Publications by authors named "Z-Z Zhang"

Background: The decrease in S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) leads to an elevation of S-nitrosylation, thereby exacerbating the progression of cardiomyopathy in response to hemodynamic stress. However, the mechanisms under GSNOR decrease remain unclear. Here, we identify NEDD4 (neuronal precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4) as a novel molecule that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, by modulating GSNOR levels, thereby demonstrating significant therapeutic potential.

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In situ vaccination (ISV) triggers antitumor immune responses using the patient's own cancer antigens, yet limited neoantigen release hampers its efficacy. Our novel combination therapy involves low-dose local cisplatin followed by ISV with a TLR7/8/9 agonist formulation (CR108), in which CR108 boosts and sustains the antitumor responses induced by the cisplatin-released neoantigens. In mouse models, the cisplatin+CR108 combination significantly outperformed cisplatin or CR108 alone in abrogating established 4T1 and B16 tumors.

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Rationale And Objectives: Accurate distinguish malignant from benign renal masses remains a challenge for radiologists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI), MicroFlow Imaging (MFI) and Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosing solid renal tumors.

Materials And Methods: A total of 291 patients with 300 solid renal tumors pathologically confirmed were retrospectively analyzed between January 2020 and December 2022.

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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.

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The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling pathway, which recognizes both pathogen DNA and host-derived DNA, has emerged as a crucial component of the innate immune system, having important roles in antimicrobial defence, inflammatory disease, ageing, autoimmunity and cancer. Recent work suggests that the regulation of cGAS-STING signalling is complex and sophisticated. In this Review, we describe recent insights from structural studies that have helped to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the cGAS-STING signalling cascade and we discuss how the cGAS-STING pathway is regulated by both activating and inhibitory factors.

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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.

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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.

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Rationale And Objectives: Nasal polyps (NP) and inverted papilloma (IP) are benign tumors within the nasal cavity, each necessitating distinct treatment approaches. Herein, we investigate the utility of a deep learning (DL) model for distinguishing between NP and IP.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1791 patients with nasal benign tumors from two hospitals were retrospectively enrolled.

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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.

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Background Gallium 68 (Ga) pentixafor has emerged as a potential C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4)-targeted radiotracer for neuroendocrine tumor, yet its application in Cushing disease remains uncertain. Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy and value of Ga-pentixafor PET/MRI in localizing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumors in Cushing disease. Materials and Methods A prospective single-center study was conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 in participants with Cushing disease scheduled for surgical pituitary tumor resection.

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Aroma is a crucial determinant of rice taste quality, with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) playing a key role in defining this characteristic. However, limited research has explored the dynamic changes in these aromatic substances during the ripening stages of rice grains. In this study, we analyzed VOCs in rice grains across four ripening stages post-flowering using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS).

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Background And Purpose: The 10th week of gestational age (GA) is a critical period for evaluating brain development, but there is limited knowledge regarding the specific characteristics at this GA. This study is to map the brain structures at 10 weeks GA using 9.4T MRI and histological sections.

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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.
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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.

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Background: Precise lower limb measurements are crucial for assessing musculoskeletal health; fully automated solutions have the potential to enhance standardization and reproducibility of these measurements. This study compared the measurements performed by BoneMetrics (Gleamer, Paris, France), a commercial artificial intelligence (AI)-based software, to expert manual measurements on anteroposterior full-leg standing radiographs.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a dataset comprising consecutive anteroposterior full-leg standing radiographs obtained from four imaging institutions.

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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).

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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.
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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.

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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.
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Background: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an immune-mediated hematologic disorder characterized by a reduction in platelet count, increasing the risk of bleeding. Recent studies have indicated a close association between alterations in gut microbiota and the development of ITP. However, the mechanisms by which gut microbiota influence the occurrence and progression of ITP through plasma metabolites remain poorly understood.

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Objective: Although belimumab has been widely used in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) globally, real-world safety data among Chinese patients are limited, particularly for children. This study assessed the safety and tolerability of belimumab in adult and paediatric patients with SLE in China in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: This Phase 4, multicentre, prospective, observational study enrolled patients prescribed intravenous belimumab by their physicians in tertiary hospitals, independent of a clinical study, during routine clinical visits between May 2021 and May 2022.

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Article Synopsis
  • Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can induce tumor ferroptosis, but many patients don't respond because tumors evade this process within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
  • Researchers found that SLC13A3 acts as a transporter for itaconate in tumor cells, contributing to resistance against ferroptosis, which weakens tumor immunity and reduces ICB effectiveness.
  • Targeting SLC13A3 through various methods, like genetic alteration or using a specific inhibitor, can sensitize tumors to ferroptosis, slow down tumor growth, and enhance the effectiveness of ICB treatments, highlighting SLC13A3 as a potential target for cancer therapy.
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