1.Characteristic volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of coal workers' pneumoconiosis patients by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Yazhen HE ; Chunguang DING ; Junyun WANG ; Yuzhen FENG ; Fangda PENG ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Chunmin ZHANG ; Rui GAO ; Qingyu MENG ; Zhijun WU ; Jingguang FAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(5):571-577
Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.
2.Preliminary Experience of Needle Grasper Hydrodissection Assisted Laparoscopic Orchiopexy
Xiaofeng YANG ; Chi SUN ; Wenbo WANG ; Hui ZHOU ; Meng LI ; Yazhen MA ; Suolin LI
Chinese Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2024;24(6):451-454
Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic orchiopexy assisted by needle grasper hydrodissection for cryptorchidism.Methods From September 2020 to September 2022,21 children with cryptorchidism on 25 sides underwent laparoscopic orchiopexy assisted by needle grasper hydrodissection in our department.The water injection function of needle grasper was applied to inject normal saline into the retroperitoneal space to fully separate the retroperitoneum from the vas deferens and spermatic cord,establishing a liquid barrier to protect the vas deferens and spermatic cord.Then the retroperitoneum was bridge-likely cut off with the assistance of needle grasper.The vas deferens and spermatic cord were completely released in accordance with the principle of integrity and non-destructiveness,then the testes were successfully induced and fixed.Results During the operation,15 cases of inguinal cryptorchidism and 6 cases of intra-abdominal cryptorchidism were confirmed.There were 17 cases of unilateral cryptorchidism and 4 cases of bilateral cryptorchidism.All the 25 testes were successfully re-located into the dartos pouch of the scrotum under laparoscopic guidance.The operation time was 35-75 min(mean,45.1±14.3 min),and there were no surgical complications.During follow-ups for 12-24 months in 21 cases,the testicles were found located in the scrotum without retraction,atrophy,incision infection,incision hernia,or inguinal hernia.Conclusions Needle grasper hydrodissection assisted laparoscopic orchiopexy can effectively protect the vas deferens and spermatic cord.The operation is simple,safe,and effective.
3.Advances in immunomics research
Kang TANG ; Yongli HOU ; Yazhen WANG ; Lihua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(1):185-191
With the progress of high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics,and deepening understanding of immune system,immunomics has evolved from initially deciphering gene sequences of B cell receptor(BCR)and T cell receptor(TCR)to unraveling and mapping interactions between host immune system and antigens,as well as panorama of host immune system response mechanisms,which now encompasses various research areas,such as antigen epitopeomics,immunogenomics,immunopro-teomics,antibodyomics and immunoinformatics.Based on a large amount of immunological research data,immunological databases such as ImmPort,VDJdb and IEDB have been established to accelerate discovery of new antigen epitopes and study of immune response mechanisms.Immunomics has revealed the association between immune system and diseases,promoted the development of novel vac-cines and immunotherapeutic strategies,and effectively drove the development of personalized medicine and precision medicine.In recent years,integration of immunome with exposome and fusion it with artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on compre-hensively understanding immune system's response and regulatory mechanisms to environmental factors,as well as deciphering molecular mechanisms underlying disease occurrence and progression.
4.Comparison of occupational exposure limits in China with threshold limit values announced by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Qiangzhi GUO ; Yazhen WANG ; Yuntao MU ; Jinling LIU ; Xue JIANG ; Di LIU ; Chen SHEN ; Lingling LI ; Yi LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(11):1290-1296
Background The threshold limit values (TLVs) established and regularly updated by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) are widely adopted and referenced globally, serving as a crucial reference for China's occupational exposure limits (OELs). It is necessary to track it regularly and compare it with China's OELs. Objective To compare the OELs stipulated in Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace—Part 1: Chemical hazardous agents (GBZ 2.1—2019) and the ACGIH TLVs (2024) and to provide references for subsequent formulation and revision of OELs in China. Methods The OELs specified in GBZ 2.1—2019 and the TLVs issued by ACGIH were used to establish a database using Microsoft Excel 2019 software. Cross verification was conducted through matching Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS Rn) and both Chinese and English names to ensure accuracy. Then, comparisons and analyses were carried out based on the type of limit values, which were matched as follows: permissible concentration-time weighted average (PC-TWA) with threshold limit value-time weighted average (TLV-TWA), permissible concentration-short term exposure limit (PC-STEL) with threshold limit value-short term exposure limit (TLV-STEL), and maximum allowable concentration (MAC) with threshold limit value-ceiling (TLV-C). Comparisons included types, quantities, and sizes of limits. Results The GBZ 2.1—2019 OELs and the ACGIH TLVs (2024) were generally consistent in terms of types and definitions, but there were differences in the number and size of the limits. In terms of the number of limits, GBZ 2.1—2019 specified 365 OELs for 358 chemical hazardous agents, while ACGIH TLVs (2024) included 316 corresponding limits. Among these, 148 (46.9%) limits were consistent, 38 (12.0%) were basically consistent, and 130 (41.1%) were inconsistent. In terms of the size of the limits, out of the 130 inconsistent limits, 51 OELs were lower than the corresponding TLVs, 67 OELs were higher than the corresponding TLVs, and 12 were under different limit types. For some chemical hazardous agents, their OELs were significantly lower or higher than their TLVs. Conclusion Some of the OELs for chemical hazardous agents specified in GBZ 2.1—2019 are significantly lower or higher than the TLVs. For these chemical hazardous factors, it is recommended to prioritize their inclusion in research projects and to complete the revisions as soon as possible based on the latest scientific evidence.
5.Analysis of the characteristics of primary acute myeloid leukemia with 11q23/KMT2A rearrangements in ninety patients.
Ye LI ; Yanlin WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Lin FENG ; Lu GAO ; Yan SHI ; Hui DANG ; Qi HE ; Yazhen QIN ; Qian JIANG ; Hao JIANG ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Yueyun LAI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2023;40(12):1472-1477
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical and prognostic characteristics of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with 11q23/KMT2A rearrangements.
METHODS:
Clinical data of 90 patients with primary AML and 11q23/KMT2A rearrangements were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS:
By karyotyping analysis, 80 of the 90 patients had translocations involving 11q23/KMT2A, with t(9;11)(p22;q23), t(6;11)(q27;q23), t(10;11)(p12;q23) and t(11;19)(q23;p13) being the most common ones, while 10 cases were found to have non-translocation abnormalities. The overall complete remission (CR) rate was 75.6%, and patients with t(6;11) had lower CR rate compared with non-t(6;11) patients (47.1% vs. 82.2%, P = 0.005). After a median follow-up of 24.5 months, the patients receiving allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) had significantly higher 3-year overall survival (OS) (80.3% vs. 16.6%, P < 0.001) and 3-year event-free survival (EFS) (73.5% vs. 16.3%, P < 0.001) compared with non-transplant patients. Patients with t(6;11) had the lowest 3-year OS (11.8% vs. 56.0%, P < 0.001) and 3-year EFS (5.9% vs. 53.8%, P < 0.001) compared with other type of abnormalities. No significant difference was noted in the survival between patients with t(9;11) and non-t(9;11) regardless whether they had received HSCT.
CONCLUSION
The clinical characteristics of primary AML with 11q23/KMT2A rearrangements are heterogeneous. Patients did not receive HSCT had poorer survival, particularly with the presence of t(6;11). Allo-HSCT could significantly improve the survival of such patients.
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy*
;
Translocation, Genetic
;
Gene Rearrangement
;
Prognosis
6.Analysis of Suitable Processing Time of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata Processed with Amomi Fructus and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Xing LEI ; Xiaoping WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Fengqin LI ; Yazhen GAO ; Weijie WEN ; Yangyang XU ; Yanhan GUAN ; Ming YANG ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):134-143
ObjectiveTo investigate the relative content changes of differential metabolites and reducing sugars during the processing process of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP) processed with Amomi Fructus (AF) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP), and to lay the foundation for revealing the processing principle of this characteristic variety. MethodThe samples of the 0-54 h processing process of RRP processed with AF and CRP were taken as the research object, and their secondary metabolites were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution (A)-acetonitrile (B) was used as the mobile phase for gradient elution (0-1 min, 1%-3%B; 1-10 min, 3%-9%B; 10-15 min, 9%-12%B; 15-22 min, 12%-18%B; 22-31 min, 18%-24%B; 31-35 min, 24%-100%B; 35-36 min, 100%-5%B; 36-40 min, 5%-1%B; 40-45 min, 1%B), column temperature was 40 ℃, injection volume was 3 μL, flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1. Electrospray ionization (ESI) was used to scan and collect MS data in the negative ion mode, the scanning range was m/z 50-1 250. Data analysis was carried out using PeakView 1.2 software, and the chemical composition of RRP processed with AF and CRP was identified by combining the literature information and chemical composition databases. The MS data were normalized by MarkerView 1.2, and then the multivariate statistical analysis was applied to screen the differential metabolites, and the changes of the relative contents of the differential metabolites with different processing times was analyzed, finally, correlation analysis was performed between the differential metabolites, the change of the reducing sugar content was combined to determine the most suitable processing time of RRP processed with AF and CRP. ResultA total of 121 compounds were identified from RRP processed with AF and CRP at different processing times, and 12 differential metabolites were screened out by multivariate statistical analysis, including catalpol, hesperidin, isoacteoside, acteoside, narirutin, echinacoside, isomartynoside, decaffeoylacteoside, 6-O-E-feruloylajugol, dihydroxy-7-O-neohesperidin, jionoside D, and rehmapicroside. With the prolongation of processing time, the relative contents of these 12 differential metabolites and reducing sugars changed slightly at 52-54 h. ConclusionUPLC-Q-TOF-MS can comprehensively and accurately identify the chemical constituents of RRP processed with AF and CRP at different processing times, and the suitable processing time of 52-54 h is determined according to the content changes of different metabolites and reducing sugars, which provides a basis for revealing the scientific connotation of the processing principle of this variety.
7.Historical Evolution and Modern Research Progress of Processing of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma
Yazhen GAO ; Junbo ZOU ; Ming YANG ; Fengqin LI ; Xing LEI ; Weijie WEN ; Haizhen LIU ; Hao LU ; Yan ZHANG ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(4):212-220
By reviewing the relevant literature of ancient herbal works and modern codices, this paper sorted out the historical evolution and developmental venation of processing of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma. On this basis, the modern research of processed products of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was used as the breakthrough point to analyze the literature in terms of processing technology, chemical composition changes and changes in pharmacological effects before and after processing. According to the research status of processing of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, some existing problems were analyzed in this paper, such as not many ancient processing methods used in modern time, lack of standardized research on processing technology. And saponins, polysaccharides, amino acids, flavonoids and other chemical components in Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma may change to different degrees before and after processing, which was the main reason for the difference of efficacy before and after processing. However, the current research on the pharmacological effects of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma mainly focuses on raw products, resulting in a lack of in-depth research on the transformation mechanism of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in processing difference, and the scientific connotation of "Shengxiao Shubu" has not been clearly elaborated, which is not conducive to the standardized clinical use of drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to further analyze the material basis of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and its processed products, and to explore the change rule of chemical components before and after processing and its correlation with pharmacodynamic activity, so as to clarify the processing mechanism for providing scientific basis for its standardized processing, quality control and clinical rational use.
8.Efficacy and safety of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab monotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors: A Meta-analysis
ZHOU Xiaoyan ; MAO Yazhen ; WANG Xiaoxian ; LIU Jie ; LIN Yuhong
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2022;29(5):464-471
[Abstract] Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab monotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors, so as to provide evidence-based medical proof for clinical administration. Methods: Databases, such as PubMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data, were searched from January 2000 to January 2022 to collect the clinical trial data in terms of nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus nivolumab monotherapy for malignant tumors were published in both domestic and abroad. Two reviewers independently evaluated the quality of included RCTs, and extracted and cross-checked the data. RevMan 5. 4 was used for the Meta-analysis. Results: A total of 7 RCTs studies including 10 articles were included. Compared with the nivolumab monotherapy group, the OS of patients in the combined treatment group was significantly improved (HR=0.86, 95% CI:0. 75-0.99, P=0. 03), and the PFS was significantly prolonged (HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.55-0.85, P=0.000 6). However, as for safety, treatment-related adverse events (OR=3.18, 95% CI: 1.55-6.55, P=0.002) and adverse events leading to drug discontinuation (OR=7.11, 95% CI: 4.85-10.42, P<0.000 01) in the combination therapy group were significantly higher than those in the monotherapy group. Conclusion: Compared with nivolumab monotherapy, nivolumab plus ipilimumab can significantly improve the OS and PFS of tumor patients, but is also associated with more treatment-related adverse events and adverse events leading to drug discontinuation. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to follow-up and regular monitoring to prevent the occurrence of serious adverse reactions.
9.The efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of Philadelphia-chromosomal-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Huan WANG ; Ting ZHAO ; Lijuan HU ; Zongru LI ; Hao JIANG ; Yazhen QIN ; Yueyun LAI ; Hongxia SHI ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Qian JIANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2022;43(7):550-556
Objective:The study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as an induction therapy for Philadelphia-chromosomal-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) . Methods:The data of the consecutive newly diagnosed patients with Ph + ALL were reviewed. The efficacy and safety of low-dose chemotherapy and conventional-dose chemotherapy combined with TKI were compared. Results:A total of 217 patients with a median age of 38 (10-69) years old were included in this study. 78 patients were in the low-dose chemotherapy group, and 139 patients were in the conventional-dose chemotherapy group. There were no significant differences in the 4-week complete remission (CR) rate (98.7% vs 97.0%, P=0.766) and overall CR rate (100% vs 100%, P=1.000) between the two groups. Multivariate analyses showed that the chemotherapy intensity was not related to the disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate. However, the lower incidence of infection ( P=0.017) , the shorter duration of neutropenia ( P=0.001) and PLT<20 × 10 9/L ( P=0.057) , and the lower red blood cell transfusion volume ( P=0.002) were more common in the low-dose chemotherapy group than in the conventional-dose chemotherapy group. Conclusions:The low-dose chemotherapy is superior to the conventional-dose chemotherapy combined with TKI as induction therapy in Ph + ALL with similar efficacy but is safer.
10.Mechanisms of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in treating diabetic nephropathy complicated with depression based on network pharmacology
LEI Xing ; CHEN Qingyao ; WANG Xiaoping ; XU Jie ; GAO Yazhen ; LIN Qiaohong ; YE Zuwen ; ZHANG Jieyan ; SI Qin ; WANG Fang
Digital Chinese Medicine 2022;5(2):178-188
Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) complicated with depression based on network pharmacology. Methods The components of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) were identified from the Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and relevant literature. The component targets were detected by combining the SwissTargetPrediction and PubChem databases. Disease targets were collected from the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DisGeNET, and Ensembl databases with “diabetic nephropathy” and “depression” as keywords. The disease-component targets were mapped using Venny 2.1.0 to obtain potential targets. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database and Cytoscape 3.7.2. The co-expression genes of the key targets were collected based on the COXPRESdb 7.3. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed for potential targets using R language. Target-component docking was verified and evaluated using Discovery Studio 4.5. Results According to the databases and literature reports, Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) contained 65 active components, and had 155 related targets for the treatment of DN complicated with depression. PPI screening showed that the key targets included serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT3), interleukin 6 (IL-6), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), etc. GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes, such as lipid metabolism, protein secretion regulation, cell homeostasis, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis included the role of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complements, insulin resistance (IR), neurotrophin signal path, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), etc. Molecular docking showed that the target had high affinity for stachyose, manninotriose, verbascose, nigerose, etc. Conclusion Based on network parmacology, this study preliminarily predict the effects of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in treating DN complicated with depression by regulating inflammation, glucose metabolism, nution nerve, etc.

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