American journal of translational research最新文献

Nuclear imaging has established itself as a front-runner for the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), owing to its non-invasive capabilities to assess myocardial perfusion, ischemia, and microvascular dysfunction. Early and accurate detection of CAD is crucial in improving patient outcomes, as timely intervention can significantly reduce the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) such as heart attacks and strokes. Among the available nuclear imaging techniques, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) stand out as highly effective modalities. When these techniques are combined with computed tomography (CT), they offer a comprehensive evaluation of both cardiac function and anatomy, which is critical for precise diagnosis. SPECT and PET, in conjunction with CT, provide unique advantages of visualizing myocardial blood flow and identifying ischemic areas and scar tissue with high sensitivity and specificity. PET, in particular, provides superior spatial resolution and quantification of myocardial perfusion compared to SPECT, making it a preferred choice in many clinical settings. Additionally, PET provides valuable information on myocardial viability and metabolic activity, which helps clinicians make informed decisions on revascularization or other therapeutic interventions. This review aims to evaluate and compare nuclear imaging modalities - SPECT, PET, and hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT - for the early detection and risk stratification of coronary artery disease (CAD). Recent advancements in nuclear imaging technology have further enhanced diagnostic capabilities, for instance, improvements in hardware, software, and radiotracers have resulted in higher image quality, faster acquisition times, and lower radiation doses, contributing to better risk stratification, enabling earlier diagnosis of CAD, and facilitating personalized treatment plans, thereby reducing the incidence of MACE in high-risk populations.

Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) is a worldwide health issue. Regarding malignant cardiac dysfunction and mortality, the fatality rate of SIMD accounts for 70-90%. The molecular mechanisms that underlie the inflammatory effects and cardiac function of SIMD appear to be intricate. A crucial cellular process associated with cardiomyopathy is the death of cardiomyocytes. In the review, we have summarized the present evidence on the role of autophagy in the pathomechanism of SIMD. The included studies suggest that cardiomyocyte death induced by SIMD might be partially regulated by autophagy and its associated genes and pathways, including but not limited to Unc-51 like-autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1), Zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1), miR-590-3p, miR-214-3p, miR-21-3p, Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), SH3 domain-containing protein 2 (SORBS2), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), TLR4/ERK1/2/NF-κB, TFEB-CLEAR, and Tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10/Protein kinase B (PTEN/AKT) pathway. The crosstalk among autophagy and its associated genes it might be one of the pivotal molecular and cellular mechanisms for SIMD. In addition, some interventions for treating SIMD, e.g. exogenous fibroblast growth factor 21, melatonin, urolithin A, and minocycline, were reported to be associated with their effects on the regulation of autophagy. However, due to limited research, the potential molecular mechanism underlying autophagy in regulating SIMD is unclear and requires further exploration through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Overall, a deeper understanding of SIMD pathogenesis may facilitate new prospects of therapeutic applications targeted to autophagy.

Objectives: To investigate the role of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Palmitic acid (PA) was used to stimulate L-02 cells, establishing an in vitro lipid accumulation model, and the effects of MCT4 overexpression on cell lipid accumulation, inflammatory response, and PANoptosis were analyzed. Mechanistically, the role of JAK1-STAT3 in NAFLD was explored by introducing the JAK1 activator Oncostatin. In addition, a NAFLD mouse model was established through a high-fat diet to validate the effects of MCT4 on liver lipid metabolism and inflammatory injury in vivo.

Results: After PA treatment, the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in cells increased, while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased. The expression of lipid synthesis-related genes was upregulated, while the expression of lipid breakdown-related genes was downregulated. Similarly, PA induced cellular inflammatory infiltration and PANoptosis. However, overexpression of MCT4 reversed PA induced lipid accumulation and inflammatory response. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that MCT4 alleviated PA-induced lipid accumulation and inflammatory response by reducing the phosphorylation levels of JAK1 and STAT3. Compared with the model group, mice overexpressing MCT4 showed reduced liver tissue damage.

Conclusions: MCT4 provides new reference for the treatment of NAFLD by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway, slowing down lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in NAFLD.

Objective: To investigate the effect of predictive nursing combined with Qi-Jiao moxibustion on the rehabilitation of cancer patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 tumor patients who had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy in Foshan Fosun Chancheng Hospital from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. They were randomly divided into a control group and a research group, with 60 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing combined with Qi-Jiao moxibustion, while the research group received predictive nursing combined with Qi-Jiao moxibustion. Both groups received the intervention for 8 weeks, and were evaluated before, and 8 weeks after nursing intervention using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-100), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and digestive function assessment. The incidence of adverse reactions was recorded, and patient satisfaction and survival rate after radiotherapy and chemotherapy were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of the two intervention models.

Results: After the intervention, the research group showed significantly higher WHOQOL-100 scores, nursing satisfaction, digestive function, and survival rate than the control group (all P<0.05). The SAS and SDS scores of the research group were lower than those of the control group, which indicated a better psychologic state than the control group (both P<0.05). Additionally, the incidence of adverse reactions in the research group was lower than that of the control group.

Conclusion: Predictive nursing combined with Qi-Jiao moxibustion effectively improves the survival rate of patients, alleviates their negative emotions, reduces or eliminates adverse reactions, enhances sleep quality, and achieves higher patient satisfaction in cancer patients following radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Objective: To investigate whether modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) improves brain function after stroke by increasing the concentrations of exosomes and microRNA.

Methods: Blood samples from 16 stroke patients (mCIMT group N=8, control group N=8) were analyzed for cytokines and exosomal microRNAs. Data from electronic medical records and clinical outcomes were also correlated. For the animal model, SD rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The mCIMT group received 2 hours of daily intensive limb training for 14 days, starting 7 days post-MCAO, while the control group was untreated. Exosomes were extracted from brain tissue on day 21, followed by nanoparticle tracking and microRNA sequencing. Exosomes from both groups, as well as a vehicle, were injected into the lateral ventricles of MCAO rats, and they were named the Exo-mCIMT group, Exo-control group and vehicle group. Behavioral tests and histopathological staining were performed on day 21 among the three groups.

Results: mCIMT significantly increased exosome content in the plasma of stroke patients, with exosome size correlated with the Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment (FMA-UE, R²=0.428). In rats, the mCIMT group had a higher concentration of exosomes in brain tissue (3.73e+10 particles/ml) compared to the control group (0.95e+10 particles/ml, P=0.0030). MicroRNA sequencing revealed distinct expression profiles between the groups. Furthermore, the exo-mCIMT group exhibited significantly higher levels of MAP2 and VEGF expression, along with notable improvements in neurobehavioral outcomes.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that mCIMT promotes neural recovery through increased exosome and microRNA activity in the brain, which plays an important role in neuronal activity after brain injury.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by intestinal dysfunction. Ferroptosis is a critical pathogenic mechanism in IBD. However, the therapeutic targets for ferroptosis-related IBD progression remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets associated with ferroptosis in IBD.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing data (GSE134809) were analyzed using gene set scoring, cell-cell communication, pseudotime analysis, and high-dimensional gene co-expression network analysis (hdWGCNA) to screen for ferroptosis-related targets. In vitro experiments, including RT-qPCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and ELISA, were performed to verify the regulatory role of annexin A2 (ANXA2) in ferroptosis and inflammation using its silencing or overexpression. For in vivo validation, a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mouse model was established. Immunofluorescence (IF) staining was then performed to examine ANXA2 expression and its co-localization with collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in colon tissues.

Results: Bioinformatic analysis of 28,974 cells identified that fibroblasts, particularly the Fibro_2 subpopulation, were highly associated with ferroptosis, with ANXA2 identified as a core target. In vitro, ANXA2 silencing significantly inhibited ferroptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8), whereas ANXA2 overexpression demonstrated the opposite effects. In vivo, ANXA2 was significantly up-regulated in the colon tissues of IBD mice, showing strong co-localization with the fibroblast marker COL1A2 and the ferroptosis marker 4-HNE.

Conclusion: ANXA2 is highly expressed in fibroblasts and is associated with the ferroptosis of IBD, providing a novel therapeutic target for treatment of IBD.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of, as well as effects on micro-inflammatory and metabolic acidosis between high-flux and low-flux dialysis in the hemodialysis population.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study, based on pre-defined blood sample data completeness criteria, screened and included treatment records of 187 patients undergoing high-flux dialysis and 189 patients undergoing low-flux dialysis from 2016 to 2018. Ultimately, 374 dialysis sessions meeting the completeness criteria from the high-flux group and 378 sessions from the low-flux group were included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics, clinical tolerance, dialysis efficiency, serum laboratory parameters, micro-inflammatory status, and metabolic acidosis indicators were compared between the two groups.

Results: Both groups exhibited good biocompatibility, with effective removal of excess water and uremic toxins from the body. Contrastingly, high-flux dialysis was better than low-flux dialysis in removing moderate and small molecule toxins, maintaining blood pressure and acid-base balance in the body.

Conclusions: The study provides useful insights into the comparative efficacy, micro-inflammation, and metabolic acidosis of high-flux and low-flux dialysis. These findings support the preferential use of high-flux dialysis to enhance solute clearance and correct acidosis, while affirming that both modalities are well-tolerated. The choice should be individualized based on patient characteristics and treatment goals.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of immediate perineal cryotherapy during labor on early postpartum outcomes, with a special focus on pain relief, reduction of perineal edema, and promotion of pelvic floor recovery, among primiparous women.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 260 medical records of primiparous women who delivered vaginally at Quanzhou First Hospital between January 2022 and June 2025 were analyzed. According to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 135 women underwent instant perineal cryotherapy constituted the observation group, and the other 125 women that were not given cryotherapy were the controls. Baseline data of mothers and their newborns as well as postpartum outcomes were evaluated at set intervals. The primary outcome was pain intensity at the perineum assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) at 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours after delivery. The secondary outcome measures included perineal edema, pelvic floor functionality, wound healing, sleep quality, systemic inflammation, coagulation indices, and sexual function.

Results: Cryotherapy was associated with lower perineal pain intensity at all time points (all P < 0.001), with fewer women reporting severe pain or requiring analgesics in the cryotherapy group. Functional pain during sitting, standing, and urination was significantly alleviated, and a greater proportion of participants achieved ≥ 30% pain reduction at 6 and 24 hours postpartum (both P < 0.001). Edema scores, perineal circumference, skin temperature, and subcutaneous thickness decreased more rapidly in the cryotherapy group (all P < 0.001), indicating effective attenuation of tissue swelling. Pelvic floor assessments demonstrated lower resting tone, higher maximal voluntary contraction, greater endurance, and stronger vaginal squeeze pressure in the cryotherapy group (all P < 0.001). Wound healing improved significantly across all REEDA score dimensions. Sleep quality in the cryotherapy group was improved notably, with significantly better PSQI scores, shorter latency, longer duration, and reduced disturbances (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, systemic proinflammation factors (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and coagulation parameters (fibrinogen, D-dimer) were also reduced markedly in the cryotherapy group without evidence of deteriorating hemostasis at one week postpartum. Sexual function outcomes, including FSFI total and domain scores, were markedly improved (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Perineal cryotherapy administered immediately during childbirth significantly reduces the pain, edema, and systemic inflammation and improves the recovery of the pelvic floor and wound healing, sleep patterns, and sexual activity in women whose first birth was by cesarean section, highlighting its value as versatile, relatively safe, and non-pharmacological option to optimize early postpartum recovery.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 3 patients with hematologic malignancies complicated with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) admitted to the Hematology Department of Tianjin Union Medical Center in June 2021, March 2024, and November 2024. Also, according to search results for relevant literature on hematological malignancies combined with necrotizing fasciitis published before October 2025, 6 articles (6 cases) were included. Among them, 6 were male and 3 were female, with ages ranging from 4 days to 76 years. All 9 patients presented with fever accompanied by local swelling and pain. Comprehensive imaging examinations (e.g., CT, MRI) were conducted on all cases to confirm NF, with perianal infection, limb soft tissue infection, perineal infection, and external oblique muscle infection identified in 3, 4, 1, and 1 cases, respectively. Among the 9 patients, one infant patient died after not continuing treatment following anti-infective therapy. The remaining 8 patients all received treatment for this disease along with active anti-infection and surgical debridement therapy. One patient died of septic shock, and 7 showed improvements (leukemia remission, infection control, and wound recovery). For patients with hematologic malignancies and NF, surgical debridement should be performed as soon as possible after diagnosis. Early broad-spectrum antibiotics combined with anti-infection treatment should be administered, with the anti-infection treatment adjusted based on the drug sensitivity evidence of the pathogenic bacteria.

Objectives: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit accelerated atherosclerosis progression and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Early CVD diagnosis and timely intervention are critical to mitigate complications and mortality in this population.

Methods: Serum exosomes were isolated from 12 T2DM patients with or without carotid atherosclerosis (CAS). miRNA profiling was performed using microarray analysis. A total of 187 T2DM patients were divided into the test and validation cohorts. Plasma-derived exosomal miRNAs were quantified using quantitative PCR (qPCR), and their diagnostic potential was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) calculations.

Results: Microarray analysis identified 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIs), including 19 upregulated and 4 downregulated miRNAs. Four of these (hsa-miR-433-3p, hsa-let-7b, hsa-miR-30-5p, and hsa-miR-122-5p) were significantly elevated in patients with CAS and showed positive correlation with carotid intima-media thickness. The results also showed that these miRNAs demonstrated diagnostic efficacy for CAS detection in patients with T2DM, and were stratified by disease severity.

Conclusions: The identified miRNA panel represents a promising diagnostic biomarker for CAS in patients with T2DM, providing a foundation for the development of targeted therapies to address diabetic cardiovascular complications.