1.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
2.Increased risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures associated with sterol esters:evidence from IEU-GWAS and FinnGen databases
Zengjie GAO ; Xiang PU ; Lailai LI ; Yihui CHAI ; Hua HUANG ; Yu QIN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1302-1310
BACKGROUND:Although previous studies have reported associations between lipids and the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures,the specific causal relationships between lipid level and osteoporotic pathological fractures remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between lipids and osteoporotic pathological fractures using a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS:The data for 178 lipid metabolites were obtained from the IEU-GWAS database(developed by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol,UK,which provides extensive summary data from genome-wide association studies),while osteoporotic pathological fracture data(from 173 619 European participants)were acquired from the FinnGen database(constructed by the Finnish national gene research program,focusing on investigating relationships between genomics and health/disease in the Finnish population).Osteoporotic pathological fracture data were used as the outcome variable,with lipids serving as exposures,for the bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to evaluate the causal effects of different lipids on osteoporotic pathological fractures.The UK Biobank database was employed as a validation set by switching the outcome variable to verify the findings horizontally.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The inverse variance weighted analysis indicated that each unit increase in sterol ester(27∶1/20∶2)levels was associated with a 25.55%increase in the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures(odds ratio=1.256,95%confidence interval:1.001-1.575,P=0.049),suggesting a significant positive correlation between elevated sterol ester levels and increased fracture risk.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis revealed a significant negative association between osteoporotic pathological fractures and three types of phosphatidylcholine.Horizontal validation yielded consistent results,confirming sterol ester as a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures.(2)The results indicate that sterol ester is a risk factor for osteoporotic pathological fractures,while phosphatidylcholine serves as a protective factor.These findings strengthen the evidence supporting the effect of lipids on the risk of osteoporotic pathological fractures.Although the GWAS data used in this study were derived from European populations,given the broad commonality of human genetics,the results provide valuable reference significance for improving osteoporosis in Chinese populations through lipid regulation.
3.Aerobic exercise regulates autophagy to improve myocardial fibrosis in mice with atherosclerosis
Xi-hua LIU ; Tiantian MA ; Fang QIN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;40(12):1775-1781
Objective:To explore the mechanism of aerobic exercise regulating autophagy to improve myocardial fibrosis in mice with atherosclerosis.Method:Eight weeks old male ApoE-/-knockout mice were randomly divided into model group,aerobic exer-cise group and blank control group after one-week adaption,with nine mice in each group.The atherosclerosis model was established by fed a"Western type"diet for 12 weeks and the aerobic exercise group was re-ceived aerobic training at the same time.After 12 weeks,Oil Red O staining was used to observe the patho-logical status of atherosclerosis in the two groups,and Masson dyeing was used to detect myocardial fibrosis in each group.The expressions and localization of ATG5,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,Beclin-1 and p62 in myocardial tissue of mice in each group were detected by immunofluorescence.The protein levels of ATG5,LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ,Beclin-1 and p62 in myocardial tissue of each group were detected by Western Blot.Result:Oil red O staining showed that obvious atherosclerotic plaque formation was found in the model group,while the area of atherosclerotic plaque in the aerobic exercise group was significantly less than that in the model group,indicating the degree of atherosclerosis was significantly improved.Masson dyeing showed that myocardial fibrosis in the aerobic exercise group was significantly improved compared with the model group,and the degree of myocardial fibrosis in both groups was greater than that in the blank control group.Immunofluorescence and Western Blot analysis showed that the expression levels of ATG5,LC3B II/I,and Be-clin-1 in the myocardial tissue of aerobic exercise group mice were significantly increased,while the level of p62 protein was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion:Aerobic exercise can significantly improve myocardial fibrosis in mice with atherosclerosis,and the mechanism may be related to aerobic exercise activated autophagy-related factors in myocardial tissue of mice.
4.The Development Trend of mRNA Therapy from the Perspectives of Paper and Patent
Qing QIN ; Fang YUAN ; Liang REN ; Xiao-zhao XING ; Wen-hua PU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(12):2055-2063
mRNA therapy is an emerging treatment that has become a frontier and hot topic in the field of biomedicine.To explore the trend in the development of mRNA therapy,this paper conducts an analysis from the perspectives of papers and patents,examining multiple dimensions including development trend,research areas,and high-value research.The study reveals the following findings:Global research in mRNA therapy is growing rapidly.Basic research mainly focuses on oncology,chemistry-multidisciplinary,biochemistry and molecular biology,while applied research centers on mRNA concerning genetic engineering,isolation,synthesis,purification,and the development of medicines.High-value research mainly centers on topics such as mRNA delivery,composition,manufacture,modification,and the development of various mRNA-based therapies.
5.Analysis of Clinical Features and Multi-Slice Spiral CT Image Features of Acute Appendicitis in Soldiers Who Have Been Living in Plateau for A Long Time
Li-na YUE ; Juan-qin NIU ; Gang CHEN ; Man-ping CHENG ; Ning-xia MU ; Jia FAN ; Kang LIU ; Yu-lan NIU ; Ya-ping HE ; Zhong-hua LI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(11):1869-1878
Objective:To investigate the clinical features and multi-slice spiral computed tomography(CT)imaging features of acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time.Methods:The clinical features and imaging data of 56 cases of acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time confirmed by surgery from February 2022 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:In 56 cases with acute appendicitis in soldiers who have been living in plateau for a long time,the appendectomy position results showed:anterior ileum 4 cases(7.14%),lower ileum 10 cases(17.86%),posterior cecum 16 cases(28.57%),lower cecum 9 cases(16.07%),lateral cecum 2 cases(3.58%),posterior ileum 6 cases(10.71%),high(subhepatic)9 cases(16.07%),and left lower abdominal 0 cases,retroperitoneal appendicitis 0 cases,which was suggested that the anatomical position variation of appendicitis in soldiers with acute appendicitis who have been living at high altitude for a long time was relatively large.The direct manifestations of multi-slice spiral CT showed:appendectomy enlarged diameter>6 mm in 49 cases(87.50%),appendicular wall thickening>2 mm in 42 cases(75.00%),ppendiceal dilation lumen and effusion in 29 cases(51.79%),appendix indistinctness in 3 cases(5.36%),lppendix fecalith:27 cases(48.21%),gas in the appendix in 16 cases(28.57%).Indirect findings of multi-slice spiral CT showed that,periappendiceal exudation with shadow in 32 cases(57.14%),appendiceal cellulitis with peripheral abscess in 9 cases(16.07%),peritonitis and ascites in 13 cases(23.21%),ileocecal intestinal wall thickening in 22 cases(39.29%),mesenteric lymph node enlargement in 16 cases(28.57%),reflexive intestinal stasis in ileocecal region was observed in 19 cases(33.93%).Conclusion:In the officers and soldiers with acute appendicitis who lived at high altitude for a long time,multi-slice spiral CT showed the direct manifestations of appendiceal thickening,tube wall thickening,lumen dilatation,fluid accumulation,etc.,and the indirect manifestations were periappendiceal exudation with shadow,appendiceal cellulitis with peripheral abscess,ileocecal intestinal wall thickening,reflexes of small intestine and mesenteric lymph node enlargement.Multi-slice spiral CT has the advantages of clear and intuitive,high safety,high resolution and simple operation in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
6.Clinical observation of point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application for gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery
Huanfeng TANG ; Dawei YUAN ; Hua WANG ; Ruxue SU ; Limin QIN ; Jingrui LIU ; Bingtao LÜ ; Jue HONG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2025;23(1):36-42
Objective:To observe the effect of point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application on gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery.Methods:A total of 204 patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery were recruited and divided into four groups using the random number table method,with 51 cases in each group.The control group received conventional postoperative intervention.In addition to the treatment in the control group,the point injection group was given point injection at Zusanli(ST36),the application group was offered abdominal point application,and the integrated group received point injection at Zusanli(ST36)and abdominal point application.The treatment lasted 3 consecutive days in all four groups.The recovery time of gastrointestinal function indicators and the incidence rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)were observed and recorded.Before and after treatment,the visual analog scale(VAS)was used to assess abdominal pain intensity,the venous blood type 1 helper T cells/type 2 helper T cells(Th1/Th2)was determined,the serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and interferon(IFN)-γ were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the plasma levels of motilin and gastrin were measured using radioimmunoassay.Results:Compared to the control group,the first exhaust time,the first defecation time,and the time of restoring fluid diet came earlier in the other three groups(P<0.05)and were earlier in the integrated group than in the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The point injection,application,and integrated groups had a lower PONV incidence rate than the control group,and the integrated group was lower than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The intra-group comparisons showed that the VAS score and the levels of IL-6 and INF-γ decreased after treatment in all four groups(P<0.05);the point injection,application,and integrated groups were lower than the control group(P<0.05),and the integrated group was lower than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).The intra-group comparisons also demonstrated that the levels of Th1/Th2,motilin,and gastrin increased after the intervention in the four groups(P<0.05);the point injection,application,and integrated groups were higher than the control group(P<0.05),and the integrated group was higher than the point injection and application groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Point injection at Zusanli(ST36)plus abdominal point application can encourage postoperative exhaust,defecation,and the recovery of diet fluid,alleviate postoperative abdominal pain,reduce PONV,balance Th1/Th2,and regulate the secretion of motilin and gastrin in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after laparoscopic surgery.
7.Correlation of bone metabolic markers with severity of aortic calcification and risk for cardiovascular events in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients
Jinxiu CHENG ; Yanchun CAO ; Shengjun LIU ; Yujie JIN ; Hua LIU ; Linlin WANG ; Shaoqiang QIN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):145-148
Objective To investigate the correlation between novel bone metabolism markers and the degree of aortic calcification as well as cardiovascular event risk in elderly patients treated by PD.Methods A prospective trial was conducted on 230 elderly patients receiving continuous am-bulatory PD in our department from February 2022 to February 2024.According to the occur-rence of cardiovascular events during dialysis treatment,they were divided into a cardiovascular event group(n=92)and a control group(n=138).Relevant clinical data were collected,aortic calcification was assessed using AAC scores,and serum levels of bone metabolism markers,inclu-ding osteoprotegerin,TRACP,and PINP were measured.Results The serum levels of osteoprote-gerin,TRACP and PINP were significantly higher in the cardiovascular event group than the con-trol group(P<0.01).The cardiovascular event group had obviously severe calcification and higher AAC score than the control group(P<0.01).The serum levels of the three bone metabolism markers were notably higher in the patients with severe calcification than those with moderate calcification,followed by mild calcification in turn(P<0.01).Spearman correlation analysis indi-cated that the levels of the three indicators were positively correlated with the degree of aortic cal-cification in elderly PD patients(r=0.465,P=0.000;r=0.396,P=0.000;r=0.434,P=0.000).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that these three indicators were risk factors for cardiovascular events in elderly PD patients(P<0.01).Conclusion The three bone metabolism markers are significantly correlated with aortic calcification severity and cardiovascular event risk in elderly PD patients.Monitoring these marker levels may be helpful for the assessment and man-agement of cardiovascular risk.
8.circHERC4_041 Inhibits the Fibrotic Phenotype of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Encoding Protein
Yuan GAO ; Chuan-Meng ZHOU ; Hua-Yan WU ; Ya WANG ; Ru-Shi WU ; Pei-Ying GUAN ; Jun-Tao FANG ; Jin-Dong XU ; Yu-Peng LIU ; Zhi-Qin HU ; Zhi-Xin SHAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):393-403
A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P<0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P<0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.
9.Effects of Congrong San on neuronal apoptosis and Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase3 signaling pathway in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease
Yuan-qin CAI ; Yang XIANG ; Qing-hua LONG ; Xi WANG ; Jing-fan ZHANG ; Chu-hua ZENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1122-1128
AIM To investigate the effects of Congrong San on neuronal apoptosis and the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase3 signaling pathway in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease(AD).METHODS A total of 60 2-month-old SD male rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the memantine hydrochloride group(0.025 g/kg)and low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Congrong San groups(4.62,9.24,18.48 g/kg).All groups except the control group received stereotactic intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 to establish AD models.Following the successful modeling,each group received its corresponding intragastric administration once daily for 28 consecutive days.After the administration,the rats had their learning and memory ability detected by the morris water maze test;their hippocampal neuronal morphology observed with HE and Nissl staining;their hippocampal neuronal apoptosis observed with TUNEL staining;and their hippocampal expressions of amyloid precursor protein(APP),β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1),and apoptosis-related proteins Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase3 detected with Western blot assay.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with medium-dose and high-dose Congrong San exhibited improved learning and memory performance,alleviated hippocampal neuronal damage,increased Nissl body count(P<0.01),reduced hippocampal apoptosis rate(P<0.05,P<0.01),decreased protein expressions of APP,BACE1,Bax and cleaved-Caspase3/Caspase3 ratio(P<0.05,P<0.01),and elevated Bcl-2 expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Congrong San mitigates cognitive impairment,hippocampal neuronal damage,and apoptosis in AD rats,probably through inhibition of the Bax/Bcl-2/Caspase3 signaling pathway activation.
10.Establishment and application of a method for detecting Toxoplasma gondii based on recombinant polymerase amplification technology
Shao-zheng SONG ; Le-ying GU ; Ying-chao WU ; Ya-qin MENG ; Kang-ying YU ; Xiao-hua HUANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):107-112
To establish a method for detecting Toxoplasma gondii based on recombinant polymerase amplification(RPA)technology and apply it to clinical sample validation of pet cats.Using the 529 repeat sequence of the Toxoplasma gondii gene as the target gene sequence,primers and probes were designed,and the Rep-529 recombinant plasmid was constructed as the standard.A fluorescent RPA reaction system was established.Dilute the plasmid standard 10 times to different concentrations as the detection template for sensitivity testing;Specific testing was conducted using genomic DNA from several parasitic spe-cies,including Toxoplasma gondii,Cryptosporidium,Neosporidium,Trichinella spiralis,Giardia flagellata,Babesia bo-vis and Theileria annulata as templates;Simultaneously,fluorescence RPA and RT-PCR were used to detect 52 positive and 40 negative cats clinical samples,and the coincidence rate of the detection results of the two methods were compared and ana-lyzed.The RPA reaction system was successfully established using PTRep recombinant plasmid as the standard,ToxD-F/ToxD-R as the primer,and RepD-P as the fluorescent probe.The reaction temperature was constant at 39 ℃,the reaction time was 30 minutes,and the detection sensitivity was 1 copy/μL.There is no significant cross reaction with parasites such as Cryptosporidium,Neosporidium,Trichinella spiralis,Giardia,Babesia bovis and Theileria annulata,and the specificity is good.A total of 92 clinical fecal samples from cats were tested,and the positive coincidence rate of fluorescence RPA detection method was higher than that of conventional RT-PCR method(98.08%vs.82.69%),and the difference of the positive rate was not statistically significant(X2=1.392,P>0.05).The fluorescence RPA detection method for Toxoplasma gondii suc-cessfully established in this study has the characteristics of being fast,sensitive,specific,accurate,and reliable.It can be used as a rapid clinical detection kit for Toxoplasma gondii in cats and other animals,providing new technical support for the subsequent epidemiological monitoring and precise clinical diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats,other animals,and humans in the future.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail