some gastric cancer subtypes and ctDNA, off-target risks, and the lack of large-scale and high-quality clinical research evidence. This review mainly summarizes current research on the methylation status of ctDNA in gastric cancer and connects these findings to early screening, recurrence monitoring, and potential treatment opportunities for gastric cancer. With advances in technology and the deepening of interdisciplinary research, ctDNA detection will reveal more disease information and become an essential foundation for gastric cancer research and precision medicine treatment.
6.Progress of circulating tumor DNA methylation for gastric cancer screening and management
Qinxing CAO ; Li YAN ; Nengyi HOU ; Jinfeng CHEN ; Song YU ; Hejiang LU ; Zhenjia DAN ; Minghui PANG
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(5):535-544
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is cell-free DNA released by tumors or circulating tumor cells, containing abundant tumor-specific information that can serve as biomarkers for cancer early screening, monitoring, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response. This is particularly attractive in the field of gastric cancer, where high-quality screening, monitoring, and prediction methods are currently lacking. Gastric cancer exhibits significant tumor heterogeneity, with large differences in genetic and epigenetic characteristics among different subgroups. Methylated ctDNA has high sensitivity and specificity, which can help clarify tumor genotyping and facilitate the formulation of precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, numerous studies have confirmed the unique advantages of methylated DNA in predicting treatment response, adjuvant therapy, and drug resistance assessment, which may be used in the future to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy regimens and improve patient chemotherapeutic response, and even treat multidrug resistance. However, there are several challenges associated with methylated ctDNA, such as low sensitivity and specificity at single-target sites, limited association between some gastric cancer subtypes and ctDNA, off-target risks, and the lack of large-scale and high-quality clinical research evidence. This review mainly summarizes current research on the methylation status of ctDNA in gastric cancer and connects these findings to early screening, recurrence monitoring, and potential treatment opportunities for gastric cancer. With advances in technology and the deepening of interdisciplinary research, ctDNA detection will reveal more disease information and become an essential foundation for gastric cancer research and precision medicine treatment.
7.Exploring the mechanism of IgA vasculitis pathogenesis through the interaction of thrombin and inflammatory factors using urinary proteomics
Meng-Meng LIU ; Gai-Ling HOU ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Qiu-Shuang ZHANG ; Xiao-Feng MEI ; Ying DING ; Lan SONG ; Yan-Jie HUANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(7):683-689
Objective To explore the evidence,urinary biomarkers,and partial mechanisms of hypercoagulability in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis(IgAV).Methods Differential expression of proteins in the urine of 10 healthy children and 10 children with IgAV was screened using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,followed by Reactome pathway analysis.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was conducted using STRING and Cytoscape software.In the validation cohort,15 healthy children and 25 children with IgAV were included,and the expression levels of differential urinary proteins were verified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results A total of 772 differential proteins were identified between the IgAV group and the control group,with 768 upregulated and 4 downregulated.Reactome pathway enrichment results showed that neutrophil degranulation,platelet activation,and hemostasis pathways were involved in the pathogenesis of IgAV.Among the differential proteins,macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)played a significant role in neutrophil degranulation and hemostasis,while thrombin was a key protein in platelet activation and hemostasis pathways.PPI analysis indicated that thrombin directly interacted with several proteins involved in inflammatory responses,and these interactions involved MIF.Validation results showed that compared to healthy children,children with IgAV had significantly higher urine thrombin/creatinine and urine MIF/creatinine levels(P<0.05).Conclusions Thrombin contributes to the pathogenesis of IgAV through interactions with inflammatory factors.Urinary thrombin and MIF can serve as biomarkers reflecting the hypercoagulable and inflammatory states in children with IgAV.
8.Preliminary study on the diagnostic efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in breast solid ductal papilloma
Lizhu HOU ; Yan ZHENG ; Ying SONG ; Mengqi ZHOU ; Lin ZHU ; Dan ZHAO ; Wei WANG ; Fenglin DONG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(5):378-384
Objective:To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of solid intraductal papilloma (sIDP) of breast by comparing with fibronenoma of breast (FA).Methods:The CEUS data of 62 cases of sIDP patients and 94 cases of FA patients that confirmed by pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from October 2016 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into sIDP group and FA group according to the pathological results. The enhancement speed, enhancement degree, enhancement uniformity, whether the edge after enhancement was polished, whether the enhancement range was enlarged, whether there was a ring unenhanced area in the inner edge of the lesion and whether the inner edge of the unenhanced area was polished were observed in the two groups. SonoLiver software was used to perform offline analysis of the dynamic process of CEUS in the two groups respectively, the enhancement sequence diagram of the lesions was obtained. The pathological result was taken as the gold standard, univariate analysis was applied, and the parameters with statistical significance between the two groups were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis to establish a differential diagnosis model. The diagnostic efficiency of sIDP was analyzed by ROC curve and diagnostic model.Results:Compared with the FA group, CEUS in the sIDP group mostly showed fast forward, high enhancement, and the enhancement sequence was mostly centrifugal. After CEUS, the lesion edges in the sIDP group were mostly accompanied by unenhanced areas and the inner edges of the unenhanced areas were not intact, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression showed that age, enhancement degree and enhancement order were independent risk factors for sIDP diagnosis. The ROC curve showed that the area under the ROC curve of age, enhancement degree and enhancement sequence combined for the diagnosis of sIDP was 0.874 (95% CI=0.812-0.922), the accuracy was 76.9%, the sensitivity was 67.7%, the specificity was 83.0%, the positive predictive value was 72.4%, and the negative predictive value was 79.6%. Conclusions:There are significant differences in age, enhancement degree and enhancement sequence between sIDP and FA patients. The three-parameter combination can improve the diagnostic efficiency of sIDP.
9.Epidemiological investigation and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy in Yunnan Province
Li SHI ; Xuemei XIA ; Xuhong HOU ; Jianfang LIU ; Xin NIAN ; Yan JIANG ; Yaxian SONG ; Yushan XU
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;63(6):613-617
To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Yunnan Province, explore its risk factors, and provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). This is a large cross-sectional study, in all, 1 524 DM patients in 16 communities and villages of Yunnan Province who were registered in health service centers were included in this study from August to November 2019. All patients completed a uniform questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements, and auxiliary examinations. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors of DR. The prevalence rates of DR, mild non-proliferative DR (mild-NPDR), and referable DR (RDR) were 16.0% (244/1 524), 4.5% (69/1 524), and 11.5% (175/1 524), respectively. Glycated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c)≥7.0% was the risk factor of mild-NPDR ( OR=1.872, 95% CI 1.055-3.323) and RDR ( OR=4.821, 95% CI 2.917-7.969). Blood pressure≥130/80 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was the risk factor of mild-NPDR ( OR=1.933, 95% CI 1.112-3.358) and RDR ( OR=1.505, 95% CI 1.063-2.130). In Yunnan Province, 16.0% DM patients had accompanying DR, wherein about 71.7% of them required an ophthalmology referral, and the high incidence of RDR in DM patients was associated with poor control of blood glucose and blood pressure.
10.Ameliorative effects of Ziyin Mingmu Pills on mouse retinitis pigmentosa by activating the sonic hedgehog factor signaling pathway
Mei-Yan ZENG ; Meng XIONG ; Hou-Pan SONG ; Chen OU ; Chao-Jun FU ; Qing-Hua PENG ; Yu-Hui QIN
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(8):2551-2561
AIM To explore the ameliorative effects of Ziyin Mingmu Pills on mouse retinitis pigmentosa(RP)and the possible mechanism.METHODS The RP transgenic mice(rd10)were randomly divided into the model group,the Leding group(0.15 g/kg)and the low and high dose Ziyin Mingmu Pills groups(4.50,9.00 g/kg),in contrast to the C57BL/6 mice of the normal group,with 12 mice in each group.The mice had their retinal pathological changes detected by HE staining;their visual function detected by electroretinogram(ERG);their fundus conditions and retinal thickness detected by optical coherence tomography(OCT);their retinal blood perfusion detected by laser speckle blood flow technique;their mRNA expressions of Shh,Ptc,Smo,Gli1,N-myc and Cyclin mRNA detected by digital PCR;and their protein expressions of Shh,Ptc,Smo,Gli1,N-myc and Cyclin detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS Compared with the normal group,the model group displayed pathological changes in the fundus and retina and decreased amplitudes of ERG a wave and b wave(P<0.01);decreased retinal thickness(P<0.01);decreased retinal blood perfusion(P<0.01);and decreased retinal expressions of Shh,Ptc,Smo,Gli1,N-myc,Cyclin mRNA and protein(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Ziyin Mingmu Pills or Leding shared improved pathological changes in the fundus and retina tissue,and increased retinal thickness(P<0.01);increased retinal blood flow(P<0.01);increased amplitudes of ERG a wave and b wave(P<0.01);and increased retinal Shh,Ptc,Smo,Gli1,N-myc and Cyclin mRNA and protein expressions(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Pills can improve the fundus pathological changes and visual function to delay RP in mice because of their efficacy in ameliorating retinal thickness and blood flow possibly by activating Shh signaling pathway.

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