1.The causal relationship between immune cells and heart failure risk and the mediating role of serum metabolites: A Mendelian randomization study
Yun ZHU ; Jiaming WEI ; Ruifang LIN ; Yongjun LIU ; Yue LIU ; Guohua ZHANG ; Zhihua GUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):115-121
Objective To explore the causal relationship between immune cells and heart failure (HF), and the mediating role of serum metabolites, in order to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods We employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis method based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, analyzing the direct and indirect effects of 731 types of immune cells and 1 400 metabolites on HF. We selected valid instrumental variables and conducted statistical analyses using R software. The primary analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by MR-Egger analysis and weighted median method. The stability of the results was assessed through tests such as Cochran’s Q test. Results Our research found a negative causal relationship between PD-L1 on CD14−CD16+ and HF. Sensitivity analysis supported this result. The reverse MR analysis did not find an effect of HF on PD-L1 on CD14−CD16+, indicating that PD-L1 on CD14−CD16+ might play a unidirectional role in reducing the risk of HF. Further mediation MR analysis showed that PD-L1 on CD14−CD16+ might influence the risk of HF onset by regulating the levels of sphingomyelin (d17:1/14:0, d16:1/15:0), with a mediation effect ratio of 6.7%. Conclusion PD-L1 on CD14−CD16+ may reduce the risk of HF by elevating the levels of sphingomyelin (d17:1/14:0, d16:1/15:0), which provides a new perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of HF.
2.Research progress on the microbiota-gut-brain axis regulatory mechanisms and targeted dietary interventions in autism spectrum disorder
Mingyue HAO ; Jiajun CHANG ; Zhihua ZHANG ; Lan GAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):376-386
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), also known as autism, is a series of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social disorders and repetitive stereotyped behaviors/narrow interests. Its pathogenesis is complex, and there is a lack of effective treatment drugs, with some cases having adverse outcomes. Recent studies have consistently revealed that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly exhibit characteristics such as gut microbiota dysbiosis (abnormal Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio), impaired intestinal barrier function (elevated serum levels of zonulin and LPS), and intestinal immune dysregulation (increased pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α), suggesting that gastrointestinal abnormalities may influence central nervous system development through neuroendocrine, immunoregulatory, and metabolic pathways. Consequently, growing scholarly attention has focused on dietary interventions as potential approaches to alleviate clinical symptoms in children with ASD. This review systematically summarizes the role of gut microbiota and their metabolite alterations in ASD pathogenesis, along with recent advancements in understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis mechanisms. Additionally, it elaborates on the therapeutic effects and underlying biological basis of restrictive diet therapy, modified diet therapy, and nutritional supplementation therapy in promoting the health of children with ASD. This systematic review reveals that children with ASD exhibit significant gut microbiota dysbiosis (e.g., increased Clostridium, decreased Faecalibacterium) and abnormal metabolite profiles (e.g., altered short-chain fatty acid spectra, elevated 4EPS levels). These alterations exacerbate neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, thereby impacting nervous system development and function. Furthermore, interventions such as ketogenic diets, camel milk, and specific nutritional supplements can alleviate certain ASD symptoms by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, and improving metabolic pathways. Future investigations should aim to create multi-omics evaluation systems for pinpointing potential beneficiaries, devise individualized intervention strategies rooted in microbiome characteristics, and verify their therapeutic value and safety in large-scale randomized controlled trials. These efforts are crucial to transitioning ASD treatment from symptomatic control to address disease etiology, thereby paving the way for improving prognoses.
3.Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for Wilson disease
Yumei GU ; Yeqing HUANG ; Bei ZHANG ; Aiqun LIU ; Zhongxing PENG ; Mingfan HONG ; Zhihua ZHOU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(3):529-534
Wilson disease (WD) is one of the few treatable neurogenetic disorders. Currently, Western medicine remains the main treatment method for WD, while since the 1990s, multiple studies conducted by Professor Yang Renmin and his team have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also has a favorable therapeutic effect. Based on the principle of low-copper diet for WD, this article systematically elaborates on the advantages, limitations, and key considerations of current Western medicine therapies (pharmacotherapy, liver transplantation, and splenectomy) and reviews the research findings of TCM in China, especially the wide application of Gandou Decoction in clinical practice. Studies have shown that Gandou Decoction can effectively improve neurological symptoms, protect hepatic and renal function, and avoid the adverse drug reactions associated with metal chelating agents, and therefore, it can be used an effective long-term adjuvant therapy for WD. It should be noted that symptoms and signs should be considered in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine therapy for WD, and high-copper TCM drugs should be avoided to prevent deterioration.
4.Echocardiographic features of critically ill patients with concurrent infections and their predictive value for 28-day mortality and cardiac injury
Peng GUO ; Yushan ZHOU ; Yibing WANG ; Zhihua ZHANG ; Jie SHEN ; Weichun MO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):414-423
Objective To explore the echocardiographic features of critically ill patients with infection, and to evaluate the predictive value of echocardiographic parameters for 28-day mortality and myocardial injury. Methods Using a single-center prospective cohort design, 120 critically ill patients with infection admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled consecutively. According to the severity of infection, patients were divided into the sepsis group (n=75) and the non-sepsis group (n=45). Cox proportional hazards models and modified Poisson regression were used to analyze risk factors of 28-day all-cause mortality and myocardial injury. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to assess prognosis differences among patients with different ultrasound parameters. ROC curve and area under the curve (AUC) were applied to evaluate the predictive performance of ultrasound parameters, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to explore nonlinear relationships. Results The E/e′ ratio was significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the non-sepsis group (P<0.001), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were lower in the sepsis group (P<0.05). The Cox proportional hazards model found no association between ultrasound parameters and 28-day all-cause mortality. Modified Poisson regression showed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, elevated E/e′ was an independent risk factor of myocardial injury (RR=1.12, 95% CI 1.07–1.17, P<0.001). Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with E/e′ >10.9 had lower 28-day survival rates (P=0.02), and the AUC for E/e′ predicting myocardial injury was 0.835. RCS analysis suggested a nonlinear relationship between E/e′ and myocardial injury risk (P<0.001). Conclusions E/e′, LVEF, and LVFS have no significant predictive value for 28-day mortality risk in critically ill patients with infections. Elevated E/e′ is an independent risk factor of myocardial injury in such patients, with a nonlinear relationship.
5.Cervical Kyphosis Based on Cervical Rehabilitation Training System:A Biomechanical Model Study
Zhihua LIU ; Mingwen ZHANG ; Yang ZHOU ; Yankui SHEN ; Zhongzhong CHEN
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(3):615-622
Objective A biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis under the effects of axial traction load and lateral push load was establised,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of cervical curvature abnormalities,and formulate the most appropriate treatment plan for patients.Methods Based on the CT scan data of patients,the axial data of the cervical spine was extracted to fit the cervical curvature curve.Using the Timoshenko beam theory and the cervical rehabilitation training system,a mathematical model of cervical kyphosis was established for analytical calculations to obtain the recovery curve of the cervical spine under load and the total load required to cure cervical kyphosis,and its rationality was also verified.Results The biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis was established.Under the effects of axial traction load and lateral push load,the cervical spine effectively developed in the direction of physiological bending.The total axial load and lateral load were 353 N and 5 649 N,respectively,and the total axial load increased with the increase in traction angle.The therapeutic moment of the total lateral load decreased as the Bordon value increased.The therapeutic moment of the axial load was smaller than that of the lateral load in the range of normal Bordon value,confirming the rationality of the loads.Conclusions The established biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis can accurately simulate the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine,and the analysis results were valid,providing a mechanical theoretical basis for the design of treatment plans for patients.
6.Comparison of Domestic and International Regulations on Blood Products and Insights
Hongbo PAN ; Yingying LIU ; Pei MAO ; Michael WENDT ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhihua YUE ; Zhigang ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(8):1250-1256
The blood products industry in China,the United States,the European Union and Japan are at different stages of development,with very different laws,regulations and regulatory systems.This paper uses methods such as literature review,policy comparison,and case study.By analyzing and comparing the blood product regulatory policies in various countries,it is found that compared with the United States,the European Union and Japan,China has differences in several areas,including plasma quarantine period,plasma fractionation processes and intermediate products,segmented production of blood products,and import management policies.It is suggested that we should learn from foreign regulatory experiences,and explore the establishment of blood product regulatory policies suitable for China's national conditions.Recommendations include optimizing China's source plasma quarantine period and blood product production process management policies,promoting multiple sites and segmented production of blood products,and establishing flexible blood product import and export management systems.These measures aim to provide references for promoting the development of the blood product industry and improving the accessibility of medications for the public.
7.Differences in Domestic and International Supervision of Blood Products Virus Safety and Related Recommendations
Peng WU ; Denis KLOCHKOV ; Jens REHBEIN ; Christoph ZUERCHER ; Connie BROUMIS ; Eleonora WIDMER ; Wei ZHANG ; Zhihua YUE ; Zhigang ZHAO
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(8):1265-1271
Blood products are biological products derived from human plasma for use in clinical treatment.As such,they inherently carry the risk of blood-bome viral contamination,which has garnered significant attention from regulatory agencies worldwide regarding the viral safety of these products.This article compares and discusses the differences in domestic and international regulations on viral safety for blood products,focusing on aspects such as raw material selection and viral testing.Additionally,the article explores further impactful measures for viral safety control,namely,viral reduction during the manufacturing process and strategies to prevent cross-contamination.Moreover,we propose corresponding recommendations for China's regulatory framework to further enhance the viral safety of blood products in the country.
8.Study on the attenuation of depression-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice by Ginkgo biloba extract through the proBDNF/mBDNF balance
Zhihua JIANG ; Caixing DAI ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Wenping ZHANG ; Jianguo LI
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):289-297
Objective:To explore the mechanism through which the Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)ameliorates depres-sion-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice.Methods:A mouse model with depression was induced by chronic oral administration of copper sulfate solution(200 mg/L),followed by oral administration of the EGb(120 mg/L)for one month.Elevated plus-maze test,forced swimming test,and sucrose preference test were employed to detect the de-pression-like behaviors of mice.TUNEL staining was utilized to examine apoptosis in the hippocampal region of mice.Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the in situ expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(proBDNF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal region.RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of the BDNF mRNA.Western blot was utilized to determine the expressions of proteins such as proBDNF,mature BDNF(mBDNF),cAMP response element binding protein(CREB),phospho-CREB(p-CREB),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB),p75 neurotrophin Receptor(p75NTR),furin,proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1(PCSK1),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9).Results:Chronic copper exposure led to depression-like behaviors in mice,in-creased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal region,enhanced proBDNF expression and reduced mBDNF expression(P<0.05),decreased the expression of the downstream receptor protein TrkB and increased the expression of p75NTR(P<0.05),and decreased the level of CREB and p-CREB(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expressions of intracellular proteases furin and PCSK1 in the hippocampal region of mice with depression-like behaviors decreased(P<0.05),while the expression of extracellular protease MMP9 increased(P<0.05).EGb was capable of alleviating depression-like behaviors and neuronal apoptosis in mice and partially reversing the abnormal expressions of BDNF,proBDNF,TrkB,p75NTR,CREB,p-CREB,furin,and PCSK1 proteins caused by copper exposure.Conclusion:Chronic copper exposure can lead to depression-like behaviors and apoptosis in mice.EGb can reverse these manifestations and corre-late with the balance of proBDNF/BDNF in the hippocampal region,which may offer novel insights for the treatment of depression.
9.Cervical Kyphosis Based on Cervical Rehabilitation Training System:A Biomechanical Model Study
Zhihua LIU ; Mingwen ZHANG ; Yang ZHOU ; Yankui SHEN ; Zhongzhong CHEN
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(3):615-622
Objective A biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis under the effects of axial traction load and lateral push load was establised,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of cervical curvature abnormalities,and formulate the most appropriate treatment plan for patients.Methods Based on the CT scan data of patients,the axial data of the cervical spine was extracted to fit the cervical curvature curve.Using the Timoshenko beam theory and the cervical rehabilitation training system,a mathematical model of cervical kyphosis was established for analytical calculations to obtain the recovery curve of the cervical spine under load and the total load required to cure cervical kyphosis,and its rationality was also verified.Results The biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis was established.Under the effects of axial traction load and lateral push load,the cervical spine effectively developed in the direction of physiological bending.The total axial load and lateral load were 353 N and 5 649 N,respectively,and the total axial load increased with the increase in traction angle.The therapeutic moment of the total lateral load decreased as the Bordon value increased.The therapeutic moment of the axial load was smaller than that of the lateral load in the range of normal Bordon value,confirming the rationality of the loads.Conclusions The established biomechanical model of cervical kyphosis can accurately simulate the biomechanical characteristics of the cervical spine,and the analysis results were valid,providing a mechanical theoretical basis for the design of treatment plans for patients.
10.Study on the attenuation of depression-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice by Ginkgo biloba extract through the proBDNF/mBDNF balance
Zhihua JIANG ; Caixing DAI ; Xinyue ZHANG ; Wenping ZHANG ; Jianguo LI
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy 2025;41(3):289-297
Objective:To explore the mechanism through which the Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb)ameliorates depres-sion-like behaviors in chronic copper-exposed mice.Methods:A mouse model with depression was induced by chronic oral administration of copper sulfate solution(200 mg/L),followed by oral administration of the EGb(120 mg/L)for one month.Elevated plus-maze test,forced swimming test,and sucrose preference test were employed to detect the de-pression-like behaviors of mice.TUNEL staining was utilized to examine apoptosis in the hippocampal region of mice.Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect the in situ expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(proBDNF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal region.RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression of the BDNF mRNA.Western blot was utilized to determine the expressions of proteins such as proBDNF,mature BDNF(mBDNF),cAMP response element binding protein(CREB),phospho-CREB(p-CREB),tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB),p75 neurotrophin Receptor(p75NTR),furin,proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1(PCSK1),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP9).Results:Chronic copper exposure led to depression-like behaviors in mice,in-creased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal region,enhanced proBDNF expression and reduced mBDNF expression(P<0.05),decreased the expression of the downstream receptor protein TrkB and increased the expression of p75NTR(P<0.05),and decreased the level of CREB and p-CREB(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expressions of intracellular proteases furin and PCSK1 in the hippocampal region of mice with depression-like behaviors decreased(P<0.05),while the expression of extracellular protease MMP9 increased(P<0.05).EGb was capable of alleviating depression-like behaviors and neuronal apoptosis in mice and partially reversing the abnormal expressions of BDNF,proBDNF,TrkB,p75NTR,CREB,p-CREB,furin,and PCSK1 proteins caused by copper exposure.Conclusion:Chronic copper exposure can lead to depression-like behaviors and apoptosis in mice.EGb can reverse these manifestations and corre-late with the balance of proBDNF/BDNF in the hippocampal region,which may offer novel insights for the treatment of depression.

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