1.Icariin-containing serum promotes chondrocyte proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells in the co-culture system of three kinds of cells
Qi LIU ; Linzhen LI ; Yusheng LI ; Hongzhuo JIAO ; Cheng YANG ; Juntao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1371-1379
BACKGROUND:The capability of repairing articular cartilage damage is very limited,and tissue engineering technology provides new therapeutic options for repairing damaged cartilage,in which the interaction and induction between chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and synovial mesenchymal stem cells is the basis of autologous healing of cartilage damage. OBJECTIVE:To construct the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system to simulate the in vitro microenvironment of chondrocytes,and to explore the optimal cell inoculation ratio,meanwhile to observe the effects of icariin-containing serum on the proliferation of chondrocytes and the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells in the system. METHODS:Rat knee chondrocytes,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells were extracted,cultured and identified,and a chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell non-contact co-culture system was constructed according to different cell inoculation ratios.After 72 hours of co-culturing,the chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability were observed,and the co-culture system with the best overall effect was selected.New Zealand white rabbits were gavaged with icariin solution(0.25 mg/mL)to prepare icariin-containing serum,and cultured in conventional complete medium(high sugar DMEM culture medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum and 1%double antibody by volume)as the control group,while the experimental group was intervened by adding 10%icariin-containing serum by volume on the basis of above.The proliferative activity of chondrocytes and the expression of collagen type II were tested for the two groups after 24 and 48 hours.The differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in the co-culture system was tested by immunofluorescence staining after 14 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The three kinds of cells grew normally adherently to the wall in different ratios of co-culture,where chondrocytes showed the best proliferative activity and phenotypic ability in the co-culture system when chondrocytes:bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells:synovial mesenchymal stem cells=2:1:1.(2)Compared with the control group,the proliferative activity and type II collagen expression of chondrocytes in the experimental group were significantly increased after 24 hours(P<0.01),and the two groups still had difference after 48 hours(P<0.05).The two groups showed obvious chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells after 14 days(P<0.01),and some of the cells appeared round or oval,and the cytoplasmic type II collagen immunofluorescence staining was positive.The fluorescence intensity of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.01).(3)The results showed that the chondrocyte-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-synovial mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system could be successfully established by the non-contact co-culture method,and the best chondrocyte proliferative activity and phenotypic ability could be obtained when the cell ratio was 2:1:1.Icariin-containing serum had the promoting effect on chondrocyte proliferation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and synovial mesenchymal stem cells in the system.
2.Identification and validation of characterized gene NFE2L2 for ferroptosis in ischemic stroke
Mi WANG ; Shujie MA ; Yang LIU ; Rui QI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1466-1474
BACKGROUND:Ferroptosis is closely associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke,and targeting ferroptosis is a promising regimen for the treatment of ischemic stroke,but the specific regulatory targets are unclear. OBJECTIVE:To screen ferroptosis-related characterized genes in ischemic stroke by bioinformatics and machine learning methods and validate them by cellular experiments to investigate the role of ferroptosis in ischemic stroke. METHODS:Eligible ischemic stroke-related datasets and ferroptosis expression datasets were selected based on GEO database and FerrDb database,and ferroptosis-related differential genes were screened by t-test.GO functional enrichment analysis with KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis was performed for ferroptosis-related differential genes.Characterized genes for ferroptosis in ischemic stroke were screened by PPI network analysis and machine learning.The reliability and biological functions of the characterized genes were explored using ROC analysis and GSEA analysis,followed by cell experiment.HT22 cells were divided into control and ischemic stroke groups.No intervention was made in the control group,and 0.1 mM H2O2 was added to the ischemic stroke group for 24 hours to simulate cellular oxidative stress injury and ferroptosis.The ferroptosis and the expression of characterized genes were verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Forty-five ferroptosis-associated differential genes were obtained,and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the differential genes were closely associated with oxidative stress,autophagy,ferroptosis,adipocytokine signaling pathway,and mitochondrial metabolism.(2)A total of one ferroptosis characterized gene,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NFE2L2),was identified by the MCODE plugin and cytoHubba plugin in the PPI network with the LASSO algorithm and SVM-RFE algorithm in machine learning.(3)Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of NFE2L2 revealed that the diagnostic prediction models constructed in the training and validation sets had good accuracy and specificity.GSEA analysis of NFE2L2 revealed that the characterized gene was involved in the regulation of ischemic stroke pathogenesis through immunity,inflammatory response,amino acid metabolism,and neurofactor regulation.(4)RT-PCR and western blot analyses showed that the acyl coenzyme A synthetase long chain family,member 4(ACSL4)mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in the ischemic stroke group compared with the control group(P<0.05),and the glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower in the ischemic stroke group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of the characterized gene NFE2L2 were significantly higher in the ischemic stroke group(P<0.05).(5)It suggests that ischemic stroke is closely related to ferroptosis,and targeting the characterized gene NFE2L2 may provide certain ideas and directions for the study and treatment of ischemic stroke.
3.Inhibition of HDAC3 Promotes Psoriasis Development in Mice Through Regulating Th17
Fan XU ; Xin-Rui ZHANG ; Yang-Chen XIA ; Wen-Ting LI ; Hao CHEN ; An-Qi QIN ; Ai-Hong ZHANG ; Yi-Ran ZHU ; Feng TIAN ; Quan-Hui ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1008-1017
ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) on the occurrence, development of psoriasis-like inflammation in mice, and the relative immune mechanisms. MethodsHealthy C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), psoriasis model group (IMQ), and HDAC3 inhibitor RGFP966-treated psoriasis model group (IMQ+RGFP966). One day prior to the experiment, the back hair of the mice was shaved. After a one-day stabilization period, the mice in Control group was treated with an equal amount of vaseline, while the mice in IMQ group was treated with imiquimod (62.5 mg/d) applied topically on the back to establish a psoriasis-like inflammation model. The mice in IMQ+RGFP966 group received intervention with a high dose of the HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 (30 mg/kg) based on the psoriasis-like model. All groups were treated continuously for 5 d, during which psoriasis-like inflammation symptoms (scaling, erythema, skin thickness), body weight, and mental status were observed and recorded, with photographs taken for documentation. After euthanasia, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of RGFP966 on the skin tissue structure of the mice, and skin thickness was measured. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HDAC3 in skin tissues were detected using reverse transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot (WB), respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze neutrophils in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood, and IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, spleen CD4+ T lymphocyte expression of HDAC3, CCR6, CCR8, and IL-17A secretion levels were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression levels of HDAC3, IL-17A, and IL-10 in skin tissues. ResultsCompared with the Control group, the IMQ group exhibited significant psoriasis-like inflammation, characterized by erythema, scaling, and skin wrinkling. Compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 exacerbated psoriasis-like inflammatory symptoms, leading to increased hyperkeratosis. The psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) skin symptom scores were higher in the IMQ group than those in the Control group, and the scores were further elevated in the IMQ+RGFP966 group compared to the IMQ group. Skin thickness measurements showed a trend of IMQ+RGFP966>IMQ>Control. The numbers of neutrophils in the blood and lymph nodes increased sequentially in the Control, IMQ, and IMQ+RGFP966 groups, with a similar trend observed for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the blood. In skin tissues, compared with the Control group, the mRNA and protein levels of HDAC3 decreased in the IMQ group, but RGFP966 did not further reduce these expressions. HDAC3 was primarily located in the nucleus. Compared with the Control group, the nuclear HDAC3 content decreased in the skin tissues of the IMQ group, and RGFP966 further reduced nuclear HDAC3. Compared with the Control and IMQ groups, RGFP966 treatment decreased HDAC3 expression in splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RGFP966 treatment increased the expression of CCR6 and CCR8 in splenic CD4+ T cells and enhanced IL-17A secretion by peripheral blood and splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes. Additionally, compared with the IMQ group, RGFP966 reduced IL-10 protein levels and upregulated IL-17A expression in skin tissues. ConclusionRGFP966 exacerbates psoriatic-like inflammatory responses by inhibiting HDAC3, increasing the secretion of the cytokine IL-17A, and upregulating the expression of chemokines CCR8 and CCR6.
4.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
5.Effect and Mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma Herb Pair in Treatment of Simple Obesity
Wenjing LI ; Zhongyu WANG ; Yongxin HUANG ; Jingjing XU ; Ying DING ; You WU ; Zhiwei QI ; Ruifeng YANG ; Xiaotong YANG ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):70-79
ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the active components and target pathways of Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Polygonati Rhizoma (ASR-PR) herb pair in the treatment of simple obesity through network pharmacology and molecular docking, and to verify and investigate its mechanism of action via animal experiments. MethodsThe chemical constituents and targets of ASR and PR were predicted using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). Targets related to simple obesity were identified by retrieving the GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), and DisGeNET databases. The intersection of drug and disease targets was used to construct an active component-target network using Cytoscape software. This network was imported into the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and topological analysis was conducted to identify core genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and mapping were performed using the DAVID database and the Microbioinformatics platform. AutoDock 1.5.7 software was used to perform molecular docking between the top five active components and core targets. An animal model of simple obesity was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a high-fat diet. The mice were administered ASR (2.06 g·kg-1), PR (2.06 g·kg-1), or ASR-PR (4.11 g·kg-1) for 10 weeks, while the model group received an equal volume of purified water by gavage. After the administration period, the mice were sacrificed to measure body fat weight and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histopathological sections of liver and adipose tissue. Serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in liver tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsNetwork pharmacology and molecular docking results indicated that the treatment of simple obesity by ASR-PR may involve the regulation of protein expression of core targets EGFR and STAT3 by its main components MOL009760 (Siberian glycoside A_qt), MOL003889 (methyl protodioscin_qt), MOL009766 (resveratrol), MOL006331 (4′,5-dihydroxyflavone), and MOL004941 (baicalin), thereby modulating the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased body weight, body fat weight, and serum levels of TG, TC, TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin (P<0.01). EGFR mRNA expression was significantly elevated (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Histological analysis revealed disordered hepatic architecture in the model group, with pronounced lipid vacuoles, cytoplasmic loosening, lipid accumulation, and steatosis. Adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the model group exhibited markedly increased diameters, reduced cell counts per unit area, and irregular morphology. Compared with the model group, the ASR-PR group significantly reduced body weight, body fat weight, serum TC, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin levels, and EGFR mRNA expression (P<0.01). TG levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05), while STAT3 mRNA expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). Histopathological improvements included reduced size and number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and restoration of liver cell morphology toward that of the normal group. The diameter of adipocytes significantly decreased, and the number of adipocytes per unit area increased. ConclusionASR-PR may regulate the expression of key target proteins such as EGFR and STAT3 via its core active components, modulate the PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, repair damaged liver and adipose tissues, and thereby alleviate the progression of obesity in mice.
6.Correlation between bedtime screen use behavior and sleep health among fourth and fifth grade primary school students
ZHU Guiyin, ZHU Fan, QI Tiantian, GUO Shihao, YANG Shuang, MA Yinghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(4):548-551
Objective:
To investigate the association between bedtime screen use and sleep health among fourth and fifthgrade primary school students, so as to provide evidence to support interventions for improving sleep quality.
Methods:
From April to June 2024, a survey was conducted among 4 232 fourth and fifthgrade students from nine primary schools in a district of Beijing. A selfdesigned questionnaire assessed bedtime screen use behavior and sleep health indicators. Generalized linear models and Logistic regression were used to analyze the associations.
Results:
Among the surveyed students, 28.3% reported bedtime screen use. Mean sleep duration every day was (9.31±0.90) hours on school days and (10.08±1.36) hours on weekends. Compared to nonusers, students with bedtime screen use exhibited every day: later bedtimes on school days (10.18 min delay, 95%CI=6.88-13.47) and weekends (22.09 min delay, 95%CI=17.33-26.85) (P<0.05); later weekend wake times (7.97 min delay, 95%CI=1.78-14.16, P<0.05); reduced sleep duration on school days (-9.82 min, 95%CI=-13.62 to -6.03) and weekends (-14.12 min, 95%CI=-20.24 to -8.00) (P<0.05); greater weekend-school day bedtime discrepancy (β=1.15, 95%CI=1.08-1.23, P<0.01). Additionally, they had lower odds of falling asleep within 20 minutes (OR=0.62, 95%CI=0.54-0.72), daytime alertness (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.56-0.77), and subjective sleep satisfaction (OR=0.57, 95%CI=0.49-0.66)(P<0.01).
Conclusions
Bedtime screen use is associated with adverse effects on multiple dimensions of sleep health in primary school students. Reducing screen exposure before bed may help improve their sleep quality.
7.Effects of Spleen Deficiency on Lipid Metabolism in Hyperlipidemia Model Rats Based on Gut Microbiota Sequencing and Fecal Metabolomics
Xue LENG ; Qi WANG ; Yang LI ; Xintong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):1046-1056
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanisms by which spleen deficiency affects lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemia, from the perspective of gut microbiota and fecal endogenous metabolites. MethodsEighteen Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, hyperlipidemia group, and spleen-deficiency with hyperlipidemia group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group was fed with standard diet; the hyperlipi-demia group was given high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia model; and the spleen-deficiency with hyperlipidemia group received combination of high-fat diet, irregular feeding, and exercise restriction to induce the model. After 12 weeks of modeling, serum lipid levels including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze gut microbiota composition in fecal samples, and fecal metabolites were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Differential metabolites and microbial taxa were screened for pathway enrichment and functional prediction analysis, followed by correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the hyperlipidemia and spleen-deficiency with hyperlipidemia groups showed significantly increased serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, and decreased HDL-C levels (P<0.01). Compared with the hyperlipidemia group, the spleen-deficiency with hyperlipidemia group showed further increases in TG, TC, and LDL-C and further decrease in HDL-C (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Gut microbiota analysis revealed 3,066 unique species in the control group, 2,637 in the hyperlipidemia group, and 1,581 in the spleen-deficiency group. Chao1, Simpson, and Shannon indices were significantly reduced in the spleen-deficiency group compared with the hyperli-pidemia group, with an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Differentially abundant genera such as Romboutsia, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Allobaculum, and Xylanibacter were significantly upregulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Metabolomics identified 25 differential metabolites in feces of spleen-deficient rats, with 18 downregulated and 7 upregulated. Key enriched pathways included serotonergic synapse, nucleotide metabolism, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Spearman correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between Romboutsia and Desulfovibrio and metabolites such as digalactosyldiacylglycerol (48∶5), dehydrated artemetin, lysophosphatidylcholine (26∶4), and glucuronosyldiacylglycerol (46∶5); Clostridium was positively correlated with cyclopassifloric acid E1, digalactosyldiacylglycerol (48∶5), and lysophosphatidylcholine (26∶4); Xylanibacter was positively correlated with digalactosyldiacylglycerol (48∶5), dehydrated artemetin, and lysophosphatidylcholine (26∶4). ConclusionSpleen deficiency can further alter gut microbiota composition in hyperlipi-demia model rats, leading to microbial dysbiosis and metabolic disturbances that aggravate lipid metabolism disorders. This mechanism may be associated with changes in pathways such as serotonergic synapse, nucleotide metabolism, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and arachidonic acid metabolism.
8.Correlation Between Human Body Fat Distribution and Carotid Atherosclerosis
Yanmeng QI ; Dandan LI ; Anqi CHEN ; Han YANG ; Yan LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(3):703-709
To explore the correlation between human body fat distribution and carotid athero-sclerosis. Adult healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations at the Health Management Center of the International Medical Department(Xidan Campus) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were selected as study participants. Baseline data, laboratory indicators, Inbody body composition analysis, and carotid ultrasound examination results were collected. Participants were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group and control group based on carotid ultrasound examination results. Baseline data, laboratory indicators, and body composition differences between the two groups were compared, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and body composition. To further explore the correlation between fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis, the ratio of trunk fat to limb fat(trunk fat/limb fat), visceral fat area, and waist-to-hip ratio were stratified into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups(with Q1 group as the reference) based on quartiles(Q1 to Q4), and a forest plot was constructed to analyze the risk of carotid atherosclerosis in each subgroup. A total of 2221 participants were included in this study, including 1194 males(53.76%) and 1027 females(46.24%), with a mean age of(50.28±10.93) years. There were 1049 cases in the carotid atherosclerosis group and 1172 cases in the control group. Baseline data analysis showed that the carotid atherosclerosis group had a higher age and male proportion compared to the control group(both There is a significant correlation between trunk fat/limb fat and the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis. In the future, the sample size should be expanded, and more precise methods for measuring fat distribution should be adopted to validate the conclusions of this study.
9.Preliminary development of Health Literacy Evaluation Scale for Chinese High School Students
GUO Shihao, ZHU Fan, ZHU Guiyin, QI Tiantian, YANG Shuang, HU Bin, WU Huiyun, JIANG He, MA Yinghua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(5):676-680
Objective:
To develop a health literacy evaluation scale for Chinese high school students, providing a tool for dynamic monitoring of health literacy among high school students and evaluating the effectiveness of health school construction.
Methods:
Through theoretical research, an evaluation index system for health literacy of Chinese high school students was constructed. Two rounds of Delphi expert consultations were conducted to quantitatively screen the items, and the item pool was revised based on expert opinions to compile the health literacy evaluation scale for Chinese students. Two focus group interviews were held to collect suggestions from health educators, high school teachers, and high school students regarding optimized scale length, question types, difficulty and wording of the scale. The scale was revised accordingly. A pilot survey was conducted in Beijing and Tianjin in November 2024, and the reliability and validity of the scale were evaluated based on the pilot survey data.
Results:
The response rate in both rounds of Delphi expert consultations was over 80%, and the expert authority coefficient was over 0.70. The expert opinions were highly concentrated, and the dispersion was small. The revised item pool based on expert opinions contained 39 items. The revised scale based on the suggestions and opinions collected from the focus group interviews had a moderate number of questions and difficulty level. The pilot survey obtained 800 valid responses, with the response rate of 89.39%. The Cronbach α coefficient of the scale was 0.911, χ 2/df =3.321, the root mean square error of approximation was 0.054, the adjusted goodness-of-fit index was 0.991 , and the factor loadings of some items were less than 0.40.
Conclusion
The health literacy evaluation scale for Chinese high school students demonstrates scientific rigor and practical applicability, with good internal consistency and structural validity.
10.Characterizing pediatric dermatological presentations in an outer metropolitan emergency department: a single-center Western Australian study
Tristen Tze Wei NG ; Darren Zhi-Yang LOW ; Amelia Ye Chiung TANG ; Mabel Zhi Qi FOO ; Dale Wesley EDGAR ; Paul Anthony HILL
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Journal 2025;12(1):20-29
Purpose:
To characterize the patterns of demographic data, dermatologic diagnosis, and disposition regarding pediatric dermatological presentations in an emergency department (ED) at Armadale Health Service, a secondary outer metropolitan hospital in Perth, Western Australia.
Methods:
Retrospective cross-sectional study auditing pediatric dermatological presentations to the ED from December 2022 through November 2023. We analyzed the age group, sex, dermatologic diagnosis, Australasian Triage Scale, ED length of stay, and disposition. The age group comprised infants, preschoolers, schoolers, and adolescents. The diagnosis included anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema (AAE), allergy-related and urticarial dermatitis (AUD), eczema and other dermatitis (EOD), infective dermatoses, and not elsewhere classified.
Results:
Of the 540 pediatric patients who presented to the ED with a dermatological complaint, 44.4% were girls with a median age of 4.5 years (interquartile range, 1.5-9.3) and a hospitalization rate of 7.6%. The dermatologic diagnoses consisted of AUD (34.3%), infective dermatoses (29.3%), EOD (23.3%), AAE (8.5%), and not elsewhere classified (4.6%). Most patients were triaged as an Australasian Triage Scale category 3-4, with a median ED length of stay of 2.3 hours (1.5-3.5 hours). Pairwise comparisons showed differences in the diagnoses between infants and preschoolers and between schoolers and adolescents for EOD and infective dermatoses (P < 0.001). The hospitalized patients showed a higher proportion of AAE, EOD, and infective dermatoses than those discharged (P < 0.001). Patients with AUD were hospitalized less (odds ratio, 0.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.30; compared with AAE). No dermatological emergencies, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, were identified.
Conclusion
Our findings underscore regional differences and support global efforts to reduce non-life-threatening pediatric dermatological presentations to the ED. This study may contribute to the ongoing discourse on effectively managing such presentations in EDs.


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