1.Correlation analysis of glucose and lipid metabolism indicators combined with antiphospholipid antibodies on prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis
Jia CUI ; Mingming ZHANG ; Na WANG ; Wei GAO ; Fei LI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(3):326-329
Objective To explore the correlation of glucose and lipid metabolism indicators combined with antiphospholipid antibodies with the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis.Methods A total of 128 patients with atherosclerosis treated in our hospital from April 2021 to March 2023 were selected as study group,and 48 healthy individuals as control group.Glycolipid metabolism indexes and antiphospholipid antibody level of the two groups were compared,and the predictive value of glycolipid metabolism indexes,antiphospholipid antibodies and combined detection for the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis were analyzed by ROC.Results TC,TG,ACL,and anti-β2-GP1 in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The study group was divided into two sub-groups according to the prognosis.The expression level of TC,TG,ACL,and anti-β 2-GP1 in poor prognosis group was higher than that in good prognosis group(P<0.05).TC,TG,ACL,and anti-β 2-GP1 was positively correlated with the poor prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis(P<0.05).ROC curve showed that the predictive value of six combined tests for the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis was higher than that of single test of TC,TG,ACL,and anti-β2-GP1(P<0.05).Conclusion The combined detection of TC,TG,ACL,and anti-β2-GP1 has high predictive value for the prognosis of patients with atherosclerosis.
2.Development and Synthesis of Activity-based and Affinity-based Ubiquitin Probes
Ling XU ; Cui-Na WEI ; Xian-Fu LU ; Yi-Ming LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(3):598-623
Ubiquitination, a diverse post-translational modification, is carried out by enzymes including E1-activating enzymes, E2-conjugating enzymes, E3 ligases, and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). Ubiquitin itself possesses 7 lysine residues and N-terminal methionine, allowing for the formation of polyubiquitin chains with different lengths and linkages. These chains exhibit various topologies that can be recognized by proteins containing ubiquitin-binding domain, thereby transmitting distinct cellular signals. To unravel the physiological mechanisms associated with ubiquitin, numerous ubiquitin probes have been developed. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in the field of ubiquitin probes, focusing on activity-based and affinity-based probes. Activity-based probes are designed to covalently bind to DUBs, E1s, or E3s, enabling the identification and characterization of these enzymes. Affinity-based probes, on the other hand, selectively bind to ubiquitin-binding domains, facilitating the identification of proteins that interact with ubiquitin. Moreover, this review comprehensively discusses the synthetic methodologies employed for the acquisition of ubiquitin probes. These includes meticulous discussions on the synthesis of individual monomeric modules, the establishment of isopeptide linkages, as well as the incorporation of reactive functional groups. Additionally, the review explores the emerging area of cell-penetrating ubiquitin probes and highlights their latest applications in living cells. These probes incorporate cell-penetrating peptides to enable their internalization into cells, allowing for direct visualization and manipulation of ubiquitin-modified proteins within their native environment. Overall, this review offers insights into the design, synthesis, and applications of ubiquitin probes, highlighting their significance in elucidating ubiquitin-mediated cellular processes.
3.Influencing factors of arsenic metabolism pattern of population in drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas
Mengxin LI ; Xinye LI ; Fan ZHAO ; Cong LIU ; Danyu DENG ; Zhen DI ; Na CUI ; Yijun LIU ; Chang KONG ; Binggan WEI ; Yanhong LI ; Yajuan XIA ; Zhiwei GUO
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(3):184-189
Objective:To investigate the arsenic metabolism pattern and possible influencing factors in the population in drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning (drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning for short) areas.Methods:In December 2004, a cluster sampling method was used to select arsenic poisoning population (arsenic poisoning group) and healthy population (control group) in drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning area of Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Arsenic content in drinking water at home of survey subjects, the levels of urinary arsenic and its metabolites, including [trivalent arsenic (As Ⅲ), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, MMA V), dimethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, DMA V), total arsenic (tAs), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), percentage of monomethylarsenic acid (MMA%), percentage of dimethylarsenic acid (DMA%), primary methylation index (PMI), secondary methylation index (SMI)] were tested using high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; nail arsenic and nail selenium levels were tested using atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The influencing factors of arsenic metabolism pattern were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results:A total of 536 survey subjects were included, including 155 individuals in the arsenic poisoning group and 381 in the control group. The water arsenic level ranged from 0.0 to 825.7 μg/L. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the distribution of gender, education level and dental fluorosis in the arsenic poisoning group ( P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in the distribution of age, marital status, smoking, drinking and water arsenic ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of urinary As Ⅲ, iAs, MMA V, DMA V, tAs, MMA%, MMA/DMA and nail arsenic in the arsenic poisoning group were higher ( P < 0.05), while the levels of urinary DMA%, SMI and nail selenium were lower ( P < 0.05); but there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of urinary iAs% and PMI ( P > 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary As Ⅲ (β = - 19.82, - 23.83, 0.61, 0.21, 7.26, 2.98, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary tAs (β = 3.18, 3.25, 1.31, 15.59, P < 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary iAs (β = - 20.47, - 25.90, 0.64, 0.25, 7.87, 3.11, P < 0.05). Age, gender, education level, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary MMA V (β = 0.52, - 17.07, - 21.84, 0.22, 2.77, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary DMA V (β = 2.35, 2.47, 0.85, 9.22, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with healthy individuals, there are differences in arsenic metabolism pattern among individuals with drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning. Age, gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic may be influencing factors of different arsenic metabolism patterns.
4.The Uptake and Distribution Evidence of Nano-and Microplastics in vivo after a Single High Dose of Oral Exposure
Tao HONG ; Wei SUN ; Yuan DENG ; Da Jian LYU ; Hong Cui JIN ; Long Ying BAI ; Jun NA ; Rui ZHANG ; Yuan GAO ; Wei Guo PAN ; Sen Zuo YANG ; Jun Ling YAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(1):31-41
Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.
5.Clinical characteristics and management status of Turner syndrome in 1 089 children
Yan LIANG ; Haiyan WEI ; Ruimin CHEN ; Zhixin ZHANG ; Xinran CHENG ; Na TAO ; Chunlin WANG ; Yu YANG ; Ying XIN ; Xin FAN ; Xingxing ZHANG ; Geli LIU ; Shengquan CHENG ; Min ZHU ; Hongwei DU ; Yan SUN ; Linqi CHEN ; Lanwei CUI ; Xiaoping LUO
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(10):962-968
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and management status of children with Turner syndrome (TS) in China.Methods:As a cross-sectional study, 1 089 TS patients were included in the database of the National Collaborative Alliance for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Turner Syndrome from August 2019 to November 2023. Clinical characteristics (growth development, sexual development, organ anomalies, etc.), karyotypes, auxiliary examinations, and treatments were collected and analyzed.Results:Among the 1 089 TS cases, 809 were recorded karyotypes. The karyotype distribution was as follows: 45, X in 317 cases (39.2%), X chromosome structural variants (including partial deletions of p or q arm, ring chromosome, and marker chromosome) in 89 cases (11.0%), 45, X/46, XX mosaicism in 158 cases (19.5%), mosaicism with X chromosome structural variants in 209 cases (25.8%), and presence of Y chromosome material in 36 cases (4.4%). Among the 824 TS cases, the age of diagnosis was 9.7(6.4, 12.2) years, with a height standard deviation score (HtSDS) of -3.1±1.2. Five hundred and fifty three cases underwent growth hormone (GH) stimulation test, and 352 cases (63.7%) had GH peak values <10 μg/L and 75.9% (577/760) had low IGF1 levels, with IGF1 SDS ≤-2 accounting for 38.2% (290 cases). Among 471 cases aged ≥8 years, 132 cases (28.0%) showed spontaneous sexual development (mean bone age (11.0±1.7) years), 10 cases had spontaneous menarche (mean bone age (12.0±2.2) years), and 2 cases had regular menstrual cycles. Common physical features included cubitus valgus (311 cases (28.5%)), neck webbing (188 cases (17.2%)), low posterior hairline (185 cases (17.0%)), shield chest (153 cases (14.0%)), high arched palate (127 cases (11.6%)), short fourth metacarpal (43 cases (3.9%)), and spinal abnormalities (38 cases (3.5%)). Congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies occurred in 91 cases (19.4%) and 66 cases (12.0%)respectively. Abdominal ultrasound in 33 cases (7.2%) indicated fatty liver, hepatomegaly, intrahepatic bile duct stones, and splenomegaly. Among 23 cases undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) test, 2 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and 4 with impaired glucose tolerance. Following diagnosis, 669 cases (80.7%) received rhGH treatment at a chronological age of (9±4) years and bone age of (8.3±3.2) years. Additionally, 112 cases (19.4%) received sex hormone replacement therapy starting at the age of (14±4) years and bone age of (12.6±1.2) years.Conclusions:The karyotypes of 45, X and mosaicism were most common in Chinese children with TS. The clinical manifestations were mainly short stature and gonadal dysplasia. However, a few TS children could be in the normal range of height, and some cases among those aged of ≥8 years old had spontaneous sexual development. Some exhibited physical features, congenital cardiovascular and urogenital anomalies, and dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-IGF1 axis. Moreover, a few of them developed impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Following diagnosis, most of the patients received rhGH treatment, and a few of them received sex hormone replacement therapy.
6.Baicalein:A potential GLP-1R agonist improves cognitive disorder of diabetes through mitophagy enhancement
Liu NA ; Cui XIN ; Yan WENHUI ; Guo TINGLI ; Wang ZHUANZHUAN ; Wei XIAOTONG ; Sun YUZHUO ; Liu JIEYUN ; Xian CHENG ; Ma WEINA ; Chen LINA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(8):1189-1204
There is increasing evidence that the activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R)can be used as a therapeutic intervention for cognitive disorders.Here,we have screened GLP-1 R targeted com-pounds from Scutellaria baicalensis,which revealed baicalein is a potential GLP-1 R small-molecule agonist.Mitophagy,a selective autophagy pathway for mitochondrial quality control,plays a neuro-protective role in multiple cognitive impairment diseases.We noticed that Glp1r knock-out(KO)mice present cognitive impairment symptoms and appear worse in spatial learning memory and learning capacity in Morris water maze(MWM)test than their wide-type(WT)counterparts.Our mechanistic studies revealed that mitophagy is impaired in hippocampus tissue of diabetic mice and Glp1r KO mice.Finally,we verified that the cognitive improvement effects of baicalein on diabetic cognitive dysfunction occur through the enhancement of mitophagy in a GLP-1 R-dependent manner.Our findings shed light on the importance of GLP-1 R for cognitive function maintenance,and revealed the vital significance of GLP-1R for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.Furthermore,we identified the therapeutic potential of baicalein in the treatment of cognitive disorder associated with diabetes.
7.Relationship between skin injury outcome and urinary arsenic methylation metabolites levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water
Xinye LI ; Danyu DENG ; Fan ZHAO ; Cong LIU ; Mengxin LI ; Zhen DI ; Na CUI ; Yijun LIU ; Chang KONG ; Binggan WEI ; Yanhong LI ; Yajuan XIA ; Zhiwei GUO
Chinese Journal of Endemiology 2024;43(6):446-451
Objective:To investigate the relationship between the outcome of skin injury and urinary arsenic methylation metabolism levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using cluster sampling method, permanent residents from drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as survey subjects in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 74 survey subjects from 2004 were tracked and followed up. Urine samples were collected from survey subjects and high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of arsenic methylation metabolites in urine. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe) of skin injury of the survey subjects and the outcome of 2017 (improved, unchanged, aggravated) were assessed. A database was established and SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:The clinical grading ratios of skin injuries among survey subjects in 2004 and 2017 were compared, the differences were statistically significant (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe: 38, 18, 4, 14 cases in 2004 and 27, 31, 3, 13 cases in 2017, χ 2 = 53.02, P < 0.001). Compared with 2004, in 2017, the levels of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic (MMA), dimethylarsenic (DMA), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), and ratio of monomethylarsenic to dimethylarsenic (MMA/DMA) in the urine of survey subjects were low, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 8.24, - 9.07, - 7.81, - 8.04, - 8.24, - 3.56, P < 0.001). The levels of dimethylarsenic percentage (DMA%), monomethylation rate (PMI) and dimethylation rate (SMI) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 6.39, - 8.24, - 3.52, P < 0.001). In 2004, patients with different clinical grading of skin injuries had different outcomes in 2017 (χ 2 = 30.80, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in tAs, iAs, MMA and DMA variation in urine among skin injury patients with different outcomes ( H = 10.62, 9.35, 8.80, 9.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Improving water can significantly reduce the levels of tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA in the urine of arsenic exposed individuals. The outcome of skin injury in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the variation of urinary arsenic methylation metabolites tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA.
8.Correlation analysis between improvement of anxiety symptoms and thyroid hormone levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Jielin ZHU ; Wanqiu NA ; Wei JIANG ; Lijun CUI
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(33):32-36
Objective To explore the correlation between the change of the serum levels of thyroid hormone and the severity of anxiety symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorder after treatment with paroxetine hydrochloride.Methods 76 patients with generalized anxiety disorder treated in the Third People's Hospital of Huzhou from January to August 2023 were collected as study group,and they were divided into mild group(n=23),moderate group(n=30),and severe group(n=23),according to degree of anxiety by Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA),69 healthy examination subjects in the same period were selected as control group.Patients in study group were treated with paroxetine hydrochloride tablets for 8 weeks,patients were evaluated anxiety symptoms,the serum levels of thyroid hormone were measured at baseline and 8 weekend,including triiodothyronine(T3),thyroxine(T4),free triiodothyronine(FT3),free thyroxine(FT4),thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),antithyroglobulin antibody(TG),anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO).Results After 8 weeks of paroxetine hydrochloride treatment,the significant efficacy rates of mild group,moderate group,and severe group were 73.9%,76.7%,and 73.9%,with no statistically significant difference in efficacy among three groups(x2=0.073,P>0.05).In the baseline period,FT4 levels of patients in moderate group and severe group were significantly higher than those in mild group and control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The severity of anxiety symptoms in the baseline period of patients in moderate group and severe group showed a low positive correlation and a significant positive correlation with FT4 levels(r=0.382、0.610,P<0.05).After 8 weeks treatment,the FT4 levels of patients in moderate group and severe group decreased significantly compared to the baseline period,and the difference was statistically significant(t=2.847,3.042,P<0.05).The reduction rate of HAMA score in severe group was positively correlated with the change in FT4 level during the baseline period and at the end of 8 weeks of treatment(r=0.517,P<0.05).By a binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the higher levels of FT4 in the baseline period with the worse efficacy in moderate group and severe group.Conclusion The improvement of anxiety symptoms could be affected by high baseline levels of FT4 in generalized anxiety disorder patients with moderate to severe anxiety.
9.Searching for potential biomarkers reflecting early injury and progressive of podocytes in nephropathy based on cellular metabolomics combined with ROC analysis
Yun-feng ZHU ; Ting CUI ; Yi-rui ZHAO ; Xue-mei QIN ; Zhan-xin YAO ; Wei-na GAO ; Ai-ping LI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2023;58(7):1833-1841
The pathogenesis of the nephrotic syndrome is complex and the pathological types are diverse, so the minor symptoms in its early phases are difficult to detect. Renal biopsy is the gold indicator for the diagnosis of renal pathology and progression, but poor patient compliance shows, and the optimal treatment time is often delayed. Therefore, the discovery of biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease progression monitoring is of great clinical significance. In this study, doxorubicin-injured podocyte models were used to simulate human kidney disease at different stages of progression. LC-MS-based metabolomic technology combined with statistical methods was used to screen and identify the potential biomarkers associated with early injury or progression of podocytes. The results of cell viability, apoptosis tests and podocyte structural protein analysis showed that the model was successfully constructed, and the degree of podocyte injury was significantly different between the two modeling methods. According to VIP > 1 and

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