1.Single-cell transcriptomics combined with bioinformatics for comprehensive analysis of macrophage subpopulations and hub genes in ischemic stroke.
Jingyao XU ; Xiaolu WANG ; Shuai HOU ; Meng PANG ; Gang WANG ; Yanqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2025;41(6):505-513
Objective To explore macrophage subpopulations in ischemic stroke (IS) by using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis and High-Dimensional Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (hdWGCNA). Methods Based on single-cell sequencing data, transcriptomic information for different cell types was obtained, and macrophages were selected for subpopulation identification. hdWGCNA, cell-cell communication, and pseudotime trajectory analysis were used to explore the characteristics of macrophage subpopulations following IS. Key genes related to IS were identified using microarray data and validated for diagnostic potential through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted to investigate the potential functions of these genes. Results The scRNA-seq data analysis revealed significant changes in macrophage subpopulation composition after IS. A specific macrophage subpopulation enriched in the stroke group was identified and designated as MCAO-specific macrophages (MSM). Pseudotime trajectory analysis indicated that MSM cells were in an intermediate stage of macrophage differentiation. Cell-cell communication analysis uncovered complex interactions between MSM cells and other cells, with the CCL6-CCR1 signaling axis potentially playing a crucial role in neuroinflammation. Two gene modules associated with MSM were identified via hdWGCNA, significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptors and antigen processing. By integrating differentially expressed MSM genes with conventional transcriptomic data, three IS-related hub genes were identified: Arg1, CLEC4D, and CLEC4E. Conclusion This study reveals the characteristics and functions of macrophage subpopulations following IS and identifies three hub genes with potential diagnostic value, providing novel insights into the pathological mechanisms of IS.
Macrophages/metabolism*
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Computational Biology/methods*
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Single-Cell Analysis/methods*
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Transcriptome
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Ischemic Stroke/metabolism*
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Animals
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Gene Regulatory Networks
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Gene Expression Profiling
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Humans
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Male
2.USP20 as a super-enhancer-regulated gene drives T-ALL progression via HIF1A deubiquitination.
Ling XU ; Zimu ZHANG ; Juanjuan YU ; Tongting JI ; Jia CHENG ; Xiaodong FEI ; Xinran CHU ; Yanfang TAO ; Yan XU ; Pengju YANG ; Wenyuan LIU ; Gen LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Fenli ZHANG ; Ying YANG ; Bi ZHOU ; Yumeng WU ; Zhongling WEI ; Yanling CHEN ; Jianwei WANG ; Di WU ; Xiaolu LI ; Yang YANG ; Guanghui QIAN ; Hongli YIN ; Shuiyan WU ; Shuqi ZHANG ; Dan LIU ; Jun-Jie FAN ; Lei SHI ; Xiaodong WANG ; Shaoyan HU ; Jun LU ; Jian PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4751-4771
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.
3.The impact of different chest compression frequencies on cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in domestic pigs.
Nana XU ; Jiabi ZHANG ; Jialin LUO ; Li WANG ; Yong CHEN ; Lijun ZHOU ; Bihua CHEN ; Lan LUO ; Xiaolu LIU ; Shuju LUO ; Yong WANG ; Zunwei LUO ; Li DING ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(5):472-476
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the effects of different chest compression rates (60-140 times/min) on hemodynamic parameters, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), resuscitation success, and survival in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
METHODS:
Forty healthy male domestic pigs were randomly divided into five groups based on chest compression rate: 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 times/min (n = 8). All animals underwent standard anesthesia and tracheal intubation. A catheter was inserted via the left femoral artery into the thoracic aorta to monitor aortic pressure (AOP), and another via the right external jugular vein into the right atrium to monitor right atrial pressure (RAP). In each group, animals were implanted with a stimulating electrode via the right external jugular vein to the endocardium, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced by delivering alternating current stimulation, resulting in CA. After a 1-minute, manual chest compressions were performed at the assigned rate with a compression depth of 5 cm. The first defibrillation was delivered after 2 minutes of CPR. No epinephrine or other pharmacologic agents were administered during the entire resuscitation process. From 1 minute before VF induction to 10 minutes after ROSC, dynamic monitoring of AOP, coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2). Cortical ultrastructure was examined 24 hours post-ROSC using transmission electron microscopy.
RESULTS:
With increasing compression rates, both the total number of defibrillations and cumulative defibrillation energy significantly decreased, reaching their lowest levels in the 120 times/min group. The number of defibrillations decreased from (4.88±0.83) times in the 60 times/min group to (2.25±0.71) times in the 120 compressions/min group, and energy from (975.00±166.90)J to (450.00±141.42)J. However, both parameters increased again in the 140 times/min group [(4.75±1.04)times, (950.00±207.02)J], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). As compression frequency increased, PETCO2, pre-defibrillation AOP and CPP significantly improved, peaking in the 120 times/min group [compared with the 60 times/min group, PETCO2 (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 18.69±1.98 vs. 8.67±1.30, AOP (mmHg): 95.13±7.06 vs. 71.00±6.41, CPP (mmHg): 14.88±6.92 vs. 8.57±3.42]. However, in the 140 times/min group, these values declined significantly again [PETCO2, AOP, and CPP were (10.59±1.40), (72.38±11.49), and (10.36±4.57) mmHg, respectively], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The number of animals achieving ROSC, successful resuscitation, and 24-hour survival increased with higher compression rates, reaching a peak in the 120 times/min group (compared with the 60 times/min group, ROSC: 7 vs. 2, successful resuscitation: 7 vs. 2, 24-hour survival: 7 vs.1), then decreased again in the 140 times/min group (the animals that ROSC, successfully recovered and survived for 24 hours were 3, 3, and 2, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that in the 60, 80, and 140 times/min groups, nuclear membranes in cerebral tissue were irregular and incomplete, nucleoli were indistinct, and mitochondria were swollen with reduced cristae and abnormal morphology. In contrast, the 100 times/min and 120 times/min groups exhibited significantly attenuated ultrastructural damage.
CONCLUSIONS
Among the tested chest compression rates of 60-140 times/min, a chest compressions frequency of 120 times/min is the most favorable hemodynamic profile and outcomes during CPR in a porcine CA model. However, due to the wide spacing between groups, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal compression rate range more precisely.
Animals
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods*
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Swine
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Male
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Heart Arrest/therapy*
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Heart Massage/methods*
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Hemodynamics
4.Application of three-dimensional simulated osteotomy of the distal femur in total knee arthroplasty
Tihui WANG ; Xu WANG ; Jinqing WU ; Jiliang CHEN ; Xiaolu WANG ; Juan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(6):905-910
BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there are significant differences in the geometric morphology of the distal femur of different races and genders,and there are more short female patients in southern China,so the phenomenon of overhanging or insufficient coverage of imported knee prostheses often occurs during surgery. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the characteristics of distal femur bones in southern Chinese women and compare them with imported joint prostheses by simulating the three-dimensional reconstruction of the distal femur bone and matching the femoral side after osteotomy with common imported joint prostheses. METHODS:From January to December 2021,120 female volunteers underwent a CT scan of knee joints.The images were imported into Mimics 20.0 software in Dicom format for three-dimensional reconstruction and then imported into Magic 22.0 software to simulate osteotomy by posterior cruciate ligament preserved total knee arthroplasty and to conduct a matching study with a normal imported joint prosthesis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The functional anteroposterior dimension(fAP)of the distal femur and Persona matched prosthesis had a total overhang rate of 25%(30/120).The fAP≤47 mm group had an overhang than the other groups(P<0.05).The poor coverage rate of Triathlon prosthesis was 12.5%(15/120),and poor coverage was more likely in fAP>53 mm group than in fAP≤53 mm group(P<0.05).(2)The total poor coverage rate of femoral intercondylar width matching with Triathlon prosthesis was 27.5%(33/120).Therefore,the poor coverage rate of bone surface in the central region of the distal femur was more likely in the fAP≤47 mm group than in other groups(P<0.05).The overhang rate of Journey II was 21.6%(26/120),and the overhang rate was higher in the fAP>53 mm group than in the fAP≤53 mm group(P<0.05).(3)Journey II CR prosthesis had the largest difference with the length of the anterior mediolateral diameter of the femur,which was easy to hang out on the anterolateral side of the femoral prosthesis.The Persona CR prosthesis has the largest difference with the length of the posterior mediolateral diameter of the femur,which is easy to be poorly covered in the posterior medial part of the prosthesis.It is recommended to increase the femoral prosthesis with reduced mediolateral diameter in the fAP≤47 mm group and add wider and narrower sizes than the conventional size of intercondylar width,and optimize the anterolateral angular arc design of the femoral prosthesis to improve the matching of posterior cruciate ligament reserved knee prosthesis.
5.Analysis of Specific Chromatogram of Classical Formula Qianghuo Shengshi Tang Reference Samples
Wenya GAO ; He XU ; Mingli LI ; Haiyu ZHAO ; Yanyan ZHOU ; Hongjie WANG ; Jian YANG ; Xiaolu WEI ; Zhikun FAN ; Nan SI ; Baolin BIAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(10):1350-1356
OBJECTIVE
To establish the specific chromatogram of Qianghuo Shengshi Tang(QHSS) reference sample, clarify the key quality attributes of QHSS, providing reference for the quality evaluation of QHSS reference sample.
METHODS
The SilGreen C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used. The mobile phase consisted acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid aqueous solution. The detection wavelength was 328 nm. Established an HPLC characteristic spectrum analysis method for the reference sample of QHSS. A variety of chromatographic columns and different instruments were applied to investigate the adaptability of the system. HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS was used to identify the specific peaks of the QHSS reference samples in positive ion mode.
RESULTS
There were 14 peaks in the specific chromatogram, which belonged to Notopterygii Rhizoma Et Radix, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma Et Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Viticis Fructus, respectively. Ferulic acid(peak 3) was reference peak. A total of 22 compounds were identified by mass spectrometry, including coumarin and flavonoids.
CONCLUSION
The established specific chromatogram method of QHSS is simple, stable and reproducible. The material basis of QHSS reference sample is basically determined, providing a reference for the development and quality control of QHSS.
6.Changes and clinical significance of homocysteine, folate, and cardiac enzyme levels in patients with alcohol dependence and depression
Chenqi XU ; Jinlei TANG ; Mengmi LIN ; Xiaolu WENG
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy 2024;31(8):1126-1132
Objective:To analyze the changes and clinical significance of homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and cardiac enzyme levels in patients with alcohol dependence and depression.Methods:A total of 102 patients with alcohol dependence and depression, who received treatment at Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023, were included in the observation group. The degree of alcohol dependence in patients in the observation group was assessed using the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). According to the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into the following subgroups: mild alcohol dependence ( n = 33), moderate alcohol dependence ( n = 37), heavy alcohol dependence ( n = 15), and severe alcohol dependence ( n = 17). The severity of depression among patients in the observation group was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Based on the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into the following subgroups: mild depression ( n = 43), moderate depression ( n = 34), and severe depression ( n = 25). The cognitive function of patients in the observation group was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). According to the assessment results, the patients in the observation group were divided into normal cognitive function ( n = 73) and cognitive impairment ( n = 29) subgroups. Thirty healthy volunteers from our hospital during the same period were included in the control group. The levels of Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzymes were compared among all groups. The correlations between Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzyme levels with HAMD, MoCA, and MAST scores were analyzed using the Pearson method. Results:The Hcy level in the observation group was (15.21 ± 1.99) μg/L, which was significantly higher than that in the control group [(11.38 ± 1.46) μg/L, t = -9.80, P < 0.001]. The levels of folate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) in the observation group were (4.82 ± 1.77) μg/L, (122.69 ± 33.98) IU/L, and (87.83 ± 16.52) IU/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(6.27 ± 1.35) μg/L, (150.56 ± 38.78) IU/L, (98.67 ± 20.29) IU/L, t = 4.16, 3.82, 2.99, all P < 0.05]. The Hcy levels in the mild , moderate, heavy, and severe alcohol dependence subgroups [(13.16 ± 1.23) μg/L, (15.35 ± 0.82) μg/L, (16.79 ± 1.38) μg/L, (17.63 ± 1.22) μg/L] increased sequentially, while the folate levels [(6.11 ± 1.51) μg/L, (4.95 ± 1.40) μg/L, (4.04 ± 0.99) μg/L, (2.70 ± 0.99) μg/L], LDH levels [(153.35 ± 27.47) IU/L, (123.29 ± 16.59) IU/L, (109.83 ± 14.41) IU/L, (73.24 ± 16.86) IU/L], and CK levels [(104.14 ± 12.78) IU/L, (86.48 ± 9.15) IU/L, (78.11 ± 7.85) IU/L, (67.71 ± 9.00) IU/L] decreased sequentially. These differences in Hcy, folate, LDH, and CK levels among the mild, moderate, heavy, and severe alcohol dependence subgroups were statistically significant ( F = 73.24, 26.53, 59.08, 53.86, all P < 0.001). The Hcy levels in the mild, moderate, and severe depression subgroups [(13.75 ± 1.54) μg/L, (15.46 ± 1.17) μg/L, (17.39 ± 1.31) μg/L] increased progressively, while the folate levels [(5.83 ± 1.77) μg/L, (4.67 ± 1.12) μg/L, (3.28 ± 1.26) μg/L], LDH levels [(138.09 ± 33.67) IU/L, (119.73 ± 26.39) IU/L, (100.24 ± 30.88) IU/L], and CK levels [(96.35 ± 15.24) IU/L, (86.73 ± 15.62) IU/L, (74.69 ± 9.71) IU/L] decreased progressively. The differenes in Hcy, folate , LDH, and CK levels among the four depression subgroups were statistically significant ( F = 56.57, 24.36, 12.23, 18.44, all P < 0.001). The Hcy levels in the cognitive impairment group [(17.01 ± 1.63) μg/L] was significantly higher than that in the normal cognitive function group [(14.50 ± 1.64) μg/L, t = -6.97, P < 0.001), and the folate, LDH, and CK levels in the cognitive impairment group were (3.76 ± 1.78) μg/L, (102.71 ± 31.08) IU/L, and (76.00 ± 13.37) IU/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the normal cognitive function group [(5.24 ± 1.58) μg/L, (130.63 ± 31.92) IU/L, (92.52 ± 15.31) IU/L, t = 4.11, 4.01, 5.09, all P < 0.001]. Hcy levels were positively correlated with HAMD and MAST scores ( r = 0.854, 0.846, both P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with MoCA scores ( r = -0.648, P < 0.001). Folate, LDH, and CK levels were negatively correlated with HAMD and MAST scores ( r = -0.644, -0.701; r = -0.551, -0.696; r = -0.505, -0.673; all P < 0.001), and they were positively correlated with MoCA scores ( r = 0.514, 0.436, 0.448, all P < 0.001). Conclusion:In patients with alcohol dependence and depression, abnormal levels of Hcy, folate, and cardiac enzymes were observed. These indicators were found to be associated with the severity of alcohol dependence, the level of depression, and cognitive function.
7.Summary of the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism
Ruya YUAN ; Wei XU ; Xiaolu YANG ; Yanling DENG ; Xiaochang HUANG ; Xiaofen LI ; Chengcheng LIU ; Lijing HU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(31):4234-4240
Objective:To summarize the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism.Methods:The clinical decisions, guidelines, systematic reviews, expert consensus, group standards, evidence summaries, and randomized controlled trials regarding external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism were retrieved from databases and websites such as BMJ Best Practice, UpToDate, Guidelines International Network, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center Database, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang data, and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from database establishment to February 15, 2023. Six researchers screened the literature, evaluated the methodological quality, and extracted and summarized the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism.Results:A total of nine articles were included, including one clinical decision, two guidelines, two systematic reviews, one group standard, and three randomized controlled trials. Sixteen pieces of evidence were summarized from six aspects of operators: pre-operation evaluation and preparation, operation process, post-operation handling, health education, and adverse reactions during operation.Conclusions:This paper summarizes the best evidence for external auditory canal irrigation in patients with cerumen embolism. Medical and nursing staff should carefully select and apply evidence based on clinical scenarios and patient's wishes.
8.Clinical analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in 9 patients with hematological malignancies complicated by Gilbert’s syndrome
Xiaolu ZHU ; Jingzhi WANG ; Meng LYU ; Tingting HAN ; Fengmei ZHENG ; Yuhong CHEN ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Huan CHEN ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Lanping XU ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Yu WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(9):851-855
From January 1, 2013, to March 1, 2024, nine patients with hematological malignancies complicated by Gilbert’s syndrome in Peking University People’s Hospital underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The patients comprised seven male and two female cases, with a median age of 38 (13-60) years old. Among them, three cases were acute myeloid leukemia, three cases were acute lymphocytic leukemia, two cases were myelodysplastic syndrome, and one case was chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. None of the patients had viral hepatitis. Of the nine cases, seven cases received the Bu-Cy+ATG regimen, while the other two cases received the TBI-Cy+ATG regimen (Bu, busulfan; Cy, cyclophosphamide; ATG, antithymocyte immunoglobulin; and TBI, total body irradiation). All patients achieved neutrophil engraftment, and eight received platelet engraftment. The median total bilirubin level was 45.4 (22.5-71.2) μmol/L before transplantation and 22.0 (18.0-37.2) μmol/L on -1d of preconditioning. The total bilirubin level on +20d after the transplantation of eight patients decreased compared with the baseline level before transplantation. Moreover, one patient had a transient increase in the total bilirubin level on +5d after transplantation, which was considered to be attributed to the toxicity of Bu. No patients were complicated by hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The median follow-up time was 739 (42-2 491) days. During the follow-up period, one patient died of recurrence, and the remaining eight patients had disease-free survival events.
9.Expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in inpatients with mental illness
Yanhua QU ; Dongmei XU ; Jing SHAO ; Shan ZHANG ; Mengqian ZHANG ; Jianing GU ; Xiaolu YE ; Feifei LI ; Wei LUO ; Wanting LI ; Li WANG ; Fangzhu SHI ; Xiaoyu FENG ; Qian ZHOU ; Juan ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2024;40(14):1080-1090
Objective:To standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in inpatients with mental illness and develop an expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in hospitalized psychiatric patients.Methods:From March 2023 to July 2023, the Mental Health Committee of the Chinese Nursing Association focused on the key issues in the management of auditory hallucinations symptoms in inpatients with mental illness, based on clinical practice, using literature analysis combined with the work experience of mental health experts, and formed the first draft of the expert consensus on the management of auditory hallucinations in inpatients with mental illness (hereinafter referred to as the consensus). Through 3 rounds of expert consultation and 3 rounds of expert demonstration meeting, the draft was adjusted, revised, and improved.Results:37 experts were included in the Delphi expert consultation, 1 male and 36 females with 39-67(51.48 ± 6.61) years old. The positive coefficients of experts in 3 rounds of Delphi expert consultations were all 100%, and the degrees of expert authority were 0.924, 0.938 and 0.949, respectively. The average importance value of each item was higher than 4.00, the variation coefficient of each item was less than 0.25. The Kendall harmony coefficient of the experts were 0.179, 0.195 and 0.198, respectively (all P<0.05). There were 15, 12, 12 experts in the first, seeond, third rounds of expert demonstration meeting. Finally, a consensus was reached on the recommendation of 4 parts, included auditory hallucination assessment, management format, symptom management implementation, and precautions. Conclusions:The consensus covers all parts of the management of auditory hallucination symptoms in hospitalized patients with mental disorders, which is practical and scientific. It is helpful to guide mental health professionals to standardize the management of auditory hallucination symptoms, improve the quality of nursing and ensure the safety of patients.
10.Regulation mechanism of ischemic preconditioning renal tubular cell-derived exosomes on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in rats with renal ischemia reperfusion injury
Jiahui CHEN ; Yanzi ZHANG ; Aisha ZHANG ; Xiaolu SUI ; Yunpeng XU ; Tingfei XIE ; Jihong CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(9):732-740
This study aims to establish a rat model of renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) to observe the alterations in the expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway following various exosome treatments. Additionally, differential miRNA expression analysis will be conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of exosomes derived from ischemic preconditioned (IPC) renal tubular cells in mitigating RIRI in rats. Initially, ten SD rats were subjected to bilateral nephrectomy under general anesthesia to prepare primary renal tubular cells. The second-generation renal tubular cells were then subjected to the following treatments for 12 hours: normoxia (38% O 2, 5% CO 2), hypoxia (1% O 2, 5% CO 2), and hypoxia plus inactivation (heated at 65 ℃ for 30 minutes). Following these treatments, exosomes were extracted, yielding normoxic exosomes, IPC exosomes, and inactivated exosomes, respectively. A subsequent cohort of 50 SD rats was randomly divided into five groups: Sham group, RIRI group, RIRI + normoxic exosome group (NC group), RIRI + IPC exosome group (IPC group), and RIRI + inactivated exosome group (INA group). RIRI model was established in the latter four groups. Twenty-four hours after RIRI modeling, the NC, IPC, and INA groups received intravenous injections of 200 μg of normoxic exosomes, IPC exosomes, and inactivated exosomes via the tail vein, respectively. Six days later, venous blood samples were collected, and both kidneys were excised to observe renal function, histopathological changes in kidney tissue, and alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway among the five groups. Furthermore, differential miRNA expression analysis [ P<0.05, |log 2(Fold Change)|≥1] was conducted between the NC and IPC groups to investigate the changes in the miRNA expression profile. Subsequently, GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed. The results revealed that: (1) Compared with the Sham group, the RIRI and INA groups exhibited elevated levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen (all P<0.01). Histopathological examination of kidney tissues showed substantial inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium accompanied by varying degrees of edema, degenerative swelling of tubular structures, necrosis, and detachment of tubular epithelial cells. Notably, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly increased, while the number of Ki67-stained positive cells was markedly decreased. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in RIRI group and INA group were down-regulated. (2) Compared to the NC group, the IPC group demonstrated lower levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen (both P<0.01). Notably, there was a significant decrease in the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the renal interstitium, and tissue edema was markedly improved. Moreover, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was reduced, while the number of Ki67-stained positive cells was significantly increased. Additionally, the mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K, PDK1, AKT, and mTOR were all up-regulated (all P<0.05). (3) Compared to the NC group, 56 miRNAs were up-regulated and 42 miRNAs were down-regulated in the IPC group. The target genes of GO enrichment analysis were PIK3C2A, PIK3CA, PIK3CB, PIK3CD, PIK3C2G, AKT1, mTOR, Rheb, and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in PI3K/AKT signal pathway and mTOR signal pathway. In conclusion, this study reveals that during the course of RIRI, exosomes derived from IPC renal tubular cells induce differential miRNA expression in kidney tissues, resulting in enhanced expression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which plays a pivotal role in mitigating RIRI in rats.


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