1.Influence of chronic psychological stress during pregnancy on intestinal flora and eczema incidence of offspring rats
Chunyan WANG ; Ying GAO ; Deguang YANG ; Rui WANG ; Hongyu LI ; Ye LI ; Can LIU ; Suzhen GUAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):962-970
Background Prenatal chronic psychological stress may increase the risk of allergic diseases in children, and eczema is the most common allergic disease in children, the pathogenesis of which is not yet fully understood. Objective To preliminarily clarify the changes in offspring intestinal flora after chronic stress exposure during pregnancy in rats that increases offspring immune imbalance and eczema susceptibility. Methods Thirty SPF-grade adult female SD rats were selected and randomly divided into a model group and a control group (n=15). Sixteen male rats were randomly divided into a model mating group and a control mating group (n=8). A 28-day chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy was established. On the 7th day of stress, male and female rats were caged in a ratio of 3:1. Blood samples were collected from female rats in each group via angular vein on the 1st day before stress, and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after stress. The content of plasma corticosterone during pregnancy was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the offspring rats, an eczema model was constructed using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The number of scratching times of the offspring rats within 5 min was recorded. The offspring rats were divided into 4 groups: DNCB-CUMS group (MM), DNCB-control group (MC), solvent control-CUMS group (CM), and blank control group (CC), with 8 rats in each group. The eczema was induced once every 3 days, and the induction period was 12 d. The expression level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the serum of offspring rats after the eczema induction experiment were determined by ELISA. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the serum were quantified by multi-parameter flow cytometry. The composition and abundance of intestinal microbiota in the feces of offspring rats were detected by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. Results The plasma corticosterone concentrations in the model group were higher than those in the control group on the 7th and 21st days of stress (P<0.05). On the 14th and 21st days of stress, the 1% sucrose preference percentages of female rats in the model group were lower than that in the control group. On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of stress, the horizontal movement scores of female rats in the model group and the vertical movement scores on the 7th and 14th days were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 6, 9, and 12 d of model building, the scratching frequencies in the MC group and MM group were significantly higher than those in the CC group and CM group (P<0.05). Moreover, there were differences in the contents of cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE among the offspring rat groups (P<0.05). The CM group and MM group led to an increase in the contents of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE cytokines (P<0.05), while the MM group caused a decrease in the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2 (P<0.05). After the eczema induction experiment, the α-diversity analysis showed that the Simpson index and Shannon index in the CM were higher than those in the CC (P<0.05), indicating that CUMS during the pregnancy of female rats could increase the species abundance of their offspring. The abundances of Prevotella and Lactobacillus in the CM group decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Intestinal dysbiosis in offspring due to chronic prenatal psychological stress, which may be one of the mechanisms linking maternal stress to immune imbalance and increased susceptibility to eczema in offspring.
2.Separating the Effects of Early-Life and Adult Body Size on Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Xunliang LI ; Wenman ZHAO ; Haifeng PAN ; Deguang WANG
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2025;34(1):65-74
Background:
Whether there is a causal relationship between childhood obesity and increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. This study sought to explore how body size in childhood and adulthood independently affects CKD risk in later life using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
Methods:
Univariate and multivariate MR was used to estimate total and independent effects of body size exposures. Genetic associations with early-life and adult body size were obtained from a genome-wide association study of 453,169 participants in the U.K. Biobank, and genetic associations with CKD were obtained from the CKDGen and FinnGen consortia.
Results:
A larger genetically predicted early-life body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 1.41; P= 1.70E-05) and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (β=0.010; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.021; P=0.001). However, the association between the impact of early-life body size on CKD (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.31; P=0.173) and BUN level (β=0.001; 95% CI, –0.010 to 0.012;P= 0.853) did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for adult body size. Larger genetically predicted adult body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.54; P= 4.60E-07), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (β=–0.011; 95% CI, –0.017 to –0.006; P=5.79E-05), and increased BUN level (β= 0.010; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.019; P= 0.018).
Conclusion
Our research indicates that the significant correlation between early-life body size and CKD risk is likely due to maintaining a large body size into adulthood.
3.Separating the Effects of Early-Life and Adult Body Size on Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Xunliang LI ; Wenman ZHAO ; Haifeng PAN ; Deguang WANG
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2025;34(1):65-74
Background:
Whether there is a causal relationship between childhood obesity and increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. This study sought to explore how body size in childhood and adulthood independently affects CKD risk in later life using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
Methods:
Univariate and multivariate MR was used to estimate total and independent effects of body size exposures. Genetic associations with early-life and adult body size were obtained from a genome-wide association study of 453,169 participants in the U.K. Biobank, and genetic associations with CKD were obtained from the CKDGen and FinnGen consortia.
Results:
A larger genetically predicted early-life body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 1.41; P= 1.70E-05) and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (β=0.010; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.021; P=0.001). However, the association between the impact of early-life body size on CKD (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.31; P=0.173) and BUN level (β=0.001; 95% CI, –0.010 to 0.012;P= 0.853) did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for adult body size. Larger genetically predicted adult body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.54; P= 4.60E-07), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (β=–0.011; 95% CI, –0.017 to –0.006; P=5.79E-05), and increased BUN level (β= 0.010; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.019; P= 0.018).
Conclusion
Our research indicates that the significant correlation between early-life body size and CKD risk is likely due to maintaining a large body size into adulthood.
4.Separating the Effects of Early-Life and Adult Body Size on Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Xunliang LI ; Wenman ZHAO ; Haifeng PAN ; Deguang WANG
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2025;34(1):65-74
Background:
Whether there is a causal relationship between childhood obesity and increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. This study sought to explore how body size in childhood and adulthood independently affects CKD risk in later life using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
Methods:
Univariate and multivariate MR was used to estimate total and independent effects of body size exposures. Genetic associations with early-life and adult body size were obtained from a genome-wide association study of 453,169 participants in the U.K. Biobank, and genetic associations with CKD were obtained from the CKDGen and FinnGen consortia.
Results:
A larger genetically predicted early-life body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 1.41; P= 1.70E-05) and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (β=0.010; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.021; P=0.001). However, the association between the impact of early-life body size on CKD (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.31; P=0.173) and BUN level (β=0.001; 95% CI, –0.010 to 0.012;P= 0.853) did not remain statistically significant after adjustment for adult body size. Larger genetically predicted adult body size was associated with an increased risk of CKD (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.54; P= 4.60E-07), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (β=–0.011; 95% CI, –0.017 to –0.006; P=5.79E-05), and increased BUN level (β= 0.010; 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.019; P= 0.018).
Conclusion
Our research indicates that the significant correlation between early-life body size and CKD risk is likely due to maintaining a large body size into adulthood.
5.Structural and functional analysis of the NS2 protein of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
Ao ZHANG ; Shaoqian MU ; Yihan TIAN ; Ruizhao QIU ; Guoce FU ; Junchao SHI ; Feng GAO ; Wen-qi HE ; Deguang SONG ; Zi LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):1843-1848,1887
Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)is one of the coronaviruses susceptible to swine populations.The non-structural protein 2(NS2)encoded by its genome is fre-quently deleted during the epidemic transmission of the virus,but its biological significance re-mains unclear.In order to explore the structure and function of the NS2 protein,this study utilized platforms such as ProtParam,TMHMM,NetPhos3.1,and ExPASy to analyze its physicochemical properties,spatial structure,genetic evolution,and post-translational modification characteristics.Meanwhile,the NS2 protein was expressed in eukaryotes and transcriptome sequencing was per-formed to clarify the biological processes it participates in.The results showed that the NS2 protein consists of 233 amino acids,with a molecular weight of 26.735 kDa,and a half-life of approximately 30 hours in mammals.It includes 13 phosphorylation sites,2 N-glycosylation sites,and 1 O-glyco-sylation site,with no signal peptide and strong hydrophilicity.The a-helix accounts for the highest proportion in NS2(43.78%),followed by random coils(36.05%).The homology of the NS2 pro-tein between the epidemic strains PHEV-CC14 and PHEV-JL/2008 in Northeast China is 99.57%.The NS2 protein is widely involved in the regulation of nerve-related functions,such as axon guid-ance and synaptic development.This study preliminarily clarified the biological function of the NS2 protein,providing a new perspective for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of PHEV.
6.Analysis of risk factors for pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with maintenance peritoneal dialysis and establishment and verification of a nomogram
Shuang Zu ; Qiqi Yan ; Le Yang ; Huixian Li ; Xiude Li ; Yunshan Fan ; Bao Zhang ; Deguang Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2159-2165
Objective:
To identify the risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) in maintenance peritoneal dialysis(MPD) patients and to develop and validate a nomogram-based risk-prediction model.
Methods:
A total of 168 hospitalized MPD patients from the Department of Nephrology were enrolled.Body-fluid composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis,and pulmonary-artery systolic pressure(PASP) was assessed by echocardiography.Patients were randomly allocated into a training set and a validation set at 1:1 ratio.Variables with P< 0. 05 in multivariable Logistic regression in the training set were incorporated to construct a nomogram .The validation set was used to test the model ’s predictive performance . ROC curves , calibration curves , and decision-curve analysis were applied to evaluate accuracy , consistency , and clinical usefulness of the model .
Results:
Dialysis vintage ( OR : 1 . 038 , 95% CI: 1 . 008 - 1 . 069 , P = 0. 012) , hemoglobin level ( OR : 0. 961 , 95% CI: 0. 929 - 0. 994 , P = 0. 021) , and extracellular water/intracellular water ratio (E/I) (OR : 1 . 069 , 95% CI: 1 . 024- 1 . 115 , P = 0. 002) were independent risk factors for PAH . ROC analysis yielded area under curve as 0. 867 (95% CI: 0. 782 - 0. 953) and 0. 808 (95% CI: 0. 714 - 0. 902) in the training and validation sets , respectively .Calibration plots showed that the predicted curves for both the training and validation sets closely overlapped with the ideal reference line , indicating that the nomogram risk-prediction model had good predictive performance . Decision-curve analysis demonstrated that , within threshold ranges of 0. 13 - 0. 76 ( training set ) and 0. 20 - 0. 76 (val- idation set ) , clinical net benefit was substantial when interventions were guided by the nomogram .
Conclusion
Dialysis vintage , hemoglobin level , and fluid-overload index (E/I) are independent risk factors for PAH in MPD patients . The nomogram based on these parameters reliably predicts PAH risk and may aid clinical decision-making.
7.One-year outcomes of a novel domestic transcatheter aortic valve system in severe aortic stenosis: a multicenter cohort study
Yuehuan LI ; Jiawei ZHOU ; Lai WEI ; Yingqiang GUO ; Liang MA ; Huiming GUO ; Xiangbin PAN ; Dongjin WANG ; Fanyan LUO ; Jue WANG ; Minxin WEI ; Deguang FENG ; Yingbin XIAO ; Liming LIU ; Jian′an WANG ; Jiangang WANG ; Haibo ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(11):1052-1058
Objective:To examine the safety and effectiveness of a novel domestic transcatheter aortic valve system in addressing severe aortic valve stenosis.Methods:This prospective, multicenter, single-arm target-value clinical trial enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis meeting inclusion criteria from 13 Chinese centers between July 2021 and April 2022. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1-year post-procedure. Secondary endpoints included safety outcomes (30-day all-cause mortality, 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events, device success) and efficacy parameters (transvalvular pressure gradient, paravalvular leak severity, New York Heart Association(NYHA)class improvement, and quality of life). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.Results:The study included 134 patients, 85 males and 49 females, with an age of (73.6±5.6)years (range: 65.1 to 91.8 years). Bicuspid aortic valve morphology was present in 59.7% (80/134). Device success rate was 99.3%, with one case converted to open surgery due to coronary obstruction. All-cause mortality was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.1% to 5.3%) at both 30-day and 1-year follow-up, significantly lower than the 25% target value ( P<0.01). Permanent pacemaker implantation rates remained 2.2% (3/134) at both timepoints. Stroke incidence was 0.7% (1/134) at 30 days and 1.5% (2/134) at 1 year. Myocardial infarction rates were 0.7% (1/134) at both intervals. The postoperative transvalvular pressure gradient of the aortic valve was (6.6±3.1) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) (range: 4 to 8 mmHg). Among the patients, 32 cases (23.9%) had mild paravalvular leakage, 4 cases (3.0%) had moderate paravalvular leakage, and no severe paravalvular leakage was observed. NYHA class Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients increased from 18.7% preoperatively to 99.3% postoperatively. Conclusion:The novel domestic transcatheter aortic valve system demonstrates satisfactory 1-year safety and efficacy outcomes in treating severe aortic stenosis.
8.Effect of chloroquine on replication and proliferation of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
Ao ZHANG ; Ruizhao QIU ; Zi LI ; Feng GAO ; Deguang SONG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(4):634-639
Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)is highly prevalent and wide-ly distributed,and its harm on pig farming is of great concern,therefore,effective strategies for prevention and control are necessary.In this study,chloroquine(CQ)was selected and its effect and mechanism on replication and proliferation of PHEV were investigated.The results showed that CQ(1-100 mmol/L)inhibits the replication and proliferation of PHEV in a dose-dependent manner and has no cytotoxicity on N2a cells.The production of inflammatory cytokines and activa-tion of NF-κB signaling pathway were both inhibited by CQ concentration at 50 mmol/L in PHEV-infected N2a cells.In conclusion,we confirmed the inhibition of CQ in replication and proliferation of PHEV.It is expected to be applied to the prevention and treatment of PHEV in clinical.
9.Structural and functional analysis of the NS2 protein of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
Ao ZHANG ; Shaoqian MU ; Yihan TIAN ; Ruizhao QIU ; Guoce FU ; Junchao SHI ; Feng GAO ; Wen-qi HE ; Deguang SONG ; Zi LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(9):1843-1848,1887
Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)is one of the coronaviruses susceptible to swine populations.The non-structural protein 2(NS2)encoded by its genome is fre-quently deleted during the epidemic transmission of the virus,but its biological significance re-mains unclear.In order to explore the structure and function of the NS2 protein,this study utilized platforms such as ProtParam,TMHMM,NetPhos3.1,and ExPASy to analyze its physicochemical properties,spatial structure,genetic evolution,and post-translational modification characteristics.Meanwhile,the NS2 protein was expressed in eukaryotes and transcriptome sequencing was per-formed to clarify the biological processes it participates in.The results showed that the NS2 protein consists of 233 amino acids,with a molecular weight of 26.735 kDa,and a half-life of approximately 30 hours in mammals.It includes 13 phosphorylation sites,2 N-glycosylation sites,and 1 O-glyco-sylation site,with no signal peptide and strong hydrophilicity.The a-helix accounts for the highest proportion in NS2(43.78%),followed by random coils(36.05%).The homology of the NS2 pro-tein between the epidemic strains PHEV-CC14 and PHEV-JL/2008 in Northeast China is 99.57%.The NS2 protein is widely involved in the regulation of nerve-related functions,such as axon guid-ance and synaptic development.This study preliminarily clarified the biological function of the NS2 protein,providing a new perspective for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of PHEV.
10.Effect of chloroquine on replication and proliferation of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus
Ao ZHANG ; Ruizhao QIU ; Zi LI ; Feng GAO ; Deguang SONG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(4):634-639
Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus(PHEV)is highly prevalent and wide-ly distributed,and its harm on pig farming is of great concern,therefore,effective strategies for prevention and control are necessary.In this study,chloroquine(CQ)was selected and its effect and mechanism on replication and proliferation of PHEV were investigated.The results showed that CQ(1-100 mmol/L)inhibits the replication and proliferation of PHEV in a dose-dependent manner and has no cytotoxicity on N2a cells.The production of inflammatory cytokines and activa-tion of NF-κB signaling pathway were both inhibited by CQ concentration at 50 mmol/L in PHEV-infected N2a cells.In conclusion,we confirmed the inhibition of CQ in replication and proliferation of PHEV.It is expected to be applied to the prevention and treatment of PHEV in clinical.


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