1.A comprehensive guide to genome-wide DNA methylation research in neuropsychiatric disorders and its implications for deep-space environments.
Sheng XU ; Shishi MIN ; Haixia GU ; Xueying WANG ; Chao CHEN
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1320-1336
Neuropsychiatric disorders arise from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. DNA methylation, a reversible and environmentally responsive epigenetic regulatory mechanism, serves as a crucial bridge linking environmental exposure, gene expression regulation, and neurobehavioral outcomes. During long-duration deep-space missions, astronauts face multiple stressors-including microgravity, cosmic radiation, circadian rhythm disruption, and social isolation, which can induce alterations in DNA methylation and increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Genome-wide DNA methylation research can be divided into 3 major methodological stages: Study design, sample preparation and detection, and data analysis, each of which can be applied to astronaut neuropsychiatric health monitoring. Systematic comparison of the Illumina MethylationEPIC array and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing reveals their complementary strengths in terms of genomic coverage, resolution, cost, and application scenarios: the array method is cost-effective and suitable for large-scale population studies and longitudinal monitoring, whereas sequencing provides higher resolution and coverage and is more suitable for constructing detailed methylation maps and characterizing individual variation. Furthermore, emerging technologies such as single-cell methylation sequencing, nanopore long-read sequencing, and machine-learning-based multi-omics integration are expected to greatly enhance the precision and interpretability of epigenetic studies. These methodological advances provide key support for establishing DNA-methylation-based monitoring systems for neuropsychiatric risk in astronauts and lay an epigenetic foundation for safeguarding neuropsychiatric health during future long-term deep-space missions.
DNA Methylation
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Humans
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Space Flight
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Mental Disorders/genetics*
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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Astronauts/psychology*
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Weightlessness/adverse effects*
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Epigenomics
2.Research progress on the treatment of femoral skull necrosis by extracellular vesicles from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Aiqiang LI ; Ning ZHAO ; Xusheng ZHANG ; Haiping LIU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(23):3631-3637
Osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)is a disabling orthopedic disease,pathologically characterized by progressive collapse of the femoral head accompanied by destruction of the trabecular and articular cartilage structures,leading to hip joint pain and progressive functional impairment.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(BMSC-EVs)show great promise in tissue repair and regeneration,with low immunogenicity and tumorigenicity,and play roles in osteogenesis,angiogenesis,and immunomodulation.This review summarizes the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of BMSC-EVs in ONFH,providing a theoretical basis for its treatment.
3.Development and application of a Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters
Ziwei LI ; Lijuan FENG ; Xusheng CHEN ; Yi HUANG ; Jie YANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1099-1106
Objective To develop and test the reliability and validity of a Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with peripherally inserted central catheters(PICC),and to make a preliminary application.The aim is to provide an effective tool for nurses to accurately assess the level of fear of movement in patients with PICC and to develop targeted interventions.Methods Based on the psychological imagination belief model,the initial version of the scale was formed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,expert correspondence and a pre-survey.From February to April 2024,211 patients with PICCs were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Wuhan by convenience sampling for project analysis and reliability and validity test.From May to July 2024,256 patients with PICCs from 3 tertiary hospitals in Wuhan were selected by convenience sampling method for further validating the structural validity of the scale and for preliminary application.Results A total of 203 valid questionnaires were collected in February to April 2024,228 valid questionnaires were collected in May to July 2024.The fear of movement assessment scale for patients included 4 dimensions,including the perception of risk,belief of fear,avoidance of movement,and dysfunction,with a total of 17 items.The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.922;the split-half reliability was 0.867;the test-retest reliability was 0.958.The content validity index at the item level was 0.867~1.000,and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.951.Both exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis extracted 4 factors.The cumulative variance contribution rate was 61.348%.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitted well.The preliminary application results showed that the score of fear of movement in patients with PICCs was 53.95±11.08,which was moderately high.Conclusion The Fear of Movement Assessment Scale for patients with PICCs has good measurement properties,and can be used to assess the degree of fear of movement in patients with PICCs.
4.The correlation between serum chitinase 1 and secreted crimp-associated protein 5 and renal function indexes in patients with diabetic kidney disease
Yang ZHAO ; Xusheng YANG ; Yanping PENG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(6):543-547
Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum chitinase 1 (CHIT1), secreted crimp-associated protein 5 (SFRP5) and renal function in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:Two hundred patients with DKD (observation group) and 180 patients with simple diabetes (control group) diagnosed and treated in Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2022 to July 2024 were retrospectively selected. Oxidative stress indexes, glucose and lipid metabolism indexes, renal function indexes, CHIT1 and SFRP5 levels of the two groups were detected. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of DKD in diabetic patients, and Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between serum CHIT1 and SFRP5 levels and renal function indexes.Results:The levels of CHIT1 and SFRP5 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group : (1.25 ± 0.29) μg/L vs. (0.90 ± 0.22) μg/L, (10.91 ± 3.21) μg/L vs. (5.70 ± 1.17) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The results of Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, postprandial 2 h blood glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, steady-state model insulin resistance index, steady-state model islet beta cell function index, advanced oxidized protein products, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutol, total antioxidant capacity, cystatin C (CysC), urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), isotype cysteine (Hcy), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), CHIT1 and SFRP5 were all risk factors for DKD ( P<0.05). Pearson test results showed that serum CHIT1 and SFRP5 levels in DKD patients were positively correlated with CysC, BUN, SCr and Hcy levels ( r = 0.669, 0.708, 0.558, 0.537 and 0.619, 0.559, 0.639, 0.555, P<0.01), and there were negative correlation with GFR level ( r = - 0.558, -0.363, P<0.01). Conclusions:Serum CHIT1 and SFRP5 levels in DKD patients are significantly increased, which are related to renal function indicators. Changes in serum CHIT1 and SFRP5 levels can reflect the degree of renal function injury and can be used as auxiliary clinical indicators for disease monitoring.
5.Effects of the prolyl hydroxylase 2 inhibitor cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells
Zhongqiu DU ; Xiaoyang QI ; Ping YANG ; Jianglin YU ; Yixin CHEN ; Linjian ZHANG ; Xusheng QIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):238-244
BACKGROUND:Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2(PHD2)inhibitors can regulate bone metabolism and relieve osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.cpd17 is a small molecule oral PHD2 inhibitor newly developed by China Pharmaceutical University.It is effective in the treatment of renal anemia with few side effects,but its effect on bone formation and bone resorption is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells. METHODS:Osteogenic precursor cells were treated with cpd17.Alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were measured,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,as well as PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,were detected.After inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway using LW6(a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway inhibitor),alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were detected again,as well as the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cpd17 significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization,up-regulated the expression of osteogenesis-related markers,down-regulated the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related markers,up-regulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,down-regulate the expression of PHD2.However,cpd17's effects were significantly attenuated by LW6.To conclude,the PHD2 inhibitor cpd17 promotes osteogenic differentiation and inhibits osteoclastic differentiation through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α signaling pathway.
6.Intervention Effect of Suanzaoren Tang on Depression Model Rats Based on JNK/c-Myc/p53 Pathway
Shuailin DU ; Zhicheng HAO ; Ce ZHANG ; Jiyuan GUO ; Xusheng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):12-19
ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects of Suanzaoren Tang on depression model rats induced by isolation combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to examine its influence on the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/proto-oncogene protein (c-Myc)/tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) signaling pathway, thereby revealing its potential functional mechanism. MethodsA total of 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups using a strict random number table: blank group, model group, fluoxetine group (3.6 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Suanzaoren Tang groups (10, 5, 2.5 g·kg-1),with 12 rats in each group. A depression model was established using isolation combined with CUMS. Fluoxetine and different doses of Suanzaoren Tang were administered continuously for 28 days. Behavioral indicators such as sucrose water consumption and open field test scores were recorded. Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to analyze the expression of key proteins in the JNK/c-Myc/p53 signaling pathway, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited a significantly reduced sucrose preference index (P<0.01), a lower total score of horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01), significantly increased expression of JNK, c-Myc, and p53 proteins in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and a higher number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the sucrose preference index and the total score of horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test significantly increased in the high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of JNK, c-Myc, and p53 proteins significantly decreased in all Suanzaoren Tang groups (high, medium, and low doses) and the fluoxetine group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus also significantly decreased in these groups (P<0.01). ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang can regulate the expression of JNK/c-Myc/p53 proteins in the hippocampus of depression model rats, and its antidepressant mechanism may be related to its protective effect on hippocampal neurons.
7.Short-term efficacy and safety of McKeown and Sweet operation in the treatment of esophageal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Tao CHENG ; Xusheng WU ; Ziqiang HONG ; Hongchao LI ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):839-845
Objective To systematically evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of McKeown and Sweet methods in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wanfang, VIP, CNKI and Chinese Biomedical Literature database were searched for literature on the short-term efficacy and safety of McKeown and Sweet methods in the treatment of esophageal cancer published from the establishment to May 2023. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of researches, and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4. Results A total of 9 articles were included, involving 3687 patients including 1019 in the McKeown group and 2668 in the Sweet group. NOS score was 8-9 points. There were no statistical differences in the age, sex or American Joint Committee on Cancer stage between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients in the McKeown group had longer operative time and hospital stay, more intraoperative blood loss, and higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores than those in the Sweet group (P<0.05). However, the McKeown operation could remove more lymph nodes (P=0.001). In terms of safety, the incidences of pulmonary complications [OR=2.20, 95%CI (1.40, 3.46), P=0.001] and postoperative anastomotic leakage [OR=2.06, 95%CI (1.45, 2.92), P=0.001] were higher in the McKeown group than those in the Sweet group. In addition, there were no statistical differences between the two groups in the Karnofsky score, cardiac complications, vocal cord injury or paralysis, chylous leakage, or gastric emptying (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with McKeown, Sweet method has advantages in operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay, and has lower incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage. However, McKeown has more lymph node dissection.
8.Suanzaoren Tang Regulates SP1/SK1/S1PR1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Hippocampal Neuroinflammation and Improve Synaptic Plasticity in Rat Model of Depression
Jianyu FENG ; Wenhua WANG ; Youwen WANG ; Ying TAN ; Xusheng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):1-10
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Suanzaoren Tang on the rat model of depression established by solitary culture combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress by reshaping the inflammatory microenvironment and mediating changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSeventy-two male SD rats were randomized by a random number table into six groups: control group, model group, fluoxetine group (0.003 6 g·kg-1), and high-(10 g·kg-1), medium-(5 g·kg-1), low-dose (2.5 g·kg-1)Suanzaoren Tang groups, with 12 rats per group. The sucrose preference rate and open field test scores of rats in each group were observed. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of the key proteins in the specificity protein 1 (SP1)/sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) signaling pathway, as well as hippocampal proteins synaptophysin Ⅰ (SYNⅠ), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and family with sequence similarity 19, member A5 (FAM19A5). Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the positive expression of SP1, PSD-95, SYNⅠ, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of SP1 and S1PR1. Finally, transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of hippocampal synapses. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference index (P<0.01) and reduced total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01), which indicated the successful modeling of depression. Moreover, the model group showed reduced synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated expression of SP1, SK1, S1PR1, and IL-6 (P<0.01), and down-regulated expression of SYNⅠ, PSD-95, FAM19A5, and IL-10 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference index and the total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01). All Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group demonstrated reductions in SP1, SK1, S1PR1, and IL-6 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), alongside restored synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang modulates hippocampal expression of FAM19A5, SYNⅠ, PSD-95, IL-10, IL-6, and the SP1/SK1/S1PR1 pathway in the rat model of depression. The antidepressant effects may be related to the ability of reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.
9.Suanzaoren Tang Regulates SP1/SK1/S1PR1 Signaling Pathway to Reduce Hippocampal Neuroinflammation and Improve Synaptic Plasticity in Rat Model of Depression
Jianyu FENG ; Wenhua WANG ; Youwen WANG ; Ying TAN ; Xusheng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):1-10
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Suanzaoren Tang on the rat model of depression established by solitary culture combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress by reshaping the inflammatory microenvironment and mediating changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. MethodsSeventy-two male SD rats were randomized by a random number table into six groups: control group, model group, fluoxetine group (0.003 6 g·kg-1), and high-(10 g·kg-1), medium-(5 g·kg-1), low-dose (2.5 g·kg-1)Suanzaoren Tang groups, with 12 rats per group. The sucrose preference rate and open field test scores of rats in each group were observed. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of the key proteins in the specificity protein 1 (SP1)/sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) signaling pathway, as well as hippocampal proteins synaptophysin Ⅰ (SYNⅠ), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and family with sequence similarity 19, member A5 (FAM19A5). Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the positive expression of SP1, PSD-95, SYNⅠ, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of SP1 and S1PR1. Finally, transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of hippocampal synapses. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited a decrease in sucrose preference index (P<0.01) and reduced total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01), which indicated the successful modeling of depression. Moreover, the model group showed reduced synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus (P<0.01), up-regulated expression of SP1, SK1, S1PR1, and IL-6 (P<0.01), and down-regulated expression of SYNⅠ, PSD-95, FAM19A5, and IL-10 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, high- and medium-dose Suanzaoren Tang and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference index and the total scores for horizontal and vertical movements in the open field test (P<0.01). All Suanzaoren Tang groups and the fluoxetine group demonstrated reductions in SP1, SK1, S1PR1, and IL-6 expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), alongside restored synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionSuanzaoren Tang modulates hippocampal expression of FAM19A5, SYNⅠ, PSD-95, IL-10, IL-6, and the SP1/SK1/S1PR1 pathway in the rat model of depression. The antidepressant effects may be related to the ability of reducing neuroinflammation and enhancing synaptic plasticity.
10.Study on the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis Based on Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis
Yanxiao XIE ; Dong SONG ; Lin XIE ; Ziyun JIANG ; Leshen LIAN ; Xusheng QIAN
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1561-1568
Objective To explore the characteristics and distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis(IPA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 232 IPA patients who were admitted at Dongguan Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between August 2019 and August 2024.General clinical data and TCM symptom information were collected to establish a database of TCM syndrome for IPA.Factor analysis and cluster analysis were performed,and the results were interpreted by combining with clinical practice to investigate the distribution patterns of TCM syndromes.Results Among 232 IPA patients,42 TCM syndrome factors were identified after excluding the syndrome factors with the frequency below 5%.The common TCM symptoms of IPA were frequent cough,wheezing,dry cough without sputum or with scant sputum,thick or purulent sputum,and chest tightness and distress,all having the frequency above 65%.Integrated factor analysis and cluster analyse revealed five major TCM syndrome patterns:phlegm-heat congesting the lung syndrome(29.74%),phlegm-damp accumulating in the lung syndrome(20.26%),qi-yin deficiency syndrome(23.28%),lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome(15.09%),and deficient-fire scorching the lung syndrome(11.64%).The fundamental pathogenesis of IPA was characterized by deficiency in the origin and excess in the superficiality,and deficiency interweaved with excess.IPA primarily involved the lung,with secondary involvement of the spleen and kidney.Conclusion Phlegm-heat congesting the lung syndrome is the most common TCM syndrome pattern in IPA patients,reflecting a complexity of deficiency in the origin and excess in the superficiality,and deficiency interweaved with excess.Treatment of IPA should prioritize clearing heat and resolving phlegm,while adjunctive strategies such as drying dampness and resolving phlegm,tonifying qi and nourishing yin,supplementing lung and kidney,or nourishing yin to purge fire,should be tailored to specific syndrome manifestations.

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