1.Analysis of ACTH level heterogeneity and the diagnostic value of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in patients with subclinical Cushing′s syndrome
Wenji ZHAO ; Jiawei YANG ; Yuxing LOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shiman LI ; Ziwei ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Ping LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(10):830-836
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and hormonal changes in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-suppressed and non-suppressed subclinical Cushing′s syndrome(SCS), to evaluate the influencing factors of ACTH suppression, and to assess the diagnostic efficiency of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) levels in distinguishing these two groups of SCS patients.Methods:Clinical data of patients diagnosed with SCS in the Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical College, between June 2014 and October 2023 were retrospectively collected. A total of 194 cases were included. According to morning(8: 00 AM) plasma ACTH levels, patients were divided into an ACTH-suppressed group(ACTH<2.2 pmol/L) and a non-suppressed group(ACTH≥2.2 pmol/L). Additionally, 194 gender-, age-, and BMI-matched patients with non-functional adrenal tumors(NFA) were enrolled as controls. Clinical characteristics and hormone levels were compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing ACTH suppression in SCS patients. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum DHEAS levels in distinguishing ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed SCS patients. Results:There were no significant differences in the prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension, abnormal glucose metabolism, or bone metabolism disorders between the ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed groups. The serum cortisol level after the 1 mg-dexamethasone suppression test(DST) was significantly lower in the ACTH non-suppressed group than that in the suppressed group, while the serum DHEAS level was significantly higher in the non-suppressed group(both P<0.01). The area under the curve(AUCs) of serum DHEAS for diagnosing ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients and ACTH-suppressed SCS patients was 0.779(95% CI 0.721-0.837) and 0.874(95% CI 0.831-0.918), respectively. Using a serum DHEAS cutoff of 60.0 μg/dL, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients were 66.7% and 76.1%, respectively, while for ACTH-suppressed SCS patients, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.9% and 75.5%, respectively. Conclusion:There were no significant differences in metabolic characteristics between ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed SCS patients. Serum cortisol level after 1 mg-DST is an independent influencing factor for ACTH suppression status. Low serum DHEAS level serves as a sensitive diagnostic marker for SCS and also demonstrates diagnostic value in ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients.
2.Isolation and identification of porcine pathogenic Escherichia coli and detection of virulence genes and analysis of drug resistance
Shuoqi LIU ; Ying LIU ; Ziwei MENG ; Jingwen ZHANG ; Jinghui FAN ; Yuzhu ZUO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(5):940-947
To understand the pathogenicity and drug resistance of swine-derived E.coli and its bio-logical characteristics in some areas in Hebei,E.coli was isolated and identified from diarrheal fe-ces of piglets collected from swine farms,and the isolated strains were subjected to drug sensitivity test,detection of the ability to form biofilm,pathogenicity test,virulence gene test,drug resistance gene test,and identification of phylogenetic subgroups.The results showed that a total of 35 patho-genic E.coli strains were isolated from the feces of diarrheic piglets,and most of the isolates were multidrug-resistant,and were resistant to at least three antibiotics,including amoxicillin(88.57%),ampicillin(88.57%),doxycycline(88.75%),sulfisoxazole(77.17%),lincomycin(100%),and chloramphenicol(100%);the isolates were severely resistant.The isolates all carried virulence genes,with a total of five virulence genes detected,namely,EAST1(77.14%),eaeA(17.14%),stx2e(5.71%),LT(2.86%),and STb(2.86%),and the isolates also carried multi-re-sistance genes,with a total of five virulence genes detected,namely,bla TEM-1(65.71%),bla CTX-M(20.00%),tetA(82.86%),tetB(14.29%),aadA2(17.14%),aac(6')-Ib(14.29%),qnrS(17.14%),sul 1(40.00%),sul2(34.29%),and floR(60.00%);the phylogenetic grouping showed that the isolates had a high proportion of group B1 and group A;and all 35 isolates showed differ-ent pathogenicity after infection of mice.This study provides a reference for the selection of effec-tive therapeutic drugs and the development of prevention and control programs for swine-origin pathogenic E.coli in Hebei Province.
3.Application of competency models in public hospital recruitment
Wenqing FAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Ziwei LI ; Mengling LIU ; Shengchao JIANG ; Yanji CAI ; Fan ZHONG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):755-758
Recruitment is a critical part of human resource management.Conducting recruitment with competency models can significantly enhance match candidates to positions.This paper outlines the theoretical support for competency models.By analyzing the construction process of competency models in public hospitals and their application in recruitment,it aims to explore problems in the implementation of competency models in recruitment and provide suggestions.
4.Loneliness in mid- to late pregnancy and risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in late pregnancy: a longitudinal cohort study
Ziwei DING ; Lanfang ZHAO ; Le WANG ; Shuangqin YAN ; Lanci XIE ; Guopeng GAO ; Tianli ZHU ; Jingjing LIU ; Tuyan FAN ; Fengyu YANG ; Hui GAO ; Huayan MO ; Wenjing QIANG ; Beibei ZHU ; Fangbiao TAO
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1107-1114
Objective:To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and longitudinal associations of loneliness during mid- to late pregnancy with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 1 107 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks' gestation were enrolled between June 2021 and December 2022. Psychological status was assessed during mid-pregnancy (24-28 weeks) and late pregnancy (≥32 weeks) using standardized electronic questionnaires, including the Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) Loneliness Scale-Short Form (Cronbach's α=0.82), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( α=0.86), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 ( α=0.88). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors for loneliness. Cross-lagged path models analyzed the longitudinal predictions between loneliness and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Results:The prevalence of loneliness decreased significantly from 10.8% (120/1 107) in mid-pregnancy to 4.8% (37/777) in late pregnancy ( χ2=21.81, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for loneliness: age <30 years ( OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.15-2.50), annual household income <50 000 CNY ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.28-5.02), unemployment during pregnancy ( OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39), history of alcohol consumption ( OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.56), and the presence of mid-pregnancy depressive ( OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.51-5.04) and anxiety symptoms ( OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01-2.71) (all P<0.05). Cross-lagged path models indicated bidirectional associations between loneliness and both anxiety ( β=0.32, P<0.01) and depressive symptoms ( β=0.28, P<0.01). However, the predictive effect of loneliness on subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms ( β=0.28-0.32) was substantially stronger than the reverse prediction (mid-pregnancy anxiety on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.12; mid-pregnancy depression on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.11). Loneliness demonstrated high temporal stability (autoregressive effects β=0.29-0.32). Conclusion:Loneliness in mid-pregnancy exhibits a symmetric bidirectional association with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy, suggesting it may be a core driver in the development of these emotional symptoms. Younger maternal age (<30 years), low household income (<50 000 CNY/year), unemployment during pregnancy, and a history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of loneliness and should be prioritized for psychological screening and intervention.
5.Isolation and identification of porcine pathogenic Escherichia coli and detection of virulence genes and analysis of drug resistance
Shuoqi LIU ; Ying LIU ; Ziwei MENG ; Jingwen ZHANG ; Jinghui FAN ; Yuzhu ZUO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(5):940-947
To understand the pathogenicity and drug resistance of swine-derived E.coli and its bio-logical characteristics in some areas in Hebei,E.coli was isolated and identified from diarrheal fe-ces of piglets collected from swine farms,and the isolated strains were subjected to drug sensitivity test,detection of the ability to form biofilm,pathogenicity test,virulence gene test,drug resistance gene test,and identification of phylogenetic subgroups.The results showed that a total of 35 patho-genic E.coli strains were isolated from the feces of diarrheic piglets,and most of the isolates were multidrug-resistant,and were resistant to at least three antibiotics,including amoxicillin(88.57%),ampicillin(88.57%),doxycycline(88.75%),sulfisoxazole(77.17%),lincomycin(100%),and chloramphenicol(100%);the isolates were severely resistant.The isolates all carried virulence genes,with a total of five virulence genes detected,namely,EAST1(77.14%),eaeA(17.14%),stx2e(5.71%),LT(2.86%),and STb(2.86%),and the isolates also carried multi-re-sistance genes,with a total of five virulence genes detected,namely,bla TEM-1(65.71%),bla CTX-M(20.00%),tetA(82.86%),tetB(14.29%),aadA2(17.14%),aac(6')-Ib(14.29%),qnrS(17.14%),sul 1(40.00%),sul2(34.29%),and floR(60.00%);the phylogenetic grouping showed that the isolates had a high proportion of group B1 and group A;and all 35 isolates showed differ-ent pathogenicity after infection of mice.This study provides a reference for the selection of effec-tive therapeutic drugs and the development of prevention and control programs for swine-origin pathogenic E.coli in Hebei Province.
6.Application of competency models in public hospital recruitment
Wenqing FAN ; Jun ZHAO ; Ziwei LI ; Mengling LIU ; Shengchao JIANG ; Yanji CAI ; Fan ZHONG
Modern Hospital 2025;25(5):755-758
Recruitment is a critical part of human resource management.Conducting recruitment with competency models can significantly enhance match candidates to positions.This paper outlines the theoretical support for competency models.By analyzing the construction process of competency models in public hospitals and their application in recruitment,it aims to explore problems in the implementation of competency models in recruitment and provide suggestions.
7.Analysis of ACTH level heterogeneity and the diagnostic value of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in patients with subclinical Cushing′s syndrome
Wenji ZHAO ; Jiawei YANG ; Yuxing LOU ; Wei ZHANG ; Shiman LI ; Ziwei ZHANG ; Fan YANG ; Ping LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(10):830-836
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and hormonal changes in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)-suppressed and non-suppressed subclinical Cushing′s syndrome(SCS), to evaluate the influencing factors of ACTH suppression, and to assess the diagnostic efficiency of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) levels in distinguishing these two groups of SCS patients.Methods:Clinical data of patients diagnosed with SCS in the Department of Endocrinology, Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical College, between June 2014 and October 2023 were retrospectively collected. A total of 194 cases were included. According to morning(8: 00 AM) plasma ACTH levels, patients were divided into an ACTH-suppressed group(ACTH<2.2 pmol/L) and a non-suppressed group(ACTH≥2.2 pmol/L). Additionally, 194 gender-, age-, and BMI-matched patients with non-functional adrenal tumors(NFA) were enrolled as controls. Clinical characteristics and hormone levels were compared between groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing ACTH suppression in SCS patients. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum DHEAS levels in distinguishing ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed SCS patients. Results:There were no significant differences in the prevalence of overweight/obesity, hypertension, abnormal glucose metabolism, or bone metabolism disorders between the ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed groups. The serum cortisol level after the 1 mg-dexamethasone suppression test(DST) was significantly lower in the ACTH non-suppressed group than that in the suppressed group, while the serum DHEAS level was significantly higher in the non-suppressed group(both P<0.01). The area under the curve(AUCs) of serum DHEAS for diagnosing ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients and ACTH-suppressed SCS patients was 0.779(95% CI 0.721-0.837) and 0.874(95% CI 0.831-0.918), respectively. Using a serum DHEAS cutoff of 60.0 μg/dL, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients were 66.7% and 76.1%, respectively, while for ACTH-suppressed SCS patients, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.9% and 75.5%, respectively. Conclusion:There were no significant differences in metabolic characteristics between ACTH-suppressed and non-suppressed SCS patients. Serum cortisol level after 1 mg-DST is an independent influencing factor for ACTH suppression status. Low serum DHEAS level serves as a sensitive diagnostic marker for SCS and also demonstrates diagnostic value in ACTH non-suppressed SCS patients.
8.Loneliness in mid- to late pregnancy and risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in late pregnancy: a longitudinal cohort study
Ziwei DING ; Lanfang ZHAO ; Le WANG ; Shuangqin YAN ; Lanci XIE ; Guopeng GAO ; Tianli ZHU ; Jingjing LIU ; Tuyan FAN ; Fengyu YANG ; Hui GAO ; Huayan MO ; Wenjing QIANG ; Beibei ZHU ; Fangbiao TAO
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(12):1107-1114
Objective:To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and longitudinal associations of loneliness during mid- to late pregnancy with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy.Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 1 107 pregnant women at 24-28 weeks' gestation were enrolled between June 2021 and December 2022. Psychological status was assessed during mid-pregnancy (24-28 weeks) and late pregnancy (≥32 weeks) using standardized electronic questionnaires, including the Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) Loneliness Scale-Short Form (Cronbach's α=0.82), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( α=0.86), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 ( α=0.88). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors for loneliness. Cross-lagged path models analyzed the longitudinal predictions between loneliness and anxiety/depressive symptoms. Results:The prevalence of loneliness decreased significantly from 10.8% (120/1 107) in mid-pregnancy to 4.8% (37/777) in late pregnancy ( χ2=21.81, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified independent risk factors for loneliness: age <30 years ( OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.15-2.50), annual household income <50 000 CNY ( OR=2.53, 95% CI: 1.28-5.02), unemployment during pregnancy ( OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.39), history of alcohol consumption ( OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.03-2.56), and the presence of mid-pregnancy depressive ( OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.51-5.04) and anxiety symptoms ( OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01-2.71) (all P<0.05). Cross-lagged path models indicated bidirectional associations between loneliness and both anxiety ( β=0.32, P<0.01) and depressive symptoms ( β=0.28, P<0.01). However, the predictive effect of loneliness on subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms ( β=0.28-0.32) was substantially stronger than the reverse prediction (mid-pregnancy anxiety on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.12; mid-pregnancy depression on late-pregnancy loneliness: β=0.11). Loneliness demonstrated high temporal stability (autoregressive effects β=0.29-0.32). Conclusion:Loneliness in mid-pregnancy exhibits a symmetric bidirectional association with anxiety and depressive symptoms in late pregnancy, suggesting it may be a core driver in the development of these emotional symptoms. Younger maternal age (<30 years), low household income (<50 000 CNY/year), unemployment during pregnancy, and a history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher risk of loneliness and should be prioritized for psychological screening and intervention.
9.Expression and diagnostic value of lymphocyte subsets and activation status in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Guangli YIN ; Jujuan WANG ; Tian TIAN ; Limin DUAN ; Xin GAO ; Ziwei FANG ; Ji XU ; Hongxia QIU ; Lei FAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(8):748-754
Objective:To determine the expression and diagnostic value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and functional activation status in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) .Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 30 newly diagnosed NHL-HLH patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. We assessed peripheral blood lymphocytes and activation status by flow cytometry. Forty newly diagnosed patients with NHL who received treatment at our hospital during the same period and had lymphocyte and functional activation indexes were selected as the control group. The differences in relative and absolute lymphocyte counts and functional activation indexes between the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values for continuous variables were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors in NHL patients with HLH.Results:A total of 30 NHL-HLH patients were evaluated, including 12 T-cell lymphoma and 18 B-cell lymphoma patients. Forty individuals were in the control group, which included 19 T-cell lymphoma and 21 B-cell lymphoma patients. The absolute counts of CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and NK cells, along with the relative count of NK cells, were significantly lower in the HLH group compared with that in the control group (all P values<0.01) . The expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8 + T-cell activated subgroups was significantly higher in the NHL-HLH group compared with that in the control group (CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 57.4% vs 21.5%, P<0.001; CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 49.7% vs 33.5%, P=0.028, respectively) . In addition, CD28 expression on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in NHL-HLH patients ( P<0.01) . ROC curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that absolute NK cell count ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were risk factors for predicting the occurrence of NHL-HLH patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the regression model were 86.7% and 86.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In NHL patients with HLH, there was a significant reduction in the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas T-cell function was notably activated. Specifically, absolute counts of NK cells ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were identified as risk factors for predicting the development of NHL-HLH patients. This will assist in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.
10.Relationship among bullying,mobile phone addiction and depressive symptoms in college students
Ziwei MU ; Fan RONG ; Weiqiang YU ; Wan XIAO ; Yuhui WAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(9):820-826
Objective:To explore the relationship between bullying and depressive symptoms in college students,the mediating role of mobile phone addiction and the moderating role of gender.Methods:Totally 1 499 college students in Nantong City were selected to evaluate bullying experience,mobile phone addiction tendency and depressive symptoms with the Revised Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument-Bully and Target(RAPRI-T),Smart-phone Addiction Scale-Short Version(SAS-SV),Patient Health Questionnaire Depression 9-item(PHQ-9).SPSS macro program PROCESS 3.2 was used to examine the mediating role of mobile phone addiction and the modera-ting role of gender.Results:Different forms of bullying,traditional verbal bullying had the highest detection rate.There were positive correlations among bullying and the scores of SAS-SV and PHQ-9(r=0.17-0.42,Ps<0.001).In the relationship between bullying scores and PHQ-9 scores,SAS-SV scores played a partial mediating role,and the mediating effect accounts for 26.70%of the total effect.The interaction terms between bullying and genders had statistical significance with PHQ-9 scores(β=0.09,P<0.001),as the bullying scores increased,the PHQ-9 scores were higher in girls than in boys.Conclusion:Mobile phone addiction plays a partial mediating role in the association between bullying and depressive symptomsin college students,and the association between bull-ying and depressive symptoms is moderated by gender factors.

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