1.Ethical reflections on the clinical application of medical artificial intelligence
Fangfang CUI ; Zhonglin LI ; Xianying HE ; Wenchao WANG ; Yuntian CHU ; Xiaobing SHI ; Jie ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):159-165
Medical artificial intelligence (AI) is a new type of application formed by the combination of machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and other technologies with clinical medical treatment. With the continuous iteration and development of relevant technologies, medical AI has shown great potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, and service quality, but it also increases the possibility of triggering ethical issues. Ethical issues resulting from the clinical application of medical AI were analyzed, including the lack of algorithmic interpretability and transparency of medical AI, leading to information asymmetry and cognitive discrepancies; the concerning status of security and privacy protection of medical data; and the complex and unclear division of responsibilities due to the collaborative participation of multiple subjects in the clinical application of medical AI, resulting in increased difficulty in the identification of medical accidents and clarification of responsibilities. The paper proposed the principles of not harming patients’ interests, physician’s subjectivity, fairness and inclusiveness, and rapid response. It also explored the strategies and implementation paths for responding to the ethical issues of medical AI from multiple perspectives, including standardizing the environment and processes, clarifying responsibility attribution, continuously assessing the impact of data protection, guaranteeing data security, ensuring model transparency and interpretability, carrying out multi-subject collaboration, as well as the principles of being driven by ethical values and adhering to the “human health-centeredness.” It aimed to provide guidance for the healthy development of medical AI, ensuring technological progress while effectively managing and mitigating accompanying ethical risks, thereby promoting the benign development of medical AI technology and better serving the healthcare industry and patients.
2.Research progress on impacts of air pollutants, gut microbiota, and seminal microbiota on semen quality
Wenchao XIA ; Jiahua SUN ; Yuya JIN ; Ruixin LUO ; Ruyan YAN ; Yuming GUI ; Yongbin WANG ; Fengquan ZHANG ; Wei WU ; Weidong WU ; Huijun LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):1003-1008
In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.
3.Repair effect of ephedrine on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia function injury and its mechanism
Tao YIN ; Lizhen JIANG ; Mengmeng ZHANG ; Ruijian WANG ; Wenchao ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(1):33-37
OBJECTIVE To study the repair effect of ephedrine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia function injury and its mechanism. METHODS Human microglia cells (HMC3) were used as research objects to investigate the effects of different concentrations of ephedrine (75, 150, 300, 600 μg/mL) on the viability and apoptosis of HMC3 cells. HMC3 cells were divided into control group (without drug intervention), LPS group (1 μg/mL), ephedrine group (1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine), BAY11-7082 group [1 μg/mL LPS+5 μmol/L nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082], inhibitor group (1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine+5 μmol/L BAY11-7082) and activator group (1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine+1 μmol/L NF-κB pathway activator Prostratin). After 24 hours of drug treatment, cell migration, the levels of soluble interleukin-6(sIL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA), and the expressions of NF-κB pathway-related proteins were all detected. RESULTS The viability of HMC3 cells could be increased significantly by 300 μg/mL ephedrine, while the apoptotic rate was decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of migrating cells was increased significantly in the LPS group; the levels of sIL-6 and MDA, the phosphorylation of NF-κB protein were increased significantly, while the levels of IL-10 and SOD were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, the above indexes were reversed significantly in the ephedrine group and BAY11-7082 group (P<0.05). Compared with the ephedrine group, the number of migrating cells was decreased significantly in the inhibitor group; the levels of sIL-6 and MDA, the phosphorylation of NF-κB protein were decreased significantly, while the levels of IL-10 and SOD were increased significantly (P<0.05). The above indexes were reversed significantly in the activator group (P<0.05)can repair cell injury by inhibiting LPS induced apoptosis, migration, inflammation and oxidant stress of HMC3 cells, the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Correlation between plasma NT-proBNP level and postoperative outcomes in elderly and critically ill patients with hip fractures
Taijun LUO ; Wenchao ZHANG ; Rui XIAO ; Tao XU ; Geng WANG ; Minghui YANG
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(1):18-22
Objective To investigate the correlation between preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptidogen(NT-proBNP)levels and early postoperative outcomes in elderly and critically ill pa-tients with hip fractures.Methods A total of 593 elderly and critically ill patients with hip fractures from January 2018 to April 2021 were selected,including 189 males and 404 females,aged≥65 years,BMI 12.0-35.5 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅱ-Ⅳ.General preoperative information,intraoperative and post-operative discharge outcomes of patients were retrospectively obtained by the electrical clinical medical record system or telephone follow-up.The receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve of preoperative plas-ma NT-proBNP and postoperative 30-day death was plotted,and the corresponding optimal cut-off value was 1 765.0 pg/ml.According to NT-proBNP values,the patients were divided into two groups:low-ratio group(NT-proBNP≤1 765.0 pg/ml,group L,n = 463)and high-ratio group(NT-proBNP>1 765.0 pg/ml,group H,n = 130).The correlation between different plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP before surgery and ICU length of stay,total length of stay,postoperative complications,and 30-day mortality rate were an-alyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results Compared with group L,age,preoperative comorbidities with coronary heart disease,arrhythmia,chronic heart failure,lung disease,and chronic kidney disease,as well as mortality within 30 days after surgery were significantly increased in group H(P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high preoperative plasma NT-proBNP concentration was positive correlation with postoperative ICU length of stay(OR = 1.215,95%CI 1.073-1.375,P = 0.020)and 30-day mortality rate(OR = 32.696,95%CI 7.158-149.338,P<0.001).Conclusion High preoperative plasma NT-proBNP concentration is positive correlation with postoperative ICU hospitalization timeand 30-day mortality.
5.Neurotrophin-3 promotes the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Yan CONG ; Yanfei WANG ; Wenchao DONG ; Jian YU
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2024;40(1):78-84
Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of neurotrophin-3(NT-3)in promoting neurological func-tion recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods:Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham),middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)group,and MCAO/R+NT-3 group.The neurological function scores of rats in each group were evaluated using the modified Garcia score.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of NT-3 and LC3B in brain tissues of rats.Culture dishes with the same density of neurons were randomly divided into normal group(Normal),oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)group,OGD+NT-3 group,OGD+NT-3+PF-06273340(TrkC inhibitor)group,OGD+NT-3+ZSTK474(PI3K inhibitor)group,and OGD+NT-3+CCT128930(AKT inhibitor)group.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of TrkC,the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT,and LC3B in neurons.The morphological changes of neurons and the phenomenon of neuronal autophagy were observed using autophagy-specific fluorescent staining.Results:The animal experiment found that the expression of NT-3 increased in the brain tissue with ischemia-reperfusion injury(P<0.05),and after the treatment with exogenous NT-3,the modified Garcia score increased(P<0.05),and the level of autophagy weakened(P<0.05).The cell experiment found that NT-3 can inhibit neuronal autophagy under ischemic hypoxia and maintain the neuronal morphology to the maximum extent.After using PF-06273340,the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT de-creased(P<0.05).After using ZSTK474 and CCT128930,the autophagy-inhibiting effect of NT-3 weakened(P<0.05).Conclusion:NT-3 inhibits autophagy via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to maintain neuronal survival,thereby promoting the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
6.The relationship between plasma sCD163/sTWEAK ratio and prognosis in patients with spontaneous acute cerebral hemorrhage
Wenchao ZHANG ; Xuehui YANG ; Tao YIN ; Ruijian WANG ; Mengmeng ZHANG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2024;52(3):297-301
Objective To investigate the relationship between the ratio of soluble hemoglobin scavenger receptor 163 protein(sCD163)/soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis(sTWEAK)in plasma and prognosis in patients with spontaneous acute cerebral hemorrhage(ACH).Methods From August 2020 to August 2022,90 patients with ACH admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Harison International Peace Hospital,Hengshui City were regarded as the research group.According to the Glasgow outcome scale,patients with ACH were separated into the poor prognosis group(n=38)and the good prognosis group(n=52).Another 45 healthy examinee who underwent physical examination were used as the control group.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect plasma sCD163 and sTWEAK levels,and the sCD163/sTWEAK ratio was calculated.Pearson method was applied to analyze the correlation between plasma sCD163,sTWEAK levels,sCD163/sTWEAK ratio and clinical data.Logistic regression was applied to analyze influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with ACH.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)was applied to analyze the predictive value of sCD163/sTWEAK ratio for poor prognosis of patients with ACH.Results The plasma levels of sCD163,sTWEAK and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were obviously higher in the research group than those in the control group(P<0.05).The plasma levels of sCD163,sTWEAK and sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were obviously lower in the good prognosis group than those in the poor prognosis group(P<0.05).Hematoma volume,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores,hypertension and subtentorial hemorrhage were lower in the good prognosis group than those in the poor prognosis group,and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)was higher in the good prognosis group than that in the poor prognosis group(P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that plasma sCD163,and sTWEAK levels and the sCD163/sTWEAK ratio were positively correlated with bleeding site,hematoma volume,NIHSS score,white blood cell count,platelet count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)(P<0.05).Results of Logistic regression analysis showed that sCD163,sTWEAK,sCD163/sTWEAK ratio,hematoma volume,bleeding site and NIHSS score were influencing factors for poor prognosis in patients with ACH(P<0.05).Results of receiver operating characteristic showed that the AUC of sCD163/sTWEAK ratio in evaluating poor prognosis of patients with ACH was 0.850,and the sensitivity and specificity were 86.84%and 69.23%.Conclusion The sCD163/sTWEAK ratio has a high level in the plasma of patients with ACH,which is associated with poor prognosis and has important value in predicting the prognosis of patients with ACH.
7.Advances in research and application of ionizing radiation biomarkers
Hongling OU ; Wenchao AI ; Yan WANG ; Yingying MA ; Lei SHI ; Qiaoyun ZHANG ; Xiujun SONG ; Xinru WANG
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2024;38(1):70-78
Exposure to ionizing radiation intervenes in genomic stability and gene expression,resulting in the disruption of normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by causing complex biolog-ical responses.Altered genomic variations,gene expression and metabolite concentrations in blood or tissue samples reflect systemic radiation damage.With the application of new techniques and exten-sive study on the mechanisms for ionizing radiation damage,related indicators such as chromosomal variation,gene expression,lipid and metabolism are being recognized and promise to be the markers for early diagnosis and prognosis of radiation exposure.Therefore,this article reviews recent progress in and potential applications of biomarkers related to ionizing radiation injury.
8.Establishment and clinical application of imipenem measurement method in patients with severe infection
Yongyan CHEN ; Didi SUN ; Wenchao HAN ; Qian WANG ; Hanjuan ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2024;35(16):2023-2026
OBJECTIVE To establish two-dimensional liquid chromatography method for the determination of imipenem blood concentration and apply it in clinical practice. METHODS The method for the determination of imipenem blood concentration was established based on automatic two-dimensional liquid chromatography. The targets were extracted by 1-dimensional column Aston SNCB (50 mm ×4.6 mm, 5 μm) and further separated and determined by 2-dimensional column Aston SCB (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm). The 1-dimensional mobile phase was imipenem-1D mobile phase [acetonitrile-methanol-water (15∶10∶75, V/V/V)] with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; 2-dimensional mobile phase was 72%OPI-1 organic mobile phase (chromatographic grade methanol)-20% BPI-1 alkaline mobile phase [water (containing 20.0 mmol/L ammonium phosphate, pH adjusted to 7.2 with triethylamine)]-8%API-1 acidic mobile phase [water (containing 20.0 mmol/L ammonium phosphate, pH adjusted to 3.0 with phosphoric acid)] with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; the column temperature was 40 ℃, UV detection wavelength was 310 nm and injection volume was 100 μL. Elution procedure: 1-dimensional column consisted of imipenem-1D mobile phase with eluting for 0-3.40 min; 2-dimensional column consisted of 72% OPI-1 organic mobile phase-20%BPI-1 alkaline mobile phase-8%API-1 acidic mobile phase with eluting for 3.40-11.00 min. RESULTS The linear range of imipenem was 0.171-18.570 μg/mL (R 2=0.999 9) with the lower limit of quantification for 0.171 μg/mL; the recovery rate ranged from 93.47% to 106.16%( n=5) and the RSDs of both intra-day and inter- day precision were below 15% (n=5). The minimum concentration of imipenem in 51 patients ranged from 0 to 19.57 μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS The established method is simple and fast with the large scale of sample, and can be used for the imipenem blood concentration monitoring in patients with severe infection.
9.Prevalence of Anaplasma infections in sheep and goats in Anhui Province in 2020
Xinghua WU ; Jipu WANG ; Sichao GAO ; Xinyu LUO ; Qiaoqiao LI ; Dongqian CHEN ; Xinchao LIU ; Youfang GU ; Wenchao LI
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(6):620-625
Objective To investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Anaplasma infections in sheep and goats in Anhui Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into ovine anaplasmosis prevention and control. Methods A total of 355 fresh blood samples were collected from 7 sheep and goat farms in Linquan County of Fuyang City, Lixin County of Bozhou City, Yu'an District of Lu'an City, Wangjiang County of Anqing City, Nanling County of Wuhu City, and Tianchang City and Fengyang County of Chuzhou City in Anhui Province from June to December 2020. A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene, A. ovis major surface protein 4 (MSP4) gene and A. capra citric acid synthase (gltA) gene were amplified using PCR assay in all blood samples, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was calculated in sheep and goats. In addition, the positive amplification products were sequenced and subjected to genetic evolutionary analysis. Results The overall prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 17.5% (62/355) in sheep and goats in Anhui Province, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was 2.8% (10/355), 2.5% (9/355), 2.5% (9/355), and 7.0% (25/355), while the prevalence of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. capra and A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis co-infections was 0.8% (3/355), 1.1% (4/355), 0.3% (1/355) and 0.3% (1/355), respectively. No Anaplasma was detected in the sheep and goat farms in Fengyang County, while at least three Anaplasma species were detected in other sheep and goat farms, with co-infections of multiple Anaplasma species identified. The prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 14.7% (24/163) in goats and 19.8% (38/192) in sheep, and the prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 31.0% (31/100) in goats and sheep under 6 months of age, and 12.2% (31/255) in goats and sheep at ages of 6 months and older, respectively. A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra were identified in sheep and goats of different breeds and ages. Conclusions Multiple Anaplasma species infections were commonly prevalent in goats and sheep in Anhui Province in 2020, notably A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra, which have zoonotic risks. Improved surveillance and prevention and control of Anaplasma infections are required in sheep and goats in Anhui Province.
10.A multi-dimensional analysis of pollen broadcasting concerns in Chinese population: a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey
Chiyu XU ; Yanshu ZHANG ; Ning LUAN ; Xiangyi LIU ; Dayang QIN ; Hongmin WANG ; Xuping XIAO ; Shuihong ZHOU ; Jie ZHANG ; Ping ZHANG ; Yuqing BAI ; Pengpeng WANG ; Yan QI ; Zhongwu SUN ; Zhuang LIU ; Luo BA ; Wenchao WANG ; Xing LU ; Min WANG ; Rui GUO ; Deyi SUN ; Liyuan TAO ; Li ZHU
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(1):2-11
Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

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