1.Predicting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Brightness Change Curves Derived From Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Images
Ying-Ying CHEN ; Shang-Lin JIANG ; Liang-Hui HUANG ; Ya-Guang ZENG ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Wei ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2163-2172
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectivePrimary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a significant global health issue, ranking as the sixth most diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Accurate and early diagnosis of HCC is crucial for effective treatment, as HCC and non-HCC malignancies like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) exhibit different prognoses and treatment responses. Traditional diagnostic methods, including liver biopsy and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), face limitations in applicability and objectivity. The primary objective of this study was to develop an advanced, light-weighted classification network capable of distinguishing HCC from other non-HCC malignancies by leveraging the automatic analysis of brightness changes in CEUS images. The ultimate goal was to create a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic tool that could assist radiologists in making more accurate and efficient clinical decisions. MethodsThis retrospective study encompassed a total of 161 patients, comprising 131 diagnosed with HCC and 30 with non-HCC malignancies. To achieve accurate tumor detection, the YOLOX network was employed to identify the region of interest (ROI) on both B-mode ultrasound and CEUS images. A custom-developed algorithm was then utilized to extract brightness change curves from the tumor and adjacent liver parenchyma regions within the CEUS images. These curves provided critical data for the subsequent analysis and classification process. To analyze the extracted brightness change curves and classify the malignancies, we developed and compared several models. These included one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1D-ResNet, 1D-ConvNeXt, and 1D-CNN), as well as traditional machine-learning methods such as support vector machine (SVM), ensemble learning (EL), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and decision tree (DT). The diagnostic performance of each method in distinguishing HCC from non-HCC malignancies was rigorously evaluated using four key metrics: area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), accuracy (ACC), sensitivity (SE), and specificity (SP). ResultsThe evaluation of the machine-learning methods revealed AUC values of 0.70 for SVM, 0.56 for ensemble learning, 0.63 for KNN, and 0.72 for the decision tree. These results indicated moderate to fair performance in classifying the malignancies based on the brightness change curves. In contrast, the deep learning models demonstrated significantly higher AUCs, with 1D-ResNet achieving an AUC of 0.72, 1D-ConvNeXt reaching 0.82, and 1D-CNN obtaining the highest AUC of 0.84. Moreover, under the five-fold cross-validation scheme, the 1D-CNN model outperformed other models in both accuracy and specificity. Specifically, it achieved accuracy improvements of 3.8% to 10.0% and specificity enhancements of 6.6% to 43.3% over competing approaches. The superior performance of the 1D-CNN model highlighted its potential as a powerful tool for accurate classification. ConclusionThe 1D-CNN model proved to be the most effective in differentiating HCC from non-HCC malignancies, surpassing both traditional machine-learning methods and other deep learning models. This study successfully developed a user-friendly and cost-efficient computer-aided diagnostic solution that would significantly enhances radiologists’ diagnostic capabilities. By improving the accuracy and efficiency of clinical decision-making, this tool has the potential to positively impact patient care and outcomes. Future work may focus on further refining the model and exploring its integration with multimodal ultrasound data to maximize its accuracy and applicability. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Correlation between gene polymorphisms of coagulation factor Ⅻ rs1801020 and resistin rs1862513 and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion
Cong WANG ; Qingqing JIANG ; Xue JIANG ; Jiahui SUN ; Ying LUO ; Yi ZHANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(1):6-11
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the correlation between gene polymorphisms of coagulation factor Ⅻ(FⅫ)rs1801020 and resistin rs1862513 and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods A total of 189 patients diagnosed with URSA and 191 healthy postpartum women during the same period were selected from the obstetric clinic of Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022.The probe PCR was used to detect gene polymorphisms of rs1801020 and rs1862513 in peripheral blood,and the differences in genotype distribution between the groups were observed.Results The frequencies of geno-types and alleles for F Ⅻ rs1801020 in the URSA-A group were 4.9%(CC),35.7%(CT),59.5%(TT),22.7%(C),and 77.3%(T),respectively.In the control A group,the frequencies were 8.0%(CC),47.1%(CT),44.9%(TT),31.5%(C)and 68.5%(T).The frequencies of genotypes and alleles for resistin rs1862513 in the URSA-B group were 11.3%(CC),47.3%(CG),41.4%(GG),34.9%(C)and 65.1%(G).In the control B group,the frequencies were 10.2%(CC),34.1%(CG),55.7%(GG),27.3%(C)and 72.7%(G).There was no significant difference in genotype frequency of the two loci(P>0.05),but there was a sig-nificant difference in allele frequency(P<0.05).The distribution frequency of F Ⅻ rs1801020 T allele in the URSA group was higher than that in the control group(X2=6.32,OR=1.567,95%CI:1.100-2.238,P=0.012).The distribution frequency of resistin rs1862513 G allele in URSA group was lower than that in con-trol group(X2=4.96,OR=1.433,95%CI:1.050-1.969,P=0.026).The mutation of F Ⅻ rs1801020 C to T was a risk factor for the occurrence of URSA,while the mutation of rs1862513 C to G was a protective factor for the occurrence of URSA(P<0.05).The combined genotype analysis showed that compared to the popu-lation carrying the rs1801020 CC+rs1862513 CC genotype combination,the population carrying the rs1801020 TT+rs1862513 CG genotype had a significantly higher risk of URSA(OR=5.684,95%CI:1.210-30.920,P=0.035).Conclusion FⅫ rs1801020 T allele may increase the risk of URSA and resistin rs1862513 G al-lele may the risk of URSA.People with rs1801020 TT+rs1862513 CG genotype combination is more likely to develop URSA than those with rs1801020 CC+rs1862513 CC genotype combination.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
		                				3.Identification and expression analysis of flavonoid O -methyltransferase gene family in Polygonum capitatum 
		                			
		                			Jiang-li LUO ; Chang LIU ; Xian-fa ZENG ; Na-na WU ; Xiao-xue WANG ; Ying TANG ; Xiang PU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1467-1477
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 italic>Polygonum capitatum is a characteristic Miao medicine in Guizhou, commonly used in clinical practice to treat gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. Research has found that it has good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and its main active ingredient is flavonoids. Lavonoid 
		                        		
		                        	
4.Comparative Study on the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Different Post-exposure Intramuscular Rabies Vaccination Regimens in China
Yun SONG ; Ying HE ; Xin Xue LU ; Mei Xiao ZHANG ; Lin XIAO JIANG ; Qing SONG ; Yong Xue HUANG ; Xia Hong MA ; Cheng Peng YU ; Yang Wu ZHU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(2):178-186
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective This study aimed to compare the current Essen rabies post-exposure immunization schedule(0-3-7-14-28)in China and the simple 4-dose schedule(0-3-7-14)newly recommended by the World Health Organization in terms of their safety,efficacy,and protection. Methods Mice were vaccinated according to different immunization schedules,and blood was collected for detection of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies(RVNAs)on days 14,21,28,35,and 120 after the first immunization.Additionally,different groups of mice were injected with lethal doses of the CVS-11 virus on day 0,subjected to different rabies immunization schedules,and assessed for morbidity and death status.In a clinical trial,185 rabies-exposed individuals were selected for post-exposure vaccination according to the Essen schedule,and blood was collected for RVNAs detection on days 28 and 42 after the first immunization. Results A statistically significant difference in RVNAs between mice in the Essen and 0-3-7-14 schedule groups was observed on the 35th day(P<0.05).The groups 0-3-7-14,0-3-7-21,and 0-3-7-28 showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05)in RVNAs levels at any time point.The post-exposure immune protective test showed that the survival rate of mice in the control group was 20%,whereas that in the immunization groups was 40%.In the clinical trial,the RVNAs positive conversion rates on days 28(14 days after 4 doses)and 42(14 days after 5 doses)were both 100%,and no significant difference in RVNAs levels was observed(P>0.05). Conclusion The simple 4-dose schedule can produce sufficient RVNAs levels,with no significant effect of a delayed fourth vaccine dose(14-28 d)on the immunization potential.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.The Mechanism of miR-124 in Depression
Yan XUE ; De-Zhu LI ; Hui-Ying XIE ; Chuan-Miao JIANG ; Jun-Fang ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(6):1316-1326
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Depression is a prevalent mental illness worldwide, its multifaceted pathogenesis is still in the exploratory stage. MicroRNA (miRNA), as a crucial epigenetic regulator, plays an important role in depression. miR-124 is one of the most abundant miRNAs in the central nervous system including neurons and microglia, and involved in various biological events like neuron development and differentiation, synaptic and axonal growth, neural plasticity, inflammation and autophagy. Recent studies have reported abnormal expression of miR-124 in both depression patients and animal models. Most of the studies showed that miR-124 is upregulated in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex in stress-induced rodent depression animal models such as CUMS, CSDS, CORT, CRS and LH but some evidence for divergence. Upregulation of miR-124 expression may be involved in depression-like behavior via CREB/BDNF/TrkB pathway, GR pathway, SIRT1 pathway, apoptosis and autophagy pathways by directly targeting these genes including Creb, Bdnf, Sirt1, Nr3c1, Ezh2 and Stat3. The downregulation of miR-124 expression in neurons is mainly involved in the neurogenesis and neuroplasticity impairments in depression by targeting the Notch signaling pathway and DDIT4/TSC1/2/mTORC1 pathway. The downregulation of miR-124 expression also was found in the activated microglia in the stress-induced models, and resulted in neuroinflammation. In summary, the abnormal expression of miR-124 in the brain of depression-related models and its related mechanisms are complex and even contradictory, and still need further research. This review provides a summary of the research progress of miR-124 in depression. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.The effect of green channel for stroke patients on treatment of severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Xue-Jiao WANG ; Yu DENG ; Xiao-Qing LI ; Feng-Feng JIANG ; Wen-Yan JIA ; He-Chun ZHANG ; Feng-Ying CHEN ; Bai-Yun LIU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2024;27(6):328-333
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Purpose::To explore the effect of green channel for stroke patients on the treatment of severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Methods::This is a retrospective case-control study. The clinical data of patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to the emergency department of our hospital from January 2015 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage, confirmed intracranial aneurysm by preoperative CT angiography or digital subtraction, graded Hunt-Hess grade III, IV, and V, < 72 h from the onset to the time of consultation received surgical treatment in our hospital were included in this study. Patients with serious underlying diseases, such as heart, liver, kidney diseases, or malignant tumors, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, previous history of cerebral hemorrhage, and incomplete data were excluded. The control group included patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted from January 2015 to December 2018 before the establishment of the green channel for stroke patients, and the observation group included patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted from January 2019 to June 2022 after the establishment of the green channel. The control group received routine treatment in the emergency department; the observation group received improved treatment of green channel for stroke patients. Gender, age, Hunt-Hess grade on admission, modified Rankin scale (mRS) on admission, aneurysm location, aneurysm size and whether accompanied by intracerebral hemorrhage, the time from onset to emergency department, the time from emergency department to vascular diagnostic examination, the time from onset to surgery, the time from emergency department to surgery, the time from hospital admission to surgery, length of hospital stay, complications, treatment effect were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. SPSS 23.0 software was utilized to conduct comparisons between the 2 groups. The t-test, Chi-square test, or Mann-Whitney U test was chosen based on the data type. Statistical significance was established when p < 0.05. Results::A total of 71 patients were included in this study, of whom 37 were in the control group and 34 were in the observation group. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, Hunt-Hess grade, mRS scores, aneurysm location, aneurysm size, intracerebral hemorrhage, the time from onset to emergency department, length of hospital stay, complications between the observation group and the control group (all p > 0.05). The time (min) from visit to vascular diagnostic test (60.50 vs. 120.00, p =0.027), the time (min) from onset to surgery (1792.00 vs. 2868.00, p =0.023), the time (min) from emergency department to surgery (1568.50 vs. 2778.00, p =0.016), the time (min) from hospital admission to surgery (1188.50 vs. 2708.00, p =0.043), all of them were shorter in the observation group than those in the control group. The relative values of admission and 7-day postoperative mRS scores and the relative values of admission and discharge mRS scores ≥ 2 were used as the criteria for determining better efficacy, and the treatment effect was better than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (admission to 7 days postoperative mRS score ≥ 2, 17 (50.0 %) vs. 8 (21.6 %), p =0.012; admission to discharge mRS score ≥ 2, 19 (55.9 %) vs. 11 (29.7 %), p =0.026). Conclusion::The green channel for stroke patients with severe aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage can effectively shorten the time from arrival at the emergency department to vascular diagnostic examination and the time from the emergency department to surgery, and achieve a better therapeutic effect, which is worth popularizing and applying.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.WU Hai-Ke's Six-Differentiation Methods for the Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Severe Cerebrovascular Disease
Li-Fen GONG ; Shan HUANG ; Xue-Ying ZHANG ; Chen JIANG ; Hai-Ke WU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(8):2174-2178
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Severe cerebrovascular disease is a kind of severe cerebrovascular disease involving disturbance of consciousness,which corresponds to the viscera of stroke in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Rooted in the TCM classics such as Huang Di Nei Jing(The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic)and Shang Han Lun(Treatise on Cold Damage),Professor WU Hai-Ke studied the TCM pathogenesis theory recorded in the chapter of Profound and Important Theory in Plain Questions(Su Wen)carefully.Based on its clinical practice and inherited the traditional four diagnostic methods of inspection,auscultation-olfaction,interrogation,and palpation,Professor WU Hai-Ke simplified and created the six-differentiation method for the syndrome differentiation of patients with severe cerebrovascular disease:distinguishing the mind to learn the progression of the disease,distinguishing the complexion to know the exuberance or decline of qi and blood,distinguishing the tongue picture to predict the aggravation or relief of the disease,distinguishing the pulse condition to judge the prognosis,distinguishing the breath to know the deficiency or excess of zang-fu organs,and distinguishing cold-heat to identify the exterior,interior,yin and yang.The six-differentiation method highlights the significance of mind,complexion,tongue picture,pulse condition,breath,and cold-heat in the syndrome differentiation of patients with severe cerebrovascular disease.The clinical information of six-differentiation method is easy to obtain,and the method presents the characteristics and advantages of TCM diagnostic methods in the syndrome differentiation of patients with severe cerebrovascular disease,which will provide reference for the establishment of clinical diagnosis and treatment norms of TCM for severe cerebrovascular disease.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Influence of early blood glucose fluctuations after acute multiple injuries on post-traumatic stress disorder
Jingjing WANG ; Wenjia JIANG ; Yanze LI ; Ting XUE ; Ying YE ; Xianliang YAN ; Tie XU ; Rong HUA
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(5):623-629
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the impact of early blood glucose fluctuations after acute multiple injuries on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:This study was a case-control study. From March 2022 to March 2023, patients with acute multiple injuries who were admitted to the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected. According to whether complicated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the patients were divided into TBI group and non-TBI group. Early post-traumatic blood glucose fluctuations were observed, including stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH), initial blood glucose value on admission, blood glucose extreme, short-term glycemic variability (GV) and other related indicators. The 72-hour glucose coefficient of variation (Glu-CV) was used to reflect short-term GV. After 1 month, the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was used to assess the patient's symptoms of PTSD. The patients were divided into PTSD group and non-PTSD group according to PCL-5 score ≥38. The differences in short-term glucose fluctuations in each groups were compared; the risk factors of PTSD were analyzed by logistic regression; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of related indicators on the incidence of PTSD.Results:159 patients with acute multiple injuries were selected and defined as the TBI group ( n=94) and non-TBI group ( n=65). The incidence of PTSD, PCL-5 scale scores, the incidence of SIH and 72 h Glu-CV in the TBI group were significantly higher than the non-TBI group (all P<0.05). The incidence of SIH and 72 h Glu-CV in the PTSD group were significantly higher than the non-PTSD group (both P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 72 h Glu-CV ( OR=1.333, 95% CI: 1.028-1.727, P=0.030) was the independent risk factor for PTSD after acute multiple injuries, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.861 (95% CI: 0.789-0.933, P<0.001), the sensitivity was 62.9% and the specificity was 93.5%. Conclusion:Patients with acute multiple injuries with TBI are more likely to have early glucose fluctuations and develop PTSD, and increased short-term glucose variability is the independent risk factor for PTSD after acute multiple injuries.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Exploring the effects of sirolimus on the growth and development of zebrafish embryo models
Zi-Xin ZHANG ; Tong QIU ; Jiang-Yuan ZHOU ; Xue-Peng ZHANG ; Xue GONG ; Kai-Ying YANG ; Yu-Ru LAN ; Si-Yuan CHEN ; Yi JI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(12):2368-2374
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Aim To explore the effects of sirolimus on the growth and development of motor,vascular,nerv-ous,and immune systems through zebrafish models.Methods After 3 hours of fertilization of zebrafish embryos,different concentrations of sirolimus were add-ed to the growth environment,and the growth and de-velopment of the embryos was recorded.Transgenic ze-brafish models labeled with blood vessels,nerves or im-mune cells were used to compare the drug effects on the growth and development of those systems.Results At the concentration of 0.5 μmol·L-1,the hatching rate and the body length(P<0.01)were significantly smaller than those of the control group,and movement was also significantly slowed down.Meanwhile,the length of axons of the nervous system,the development of intersegmental vessels,and the growth of immune cells were significantly delayed by drug treatment.But when the concentration was below 0.1 μmol·L-1,there was no statistically difference between the control group and the sirolimus group.Conclusions When the concentration of sirolimus exceeds a certain level,it can significantly slow down the growth and development of movement,blood vessels,nervous system and im-mune system of zebrafish.Therefore,in clinical prac-tice,it is important to monitor the blood concentration of sirolimus in children on time.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Effect of miR-199a targeting regulation of HIF-1α on interstitial transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by high glucose
Kewei JIANG ; Ying LE ; Ying ZHANG ; Ying ZHAO ; Meng XUE
Journal of Chinese Physician 2024;26(10):1477-1482
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the effect of miR-199a on interstitial transdifferentiation (EMT) of human renal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by high glucose.Methods:Human renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro and divided into low glycemic group (LG), high osmotic group (HM) and high glycemic group (HG) according to different glucose concentrations. They were divided into miR-199a inhibition group (miR-199ai group), negative control group (miR-INC group) and liposome group (Mock group) according to whether they were transfected with miR-199a inhibitors (miR199ai). They were divided into si-hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (si-HIF-1α) group, miR-199ai group, miR-199ai+ si-HIF-1α group and negative control group (NC group) according to whether they converted to si-HIF-1α and miR-199ai. The expressions of miR-199a, HIF-1α, fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in different groups of cells were detected by real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Dual luciferase target assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-199a and HIF-1α gene.Results:The mRNA expression level of miR-199a in the HG group was significantly lower than that in the LG group and the HM group (all P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, FN and α-SMA in Hg group were significantly higher than those in LG group and HM group (all P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, FN and α-SMA in the miR-199ai group were significantly higher than those in the miR-iNC group and the Mock group (all P<0.01). Target gene prediction by TargetScan and miRanda showed that miR-199a could target the 3′-untranslated region(3′-UTR) that binds HIF-1α. Dual luciferase reported results: Inhibition of miR-199a resulted in a significant increase in luciferase activity ( P<0.01), but there was no significant change in luciferase activity after 3 ′-UTR mutation of HIF-1α ( P>0.05). After transfection with si-HIF-1α, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, FN and α-SMA in si-HIF-1α group were significantly lower than those in NC group (all P<0.05). After transfection with miR-199ai, the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α, FN and α-SMA in miR-199ai group were significantly higher than those in NC group (all P<0.05). However, when co-transfected with si-HIF-1α and miR-199ai, the expression levels of mRNA and protein in miR-199AI group were significantly higher than those in NC group (all P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression changes of HIF-1α, FN and α-SMA induced by transfection of si-HIF-1α or miR-199ai alone can be recovered. Conclusions:miR-199a can alleviate hyperglycemia-induced EMT in human renal tubular epithelial cells through targeted regulation of HIF-1α.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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