1.miR-30a-3p exacerbates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice via in-hibiting hepatocyte autophagy and promoting lipid deposition
Diao CHEN ; Yongxin CHEN ; Guiting WANG ; Birong YUAN ; Longkun HU ; Tian ZHANG ; Bing GUO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):953-964
AIM:To explore whether microRNA-30a-3p(miR-30a-3p)is involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)by regulating autophagy and promoting lipid deposition.METHODS:Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal control group and a high-fat diet(HFD)group.Mice in the HFD group were fed with 60%high fat diet for 10 weeks to induce the NAFLD phenotype.Some mice were injected with adeno-virus overexpressing miR-30a-3p via the tail vein and subsequently fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance tests were performed at the end of the treatments.In addition,the concentrations of hepatic alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)were mea-sured.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were conducted to examine morphological changes and lipid depo-sition in the liver tissue.The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),autophagy-related protein 5(ATG5),beclin-1 and p62 were quantified through Western blot.In addition,NAFLD models were established in AML12 hepatocytes by incubating the cells with palmitic acid and oleic acid(PO).The AML12 cells were transfected with miR-30a-3p shRNA to knock down miR-30a-3p expression.The concentration levels of TG and TC after miR-30a-3p knockdown were measured by the kits.Nile red staining was performed to examine lipid droplet aggregation and dual fluo-rescent recombinant adenovirus Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B was transfected into AML12 cells to observe changes in autopha-gic flow.RESULTS:HFD-fed mice exhibited significant insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance,significant lip-id deposition in the liver tissue,coupled with increased hepatic ALT,AST,TG and TC levels.The expression levels of au-tophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1,and ATG5 were decreased,while that of p62 was increased(P<0.01).More-over,miR-30a-3p overexpression significantly increased blood glucose and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice.However,it aggravated lipid droplets deposition in liver tissue and enhanced hepatic TG,TC,AST and ALT levels.Western blot re-vealed that the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were further reduced,while that of p62 was significantly in-creased(P<0.01).In vitro,we observed that the TG and TC levels,as well as lipid accumulation in PO-treated AML12 cells were increased significantly.Similarly,the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were decreased,whereas that of p62 increased in PO-treated AML12 cells(P<0.01).Notably,knockdown of miR-30a-3p resulted in a significant reduction in the TG content in PO-treated AML12 cells and lipid droplet aggregation was significantly suppressed.Further-more,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 proteins was increased,while that of p62 was decreased significantly and the autophagy flow was improved(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The miR-30a-3p exacerbates hepatic lipid deposi-tion,inducing severe hepatic steatosis and liver damage,to promote the occurrence and development of NAFLD in mice.Mechanistically,its effects involve inhibition of hepatic autophagy level.
2.A comparative study on the current status of disability assessment and long-term care needs assessment in 49 pilot cities of the long-term care insurance system
Jiali ZHANG ; Hongxiu CHEN ; Yilin WANG ; Ya LIU ; Shihao XU ; Yanyan WANG ; Birong DONG ; Hong SUN ; Xiuying HU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2384-2390
Objective To analyze the disability level and long-term care needs assessment policies issued by 49 pilot cities in China's long-term care insurance system,providing insights for further improvement of the system.Methods Policy documents related to long-term care insurance,published between June 2016 and December 2024 on official platforms of local governments,the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,the National Healthcare Security Administration,and the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information,were retrieved.A comparative analysis was used to summarize and compare the content of these policy texts.Results Currently,there are 49 pilot cities implementing the long-term care insurance system in China.47 cities have issued disability level assessment standards,with 38 cities adopting the trial standards issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration.In 42 pilot cities,the disability level assessment includes indicators such as activities of daily living,cognitive function,and sensory and communication abilities.22 cities have issued policies related to care needs assessment.In most cities,the care needs assessment partially or fully includes indicators from the disability level assessment.Conclusion There is no national uniformity in disability level assessment standards,and the care needs assessment framework needs further improvement.It is recommended to standardize disability level assessment criteria,clearly delineate the boundaries and content of disability level and care needs assessments,and enhance the development of the care needs assessment system.
3.miR-30a-3p exacerbates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice via in-hibiting hepatocyte autophagy and promoting lipid deposition
Diao CHEN ; Yongxin CHEN ; Guiting WANG ; Birong YUAN ; Longkun HU ; Tian ZHANG ; Bing GUO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(5):953-964
AIM:To explore whether microRNA-30a-3p(miR-30a-3p)is involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)by regulating autophagy and promoting lipid deposition.METHODS:Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a normal control group and a high-fat diet(HFD)group.Mice in the HFD group were fed with 60%high fat diet for 10 weeks to induce the NAFLD phenotype.Some mice were injected with adeno-virus overexpressing miR-30a-3p via the tail vein and subsequently fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance tests were performed at the end of the treatments.In addition,the concentrations of hepatic alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)were mea-sured.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining were conducted to examine morphological changes and lipid depo-sition in the liver tissue.The expression levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),autophagy-related protein 5(ATG5),beclin-1 and p62 were quantified through Western blot.In addition,NAFLD models were established in AML12 hepatocytes by incubating the cells with palmitic acid and oleic acid(PO).The AML12 cells were transfected with miR-30a-3p shRNA to knock down miR-30a-3p expression.The concentration levels of TG and TC after miR-30a-3p knockdown were measured by the kits.Nile red staining was performed to examine lipid droplet aggregation and dual fluo-rescent recombinant adenovirus Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B was transfected into AML12 cells to observe changes in autopha-gic flow.RESULTS:HFD-fed mice exhibited significant insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance,significant lip-id deposition in the liver tissue,coupled with increased hepatic ALT,AST,TG and TC levels.The expression levels of au-tophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1,and ATG5 were decreased,while that of p62 was increased(P<0.01).More-over,miR-30a-3p overexpression significantly increased blood glucose and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice.However,it aggravated lipid droplets deposition in liver tissue and enhanced hepatic TG,TC,AST and ALT levels.Western blot re-vealed that the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were further reduced,while that of p62 was significantly in-creased(P<0.01).In vitro,we observed that the TG and TC levels,as well as lipid accumulation in PO-treated AML12 cells were increased significantly.Similarly,the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 were decreased,whereas that of p62 increased in PO-treated AML12 cells(P<0.01).Notably,knockdown of miR-30a-3p resulted in a significant reduction in the TG content in PO-treated AML12 cells and lipid droplet aggregation was significantly suppressed.Further-more,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ,beclin-1 and ATG5 proteins was increased,while that of p62 was decreased significantly and the autophagy flow was improved(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The miR-30a-3p exacerbates hepatic lipid deposi-tion,inducing severe hepatic steatosis and liver damage,to promote the occurrence and development of NAFLD in mice.Mechanistically,its effects involve inhibition of hepatic autophagy level.
4.A comparative study on the current status of disability assessment and long-term care needs assessment in 49 pilot cities of the long-term care insurance system
Jiali ZHANG ; Hongxiu CHEN ; Yilin WANG ; Ya LIU ; Shihao XU ; Yanyan WANG ; Birong DONG ; Hong SUN ; Xiuying HU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(19):2384-2390
Objective To analyze the disability level and long-term care needs assessment policies issued by 49 pilot cities in China's long-term care insurance system,providing insights for further improvement of the system.Methods Policy documents related to long-term care insurance,published between June 2016 and December 2024 on official platforms of local governments,the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security,the National Healthcare Security Administration,and the National Public Service Platform for Standards Information,were retrieved.A comparative analysis was used to summarize and compare the content of these policy texts.Results Currently,there are 49 pilot cities implementing the long-term care insurance system in China.47 cities have issued disability level assessment standards,with 38 cities adopting the trial standards issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration.In 42 pilot cities,the disability level assessment includes indicators such as activities of daily living,cognitive function,and sensory and communication abilities.22 cities have issued policies related to care needs assessment.In most cities,the care needs assessment partially or fully includes indicators from the disability level assessment.Conclusion There is no national uniformity in disability level assessment standards,and the care needs assessment framework needs further improvement.It is recommended to standardize disability level assessment criteria,clearly delineate the boundaries and content of disability level and care needs assessments,and enhance the development of the care needs assessment system.
5.Association of depressive symptoms, Internet addiction and insomnia among medical students in Anhui Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(8):1174-1177
Objective:
To investigate the status of insomnia, Internet addiction, and depressive symptoms among medical students and to analyze the effect of Internet addiction on insomnia and the mediating role of depressive symptoms, in order to provide a basis for the development of targeted interventions and measurements for medical students.
Methods:
A stratified whole group sampling method was used to select full-time college students from three medical universities in Anhui Province. The Chinese version of Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scale and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate the symptoms of insomnia, Internet addiction and depressive in students. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing insomnia among medical students and to analyze the relationship between insomnia with Internet addiction and depressive symptoms, respectively.
Results:
The overall rate of Internet addiction was 49.5%, depressive symptoms was 39.5%, insomnia was 18.6%. High academic stress, and the presence of surrounding people diagnosed with COVID-19 were associated with a higher risk of insomnia ( P <0.05). The higher the level of Internet addiction (mild, OR =2.60; moderate/severe, OR =4.21) and depression. (mild, OR =6.35; moderate/severe, OR =19.32), the higher the risk of insomnia. Mediated effect analysis showed that Internet addiction had a direct predictive effect ( β =0.02, P <0.05) on insomnia and also indirectly affected insomnia through depression (indirect effect=0.07,95% CI =0.06-0.08).
Conclusion
The detected rates of insomnia, Internet addiction and depressive symptoms are high among medical students in Anhui Province, and Internet addiction and depressive symptoms are risk factors for insomnia, which should be given more attention and appropriate interventions when necessary to improve their physical and mental health.
6.Dosimetric study of 6 MeV X-ray in different phantoms in a magnetic field
Birong HU ; Qianqian MENG ; Renming ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2022;31(6):544-549
Objective:To evaluate the effects of orthogonal magnetic fields on the dose distribution of 6 MeV X-ray in a uniform water and heterogeneous phantoms.Methods:The Monte Carlo simulation software Gate v8.2 was used to investigate the dose distribution of X-ray beams of different field sizes in a uniform water phantom, water-air/bone-water layer phantom and" custom lung model" in the magnetic field strength of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.0 T, respectively. The relationship between the intensity of magnetic field and the dose distribution of X-rays in the phantoms was analyzed.Results:The existence of a magnetic field would cause the X-ray to shorten the built-up area in the water phantom; when the field was 10 cm×10 cm, the maximum dose on the central axis could change by up to 56.22%(3.0 T). The transverse dose distribution of the radiation field in the direction of the vertical magnetic field shifted to one side by up to 43.64%(-44.55%). The average dose of the air layer in the water-air-water phantom could be reduced by 57.4%(3.0 T). In the water-bone-water phantom, the dose at the proximal end of the bone layer was decreased by 16.5%, whereas the dose at the distal end was increased by 22.6%(1.5 T). The dose change in each layer in the customed lung model was positively correlated with the magnetic field strength.Conclusion:The existence of the orthogonal magnetic field will cause the change of X-ray dose distribution on the built-up area and both sides of the radiation field in the phantoms, which is more obvious adjacent to the interface of heterogeneous phantom.
7.Study on Risk Factors of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Establishment of Prediction Model
Birong WU ; Zheyun NIU ; Fan HU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2021;45(4):526-538
Background:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DPN increases the risk of ulcers, foot infections, and noninvasive amputations, ultimately leading to long-term disability.
Methods:
Seven hundred patients with T2DM were investigated from 2013 to 2017 in the Sanlin community by obtaining basic data from the electronic medical record system (EMRS). From September 2018 to July 2019, 681 patients (19 missing) were investigated using a questionnaire, physical examination, biochemical index test, and follow-up Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) test. Patients with a TCSS score ≥6 points were diagnosed with DPN. After removing missing values, 612 patients were divided into groups in a 3:1 ratio for external validation. Using different Lasso analyses (misclassification error, mean squared error, –2log-likelihood, and area under curve) and a logistic regression analysis of the training set, models A, B, C, and D were established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, dynamic component analysis (DCA) measurements, net classification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to validate discrimination and clinical practicality of the model.
Results:
Through data analysis, model A (containing four factors), model B (containing five factors), model C (containing seven factors), and model D (containing seven factors) were built. After calibration, ROC curve, DCA, NRI and IDI, models C and D exhibited better accuracy and greater predictive power.
Conclusion
Four prediction models were established to assist with the early screening of DPN in patients with T2DM. The influencing factors in model C and D are more important factors for patients with T2DM diagnosed with DPN.
8.Study on Risk Factors of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Establishment of Prediction Model
Birong WU ; Zheyun NIU ; Fan HU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2021;45(4):526-538
Background:
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DPN increases the risk of ulcers, foot infections, and noninvasive amputations, ultimately leading to long-term disability.
Methods:
Seven hundred patients with T2DM were investigated from 2013 to 2017 in the Sanlin community by obtaining basic data from the electronic medical record system (EMRS). From September 2018 to July 2019, 681 patients (19 missing) were investigated using a questionnaire, physical examination, biochemical index test, and follow-up Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) test. Patients with a TCSS score ≥6 points were diagnosed with DPN. After removing missing values, 612 patients were divided into groups in a 3:1 ratio for external validation. Using different Lasso analyses (misclassification error, mean squared error, –2log-likelihood, and area under curve) and a logistic regression analysis of the training set, models A, B, C, and D were established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, dynamic component analysis (DCA) measurements, net classification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to validate discrimination and clinical practicality of the model.
Results:
Through data analysis, model A (containing four factors), model B (containing five factors), model C (containing seven factors), and model D (containing seven factors) were built. After calibration, ROC curve, DCA, NRI and IDI, models C and D exhibited better accuracy and greater predictive power.
Conclusion
Four prediction models were established to assist with the early screening of DPN in patients with T2DM. The influencing factors in model C and D are more important factors for patients with T2DM diagnosed with DPN.
9.The value of using dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout
Huijuan HU ; Meiyan LIAO ; Zhixiong TIAN ; Birong PENG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2012;(12):1101-1104
Objective To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate crystals in patients with gout.Methods One hundred and eight patients who experienced unilateral arthrocele and (or) joint pain in the past two weeks were enrolled into our study.DECT were performed for the upper or lower extremity.Ninety-five patients were enrolled into the gout study group based on the American rheumatism association (ACR) classification standard;The 0.3 linear blended images group were regarded as conventional CT group,DE (80 kV and 140 kV) datasets were reconstructed via gout-recognition software,the pseudo-color images group as the postprocessed group.Imagings were reviewed independently by two senior radiologists.Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with the SPSS 13.0software.Results In the conventional CT group,DECT scans revealed a total of 298 areas of urate deposition in 51 patients;The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 53.7%,84.6%,and 57.4%.In the postprocessed group,401 areas of green urate deposition were detected in 69 patients,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were 72.6%,100.0%,75.9% respectively,the differences had statistical significance (x2 =7.329 and 8.333,P < 0.05).Conclusions DECT gout recognition technology can detect smaller amount of monosodium urate in the other parts of the body,with a great potential in early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with gout.
10.The predictive value of heart rate turbulence in patients with diabetes mellitus after acute myocardial infarction
Linhai ZHOU ; Birong LIANG ; Huaiqin ZHANG ; Weijian HUANG ; Jie LIN ; Guang JI ; Jianqiong HU ; Gaojun WU ; Xiaowu YU
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2012;35(22):4-7
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of heart rate turbulence(HRT) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).MethodsNinety-two AMI patients combined with DM (DM group) and 120 AMI patients without DM (non-DM group) were selected.Turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were two indexes of HRT.HRT was considered positive when TO was ≥0 and TS was ≤2.5 ms/R-R.The differences in clinical data between HRT-positive and HRT-negative patients were compared.And the related risk factors after AMI were analyzed.ResultsAge,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) level,renal insufficiency,LVEF<40%,standard deviation of sinus cardiac cycle (R-R interval)(SDNN),heart rate variability (HRV) positiveand HRT indexes (TO,TS) between HRT-positive and HRT-negative patients in DM group had significant differences (P < 0.05 ).Age,LVEF level,SDNN and HRT indexes(TO,TS) between HRT-positive and HRT-negative patients in non-DM group had significant differences(P < 0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that renal insufficiency (OR=4.8,95% CI:1.8 - 10.7,P=0.008) and HRT positive (OR=3.7,95% CI:1.5 - 8.6,P=0.070) in DM group had statistical significance.And HRT positive in non-DM group had statisticalsignificance(OR=23.0,95% CI:5.2 ~ 86.0,P < 0.01 ).ConclusionsHRT,an index of dynamic electrocardiogram,can predict the risk in patients with DM or without DM after AMI.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail