Publications by authors named "Z-Z Li"

Background: The Toumai MT-1000 Endoscopic Surgical System is a newly developed surgical robot from China. This study evaluates its feasibility, safety, and effectiveness for various urologic procedures based on our single-center experience.

Methods: From October 2023 to January 2024, 20 urologic procedures were performed at Peking University First Hospital using the Toumai MT-1000 system.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Endometriosis (EMs) is a common gynecological disease accompanied by metabolic disturbances. However, the causality between metabolites and the risk of EMs remains unclear. We conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 486 circulating metabolites and EMs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Cervical cancer is associated with persistent infection of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Prophylactic HPV vaccines have been recommended and have significant efficacy in preventing cervical cancer. Multivalent HPV vaccines have a better preventative effect on HPV-related diseases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel plays a key role in pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the role of Piezo2 in PH remains unclear.

Methods: Endothelial cell (EC)-specific knockout (, Tek-Cre; ) rats and primarily cultured pulmonary microvascular ECs were used to determine the role of Piezo2 in PH.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Metabolic syndrome heightens cardiovascular disease risk primarily through increased arterial stiffness. We previously demonstrated the involvement of YAP (Yes-associated protein) in high-fat/high-sucrose diet (HFHSD)-induced arterial stiffness via modulation of PPM1B (protein phosphatase Mg/Mn-dependent 1B)-lysine63 (K63) deubiquitination. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role and mechanisms underlying PPM1B deubiquitination in HFHSD-induced arterial stiffness.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The immune escape capacities of XBB variants necessitate the authorization of vaccines with these antigens. In this study, we produce three recombinant trimeric proteins from the RBD sequences of Delta, BA.5, and XBB.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale And Objectives: To develop and validate a radiomics signature, utilizing baseline and restaging CT, for preoperatively predicting progression-free survival (PFS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC).

Methods: A total of 316 patients with LAGC who received NAC followed by gastrectomy were retrospectively included in this single-center study; these patients were split into two cohorts, one for training (n = 243) and the other for validation (n = 73), based on the different districts of our hospital. A total of 1316 radiomics features were extracted from the volume of interest of the gastric-cancer lesion on venous phase CT images.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors are highly valued, but the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors is not clear.

Objective: Our aim was therefore to assess the risk of developing CVAEs associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors, by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), along with a pharmacovigilance study of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Methods: Eligible CVAEs were extracted from the ClinicalTrials.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of using CT-guided microcoil placement for locating renal tumors before laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), potentially reducing surgery time.
  • Data was collected from 40 patients with endophytic renal masses treated at Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to May 2023, comparing those who had microcoil localization versus standard procedures.
  • Results showed that the microcoil technique significantly shortened the average surgery time (150 min vs. 195 min) and may lead to shorter hospital stays, while not affecting other clinical outcomes or complication rates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The infiltration of macrophages into the lungs is a common characteristic of perivascular inflammation, contributing to vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Peli1 (pellino E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1) plays a critical role in regulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the polarization of macrophages in various diseases. However, the role of Peli1 in PH remains to be investigated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immuno-oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment, with NKG2A emerging as a novel target for immunotherapy. The blockade of NKG2A using the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monalizumab has been shown to enhance the responses of both NK cells and CD8+ T cells. However, monalizumab has demonstrated limited efficacy in in vitro cytotoxic assays and clinical trials.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate the performance of deep learning (DL) reconstructed MRI in terms of image acquisition time, overall image quality and diagnostic interchangeability compared to standard-of-care (SOC) MRI.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study recruited participants between July 2023 and August 2023 who had spinal discomfort. All participants underwent two separate MRI examinations (Standard and accelerated scanning).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study developed an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine called RBD-HR, which consists of a receptor binding domain-derived protein and a special oil-in-water adjuvant for enhanced immune response.
  • Testing in mice and rats showed that the vaccine generated strong and long-lasting immune responses, producing high levels of neutralizing antibodies against specific SARS-CoV-2 variants for at least six months.
  • Additionally, the intranasal administration of the vaccine resulted in effective mucosal and systemic immunity, and when used as a booster after mRNA vaccines, it provided better immune responses and protection against live virus challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Intraflagellar transport 25 (IFT25) is a component of the IFT-B complex. In mice, even though this IFT component is not required for cilia formation in somatic cells, it is essential for sperm formation. However, the intracellular localization of this protein in male germ cells is not known given no reliable antibodies are available for histologic studies, and the dynamic trafficking in the developing sperm flagella is not clear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A study was conducted to find out the best systolic blood pressure targets for patients over 50 with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, comparing intensive treatment (target <120 mm Hg) to standard treatment (target <140 mm Hg) over 5 years.
  • Out of 12,821 patients, the intensive treatment group had a lower average systolic blood pressure after one year (121.6 mm Hg) compared to the standard group (133.2 mm Hg), resulting in significantly fewer major cardiovascular events.
  • Despite the lower overall events in the intensive group, there were more cases of symptomatic hypotension and hyperkalemia, but the rates of serious adverse events were similar in both groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Gas-phase reactions of [OsB] ( = 1-4) with methane at ambient temperature have been studied by using quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometry combined with quantum chemical calculations. The [OsB] ( = 1-4) cluster ions can undergo dehydrogenation reactions with methane. Comprehensive analysis of the [OsB]/CH ( = 1-4) system with Os-complexes ([OsC] ( = 1-3) and [OsO] ( = 1-3)) shows that the large polarity of the cluster and the high sum of the pair energies between Os and the ligand in the ETS-NOCV combine to promote the ability of the cluster to activate methane.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Purpose: The underlying transcriptomic signatures driving brain functional alterations in MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are still unclear.

Materials And Methods: Regional fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) values were obtained and compared among 209 patients with MS, 90 patients with antiaquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4)+ NMOSD, 49 with AQP4- NMOSD, and 228 healthy controls from a discovery cohort. We used partial least squares (PLS) regression to identify the gene transcriptomic signatures associated with disease-related fALFF alterations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Intracranial neural electrodes offer valuable insights for research and treatment of neurological diseases but require invasive surgery, which can harm brain tissue and disrupt functions.
  • - New endovascular neural devices present a less invasive alternative but currently lack the capability to capture single-unit activity in larger animals and humans, limiting their clinical use.
  • - The ultraflexible implantable neural electrode (uFINE-I) demonstrates successful implantation in sheep, recording high-resolution neural activity with minimal tissue damage, paving the way for future applications in brain-machine interfaces and neurological treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

During shoulder arthroscopic surgery in the lateral decubitus position, effective and stable continuous traction is a basic requirement for the smooth progression of the surgery. Herein, we describe a safe, reliable, and cost-effective lateral decubitus traction assembly.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: The aim of this study was to prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that broadly target and protect against infection by multi-drug-resistant (MDR) from different sources. : mAb 8E6 and mAb 1B5 were prepared by sequentially immunizing mice with a sublethal inoculation of three heterogeneous serotypes of pan-drug-resistant (PDR) , ST-208, ST-195, and ST-229. : The cross-recognition of heterogeneous bacteria (n = 13) by two mAbs and potential targets was verified, and the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of mAbs was assessed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Micro-stereolithography (μSL) is an advanced additive manufacturing technique that enables the fabrication of highly precise microstructures with fine feature resolution. One of the primary challenges in μSL is achieving and maintaining precise focus throughout the fabrication process. For the successful application of μSL, it is essential to maintain the sample surface within a focal depth of several microns.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe disease linked to damage in blood vessels of the lungs and involves the degradation of important proteins, such as BMPR2, by the enzyme cathepsin L, leading to cell death through a process called pyroptosis.
  • Research showed that cathepsin L levels are significantly higher in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and its inhibition in animal models of PH improved conditions related to the disease, including reduced pressure in the heart and enhanced blood vessel health.
  • The study concludes that cathepsin L contributes to the progression of PH by degrading BMPR2, which triggers a cascade leading to programmed cell death in endothelial cells, highlighting a potential therapeutic target for treating PH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the healing process of myocardial infarction, cardiac fibroblasts are activated to produce collagen, leading to adverse remodeling and heart failure. Our previous study showed that ASPP1 promotes cardiomyocyte apoptosis by enhancing the nuclear trafficking of p53. We thus explored the influence of ASPP1 on myocardial fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs are important therapeutics for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Ecnoglutide (XW003) is a novel, long-acting GLP-1 analog. We conducted a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 145 adults with T2DM.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has 2 time windows for organ protection: acute and delayed. Previous studies have mainly focused on the organoprotective effects of acute RIPC. We aimed to determine whether delayed RIPC can reduce the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF