1.Characteristic volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Yazhen HE ; Chunguang DING ; Junyun WANG ; Yuzhen FENG ; Fangda PENG ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Chunmin ZHANG ; Rui GAO ; Qingyu MENG ; Zhijun WU ; Jingguang FAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):571-577
Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.
2.A Multicenter Controlled Study on the Evaluation of Aseptic Compounding Operations Ability of PIVAS Personnel by Media Fill Test
Fan ZHANG ; Yuanyuan MA ; Xinyi WANG ; Donghui LAO ; Yongguang SHANG ; Xiaohong ZHU ; Yuzhen ZOU ; Lei JIAO ; Weiyan TANG ; Jianzhong ZHANG ; Wei YANG ; Mei DONG ; Cuilian ZHANG ; Lulu SUN ; Bin ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(11):1848-1853
Objective To evaluate the practical application of the Media Fill Test(MFT)in assessing aseptic compounding competency of personnel in Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services(PIVAS).Methods A multicenter controlled study was conducted across six tertiary hospitals(center ①-⑥)in China.Participants were divided into an inexperienced group(Group A,n=118)and an experienced group(Group B,n=118),each performing five MFT operations.Positive controls validated medium efficacy.Contamination rates and pass rates were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.Results Valid samples included 584 for Group A and 588 for Group B.The sample pass rate was 66.78%(390/584)in Group A and 91.67%(539/588)in Group B,while personnel pass rates were 46.15%(54/117)and 80.51%(95/118),respectively,with significant intergroup differences(both P<0.01).All centers except Center ⑥ showed significantly higher pass rates in Group B(all P<0.05).Conclusion MFT effectively differentiates technical proficiency levels and is suitable for training evaluation of novice PIVAS staff.
3.Effect of fibrinogen-like protein 2 on immune response of EBV-infected T lymphocyte
Yuzhen HONG ; Min LI ; Bing CHENG ; Yueping LIU ; Bo DIAO
Immunological Journal 2025;41(1):16-23
Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of FGL2 on the immune response of EBV-infected T cells,including their activation,proliferation,exhaustion,and cytokine profile changes.Methods Primary T cells were infected with EBV at different multiplicities of infection(MOI).Expression of FGL2 in T cells,as well as T-cell activation,proliferation,exhaustion,and cytokine levels,were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blot,ELISA,CCK8,and flow cytometry(FCM),respectively.Further experiments involving FGL2 knockdown and overexpression were conducted to elucidate its specific regulatory role in EBV-infected T cells.Results FGL2 expression was significantly upregulated in EBV-infected T cells(P<0.05).EBV infection also induced enhanced T cell activation(P<0.001),proliferation(P<0.001),and exhaustion(P<0.01).Compared to the T cells+EBV group,the T cells+EBV+FGL2 overexpression group exhibited higher exhaustion levels(P<0.01),reduced activation(P<0.05)and proliferation(P<0.05),decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05),and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05).Conversely,the T cells+EBV+FGL2 knockdown group demonstrated the opposite trends,with elevated activation(P<0.01),proliferation(P<0.05),pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05),and reduced exhaustion(P<0.01)and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05).Conclusion FGL2 suppresses T cell activation and proliferation,exacerbates T cell exhaustion,inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine release,and promotes anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion during EBV infection,thereby modulating the immune response of T cells.
4.Effect of fibrinogen-like protein 2 on immune response of EBV-infected T lymphocyte
Yuzhen HONG ; Min LI ; Bing CHENG ; Yueping LIU ; Bo DIAO
Immunological Journal 2025;41(1):16-23
Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of FGL2 on the immune response of EBV-infected T cells,including their activation,proliferation,exhaustion,and cytokine profile changes.Methods Primary T cells were infected with EBV at different multiplicities of infection(MOI).Expression of FGL2 in T cells,as well as T-cell activation,proliferation,exhaustion,and cytokine levels,were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blot,ELISA,CCK8,and flow cytometry(FCM),respectively.Further experiments involving FGL2 knockdown and overexpression were conducted to elucidate its specific regulatory role in EBV-infected T cells.Results FGL2 expression was significantly upregulated in EBV-infected T cells(P<0.05).EBV infection also induced enhanced T cell activation(P<0.001),proliferation(P<0.001),and exhaustion(P<0.01).Compared to the T cells+EBV group,the T cells+EBV+FGL2 overexpression group exhibited higher exhaustion levels(P<0.01),reduced activation(P<0.05)and proliferation(P<0.05),decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05),and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05).Conversely,the T cells+EBV+FGL2 knockdown group demonstrated the opposite trends,with elevated activation(P<0.01),proliferation(P<0.05),pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05),and reduced exhaustion(P<0.01)and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels(P<0.05).Conclusion FGL2 suppresses T cell activation and proliferation,exacerbates T cell exhaustion,inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine release,and promotes anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion during EBV infection,thereby modulating the immune response of T cells.
5.Correlation between Chinese medicine patterns and PSQI scores in patients with insomnia in malignant tumours and analysis of medication patterns
Cheng ZHANG ; Yuzhen PAN ; Ying ZHU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(12):25-29
Objective To investigate the correlation between Chinese medicine patterns and Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI)scores in patients with insomnia of malignant tumours,and to summarize the rules of Chinese medicine for treating patients with insomnia of malignant tumours,so as to provide reference for clinical treatment.Methods Sixty-three patients with malignant tumours who were hospitalised in the Department of Oncology,Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2023 to March 2024 and met the criteria were studied and the patients'traditional Chinese medicine patterns,PSQI scores and traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions were collected,and the data were sorted out by Excel,and the frequency,efficacy,meridian,and flavour of the medicines were counted,and then analysed by IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 for the analysis of medication correlation rules.Results The highest prevalence of poor PSQI grade was found in the heart-Qi deficiency type(45.00%),the highest prevalence of phlegm-heat disturbing the heart,liver-depressing fire,liver-Qi stagnation,and Yin-deficiency and fire-excessive types all had average PSQI grades(50.00%,45.45%,50.00%,and 60.00%,respectively),and the highest prevalence of heart-Yang deficiency type had PSQI score grades of very good,good,and average(33.33%).There was a significant positive correlation between patients with heart-Qi deficiency evidence and PSQI score grades of fair and poor(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between patients with phlegm-heat disturbing the heart evidence and PSQI score grades of good,fair,and poor(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between patients with liver-depressing fire syndrome and PSQI score grades of fair and poor(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between patients with liver-Qi stagnation syndrome and PSQI score grade of fair(P<0.05).Sixty-three prescriptions were collected,containing 49 flavours of medicines,and the most frequently used medicine was Yuanzhi;The efficacy of the medicines was dominated by deficiency tonic medicines;And among the flavours and attributes of the medicines,sweetness,pacificity,and attribution to the lung meridian were dominated.The second-order and third-order combinations of drugs with the highest support in the association rules were Yuanzhi-Huangqi,and Yuanzhi-Huangqi+Gancao,respectively.Conclusion The Chinese medicine certificates of insomnia patients with malignant tumours collected in this study were correlated with PSQI score grades,and patients with insufficient heart-Qi,phlegm-heat disturbing the heart,liver-depressing fire,and liver-Qi stagnation certificates had high PSQI scores and worse sleep conditions.Traditional Chinese medicine mainly focuses on tonifying deficiency and tranquilising the mind,together with the method of clearing heat and resolving phlegm,diuresis and seepage of dampness,while treatment can be individualised according to the patients'different traditional Chinese medicine evidence types.
6.The application value of low-dose CT in children with ankle fractures
Feng CHEN ; Yuzhen JIN ; Qidi WANG ; Ting WENG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(9):33-36,54
Objective To analyse impact of low-dose CT on radiation dose and image quality of ankle fractures in children.Methods 600 suspected ankle fracture children admitted to Hangzhou Children's Hospital were selected as the research subjects from January to December 2023.All children needed to undergo conventional dose CT examination and low-dose CT examination.Image quality,radiation dose,diagnostic accuracy,and diagnostic efficacy of conventional dose CT and low-dose CT examination were compared.Results No significant difference was found between conventional-dose CT examination and low-dose CT examination in objectivity image quality index(P>0.05).Effective dose,dose length product,and volume CT dose index of low-dose CT examination were all lower than those of conventional dose CT examination,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The diagnostic accuracy of low-dose CT examination and conventional dose CT examination showed no significant difference(P>0.05).Low-dose CT examination compared with conventional dose CT examination,there was no significant difference in diagnostic specificity(P>0.05),while there was significant difference in diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy(P<0.05).Area under the curve of effective dose,dose length product,volume CT dose index alone and combined diagnosis of ankle fractures in children were 0.899(95%CI:0.880-0.918),0.934(95%CI:0.918-0.950),0.928(95%CI:0.911-0.945),and 0.934(95%CI:0.918-0.950),respectively.Conclusion Low-dose CT examination technology has high diagnostic value for ankle fractures in children,can reduce radiation dose,and has little impact on image quality and diagnostic accuracy.It is worth popularizing and applying.
7.Investigation and nursing countermeasures on the current situation of oral instrument cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization management in 348 medical institutions in Henan Province
Yuzhen CUI ; Zhuoya YAO ; Junhui GENG ; Manchun LI ; Meng ZHAN ; Lina DING ; Enshe JIANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(5):596-602
Objective To investigate the current status of cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization management of dental instruments in medical institutions in Henan Province,analyze potential issues in hospital infection control,and propose targeted nursing strategies.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to survey the cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization management of dental instruments in 352 medical institutions in Henan Province from February to April 2024.A self-made questionnaire was designed,covering aspects such as the handling model and personnel configuration for dental instruments,training for cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization personnel,configuration and maintenance of cleaning and disinfection equipment,use and management of small pressure steam sterilizers,and reprocessing status of dental instruments.Results A total of 352 questionnaires were distributed,with 348 valid responses.Among the 34 primary medical institutions,only 10(29.41%)had a centralized cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization model for dental instruments;13(38.24%)had dedicated personnel for cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization of dental instruments;25(73.53%)were equipped with pressure water guns.Compari-sons among medical institutions of different levels showed statistically significant differences(P<0.001).In the 348 medical institutions,194(55.75%)arranged pre-job training for nursing personnel;143(41.09%)performed mainte-nance on cleaning and disinfection equipment once a year;52(14.94%)did not perform pre-treatment on contaminated dental instruments after use.Among the 104 institutions using small pressure steam sterilizers,21(20.19%)used Type N small pressure steam sterilizers.Conclusion The centralized management rate of dental instruments and the basic equipment configuration rate in primary medical institutions in Henan Province are relatively low.There are issues such as insufficient personnel training,neglect of equipment maintenance,improper management of small pressure steam sterilizer usage,and incomplete reprocessing procedures in medical institutions at all levels.It is recommended that nursing managers further strengthen the training of nurses in the disinfection supply center,standardize the cleaning,disinfection,and sterilization workflow for dental instruments,in order to prevent and control hospital infections.
8.Protective effects and mechanisms of 3-N-butylphthalide in Parkinson's disease cell models
Xin ZHANG ; Baojuan GUO ; Huixin XU ; Yuzhen SHEN ; Xiaofan YANG ; Xufang YANG ; Pei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(30):6466-6473
BACKGROUND:D1-3-n-butylphthalide has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and has been explored to have protective role in Parkinson's disease,but the underlying mechanisms are unknown.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of D1-3-n-butylphthalide by the approach of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and cellular experimental validation.METHODS:(1)Network pharmacology and molecular docking:The database was used to screen the targets of D1-3-n-butylphthalide and Parkinson's disease.The intersection was taken from the construction of the target protein interaction network,and then screen the core targets.The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment was used to further analyze the core targets.The interaction between the target proteins and D1-3-n-butylphthalide was verified by molecular docking.(2)Cell validation:The passage 6 PC12 cells were divided into six groups for culture.The control group was cultured with conventional culture medium.The model group was cultured with N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide to induce Parkinson's disease model.The ML385 inhibitor group was added with nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 inhibitor ML385 on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide treatment group was added with butylphthalide on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide combined with ML385 treatment group was added with D1-3-n-butylphthalide and ML385 on the basis of inducing Parkinson's disease model.The D1-3-n-butylphthalide group was cultured with conventional culture medium containing butylphthalide alone.Cell proliferation,intracellular reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde levels,and protein expression of protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2)signaling pathway were detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 52 targets were screened for the intersection of drugs and disease targets,and the core targets including the matrix metalloproteinase 9 and GSK-3β were involved the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT and oxidative stress-related signaling pathways.The molecular docking binding energy of D1-3-n-butylphthalide and GSK-3β was-18.27 kJ/mol,which indicated that D1-3-n-butylphthalide had a good binding ability with GSK-3β.(2)Compared with the model group,the PC12 cell activity and reduced glutathione level in the D1-3-n-butylphthalide treatment group were increased(P<0.05),the malondialdehyde level was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of p-AKT,p-GSK-3β,Nu-Nrf2,and T-Nrf2 proteins was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the D1-3-n-butylphthalide group,the PC12 cell activity and reduced glutathione level in the D1-3-n-butylphthalide combined with ML385 treatment group were decreased(P<0.05),the malondialdehyde level was increased(P<0.05),and the expression of Nu-Nrf2 and T-Nrf2 proteins was decreased(P<0.05).(3)These results demonstrate that D1-3-n-butylphthalide can inhibit oxidative stress and improve cell activity through the AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway,and has a protective effect on the Parkinson's cell model induced by N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide.
9.Study on the preparation of high immunogenicity RBD antigen and antibody development of COVID-19 BA.5
Fan WU ; Hongni QIN ; Yuzhen XIE ; Baoyong REN ; Dongsheng DAI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(17):2653-2660
Objective To develop high-immunogenicity antigens targeting the BA.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2 and to screen for monoclonal antibodies with high neutralizing and blocking activity,providing new strategies for the development of vaccines and diagnostic reagents.Methods The ZP protein gene fragment from zebrafish vitel-logenin and the HIS protein tag were inserted into the pCDNA3.4 plasmid to construct the recombinant plasmid pCDNA3.4-RBD(BA.5)-ZP-HIS,which was then transfected into 293F cells to express the RBD-ZP protein.The expression of the protein was verified by SDS-PAGE and its binding capabilities to ACE2 receptor molecules and aluminum adjuvant were detected.The immunogenicity of the fusion protein was evaluated using a BALB/c mouse model,and monoclonal antibodies were prepared through hybridoma technology.Monoclonal antibodies with strong neutralizing and blocking activity were screened and their neutralizing activity was detected by blocking ELISA.Results The ZP gene and HIS protein tag sequence were successfully inserted into the pCDNA3.4 vector and the RBD-ZP protein with a molecular weight of 50 kDa was successfully expressed.The immunogenicity test results showed that the ZP protein effectively enhanced the immunogenicity of the RBD protein and improved its binding capability to the ACE2 receptor.After immunizing mice with the RBD-ZP protein,8 monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to both the mutant and wild-type strains were cloned and screened through hybridoma technology,among which 3 could effectively block the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD protein to the human ACE2 receptor.Conclusion This study successfully expressed the RBD-ZP fusion protein,which significantly enhanced the immunogenicity and receptor binding capability of the RBD protein.Three monoclonal antibodies with high neutral-izing and blocking activity were screened out,providing strong support for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and diagnostic reagents..
10.Meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety of temperature-controlled therapy in patients with severe traumatic brain injury
Mengsha NIE ; Bo FENG ; Yue LU ; Qiongyu WU ; Minxiao LI ; Xiaogang CHEN ; Yuzhen ZHANG ; Liming CHENG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(10):975-986
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic temperature control in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods:The full-text databases of Chinese Medical Journal, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, VIP Database, China Biomedical Database, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of hypothermia treatment and conventional treatment in patients with sTBI. The search period was from January 2016 to June 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The evaluation indicators included intracranial pressure before treatment, at 3 and 5 days after treatment, favorable prognosis rate and mortality rate within 6 months after treatment, and incidence of pulmonary infection, intracranial infection, epilepsy, acute gastrointestinal dysfunction, deep vein thrombosis, abnormal coagulation function, and arrhythmia during treatment; publication bias.Results:A total of 33 studies involving 3 322 patients were included, with 1 696 patients in the temperature treatment group and 1 626 in the conventional treatment group. There was no statistically significant difference in intracranial pressure between the two groups before treatment ( SMD=0, 95% CI -0.13, 0.14, P>0.05). However, at 3 and 5 days after treatment, the intracranial pressure was lower in the temperature treatment group than that in the conventional treatment group ( SMD=-2.29, 95% CI -2.76, -1.82, P<0.01; SMD=-2.66, 95% CI -3.43, -1.89, P<0.01). Within 6 months after treatment, the favorable prognosis rate was higher in the temperature treatment group than that in the conventional treatment group ( RR=1.41, 95% CI 1.32, 1.50, P<0.01), and mortality rate was lower than that in the conventional treatment group ( RR=0.64, 95% CI 0.55, 0.75, P<0.01). Compared with the conventional treatment group, the incidences of epilepsy and acute gastrointestinal dysfunction in the temperature treatment group were statistically reduced ( RR=0.33, 95% CI 0.13, 0.83, P<0.05; RR=0.43, 95% CI 0.25, 0.74, P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary infection ( RR=0.96, 95% CI 0.85, 1.08, P>0.05), intracranial infection ( RR=0.56, 95% CI 0.20, 1.56, P>0.05), deep vein thrombosis ( RR=0.93, 95% CI 0.69, 1.25, P>0.05), abnormal coagulation function ( RR=1.19, 95% CI 0.43, 3.31, P>0.05) or arrhythmia ( RR=0.51, 95% CI 0.23, 1.12, P>0.05) between the two groups. Egger′s test indicated the presence of publication bias and the results remained robust after trim and fill analysis. Conclusions:For patients with sTBI, temperature control therapy shows lowered intracranial pressure and mortality rate as well as improved favorable prognosis rate at 6 months posttreatment, and decreased incidence of epilepsy and acute gastrointestinal dysfunction during treatment, while reveals similar incidence of pulmonary infection, intracranial infection, deep vein thrombosis, abnormal coagulation function, and arrhythmia when compared with conventional treatment.

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