1.Bioinformatics analysis of cellular senescence-related mitochondrial autophagy genes in diabetic retinopathy
Na LIANG ; Wenting WANG ; Xin SONG ; Wenjing HA ; Shaomin PENG
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(9):697-706
Objective:To investigate the potential mechanism of cellular senescence-related mitochondrial autophagy genes in diabetic retinopathy (DR).Methods:The DR gene datasets GSE53257 and GSE60436 from the GEO database and screened the differentially expressed genes (DEG) were downloaded. Cellular senescence-related genes and mitochondrial autophagy-related genes from the GeneCards database, and the intersection of the two to obtain the DR-related differentially expressed genes (CSRMRDEG) were collected. The obtained CSRMRDEG was subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis, and hub gene identification using Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC), Degree, Maximum Neighborhood Component (MNC)、Edge Percolated Component (EPC) and Closeness algorithms. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to obtain the enriched pathways of DEG, and ssGSEA immune infiltration analysis was performed to screen the correlation between immune cells and DR. The diagnostic efficacy of hub genes for DR was evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Meanwhile, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the differences in the infiltration level of immune cells between the DR Group and the control group.Results:23 DR-related CSRMRDEG were obtained. GO analysis showed that they were mainly enriched in the pathways of dicarboxylic acid, biosynthetic process of folate-containing compounds, tetrahydrofolate conversion, mitochondrial matrix, mitochondrial endomembrane, structural components of ribosomes, and glutamate transmembrane transporter protein activity. The results of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that CSRMRDEG was highly enriched in pathways such as the folate carbon pool, biosynthesis of cofactors, and pyruvate metabolism. The PPI analysis results show that there are 16 related CSRMRDEG. Five algorithms (MCC, Degree, MNC, EPC, Closeness) obtained the nine Hub genes. The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the expression levels of 9 hub genes for diagnosing DR ranged from 0.7-0.9. The ssGSEA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in Wilcoxon of central memory CD4 + T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, and helper T cell 1 between the DR group and the control group ( Z=-2.85, -2.23, -2.10, -2.52; P<0.05). Conclusion:Mitochondrial autophagy genes related to cellular senescence are potential diagnostic targets for DR.
2.NO-releasing double-crosslinked responsive hydrogels accelerate the treatment and repair of ischemic stroke.
Wen GUO ; Cheng HU ; Yue WANG ; Wen ZHANG ; Shaomin ZHANG ; Jin PENG ; Yunbing WANG ; Jinhui WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(2):1112-1125
Stroke is a global disease that seriously threatens human life. The pathological mechanisms of ischemic stroke include neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and the destruction of blood vessels at the lesion site. Here, a biocompatible in situ hydrogel platform was designed to target multiple pathogenic mechanisms post-stroke, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, and promotion of angiogenesis. Double-crosslinked responsive multifunctional hydrogels could quickly respond to the pathological microenvironment of the ischemic damage site and mediate the delivery of nitric oxide (NO) and ISO-1 (inhibitor of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF). The hydrogel demonstrated good biocompatibility and could scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and MIF. In a mouse stroke model, hydrogels, when situated within the microenvironment of cerebral infarction characterized by weak acidity and elevated ROS release, would release anti-inflammatory nanoparticles rapidly that exert an anti-inflammatory effect. Concurrently, NO was sustained release to facilitate angiogenesis and provide neuroprotective effects. Neurological function was significantly improved in treated mice as assessed by the modified neurological severity score, rotarod test, and open field test. These findings indicate that the designed hydrogel held promise for sustained delivery of NO and ISO-1 to alleviate cerebral ischemic injury by responding to the brain's pathological microenvironment.
3.Bioinformatics analysis of cellular senescence-related mitochondrial autophagy genes in diabetic retinopathy
Na LIANG ; Wenting WANG ; Xin SONG ; Wenjing HA ; Shaomin PENG
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2025;41(9):697-706
Objective:To investigate the potential mechanism of cellular senescence-related mitochondrial autophagy genes in diabetic retinopathy (DR).Methods:The DR gene datasets GSE53257 and GSE60436 from the GEO database and screened the differentially expressed genes (DEG) were downloaded. Cellular senescence-related genes and mitochondrial autophagy-related genes from the GeneCards database, and the intersection of the two to obtain the DR-related differentially expressed genes (CSRMRDEG) were collected. The obtained CSRMRDEG was subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis, and hub gene identification using Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC), Degree, Maximum Neighborhood Component (MNC)、Edge Percolated Component (EPC) and Closeness algorithms. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to obtain the enriched pathways of DEG, and ssGSEA immune infiltration analysis was performed to screen the correlation between immune cells and DR. The diagnostic efficacy of hub genes for DR was evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Meanwhile, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the differences in the infiltration level of immune cells between the DR Group and the control group.Results:23 DR-related CSRMRDEG were obtained. GO analysis showed that they were mainly enriched in the pathways of dicarboxylic acid, biosynthetic process of folate-containing compounds, tetrahydrofolate conversion, mitochondrial matrix, mitochondrial endomembrane, structural components of ribosomes, and glutamate transmembrane transporter protein activity. The results of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that CSRMRDEG was highly enriched in pathways such as the folate carbon pool, biosynthesis of cofactors, and pyruvate metabolism. The PPI analysis results show that there are 16 related CSRMRDEG. Five algorithms (MCC, Degree, MNC, EPC, Closeness) obtained the nine Hub genes. The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the expression levels of 9 hub genes for diagnosing DR ranged from 0.7-0.9. The ssGSEA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in Wilcoxon of central memory CD4 + T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, and helper T cell 1 between the DR group and the control group ( Z=-2.85, -2.23, -2.10, -2.52; P<0.05). Conclusion:Mitochondrial autophagy genes related to cellular senescence are potential diagnostic targets for DR.
4.Bioinformatics analysis of the impact of immune infiltration in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury
Wenting WANG ; Na LIANG ; Wenjing HA ; Shaomin PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(11):997-1005
Objective:To investigate the potential biomarkers associated with immune cells in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI).Methods:The RIRI gene expression profile dataset GSE20521 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened.The GSE20521 gene set was subjected to Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI), yielding information pertaining to enriched pathways and immune cell infiltration.The Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Pearson correlation analysis were employed to identify the hub modules and candidate genes exhibiting the strongest correlation with immune infiltration.Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of candidate genes was constructed, and key genes were screened using CytoHubba plugin.Results:The significant GSEA enrichment pathways in the RIRI group including the interferon-γ (IFN-γ), apoptosis, tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB, IFN-α, complement pathway, interleukin-6 (IL-6)-(signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)(STAT3) and IL2-STAT5 signaling pathways, as well as inflammatory response.Compared with the normal control group, the results of ImmuCellAI evaluation revealed significant increases in the proportions of cDC2 cells, monocyte-derived DC cells, M2 macrophages, and CD8_Tc cells and decreases in the proportions of pDC cells, CD4_T cells, CD4_Tm cells, helper T cells, regulatory T cells, follicular B cells, and eosinophils in the RIRI group (all at P<0.05).A total of 144 DEGs were obtained between the two groups of samples.Taking the intersection of DEGs and hub module genes, 140 candidate genes were obtained.GO analysis showed significant enrichment of positive regulation of cytokine production, leukocyte mediated immunity, wound healing, adaptive immune response, niacinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex, and chemokine binding, etc.KEGG analysis enriched 50 pathways, including phagosome, pertussis, leishmaniasis tuberculosis, and complement and coagulation cascades.Three key genes were finally obtained, namely Cd68, Tlr2 and Hmox1, which were screened by PPI and different CytoHubba algorithms. Conclusions:The bioinformatics analysis reveals a distinct immune microenvironment in the retina of the RIRI group and normal control group, suggesting a correlation between RIRI and infiltration of multiple immune cell types.
5.Meta-analysis of the myopia control effect of orthokeratology lenses with dif-ferent back optical zone diameters
Wenting WANG ; Lu QIAO ; Lemin CHEN ; Shaomin PENG
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(4):311-316
Objective To systematically evaluate the changes in axial length and treatment zone diameter among my-opic patients wearing orthokeratology lenses with different back optic zone diameters.Methods A comprehensive litera-ture search was conducted on PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Wangfang Med Online and CNKI databases in both Chinese and English to identify randomized controlled trials or controlled trials investigating orthokeratol-ogy lenses with varying back optical zone diameters.The literature was thoroughly reviewed by two researchers,who ex-tracted relevant data and conducted a methodological quality evaluation.Finally,meta-analysis was performed using Rev-Man 5.3 software.In all the included studies,orthokeratology lenses with a conventional back optic zone diameter were taken as the control group,while orthokeratology lenses with a reduced back optic zone diameter were utilized as the ex-perimental group.Results Eight studies involving 437 patients(459 eyes)with myopia were included.The results of me-ta-analysis showed that the axial length changes in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group after wearing orthokeratology lenses for 6 months and 12 months(6 months:MD=-0.09,95%CI:-0.10 to-0.07,Z=10.50,P<0.05;12 months:MD=-0.11,95%CI:-0.13 to-0.09,Z=12.19,P<0.05);significant differ-ences in treatment zone diameter were observed between the experimental and control groups at various time points follow-ing orthokeratology lens wearing(MD=-0.82,95%CI:-1.04 to-0.59,Z=7.03,P<0.05).Conclusion Orthoker-atology lenses designed with smaller back optical zone diameters can effectively delay axial length growth in myopic pa-tients,but their long-term efficacy needs to be confirmed.
6.Quality re-optimization and assessment of radiotherapy plan for rectal cancer
Lin HUANG ; Yimei LIU ; Meining CHEN ; Shaomin HUANG ; Xiaowu DENG ; Yinglin PENG ; Yu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2024;41(2):133-138
Objective To evaluate the quality of treatment planning(TP)and re-optimization planning(RP)of radiotherapy for rectal cancer using PlanIQ software,thereby providing methods and tools for the screening and optimization of radiotherapy plans.Methods Twenty patients with rectal cancer who received radiotherapy were selected retrospectively,with 10 cases of intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)and 10 of volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT).(1)TP:IMRT plan involved 5-field irradiation,and VMAT plan involved two 360°arcs.The prescription doses were 50 Gy/25 f for PTV1 and 45 Gy/25 f for PTV2.All plans underwent direct machine parameter optimization and required 95%isodose lines to cover 100%of the target volume.Organs-at-risk(OAR)were limited by reference to tolerated dose standards.After the planning was completed,the plans were reviewed and confirmed by a physician,and the treatment was implemented after dose verification.(2)RP:a physicist with 10 years of experience re-optimized the 20 TP plans,with the irradiation technique and field setting unchanged.The re-optimization involved adjusting planning conditions and parameters based on individual experience until the dose to OAR was minimized while without affecting PTV coverage.The quality of TP plans and RP plans were quantitatively evaluated using PlanIQ software.Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed for dose-volume histogram parameters and plan quality index between two groups.Results The dose-volume histogram parameters in RP plans were superior to those in TP plans,and the differences in the Dmax of PTV1,the V45 Gy and Dmax of small intestine,and the V45 Gy of colon were statistically significant(P<0.05).The quality scores of RP plans for IMRT group,VMAT group and all patients were significantly higher than those of TP plans(P<0.05),with plan quality index of 88.55±3.35 vs 86.61±4.63(P=0.005),89.72±3.15 vs 87.21±3.04(P=0.028),and 89.14±3.22 vs 86.91±3.22(P=0.001),respectively.Conclusion RP can further improve the quality of radiotherapy plan for rectal cancer.PlanIQ software serves as an effective tool for quality control and screening of radiotherapy planning.
7.New insight into application and function of air or gas for vitreoretinal surgery
Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases 2022;38(4):257-260
At present, tamponade agent which being used in retinal surgery is mainly sterile air, gas and silicone oil. Sterile air is mostly used in the treatment of simple retinal detachment. Gas or silicone oil as tamponade is greatly applied for complicated retinal detachment. In recent years, with the application of micro-invasive vitrectomy under a wide-angle viewing system and perioperative anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, application of intraocular filling materials also has changed. The application of silicone oil is significantly reduced. Percentage rate of gas as tamponade for retinal detachment is reduced. The application of sterile air as tamponade is rising. With selecting indication carefully and picking up the suitable air or gas, doctor will reduce the workload. It will also reduce the social burden and benefit patients.
8.Long-term Survivals, Toxicities and the Role of Chemotherapy in Early-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Retrospective Study with 15-Year Follow-up
Lin WANG ; Jingjing MIAO ; Huageng HUANG ; Boyu CHEN ; Xiao XIAO ; Manyi ZHU ; Yingshan LIANG ; Weiwei XIAO ; Shaomin HUANG ; Yinglin PENG ; Xiaowu DENG ; Xing LV ; Weixiong XIA ; Yanqun XIANG ; Xiang GUO ; Fei HAN ; Chong ZHAO
Cancer Research and Treatment 2022;54(1):118-129
Purpose:
This study was aimed to investigate long-term survivals and toxicities of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic area, evaluating the role of chemotherapy in stage II patients.
Materials and Methods:
Totally 187 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and restaged American Joint Committee on Cancer/ International Union Against Cancer 8th T1-2N0-1M0 were retrospectively recruited. All received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)±chemotherapy (CT) from 2001 to 2010.
Results:
With 15.7-year median follow-up, 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were 93.3%, 93.5%, 92.9% and 88.2%, respectively. Multivariable analyses showed cervical lymph nodes positive and pre-treatment prognostic nutritional index ≥ 52.0 could independently predict DMFS (p=0.036 and p=0.011), DSS (p=0.014 and p=0.026), and OS (p=0.002 and p < 0.001); Charlson comorbidity index < 3 points could predict DSS (p=0.011); age > 45 years (p=0.002) and pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 240 U/L (p < 0.001) predicted OS. No grade 4 late toxicity happened; grade 3 late toxicities included subcutaneous fibrosis (4.3%), deafness or otitis (4.8%), skin dystrophy (2.1%), and xerostomia (1.1%). No differences on survivals were shown between IMRT+CT vs. IMRT alone in stage II patients, even in T2N1M0 (p > 0.05). Unsurprising, patients in IMRT+CT had more acute gastrointestinal reaction, myelosuppression, mucositis, late ear toxicity, and cranial nerve injury (all p < 0.05) than IMRT alone group.
Conclusion
Superior tumor control and satisfying long-term outcomes could be achieved with IMRT in early-stage NPC with mild late toxicities. As CT would bring more toxicities, it should be carefully performed to stage II patients.
9.Correlation between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 level and location and severity of bleeding in patients with cerebral microbleeds
Xue PENG ; Lifang MENG ; Hao LIU ; Jin WANG ; Junli LIU ; Xianglei JIA ; Panpan ZHAO ; Fan WANG ; Chaowei WANG ; Junyan YUE ; Jian ZHANG ; Sibei JI ; Bin YUAN ; Ruiyan CAI ; Shaomin LI ; Jianhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2021;30(3):244-249
Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level and the location and severity of bleeding in patients with cerebral microbleeds(CMBs).Methods:A total of 60 CMBs patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Xinxiang Medical University from January 2019 to August 2020 were selected as subjects as the CMBs group, and 60 healthy controls without nervous system diseases in outpatient physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical data and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected. Serum MMP-9 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), CMBs patients were divided into grade 1 group ( n=24), grade 2 group ( n=19) and grade 3 group ( n=17), and according to the micro analytical rating scale (MARS), the CMBs patients were divided into the lobar group ( n=19), the deep or infratentorial group ( n=17) and the mixed group ( n=24).The relationship between serum MMP-9 level and the location and severity of CMBs was analyzed. SPSS 19.0 software was used for data statistical analysis.One-way ANOVA, t-test and rank sum test were used for comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used for correlation analysis. Results:The level of MMP-9 in CMBs group was significantly higher than that in control group (208.13(142.25, 285.88) μg/L, 149.50(93.40, 186.51)μg/L), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Serum MMP-9 level was a risk factor of CMBs ( β=1.322, OR=3.750, 95% CI=2.038-7.997, P=0.002). The difference of level of MMP-9 in different severity of CMBs was statistically significant (147.55(109.25, 266.47)μg/L, 242.12(147.55, 288.80)μg/L, 270.42(203.43, 364.27)μg/L, P=0.017). Serum MMP-9 level was positively correlated with the number of CMBs ( r=0.371, P=0.003). The difference of MMP-9 level of CMBs in different locations were statistically significant (249.77(158.43, 338.46)μg/L, 188.83(138.52, 243.15)μg/L, 210.65(144.25, 255.78)μg/L, P=0.013). The increased serum MMP-9 level was a risk factor for CMBs( β=0.401, OR=1.122, 95% CI=1.004-1.204, P=0.036). Conclusion:The increased level of serum MMP-9 may be a risk factor of CMBs, especially for CMBs in cerebral lobesand, and the level of MMP-9 is positively correlated with the severity of CMBs.
10.An online investigation of mental health status of 857 different status identities in Guangdong province during the outbreak of COVID-19
Qianyi LUO ; Chan YAN ; Shaomin DENG ; Liang ZHOU ; Weiyang MAI ; Yuping NING ; Hongbo HE ; Fang LI ; Shuangchun ZHANG ; Heng PAN ; Hongjun PENG
Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 2020;53(3):190-197
Objective:This study aims to study the mental health status of people with different identities during the fight against COVID-19. Further, we propose psychological intervention strategies for people with different identities.Methods:857 participants from Guangdong province (215 identified as first-level population referring to the impact severity of the outbreak, 91 as second-level population, 120 as third-level population, and 431 as fourth level population) were cross-sectionally surveyed online from January 30 to February 28, 2020. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used to evaluate the mental health status of different populations. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to test the differences of the total scores of these three scales across populations at different levels, and the groups were compared pairwise with the Bonferroni method. Finally, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to further analyze the dimensions between the scales. Results:In all 857 subjects, the total scores of GAD-7, PHQ-9, and PSS-10 were 4(1,8), 4(1,9), and 16(11,19), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the scores of GAD-7 ( H=15.235, P<0.01), PHQ-9 ( H=9.265, P=0.026), and PSS-10 ( H=8.435, P=0.049) among different levels of the population. For the score of GAD-7, the anxiety severity of the first-level crowd was higher than that of the second-level crowd and the fourth-level crowd. The pairwise comparisons were statistically significant ( Z=-2.932, -4.012, -2.949, P<0.005); there were significant between-group differences in domains of "becoming easily annoyed or irritable" and "seemingly terrible things will happen". For the score of PHQ-9, the depression severity of the first-level crowd and the second-level crowd was higher than that of the fourth-level crowd, and the pairwise comparisons were statistically significant ( Z=-3.387, -2.682, P<0.005). There were significant between-group differences in domains of "difficult to fall asleep or not awake", "feeling depressed" and other related domains. For the score of PSS-10, the stress severity of the third-level crowd was higher than that of the first-level crowd and the fourth-level crowd ( Z=-2.702, -3.693, -2.735, P<0.005). There were significant between-group differences in domains of "feel confident", "life is as expected", "the ability to control anger", "the things are all under control", and other related domains. Conclusion:The impact of the COVID-19 on mental health in people with different identities is different, and appropriate psychological interventions should be provided for different populations according to their mental health status.

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