1.Analysis of follicular helper T cell percentage and expression levels of functionally related cytokines in a mouse model of incomplete embryo implantation disorders
Peng WANG ; Xiaoyun GONG ; Manli ZHANG ; Yunian ZHANG ; Xiaolin LA
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):38-44
ObjectiveTo detect the proportion of splenic follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and their functionally related cytokine expression levels in the incomplete embryo implantation disorder (EID) model mice, and to explore the immunological mechanism of Tfh in infertility caused by embryo implantation disorder. MethodsSixteen female Kunming mice were randomly divided into two groups, with eight mice in each group. On day 4 of pregnancy, an incomplete EID mouse model was established by oral gavage of mifepristone suspension, while an equal volume of saline was administered to the control group. On day 8 of pregnancy, the mice were euthanized. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of Tfh cells in the spleen lymphocytes of both incomplete EID mice and normal control mice. qRT-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 protein (CXCR5) in the spleen lymphocytes of both groups. Western blot was employed to assess the protein expression levels of Bcl-6 and CXCR5 in the spleen lymphocytes of both groups. Serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-21 were measured by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to observe the expression levels of progesterone receptor (PR), Bcl-6, and CXCR5 proteins in the uterine endometrial tissue of mice in both groups. ResultsIncomplete-type EID mice had a reduced number of embryo implantation points and reduced endometrial PR expression. Flow assay results showed that the proportion of CD4+CXCR5+Tfh cells in splenic lymphocytes of incomplete-type EID mice was significantly higher than that of normal controls (P<0.05). Compared with the normal control group, Bcl-6 and CXCR5 mRNA levels and protein levels were elevated in splenic lymphocytes of incomplete EID mice, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05); serum IL-4, IL-6, and IL-21 levels were elevated in incomplete EID mice, and Bcl-6 and CXCR5 proteins in the endometrium were significantly elevated (P<0.05). ConclusionThe increase of Tfh cells and their associated cytokines Bcl-6 and CXCR5 is associated with the development of incomplete EID, and may be involved in the development of female immune infertility.
2.Research Progress on Short Stature Accompanied by Disorders of Sex Development
Xinran GONG ; Huifang PENG ; Jiali CHEN ; Hongwei JIANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):476-483
Short stature(SS) and disorder of sex development(DSD) are two types of conditions characterized by high clinical heterogeneity and complex etiology. There is interplay and mutual influence between the pathways regulated by growth hormone and sex hormones in skeletal and gonadal development. Causing co-occurrence of SS and DSD, as seen in conditions such as Turner syndrome, mixed gonadal dysgenesis, Noonan syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. Patients with these disorders are often accompanied by distinctive facial features, endocrine and metabolic disturbances, cardiovascular disease, and other systemic complications. Genetic factors involved include chromosomal numerical and structural abnormalities; mutations in genes such as SHOX, CHD7, SOX8, and PTPN11, dysregulation of the RAS/mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and defects in imprinted genes. This article aims to systematically review the relevant research progress, in order to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients with coexisting SS and DSD.
3.Analysis of Changes on Volatile Components of Ligusticum sinense cv. Chaxiong Rhizome Before and After Wine Processing Based on Electronic Nose and HS-GC-MS
Wen ZHANG ; Peng ZHENG ; Jiangshan ZHANG ; Xiaolin XIAO ; Zaodan WU ; Li XIN ; Wenhui GONG ; Jinlian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):173-181
ObjectiveBy comparing the composition and content of volatile components in raw products, wine-washed products and wine-fried products of Ligusticum sinense cv. Chaxiong rhizome(LSCR), to investigate the influence of wine processing on the volatile components of LSCR, in order to provide a basis for the development of quality standards for LSCR and its processed products. MethodsElectronic nose was used to identify the odors of LSCR, wine-washed and wine-fried LSCR, and their volatile components were detected by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS), and the relative mass fractions of these components were determined by peak area normalization method. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were performed on the obtained sample data by SIMCA 14.1 software, and the differential components of LSCR, wine-washed and wine-fried LSCR were screened according to the variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between volatile differential flavor components and electronic nose sensors. ResultsElectronic nose detection results showed that there were significant differences in the odors of LSCR, wine-washed and wine-fried LSCR, mainly reflected in the sensors S2, S4, S5, S6, S11, S12, S13. And a total of 62 compounds were identified from LSCR and its wine-processed products, among which 46, 50 and 51 compounds were identified from LSCR, wine-fried and wine-washed LSCR, respectively. There were 21 differential components between the raw products and wine-fried products, of which 10 components were increased and 11 were decreased after processing. There were 20 differential components between the raw products and wine-washed products, of which 11 constituents increased and 9 decreased after processing. There were 17 differential components between the wine-wash products and wine-fried products. Compared with the wine-washed products, the contents of 13 components in the wine-fried products increased, and the contents of 4 components decreased. The increasing trend of the content of phthalides in the wine-washed products was more obvious than that in the wine-fried products, but the content of total volatile components was higher in the wine-fried products than the wine-washed products. Correlation analysis showed that there were different degrees of correlation between the 7 differential sensors of electronic nose and 24 differential volatile components, mainly phthalides and olefins. ConclusionThe odor and the content of volatile components in LSCR changed obviously after wine processing, and n-butylphthalide, Z-butylidenephthalide and E-ligustilide can be used as the candidate differential markers of volatile components in LSCR before and after wine processing.
4.Soil conditioners affect rhizospheric bacterial communities of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Shuaicheng AN ; Jiangtao BI ; Gong LI ; Ruifan MAO ; Peng LIU ; Zhibing HUI ; Xiaoqin SU
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(6):2432-2450
Three soil conditioners were prepared from granulated food waste and decomposed cattle manure combined with desulfurization gypsum, coal gangue, and maifanite, respectively. Field trials were conducted in the saline field growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The effects of soil conditioners on rhizospheric bacterial communities were studied, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for soil amelioration and restoration. Five treatments were designed, including the control (T1), conventional fertilization (T2), reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with calcium additives (T3), reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with silica additives (T4), and reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with magnesium additives (T5), each with three replications. The results indicated that soil conditioners improved the rhizospheric nutrients, yield, and quality of grape (P<0.05), increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria by 17.32%-23.37%, decreased relative abundance of unidentified_Bacteria and Acidobacteriota by 4.22%-28.42% and 20.88%-35.81%, respectively. The bacterial community composition and diversity were different between treatments. Function analysis showed that the expression levels of the genes involved in chromosome and protein synthesis, mRNA biosynthesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism were up-regulated in the treatments with soil conditioners. The correlation analysis revealed that multiple environmental factors affected the alpha diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities, and some bacterial taxa were closely related to the grape yield and quality. It is concluded that soil conditioners can effectively alter rhizosphere nutrient levels and bacterial community structures and functions. T5 treatment outperforms other treatments in improving the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of rhizosphere, and the yield, and quality of grape. It has potential for application, and provides an important basis for development of new-type soil conditioners.
Soil Microbiology
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Rhizosphere
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Soil/chemistry*
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Vitis/microbiology*
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Fertilizers
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Bacteria/growth & development*
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Cattle
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Manure
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Animals
5.Ozone pollution and cardiovascular mortality in the elderly: A time-series analysis in Jinan, China (2015–2023)
Yan ZHANG ; Yunjing LI ; Weimei GONG ; Ying WANG ; Xiumiao PENG ; Jingwen ZHOU ; Yingjian ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1289-1298
Background Ozone (O3), a key air pollutant, significantly contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality, with particularly pronounced effects in the elderly. Objective To explore the association between acute O3 exposure and mortality from CVD and its subtypes in the elderly population in Jinan, and to investigate the modifying effects of gender,age, and seasonal factors on O3-related effects, as well as to clarify the interaction with other air pollutants. Methods Daily mortality data for CVD, air pollutants, and meteorological parameters were collected in Jinan from 2015 to 2023. Generalized additive models (GAM) combined with distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were used to analyze the lag effects of acute O3 exposure on mortalities from CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke in elderly individuals aged ≥60 years. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore effect differences by gender (male vs. female), age (non-high-aged elderly<80 years vs. high-aged elderly ≥80 years), and season (warm season: April–September vs. cold season: October–March of the following year). Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion of interaction (API), and Synergy index (SI) were used to assess the interactions of O3 with PM2.5 and NO2. Results During the study period, the mean daily concentration of ozone reached (105.01 ± 54.18) μg·m−3, exceeding the Grade I limit value specified in Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB 3095–2012). Among the
6.Analysis of national external quality assessment results for transfusion compatibility test, 2018 to 2023
Junhua HU ; Peng ZHANG ; Jiali LIU ; Zhiguo WANG ; Yanming LIU ; Shengchen TIAN ; Wanru MA ; Xiang LI ; Xuebin ZHAO ; Feng XUE ; Yuntian WANG ; Dong LIN ; Zheng SUN ; Jiwu GONG ; Lin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(12):1720-1727
Objective: To analyze the results of national external quality assessment (EQA) for transfusion compatibility test from 2018 to 2023, with the aim of providing references for improving laboratory testing quality and ensuring the safety of clinical blood transfusion. Methods: Three EQA programs were conducted annually, each distributing 22 quality assessment samples. Participating transfusion laboratories were required to complete testing within specified deadlines and to submit results along with documentation of testing methodologies, reagents, and equipment used. National Center for Clinical Laboratories (NCCL) conducted statistical analysis of laboratory results, evaluated testing outcomes and related circumstances, and provided feedback to participating laboratories. EQA data from transfusion laboratories across China from 2018 to 2023 were collected and systematically analyzed. Results: From 2018 to 2023, the qualification rates for all five items (ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, Rh blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching) were 67.59%, 77.11%, 77.38%, 72.78%, 79.96%, and 85.16%, respectively. The mean qualification rates for ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, RhD blood group typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching over the past six years were 96.25%±0.59%, 90.45%±4.52%, 96.05%±0.71%, 90.88%±2.86%, and 88.34%±3.48%, respectively. The qualification rates in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 all showed a stable trend of "blood stations>tertiary hospitals>secondary hospitals". The mean qualification rate of laboratories in secondary hospitals from 2018 to 2023 was significantly lower than those of laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed between laboratories in tertiary hospitals and blood stations (P>0.05). The micro column agglutination method was the most widely used in all five tests. In the four test items, namely ABO forward typing, ABO reverse typing, antibody screening, and cross-matching, there was a statistically significant difference in the qualification rate of micro column agglutination method compared to other methods (P<0.05). There was a statistical difference in the qualification rate between manual and automated detection using micro column agglutination method in the cross-matching tests (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was noted for the other test items (P>0.05). Conclusion: From 2018 to 2023, the number of laboratories participating in EQA activities has been increasing year by year, and the qualification rate has shown an overall upward trend. The type of laboratory is a key factor affecting the qualification rate, and the testing capabilities of some laboratories still need to be improved. The micro column agglutination method is widely used in transfusion compatibility tests. The established EQA program effectively monitors quality issues in laboratories, drives continuous improvement, and ensures sustained enhancement of testing standards to safeguard clinical blood safety.
7.Diagnostic Value of Chemokine CCL3 in Infectious Diseases
Haotian WU ; Youyi PENG ; Caiping GONG ; Min YANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(3):506-511
ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of plasma C-C motif chemokine ligand 3(CCL3) levels in infectious diseases. MethodsThe study enrolled patients in hospital or outpatient service and individuals undergoing health check-ups at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from July to October 2023. Patients clinically diagnosed with infectious diseases were assigned to the experimental group, while those who were healthy or diagnosed with non-infectious diseases were included in the control group. After non-qualifying samples were excluded, residual blood specimens from complete blood count (CBC) tests were collected to measure the plasma CCL3 levels.The CBC parameters including white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophils count (NEUT), eosinophils count (EOS),etc, and the plasma CCL3 levels were analyzed between the infectious and control groups to evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of CCL3 in infectious diseases. ResultsA total of 257 cases were enrolled, with 167 in the experimental group (active infections confirmed via clinical symptoms, CBC, inflammatory markers, or etiological examinations) and 90 in the control group (confirmed absence of active infections). The experimental group exhibited higher levels of WBC, NEUT and CCL3 than the control group, while the lymphocytes count(LYMPH), EOS in the experimental group were lower, with statistical significance (P<0.001) in univariate analysis. By using these significantly different indicators as independent variables, logistics regression modeling identified WBC, NEUT and CCL3 as independent risk factors for infection. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis revealed superior diagnostic performance of CCL3 over WBC and NEUT, while LYMP and EOS showed no diagnostic performance. The area under the curve (AUC) for CCL3 was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.795, 0.892), with a sensitivity of 84.4%, a specificity of 69.8%, and an optimal threshold of 106.405 ng/mL. ConclusionPlasma CCL3 levels have clinical diagnostic value in predicting infectious diseases and may serve as a potential clinical biomarker for detecting infectious diseases.
8.Multicenter,randomized,superiority,parallel-controlled clinical study of compound azinomide enteric-coated tablets in the treatment of dyspepsia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Jialu CHEN ; Yue TANG ; Delong QIN ; Zonglong LI ; Peng GONG ; Hong ZHU ; Jianhua LIU ; Junjing ZHANG ; Zhimin GENG ; Yubin ZHANG ; Xinjian XU ; Zhaohui TANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(2):298-309
Background and Aims:Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is a common surgical method for the treatment of gallbladder diseases.However,some patients experience symptoms such as dyspepsia after surgery,which can affect their quality of life.Compound azinomide enteric-coated tablets,a novel drug,may improve dyspeptic symptoms after LC.This study was conducted to explore the clinical efficacy of compound azinomide enteric-coated tablets in treating post-LC dyspepsia symptoms through a multicenter clinical trial.Methods:A multicenter,superior efficacy,open-label,parallel-controlled design was used.Patients with postoperative dyspepsia were enrolled in 7 centers between January 2023 and May 2024.Patients were randomly assigned to either the observation or control groups using a random number table.The observation group received compound azinomide enteric-coated tablets,while the control group was treated with a combination of oryzae pancreatin tablets and ursodeoxycholic acid tablets.Both groups were treated for 4 weeks.The primary endpoints included gastrointestinal symptom scores and quality of life scores assessed before and at 14 and 28 d after treatment.Additionally,the incidence of adverse reactions and cost-effectiveness ratio(CER)were compared between the groups.Results:A total of 303 patients were included,with 150 in the observation group and 153 in the control group.Baseline characteristics were balanced between the groups before treatment(all P>0.05).After treatment,the observation group showed significantly higher effective rates at 14 d and 28 d than the control group(44.7%vs.29.4%;98.0%vs.73.9%,both P<0.05).The observation group also had significantly lower symptom scores and quality of life scores at both 14 and 28 d,with a significantly higher improvement rate in symptom scores compared to the control group(all P<0.05).Further analysis of the improvement rate and treatment efficacy for individual symptoms revealed that,except for the 14-d improvement in abdominal pain/discomfort,the observation group showed better improvement in all other symptoms at 14 d and in all symptoms at 28 d compared to the control group(all P<0.05).No adverse reactions were observed in either group.The CER for the observation group was 283.78 yuan/efficacy rate at 14 d and 128.57 yuan/efficacy rate at 28 d,while the control group's CER was 729.93 yuan/efficacy rate at 14 d and 290.22 yuan/efficacy rate at 28 d.Conclusion:Compound azinomide enteric-coated tablets demonstrated good clinical efficacy in treating dyspepsia symptoms after LC with excellent safety and high cost-effectiveness.Despite some limitations,the results provide a new treatment option for dyspepsia after LC.Larger-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate this study's conclusions further.
9.The impact of participation status on the colorectal cancer incidence,stage and survival outcomes in the Shanghai colorectal cancer screening program
Peng PENG ; Jianming DOU ; Chunxiao WU ; Yi PANG ; Yangming GONG ; Mengyin WU ; Yan SHI ; Kai GU
China Oncology 2025;35(7):657-664
Background and purpose:The colorectal cancer screening program for community residents in Shanghai has been implemented for 12 years since 2013.This study aimed to analyze the impact of screening on the colorectal cancer incidence,stage and survival outcomes based on their screening participation status.Methods:This study used registry-based cohort study method.The registered residents in Shanghai from 2013 to 2017 who met the screening age range were divided into screening group and non-screening group.The data of colorectal cancer cases after being included in groups were obtained from the Population Based Cancer Registry.We calculated age-standardized cumulative incidence and age-group cumulative incidence,diagnosis stage and survival rate of colorectal cancer by gender,age and year of diagnosis.We used the Joinpoint regression method to calculate the annual change percentage for cumulative incidence trend analysis.The life table method and EdererⅡ method were used to calculate the 5-year observed survival rates and expected survival rates of colorectal cancer cases.Finally the 5-year relative survival rates were obtained.Results:The study included 1 687 689 participants aged 50-74 in screening group and 4 713 307 participants in non-screening group.During a 5-year follow-up period,there were 10 333 and 20 904 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the two groups,respectively.The age-standardized 5-year cumulative incidence in the screening group was 555.33/105,with an average annual increase of 33.32%(P<0.05).The age-standardized 5-year cumulative incidence in the non-screening group was 529.85/105,with an average annual increase of 48.13%(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the screening group and the non-screening group in the age-standardized 5-year cumulative incidence(X=0.25,P=0.804).The lower the age group,the greater the difference between the screening group and the non-screening group in the annual average change percentage of the age-standardized cumulative incidence.The stages 0-Ⅰ of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases in the screening group and non-screening group accounted for 14.70%and 7.46%,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in composition between the two groups(P<0.05).The 5-year relative survival rate of the screening group was 73.94%,while the non-screening group was 59.66%.The survival rate indicators of the former were significantly higher than those of the latter,and the difference was statistically significant.The survival rate of the former was significantly higher than that of the latter(73.94%vs 59.66%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The survival rate of females in both groups of cases was higher than that of males,and the survival rate decreased with increasing age-groups at diagnosis.Conclusion:With the implementation of the colorectal cancer screening program,the growth trend of the incidence rate of colorectal cancer among the screening participants has been curbed,and the early stages of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed and the 5-year survival rate were significantly improved.In order to reduce the incidence rate of colorectal cancer in the whole population,it is necessary to vigorously promote the screening coverage of the appropriate population,especially to increase the proportion of lower age groups participating in screening.We should also pay attention to the screening quality of the elderly groups and improve the compliance of colonoscopy in high-risk participants.At the same time,we should further optimize the refined management of screening for different genders,ages,and risk groups.
10.Progress in immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Lei GONG ; Zenghua DENG ; Zhetan REN ; Jiugong WANG ; Jirun PENG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;40(5):347-352
The incidence rate and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma are still very high. Surgery, ablation therapy, and liver transplantation are crucial in the treatment of liver cancer, but they are prone to recurrence after surgery; In addition, hepatocellular carcinoma is often diagnosed in advanced stages, which makes systemic therapy, especially immunotherapy, an important treatment option. The immune microenvironment of liver cancer has immunosuppressive effects, and overcoming immunosuppression is the key to immunotherapy for the liver cancer. In recent years, multiple clinical trials have shown that immunotherapy, especially the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors, has better efficacy and survival rates, making it the gold standard for treating patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. This success has prompted research to expand the application of immunotherapy to neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and conversion therapies, as well as patients with liver dysfunction and those awaiting liver transplantation. Although its efficacy has been proven, there are still a large number of patients who develop resistance to immunotherapy, which requires various innovative strategies to address this challenge.

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