1.A Case Report of Lupus Nephritis Initially Presenting As Membranous Nephropathy Treated With Sequential Obinutuzumab and Belimumab
Xin LEI ; Nan SHI ; Xiabing LANG ; Xiaohan HUANG ; Fei HAN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):382-388
This article reports a case of an elderly male patient presenting with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy pathology indicated membranous nephropathy, with both renal tissue staining for M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and serum anti-PLA2R antibodies being negative. Nephrotic syndrome achieved remission following treatment with prednisone combined with tacrolimus; however, the patient relapsed during tacrolimus maintenance therapy. Subsequent laboratory evaluation revealed positive anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, accompanied by decreased complement levels. Exostosin 1 and Exostosin 2 staining performed on the initial renal biopsy specimen yielded positive results, leading to a diagnosis of lupus nephritis. Due to the patient's history of rituximab-related allergic reactions, pulmonary infection, and acute kidney injury, the subsequent treatment regimen consisted of obinutuzumab sequentially combined with belimumab, in addition to prednisone 10 mg/d. During the two-year follow-up period, the patient's anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies converted to negative, complement levels normalized, proteinuria achieved complete remission, and no adverse events such as severe infection occurred. This article reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and relevant literature for this case, aiming to provide clinical insights for the early diagnosis and selection of therapeutic strategies for similar patients.
2.Characteristics of brain glymphatic system changes in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment based on perivascular spaces and DTI-ALPS index assessment
Xiaoqin CHENG ; Guoqiang FEI ; Shen ZHAO ; Rui HUA ; Feng SHI ; Xiaoli PAN ; Ziyi HE ; Sirui LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(3):479-485
Objective To explore the characteristics and correlation between perivascular spaces (PVS) and diffusion tensor image analysis along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) index in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 118 participants, including cognitive normal (CN) healthy controls and aMCI patients, recruited from the Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from September 2020 to September 2022. All participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). An automatic segmentation algorithm was used to quantify PVS metrics in the brain, and DTI-ALPS index was calculated based on DTI. Differences in DTI-ALPS index and PVS metrics between the CN and aMCI groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent factors influencing aMCI. Correlation analysis was performed to assess relationships among DTI-ALPS index, PVS metrics, and cognitive scores. Results A total of 80 CN healthy controls and 38 aMCI patients were included. The DTI-ALPS index was significantly lower in the aMCI group compared with the CN group (1.28±0.18 vs 1.37±0.21, P=0.018), while differences in PVS metrics between groups were not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that DTI-ALPS index was an independent factor affecting aMCI (OR=0.097, 95%CI 0.011–0.833, P=0.033). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between DTI-ALPS index and MMSE score (r=0.210, P=0.023) as well as PVS length in the centrum semiovale (r=0.216, P=0.019). Conclusions The DTI-ALPS index may serve as an imaging biomarker for identifying early cognitive impairment, and patients with aMCI exhibit abnormal DTI-ALPS indices, suggesting that brain glymphatic system dysfunction may occur prior to morphological changes.
3.Association of physical exercise with cognitive function and psychological health among primary school students
JIA Shuqi, LI Fei, LI Pan, ZHANG Wenqian, JIANG Hua, KONG Fansong, SHI Yue
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):982-987
Objective:
To examine the association of physical activity with cognitive function and mental health among primary school students based on latent subgroup identification and dose response modeling, and to clarify cognitive-psychological profiles and the protective role of physical exercise, so as to provide evidence based support for physical exercise promoting mental health among primary school students.
Methods:
A study was conducted among 546 primary school students aged 8-12 years old from a primary school in Shanghai from March to June 2025. Physical fitness indicators, including vital capacity, 50 m sprint, sit and reach, and 1 min rope skipping were measured. Physical exercise was assessed by using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), and mental health was assessed by using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale, 47-item version (RCADS-47). Cognitive function was assessed by using Stroop, N-back, and task-switching tasks. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed for cognitive-psychological health of primary school students based on seven cognitive indicators and six psychological indicators. Multivariable Logistic regression, trend test, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to examine associations between physical exercise and psychological highrisk status.
Results:
Five cognitive psychological health subgroups were identified:high symptom and impaired cognition group ( n =40, 7.3%), low cognition and low symptom group ( n =108, 19.8% ), and high cognition and high symptom group ( n =110, 20.2%), cognitive advantage and psychologically healthy group ( n = 272, 49.8%), and extremely high symptom and cognitively vulnerable group ( n =16, 2.9%). Among them, the high symptom and impaired-cognition group and extremely high symptom and cognitively vulnerable group were classified as psychologically high risk types. Significant differences were observed across subgroups in psychological symptoms, cognitive function, some physical fitness indicators and physical exercise level, except for body weight, body mass index, and sit and reach ( F =2.64-297.53, all P < 0.05). The results of the multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that high level sports, including high total volume of physical exercise, single session duration >30 min, high intensity, and frequency ≥3 times/week, was associated with lower psychological high risk status ( OR =0.20, 0.36, 0.33, 0.40, all P <0.05). Trend analysis showed that total volume of physical exercise and single session exercise duration were negatively associated with psychological high risk status among primary school students ( OR =0.98, 0.79, both P trend <0.05). RCS analysis showed no statistically significant overall or nonlinear association between total volume of physical exercise and psychological high risk status ( χ 2=2.92, 0.01, both P >0.05).
Conclusions
Cognitive-psychological health among primary school students is heterogeneous. Physical exercise is associated with psychological health improvement and may show a threshold effect, with total volume of physical exercise and single session exercise duration being the key dimensions.
4.Depressive symptoms and associated factors among middle school and college students from 2021 to 2023 in Hunan Province
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):96-101
Objective:
To investigate the current status and trends of depressive symptoms among middle school and college students in Hunan Province, and to explore the primary related factors of depressive symptoms, so as to provide a scientific basis for strengthening mental health among students.
Methods:
A total of 279 382 students in Hunan Province were selected through a stratified cluster random sampling method from 2021 to 2023. National Survey Questionnaire on Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors among Students was adopted for the survey, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to assess their depressive symptoms. The χ 2 test and trend χ 2 test were used to analyze depressive symptoms prevalence and trends, and multivariable Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of depressive symptoms.
Results:
The prevalence of depressive symptoms among students in Hunan Province from 2021 to 2023 were 19.66%, 20.17% and 21.47%, respectively, showing an upward trend ( χ 2 trend =9.07, P <0.01). In addition, the results of the multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that students with healthy diet ( OR=0.43, 95%CI =0.40-0.45), adequate sleep ( OR=0.88, 95%CI =0.86-0.90), and acceptable screen time ( OR=0.61, 95%CI =0.60-0.62) had lower risks in depressive symptoms detection, while students with smoking ( OR= 1.95, 95%CI =1.88-2.02), secondhand smoke exposure ( OR=1.33, 95%CI =1.30-1.36) and Internet addiction ( OR= 4.19 , 95%CI =4.05-4.34) had higher risks in depressive symptoms detection, with differences in the degree of association among different genders, educational stages and urban rural groups ( OR=0.40-6.04, Z =-12.69-11.98) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
There is an increasing trend of depressive symptoms among middle school and college students in Hunan Province from 2021 to 2023.Targeted depression prevention measures should be taken for students with different demographic characteristics to promote their mental health.
5.Application of health big data in hospital-based cancer screening study
Chenran WANG ; Zeming GUO ; Xiaoyue SHI ; Yadi ZHENG ; Zilin LUO ; Jiaxin XIE ; Xiaolu CHEN ; Jibin LI ; Yongjie XU ; Wei CAO ; Fei WANG ; Xuesi DONG ; Ni LI ; Jie HE
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(7):1297-1303
This paper focuses on the application of health big data in cancer screening. Firstly, the sources and characteristics of health big data are introduced, then the commonly used epidemiological designs and analytical techniques in hospital-based cancer screening studies are summarized and the application scenarios of such studies are described. Finally, the challenges and future development in the application of health big data are analyzed to provide reference for the future studies.
6.Genetic characterization of varicella-zoster virus in Dali, Yunnan province, 2023-2024
Fei WANG ; Yanzhe HAO ; Jianbo ZHANG ; Hongxia LI ; Cuiling XU ; Yuxi CAO ; Libo WANG ; Yiman DONG ; Junyan LI ; Liying SHI ; Xiaoguang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(2):195-201
Objective:To analyze the genetic characteristics of the prevalent strains of Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) in the population of Dali, Yunnan, and to understand its evolutionary status in the population of Dali.Methods:Herpes fluid and 163 sera were collected from 249 patients clinically suspected to have varicella or herpes zoster in the Department of Dermatology of the Second People′s Hospital of Dali city, Yunnan province, China, from 2023 to 2024. The levels of VZV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Viral DNA was extracted from the herpes fluid, and the cycle threshold ( Ct) of the samples was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and some samples with Ct ≦ 22 were selected for sequencing by next-generation sequencing technology (next-generation sequencing). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to obtain 90 whole genome sequences of VZV, and the sequencing result were compared with the sequences of reference strains for multiple sequence comparison and evolutionary analysis. Snapgene was used to translate the nucleotides into amino acids, and the result were compared with the amino acid sequences of the reference strain. Results:Of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences, one whole-genome sequence was from an adult varicella patient, and the remaining 89 whole-genome sequences were from herpes zoster patients. The serum-specific IgG antibody positivity rate was 99.4%, and the IgM antibody positivity rate was 52.8%. The result of both single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) site typing and genome-wide phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 83 of the 90 VZV whole-genome sequences in this study were on the same branch as Clade 2, and 7 VZV whole-genome sequences were on the branch of Clade 9.Conclusions:The main endemic branch in Dali region in 2023-2024 was Clade 2, with the emergence of Clade 9 branch; there were amino acid mutations in the proteins encoded by ORF22 and ORF68 in 83 VZV whole genome sequences of Clade 2 branch, and the mutations did not cause significant changes to the protein structure.
7.Role of hippocampal activating transcription factor 5 in cognitive impairment induced by neuropathic pain in mice: relationship with mitochondrial unfolded protein response
Fei XING ; Xiaoshan SHI ; Yaowei XU ; Xin WEI ; Mingcui QU ; Dan CHENG ; Jingjing YUAN ; Zhongyu WANG ; Na XING ; Yanna LI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(3):329-334
Objective:To evaluate the role of hippocampal activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) in cognitive impairment induced by neuropathic pain and the relationship with mitochondrial unfolded protein response(mtUPR) in mice.Methods:This study was conducted in 2 parts. Experiment Ⅰ Twenty-four SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S1 group) and neuropathic pain group (NP group). Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury to the sciatic nerve. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured before developing the model and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after developing the model. Mouse cognitive function was assessed using the novel object recognition test from 30-31 days after developing the model. After the end of the novel object recognition test, mice were sacrificed and the hippocampal CA1 region was harvested for determination of the expression of ATF5 (by Western blot) and the expression of ATF5 in neurons, microglia and astrocytes (by immunofluorescence double staining). Experiment Ⅱ Thirty-six SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S2 group), neuropathic pain + ATF5 up-regulation group (NA group), and neuropathic pain + empty virus group (NE group). On day 14 after developing the model, a virus that specifically up-regulated ATF5 expression in neurons and empty virus were injected into the hippocampal CA1 region. The MWT and TWL were measured at days 28 and 35 after developing the model. The novel object recognition test was performed on day 36 after developing the model to evaluate the cognitive function. After the end of the behavioral test, mice were sacrificed and the hippocampal CA1 region was harvested for detection of the expression of ATF5 and mtUPR marker proteins (Lon protease [LONP1] and heat shock protein 60 [HSP60]) by Western blot. Results:Experiment Ⅰ Compared with S1 group, no statistically significant change was found in the MWT and TWL before developing the model ( P>0.05), the MWT and TWL were significantly decreased on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after developing the model, the discrimination index (DI) was decreased at day 31 after developing the model, the expression of ATF5 was down-regulated, the expression of ATF5 in neurons was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant change was found in the expression of ATF5 in mircrolia and astrocytes in NP group ( P>0.05). Experiment Ⅱ Compared with S2 group, the MWT and TWL were significantly decreased on days 28 and 35 after developing the model in NE group and NA group, DI was decreased, and the expression of ATF5, LONP1 and HSP60 was down-regulated in NE group ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in NA group ( P>0.05). Compared with NE group, no significant change was found in the MWT and TWL in NA group ( P>0.05), DI was significantly increased, and the expression of ATF5, LONP1 and HSP60 was up-regulated in NA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulated ATF5 in the hippocampus is involved in the process of cognitive impairment caused by neuropathic pain, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of mtUPR.
8.Treatment of Asthma by Regulation of Intestinal Flora in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on "Lung-Intestinal Coordination Therapy"
Wei ZHANG ; Jie SHI ; Xishu TAN ; Yule KOU ; Fei WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):307-314
Bronchial asthma (asthma) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by airflow limitation, airway remodeling, and recurrent symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough. Its prevalence is gradually increasing, and a portion of patients are still poorly controlled, leading to a serious social and medical burden. Modern studies have proposed the concept of the "lung-gut axis", which is based on the crosstalk between microorganisms and their metabolites in the lungs and large intestine, and have indicated that microbial dysbiosis in these organs may affect the onset and progression of asthma. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has found the phenomenon of lung-intestinal comorbidity and put forward the importance of "lung-intestinal coordination therapy" in the treatment of lung-related diseases. It has been found that intestinal flora and their metabolites can modulate immune responses through the lung-gut axis, demonstrating great potential for predicting asthma susceptibility, anticipating phenotypes, assessing asthma severity, and guiding treatment. TCM comopunds that embody lung-intestinal coordination therapy, including herbal formulas, single herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint application, and spinal pinching therapy, has been shown to regulate intestinal flora, improve metabolism, regulate immunity, alleviate lung inflammation, reduce mucus secretion, inhibit airway remodeling, effectively alleviate symptoms, and delay lung function decline. Based on "lung-intestinal coordination therapy", this paper used intestinal flora as the entry point to summarize the underlying mechanisms of TCM in asthma treatment and highlighted the pivotal role of intestinal flora in asthma, providing a new idea for its clinical treatment through the intestinal flora .
9.Protective effect of total glucosides of paeony on glucocorticoid-induced liver inj ury and preliminary mechanisms
Qinxiang Deng ; Fei Ma ; Rui Shi ; Chun Wang ; Bingfa Xu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(8):1463-1469,1477
Objective :
To investigate the protective effect of total glucosides of paeony ( TGP) on dexamethasone(DEX) ⁃induced liver injury in rats.
Methods:
Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal ( N) , DEX ,DEX + TGP (50 mg/kg) , DEX + TGP ( 100 mg/kg) , and DEX + TGP (200 mg/kg) groups , with 6 rats in each group. A rat model of liver injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of DEX ( 17. 5 mg/kg) . Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST) , and alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) were measured , and the liver⁃to⁃body weight ratio was calculated. HE staining was performed to observe histopathological changes in the liver. The contents of malondialdehyde ( MDA) , superoxide dismutase ( SOD) , and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues were determined. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression levels of NADPH oxidase 4 ( NOX4 ) and endoplasmic reticulum stress⁃related proteins : glucose regulatory protein 94 homologous protein (CHOP) expression level in liver tissues.
Results:
Compared with the normal group , the DEX group exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of ALT , AST , ALP and liver⁃to⁃body weight ratio ( t = 14. 96 ,ing, degeneration , and necrosis ( t = 15. 49 , P < 0. 01) . Compared with the DEX group , there was no significant change in liver function biochemical indexes and liver histopathology in the TGP (50 mg/kg) treatment group. TGP treatment at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly attenuated these effects : both doses reduced ALT , AST , ALP and liver⁃to⁃body weight ratio( t = 3. 30 , 4. 13 , 7. 45 , 2. 97 , P < 0. 05 ; t = 8. 92 , 6. 45 , 8. 65 , 7. 47 , P < 0. 01) ,vealed that DEX administration significantly increased hepatic MDA levels ( t = 7. 06 , P < 0. 01) and NOX4 ex⁃pression ( t = 4. 23 , P < 0. 01) , whereas SOD activity ( t = 7. 78 , P < 0. 01) and GSH content ( t = 7. 92 , P <0. 01) were markedly suppressed. There was no significant change in the TGP (50 mg/kg) treatment group , TGP intervention at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg effectively reversed these changes , lowering MDA and NOX4 levels( t = 3. 35 , 4. 30 , P < 0. 05 ; t = 5. 44 , 7. 44 , P < 0. 01) , while restoring SOD ( t200 mg/kg = 4. 04 , P < 0. 05) and GSH ( t = 4. 70 , P < 0. 05 ; t = 5. 50 , P < 0. 01) . Endoplasmic reticulum stress markers , including GRP94、GRP78、p- elF2α、CHOP ( t = 3. 31 , 6. 53 , 5. 18 , 3. 09 ; P < 0. 05 , 0. 01 , 0. 01 , 0. 05 ) , were significantly upregulated in the DEX group compared to the normal group. However, TGP treatment at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg dose-dependent- ly suppressed the expression of GRP94、GRP78、p-elF2α、CHOP ( t = 3. 14 ,4. 95 , 3. 13 ,4. 25 , P < 0. 05 ; t = 4. 03 , 7. 48 ,4. 68 ,5. 10 ,P < 0. 01) expression levels were significantly reduced compared to the DEX group , and there was no significant change in the TGP (50 mg/kg) treatment group.
Conclusion
TGP exerts protective effects a- gainst DEX-induced liver injury , and its mechanism is likely mediated by suppressing hepatic oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress triggered by DEX in rats.
10.USP20 as a super-enhancer-regulated gene drives T-ALL progression via HIF1A deubiquitination.
Ling XU ; Zimu ZHANG ; Juanjuan YU ; Tongting JI ; Jia CHENG ; Xiaodong FEI ; Xinran CHU ; Yanfang TAO ; Yan XU ; Pengju YANG ; Wenyuan LIU ; Gen LI ; Yongping ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Fenli ZHANG ; Ying YANG ; Bi ZHOU ; Yumeng WU ; Zhongling WEI ; Yanling CHEN ; Jianwei WANG ; Di WU ; Xiaolu LI ; Yang YANG ; Guanghui QIAN ; Hongli YIN ; Shuiyan WU ; Shuqi ZHANG ; Dan LIU ; Jun-Jie FAN ; Lei SHI ; Xiaodong WANG ; Shaoyan HU ; Jun LU ; Jian PAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4751-4771
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.


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