1.Innate immune cell LXR-β deficiency exacerbates hepatic injury and fibrosis in murine models of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Xiaohui FANG ; Yang ZHANG ; Junyao WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Ziliang KE ; Yiken LIN ; Fangyuan CONG ; Feng ZHANG ; Jianhua ZHOU ; Huiting SU ; Shan CAO ; Yulan LIU ; Jun XU
Liver Research 2025;9(3):239-248
Background and aims:Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by complex pathogenesis and limited available therapeutic options.The mechanisms underlying the development and progression of PSCs remain unclear.Liver X receptor beta(LXR-β)is recognized to modulate lipid metabolism and immune response,but its specific involvement in the PSC has not been elucidated.Here,we explored the role and mechanism of LXR-β in PSC induced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-collidine(DDC).Methods:CRISPR-Cas9 technology was applied to generate Abcb4(coding MDR2,next named as Mdr2),Nr1h2(coding LXR-β,next named as Lxrβ),and Rag2(coding RAG2)knockout mice.DDC was used to induce PSC.Hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining were used to assess the extent of hepatic injury and fibrosis.Flow cytometry was used to observe immune cell subsets.Results:We observed a declining trend in hepatic Lxrβ in the PSC model.Unexpectedly,Lxrβ knockout failed to modulate DDC-induced PSC pathogenesis.Concomitantly,assessment of the influence of Rag2 deficiency on PSC progression revealed the absence of aggravated or alleviated hepatic injury or fibrosis in the Rag2-/-DDC mice.However,Lxrβ depletion intensified DDC-induced PSC in the Rag2-/-mice,with more abundant infiltrative inflammatory cells and more severe liver fibrosis.Compared with Rag2-/-DDC mice,Lxrβ-/-Rag2-/-DDC mice had higher serum ALT and AST levels and mRNA expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic genes.Flow cytometry showed that LXR-β deficiency resulted in a diminished population of hepatic innate immune cells.Conclusion:This study indicated innate immune cell LXR-β deficiency can exacerbate hepatic injury and fibrosis in murine models of PSC suggesting that LXR-β may regulate the function of innate immunity in the fibrotic advancement of PSC.
2.Association of dietary nutrition with perimenopausal symptoms among middle-aged and elderly women:multiple mediating effects of anxiety and depression
Zhengjie WANG ; Yingzhu HUANG ; Huiting ZHANG ; Lili YU ; Ping YI ; Xun LEI
Journal of Chongqing Medical University 2025;50(9):1141-1148
Objective:To investigate the multiple mediating effects of anxiety and depression on the relationship between dietary nutri-tion and perimenopausal symptoms in middle-aged and elderly women.Methods:A total of 1129 middle-aged and older women were surveyed using a dietary nutrition status questionnaire,the modified Kupperman Index,the Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale.The multiple mediating effect analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.Results:Dietary nutrition,anxiety,and depression were all significantly associated with perimenopausal symptoms(P<0.01).Dietary nutrition had a significant direct impact on perimenopausal symptoms(β=0.06,95%CI=0.002-0.119),and also exerted indirect nega-tive effects through three pathways:anxiety(β=0.059,95%CI=0.031-0.091),accounting for 29.65%of the total effect;depression(β=0.034,95%CI=0.017-0.054),accounting for 17.29%of the total effect;and anxiety-depression(β=0.045,95%CI=0.024-0.073),accounting for 22.76%of the total effect.Conclusion:Dietary nutrition not only directly affects perimenopausal symptoms,but also influences them through the mediating effects of anxiety and depression.
3.Exploration on the Mechanism of Linggui Zhugan Decoction in Reducing Myocardial Injury in Diabetic Rats Based on miR-21/PDCD4 Pathway
Caizhang LI ; Huiting GENG ; Xiongxiong TIAN ; Shaolan WANG ; Yuanwang YU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):120-127
Objective To investigate the protective effect of Linggui Zhugan Decoction on myocardial injury in diabetic rats;To explore its molecular mechanism.Methods The diabetes myocardial injury rat model was established by intraperitoneal high fat diet combined with injection of streptozotocin.Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,simvastatin group(5 mg/kg)and Linggui Zhugan Decoction low-and high-dosage group(3.75,7.5 g/kg).Normal rats were set as blank group,and each medication group was intervened with corresponding drugs.Fasting and random blood glucose were monitored using a glucometer,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)was measured,serum contents of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were detected by biochemical kits,the contents of cardiac troponin I(cTnI)and creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB)were detected by ELISA,the myocardial morphology and fibrosis were observed by HE and Masson staining,the positive expression of PDCD4 was detected by immunohistochemistry,the mRNA expressions of miR-21,PDCD4,PTEN and p53 were detected by RT-qPCR,and the protein expressions of PDCD4,PTEN and p53 were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,fasting blood glucose and random blood glucose significantly increased at different time points in the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01),LVEF significantly decreased(P<0.01),the contents of serum TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,MDA,cTnI,CK-MB significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the content of SOD significantly decreased(P<0.01);the inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis injury in myocardial tissue were significantly aggravated(P<0.01),the expression of miR-21 in myocardial tissue significantly decreased,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PDCD4,PTEN,p53 significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,fasting blood glucose significantly decreased in simvastatin group and Linggui Zhugan Decoction high-dosage group(P<0.05),LVEF significantly increased(P<0.01),the contents of serum TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,MDA,cTnI and CK-MB significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the content of SOD significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis injury in myocardial tissue were significantly improved(P<0.01),the expression of miR-21 in myocardial tissue significantly increased,and the mRNA and protein expressions of PDCD4,PTEN,p53 significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Linggui Zhugan Decoction may inhibit the expressions of PDCD4,PTEN and p53 by increasing miR-21,thereby alleviating myocardial injury in diabetic rats.
4.Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of population receiving assisted reproductive technology therapy and their offspring in Shanghai, 2011-2020
Huiting YU ; Xin CUI ; Naisi QIAN ; Shan JIN ; Lei CHEN ; Feng ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Renzhi CAI ; Chunfang WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(3):484-491
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the population receiving assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy and the health status of their offspring in Shanghai from 2011 to 2020.Methods:Based on the birth cohort of the entire population in Shanghai, the proportion and trend changes of ART offspring in the birth cohort were analyzed. The characteristics of ART and naturally conceived populations, including household registration, education level, maternal age, and reproductive history, were examined. Additionally, the health status between ART offspring and naturally conceived offspring were compared.Results:From 2011 to 2020, a total of 70 729 ART offspring were born in Shanghai, accounting for 3.69% of the total births. In 2020, this proportion reached 7.79%. The ART conception rate for primiparous women was higher than that for multiparous women, with both showing upward trends and reaching 9.87% and 2.36%, respectively, in 2020. The ART conception rate was higher in women with higher education levels and local household registration than in those with lower education levels and non-local household registration. The incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in ART singleton offspring were 7.76% and 4.82%, respectively, higher than the 4.69% and 2.87% in naturally conceived offspring, but no increasing trend was observed in naturally conceived offspring. Among twin and multiple newborns, the incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight were 56.98% and 46.82% for ART, lower than the 58.51% and 51.32% for natural conception.Conclusions:The difference in social and demographic characteristics was obvious in population receiving ART, suggesting that the differed demand of some people for ART therapy, and it is necessary to strengthen the construction of public health services and further expand the coverage and accessibility of ART services. With technological advancements, the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight remain relatively stable, and even decrease in twin and multiple newborns.
5.Acute impact of persistent high ambient fine particulate matter exposures on hospital visits for respiratory diseases from 2013 to 2018 in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas
Yiqi QIU ; Chen CHEN ; Jianan LI ; Yue LIANG ; Changzhen XIANG ; Huiting LING ; Jinxia YANG ; Yu WANG ; Jianlong FANG ; Jiaonan WANG ; Chen MAO ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(6):979-985
Objective:To investigate the acute effects of persistent high exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) on residents' outpatient visits for respiratory diseases. Methods:We collected daily outpatient records from 92 hospitals in 13 cities across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, along with daily PM 2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), and meteorological data from 2013 to 2018. Five persistent high PM 2.5 exposure scenarios were defined in terms of daily mean PM 2.5 concentrations (>75 μg/m 3 and >150 μg/m 3), duration (≥2 days and ≥3 days), and whether or not there was concurrent exposure to high levels of NO 2 (daily mean NO 2 concentration >50 μg/m 3). A two-stage statistical analysis strategy based on a generalized linear model was applied to conduct a time-series analysis to assess the exposure-response relationship between persistent high PM 2.5 exposure scenarios and residents' outpatient visits for a variety of respiratory diseases, and to estimate excess outpatient visits. Results:During the period, M ( Q1, Q3) PM 2.5 and NO 2 concentrations were 61.2 (42.3, 95.1) μg/m 3 and 40.2 (31.4, 54.4) μg/m 3, respectively, and the daily respiratory disease outpatient visits were 57 (52, 66) cases. When compared with non-permanent high PM 2.5 exposure periods, exposure scenarios with PM 2.5 >75 μg/m 3 and lasting for ≥2 days caused an increased risk of outpatient visits for respiratory diseases by 2.10% (95% CI: 1.44%-2.77%), and resulted in 43 787 (95% CI: 30 025-57 757) excess visits; in this scenario, the concurrent exposure to high levels of NO 2 had a greater acute effect on respiratory disease visits than the absence of exposure to high levels of NO 2 ( P<0.001). The risk of respiratory disease visits increased substantially by 4.41% (95% CI: 3.15%-5.68%) when the daily mean PM 2.5 concentration exceeded 150 μg/m 3 for ≥2 days. Subgroup disease analyses showed that scenarios with daily mean PM 2.5 concentrations exceeding 75 μg/m 3 for ≥3 days caused a significant increase in the risk of lower respiratory tract infections, chronic lower respiratory disease, and asthma visits. Conclusions:Sustained persistent high PM 2.5 exposure increases the risk of outpatient visits for various respiratory diseases; concurrent exposure to high concentrations of NO 2 leads to a greater risk of visiting the clinic, suggesting that the prevention and control of PM 2.5 pollution should be synchronized with the control of mobile source emissions, to synergistically manage the compound pollution of PM 2.5 and NO 2 in the atmosphere.
6.The mediating effect of electrocardiographic indicators in the association between exposure to fine particulate matter and its element constituents and blood pressure
Yu WANG ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Qian LIU ; Huiting LING ; Changzhen XIANG ; Yiqi QIU ; Chen CHEN ; Jiaonan WANG ; Jianlong FANG ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(5):621-627
Objective:To evaluate the mediating effect of electrocardiographic (ECG) indicators in the association between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and blood pressure and to explore the key PM 2.5 element constituents that produce the mediating effect. Methods:Based on a cross-sectional survey across 10 cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and surrounding areas, PM 2.5 and its element constituents were collected from the nearest air monitoring superstation. Blood pressure and ECG indicators of participants were obtained through physical examinations. A multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of short-term exposures to PM 2.5 on blood pressure. A mediation analysis was used to identify the mediating effect of ECG indicators in the association between exposure to PM 2.5 and its element constituents and blood pressure. Results:The age of the 1 793 participants was (65.1±13.3) years, and 885 (49.4%) were males. During the study period, the daily mean concentration of PM 2.5 was (70±45) μg/m 3, and the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) were (139±20), (82±11), (101±13), and (57±17) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), respectively. The results of the multivariate linear regression showed that for every 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 on the same day (lag 0), DBP increased by 0.15 (95% CI: 0.02-0.28) mmHg, and PP decreased 0.18 (95% CI: 0.36-0.01) mmHg. The exposure to 14 elemental constituents, such as Ga, Co and Se, was associated with an increase in DBP, while the exposure to 17 elemental constituents, such as Cs, Se and Ag, was associated with a decrease in PP. At lag 0, the PM 2.5-induced increase in DBP was mediated by the QRS interval (mediation percentage of 18.98%), and the PM 2.5-induced decrease in PP was mediated by the QT interval (mediation percentage of -6.31%). The exposure to K, Br, Pb, Zn, Ca, Co, Pd, Cu, and As constituents was associated with increases in DBP mediated by prolonged QRS interval. The exposure to Pb, Zn, K, and As constituents was associated with decreases in PP mediated by prolonged QRS interval. Conclusion:ECG indicators such as QRS interval may mediate the association between short-term exposure to PM 2.5 and its element constituents and blood pressure.
7.The effect of short-term exposures to atmospheric fine particulate matter and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people aged 40-89
Huiting LING ; Yu WANG ; Chen CHEN ; Jinxia YANG ; Changzhen XIANG ; Yiqi QIU ; Jianan LI ; Jianlong FANG ; Jiaonan WANG ; Xiaoming SHI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(4):416-424
Objective:To assess the effect of short-term exposures to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people aged 40-89 and identify key components that affect cognitive function. Methods:From October 2018 to March 2019, a cross-sectional survey of middle-aged and older people aged 40-89 was conducted across 10 cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and neighboring regions of China. Data on PM 2.5 and its components were collected from the nearest air supermonitoring stations to the residential addresses. The cognitive function was assessed using the Min-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the effect of short-term exposures to PM 2.5 and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people. The restricted cubic spline function was used to fit the exposure-response relationship between different components and changes in MMSE scores. Results:The age of the 1 978 respondents was (65.1±13.4) years, and 976 (49.34%) were males. During the study period, the daily mean concentration of PM 2.5 was (71.2±43.2) μg/m 3, and the MMSE score was (28.2±3.7). The results of the multiple linear regression model showed that short-term exposures to PM 2.5 and its components were associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged and older people after adjusting for confounding factors, and the effect was higher at lag 0-28 days. For an interquartile range (64.3 μg/m 3) increase in PM 2.5 at lag 0-28 d, the MMSE score decreased by 5.91 (95% CI: 0.04, 11.77). For an interquartile range increase in organic carbon (OC), antimony (Sb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and cadmium (Cd), the MMSE scores of middle-aged and older people decreased by 5.71 (95% CI: 1.69, 9.73), 4.67 (95% CI: 2.50, 6.84), 4.49 (95% CI: 1.05, 7.92), 3.65 (95% CI: 0.89, 6.42), 2.76 (95% CI: 1.22, 4.30), and 1.72 (95% CI: 0.53, 2.92). Conclusions:Short-term exposures to atmospheric PM 2.5 and its components (OC, Sb, Cr, Zn, Sn, and Cd) are associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged and older people.
8.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells.
9.Research progress of big language models in critical care nursing
Xu LI ; Huiting XU ; Zhiang SUN ; Jingjing HE ; Pin YU ; Hailing JU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(15):2090-2094
This paper reviews the current application status of big language model in nursing, the needs for information technology development in critical care nursing, the current application status of and future development direction of big language model in critical care nursing, as well as the risks and challenges faced, with a view to providing a reference for promoting the application of big language model in critical care nursing.
10.Efficacy of early stability rehabilitation exercises in elderly patients after the surgery of degenerative lumbar diseases
Huiting YU ; Yuehua WANG ; Nanxiang WANG ; Hui LI
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):49-56
Objective To investigate the effect of early stability rehabilitation exercises in elderly patients after the surgery for degenerative lumbar disease and to provide effective guidance for the postoperative rehabilitation.Methods From February 2023 to May 2024,a convenience sampling method was used to select 121 patients who received surgery for degenerative lumbar disease in our hospital as the study subjects.The patients were randomly divided into two groups with a random number table:a control group(n=61)and an intervention group(n=60).Patients in the control group received routine nursing care and rehabilitation exercises,while the patients in the intervention group received 2 weeks of early stability rehabilitation exercises on top of the control group.Lumbar spine function,daily living self-care ability and score of pain were recorded and compared between the two groups on day 1 or day 3 before surgery and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery.Results JOA scores of the intervention group were found higher than those of the control group at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery,all with significant differences between the groups(P<0.05).VAS scores of the intervention group were lower than those of the control group at 3 days,2 weeks,and 4 weeks after surgery,all with significant differences(P<0.05).Scores for daily living self-care ability of the intervention group were higher than those of the control group at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery,all with significant differences(P<0.05).The repeated measures analysis of variance showed that the time main effect and inter group main effect of JOA score,VAS score and self-care ability score in daily life of different time all showed statistical significance between the groups(all P<0.001).Conclusion An early stability rehabilitation exercise can improve the postoperative lumbar function,pains,and self-care ability in daily life in elderly patients after the surgery for degenerative lumbar diseases,as well as accelerate the postoperative recovery,while ensuring the safety of patients.

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