1.Downregulation of LINC00638 contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease via inhibiting the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway
Zhuojun LIAO ; Naiwang TANG ; Jiahui CHEN ; Xueying SUN ; Jiamin LU ; Qin WU ; Ronghuan YU ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):421-431
Objective To identify long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and investigate their mechanisms. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from RA-ILD patients (n=3), RA patients without lung involvement (n=3), and healthy controls (n=3). Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNA. A human fibrotic lung cell model was established by inducing the MRC-5 cell line with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of target genes, changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays were used to validate protein expression, ubiquitination levels, and nuclear translocation of oxidative stress regulators, and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the role of target lncRNA in oxidative stress and inflammation in fibrotic lung cells. Results High-throughput sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LINC00638 in RA-ILD patients. Knockdown of LINC00638 markedly reduced transcriptional levels of interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), while increasing IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, LINC00638 knockdown decreased Nrf2 protein expression, increased its ubiquitination, reduced nuclear translocation, and suppressed ARE transcriptional activity. In MRC-5 cells, LINC00638 knockdown combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment restored Nrf2 and HO-1 levels while reducing IL-6 expression. Conclusions LINC00638 suppresses inflammatory responses in RA-ILD by activating the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.
2.The effectiveness and safety of a percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency ablation device of nucleus pulposus
Hao ZHOU ; Qianyi ZHANG ; Jiajie LU ; Tao WU ; Yituo CHEN ; Qichen ZHANG ; Xilei LI ; Haikang CAI ; Jie TANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(4):659-664
Objective To verify the safety and effectiveness of a new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument for nucleus pulposus ablation. Methods A new percutaneous controllable curved plasma radiofrequency instrument were designed (controllable curved group), and its ablation effect was compared with the currently used straight head non-bendable plasma ablation instrument (non-bendable group) on gross specimens. The ablation instrument was placed through the right intervertebral foramen, and continuous ablation on the same intervertebral disc was conducted for three times. The ablation range and trajectory were recorded, and the temperature changes in the front, back, left, and right of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation were monitored by the inserted temperature probe. Results There were no difference in temperature changes in the front, back, right regions of the ablation center during and 15 seconds after ablation between the two groups. The temperature changes in the left region of the ablation center both during and 15 seconds after 3rd ablation were larger than those in the non-bendable group (P<0.01). Compared with the non-bendable group, the controllable curved group achieved angle control and larger single ablation area (2.282 5 mm² vs 1.135 8 mm², P<0.000 1). Conclusions This new percutaneous controllable curved plasma ablation instrument can achieve angle control and ablation on the side opposite to the puncture site, increase ablation volume, and is safe.
3.Impact of non-optimal temperature on 120 emergency call volume for acute alcohol intoxication: A time-series study in Wuxi City
Chao YANG ; Wanjun ZHANG ; Xiuzhu LI ; Xuhui ZHANG ; Xinliang DING ; Weijie ZHOU ; Chuncheng LU ; Pengfei ZHU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(10):1155-1161
Background Non-optimal temperatures pose significant threats to public health. Analyzing the association between temperature exposure and the number of emergency cases of acute alcohol intoxication can provide evidence for optimizing emergency resource allocation and response strategies. Objective To analyze the overall impact and lag effects of non-optimal temperatures on the number of 120 emergency calls for acute alcohol intoxication in Wuxi, and to assess the attributable risk, in order to provide empirical evidence for formulating climate-adaptive public health strategies. Methods Call records of acute alcohol intoxication from Wuxi's 120 emergency service, concurrent air pollutant data, and meteorological data (including daily mean temperature) were collected from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2020. Distributed lag nonlinear modeling was used for time-series analysis, with cross-basis functions to capture the nonlinear relationship and lag effects between temperature and emergency volume. Confounding factors such as long-term trends, humidity, pollutants [ultimately including ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5)], day of the week, and holidays were controlled. The maximum lag period was set to 14 days. Single-day lag and cumulative lag effects of extreme temperatures were analyzed, followed by sensitivity analysis. Effects were quantified using relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), and attributable fractions and numbers for different temperature ranges were calculated. Results A total of
4.Association between internal pentachlorophenol exposure characteristics and thyroid hormone indices in a community population in Shanghai, China
Yajiao TAN ; Zhiyuan DU ; Jiefeng QIAN ; Lingyi LU ; Xue BAI ; Zhou LI ; Weiwei ZHENG ; Sifei SUN ; Lanxia LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(8):746-752
ObjectiveTo assess the level of internal exposure to PCP in a community population in Shanghai, to investigate the factors affecting the level of PCP, and to analyze the correlation between the exposure and thyroid hormone levels. MethodsA total of 464 residents of a community in Shanghai were selected as the study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the demographic information, dietary situation, lifestyle and behavioral habits, and disease history of the individuals, and blood samples were collected. Gas chromatography-electron trap was applied to determine the PCP levels in serum. Multicategorical logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the possible influencing factors of PCP exposure in humans. Thyroid hormone levels were used as the dependent variable and serum PCP as the independent variable. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between PCP and thyroid hormones in the community population after controlling the confounding factors such as age, gender, literacy, annual personal income, and chronic diseases. ResultsThe detection rate of serum PCP in 464 subjects was 90.3%, and the median serum PCP level was 0.43 μg·L-1. The differences in PCP levels among different age groups were statistically significant. There were no significant differences in PCP levels among different gender and BMI groups. The study of PCP exposure factors showed that age, frequency of using plastic products, consumption of freshwater fish, type of occupation, annual income, and consumption of tea or coffee were the potential influencing factors for PCP exposure. Among them, age, frequency of using plastic products, consumption of tea or coffee, and consumption of freshwater fish were positively associated with PCP levels, and annual personal income was negatively associated with it. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that among men, PCP levels were positively correlated with TSH (b=0.105, 95%CI:0.017‒0.313) and negatively correlated with FT4 (b=-0.026, 95%CI:-0.057‒0.004), and among women, PCP levels were positively correlated with TSH (b=0.092, 95%CI:-0.211‒0.904) and FT3 (b=0.017, 95%CI:-0.058‒0.230) and negatively correlated with FT4 (b=-0.013, 95%CI:-0.011‒0.037). ConclusionSerum PCP detection is common among community residents in Shanghai. Different demographic characteristics or behavioral habits may increase or decrease PCP exposure. PCP exposure then affects human thyroid hormone levels.
5.Clinical features of and influencing factors of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Wenjing JIANG ; Xuhui WANG ; Zhihan XU ; Xuedi ZHANG ; Zhongqi WANG ; Ping ZHOU ; Na LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(4):317-322
Background Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)are common psychological disorders with similar clinical symptoms,but the differences between the two need further clarification.Objective To explore the clinical features of and influencing factors of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in patients with OCD,so as to provide references for further relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A total of 195 patients with OCD were selected as the research subjects,who received treatment at the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2022 to December 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for OCD in the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition(ICD-10).Evaluation was conducted by using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS),Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4+(PDQ-4+),Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised(OCI-R),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI)and Sheehan Disability Scale(SDS).In accordance with the score of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale in PDQ-4+,patients were divided into the OCD group with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder(n=58)and the OCD group without obsessive-compulsive personality disorder(n=137).Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were adopted to examine the correlation between clinical features and the score of the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.Results Statistically significant differences were observed between OCD patients with and without obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the age,family history of mental illness,time without treatment,hoarding and ranking dimension scores in OCI-R,OCI-R total score,score of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale in PDQ-4,and BDI score(P≤0.05).OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the time without treatment,OCI-R total score,hoarding and ranking dimension scores in OCI-R and BDI score are all positively correlated with the score of the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Scale(r=0.120,0.526,0.364,0.492,0.414,P<0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that time without treatment(β=0.132,P<0.05),hoarding dimension score(β=0.283,P<0.05)and ranking dimension score in OCI-R(β=0.418,P<0.05)were the influencing factors of OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.Conclusion OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may have longer untreated periods,more pronounced functional impairments in hoarding and sorting and more severe depressive symptoms.Untreated time,hoarding symptoms and sorting symptoms may be influencing factors for OCD patients with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
6.Correlation between cognitive function and personality traits in hospitalized male alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior
Yujun GUO ; Jun YANG ; Xuhui ZHOU ; Chao HOU ; Xiafeng ZHOU ; Ting XIE
Sichuan Mental Health 2024;37(4):330-334
Background Alcohol dependence and related health problems have attracted greater than ever attention in recent years.Alcohol dependence not only affected personal behavior control ability,but also brought adverse effect to families and society.Objective To analyze the relationship between cognitive function and personality traits among male alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior,in order to provide references for improving the cognitive function of male alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior.Methods Male patients with alcohol dependence attending Hunan Brain Hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 and fulfilling the International Classification of Diseases,tenth edition(ICD-10)diagnostic criteria were enrolled.According to the score of Modified Overt Aggression Scale(MOAS),participants were classified into aggressive behavior group and non-aggressive behavior group at 1∶1 ratio,each with 80 cases.The enrolled subjects were then evaluated using Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese(EPQ-RSC)and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS).Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to examine the correlation between EPQ-RSC and RBANS scores among alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior.Results Scores on each subscale in RBANS were all lower in aggressive behavior group than those in non-aggressive behavior group(t=2.176,2.580,2.076,2.308,2.193,P<0.05),and scores on each dimension in EPQ-RSC in aggressive behavior group were higher than those in non-aggressive behavior group(t=4.497,5.242,6.459,P<0.01).Pearson correlation analysis denoted that the scores of introversion/extroversion,neuroticism and psychoticism in EPQ-RSC were positively correlated with the scores of immediate memory,visuospatial/constructional ability,language,attention and delayed memory in RBANS among alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior(r=0.294~0.482,0.362~0.511,0.265~0.475,P<0.05).Conclusion The cognitive function may have a certain correlation with personality traits in alcohol-dependent patients with aggressive behavior.
7.Dual-Energy CT for Diagnosis of Left Atrial Appendage Thrombosis in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Junya ZHAO ; Mengting CHEN ; Xuhui ZHOU ; Taihui YU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(5):745-754
[Objective]To explore the diagnostic value of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)for left atrial appendage thrombosis/spontaneous echocardiographic contrast(LAAT/SEC).[Methods]A retrospective analysis was done on 64 non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who planned to undergo radiofrequency ablation between November 2020 and November 2021.All patients underwent DECT and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE),and then were divided into LAAT/SEC group and non-LAAT/SEC group based on the TEE results.The clinical data and imaging parameters of the two groups were compared and analyzed.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the independent risk factors for LAAT/SEC,and a prediction model was constructed.[Results]A total of 64 patients with atrial fibrillation were enrolled in this study,including 42 non-LAAT/SEC patients and 22 LAAT/SEC patients.There was no statistically significant difference in gender and body mass index(BMI)between the two groups(P>0.05).CHA2DS2-VASc score and left atrial diameter were higher in the LAAT/SEC group than in the non-LAAT/SEC group(P=0.047;P<0.001).Significant differences(P<0.001)were observed in the ratio of Hounsfield unit of LAA and ascending aorta(LAA/AA HU ratio)at the first phase of DECT and quantitative parameters such as Zeff,Rho,λHu,and nIC.Multivariate logistic regression showed that Zeff and Rho were the independent factors for the diagnosis of LAAT/SEC.A Zeff-Rho based model predicting LAAT/SEC was subsequently developed,with Area Under the Curve(AUC)of 0.96(95%CI:0.92,1.00)and the accuracy of 0.92(95%CI:0.83,0.97).[Conclusions]The two quantitative parameters Zeff and Rho are independent risk factors for the diagnosis of LAAT/SEC.The DECT derived Zeff and Rho may have better diagnostic performance than single parameter and conventional CT in detecting LAAT/SEC.
8.Recent advance in role of mitochondrial transfer in spinal cord injury
Sijia PENG ; Yichen MENG ; Miao HU ; Xuhui ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(6):613-617
Mitochondrial dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI) is recognized as a crucial pathological mechanism for secondary SCI. Studies have indicated that mitochondrial transfer plays a significant role in the process of neural regeneration following injury. After mitochondria migrating to injured neurons, they mainly function via enhancing the energy metabolism level of damaged neurons and reducing oxidative stress. In this article, we present an exhaustive overview on mechanism of mitochondrial transfer, and impact on neural regeneration after mitochondrial transfer so as to provide valuable insights for further exploring the role of mitochondrial transfer in SCI progression and offer innovative perspective on potential therapeutic strategies for SCI.
9.Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints in patients with alcohol dependence
Ting XIE ; Chao HOU ; Xuhui ZHOU ; Yujun GUO ; Yuze LIAN ; Yaqi ZENG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2024;28(2):38-42
Objective To observe the application effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation in the psychological craving and protracted abstinence symptoms of alcohol-dependent patients. Methods A total of 120 male alcohol-dependent patients who completed the acute alcohol withdrawal phase and were hospitalized in the Department of Alcoholism in Hunan Brain Hospital were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into conventional drug group, transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation group and placebo group according to different treatment methods, with 40 patients in each group. The conventional drug group was treated with benzodiazepine drugs for replacement and reduction and supportive symptomatic treatment. The transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation group was treated with conventional treatment combined with transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation. The placebo group was treated with conventional treatment combined with simulated transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation. The Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score and recurrence conditions were compared before and after treatment among the three groups. Results After treatment, the SAS, SDS, AUQ and VAS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment, and the above scores of the transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation group were lower than those of the conventional drug group and placebo group (
10.Factors associated with overweight or obesity in community patients with schizophrenia in Shanghai
Yanli LIU ; Weibo ZHANG ; Siyuan HE ; Weiyun XU ; Qing ZHOU ; Yihua JIANG ; Yanping ZHANG ; Jun CAI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;35(5):426-432
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of overweight or obesity in community patients with schizophrenia in Shanghai and to explore the related factors. MethodsStratified cluster sampling method was used and the general condition, physical examination and laboratory examination data of patients with schizophrenia who voluntarily participated in 2020 free health examination of National Basic Public Health Service were analyzed. ResultsA total of 3 200 patients were included into the study ,and the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 36.75% and 17.19%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age between 40 and 60 (OR=1.333, 95%CI: 1.030‒1.724), intake of first-generation antipsychotics (OR=1.413, 95%CI: 1.112‒1.796), intake of second-generation antipsychotics (OR=1.573, 95%CI: 1.288‒1.921), high-normal blood pressure (OR=1.549, 95%CI: 1.245‒1.927), high-abnormal blood pressure (OR=2.824, 95%CI: 2.204‒3.619), elevated ALT (OR=1.874, 95%CI: 1.386‒2.535), elevated FBG (OR=1.270, 95%CI: 1.066‒1.513), and elevated TG (OR=1.652, 95%CI: 1.335‒2.044) were the related factors that associated overweight or obesity in patients with schizophrenia. ConclusionOverweight and obesity are highly prevalent among community patients with schizophrenia in Shanghai. Age between 40 and 60, taking first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics, blood pressure higher than 120/80 mmHg, elevated ALT, elevated FBG, and elevated TG are associated with overweight or obesity in patients with schizophrenia. To provide personalized health guidance, medical staff in primary health care institutions should pay more attention to high-risk groups of overweight and obesity in schizophrenia patients at annual physical examination.


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