1.The Role of AMPK in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Related Intervention Strategies
Fang-Lian LIAO ; Xiao-Feng CHEN ; Han-Yi XIANG ; Zhi XIA ; Hua-Yu SHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(10):2550-2567
Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a distinct form of cardiomyopathy that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden death. It has become a major cause of mortality in diabetic patients. The pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy is complex, involving increased oxidative stress, activation of inflammatory responses, disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), abnormal autophagy and apoptosis, insulin resistance, and impaired intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a crucial protective role by lowering blood glucose levels, promoting lipolysis, inhibiting lipid synthesis, and exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-ferroptotic effects. It also enhances autophagy, thereby alleviating myocardial injury under hyperglycemic conditions. Consequently, AMPK is considered a key protective factor in diabetic cardiomyopathy. As part of diabetes prevention and treatment strategies, both pharmacological and exercise interventions have been shown to mitigate diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating the AMPK signaling pathway. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms, optimal intervention strategies, and clinical translation require further investigation. This review summarizes the role of AMPK in the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy through drug and/or exercise interventions, aiming to provide a reference for the development and application of AMPK-targeted therapies. First, several classical AMPK activators (e.g., AICAR, A-769662, O-304, and metformin) have been shown to enhance autophagy and glucose uptake while inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and/or by upregulating the gene expression of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. Second, many antidiabetic agents (e.g., teneligliptin, liraglutide, exenatide, semaglutide, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin) can promote autophagy, reverse excessive apoptosis and autophagy, and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets, such as mTOR, or by increasing the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor‑α (PPAR‑α). Third, certain anti-anginal (e.g., trimetazidine, nicorandil), anti-asthmatic (e.g., farrerol), antibacterial (e.g., sodium houttuyfonate), and antibiotic (e.g., minocycline) agents have been shown to promote autophagy/mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and inhibit oxidative stress and lipid accumulation via AMPK phosphorylation and its downstream targets such as protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) and/or PPAR‑α. Fourth, natural compounds (e.g., dihydromyricetin, quercetin, resveratrol, berberine, platycodin D, asiaticoside, cinnamaldehyde, and icariin) can upregulate AMPK phosphorylation and downstream targets such as AKT, mTOR, and/or the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-pyroptotic, antioxidant, and pro-autophagic effects. Fifth, moderate exercise (e.g., continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise, aerobic combined with resistance training, or high-intensity interval training) can activate AMPK and its downstream targets (e.g., acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), GLUT4, PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PPAR-α, and forkhead box protein O3 (FOXO3)) to promote fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake, and to inhibit oxidative stress and excessive mitochondrial fission. Finally, the combination of liraglutide and aerobic interval training has been shown to activate the AMPK/FOXO1 pathway, thereby reducing excessive myocardial fatty acid uptake and oxidation. This combination therapy offers superior improvement in cardiac dysfunction, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis in diabetic conditions compared to liraglutide or exercise alone.
2.Long-term therapeutic efficacy and prognosis analysis of complex high-risk coronary heart disease patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with intra-aortic balloon pump
Tian-Tong YU ; Shuai ZHAO ; Yan CHEN ; You-Hu CHEN ; Gen-Rui CHEN ; Huan WANG ; Bo-Hui ZHANG ; Xi ZHANG ; Bo-Da ZHU ; Peng HAN ; Hao-Kao GAO ; Kun LIAN ; Cheng-Xiang LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(9):501-508
Objective We aimed to compare the efficacy and prognosis of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in complex and high-risk patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)combined with intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)assistance,and explore the application value of combined use of mechanical circulatory support(MCS)devices in complex PCI.Methods A total of patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent selective PCI supported by MCS at the Department of Cardiology,the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from January 2018 to December 2022 were continuously enrolled.According to the mechanical circulatory support method,the patients were divided into ECMO+IABP group and IABP group.Clinical characteristics,angiographic features,in-hospital outcomes,and complications were collected.The intra-hospital outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)at one month and one year after the procedure were observed.The differences and independent risk factors between the two groups in the above indicators were analyzed.Results A total of 218 patients undergoing elective PCI were included,of which 66 patients were in the ECMO+IABP group and 152 patients were in the IABP group.The baseline characteristics of the two groups of patients were generally comparable,but the ECMO+IABP group had more complex lesion characteristics.The proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation(6.1%vs.0.7%,P=0.030),left main disease(43.9%vs.27.0%,P=0.018),triple vessel disease(90.9%vs.75.5%,P=0.009),and RCA chronic total occlusion disease(60.6%vs.35.5%,P<0.001)was higher in the ECMO+IABP group compared to the IABP group.The proportion of patients with previous PCI history was higher in the IABP group(32.9%vs.16.7%,P=0.014).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of in-hospital complications between the two groups(P=0.176),but the incidence of hypotension after PCI was higher in the ECMO+IABP group(19.7%vs.9.2%,P=0.031).The rates of 1-month MACE(4.5%vs.2.6%,P=0.435)and 1-year MACE(7.6%vs.7.9%,P=0.936)were comparable between the two groups.Multivariate analysis showed that in-hospital cardiac arrest(OR 7.17,95%CI 1.27-40.38,P=0.025)and after procedure hypotension(OR 3.60,95%CI 1.10-11.83,P=0.035)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of 1-year MACE.Conclusions Combination use of ECMO+IABP support can provide complex and high-risk coronary heart disease patients with an opportunity to achieve coronary artery revascularization through PCI,and achieve satisfactory long-term prognosis.
3.Analysis of drug resistance and molecular characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes from food and clinical sources in Guizhou Province in 2022
Qian ZHOU ; Lian ZHENG ; Jing-Shu XIANG ; Jing-Yu HUANG ; Shu ZHU ; De-Zhu ZHANG ; Xin-Xu LUO ; Li ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):613-619
This study was aimed at understanding the serotypes,virulence,drug resistance,and genetics of the pathogenic genes from 29 strains of foodborne Listeria monocytogenes in Guizhou Province in 2022.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)values against eight antibiotics were determined with the microbroth dilution method,and whole genome sequencing was performed on 29 L.monocytogenes strains isolated from food microbiology and foodborne disease surveillance efforts in the province in 2022.The genome sequences were assembled,and bioinformatics analyses were conducted to examine genealogy,serogroups,sequence analysis(ST type),clonal groups(CC type),resistance genes,and virulence genes.A total of 29 strains of L.monocytogenes had resistance to zero to eight antibiotics,and carried six resistance genes.All strains of L.monocytogenes carried fosX,mprF,Lin,and norB.The 29 strains of L.monocytogenes belonged to 2 lineages(Ⅰ and Ⅱ):17 strains belonged to lineage Ⅱ,which was the dominant strain,and 12 strains belonged to lineage Ⅰ.The strains were classified into 13 ST types,among which ST8 was dominant,accounting for 31.03%(9/29 strains),and was followed by ST619 and ST121,accounting for three strains each.The strains were di-vided into four serogroups,with 15 strains in serogroups 1/2a and 3a;11 strains in serogroups 1/2b,3b,and 7;2 strains in serogroups 1/2c and 3c;and 1 strain in serogroups 4b,4d,and 4e.The strains were divided into 12 CC types,and one unsub-divided CC type,ST2348,among which CC8 was dominant,accounting for 27.59%(nine strains).A total of 25 virulence genes were found,which belonged to three virulence islands(LIPI-1,LIPI-2,and LIPI-3)and 23 CL types,including one or two strains each,and three CL types including two strains each.Foodborne L.monocytogenes in Guizhou Province has a low level of drug resistance,carries a high number of virulence genes,and shows genetic diversity in serogroups and molecular phe-notypes.These findings should strengthen the continuous surveillance efforts for Listeria monocytogenes.
4.The Role of Notch Signaling Pathway in Adult Patients with Epstein-Barr Virus-induced Infectious Mononucleosis
Yu LI ; Lian-Xiang LI ; Ying GAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2024;32(3):920-926
Objective:To investigate the changes of Notch signaling molecules and Th22 cells in adult patients with infectious mononucleosis(IM),and assess the regulatory function of Notch signaling inhibition to Th22 cells.Methods:Forty-two IM patients and twenty-one healthy controls were enrolled in this study.Their peripheral blood was collected,from which plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated.Plasma interleukin(IL)-17 and IL-22 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The percentages of CD3+CD4+IL-17+Th17 cells and CD3+CD4+IL-22+Th22 cells were investigated by flow cytometry.The mRNA relative levels corresponding to Th1 7 transcription factor retinoic acid related orphan receptor γt(RORγt),Th22 transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR),and Notch signaling pathway molecules(including Notch receptors,Notch ligands,Notch downstream molecules)were semi-quantified by real-time PCR.CD4+T cells were purified and stimulated with γ-secretase inhibitor(GSI).Cellular proliferation,Th17 and Th22 percentage,IL-17 and IL-22 secretion,transcription factor mRNA were measured in response to GSI stimulation.Results:The relative expression levels of Notch1 and Notch2 mRNA in PBMCs of IM group were 13.58±3.18 and 4.73±1.16,respectively,which were significantly higher than 1.09± 0.12 and 1.07±0.15 in PBMCs of control group(both P<0.001).However,there were no significant differences in relative expression levels of Notch3 and Notch4 mRNA between IM group and control group(P>0.05).The relative expression levels of Notch ligands(including DLL1 and Jagged1)mRNA and Notch downstream molecules(including Hes1,Hes5,and Hey1)were increased in IM group compared with control group(all P<0.001).In IM group,the Th17 and Th22 percentage were 5.03%±1.15%and 4.48%±1.29%,respectively,which were both higher than 4.36%±0.82%and 3.83%±0.55%in control group(both P<0.05).In IM group,the IL-17 and IL-22 level were(301.1±53.82)and(101.2±16.45)pg/ml,respectively,which were both higher than(237.2±72.18)and(84.75 ±11.83)pg/ml in control group(both P<0.001).In IM group,the relative expression levels of RORγt and AhR mRNA were 1.25±0.22 and 1.21±0.12,respectively,which were both higher than 0.99±0.15 and 1.04±0.11 in control group(both P<0.001).There were no remarkable differences in CD4+T cell proliferation,Th17 percentage,IL-17 secretion,and relative expression level of RORγt mRNA between cells with GSI stimulation and without GSI stimulation(P>0.05).GSI stimulation reduced Th22 percentage,IL-22 secretion,and relative expression level of AhR mRNA compared with non-stimulation(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Notch signaling pathway regulates IL-22 secretion by CD4+T cells via AhR in IM patients.Notch-AhR-Th22 pathway may take part in the pathogenesis of IM.
5.Hereditary Hemochromatosis Complicated With Severe Heart Failure:a Case Report
Guannan LI ; Jianzhou CHEN ; Xiang WU ; Fan YANG ; Xiaoting WU ; Andi XU ; Dan MU ; Qiguo ZHANG ; Rong GU ; Biao XU ; Lian WANG
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(10):1028-1032
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a rare autosomal genetic disorder that can cause multi-organ dysfunction in the liver,pancreas,spleen,heart and pituitary gland,with diverse clinical manifestations,make the diagnosis difficult.In recent years,with the deepening of clinical understanding and the development of genetic diagnosis tools,the diagnostic rate of this disease has increased significantly.In this paper,we report a case of hereditary hemochromatosis type 3 involving multiple organs and complicated by severe heart failure,aiming to improve the clinicians'understanding of this disease and reduce the leakage and misdiagnosis.
6.Effects of different processing methods on oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus and Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis
Shi-Rong DOU ; Yan-Gang CAO ; Kai LI ; Lian-Qi TIAN ; Xiang-Le MENG ; Yan-Bang SHI ; Li-Xian ZHANG ; Hong-Wei LI ; Wei-Sheng FENG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(6):1809-1818
AIM To investigate the effects of stir-frying,processing with butter and carbonizing by stir-frying on oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus and Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis.METHODS The volatile oils and fatty oils were extracted by steam distillation method and Soxhlet extraction method,respectively,after which the extraction rates were determined.GC-MS was applied to analyzing the kinds and relative contents of oil components,after which cluster analysis was performed.RESULTS After the processing,the two medicinal materials demonstrated increased extraction rates of fatty oils and decreased extraction rates of volatile oils(except for processing with butter),the extraction rates of oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus were higher than those in Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis,and the reduced relative contents of toxic olefin benzene components were observable.CONCLUSION The kinds and relative contents of oil components in Gleditsiae sinensis Fructus and Gleditsiae Fructus Abnormalis exist obvious differences,the former displays better medicinal quality,whose processing mechanism in alleviating dryness and strength may contribute to the reduction of relative contents of toxic olefin benzene components.
7.Analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City
Shi-Mei HUANG ; Lian-Guo LAN ; Da-Ya ZHANG ; Run-Xiang CHEN ; Xiao-Dong ZHANG ; Chen CHEN ; Fan ZENG ; Da LI ; Xian-Feng HUANG ; Qi WANG ; Shi-Ju CHEN ; Lei GAO ; Jun-Tao ZENG ; Fei-Hu BAI
Modern Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment in Gastroenterology 2024;29(2):141-145
Objective To explore the current status of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,analyze its influencing factors,and provide a reference basis for the prevention and control of H.pylori infection.Methods A total of 677 residents from four districts of Sanya City were selected by overall stratified random sampling method,and were subjected to urea 14C breath test and questionnaire survey to calculate the positive rate of H.pylori in the natural population and analyze the influencing factors of H.pylori infection.Results A total of 606 residents were included,and the number of H.pylori positive detections was 261,with a positive detection rate of 38.5%.Among them,different ethnicity,marital status,smoking,eating vegetables and fruits,and literacy level were associated with H.pylori infection(P<0.05);gender,age,BMI,alcohol consumption,drinking water source,betel quid chewing,and the number of cohabitants were not significantly associated with H.pylori infection(P>0.05).Family infection was an independent risk factor for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City,and Li ethnicity,frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables,and college and higher education level were independent protective factors for H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City.Conclusion The rate of H.pylori infection in the natural population of Sanya City is lower than the national average.Consuming more fruits and vegetables and improving the awareness of hygiene protection are conducive to the prevention of H.pylori infection;and the promotion of the family and related members with the same examination and treatment is important to avoid aggregation of infection within the family.
8.Research on the impact of the extended collimator on the beam characteristics of the boron neutron capture therapy
Yadi ZHU ; Jun GAO ; Xiang JI ; Chao LIAN ; Yongfeng WANG ; Sheng GAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(7):601-607
Objective:To investigate beam distribution characteristics through a phantom with conventional or extended collimators designed based on conventional collimators in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).Methods:By Monte Carlo simulation, we calculated the neutron beam distributions along the beam direction with a conventional collimator, 5 cm-extended collimator, and 10 cm-extended collimator; calculated the irradiation time and average depth using 10 cm-extended collimators with no air gap comprised of lithium fluoride (LiF)+ polyethylene or boron carbide (B 4C)+ polyethylene at different mass ratios; and calculated the irradiation time, advantage depth, and off-axis dose with conventional or extended collimators at without air gap or certain air gaps. Results:For the 10 cm-extended collimator without air gap, the thermal neutron flux density, gamma ray dose rate, and fast neutron dose rate were highest, and their peaks were 1.0×10 9 n/(cm 2·s), 5.3 cGy/min, and 9.1 cGy/min, respectively. Collimators comprised of polyethylene and LiF were superior to those of polyethylene and B4C in advantage depth and irradiation time. For five types of collimators made of polyethylene and LiF, the combination of 20 wt% polyethylene and 80 wt% LiF exhibited the greatest advantage depth (8.7 cm), but with a longer irradiation time (20.5 minutes); and the combination of 80 wt% polyethylene and 20 wt% LiF achieved the shortest irradiation time (19.0 minutes), with an advantage depth of 8.5 cm. Compared with the conventional collimator, the use of 5 cm- and 10 cm-extended collimators reduced treatment time by 26.4% and 40.3%, respectively, with small changes in advantage depth; and for the same collimator, the off-axis dose increased with the increase in the air gap. Conclusions:The use of 5 cm- and 10 cm-extended collimators can increase neutron beam intensity and reduce irradiation time, with a small impact on advantage depth and off-axis dose, which can solve the problem of prolonged treatment time caused by an air gap between patient's tumor surface and the beam aperture when head and neck movement is limited. BNCT can be equipped with appropriate extended collimators according to actual clinical needs.
9.Reference ranges of cardiac size and morphology for low-risk fetuses at 28-39 gestational weeks based on two-dimensional speckle tracking technique
Chen ZHU ; Cheng-Jie XU ; Rui LIU ; Man LI ; Yu XIONG ; Jin-Lian XIANG ; Yun-Yun REN
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(1):41-49
Objective To construct reference ranges of cardiac size and morphologic parameters in low-risk fetuses at 28-39 gestational weeks using two-dimensional speckle tracking technique.Methods A prospective collection of 453 low-risk singleton pregnancies with echocardiography at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University was used to assess the size(length,width,and area)and morphology(sphericity index,i.e.,the ratio of length to width)of the fetal four-chamber view and two ventricles using two-dimensional speckle tracking technique.Repeated inter-and intra-observer agreement of measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs).Statistical analysis of cardiac measurement parameters was performed to establish reference ranges of values for cardiac size and morphology in low-risk fetuses.Results The inter-and intra-group ICCs for reproducibility tests of fetal cardiac parameters measurements were 0.691 to 0.980.Fetal four-chamber view and ventricular size increased with gestational week(all P<0.001),the end-diastolic length of the left ventricle was larger than that of the right ventricle,and the end-diastolic diameter was smaller than that of the right ventricle(both P<0.001),while there was no significant difference in the end-diastolic area of the two ventricles(P= 0.050).The spherical index of four-chamber view did not correlate with gestational week(P=0.811).The sphericity index of the basal and intermediate segments of the left ventricle was greater than that of the right ventricle,and the sphericity index of the apical segment was less than that of the right ventricle,the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion The two-dimensional speckle tracking technique for measuring fetal cardiac parameters has good reproducibility.The reference ranges for cardiac size and morphology in low-risk fetuses developed in this study will be useful for prenatal evaluation of cardiac remodeling.
10.Implementation of surveillance,prevention and control of healthcare-asso-ciated infection in maternal and child healthcare institutions:A nation-wide investigation report
Shuo LI ; Xi YAO ; Hui-Xue JIA ; Wei-Guang LI ; Xun HUANG ; Shu-Mei SUN ; Xi CHENG ; Qing-Lan MENG ; Xiang ZHANG ; Jing-Ping ZHANG ; Ya-Wei XING ; Qing-Qing JIANG ; Lian-Xuan WU ; Bing-Li ZHANG ; Xiao-Jing LIU ; Liu-Yi LI
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2024;23(3):323-329
Objective To investigate the implementation of surveillance,prevention and control measures for healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in maternal and child healthcare(MCH)institutions,and provide policy evi-dence for optimizing HAI prevention and control in MCH institutions.Methods Stratified sampling was conducted among the MCH institutions at provincial,municipal and county levels in 8 provinces/autonomous regions.A uni-fied questionnaire was designed and the online survey was conducted through"Questionnaire Star".Results The data from 123 MCH institutions were included in the analysis.90.24%of the MCH institutions carried out compre-hensive surveillance on HAI.The ratios of MCH institutions which implemented targeted surveillance on HAI in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU),surgical site infection,multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)and HAI in intensive care units(non-NICU excluded)were 89.66%,85.96%,80.77%,and 74.19%,respectively.51.22%MCH institutions adopted information surveillance system on HAI cases.94.31%MCH institutions carried out surveillance on hand hygiene compliance.Over 90%MCH institutions carried out surveillance on environment hy-giene in high-risk departments.71.54%MCH institutions conducted centralized cleaning,disinfection,sterilization and supply for reusable medical instruments in the central sterile supply department(CSSD).Over 90%MCH insti-tutions established three-level pre-examination triage systems.86.18%set up transitional wards.MCH institutions generally adopted a management model with established effective communication,full appointment visits,and sepa-rate visits for special medical groups,such as registered pregnant women,high-risk newborns,healthcare groups,and long-term rehabilitation patients.However,the ratio of institutions conducting on-line follow-up visits was less than 50%.Conclusion MCH institutions have generally carried out comprehensive and targeted surveillance on HAI.Information surveillance need to be facilitated.Hand hygiene and environmental hygiene surveillance has been popularized to a certain extent at all levels of MCH institutions.The cleaning,disinfection,sterilization,and supply processes of reusable medical devices in a few MCH institutions are not standardized.Special medical populations get effective management.On-line healthcare is to be further promoted.

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