1.Association between core symptoms and biological markers in children with autism spectrum disorders
FEI Xianyan, WANG Rui, CHAI Yangyang, HE Xianming, ZHENG Shizhu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):125-128
Objective:
To explore the relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy), interleukin-5 (IL-5), folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders, so as to provide potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention of diseases.
Methods:
A total of 106 children with autism spectrum disorders and 106 healthy children with matched sex and age in Lu an People s Hospital were enrolled as autism group and healthy group between May 2020 to December 2023. On the day of admission, levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate were detected. The core symptoms in autism group were evaluated by Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-fourth edition(WPPSI-IV), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). The levels of serum Hcy, IL-5 and folate in the two groups were compared by t- test. The relationship between serum Hcy, IL-5, folate and core symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders was determined by Pearson correlation analysis.
Results:
The levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 in autism group were (7.48±0.32) μmol/L and (345.77±32.51) pg/mL, higher than those in healthy group [(6.11±0.54) μmol/L, (274.04±25.17) pg/mL], while folate level was lower than that in healthy group [(15.24±3.47) ng/mL, (22.51±4.69) ng/mL], the differences were statistically significant ( t =22.47, 17.96, 12.83, all P < 0.05 ). In autism group, levels of serum Hcy and IL-5 were positively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =0.29, 0.53 , 0.54; 0.45, 0.41, 0.50), while negatively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =-0.28, -0.26)(all P <0.05). The folate level was negatively correlated with scores of ABC, CARS and SRS ( r =-0.55, -0.40, -0.25), while positively correlated with WPPSI-IV score ( r =0.41) (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Children with ASD show elevated serum Hcy and IL-5 alongside decreased folate,and three markers correlate with core symptoms and intellectual level.
2.Observation on the effect of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy
Rui LI ; Weifeng YAN ; Shengyang DENG ; Hua CHAI ; Fei FENG
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(10):30-39
Objective To investigate the effect and safety of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy.Methods The subjects of this study,112 female patients who underwent axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy in our hospital from January 2022 to October 2024,were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each with 56 cases.All patients were administered with ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block followed by general anesthesia.The observation group was injected with 0.1 mg/kg of esketamine prior to anesthesia induction and continuously pumped with esketamine at a rate of 0.1 mg/(kg·h)during the operation until sutures were completed,while the control group was administered with an equal volume of normal saline following the same procedure.The vital sign indicators[mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)]immediately after establishing electrocardiogram monitoring(T0),immediately before tracheal intubation(T1),immediately after tracheal intubation(T2),immediately after skin incision(T3)and immediately after the operation(T4)were compared between the two groups.Surgical related indicators such as propofol dosage,remifentanil dosage,and extubation time were also compared between them.Pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were performed on patients from the two groups at 1,6,12,and 24 h postoperatively.The 40-item quality of recovery score(QoR-40)was used before the surgeries and 1 d after surgeries to assess the patients.Adverse reactions were also compared.Results The difference was significant in terms of MAP,HR time effect in the two groups(F=24.63,F=20.11,P<0.05)and inter-group MAP,HR values(F=13.54,F=11.49,P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the interaction effects of MAP and HR between the two groups(F=4.10,F=3.46,P<0.05).The difference was not statistically significant in time,inter group,and interaction effects of SpO2(P>0.05).The dosage of propofol,remifentanil,and postoperative 1 d drainage in the observation group were less than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences were not statistically signiciant in extubation time and awakening time between the two groups(P>0.05).The VAS scores at 1,6,12,and 24 h after operation in the observation groups were lower than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Physical comfort,pain dimension ratings,and total score of the QoR-40 scale:1)those 1 d after operation were lower than those before operation in both groups(P<0.05);2)1 d after operation:those in the control group were lower than those in the observation group(P<0.05).The control group witnessed a remarkable decrease in QoR-40 emotional state rating 1 d after operation than it did before operation(P<0.05),while no significant change was seen by the observation group in this regard(P>0.05).The incidence of coughing after extubation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(14.29%and 37.50%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences were not statistically signiciant in the incidence of other adverse reactions such as nausea,vomiting,dizziness,headache,respiratory depression,awakening restlessness and awakening delirium between the two groups(P>0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(25.00%and 66.07%,P<0.05).Conclusion The application of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy can significantly stabilize hemodynamics in patients,reduce postoperative pain,and promote postoperative recovery.It is worthy clinical application.
3.Effects of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in glomerular epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide
Man-fei WANG ; Xi CHAI ; Xia-xia GAO ; Kai-bo CHU ; Yu-min ZHANG ; Yue-feng TIAN ; Li-qing HE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):985-993
Aim To investigate the effect of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress and apopto-sis of human glomerular epithelial cells(HGEC)in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)based on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods HGEC were treated with LPS(1.0 mg·L-1)for 24 h to construct an oxidative damage model.On this basis,2.5%,5%and 10%Zhenwu decoction-containing serum were added to the low,medium and high dose groups of Zhenwu decoc-tion,and a normal group was set up.The changes of cell activity were assessed by MTT method and LDH method.The contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10,SOD,CAT,GSH-Px,ROS and MDA in each group were de-tected by ELISA.The apoptosis of each group was de-tected by flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein ex-pressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,caspase-9 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared to the normal group,the model group of HGEC exhibited increased levels of inflammatory cytokines,enhanced oxidative stress response and aggravated apoptosis;after inter-vention with various doses of Zhenwu decoction,the in-flammatory levels in HGEC were reduced,oxidative damage and apoptosis were effectively ameliorated,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were upregulated.Conclu-sions Zhenwu decoction can protect HGEC from LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative damage and im-prove apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
4.Observation on the effect of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy
Rui LI ; Weifeng YAN ; Shengyang DENG ; Hua CHAI ; Fei FENG
China Journal of Endoscopy 2025;31(10):30-39
Objective To investigate the effect and safety of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy.Methods The subjects of this study,112 female patients who underwent axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy in our hospital from January 2022 to October 2024,were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each with 56 cases.All patients were administered with ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block followed by general anesthesia.The observation group was injected with 0.1 mg/kg of esketamine prior to anesthesia induction and continuously pumped with esketamine at a rate of 0.1 mg/(kg·h)during the operation until sutures were completed,while the control group was administered with an equal volume of normal saline following the same procedure.The vital sign indicators[mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)]immediately after establishing electrocardiogram monitoring(T0),immediately before tracheal intubation(T1),immediately after tracheal intubation(T2),immediately after skin incision(T3)and immediately after the operation(T4)were compared between the two groups.Surgical related indicators such as propofol dosage,remifentanil dosage,and extubation time were also compared between them.Pain visual analogue scale(VAS)scores were performed on patients from the two groups at 1,6,12,and 24 h postoperatively.The 40-item quality of recovery score(QoR-40)was used before the surgeries and 1 d after surgeries to assess the patients.Adverse reactions were also compared.Results The difference was significant in terms of MAP,HR time effect in the two groups(F=24.63,F=20.11,P<0.05)and inter-group MAP,HR values(F=13.54,F=11.49,P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the interaction effects of MAP and HR between the two groups(F=4.10,F=3.46,P<0.05).The difference was not statistically significant in time,inter group,and interaction effects of SpO2(P>0.05).The dosage of propofol,remifentanil,and postoperative 1 d drainage in the observation group were less than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences were not statistically signiciant in extubation time and awakening time between the two groups(P>0.05).The VAS scores at 1,6,12,and 24 h after operation in the observation groups were lower than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Physical comfort,pain dimension ratings,and total score of the QoR-40 scale:1)those 1 d after operation were lower than those before operation in both groups(P<0.05);2)1 d after operation:those in the control group were lower than those in the observation group(P<0.05).The control group witnessed a remarkable decrease in QoR-40 emotional state rating 1 d after operation than it did before operation(P<0.05),while no significant change was seen by the observation group in this regard(P>0.05).The incidence of coughing after extubation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(14.29%and 37.50%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The differences were not statistically signiciant in the incidence of other adverse reactions such as nausea,vomiting,dizziness,headache,respiratory depression,awakening restlessness and awakening delirium between the two groups(P>0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(25.00%and 66.07%,P<0.05).Conclusion The application of esketamine combined with general anesthesia and ultrasound-guided cervical plexus block in axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy can significantly stabilize hemodynamics in patients,reduce postoperative pain,and promote postoperative recovery.It is worthy clinical application.
5.Effects of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in glomerular epithelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide
Man-fei WANG ; Xi CHAI ; Xia-xia GAO ; Kai-bo CHU ; Yu-min ZHANG ; Yue-feng TIAN ; Li-qing HE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):985-993
Aim To investigate the effect of Zhenwu decoction on inflammation,oxidative stress and apopto-sis of human glomerular epithelial cells(HGEC)in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)based on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods HGEC were treated with LPS(1.0 mg·L-1)for 24 h to construct an oxidative damage model.On this basis,2.5%,5%and 10%Zhenwu decoction-containing serum were added to the low,medium and high dose groups of Zhenwu decoc-tion,and a normal group was set up.The changes of cell activity were assessed by MTT method and LDH method.The contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10,SOD,CAT,GSH-Px,ROS and MDA in each group were de-tected by ELISA.The apoptosis of each group was de-tected by flow cytometry.The mRNA and protein ex-pressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,caspase-9 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared to the normal group,the model group of HGEC exhibited increased levels of inflammatory cytokines,enhanced oxidative stress response and aggravated apoptosis;after inter-vention with various doses of Zhenwu decoction,the in-flammatory levels in HGEC were reduced,oxidative damage and apoptosis were effectively ameliorated,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were upregulated.Conclu-sions Zhenwu decoction can protect HGEC from LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative damage and im-prove apoptosis.The mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
6.Mechanical stress regulates apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells
Fei XU ; Jinqiang YAN ; Shoudong CHAI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):1064-1072
BACKGROUND:With the development of biomechanics,its research into cardiovascular diseases has become more and more extensive.By studying the mechanical properties of blood vessels,the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis can be effectively revealed and new ideas and methods can be developed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE:To review the research status of apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by mechanical stress and search for potential target molecules and signaling pathways for clinical treatment,thereby improving the clinical treatment effect on cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. METHODS:We searched the literature in CNKI,PubMed and ScienceDirect databases from January 1992 to May 2023.The search terms were"vascular smooth muscle cell,mechanical stress,shear stress,stretch stress,apoptosis"in Chinese and English.Finally,63 articles were included for review and analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Physiological and pathological apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells is an adaptive remodeling in response to the changes in vascular mechanics.Vascular smooth muscle cells in different parts have different mechanical stimuli and their pathogenesis is also different.Low shear stress,physiological shear stress and high shear stress directly interact with surface molecules,receptors and proteins of vascular smooth muscle cells to regulate apoptosis-related signaling molecules and inhibit cell proliferation,thus regulating the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells.In this part,the research on promoting proliferation is not summarized.Low stretch stress,physiological stretch stress and high stretch stress can all cause apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells,but it is still controversial.There are many mechanoreceptors(such as integrins and receptor tyrosine kinases)on the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells,which can transform mechanical signals into intracellular chemical signals(such as the Hippo pathway),activate the apoptosis signals of vascular smooth muscle cells and regulate the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells.In short,different mechanical stimuli start a variety of signal pathways and regulate the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells through various signal molecules.For example,shear stress affects Fas/FasL and Akt pathways mainly by stimulating prostaglandin secretion and transforming growth factors.Strech stress mainly regulates the YAP pathway and Notch pathway through Yes-related proteins.At different times or intensities,these molecules may play opposite two-way roles.For example,when mouse vascular smooth muscle cells are stretched at 10%physiological tension for 1 hour,cell proliferation increases.However,the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells can decrease after 12 hours of stretching.Clinically,the key molecules of mechanical transduction can be disturbed by searching for key molecules that interfere with mechanical transduction at their critical time points of action.
7.Lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for advanced symptomatic juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy: a long-term follow-up pilot study.
Zhao ZHANG ; Hua JIANG ; Li HUANG ; Sixi LIU ; Xiaoya ZHOU ; Yun CAI ; Ming LI ; Fei GAO ; Xiaoting LIANG ; Kam-Sze TSANG ; Guangfu CHEN ; Chui-Yan MA ; Yuet-Hung CHAI ; Hongsheng LIU ; Chen YANG ; Mo YANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Shuo HAN ; Xin DU ; Ling CHEN ; Wuh-Liang HWU ; Jiacai ZHUO ; Qizhou LIAN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):16-27
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans
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Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics*
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Pilot Projects
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Genetic Therapy/methods*
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
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Male
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Female
;
Lentivirus/genetics*
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism*
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Adolescent
8.ALKBH5 exacerbates psoriatic dermatitis in mice by promoting angiogenesis.
Chengfang ZHANG ; Fei LI ; Bao CHAI ; Jian JIANG ; Yinlian ZHANG ; Xuemei LI ; Jingyu ZHANG ; Yuqiong HUANG ; Zilin JIN ; Yixuan Wang WAN ; Suwen LIU ; Nan YU ; Hongxiang CHEN
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(4):653-664
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and its pathogenesis is largely modulated by abnormal angiogenesis. Previous research has indicated that AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), an important demethylase affecting N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, plays a role in regulating angiogenesis in cardiovascular and eye diseases. Our present study found that ALKBH5 was upregulated and co-localized with cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) in the skin of IMQ group compared with control group. ALKBH5-deficient mice decreased IMQ-induced psoriatic dermatitis and exhibited histological improvements, including decreased epidermal thickness, hyperkeratosis, numbers of dermal capillary vessels and inflammatory cell infiltration. ALKBH5-KO mice alleviated angiogenesis in psoriatic lesions by downregulating the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Additionally, the expression of ALKBH5 was significantly upregulated in IL-17A-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which further promoted the expression of angiogenesis-related cytokines and endothelial cell proliferation. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were suppressed in ALKBH5 knockdown group, whereas ALKBH5 overexpression promoted these processes. The regulation of angiogenesis in HUVECs by ALKBH5 was facilitated through the AKT-mTOR pathway. Collectively, ALKBH5 plays a pivotal role in psoriatic dermatitis and angiogenesis, which may offer a new potential targets for treating psoriasis.
Animals
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Psoriasis/chemically induced*
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Mice
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Humans
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Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics*
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Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase/genetics*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism*
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TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
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Cell Proliferation
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Mice, Knockout
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Disease Models, Animal
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Signal Transduction
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Male
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Skin/blood supply*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Angiogenesis
9.Analysis of impact of host plants on quality of Taxilli Herba based on widely targeted metabolomics.
Dong-Lan ZHOU ; Zi-Shu CHAI ; Mei RU ; Fei-Ying HUANG ; Xie-Jun ZHANG ; Min GUO ; Yong-Hua LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3281-3290
This study aims to explore the impact of host plants on the quality of Taxilli Herba and provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of Taxilli Herba. The components of Taxilli Herba from three different host plants(Morus alba, Salix babylonica, and Cinnamomum cassia) and its 3 hosts(mulberry branch, willow branch, and cinnamon branch) were detected by widely targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS). Principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), and Venn diagram were employed for analysis. A total of 717 metabolites were detected in Taxilli Herba from the three host plants and the branches of these host plants by UPLC-MS/MS. The results of PCA and OPLS-DA of Taxilli Herba from the three different host plants showed an obvious separation trend due to the different effects of host plants. The Venn diagram showed that there were 32, 8, and 26 characteristic metabolites in samples of Taxilli Herba from M. alba host, S. babylonica host, and C. cassia host, respectively. It was found by comparing the characteristic metabolites of Taxilli Herba and its hosts that each host transmits its characteristic components to Taxilli Herba, so that the Taxilli Herba contains the characteristic components of the host. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway analysis showed that the differential metabolites of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Furthermore, the differential metabolites enriching pathways of Taxilli Herba from the three hosts were different depending on the host. In a word, host plants have a significant impact on the metabolites of Taxilli Herba, and it may be an important factor for the quality of Taxilli Herba.
Metabolomics/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Quality Control
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Salix/chemistry*
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Cinnamomum aromaticum/metabolism*
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Principal Component Analysis
10.Combining label-free quantitative proteomics and 2D-DIGE to identify the potential targets of Sini Decoction acting on myocardial infarction.
Fei FENG ; Weiyue ZHANG ; Yan CAO ; Diya LV ; Yifeng CHAI ; Dandan GUO ; Xiaofei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):1016-1024
Sini Decoction (SNT) is a traditional formula recognized for its efficacy in warming the spleen and stomach and dispersing cold. However, elucidating the mechanism of action of SNT remains challenging due to its complex multiple components. This study utilized a synergistic approach combining two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE)-based drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) with label-free quantitative proteomics techniques to identify the direct and indirect protein targets of SNT in myocardial infarction. The analysis identified 590 proteins, with 30 proteins showing significant upregulation and 51 proteins showing downregulation when comparing the SNT group with the model group. Through the integration of 2D-DIGE DARTS with proteomics data and pharmacological assessments, the findings indicate that protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) may serve as a potential protein target through which SNT provides protective effects on myocardial cells during myocardial infarction.
Myocardial Infarction/genetics*
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Proteomics/methods*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Animals
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Protein Disulfide-Isomerases/genetics*
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Male
;
Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis/methods*
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Humans
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional


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