1.Unilateral congenital ptosis on ocular biometric parameters and refractive status in children
Yun FENG ; Shasha ZHANG ; Jiaojiao LIANG ; Feng XU ; Ping LIN ; Ling CHEN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1485-1490
AIM: To investigate differences in ocular biological parameters and refractive status among children with unilateral congenital ptosis.METHODS:This was a retrospective cohort study enrolling patients with unilateral congenital ptosis in the Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an Children's Hospital between August 2018 and March 2025, with the contralateral healthy eyes serving as the control group. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination to assess the degree of ptosis and evaluate refractive errors. Biometric measurements were performed using the IOL Master 700 biometer, including axial length(AL), central corneal thickness(CCT), anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), and astigmatism(AST).RESULTS:A total of 100 eyes from 100 children(affected eye group)with unilateral congenital ptosis were enrolled, and their 100 contralateral normal eyes without ptosis were set as the control group(healthy eyes group). Among the subjects, there were 67 males(67%)and 33 females(33%), with a mean age of 6.43±2.47 y; 45 affected eyes were the right eye and 55 were the left eye. Among the 100 patients, mild, moderate, and severe ptosis accounted for 7%, 21%, and 72%, respectively. The incidence of amblyopia in patients with unilateral congenital ptosis was 32%, all of which occurred in the affected eye. Compared with the healthy eye group, K2(total)and K2(severe ptosis)in eyes with severe ptosis were significantly lower(P<0.05), indicating that the cornea in the ptotic eye was flatter. In patients with moderate ptosis, the affected eye had a significantly greater corneal thickness(CCT)compared to the healthy eye(P<0.05), indicating that the corneas of eyes with moderate ptosis were thicker. The incidence of against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism in the affected eye group(39%)was significantly higher than that in the healthy eye group(14%); there was a significant difference in the corneal astigmatism axis between the affected and healthy eye groups(P<0.01). There were no differences in refractive status or biological parameters such as AL, K1, AST, ACD, and LT between the affected and healthy eyes.CONCLUSION:Congenital ptosis can affect refractive errors, lead to oblique and against-the-rule astigmatism, increase the prevalence of amblyopia, and also result in corneal thickening and flattening. However, it has minimal effects on AL, LT, and ACD.
2.Label-free Fluorescence Probe Based on Primer Exchange Reaction for High Sensitivity Detection of Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1
Yun-Hua WANG ; Le-Ru WANG ; Li-Gai YANG ; Jia-Zheng CHEN ; Yu-Run DU ; Jia-Hui HOU ; Xiang ZHAI ; Xu-Hua ZHAO ; Bao-Feng YU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):464-471
Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1(APE 1)is a multifunctional protein that plays important roles in DNA repair and regulation of gene expression.Because APE 1 is overexpressed in various cancers,it can serve as a cancer biomarker for aiding clinical diagnosis,guiding therapy,and monitoring prognosis.On this basis,a label-free fluorescent probe was designed based on the primer exchange reaction(PER)strategy for highly sensitive detection of APE 1 activity.In the absence of APE 1,the structure of catalytic hairpin(HP)was stable and could not form G-quadruplex.Therefore,the background fluorescence of this sensing system was very low due to the dissociation of thioflavin T(ThT).In the presence of APE 1,the apurinic/apyrimidinic(AP)site of HP was cleaved by APE 1 and a short nucleic acid fragment that acted as a primer to initiate PER was generated.After PER reaction,a large number of G-quadruplex were produced,which could specifically bind with ThT and resulted in significant increase of fluorescence signal.The combination of low background design of HP and PER amplification made this biosensor had high sensitivity with a detection limit(3σ)of 0.0008 U/mL.Furthermore,the primer sequence was directly generated by the cleavage of APE 1 without additional addition,which not only increased the specificity of the reaction,but also simplified the experiment procedure.Moreover,the use of label-free fluorescence signal reduced the cost of the experiment,and realized rapid detection of APE 1.Finally,this sensor was used to detect APE 1 in human serum samples with spiked recoveries of 91%-104%,proving great potential in study of biological enzyme.
3.Guided by National Strategic Needs,Striving to Build a First-Class Forensic Medicine Discipline—The Construction Plan for Forensic Medicine at Southern Medical University
Dong-Fang QIAO ; Ping-Ming QIU ; Qi WANG ; Yun-Chun TAI ; Dong-Ri LI ; Jing-Tao XU ; Qi-Zhi LUO ; En-Ping HUANG ; Bo-Feng ZHU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):15-19
The 2024 National Education Work Conference pointed out that at the current juncture of the critical period for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan,the implementation of the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline should be taken as the main line of work,and building first-class disciplines is an crucial task for a higher education powerhouse.In 2022,forensic medicine was officially listed as a first-level discipline under the medical category,presenting an un-precedented historical opportunity for the development of forensic medicine.The forensic medicine dis-cipline of Southern Medical University comprehensively improves the quality of talent cultivation and facilitates the construction of first-class disciplines as its main direction.It aims to initiate and imple-ment a high-level faculty team building plan featuring"combining recruitment and cultivation,inter-disciplinary integration";make vigorous efforts to establish a first-level doctoral program,refine advan-tageous second-level disciplines and research directions;and establish an innovative research platform from a high starting point with deep integration.The discipline adheres to moral cultivation and the Five Domains of Education simultaneous development,to build a high-quality talent joint training model.Guided by the construction of the national legal system and industry needs,the discipline will enhance social service capabilities.The forensic medicine construction in our university will continue to contribute to the rule of law in China and educational power.
4.Comparison of Three Drowning-related Plankton Testing Methods in Drowning Diagnosis
Xiao-Feng ZHANG ; Qin SU ; Xiao-Hui CHEN ; Wei-Bin WU ; Dong-Yun ZHENG ; Jian ZHAO ; Ling CHEN ; Qu-Yi XU ; Chao LIU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(3):244-251
Objective To compare the application effects of plankton multiplex polymerase chain reac-tion-capillary electrophoresis(PCR-CE),SYBR Green Ⅰ real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and microwave digestion-vacuum filtration-automated scanning electron microscopy(MD-VF-Auto SEM)in the diagnosis of drowning.Methods Lung,liver and kidney tissues from 212 drowned corpses and 30 non-drowned corpses were examined respectively by the three drowning-related plankton testing methods,and the detection rates of plankton in each tissue by three methods were compared.Results In drowned corpses,the total detection rates of PCR-CE,qPCR,and MD-VF-Auto SEM were 93.9%,96.2%,and 95.3%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The detection rate of lung tissue by MD-VF-Auto SEM(100%)was higher than those of PCR-CE and qPCR(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the detection rates of the three methods in liver or kidney tissues(P>0.05).In non-drowning corpses,a small number of diatoms(less than 10 cells/10 g)were detected by MD-VF-Auto SEM method,only in liver and kidney tissues,while the other two methods yielded negative results for all tissues.Conclusion All three methods have good efficacy in the examination of drowned corpses.The MD-VF-Auto SEM method directly observes diatom morpho-logical characteristics through scanning electron microscopy,and the qualitative and quantitative analy-ses are intuitive and accurate.It has great advantages in the examination of difficult degradation samples.The PCR-CE method and qPCR method have a low sample demand(0.5 g),are easy to operate and have short detection time(4-7 h).They are easy to be applied in the grassroots depart-ments and are suitable for the rapid determination of drowned corpses in routin cases.The combina-tion of the two DNA methods with the MD-VF-Auto SEM method can increase the detection rate of plankton,ensuring the reliability of examination results.This combined use is of significant importance in the application of drowning diagnosis.
5.Toxicokinetics of Chlorfenapyr and Its Metabolites in Rats
Wen-Yan LI ; Jin-Feng ZHAO ; Wei-Chen LIU ; Shi-Jing LÜ ; Jia-Xin ZHANG ; Xu-Dong ZHANG ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN ; Chao ZHANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):380-386
Objective To establish a chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood,and to investigate the toxicokinetics in rats.Methods Chlorfenapyr(8 mg/kg)was administered orally to rats,and blood samples were collected from rats'canthus vein at 5 min,15 min,30 min,1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after administration.The blood samples were extracted using 100 μL of 5%formic acid solution and 400 μL of acetonitrile.Chlorfena-pyr was qualitatively and quantitatively detected by triple quadrupole gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)and tralopyril was detected by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The DAS 3.0 software was used to fit the toxicokinetic equa-tions and calculate the toxicokinetic parameters.Results Chlorfenapyr was detectable from 5 min to 24 h with a peak time of 1 h.Tralopyril was detectable from 15 min to 48 h with a peak time of 3 h.The toxicokinetic process of chlorfenapyr in rat blood conformed to a first-order absorption one-compartment open model,with the toxicokinetic equation described as C=e-0.265t-e-0.175t.Tralopyril con-formed to the first-order absorption three-compartment model,and the toxicokinetic equation was C=47 361.069e-2.209t-35 404.962e-1.486t+11 956.363e-0.512t.In the equations,C stands for the concentration of the target substance in the blood,e is the natural constant(≈2.718 28),and t stands for time.Conclu-sion This study optimized the detection method for chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood.The toxicokinetic equations and parameters of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril can provide a reference for the estimation of oral intake time of chlorfenapyr.
6.Association between Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance and Abdominal Fat Distribution: A Trait Spectrum Exposure Pattern and Structure-Based Investigation.
Zhi LI ; Shi Lin SHAN ; Chen Yang SONG ; Cheng Zhe TAO ; Hong QIAN ; Qin YUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Qiao Qiao XU ; Yu Feng QIN ; Yun FAN ; Chun Cheng LU
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):3-14
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles.
METHODS:
Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk.
RESULTS:
Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk.
CONCLUSION
PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.
Humans
;
Fluorocarbons/blood*
;
Female
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Environmental Pollutants/blood*
;
Abdominal Fat
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood*
;
Obesity
;
Environmental Exposure
7.Peri-coronary fat inflammation predicts proximal atherosclerotic plaque formation associated with LAD myocardial bridge
Suyu LI ; Fan ZHOU ; Zhihan XU ; Yanchun CHEN ; Qian CHEN ; Yunyan SU ; Yun FENG ; Haitao ZHU ; Longjiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(5):604-612
Objective:To investigate the correlation between peri-coronary fat attenuation index (FAI) and plaque formation in patients with myocardial bridge (MB) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and to develop an optimal predictive model to explore the potential application of FAI in the primary prevention of MB related atherosclerosis.Methods:In this retrospective study, prediction models associated with perivascular fat inflammation were developed and validated using both logistic regression and machine learning (ML) algorithm. A training dataset was collected from 253 patients who underwent ≥2 coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with ≥3 months intervals from one tertiary hospital from January 2007 to April 2021 and had baseline CCTA showing no plaques in LAD MB. The median follow-up time was 3.2 years. According to the same criteria, a total of 75 LAD MB patients from four other hospitals were included to form an independent external validation dataset, with a median follow-up time of 1.8 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and category net reclassification index (NRI) were used to compare the performance of the predictive models.Results:62 patients (24.5%) in the training dataset had proximal plaque formation in LAD MB, while 22 patients (29.3%) in the external validation dataset had plaque formation during the follow-up period. Baseline FAI within the longitudinal distance equal to 30 mm proximal to the MB entrance was an independent predictor ( OR=1.068, P=0.046). According to the model results, ROC curves were plotted. The AUC of Model 1 was 0.822, and the AUCs of Model 2 and 1 were 0.821 and 0.591 in the training dataset. After the DeLong test, the AUC of Model 1 was superior to that of Model 2 ( Z=2.839, P=0.005) and Model 1 ( Z=6.124, P<0.001). These findings were further validated in the external validation dataset, where ML-model 3 yielded the best predictive performance, outperforming the logistic regression-based Model 2 (categorical NRI=0.359, P=0.048; IDI=0.108, P=0.046). Conclusion:FAI measured within the 30 mm proximal to the entrance of MBs due to its prone to plaque development is an independent predictor for atherosclerotic plaque formation. The ML-prediction model based on a decision tree algorithm combines FAI, MB anatomical features, and patient risk factors, which is beneficial for patients undergoing routine CCTA examination to identify inflamed coronary arteries in advance and guide the clinical adoption of more targeted preventive treatment, including anti-inflammatory treatment.
8.Investigation and influencing factors of hearing loss among workers in a gas production plant
Ruishuang PENG ; Lulu XU ; Feng WANG ; Yajiao SU ; Yunhao JI ; Yun ZHENG ; Fang JI
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(4):305-308
Objective:To investigate the present situation and influencing factors of hearing loss among noise exposed workers in a gas production plant, and to provide basis and guidance for enterprises to prevent hearing loss.Methods:In November 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among personnel exposed to noise in a gas production plant. A total of 380 questionnaires were collected, among which 319 were valid resulting in an effective recovery rate of 83.9%. Ultimately, 292 were included in the study. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, work conditions, behavioral and lifestyle habits, hearing loss, and medical history. The noise exposure levels of the research subjects were determined based on the occupational disease hazard factor detection reports provided by the gas production plant for 2022 and 2023. Whether hearing loss occurred was determined based on the pure tone audiometry results from the occupational health examination. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the influence of demographic characteristics, work conditions, and behavioral and lifestyle habits on hearing loss. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between hearing loss and related influencing factors.Results:Among the noise-exposed workers in the gas production plant, the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss was 14.4% (42/292) . The rate of hearing loss among men was higher than that among women ( P=0.010) , and the rate of hearing loss among those with a history of smoking was higher than that among those who had never smoked ( P=0.015) . Conclusion:Gas production enterprises should prioritize targeted interventions for workers with prolonged employment histories and smoking habits. Training programs should be implemented to cultivate proper ear protection practices, enhance knowledge of hearing conservation, and promote healthier lifestyle behaviors among employees.
9.Effects of Mdivi-1,a mitochondrial division inhibitor,on NLRP3 inflammasome and astrocyte type A1 activation
Shu-feng LIU ; Xu-qing CHEN ; Ya-yun ZHANG ; Min YAO ; Long-yun ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):43-49
Aim To investigate the effects of Mdivi-1 on A1 astrocyte activation and its associated signaling molecules.Methods CTX-TNA2 astrocytes were di-vided into the control,ACM,and low-,medium-,and high-dose Mdivi-1 groups based on concentration screening via CCK-8 assay.ACM,a DMEM high-glu-cose medium containing preset concentrations of IL-1α,TNF-α,and C1q,was used to induce A1 activa-tion.The ACM group was stimulated with ACM for 24 hours.Mdivi-1 groups were pretreated with correspond-ing concentrations of Mdivi-1 for 2 hours,followed by ACM stimulation for 24 hours.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were employed to assess mRNA levels and protein expression of IL-1β,C3,and iNOS in all groups.Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the expression of signaling molecules NLRP3,caspase-1,and ASC.DHE labeling was used to assess and flow cytometry was used to examine reac-tive oxygen species(ROS)levels.Results The CCK-8 assay identified 5,10,and 25 μmol·L-1as ap-propriate concentrations for Mdivi-1 intervention in CTX-TNA2 cells.Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot results indicated that,compared to the control group,IL-1 β,C3,and iNOS mRNA levels and protein expression were significantly elevated in the ACM group(P<0.05).In contrast,these levels were significantly reduced in the 10 and 25 μmnol·L-1 Mdi-vi-1 groups compared to the ACM group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence and Western blot results confirmed that ACM stimulation significantly activated the NLRP3 inflammasome in astrocytes,while Mdivi-1 intervention effectively reversed the ACM-induced upregulation of NLRP3,caspase-1,and ASC.DHE staining results demonstrated that 5,10,and 25 μmol·L-1Mdivi-1 in-terventions partially reversed the ACM-induced in-crease in ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Mdivi-1 effectively inhibits A1 astrocyte activation,potentially through modulation of ROS and the NLRP3 inflammasomes.
10.The novel compound Austocystin R induces cycle arrest and autophagy in triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Xin-yue GONG ; Min WEI ; Xiao-qin YU ; Yun-lei XU ; Yi-fan BAI ; Cheng-xiong LIU ; Fan CHENG ; Kun ZOU ; Jian-feng CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1651-1658
Aim To explore the in vitro anti-human triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)effect and mech-anism of Austocystin R.Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the anti-tumor potential of Austocystin R for various human tumor cells and normal cells.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the influence on cell cycle progression.mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus transfection was used to evaluate the autophagic flux process.Western blot assay was used to verify the effect of Austocystin R on the expression of related pro-teins.Results The results showed that Austocystin R significantly inhibited the proliferation of multiple tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner,especially for the MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 1.45μmol·L-1.In addition,Austocystin R increased the protein expression of PTEN,p53,p-p53,p27,p21,and down-regulated the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT and p-mTOR.Austocystin R can significantly increase the proportion of S-phase MDA-MB-231 cells,inhibit the expression of Cyclin D1,CDK4,CDK6,Rb,Cyclin B1 and CDK1,and promote the expression of Cyclin E1 and CDK2.Austocystin R can promote the autophagic flux process of MDA-MB-231 cells,promote the expres-sion of LC3 Ⅰ/Ⅱ,p-Beclin-1,p-ULK1,HMGB-1 and Atg 14 proteins,and inhibit the expression of Beclin-1,ULK1,p62,ATG 3,ATG 4B,ATG 5,ATG 7,ATG 12,ATG 13 and ATG 16L1 proteins.Conclusion Austo-cystin R can exhibit its anti-TNBC activity by inhibi-ting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway,blocking the cell cycle at the S phase and inducing autophagic cell death.

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