1.Expression levels of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 in patients with primary glaucoma and their correlation with disease severity
Yaxin ZHANG ; Xiangyun LIU ; Lingna LI ; Yanjin ZHENG
International Eye Science 2026;26(5):767-771
AIM:To investigate the expression levels of serum sirtuin 6(Sirt6)and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2(NOX2)in patients with primary glaucoma and their correlation with the severity of the disease. METHODS:This study is a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with primary glaucoma at the hospital from August 2022 to June 2025 were enrolled and divided into mild-to-moderate and severe groups based on the mean deviation of visual field defects, along with healthy individuals as a control group. Clinical data were collected, and serum levels of Sirt6 and NOX2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Correlations between serum Sirt6 and NOX2 levels and clinical parameters were analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing disease severity, and the diagnostic efficacy of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 levels was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves. RESULTS:A total of 120 patients with primary glaucoma(58 males, 62 females, mean age 60.08±8.19 y)and 100 controls(46 males, 56 females, mean age 60.23±8.67 y)were enrolled in this study. There were no statistically significant differences in sex or age between the two groups(both P>0.05). The intraocular pressure and serum NOX2 expression level in the primary glaucoma group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the Sirt6 level was significantly lower than in the control group(all P<0.001). The AUC values of serum Sirt6 and NOX2 in the diagnosis of primary glaucoma were 0.733 and 0.770, respectively, with optimal cutoff values of 2.35 and 4.25 ng/mL, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnosis of the two was 0.901, and its efficacy was obviously better than that of a single indicator(Zcombination-Sirt6=5.317, Zcombination-NOX2=4.720, P<0.001).The severe group had lower serum Sirt6 expression levels(P<0.05), and higher NOX2 expression levels(P<0.05)than the mild-to-moderate group. Serum Sirt6 expression levels were prominently negatively correlated with mean intraocular pressure(r=-0.354, P<0.05); NOX2 expression levels were prominently positively correlated with mean intraocular pressure(r=0.240, P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that a decrease in serum Sirt6 expression levels(OR=0.229, 95%CI: 0.090-0.581), an increase in serum NOX2 expression levels(OR=2.649, 95%CI: 1.658-4.232), an increase in mean intraocular pressure(OR=1.278, 95%CI: 1.118-1.462)which were risk factors for the progression to severe glaucoma. The AUC values of serums Sirt6 and NOX2 expression levels in diagnosing severe primary glaucoma were 0.794 and 0.800, respectively, the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the combined diagnosis of the two were 0.916, 80.00%, and 89.33%, respectively, and the combined diagnostic efficacy was better than that of a single indicator(Zcombination-Sirt6=2.627, P=0.009, Zcombination-NOX2=2.762, P=0.006). CONCLUSION:The decreased serum Sirt6 and increased NOX2 expression levels in patients with primary glaucoma are significantly correlated with disease severity, and the combined detection demonstrates good diagnostic value for primary glaucoma and its severity.
2.Rotor syndrome in pregnancy: A case report
Lijie GAO ; Yanbo MO ; Xiaonan LIANG ; Xiaolan ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):655-660
Rotor syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder of bilirubin metabolism, and it is difficult to diagnose and differentiate due to its extreme rarity and a lack of specific clinical manifestations. In recent years, the development of genetic testing technology has enabled the early diagnosis of atypical patients. Literature search shows that only 19 cases with detailed clinical and genetic data have been reported. This article reports a case of a pregnant woman with an increase in direct bilirubin during pregnancy who was diagnosed with Rotor syndrome based on a bi-allelic mutation in the SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3 genes and delivered successfully at last, and a retrospective analysis was performed for related articles, in order to facilitate the early accurate diagnosis of patients with Rotor syndrome and guide medications from the perspective of genetic mechanisms.
3.Construction and characterization of recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶ stable transfected cell lines
Xiaoxiao LI ; Jiabin CHEN ; Jiajun LIU ; Zhifei ZHANG ; Sen ZOU ; Lihua ZHU ; Zhaoyong YANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):16-22
ObjectiveTo construct a stable monoclonal human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell line expressing recombinant human coagulation factor Ⅶ (rhFⅦ) and evaluate the expression level and procoagulant bioactivity of rhFⅦ. MethodsThe plasmid pCDNA3.1-EGFP-FⅦ was transfected into HEK293 cells to verify the effectiveness of the transfection system. The plasmid pCDNA3.1-FⅦ was transfected into HEK293 cells, and monoclonal stable transfected cell lines were selected using geneticin (G418). The transcription of the FⅦ gene was identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression level of rhFⅦ in the supernatant of the monoclonal stable transfected cell line was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. The concentration of rhFⅦ was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the procoagulant activity of rhFⅦ was measured by human coagulation factor Ⅶ potency assay. ResultsHEK293 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-EGFP-FⅦ showed green fluorescence, indicating that rhFⅦ was successfully expressed in the supernatant of HEK293 cells after transient transfection with pcDNA3.1-FⅦ. The monoclonal stable transfected cell line was obtained by G418 screening. RT-PCR identified that the FⅦ gene was integrated into the genome of the monoclonal stable transfected cell line. The cell viability was good as detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, and a single band of rhFⅦ was obtained by purification of the cell supernatant. The highest rhFⅦ expression was (1.27±0.09) mg/L, and the highest procoagulant activity was (380.29±13.80)%. ConclusionThe monoclonal HEK293 cell lines which can express rhFⅦ protein efficiently and stably with excellent procoagulant bioactivity is successfully screened.
4.Association between serum indirect bilirubin and stroke risk in individuals with stages 0-3 cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome
Chuanchang WU ; Shuohua CHEN ; Zhenhua ZHANG ; Shouling WU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):169-175
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the association between serum indirect bilirubin (IBIL) levels and the risk of stroke incidence in patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages 0-3. MethodsA total of 48 301 participants with CKM syndrome stages 0-3 were included, during which 2 904 stroke events were recorded. A prospective cohort study design was employed. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between IBIL and stroke risk, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was applied to examine the dose-response relationship. Threshold effect analysis was conducted to identify potential inflection points in nonlinear relationships. ResultsMultivariable Cox regression analysis showed that in the overall population, each 1 μmol/L increase in IBIL level was associated with approximately a 1.2% reduction in stroke risk (HR = 0.988, 95% CI: 0.979-0.996, P < 0.05). A significant interaction was observed between IBIL and CKM stages in relation to stroke risk (Pinteraction < 0.05). In individuals with stages 0–2 of CKM syndrome, higher IBIL levels showed a significant inverse association with stroke risk (Ptrend < 0.05); however, no such association was observed in stage 3 patients. RCS regression and threshold effect analysis further revealed a nonlinear relationship between IBIL levels and stroke risk in stage 3 CKM patients (Plog-likelihood ratio < 0.05). When serum IBIL exceeded 10.980 μmol/L, each 1 μmol/L increase was associated with approximately 5.7% increase in stroke risk (HR = 1.057, 95% CI: 1.009–1.107, P < 0.05). ConclusionThe correlation between serum IBIL and stroke varies across different stages of CKM syndrome, showing a significant negative association in individuals at stages \0–2, while in stage 3 patients, it exhibits a threshold effect with an inflection point at 10.980 μmol/L.
5.Construction and validation of a medication deviation prediction model for hospital-to-home transition period in coronary heart disease patients with initial treatment
Yushuang LI ; Shu LI ; Qianying ZHANG ; Yan HUANG ; Kun LIU ; Xiulin GU ; Huanhuan JIANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):491-496
OBJECTIVE To develope a predictive model for medication deviation risks during the hospital-to-home transition period in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with initial treatment, aiming to assist medical staff in rapidly identifying high-risk groups for medication deviation. METHODS A total of 462 CHD patients with initial treatment from the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “our hospital”) between January and July 2024 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into a modeling group and an internal validation group. The modeling group was further categorized into a medication deviation group and a non-medication deviation group based on whether medication deviations occurred. Similarly, 57 CHD patients with initial treatment from the cardiology department of our hospital between June and September 2025 were collected as an external validation group. Univariate analysis was used to screen predictive factors, followed by multivariate Logistic regression to construct the predictive model. Internal validation methods were employed to evaluate model performance, while external validation methods were used to test the model’s generalizability. RESULTS The 462 patients were divided into a modeling group (319 cases) and an internal validation group (143 cases). In the modeling group, the medication deviation group (192 cases, 60.19%) and the non-medication deviation group (127 cases, 39.81%) were identified. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, medication type, medication adherence, and self-efficacy in rational medication use were predictive factors for medication deviations in CHD patients with initial treatment ( P <0.05). The predictive model equation was logit P =ln[ P /(1- P ) ] =1.321+1.732×age+4.091×medication type -4.360×medication adherence -3.081×self-efficacy in rational medication use. The model demonstrated good discrimination, with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test P -value of 0.439, an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.870, sensitivity of 0.970, and specificity of 0.607. A risk nomogram with a total score of 350 points and a cutoff value of 110 points was plotted. The internal validation group showed an AUC o f 0.787 and a prediction accuracy of 77.6%, while the external validation group exhibited an AUC of 0.802 and a prediction accuracy of 73.7%. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully developed a predictive model for medication deviation risks during the hospital-to-home transition period in CHD patients with initial treatment. The model demonstrates excellent discrimination and predictive accuracy, effectively identifying high-risk populations for medication deviations. Age (>70 years), number of drug types≥5, poor medication adherence, and poor self-efficacy in rational medication use are independent risk factors for medication deviations.
6.Evaluation of Pulmonary Air-Blood Barrier Damage in Ulcerative Colitis Inflammatory Cancer Transformation Model Mice:Based on the "Lung-Intestine Correlation" Theory
Huiyan XU ; Haimei ZHANG ; Xinyu ZHAN ; Fanwu WU ; Yongsen JIA ; Chenxi WU ; Lingyu KONG ; Xin YAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):776-783
ObjectiveTo dynamically observe and evaluate the damage to the pulmonary air-blood barrier in mice during the inflammatory cancer transformation process of ulcerative colitis (UC) based on the "lung-intestine correlation" theory. MethodsSixty-five C57BL/6 mice were divided into a normal group (n=25) and a model group (n=40) using a random number table. Azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) method was used to establish a mouse model of UC inflammation cancer transformation in the modeling group. According to the tissue collection time points at 5, 8, 11, 13, and 15 weeks, the normal group mice were randomly divided into the normal 5w, 8w, 11w, 13w, and 15w groups. The model group mice, 10 mice of which died after the first cycle of DSS administration, were randomly divided into model 5w, 8w, 11w, 13w, and 15w groups. During the experiment, the general condition of the mice was observed daily, and their body weight was measured weekly. At the corresponding tissue collection time points, the colon length of each group was measured. Histopathology of mouse lung and colon tissues was examined using HE staining. Immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in the positive expression of tight junction protein (ZO-1), vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), and cytoskeletal protein (F-actin) in lung and colon tissues. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis regulatory proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-associated X protein (Bax), and Cysteine aspartic acid protease-3 (Caspase-3) in lung tissues. Western Blot was employed to measure protein levels of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin in lung tissues. ResultsCompared to the normal group at the same time point, the mice in the model group at each time point generally had poorer conditions, with weight loss and shortened colon length (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In the model 5w group, there was significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon tissue; in the model 8w group, there was mild atypical hyperplasia; in the model 11w group, the crypt structure was disordered, and moderate to severe atypical hyperplasia occurred; in the model 13w and 15w groups, tumors appeared. Pulmonary interstitial lesions, inflammation, vasculitis, and fibrosis were observed at all stages of UC inflammation cancer transformation. The protein levels of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin, as well as Bcl-2 mRNA expression in lung tissue decreased during the acute inflammatory recovery period, atypical hyperplasia period, and canceration period, while the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA increased; the expressions of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and F-actin proteins in colon tissue decreased during the acute inflammatory recovery period, atypical hyperplasia period, and canceration period (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared to the model 5w group, the ZO-1 and F-actin protein levels and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in lung tissue in the other model groups increased in the atypical hyperplasia period and canceration period, while the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 mRNA decreased; the expression of ZO-1 protein in colon tissue increased in the canceration period, and the expression of VE-cadherin protein decreased in the atypical hyperplasia period (P<0.01 or P<0.05). ConclusionIn the process of "inflammatory response-atypical hyperplasia-carcinogenesis" in UC inflammatory cancer transformation mice, there were damage to air-blood barrier.
7.Risk factors of progression to dementia within 2 years in patients with recent subcortical small infarction complicated with cognitive dysfunction
Lei GUO ; Hui YANG ; Jing YANG ; Yesong LIU ; Nannan ZHANG ; Fengxia ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(3):113-117
Objective To explore the risk factors of progression to dementia within 2 years in patients with recent subcortical small infarction (RSSI) complicated with cognitive dysfunction. Methods A total of 340 patients with RSSI complicated with cognitive dysfunction who were treated in the hospital and completed 2-year follow-up were selected from February 2021 to February 2025. According to whether the patients progressed to dementia, they were classified into dementia group (n=105) and non-dementia group (n=235). The clinical data were compared between both groups, and the independent risk factors were screened by Logistic regression analysis. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that history of hypertension (OR=1.919), history of diabetes mellitus (OR=1.597), multiple infarctions (OR=1.455), severe white matter lesions (OR=1.595), no cognitive function training (OR=1.923), increased infarct size (OR=1.069), reduced MMSE score (OR=0.945) and increased levels of NfL (OR=1.049) and IL-6 (OR=1.038) were independent risk factors for the progression to dementia (all P<0.05). Conclusion The progression to dementia in patients with recent subcortical small infarction and cognitive dysfunction is affected by multiple factors. In clinical practice, the integration of vascular risk factors, imaging features, cognitive assessment and serum biomarkers (NfL, IL-6) helps to construct an early risk prediction model and implement targeted interventions for high-risk groups.
8.Bidirectional association between metabolic associated fatty liver disease and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Yanan ZHAO ; Qi QI ; Xinyu WU ; Quanle HAN ; Jing YANG ; Boheng ZHANG ; Xuyang LI ; Lei LI ; Yun ZHANG ; Shouling WU ; Kangbo LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(4):856-865
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and to provide data support for the prevention and treatment of such metabolic-associated diseases in clinical practice. MethodsAn observation cohort was established for the workers of Kailuan who underwent physical examination for the first time from June 2006 to October 2007 and had complete liver assessment data, without the history of malignant tumor, MAFLD or ASCVD. According to the presence or absence of MAFLD, the patients were divided into non-MAFLD group with 67 565 patients and MAFLD group with 29 004 patients, and according to the presence or absence of ASCVD, the patients were divided into non-ASCVD group with 69 141 patients and ASCVD group with 481 patients. The group t-test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between the two groups. The
9.Associations of aqueous humor miR-21 and miR-29b levels with optic nerve damage severity and GMPE parameters in POAG patients
Yaxin ZHANG ; Yanjin ZHENG ; Lingkun LIU ; Yuning LIU ; Qirui MU
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1133-1140
AIM: To investigate the associations of aqueous humor miR-21 and miR-29b levels with the severity of optic nerve damage and GMPE in patients with primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).METHODS:POAG patients who presented to the hospital from May 2023 to May 2025 were prospectively enrolled as the disease group, and patients with cataract treated during the same period were included as the control group. Baseline characteristics and aqueous humor levels of miR-21 and miR-29b were compared between the two groups. POAG patients were categorized into mild and moderate-to-severe groups according to the mean deviation(MD)of visual field. Clinical characteristics and the expression levels of miR-21 and miR-29b in aqueous humor were compared between the two groups. Correlations and nonlinear associations between miR-21/miR-29b levels and RNFL thickness, visual field MD, and BMO-MRW were evaluated. Furthermore, factors influencing the progression of optic nerve damage were analyzed. Based on prognostic outcomes, patients were divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis groups, and the aqueous humor levels of miR-21 and miR-29b were compared. ROC curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive value of combined GMPE with miR-21 and miR-29b for prognosis in POAG patients.Internal validation and decision curve analysis(DCA)were also conducted.RESULTS:This study included 151 patients in the disease group(age 56.07±7.59 y, 84 males and 67 females)and 138 patients in the control group(age 56.84±8.25 y, 68 males and 70 females). There were 45 cases in the mild group(age 54.63±7.34 y, 27 males and 18 females)and 106 cases in the moderate-severe group(age 56.68±8.39 y, 57 males and 49 females). There were 118 cases in the good prognosis group(age 55.83±8.07 y, 67 males and 51 females)and 33 cases in the poor prognosis group(age 56.94±8.23 y, 17 males and 16 females). Compared with the control group, the disease group exhibited significantly higher miR-21 levels and lower miR-29b levels(all P<0.001). Compared with the mild group, intraocular pressure and miR-21 levels were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe group, while RNFL thickness, visual field MD, BMO-MRW, and miR-29b levels were significantly lower(all P<0.01). The miR-21/miR-29b ratio was negatively correlated with RNFL thickness, visual field MD, and BMO-MRW(all P<0.05). Elevated intraocular pressure and miR-21 levels, reduced RNFL thickness, lower visual field MD, and decreased BMO-MRW and miR-29b levels were identified as risk factors for aggravated optic nerve damage in POAG patients(all P<0.05). Compared with the good prognosis group, the poor prognosis group showed significantly higher miR-21 levels and lower miR-29b, RNFL, and BMO-MRW levels(all P<0.001). The combined prediction model incorporating aqueous humor miR-21, miR-29b, RNFL, and BMO-MRW yielded significantly higher AUC and specificity for predicting POAG prognosis than individual parameters alone(both P<0.05). The ROC prediction model demonstrated good consistency, and the combined prediction model exhibited high clinical utility.CONCLUSION: Aqueous humor levels of miR-21 are significantly elevated while miR-29b levels are significantly decreased in POAG patients, and these alterations are closely correlated with the severity of optic nerve damage and GMPE parameters.
10.Protective effect of polydatin and its mechanism on liver injury in silicosis rat model
Shuaihui ZHANG ; Dongmin ZHOU ; Bingbing WU ; Jinchao LIU ; Yan YU ; Fuhai SHEN
China Occupational Medicine 2025;52(6):601-611
Objective To explore the protective effect of polydatin and its mechanism on secondary liver injury in silicosis rats based on network pharmacology and animal experiments. Methods i) Network pharmacology study. Based on multiple databases, the targets of polydatin effect related to silicosis and liver injury were collected, and the common targets of polydatin-silicosis-liver injury were screened to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Enrichment analyses were performed to identify core targets involved in the effects of polydatin on silicosis-associated secondary liver injury. The mechanism of action of polydatin in relieving silicosis and silicosis-associated secondary liver injury was investigated, in which polydatin served as molecular docking ligand. ii) Animal experimental validation. Specific pathogen free male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, with 10 rats per group. Rats in the model and intervention groups received 1 mL of a silica suspension at a mass concentration of 50 g/L for modeling using a one-time non-tracheal exposure method. Then rats in the intervention group were injected intraperitoneally with polydatin solution at 30 mg/kg body weight, once daily starting from the first day after silica exposure, whereas rats in the control group received no treatment. Lung and liver histopathology of rats, which were randomly sacrificed on days 28 and 56 post-exposure in both groups, were examined. Biomarkers of liver injury and hepatic oxidative stress were measured, and hepatic expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) related proteins was detected by Western blotting. Results i) Network pharmacology study results. A total of 137 polydatin-related targets, 14 812 silicosis-related targets, and 3 038 liver injury-related targets were identified, among which 69 were common targets and 28 were key targets. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the key targets were involved in 1 883 pathways. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis identified 137 pathways related to the targets. Molecular docking showed good binding affinities between polydatin and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and NRF2. ii) Animal experimental validation results. Compared with the control group, rats in the model group showed increased collagen deposition in both lung and liver tissues, with hepatic degeneration, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration on days 28 and 56 after silica exposure. The collagen in lung and liver tissues of rats on days 28 and 56 after silica exposure increased in the model group compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, hepatic lactate dehydrogenase 5 activities and NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) expression in liver tissue increased (all P<0.05), whereas hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and NRF2 expression were decreased (all P<0.05). The level of malondialdehyde and the relative expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein in liver tissue in rat of model group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). These alterations were ameliorated in rats of the intervention group compared with the model group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Polydatin exerts protective effects against secondary liver injury in rats with silicosis. These effects may be mediated by regulation of core targets such as BCL2, IL6, TNF, and NRF2, modulation of inflammatory pathways including TNF and IL17 signaling, and activation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway, thereby exerting synergistic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifibrotic effects via the "lung-liver axis".


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