1.Screening and validation of diagnostic biomarkers in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics
Hongfei SONG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiuyan LI ; Xiaojie YOU ; Shengjie WU ; Haibo YIN ; Wenping LIU ; Qiao LI ; Jie MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2075-2085
ObjectiveTo screen for and validate key differentially expressed proteins in serum of patients with metabolic dysfunction‑associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide a basis for identifying diagnostic biomarkers and developing intervention strategies for this disease. MethodsA total of 20 patients who were diagnosed with MAFLD in the third affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled as MAFLD group, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled as HC group. Demographic data and serum biochemical parameters were collected from both groups. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics was used to measure the relative expression levels of serum proteins, and related methods were used to obtain significantly differentially expressed proteins, including the gene ontology functional enrichment analysis, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Hub node interaction, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Rats were given a high-fat diet to establish a model of MAFLD, and randomly assigned to the control group and model group. Serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory factors were measured, liver histopathological changes were observed, and the protein expression levels of MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in liver tissue were verified. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data or data with heterogeneity of variance between groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsCompared with the HC group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-7.348, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (Z=5.088, P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (t=-3.943, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=2.070, P<0.05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (t=3.867, P<0.05). A total of 3 559 proteins were identified by DIA serum proteomics, among which 160 differentially expressed proteins were mainly enriched in pathways including metabolic disorders, immune inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The PPI network and the Hub node analysis showed that serpin family E member 1, MMP-9, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 were core regulatory proteins. WGCNA showed that the MEyellow module was significantly positively correlated with MAFLD phenotype (cor=0.55, P<0.001), which was functionally enriched in the efferocytosis pathway. MERTK (P<0.001) and MMP-9 (P<0.001) showed the most significant differential expression in this module. A rat model of MAFLD was successfully established using a high-fat diet, and compared with the control group, the model group had enlarged, yellowish, and greasy liver and disordered structure of hepatic lobules, hepatocyte fatty degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration based on HE staining, as well as massive lipid droplet deposition based on oil red O staining, while no obvious fibrous cords were observed in Masson staining. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-5.148, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (t=-5.663, P<0.05), total bilirubin (t=-13.061, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=-2.722, P<0.05), total cholesterol (t=3.588, P<0.05), and tumor necrosis factor-α (t=-16.741, P<0.05), as well as significant increases in the protein expression levels of MERTK (t=-11.448, P<0.001) and MMP-9 (t=-10.875, P<0.001) in liver tissue. ConclusionMMP-9 and MERTK are abnormally expressed in MAFLD and may be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for this disease.
2.Analysis of the trend changes in the burden of cardiovascular disease mortality in China from 2010 to 2021
Wenping FAN ; Xinhui YU ; Jinlei QI ; Jinling YOU ; Yunning LIU ; Jiangmei LIU ; Lijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1562-1569
Objective:To analyze the current status and trend of the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease in China from 2010 to 2021.Methods:Data related to cardiovascular disease mortality and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD2021) database. The age-standardized mortality rate and DALY rate were calculated, using the 2021 world standard population estimated by GBD2021. Joinpoint 5.2.0 software was used to calculate the mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, DALY rate, standardized DALY rate, annual percent change (APC), average annual percent change (AAPC), and 95% CI of cardiovascular disease in China from 2010 to 2021. Results:The mortality rate of cardiovascular disease was 357.44/100 000, and the age-standardized mortality rate was 280.11/100 000 in China in 2021. The DALY rate was 7 043.33/100 000, and the age-standardized DALY rate was 5 120.06/100 000. From 2010 to 2021, the mortality rate and DALY rate of cardiovascular disease in China showed an upward trend (AAPC was 1.58% and 0.83%, respectively, both P<0.05), and the standardized mortality rate and standardized DALY rate showed a downward trend (AAPC was -2.13% and -2.02%, respectively, both P<0.05). The mortality burden of cardiovascular disease was higher in males (mortality rate 392.80/100 000, DALY rate 8 156.19/100 000) than in females (mortality rate 320.38/100 000, DALY rate 5 876.87/100 000). With the increase older in age, the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease in China decreased first and then increased. China ranked high in the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease among G20 member countries. Conclusions:The death burden of cardiovascular disease is serious in China. The mortality rate and DALY rate of cardiovascular disease in China showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2021, and the standardized mortality rate and standardized DALY rate of cardiovascular disease ranked high in G20 member countries. The death burden of cardiovascular disease was more serious in men and the elderly. It is necessary to develop more comprehensive prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation measures for men and the elderly to reduce mortality and disability rates, decrease the disease burden, and improve the quality of life.
3.Analysis of the trend changes in the burden of cardiovascular disease mortality in China from 2010 to 2021
Wenping FAN ; Xinhui YU ; Jinlei QI ; Jinling YOU ; Yunning LIU ; Jiangmei LIU ; Lijun WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(9):1562-1569
Objective:To analyze the current status and trend of the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease in China from 2010 to 2021.Methods:Data related to cardiovascular disease mortality and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD2021) database. The age-standardized mortality rate and DALY rate were calculated, using the 2021 world standard population estimated by GBD2021. Joinpoint 5.2.0 software was used to calculate the mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, DALY rate, standardized DALY rate, annual percent change (APC), average annual percent change (AAPC), and 95% CI of cardiovascular disease in China from 2010 to 2021. Results:The mortality rate of cardiovascular disease was 357.44/100 000, and the age-standardized mortality rate was 280.11/100 000 in China in 2021. The DALY rate was 7 043.33/100 000, and the age-standardized DALY rate was 5 120.06/100 000. From 2010 to 2021, the mortality rate and DALY rate of cardiovascular disease in China showed an upward trend (AAPC was 1.58% and 0.83%, respectively, both P<0.05), and the standardized mortality rate and standardized DALY rate showed a downward trend (AAPC was -2.13% and -2.02%, respectively, both P<0.05). The mortality burden of cardiovascular disease was higher in males (mortality rate 392.80/100 000, DALY rate 8 156.19/100 000) than in females (mortality rate 320.38/100 000, DALY rate 5 876.87/100 000). With the increase older in age, the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease in China decreased first and then increased. China ranked high in the mortality burden of cardiovascular disease among G20 member countries. Conclusions:The death burden of cardiovascular disease is serious in China. The mortality rate and DALY rate of cardiovascular disease in China showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2021, and the standardized mortality rate and standardized DALY rate of cardiovascular disease ranked high in G20 member countries. The death burden of cardiovascular disease was more serious in men and the elderly. It is necessary to develop more comprehensive prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation measures for men and the elderly to reduce mortality and disability rates, decrease the disease burden, and improve the quality of life.
4.Effect of rituximab combined with immunosuppressive pulse therapy for thy-roid-associated ophthalmopathy and its influence on clinical activity score and prognosis
Wei LI ; Yong YOU ; Fenfen XIANG ; Yongfeng YAN ; Kai CHEN ; Wenping CHEN
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2024;44(9):714-718
Objective To investigate the efficacy of rituximab combined with immunosuppressive pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)and analyze its influence on clinical activity score(CAS)and prognosis.Meth-ods A total of 136 patients(272 eyes)with TAO who were admitted to Huanggang Central Hospital from March 2020 to October 2022 were selected and divided into an observation group(68 patients)and a control group(68 patients)using a random number table method.Patients in the control group were given immunosuppressive pulse therapy,while patients in the observation group were given rituximab plus immunosuppressive pulse therapy.Both groups were treated for 4 courses(7 days per course).The clinical efficacy,eye signs,CAS score,thyroid conditions[thyrotropin receptor antibody(TRAb),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),thyroid volume],T lymphocyte subsets,and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.After a follow-up period of six months,the prognosis of patients in the two groups was compared.Results After 4 courses of treatment,the total effective rate of patients in the observation group was 94.12%(64/68),which was higher than that in the control group(82.35%,56/68)(P<0.05).After 2 and 4 courses of treat-ment,the degree of exophthalmos,intraocular pressure,average palpebral fissure width,retrobulbar soft tissue volume,distance from the bulbus oculi,CAS score,TPOAb,TRAb,and thyroid volume of patients in the observation group were smaller than those in the control group,and all decreased compared to before treatment(all P<0.05);the thickness of the tear film lipid layer was greater than that in the control group,and both increased compared to before treatment(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the said indicators between the two groups before treatment(all P>0.05).The CD3+,CD4+,and CD8+T lymphocyte levels of patients showed no significant difference between the two groups before treatment(all P>0.05).After 2 and 4 courses of treatment,the levels of CD3+and CD4+T lymphocyte in both groups were higher than those before treatment.Except that the CD4+T lymphocyte level in the observation group was lower than that in the control group after 2 courses of treatment,the levels of CD3+and CD4+T lymphocyte in the obser-vation group were higher than those in the control group at other time points(all P<0.05).After 2 and 4 courses of treat-ment,the level of CD8+T lymphocyte in both groups decreased compared to before treatment,and it was lower in the ob-servation group than the control group(all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reac-tions such as low fever,nausea,and hypokalemia between the two groups(all P<0.05).After the 6-month follow-up,the improvement rate of patients in the observation group was 95.59%(65/68),which was higher than that in the control group(79.41%,54/68)(P<0.05).Conclusion Rituximab combined with immunosuppressive pulse therapy is effec-tive for TAO.It can alleviate eye signs and thyroid conditions,reduce clinical activity,and promote prognosis.
5.Multicystic Encephalomalacia:Report of One Case.
Huan XU ; You LIU ; Xue WANG ; Wenping FAN ; Zhiye CHEN
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2019;41(6):866-870
The magnetic resonance imaging findings of multicystic encephalomalacia are featured by bilateral frontal large cystic lesion with corpus callosum involvement,evident heterogeneous enhancement of the lesion margin,ring hyperintensity on diffusion weighted imaging,and high choline peak and low N-acetylaspartate peak of the enhanced lesion margin on magnetic resonance spectroscopy.This article reports a case of multicystic encephalomalacia.
Corpus Callosum
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Encephalomalacia
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Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
6.Epidemiological study of chronic kidney disease with children of gender difference
Mindong GAO ; Xia GAO ; Hong XU ; Yipa SAI ; Xiaofeng CAO ; Wenping YOU ; Xiaoyan LEI
International Journal of Pediatrics 2015;42(2):207-209
Objective To investigate the positive ratio of urine and gender difference of chronic kidney disease(CKD) with children in Lanzhou,a heavy pollution and underdeveloped city in northwest of China.Methods Through the Multistix 10 SG,the morning urine of the children were detected,which aged from 12 to 13 years old.Results The positive ratio of urine was 14.9% in subjects,18.2% in girls and 12.8 % in boys respectively.Furthermore,the positive ratio in girls showed statistically significant higher than boy's.(x2 =21.77,P < 0.01).Espcially,the ratios of hematuria and pyuria significantly increased in girls (x2 =17.52,P < 0.01;x2=7.95,P < 0.01).Conclusion The gender difference of the positive rate of urine was existed in our large samples.And there is a higher prositive rate of hematuria and pyuria in the girls.This investigation will enrich the epidemiological data of CKD in children(12 ~ 13 years old)in Lanzhou city.

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