1.Integrating proteomics and targeted metabolomics to reveal the material basis of liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome in chronic hepatitis B
LI Ni&rsquo ; ao ; GONG Yuefeng ; WANG Jia ; CHEN Qingqing ; SU Shibing ; ZHANG Hua ; LU Yiyu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2024;7(4):320-331
Methods:
CHB patients and healthy volunteers were enrolled from Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between August 21, 2018 and December 31, 2020. They were divided into three groups: healthy group, LGDHS group, and latent syndrome (LP) group. Proteomic analysis using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Metabolomic profiling via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was applied to serum samples to detect differentially regulated metabolites (DMs). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment were employed to explore dysregulated pathways. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were utilized to visualize group separation and identify key metabolites and proteins contributing to LGDHS differentiation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the diagnostic performance of key biomarkers, while logistic regression models assessed their predictive accuracy. P values were corrected for multiple tests using the Benjamini-Hochberg method to control the false discovery rate (FDR). Validation of potential biomarkers was conducted using independent microarray data and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Results:
A total of 150 participants were enrolled, including healthy group (n = 45), LGDHS group (n = 60), and LP group (n = 45). 254 DEPs from proteomics data and 72 DMs from metabolomic profiling were identified by PCA and OPLS-DA. DEPs were mainly enriched in immune and complement pathways, while DMs involved in amino acid and energy metabolism. The integrated analysis identified seven key biomarkers: α1-acid glycoprotein (ORM1), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), solute carrier family 27 member 5 (SLC27A5), glucosidase II alpha subunit (GANAB), hexokinase 2 (HK2), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), and maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM). Microarray validation confirmed the diagnostic potential of these genes, with area under the curve (AUC) values for ROC analysis ranging from 0.536 to 0.759. Among these, ORM1, ASNS, and SLC27A5 showed significant differential ability in differentiating LGDHS patients (P = 0.016, P = 0.035, and P < 0.001, respectively), with corresponding AUC of 0.749, 0.743, and 0.759, respectively. A logistic regression model incorporating these three genes demonstrated an AUC of 0.939, indicating a high discriminatory power for LGDHS. RT-qPCR further validated the differential expression of ORM1 and SLC27A5 between LGDHS and LP groups (P = 0.011 and P = 0.034, respectively), with ASNS showing a consistent trend in expression (P = 0.928).
Conclusion
This study integrates multi-omics approaches to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying LGDHS in CHB. The identification of biomarkers ORM1, ASNS, and SLC27A5 offers a solid basis for the objective diagnosis of LGDHS, contributing to the standardization and modernization of TCM diagnostic practices.
2.Long-term core stability training promotes recovery from lumbar disc herniation as evaluated by surface electromyography
Jianqiu GONG ; Fang ZHANG ; Zhenfen SIMA ; Yuefeng WU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2018;40(2):132-137
Objective To observe the effect of core stability training on lumbar disc herniation using changes in surface-electromyography signals from the core muscles.Methods Sixty patients with lumbar disc herniation were equally divided into an experimental group who were given the core stability training in addition to their regular physical therapy and a control group given the regular physical therapy only.The total course of treatment was 8 weeks.Each patient was assessed before the experiment and after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention using the numeric rating scales of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association,the Oswestry disability index and integrated electromyogram (iEMG),root mean square (RMS) and medium frequency (MF) of the electromyographic signals from the rectus abdominis,obliqus externus abdominis,erector spinae,lumbar multifidus and gluteus medius muscles.Results No significant differences between the two groups were observed in any of the measurements before or after four weeks of the treatment.After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,both groups had significant improvements in all of the measurements compared with before the experiment.Between 4 and 8 weeks the experimental group showed significant improvement in all of the measurements which was not matched in the control group.By the end of the treatment,all of the measurements of the experimental group were,on average,significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions Both core stability training and regular physical therapy have similar effects on patients with lumbar disc herniation in the short term.However,continued core stability training improves the ability of core muscles and relieves pain and dysfunction better than prolonged regular physical therapy.
3.The timing of muscle activation in walking after a stroke
Yuefeng WU ; Jianhua LI ; Fang ZHANG ; Tong ZHU ; Haijun GAO ; Jianqiu GONG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2019;41(6):424-428
Objective To observe among stroke survivors the timing of muscle activation at the stance phase during walking using the surface electromyography ( sEMG) combined with 3D gait analysis. Methods Twenty stroke survivors assessed as at Brunnstrom stages Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ were assigned to groups designated Ⅲ, Ⅳ and V. sEMG and 3D gait analysis were used to assess the activation timing of the bilateral rectus femoris ( RF) and biceps femoris ( BF) , the tibialis anterior ( TA) and the gastrocnemius medialis ( GM) . The activation timing and the dura-tion of activation of the muscles were compared among the 3 groups, as well as with those of healthy muscles. Results The onset time of the RF on the affected side was significantly later than on the healthy side, while that of the GM was significant earlier. The durations of BF and GM activation on the affected side were significantly shorter than on the unaffected side in group III. The onset times of the TA and GM on the affected side were significantly ear-lier than on the healthy side in group IV, as was the onset time of the TA of the affected side in group V. The average RF and BF onset times on the affected side in group Ⅳ were significantly earlier than in group Ⅲ. The onset time of the TA on the unaffected side and the average BF onset time on the affected side in group Ⅴ were significantly later than in group IV. The onset time of the RF and TA on the unaffected side in group Ⅳ and the onset time of the GM on the affected side were significantly later than in group III, while the onset time of the BF and TA on the affected side was significantly earlier. The average duration of BF activation on the unaffected side in group Ⅳ was significant-ly shorter than that of group Ⅲ. The average duration of TA activation on the unaffected side in group Ⅴ was signifi-cantly shorter than that of group IV. The duration of RF activation on the affected side in group Ⅴ was significantly shorter than that in group Ⅲ, and the same was true of the RF, BF, TA and GM activation times on the healthy side. Conclusions There are significant differences in the onset and duration of muscle activation when stroke survivors at different stages of recovery walk. Some muscles are activated too early and others are over-activated. These abnormali-ties gradually disappear with the recovery of motor function.
4.Correlation of mRNA expression levels and DNA methylation levels of APTR with HBV infection
Shuran QIAN ; Ming GONG ; Jingwen TAN ; Yuefeng HE ; Hui LI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021;14(6):427-433
Objective:To investigate the correlation of mRNA expression levels and DNA methylation levels of Alu-mediated p21 transcriptional regulator (APTR) with hepatitis B virus infection.Methods:One hundred patients with HBV infection admitted in Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University during January to December 2019 were enrolled in the study, including 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB group) and 50 asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC group); and 50 healthy subjects were also enrolled as the healthy control group. The DNA methylation levels of APTR gene were detected by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM); the expression levels of APTR mRNA were detected by fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation was used for correlation analysis.Results:There were significant differences in the APTR DNA methylation levels among the CHB, ASC and healthy control groups {[12.02 (9.30, 23.32)]%, [10.02 (8.46, 17.44)]% and [8.86 (7.82, 11.57)]%, χ2=13.360, P<0.01}. The APTR DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in CHB group than those in healthy control group( Z=31.480, P<0.01). There were significant differences in the APTR mRNA expression levels among CHB, ASC and healthy control groups (2.38±1.41, 5.78±2.78 and 5.70±2.66, F=33.720, P<0.01). The APTR mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in CHB group than those in healthy control and ASC groups ( t=7.808 and 7.724, both P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the DNA methylation level of APTR gene was negatively correlated with mRNA expression levels ( r=-0.305, P<0.01) in all subjects. The DNA methylation level of APTR gene was positively correlated with HBsAg level ( r=0.231, P=0.022), and the mRNA expression level was negatively correlated with HBsAg level ( r=-0.245, P=0.014) in patients with HBV infection. Conclusion:There are differences in DNA methylation and mRNA expression of APTR gene in different stages of HBV infection, suggesting that APTR gene may be involved in the immune regulation of HBV infection.
5.Lokomat training can significantly improve the walking ability of stroke survivors with lower limb spasm
Zhenfen SIMA ; Jianqiu GONG ; Yuefeng WU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2022;44(3):209-213
Objective:To explore the effect of Lokomat training on the walking ability of stroke survivors with lower limb spasm.Methods:Eighty stroke survivors with lower limb spasm were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 40. Their routine rehabilitation treatment included normal limb positioning, passive joint movement, turnover training and inclined bed standing training. In addition, the control group underwent flat-ground walking training, while the observation group was given Lokomat training 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Both groups were evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment in terms of their walking ability, degree of lower limb spasm, lower limb motor functioning, balance and ability in the activities of daily life.Results:After 4 and 8 weeks the number of patients walking independently was significantly greater in the observation group. Their average stride frequency, step length on the affected side, support phase time and proportion of weight borne on the affected side were all significantly better than the control group′s averages. At both time points significantly more patients of the observation group had normal lower limb muscle tone. The observation group′s average Fugl-Meyer score, Berg Balance Scale score and modified Barthel Index score had improved significantly compared with those before the treatment, and were significantly better than the control group′s averages at the same time point. After 8 weeks of treatment the average walking speed of the observation group was faster than that of the control group.Conclusions:Lokomat training can significantly improve the walking ability of stroke survivors with lower limb spasm in the short term. Longer-term training can consolidate the effect and further improve the walking speed, motor function in the lower limbs, balance and even facility in daily life activities, as well as relieving spasm.
6.Core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern can significantly improve the balance of stroke survivors
Sijia LUO ; Jianqiu GONG ; Tong ZHU ; Xiaoqiong DONG ; Xiabin XU ; Shuli TENG ; Yuefeng WU
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2023;45(6):517-521
Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.