1.Circadian mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic dysfunction induced by chronic PM2.5 exposure
Wenqing ZHANG ; Biao WU ; Jianshu GUO ; Dongxia FAN ; Ge WANG ; Lu YU ; Chihang ZHANG ; Xianying LIAO ; Xihao DU ; Yuquan XIE ; Jinzhuo ZHAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(8):926-935
Background Long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders. However, the mechanisms of its interaction with the endogenous circadian system remain incompletely understood. Objective To investigate whether chronic PM2.5 exposure interferes with the rhythmic expression of the cardiac circadian clock, thereby disrupting downstream antioxidant defenses and metabolic homeostasis, and ultimately driving cardiometabolic dysfunction. Methods Seventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a PM2.5 exposure group (PM group) and a filtered air control group (FA group). Whole-body exposure was conducted for 8 weeks in a meteorological environmental animal exposure system. Samples were collected at six distinct zeitgeber time (ZT) points post-exposure. The 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and serum lipid profiles were monitored. Rhythm parameters were derived via cosinor analysis to compare differences in Midline statistic of rhythm (Mesor), amplitude, and phase between the two groups. The rhythmic expression of core circadian clock genes and antioxidant genes in the myocardium was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Myocardial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and downstream pathway protein expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot (WB), respectively. The expression changes of the clock gene retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) were assessed at both the mRNA and protein levels. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships among myocardial RORα expression, lipid profiles, and oxidative stress indicators. Results Compared to the FA group, mice in the PM group exhibited a blunted circadian rhythm in blood pressure, characterized by sustained elevation throughout the day. Chronic PM2.5 exposure showed a significant interaction with ZT on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (F-interaction=9.11, 5.70, and 6.02, respectively; P<0.05), as well as on serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (F-interaction=16.32, 11.12, 15.39, and 28.09, respectively; P<0.05). Cosinor analysis further revealed that the Mesor values of T-CHO, TG, and LDL-C were significantly increased (P<0.05), while that of HDL-C was significantly decreased in the PM group (P<0.05). The oscillation amplitudes of SBP, DBP, and MAP showed a decreasing trend, whereas those of TG and LDL-C were significantly increased (P<0.05). Furthermore, SBP, T-CHO, and HDL-C all exhibited a significant phase delay (P<0.05). Mechanistically, PM2.5 exposure significantly suppressed the expression of the positive circadian regulator RORα in the myocardium, leading to disordered rhythmic expression of core clock genes (Bmal1, Clock, Per1/2, and Cry1/2). This exposure also inhibited the rhythmic expression of antioxidant genes (GPX1, SOD2, and CAT), resulting in increased ROS generation and elevated expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) proteins. Correlation analysis further revealed that myocardial RORα expression level was negatively correlated with T-CHO, TG, and LDL-C (r=−0.55, −0.63, and −0.51, respectively; P<0.001), and positively correlated with HDL-C (r=0.37, P=0.010), and antioxidant genes GPX1, SOD2, and CAT expression (r=0.34, 0.35, and 0.56, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion Chronic PM2.5 exposure induces cardiometabolic dysfunction by suppressing myocardial RORα expression. This suppression disrupts the cardiac circadian clock and the diurnal balance of oxidative stress, triggering oxidative damage and elevating expression of CaMKII/NADPH pathway proteins. Collectively, these alterations precipitate the loss of cardiac metabolic rhythms and subsequent functional impairment.
2.Current status and prospects of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation research in patients with valvular heart disease
Yumeng ZHANG ; Ping GUO ; Yang CHEN ; Yuyang ZHANG ; Wenqing CAI ; Yajing SU ; Wanjun CHEN ; Qingyin LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(3):411-416
The disease burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing with the aging of our society. This paper introduces the disease characteristics of VHD, the current status and problems on postoperative cardiac rehabilitation in VHD patients, the difficulties and solutions in the development of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation programs for VHD patients, and proposes future research directions, with a view to providing a reference for carrying out postoperative cardiac rehabilitation in VHD patients.
3.Elucidating the therapeutic potential of Maimendong decoction in pulmonary fibrosis: A molecular perspective
Shuangshuang He ; Lan Zhang ; Fang Zhang ; Yuanrong Wang ; Kai Wamg ; Shanshan Guo ; Yuqi Wang ; Wenqing Dong ; Min Fu ; Yu Li
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(2):231-245
ObjectiveTo identify the active components in Maimendong decoction (MMDD) against pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and validate their molecular effects in vitro, while focusing on the role of methylophiopogonanone B in regulating fibrosis.MethodsData on MMDD components and targets were gathered from databases including BATMAN-TCM and PubMed, whereas the PF gene data were sourced from GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD. Shared targets were determined using the STRING database, and molecular docking was used to analyze the essential molecules associated with fibrosis. To simulate PF conditions, human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HPF) and A549 cells were exposed to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Various assays were used to determine the effects of MMDD and methylophiopogonanone B on signaling pathways, apoptosis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition.ResultsWe identified 11 active components from MMDD extracts that targeted 511 shared proteins associated with PF, revealing 10 key targets in network analysis. Gene ontology analysis indicated that processes and pathways such as apoptosis regulation and PI3K/Akt signaling were involved. In vitro experiments revealed that MMDD downregulated the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (COL-I), and collagen type III and regulated Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways to promote apoptosis. The flow cytometry apoptosis assay revealed that MMDD promoted the TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The primary active ingredient in MMDD, methylophiopogonanone B, reduced α-SMA, COL-I, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein levels in TGF-β1-treated HPF cells, decreased Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3, and increased Bax. Moreover, methylophiopogonanone B increased E-cadherin levels and reduced α-SMA, fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, and snail in TGF-β1-treated A549 cells.ConclusionMethylophiopogonanone B demonstrated the potential to treat PF by inducing myofibroblast apoptosis and inhibiting EMT. However, despite encouraging initial results, further clinical research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of methylophiopogonanone B in the management of PF
4.ADAR1 Regulates the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 Pathway to Drive the Proliferation and Migration of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.
Li ZHANG ; Xue PAN ; Wenqing YAN ; Shuilian ZHANG ; Chiyu MA ; Chenpeng LI ; Kexin ZHU ; Nijia LI ; Zizhong YOU ; Xueying ZHONG ; Zhi XIE ; Zhiyi LV ; Weibang GUO ; Yu CHEN ; Danxia LU ; Xuchao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(9):647-657
BACKGROUND:
Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase 1 (ADAR1) binds to double-stranded RNA and catalyzes the deamination of adenosine (A) to inosine (I). The functional mechanism of ADAR1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of ADAR1 in NSCLC and to elucidate its potential role in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS:
Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and cBioPortal were analyzed to assess the correlation between high ADAR1 expression and clinicopathological features as well as prognosis in lung cancer. We performed Western blot (WB), cell proliferation assays, Transwell invasion/migration assays, and nude mouse xenograft modeling to examine the phenotypic changes and molecular mechanisms induced by ADAR1 knockdown. Furthermore, the ADAR1 p150 overexpression model was utilized to validate the proposed mechanism.
RESULTS:
ADAR1 expression was significantly elevated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues (LUAD: P=3.70×10-15, LUSC: P=0.016). High ADAR1 expression was associated with poor prognosis (LUAD: P=2.03×10-2, LUSC: P=2.81×10-2) and distant metastasis (P=0.003). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicated that elevated ADAR1 was associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway activation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, and cell adhesion. ADAR1 and MMP-9 levels showed a strongly positive correlation (P=6.45×10-34) in 10 lung cancer cell lines, highest in H1581. Knockdown of ADAR1 in H1581 cells induced a rounded cellular morphology with reduced pseudopodia. Concomitantly, it suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenesis. It also suppressed ERK phosphorylation and downregulated cellular Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (c-FOS), MMP-9, N-cadherin, and Vimentin. Conversely, ADAR1 p150 overexpression in PC9 cells enhanced ERK phosphorylation and increased c-FOS and MMP-9 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
High ADAR1 expression is closely associated with poor prognosis and distant metastasis in NSCLC patients. Mechanistically, ADAR1 may promote proliferation, invasion, migration, and tumorigenesis in lung cancer cells via the ERK/c-FOS/MMP-9 axis.
Humans
;
Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology*
;
Adenosine Deaminase/genetics*
;
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/physiopathology*
;
Cell Movement
;
Animals
;
Mice
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System
;
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
;
Mice, Nude
;
Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*
5.Current status and prospects of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation research in patients with valvular heart disease
Yumeng ZHANG ; Ping GUO ; Yang CHEN ; Yuyang ZHANG ; Wenqing CAI ; Yajing SU ; Wanjun CHEN ; Qingyin LI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(3):411-416
The disease burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing with the aging of our society. This paper introduces the disease characteristics of VHD, the current status and problems on postoperative cardiac rehabilitation in VHD patients, the difficulties and solutions in the development of postoperative cardiac rehabilitation programs for VHD patients, and proposes future research directions, with a view to providing a reference for carrying out postoperative cardiac rehabilitation in VHD patients.
6.Comparing the prognostic value of 3 diagnostic criteria of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Xin WANG ; Jing GUO ; Yanyan WU ; Yangke LU ; Dapeng LIU ; Mingchao LI ; Rui LI ; Yingyuan WANG ; Wenqing KANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(1):36-42
Objective:To compare the prognostic value of 3 diagnostic criteria of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with gestational age<32 weeks.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 285 preterm infants with BPD admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to September 2021, who were followed up regularly after discharge. The primary composite adverse outcome was defined as death or severe respiratory morbidity from 36 weeks of corrected gestational age to 18 months of corrected age, and the secondary composite adverse outcome was defined as death or neurodevelopmental impairment. According to the primary or secondary composite adverse outcomes, the preterm infants were divided into the adverse prognosis group and the non-adverse prognosis group. The 2001 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) criteria, 2018 NICHD criteria, and 2019 Neonatal Research Network (NRN) criteria were used to diagnose and grade BPD in preterm infants. Chi-square test, Logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Delong test were used to analyze the prognostic value of the 3 diagnostic criteria.Results:The 285 preterm infants had a gestational age of 29.4 (28.1, 30.6) weeks and birth weight of 1 230 (1 000, 1 465) g, including 167 males (58.6%). Among 285 premature infants who completed follow-up, the primary composite adverse outcome occurred in 124 preterm infants (43.5%), and the secondary composite adverse outcome occurred in 40 preterm infants (14.0%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that severe BPD according to the 2001 NICHD criteria, gradeⅡand Ⅲ BPD according to the 2018 NICHD criteria and grade 2 and 3 BPD according to the 2019 NRN criteria were all risk factors for primary composite adverse outcomes (all P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the 2018 NICHD criteria and 2019 NRN criteria were both higher than that of the 2001 NICHD criteria (0.70 and 0.70 vs. 0.61, Z=4.49 and 3.35, both P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2018 NICHD and 2019 NRN criteria ( Z=0.38, P=0.702). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the secondary composite adverse outcomes were all associated with grade Ⅲ BPD according to the 2018 NICHD criteria and grade 3 BPD according to the 2019 NRN criteria (both P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the AUC of the 2018 NICHD criteria and 2019 NRN criteria were both higher than that of the 2001 NICHD criteria (0.71 and 0.71 vs. 0.58, Z=2.93 and 3.67, both P<0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the 2018 NICHD and 2019 NRN criteria ( Z=0.02, P=0.984). Conclusion:The 2018 NICHD and 2019 NRN criteria demonstrate good and comparable predictive value for the primary and secondary composite adverse outcomes in preterm infants with BPD, surpassing the predictive efficacy of the 2001 NICHD criteria.
7.Experimental Study on Inhibitory Effect of Yiqi Jiedu Recipe on Proliferation,Migration and Invasion of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells Through TGF-β1/SMAD3 Signaling Pathway
Lipei GUO ; Wenqing ZHANG ; Jie LIU ; Hongjian SHI ; Yingchun HE ; Xianwen WANG ; Jingying FAN
Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology 2024;35(7):935-943
Objective To investigate the effect of Yiqi Jiedu Recipe(YQ)on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells,and to explore its mechanisms of action on proliferation,migration,and invasion through the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.Methods(1)The 5-8F cells were divided into four groups:solvent control group,YQ 0.5 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and 5-fluorouracil 2 μg·mL-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using real-time cell analysis(RTCA).Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using the Western Blot method.(2)The 5-8F cells were divided into five groups:solvent control group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1 group,TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,and LY3200882 10 μmol·L-1 group.Cell proliferation was monitored using RTCA.Wound healing experiment was conducted to assess cell migration.After 24 hours of drug intervention,transwell assay was employed to measure cell invasion.The protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 in the cells were evaluated using Western Blot.(3)The nude mice were randomly assigned into the model group,YQ group,and 5-fluorouracil group.Subcutaneous injection of 5-8F cell suspension was performed to establish the xenograft nude mouse model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.After the tumors reached a certain size,the 5-fluorouracil group received intraperitoneal injection of 5-Fu once every 2 days,while the other groups were orally administered corresponding drugs once a day for three consecutive weeks.Tumor volume was measured every 3 days.Western Blot was conducted to assess the protein expression levels of β-catenin,E-cadherin,and N-cadherin in the tissues of each group.Results Compared with the solvent control group,the proliferation curves of 5-8F cells in the YQ(0.5 mg·mL-1,1.0 mg·mL-1)groups showed a decrease.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were both reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).Additionally,the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased(P<0.01),while the protein expression of β-catenin,N-cadherin,TGF-β1,and SMAD3 all decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the transplanted tumor volume of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the YQ group significantly decreased(P<0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of β-catenin and N-cadherin in the transplanted tissues of the YQ group was significantly downregulated(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of E-cadherin protein was significantly upregulated(P<0.01).After the addition of the activator and inhibitor of TGF-β1 signaling pathway,compared with the YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group,the TGF-β1 10 ng·mL-1+YQ 1.0 mg·mL-1 group showed a significant increase in the expression of TGF-β1,SMAD3,β-catenin,and N-cadherin proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01)and obvious enhancement of the abilities of cell proliferation,migration,and invasion(P<0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Jiedu Recipe can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion by regulating the TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathway.
8.Procedure and teaching verse of placement of spiral nasoenteral tube into jejunum by gravity-guiding
Pingqing GUO ; Wenqing LIN ; Xiaofeng HUANG ; Congpei LI ; Yanfang DONG ; Lanhua CHEN ; Zhihua CHEN ; Chuanqi CAI ; Xide CHEN ; Qiaoyi WU ; Zhihong LIN ; Shaodan FENG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2024;31(1):92-94
To improve the effectiveness of bedside localization of nasointestinal tube(NIT)and facilitate the placement of nasointestinal tube into jejunum,we established a procedure and composed a teaching verse for bedside placement of nasointestinal tube based on relevant classical literature and our own practices.Verse content:enteral nutrition means a successful strategy to improve the outcome in critically ill patient management,never hesitate to place nasointestinal tubes when necessary.There are several methods to deal with it,but popularizing it remains a long way off.Half-sitting and swallowing into the esophagus,freely withdrawing signifies the stomach cavity.Passing through the pylorus using light tension on the tube in the right lateral decubitus position.Arriving at the jejunum with low resistance in the left lateral decubitus position.What are the signs of intragastric coiling?Tube return out of nose is the initial observation,Failure of air insufflation indicates tube coiling.Dyeing location surpasses imaging.Vacuum test is the most sensitive,Sequential change from acid to base is specific.Methylene blue test is dramatical for localization.Combining three methods is enough to navigate.Abdominal plain film is the goldan standard and can still be used in ultrasonic era.3-D image establishes overall view.CT reveals the tube route exactly.The teaching verse has become a powerful tool for clinical teaching of manual nasointestinal tube placement in a concise and easy-to-remember form.
9.Analysis of Influencing Factors of Gastric Cancer Based on Lasso-Logistic Regression Model
Jing GUO ; Ji HAN ; Wenqing LV
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(9):50-55
Objective To explore the influencing factors of gastric cancer and construct the clinical prediction model.Methods From December 2020 to October 2023,the clinical data of 1000 patients with stomach neoplasm admitted to Putuo Hospital,Shanghai U-niversity of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shuguang Hospital,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were collected.Af-ter data cleaning and eliminating abnormal values,the patients were divided into gastric polyps group(n=487)and gastric cancer group(n=479).Non-parametric test was used to screen out meaningful indicators,Lasso regression to screen out the characteristic factors re-lated to gastric cancer with non-zero coefficient,and stepwise Logistic regression analysis to screen out the factors with significant correla-tion,and Lasso-Logistic regression model was constructed.The receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to calculate the area under the curve(AUC)and the confusion matrix to evaluate the model efficiency.Results The results of multivariate Logistic re-gression analysis showed that age,white blood cell(WBC)count,monocyte(M)count,alanine amiontransferase(ALT),cancer anti-gen 724(CA724),cancer antigen 242(CA242),cancer antigen 50(CA50)and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)were independent factors affecting gastric cancer.Based on the results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the risk prediction nomogram model of gas-tric cancer was constructed.The AUC of test set was 0.91,the accuracy rate was 100%,and the recall rate was 100%;the AUC of valida-tion set was 0.93,the accuracy rate was 93.63%,and the recall rate was 74.1%.The model has good prediction efficiency.Conclusion In this study,8 common predictors of gastric cancer were constructed,and the Lasso-logistic regression prediction model had good differen-tiation,which could be used to complete the early screening of gastric cancer based on the physical examination reports of patients.
10.Effects of body mass index on nocturnal hypertension in patients with hypertension: a cross-sectional study
Wenqing WANG ; Zhihua LI ; Jing XUE ; Qian CUI ; Miaomiao SHANG ; Ping YIN ; Meijuan WANG ; Li GUO ; Dongmei SONG ; Guomei XU ; Dandan SUN ; Yuchuan DAI
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(8):1090-1095
Objective:To explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of nocturnal hypertension in patients with hypertension.Methods:Totally 341 hospitalized hypertensive patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from February to May 2023 were selected by convenience sampling. Patients' general information, clinical data, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure results were collected. A binomial Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in these patients. The relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was examined using threshold effect tests and smooth curve fitting.Results:The binomial Logistic regression analysis indicated that blood phosphate level was a factor influencing the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in hypertensive patients ( P<0.05). Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect test results showed that the relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was curve-correlated, with a turning point at 24.61 kg/m 2. To the left of the turning point, there was no correlation ( P=0.130) ; to the right, there was a correlation ( P=0.016) . Conclusions:When the BMI of hypertensive patients exceeds 24.61 kg/m 2, the likelihood of nocturnal hypertension increases with rising BMI, providing a precise intervention target for weight management-based patient care in hypertension.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail