1.Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
Ziyu YIN ; Yun GAO ; Junjiao WANG ; Weigang XUE ; Xueping PANG ; Huiting LIU ; Yunfang ZHAO ; Huixia HUO ; Jun LI ; Jiao ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):139-145
ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group, the model group, and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups (10, 20 μmol·L-1). The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay (CCK-8 kit). Nitric oxide (NO) release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit (Griess method). The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups, the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced (P<0.05). After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin (Ani), both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group (P<0.01). ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.
2.Application of early screening scale and evaluation of behavioral intervention effect in children with autism spectrum disorder
Bin ZHANG ; Chunwei HU ; Zhihua LIU ; Huiting YANG ; Canjun WANG ; Xineng FENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(4):77-80
Objective To understand the application effect of early screening scale and behavioral intervention effect in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods A total of 348 children with suspected ASD were selected and evaluated using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). The evaluation results were compared with those from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Children enrolled were given Early start Denver model (ESDM) intervention. The evaluation results of Gesell Developmental Scale and Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) scores were compared before and after intervention. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value of M-CHAT for evaluating ASD in children aged 1-3 years were 89.53%, 90.70%, 89.92% and 0.78. The corresponding values of ABC were 78.49%, 81.40%, 79.46% and 0.56. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Kappa value of M-CHAT for evaluating children aged >3-6 years were 87.30%, 77.78%, 84.44% and 0.64. The corresponding values of ABC were 85.71%, 77.78%, 83.33% and 0.62. The sensitivity and accuracy of M-CHAT were higher than ABC for evaluating ASD in children aged 1-3 years (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between M-CHAT and ABC for evaluating ASD in children aged 3-6 years (P>0.05). After intervention, development quotients (DQ) of personal-social aspects, adaptability, language, gross motor, and fine motor of children with ASD were higher than those before intervention (P<0.05). ATEC scores for language, behavior, sensation, and social contact of children with ASD were lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion M-CHAT and ABC both can be used for early screening of ASD in children, especially M-CHAT. Early behavioral intervention can effectively improve the condition and developmental level of children with ASD.
3.Study on the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of long COVID among previously infected individuals in two communities in Shanghai
Junhong YUE ; Chen CHEN ; Qingqing JIA ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Huiting WANG ; Fei WU ; Yanlu YIN ; Jiajie ZANG ; Yanfei GUO ; Fan WU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(7):597-605
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.
4.A novel approach to assessing quality issues and component annotation in TCM prescription: Insights from 100 common TCM products.
Huiting OU ; Chunxiang LIU ; Saiyi YE ; Lin YANG ; Qirui BI ; Wenlong WEI ; Hua QU ; Yaling AN ; Jianqing ZHANG ; De-An GUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(10):101332-101332
The quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions (TCMPs) is critical to clinical efficacy; however, evaluating their consistency and identifying sources of variability remain challenging. This study proposes an integrated strategy to assess the quality of 100 widely sold TCMPs. A "one-for-all" chromatographic method was employed to analyze 645 sample batches. This large-scale data collection enabled statistical evaluations, such as hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and similarity heatmap, to identify quality inconsistencies. The introduction of a TCM-specific mass spectrometry (MS) database allowed for rapid, automated annotation of chemicals across 100 prescriptions and facilitated the tracing of raw material sources. Results indicate that 19% of prescriptions exhibited chemical inconsistencies, which are associated with high market value, low pricing, and substantial price disparities. The MS database allowed rapid annotation of 761 and 673 compounds in positive and negative modes, respectively, in 100 TCMPs, with 73 prescriptions reported for the first time. The tracing efforts succeeded in identifying >40% of the raw material sources for 51 prescriptions. P93 (Yinianjin (YNJ)) is a case in which the chromatographic profiles from three manufacturers displayed inconsistencies. Analysis using the database traced divergent peaks to Rhei Radix et R hizoma (RRER). Verification with self-prepared samples confirmed that manufacturers utilized three distinct botanical sources. This integrated strategy provides a scalable framework for quality control in TCMPs.
5.The Association between Screen Time Behavior in Early Childhood,Outdoor Activities and their Interaction with Hyperactive Behavior in Preschool Children
Huiting CHEN ; Yulan WU ; Feixiang ZENG ; Dongyan WEN ; Weiying LIU ; Ruoqing CHEN ; Lvping LI ; Yu JIN
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(6):891-901
[Objective]To investigate the association between screen content and the frequency of screen exposure at the age of one and a half years and hyperactive behavior in preschool,and to explore how the association is affected by the interaction between outdoor activities and screen behaviors,which could provide theoretical basis and feasible solutions for the prevention and intervention of behavioral problems in childhoood.[Methods]The survey was conducted from June 2022 to June 2023 in Huicheng District,Huizhou (China) stratified by whole cluster sampling methods. Parents and teachers of 5648 children in 61 kindergartens were sampled for questionnaire surveys. The Conners Teacher Rating Scale (TRS) was used to investigate hyperactive behavior. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate basic demographic information of children,screen content,frequency of screen exposure and outdoor activities at the age of one and a half years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between video screen behavior and hyperactive behavior and its interaction with outdoor activities by controlling for covariates such as children's age,gender,and parental education.[Results]Result showed the overall prevalence of 3.2% for hyperactive behavior,2.1% for conduct problems,2.1% for hyperactivity problems,1.3% for inattention-passivity problems,and 0.9% for hyperactivity index. After adjusting for confounding factors,multiple logistic regression analysis showed that screen exposure of "two to four times a week" at one and a half years old was associated with an increased detection rate of hyperactive behaviors in preschool children,with an estimated ORs (95% CI) of 1.682 (1.141,2.480). Daily screen exposure was associated with increased detection rates of hyperactive behavior,conduct problems,hyperactivity issues,inattention-passivity problems,and hyperactivity index in pre-school age. The estimated ORs (95% CI) were 2.136 (1.218,3.746),2.321 (1.185,4.546),2.300 (1.208,4.380),2.776 (1.267,6.085) and 3.640 (1.525,8.687),respectively. But the above associations were not found in children who were engaged in daily outdoor activities at the age of one and a half years (P value for interaction<0.001). No association was found between screen content and hyperactive behavior (P>0.05).[Conclusions]Frequency of screen exposure in early childhood is significantly associated with hyperactive behavior problems in preschool,and outdoor activities could weaken the correlation between high-frequency screen exposure and hyperactive behavior,suggesting that parents and schools should prioritize scientifically guiding children's video viewing behavior and outdoor activities,ensuring a well-arranged daily life,to lay a good foundation for the healthy development of children's behavior.
6.Study on survival analysis and influencing factors of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou
Huiting LIU ; Boning ZHENG ; Qiuying MO ; Yang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(11):825-830
Objective:To analyze the survival of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou from 1958 to 2018, explore the factors affecting the survival of pneumoconiosis, and provide scientific basis for formulating the guidelines and policies for treatment and assistance of pneumoconiosis.Methods:From July 2019 to January 2020, 1194 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed by institutions qualified for pneumoconiosis diagnosis in Guangzhou from June 1, 1958 to December 31, 2018 were studied. Excluding 258 patients who lacked survival data, 936 patients were included in the pneumoconiosis survival analysis. Life table method was used to estimate the survival rate, Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, log-rank test was used to compare the groups, and Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of survival.Results:The 10, 20 and 30 years cumulative survival rates of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou were 62.8%, 35.2% and 15.4%, respectively. The median survival time was 19.4 years. log-rank test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the survival curves of pneumoconiosis patients between group without tuberculosis and group with tuberculosis ( P<0.001), and there were statistically significant differences among different stages and categories of pneumoconiosis ( P<0.001). Age of exposure to dust ( HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), age of diagnosis ( HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), combined pulmonary tuberculosis ( HR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.81), stage of pneumoconiosis (stage Ⅲ vs. stage Ⅰ, HR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.47-3.48) and categories of pneumoconiosis (fibrogenic mineral dust pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.61-3.74; non-fibrogenic mineral pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.47-4.87; mixed pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.25, 95% CI: 1.11-4.56) were the factors affecting the survival time of pneumoconiosis patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Pulmonary tuberculosis may increase the risk of death in patients with pneumoconiosis. Mineral dust pneumoconiosis, mixed pneumoconiosis and stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis may also have higher risk of death.
7.A study on the association between insulin resistance and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai monozygotic twins
Jingyuan FENG ; Rongfei ZHOU ; Hongwei LIU ; Zihan HU ; Fei WU ; Huiting WANG ; Junhong YUE ; Zhenni ZHU ; Fan WU
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(7):932-940
Objective:To explore the association between insulin resistance (IR) and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai twin study.Methods:Monozygotic twins (MZ) from Shanghai were recruited during 2012-2013, 2017-2018, and 2022-2023. Data were collected by questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified. Generalized linear mixed effect model was applied to analyze the association between methylation level at each site and homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). Non-paired and paired designs were used to assess the association between DNA methylation and phenotype of IR. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify the clusters of top significant sites. Generalized linear regression was performed to examine the differential methylation patterns from clusters.Results:A total of 100 MZ pairs were included in this study. Hypermethylated cg10535199-2q23.1 ( β=0.74%, P=1.51×10 -7, OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and ch.17.49619327- SPOP ( β=0.23%, P=7.54×10 -7, OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28) were identified with suggestive significance. After correcting for multiple testing, no sites reached genome-wide significance. There was no statistical significance in the paired analysis. Two clusters with hypomethylated ( β=-0.39%, P<0.001) and hypermethylated ( β=0.47%, P<0.001) patterns were observed for HOMA2-IR. Conclusions:IR was significantly associated with DNA methylation, and genetic factors might contribute to the association.
8.Study on survival analysis and influencing factors of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou
Huiting LIU ; Boning ZHENG ; Qiuying MO ; Yang LIAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2024;42(11):825-830
Objective:To analyze the survival of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou from 1958 to 2018, explore the factors affecting the survival of pneumoconiosis, and provide scientific basis for formulating the guidelines and policies for treatment and assistance of pneumoconiosis.Methods:From July 2019 to January 2020, 1194 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed by institutions qualified for pneumoconiosis diagnosis in Guangzhou from June 1, 1958 to December 31, 2018 were studied. Excluding 258 patients who lacked survival data, 936 patients were included in the pneumoconiosis survival analysis. Life table method was used to estimate the survival rate, Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, log-rank test was used to compare the groups, and Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of survival.Results:The 10, 20 and 30 years cumulative survival rates of pneumoconiosis patients in Guangzhou were 62.8%, 35.2% and 15.4%, respectively. The median survival time was 19.4 years. log-rank test showed that there were statistically significant differences in the survival curves of pneumoconiosis patients between group without tuberculosis and group with tuberculosis ( P<0.001), and there were statistically significant differences among different stages and categories of pneumoconiosis ( P<0.001). Age of exposure to dust ( HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), age of diagnosis ( HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), combined pulmonary tuberculosis ( HR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.18-1.81), stage of pneumoconiosis (stage Ⅲ vs. stage Ⅰ, HR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.47-3.48) and categories of pneumoconiosis (fibrogenic mineral dust pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.61-3.74; non-fibrogenic mineral pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.47-4.87; mixed pneumoconiosis and metallogenic pneumoconiosis, HR=2.25, 95% CI: 1.11-4.56) were the factors affecting the survival time of pneumoconiosis patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:Pulmonary tuberculosis may increase the risk of death in patients with pneumoconiosis. Mineral dust pneumoconiosis, mixed pneumoconiosis and stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis may also have higher risk of death.
9.Bioinformatics combined with machine learning to identify early warning markers for severe dengue
Yizi XIE ; Shaofeng ZHAN ; Huiting HUANG ; Wujin WEN ; Xiaohong LIU ; Yong JIANG
Journal of China Medical University 2024;53(7):583-590
Objective The goals of this study were to identify early warning markers of severe dengue based on bioinformatics com-bined with machine learning,and explore the evaluation system of the risk of occurrence of severe dengue.Methods Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus database,the differentially expressed genes between dengue and severe dengue were analyzed,and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were conducted.Early warning genes of severe dengue were screened using a random forest model,and the accuracy of the genes was verified using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Finally,nomograms were constructed to quantify the warning genes and predict the risk of progression from dengue to severe dengue based on the expression level of these genes.Results A total of 817 differentially expressed genes were identified,along with the associated biolo-gical processes that may be closely related to the occurrence and development of severe dengue,namely,antimicrobial humoral response,humoral immune response,serine hydrolase activity,and arachidonic acid metabolism.Based on this analysis,five early warning genes were isolated:AZU1,PDCD4,COL4A3BP,TRPM4,and ATP4A.Among these,ATP4A,COL4A3BP,and TRPM4 showed low expression levels,whereas AZU1and PDCD4were highly expressed.The ROC curves indicated that these genes were accurate pre-dictors of severe dengue.The nomograms indicated good predictive accuracy,clinical benefit rate,and clinical effectiveness of the model.Conclusion Measuring the expression levels of five warning genes(AZU1,PDCD4,COL4A3BP,TRPM4,and ATP4A)may help to evaluate the risk of severe dengue.
10.Comparison the WHO classification and the International Consensus Classification for myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia
Yigang LIU ; Huiting QU ; Li LI ; Jing WANG ; Xiaosheng FANG ; Qian WANG ; Zie WANG ; Hui SUN ; Min HUANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Zhifen ZHANG ; Xiaoling ZHEN ; Wenbo ZHAO ; Huanling WU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(8):844-851
The World Health Organization (WHO) classification serves as the internationally recognized standard for diagnosing and classifying hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue tumors(WHO-HEAM). Since 2001, it has undergone multiple upgrades and revisions, updating, clarifying, and refining previous tumor diagnostic and classification standards while incorporating numerous new genetic and molecular biological subtypes. In 2022, two classification proposals emerged due to a wealth of clinical and scientific research results: the fifth edition of the WHO hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue classification (WHO-HAEM5), published in Leukemia journal; and the International Consensus Classification (ICC), published in Blood journal. These two schemes differ in their approach to classifying hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue tumors, posing challenges for clinical laboratory diagnosis and treatment.


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