1.A prediction model for mild cognitive impairment risk among the elderly
MA Zongkang ; LIU Xinglang ; LI Huihui ; HE Guowei ; YAN Ping ; ZHANG Chuanrong ; MA Xuan ; CHE Yajie ; YU Shan ; CHEN Fenghui
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(2):124-129
Objective:
To develop a prediction model for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk among the elderly, so as to provide a tool for MCI early screening.
Methods :
From July 2022 to September 2024, a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method was used to recruit permanent residents aged ≥65 years from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as study participants. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional status, body composition indices, bone mineral density, and handgrip strength were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Sarcopenia was defined based on appendicular skeletal muscle index and handgrip strength. MCI was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, with adjustments for educational level. Participants were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7∶3 ratio. LASSO regression and multivariable logistic regression models were employed to screen for predictors and construct an MCI risk prediction model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Results:
A total of 1 641 participants were surveyed, including 755 males (46.01%) and 886 females (53.99%). The majority of participants were aged 65-<75 years, comprising 1 154 individuals (70.32%). MCI was detected in 517 participants, corresponding to a detection rate of 31.51%. Resultsfrom LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence (rural, OR = 2.323, 95% CI: 1.682-3.210), age (75-<85 years, OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.019-1.937; ≥85 years, OR = 3.655, 95% CI: 1.696-7.875), educational level (primary school, OR = 0.341, 95% CI: 0.247-0.472; junior high school, OR = 0.255, 95% CI: 0.160-0.408; high school, OR = 0.286, 95% CI: 0.154-0.531; bachelor's degree or above, OR = 0.120, 95% CI: 0.041-0.351), history of alcohol consumption (yes, OR = 3.216, 95% CI: 2.164-4.779), risk of malnutrition (yes, OR = 1.464, 95% CI: 1.064-2.014), sarcopenia (yes, OR = 3.197, 95% CI: 2.332-4.385), and waist-to-hip ratio (abnormal, OR = 1.540, 95% CI: 1.159-2.048) were identified as predictive factors for MCI among the elderly. In the training set, the area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.788, 0.719, and 0.712, respectively. In the validation set, the corresponding values were 0.784, 0.913, and 0.542, respectively. DCA demonstrated that the model provided a higher clinical net benefit for predicting MCI risk when the risk threshold probability ranged from 0.124 to 0.764.
Conclusion
The prediction model developed in this study demonstrates good discriminative ability and clinical utility, indicating its substantial value for predicting the MCI risk among the elderly.
2.Dissecting antibody-mediated natural killer cell effects reveals a cytotoxic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset linked to hepatitis B virus outcomes
Libo TANG ; Yuhao WANG ; Zihan JIN ; Yurong GU ; Zhaofeng ZENG ; Linnan SONG ; Xuan YI ; Lingtao ZHANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Weiying HE ; Liping WANG ; Weixin HE ; Jianru SUN ; Xiaoqin LAN ; Xiangyong LI ; Shihong ZHONG ; Yongyin LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):683-705
Background/Aims:
Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment.
Methods:
A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets.
Results:
The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals.
Conclusions
Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.
3.Melatonin synthase regulates osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by modulating mitochondrial functions
Jiujiu ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Chen JIAO ; Xiaotao HE ; Xuan LI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):461-467
Objective:To investigate the effects of Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase(AANAT)and acetylserotonin O-methyltrans-ferase(ASMT)on the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs)and the related regulatory mechanisms.Methods:PDLSCs were isolated and cultured from freshly extracted healthy teeth,and transfected with si-AANAT,si-ASMT and negative control(si-NC),respectively.The silencing efficiency on AANAT and ASMT genes and the expression level of osteogenic differentiation related genes of PDLSCs were detected by RT-qPCR.Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(mtROS)production was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescent probe MitoSOX.The relative content of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)was detected by RT-qPCR,the content of ATP was detected by ATP kit,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was measured by JC-1 fluores-cent staining.Results:After transfection of PDLSCs with si-AANAT and si-ASMT,AANAT and ASMT genes in PDLSCs were effec-tively silenced.Suppression of AANAT and ASMT in PDLSCs significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of OCN,RUNX2 and COL-1.After silencing the expression of AANAT and ASMT,the mtROS production of PDLSCs increased,while the mtDNA,intracellular ATP content and MMP levels decreased significantly.Conclusion:AANAT and ASMT affect the osteogenic differentia-tion potential of PDLSCs possibly via regulating the mitochondrial function.
4.Exploration on the construction path of ideological and political work in public hospitals from the 5W perspective of communication studies
Xuan ZHANG ; Xinyi DAI ; Huilin MA ; Sitong CUI ; Jue WANG ; Yuan HE
Modern Hospital 2025;25(10):1515-1518
Strengthening ideological and political work is crucial for promoting the high-quality development of public hospitals.From the perspective of the 5W theory of communication,this paper deconstructs and analyzes the five key elements within the ideological and political work of public hospitals:the communicator,the message,the channel,the audience,and the effect.It identifies existing challenges,including the multiple roles of communicators,a disconnect between message content and context,the overwhelming volume of information through numerous channels,the heightened subjective consciousness of the audi-ence,and a lack of feedback mechanisms for assessing effectiveness.The causes of these challenges are analyzed.Corresponding strategies are proposed,such as introducing multi-agent collaboration,strengthening the integration of Party building with profes-sional services,consolidating platform development,enhancing emotional communication,and establishing feedback agendas.These measures aim to improve the effectiveness and pertinence of ideological and political education in public hospitals,thereby advancing their high-quality development.
5.Investigation of effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome via ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 pathway
Jing YAN ; Jie WENG ; Xuan ZHANG ; Xue LI ; Chao-nan KONG ; Hong-cun LIU ; Li-fang YANG ; Ming-guo JIANG ; Qiu-yan LIANG ; Li-ting HE
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(9):2902-2911
AIM To investigate effects of petroleum ether fraction from Derris eriocarpa How on glucose and lipid metabolism in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome(MS).METHODS KM mice were fed a high-fat diet and administered streptozotocin intraperitoneally to establish MS models.The MS mice were then randomly assigned to the model group,the metformin hydrochloride group,the lovastatin group,the ursolic acid group,and the high-,medium-and low-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction groups,with 10 mice in each group.Ten additional mice maitained on a normal diet served as the normal control group.After 4 weeks of intragastric administration,glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were measured.Hepatic pathological changes were assessed using HE staining and oil red O staining.Liver tissue mRNA expressions of ATF3,PEPCK,FXR,CYP7A1,HNF4ɑ,CYP8B1 and SRB1 were quantified by RT-qPCR.Hepatic protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ,PEPCK,FXR and CYP7A1 was analyzed by Western blot in MS mice.RESULTS Compared to the model group,the high-dose D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction group exhibited significant glucose tolerance improvement(reduced OGTT-AUC,P<0.01);favorable serum lipid modulation in terms of increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01)and decreased TG,TC,LDL-C(P<0.01);reduced renal biomarkers(BUN,SCR)and hepatotoxic indicators of TBA,AST and ALT activities(P<0.01);alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation and histopathological damage;downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ATF3,HNF4ɑ and PEPCK,as well as CYP8B1 mRNA expression(P<0.01);and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of FXR and CYP7A1,along with SRB1 mRNA expression(P<0.01).CONCLUSION D.eriocarpa petroleum ether fraction ameliorates glucose and lipid metabolism dysregulation in MS mice by modulating the ATF3/HNF4ɑ/CYP7A1 signaling pathway,consequently eliciting hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic,hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects.
6.Gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Jiabei HE ; Meihui QIU ; Weiping XIA ; Lu LU ; Jingyi WU ; Xuan CAO ; Jinsong ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(11):970-975
Objective:To explore the gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),in order to reveal their potential unique patterns of emotional cognition.Methods:A case-control design was employed,including 81 children diagnosed with the DSM-5 ADHD and 57 normal control(NC)children.Emotional images from the Chinese Children's Emotional Image Library were used as stimuli.The Tobii Pro X3-120 eye-tracking device was utilized to record fixation count(FC)and fixation duration percentage(FDP)under a free-viewing paradigm.Mixed-effects ANOVA was applied to explore the effects of group,gaze region(eyes and mouth),and emotional attributes on gaze characteristics,controlling for gen-der and age.Results:The FC and FDP of ADHD children were lower than those of NC children,particularly in the eye region of non-negative emotional images(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were observed be-tween the two groups when viewing negative emotional images(sadness and anger)(P>0.05).NC children ex-hibited a significant emotional bias effect in their gaze behavior towards emotional portraits(P<0.05),whereas ADHD group showed only slight differences between non-negative emotional images(adjusted P<0.05),indica-ting a weaker overall emotional attention bias.Conclusion:Children with ADHD display reduced attention to non-negative emotional expressions and a diminished emotional attention bias,suggesting potential deficits in emotional processing during face perception.
7.Gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Jiabei HE ; Meihui QIU ; Weiping XIA ; Lu LU ; Jingyi WU ; Xuan CAO ; Jinsong ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(11):970-975
Objective:To explore the gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),in order to reveal their potential unique patterns of emotional cognition.Methods:A case-control design was employed,including 81 children diagnosed with the DSM-5 ADHD and 57 normal control(NC)children.Emotional images from the Chinese Children's Emotional Image Library were used as stimuli.The Tobii Pro X3-120 eye-tracking device was utilized to record fixation count(FC)and fixation duration percentage(FDP)under a free-viewing paradigm.Mixed-effects ANOVA was applied to explore the effects of group,gaze region(eyes and mouth),and emotional attributes on gaze characteristics,controlling for gen-der and age.Results:The FC and FDP of ADHD children were lower than those of NC children,particularly in the eye region of non-negative emotional images(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were observed be-tween the two groups when viewing negative emotional images(sadness and anger)(P>0.05).NC children ex-hibited a significant emotional bias effect in their gaze behavior towards emotional portraits(P<0.05),whereas ADHD group showed only slight differences between non-negative emotional images(adjusted P<0.05),indica-ting a weaker overall emotional attention bias.Conclusion:Children with ADHD display reduced attention to non-negative emotional expressions and a diminished emotional attention bias,suggesting potential deficits in emotional processing during face perception.
8.Research on expression significance and oncogenic mechanism of UGP2 in breast cancer
Zi-lin ZHENG ; Xiao-jun ZHANG ; Jian-jun HAN ; Xin-yi LIANG ; Xuan-chi GUO ; Xiang-hui MEI ; Jian-chao HE
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(3):196-202
Objective:This study aims to investigate the expression of uridine diphosphate-glucose[]pyrophos-phorylase 2(UGP2)in breast cancer(BC)tissues and its oncogenic mechanism,assessing its potential value as a diag-nostic and prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.Methods:(1)Online database analysis was conducted to assess UGP2 mRNA and protein expression levels in breast cancer and explore their correlation with clinical characteristics.Im-munohistochemistry(IHC)was used to verify UGP2 expression in human breast cancer tumor tissues and evaluate its relationship with clinicopathological features.(2)Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression models were used to analyze the impact of UGP2 expression on breast cancer patient prognosis.(3)Bioinformatics methods were em-ployed to investigate the correlation between UGP2 and tumor immune cell infiltration,and to predict the biological func-tions and associated signaling pathways of UGP2 in breast cancer.Results:(1)The mRNA and protein expression levels of UGP2 were upregulated in breast cancer tissues(both P<0.05),and were negatively correlated with ER-positive and PR-positive status(OR<1,P<0.05),while positively correlated with Ki-67 levels and the triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)subtype(OR>1,P<0.05).(2)Elevated expression levels of UGP2 were associated with poorer survival rates in breast cancer patients(both P<0.05)and were identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor for breast cancer(HR=1.40,P<0.05).(3)Functional analysis results suggested that UGP2 may promote tumor progression by regulating metabolism,hormone signaling,and the immune microenvironment.Additionally,UGP2 expression was negatively cor-related with NK cell activation status and positively correlated with the inhibitory state.Conclusion:UGP2 expression is elevated in breast cancer tissues and is closely associated with poor patient prognosis.It may promote cancer pro-gression through mechanisms such as metabolic reprogramming and immune suppression.UGP2 shows promise as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer,providing a basis for personalized treatment.
9.Vascularization characteristics of tissue-engineered oral mucosa equivalents
Lijuan SHI ; Jian WEI ; Xuan ZHANG ; Lingxiao HE ; Xiaoxi JIANG ; Minhai NIE ; Jiana CHEN ; Xuqian LIU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(22):4748-4760
BACKGROUND:In previous studies,the equivalent structure of three-dimensional cell reconstruction of tissue engineering oral mucosa is similar to normal oral mucosa,including epithelial-like structure,lamina propria-like structure,and vascular lumen-like structure,and has initially achieved the establishment of vascular equivalent,but its vascularization characteristics are not very clear.OBJECTIVE:Vascular-like structures of vascularized oral mucosa equivalent were obtained by targeting vascular endothelial cells specific marker expression profiles correlated with laser capture microdissection system,and their vascularization ability was evaluated to reveal their vascularization characteristics.METHODS:Human gingival epithelial cells were cultured from human gingival epithelium and human gingival fibroblasts,human gingival mesenchymal stem cells were cultured from human gingival lamina propria.Human gingival mesenchymal stem cells were induced to differentiate into vascular endothelial-like cells after monoclonal expansion culture.Human gingival epithelial cells,human gingival fibroblasts,and vascular endothelial-like cells were loaded with acellular vascular matrix-0.25%human-like collagen type Ⅰ scaffold to construct the vascularized oral mucosa equivalent.The layered structure of oral mucosa equivalent(experimental group)and the acellular vascular matrix-0.25%human-like collagen type Ⅰ scaffold(control group)were implanted subcutaneously into the back of nude mice,respectively.14 days later,the incision surface of the two groups was coated with biogel.The biogel surface of the experimental group was inoculated with human gingival epithelial cells,while the control group was not inoculated with cells.The samples were collected after 14 days of feeding.The layered structure of oral mucosa equivalent was observed by morphology.The neovascular-like structures in oral mucosa equivalents were labeled by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence with a more comprehensive expression profile of vascular endothelial cells,and the vascularization characteristics were analyzed.A laser capture microdissection system was used to capture the neovascularization structures in the oral mucosa equivalents specifically labeled by immunohistochemistry and analyze their vascularization characteristics.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology showed that the cell level of oral mucosa equivalent was clear,and the structure was similar to that of normal oral mucosa,that is,there were epithelioid structures,lamina-like structures,and vascular cavelike structures,and there were scattered erythrocytes in the vascular cavelike structures.(2)The results of EdU Apollo tracer seed cells in the oral mucosa equivalent group showed that human gingival epithelial cells labeled with EdU Apollo 488 showed green fluorescence expression.DAPI labeled human gingival fibroblasts showed blue fluorescence expression and formed lamina-like structures in vivo.EdU Apollo 567 labeled vascular endothelial-like cells showed red fluorescence expression and formed a vascular-like structure in vivo.(3)Vascular endothelial cell specific marker expression profile immunofluorescence labeling of vascular structure showed that compared with normal oral mucosa,the expressions of CD31,CD51,CD54,CD105,Tie-2,VWF,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1,and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in oral mucosa equivalents were increased(P<0.000 1).There were no significant changes in CD34 expression(P>0.05).(4)Compared with the specifically labeled oral mucosal vascular structures,the expression levels of CD51,CD54,CD105,Tie-2,VWF,vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1,and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 of the oral mucosa equivalents targeted by the laser capture microdissection system were increased(P<0.000 1).There were no significant changes in expression of CD31 and CD34(P>0.05).(5)The results showed that the oral mucosa equivalent reconstructed by three-dimensional cell stratification could achieve good vascularization,and its vascularization characteristics were consistent with the immunological function and characteristics of neovascularization.Vascularization helps three-dimensional cell layer reconstruction of oral mucosa equivalent regeneration.
10.Melatonin synthase regulates osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by modulating mitochondrial functions
Jiujiu ZHANG ; Ning ZHANG ; Chen JIAO ; Xiaotao HE ; Xuan LI
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(4):461-467
Objective:To investigate the effects of Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase(AANAT)and acetylserotonin O-methyltrans-ferase(ASMT)on the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs)and the related regulatory mechanisms.Methods:PDLSCs were isolated and cultured from freshly extracted healthy teeth,and transfected with si-AANAT,si-ASMT and negative control(si-NC),respectively.The silencing efficiency on AANAT and ASMT genes and the expression level of osteogenic differentiation related genes of PDLSCs were detected by RT-qPCR.Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(mtROS)production was measured by flow cytometry and fluorescent probe MitoSOX.The relative content of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)was detected by RT-qPCR,the content of ATP was detected by ATP kit,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was measured by JC-1 fluores-cent staining.Results:After transfection of PDLSCs with si-AANAT and si-ASMT,AANAT and ASMT genes in PDLSCs were effec-tively silenced.Suppression of AANAT and ASMT in PDLSCs significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of OCN,RUNX2 and COL-1.After silencing the expression of AANAT and ASMT,the mtROS production of PDLSCs increased,while the mtDNA,intracellular ATP content and MMP levels decreased significantly.Conclusion:AANAT and ASMT affect the osteogenic differentia-tion potential of PDLSCs possibly via regulating the mitochondrial function.


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