1.A novel screening approach for identifying key genes involved in the regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis
Shengwen WANG ; Wenbin TANG ; Junxiao SHI ; Weiping ZHANG ; Chunchun WEI
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(9):745-753
Aim To systematically elucidate the molecular regulatory network of thermogenic function in brown adipose tissue(BAT)through multi-omics integrative analysis,to discover novel thermogenic regulatory genes and provide novel therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.Methods A novel methodology for screening key genes regulating thermogenesis in BAT was constructed:First,differential expression analysis was performed on bulk RNA-seq data from murine BAT.Genes meeting the thresholds of ABS(log2FoldChange)>1 and Padj<0.05 were identified as differentially expressed genes.Intersectional analysis was then applied to obtain consensus upregulated and downregulated gene sets.Subsequently,scRNA-seq data of brown adipocytes were partitioned into high-expression group and low-expression group based on the expression levels of candidate genes.Differential analysis and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were conducted between these groups to assess the correlation between candidate genes and thermogenic function.Finally,ex-perimental validation of selected candidate genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Results Bioinformatics analysis identified 65 thermogenesis-positive correlated genes and 7 thermogenesis-negative corre-lated genes.Subsequent quantitative PCR validation demonstrated that candidate genes Mfsd2a,Me1,Slc25a34,Pfkp,Ankrd9,Hsd17b12,Aldoa,Ctsz and Pcyt2 exhibited upregulation exceeding 5-fold,while Pid1 and Angpt1 showed down-regulation over 50%.All observed expression changes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.01)through rigorous hypothesis testing.These findings highlight the potential involvement of these genes in thermogenic regulation,warranting further functional investigations to elucidate their molecular mechanisms in energy metabolism pathways.Conclusions This study established a novel"computational screening → in silico knockout → experimental validation"paradigm for tar-get discovery,systematically unveiling the molecular network involved in BAT thermogenic regulation.This methodology is equally applicable for identifying key regulatory genes in other physiological or pathological processes.The study identi-fied 11 core genes that may play pivotal regulatory roles during BAT thermogenic activation,which could potentially offer novel pharmacological intervention targets to improve energy metabolism and treat obesity-related complications.
2.A novel screening approach for identifying key genes involved in the regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis
Shengwen WANG ; Wenbin TANG ; Junxiao SHI ; Weiping ZHANG ; Chunchun WEI
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(9):745-753
Aim To systematically elucidate the molecular regulatory network of thermogenic function in brown adipose tissue(BAT)through multi-omics integrative analysis,to discover novel thermogenic regulatory genes and provide novel therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.Methods A novel methodology for screening key genes regulating thermogenesis in BAT was constructed:First,differential expression analysis was performed on bulk RNA-seq data from murine BAT.Genes meeting the thresholds of ABS(log2FoldChange)>1 and Padj<0.05 were identified as differentially expressed genes.Intersectional analysis was then applied to obtain consensus upregulated and downregulated gene sets.Subsequently,scRNA-seq data of brown adipocytes were partitioned into high-expression group and low-expression group based on the expression levels of candidate genes.Differential analysis and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were conducted between these groups to assess the correlation between candidate genes and thermogenic function.Finally,ex-perimental validation of selected candidate genes was performed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.Results Bioinformatics analysis identified 65 thermogenesis-positive correlated genes and 7 thermogenesis-negative corre-lated genes.Subsequent quantitative PCR validation demonstrated that candidate genes Mfsd2a,Me1,Slc25a34,Pfkp,Ankrd9,Hsd17b12,Aldoa,Ctsz and Pcyt2 exhibited upregulation exceeding 5-fold,while Pid1 and Angpt1 showed down-regulation over 50%.All observed expression changes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.01)through rigorous hypothesis testing.These findings highlight the potential involvement of these genes in thermogenic regulation,warranting further functional investigations to elucidate their molecular mechanisms in energy metabolism pathways.Conclusions This study established a novel"computational screening → in silico knockout → experimental validation"paradigm for tar-get discovery,systematically unveiling the molecular network involved in BAT thermogenic regulation.This methodology is equally applicable for identifying key regulatory genes in other physiological or pathological processes.The study identi-fied 11 core genes that may play pivotal regulatory roles during BAT thermogenic activation,which could potentially offer novel pharmacological intervention targets to improve energy metabolism and treat obesity-related complications.
3.Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Between Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: A Follow-up Exceeding 5 Years
Xinyu YANG ; Shijun ZHANG ; Junxiao SU ; Sai GUO ; Yakubu IBRAHIM ; Kai ZHANG ; Yonghao TIAN ; Lianlei WANG ; Suomao YUAN ; Xinyu LIU
Neurospine 2024;21(1):303-313
Objective:
To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD).
Methods:
The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated.
Results:
During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio.
Conclusion
Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.
4.Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Between Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: A Follow-up Exceeding 5 Years
Xinyu YANG ; Shijun ZHANG ; Junxiao SU ; Sai GUO ; Yakubu IBRAHIM ; Kai ZHANG ; Yonghao TIAN ; Lianlei WANG ; Suomao YUAN ; Xinyu LIU
Neurospine 2024;21(1):303-313
Objective:
To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD).
Methods:
The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated.
Results:
During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio.
Conclusion
Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.
5.Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Between Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: A Follow-up Exceeding 5 Years
Xinyu YANG ; Shijun ZHANG ; Junxiao SU ; Sai GUO ; Yakubu IBRAHIM ; Kai ZHANG ; Yonghao TIAN ; Lianlei WANG ; Suomao YUAN ; Xinyu LIU
Neurospine 2024;21(1):303-313
Objective:
To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD).
Methods:
The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated.
Results:
During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio.
Conclusion
Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.
6.Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Between Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: A Follow-up Exceeding 5 Years
Xinyu YANG ; Shijun ZHANG ; Junxiao SU ; Sai GUO ; Yakubu IBRAHIM ; Kai ZHANG ; Yonghao TIAN ; Lianlei WANG ; Suomao YUAN ; Xinyu LIU
Neurospine 2024;21(1):303-313
Objective:
To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD).
Methods:
The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated.
Results:
During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio.
Conclusion
Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.
7.Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes Between Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Microdiscectomy: A Follow-up Exceeding 5 Years
Xinyu YANG ; Shijun ZHANG ; Junxiao SU ; Sai GUO ; Yakubu IBRAHIM ; Kai ZHANG ; Yonghao TIAN ; Lianlei WANG ; Suomao YUAN ; Xinyu LIU
Neurospine 2024;21(1):303-313
Objective:
To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD).
Methods:
The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated.
Results:
During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio.
Conclusion
Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.
8.Investigation of self-measured health status of college students in Tibetan universities and construction of a standard model
Liqiang LI ; Xiaoliang HUO ; Liqiang ZHANG ; Jin WU ; Junxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2023;17(4):279-285
Objective:To investigate the self-measured health status of college students in Tibet, and to construct the self-measured health scale (SRHMS V1.0) norm of College students in Tibet.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A multistage stratified sampling method was used. From April to June 2022, a total of 7 990 college students were selected from all colleges and universities in the Tibet Autonomous Region (7 in total). The self-rated health of Tibetan college students was investigated and evaluated by combining demographic information and SRHMS V1.0. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance ( Brown-Forsythe test for unequal variance, LSD test for multiple comparisons), and Spearman correlation analysis were used to construct mean norm, percentile norm, and delimitation norm of physiological scale health (PSH), mental scale health (MSH), social scale health (SSH) score and total scale health (TSH) scores. Results:The total score of self-assessed health assessment among college students in Tibetan universities was (72.18±12.35). For different genders, the PSH, MSH, SSH and TSH scores were (73.85±13.78), (65.80±14.73), (69.85±16.00) and (73.44±12.77) for boys and (71.18±13.36), (62.81±14.03), (68.57±14.90) and (70.92±11.94) for girls, respectively. Scores on each subscale and total scale were statistically significant different between the different sexes ( t=2.531, 2.672, 1.867, 2.623, all P<0.05). For different grades, the PSH, MSH, SSH and TSH scores of the freshman were (73.36±13.23), (65.77±14.58), (70.98±15.60) and (73.51±11.91); the sophomore were (70.74±13.73), (62.40±13.60), (66.92±14.62) and (70.16±12.28), the junior were (75.48±13.09), (64.08±15.12), (71.90±15.12) and (74.10±12.36); and the senior were (67.21±14.41), (59.19±17.67), (64.91±18.59) and (66.94±14.59) respectively, with the differences in scores of each subscale and the total scale in different grades being statistically significant ( F=3.952, 3.611, 4.841, 5.583, all P<0.05). The mean norm, percentile norm and demarcation norm of the total score and each subscale of self-measured health of college students in Tibetan universities were constructed with gender and grade as the cut-off values. Conclusion:The model of self-measured health assessment scale for students in colleges and universities in Tibet is established, which can provide evaluation criteria for evaluating the health status of college students in Tibet and plateau areas.
9.Evaluation of an assistant diagnosis system for gastric neoplastic lesions under white light endoscopy based on artificial intelligence
Junxiao WANG ; Zehua DONG ; Ming XU ; Lianlian WU ; Mengjiao ZHANG ; Yijie ZHU ; Xiao TAO ; Hongliu DU ; Chenxia ZHANG ; Xinqi HE ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2023;40(4):293-297
Objective:To assess the diagnostic efficacy of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic image assisted diagnosis system (ENDOANGEL-LD) based on artificial intelligence (AI) for detecting gastric lesions and neoplastic lesions under white light endoscopy.Methods:The diagnostic efficacy of ENDOANGEL-LD was tested using image testing dataset and video testing dataset, respectively. The image testing dataset included 300 images of gastric neoplastic lesions, 505 images of non-neoplastic lesions and 990 images of normal stomach of 191 patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2019 to September 2019. Video testing dataset was from 83 videos (38 gastric neoplastic lesions and 45 non-neoplastic lesions) of 78 patients in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from November 2020 to April 2021. The accuracy, the sensitivity and the specificity of ENDOANGEL-LD for image testing dataset were calculated. The accuracy, the sensitivity and the specificity of ENDOANGEL-LD in video testing dataset for gastric neoplastic lesions were compared with those of four senior endoscopists.Results:In the image testing dataset, the accuracy, the sensitivity, the specificity of ENDOANGEL-LD for gastric lesions were 93.9% (1 685/1 795), 98.0% (789/805) and 90.5% (896/990) respectively; while the accuracy, the sensitivity and the specificity of ENDOANGEL-LD for gastric neoplastic lesions were 88.7% (714/805), 91.0% (273/300) and 87.3% (441/505) respectively. In the video testing dataset, the sensitivity [100.0% (38/38) VS 85.5% (130/152), χ2=6.220, P=0.013] of ENDOANGEL-LD was higher than that of four senior endoscopists. The accuracy [81.9% (68/83) VS 72.0% (239/332), χ2=3.408, P=0.065] and the specificity [ 66.7% (30/45) VS 60.6% (109/180), χ2=0.569, P=0.451] of ENDOANGEL-LD were comparable with those of four senior endoscopists. Conclusion:The ENDOANGEL-LD can accurately detect gastric lesions and further diagnose neoplastic lesions to help endoscopists in clinical work.
10.Application of an artificial intelligence-assisted endoscopic diagnosis system to the detection of focal gastric lesions (with video)
Mengjiao ZHANG ; Ming XU ; Lianlian WU ; Junxiao WANG ; Zehua DONG ; Yijie ZHU ; Xinqi HE ; Xiao TAO ; Hongliu DU ; Chenxia ZHANG ; Yutong BAI ; Renduo SHANG ; Hao LI ; Hao KUANG ; Shan HU ; Honggang YU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2023;40(5):372-378
Objective:To construct a real-time artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted endoscepic diagnosis system based on YOLO v3 algorithm, and to evaluate its ability of detecting focal gastric lesions in gastroscopy.Methods:A total of 5 488 white light gastroscopic images (2 733 images with gastric focal lesions and 2 755 images without gastric focal lesions) from June to November 2019 and videos of 92 cases (288 168 clear stomach frames) from May to June 2020 at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were retrospectively collected for AI System test. A total of 3 997 prospective consecutive patients undergoing gastroscopy at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from July 6, 2020 to November 27, 2020 and May 6, 2021 to August 2, 2021 were enrolled to assess the clinical applicability of AI System. When AI System recognized an abnormal lesion, it marked the lesion with a blue box as a warning. The ability to identify focal gastric lesions and the frequency and causes of false positives and false negatives of AI System were statistically analyzed.Results:In the image test set, the accuracy, the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of AI System were 92.3% (5 064/5 488), 95.0% (2 597/2 733), 89.5% (2 467/ 2 755), 90.0% (2 597/2 885) and 94.8% (2 467/2 603), respectively. In the video test set, the accuracy, the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of AI System were 95.4% (274 792/288 168), 95.2% (109 727/115 287), 95.5% (165 065/172 881), 93.4% (109 727/117 543) and 96.7% (165 065/170 625), respectively. In clinical application, the detection rate of local gastric lesions by AI System was 93.0% (6 830/7 344). A total of 514 focal gastric lesions were missed by AI System. The main reasons were punctate erosions (48.8%, 251/514), diminutive xanthomas (22.8%, 117/514) and diminutive polyps (21.4%, 110/514). The mean number of false positives per gastroscopy was 2 (1, 4), most of which were due to normal mucosa folds (50.2%, 5 635/11 225), bubbles and mucus (35.0%, 3 928/11 225), and liquid deposited in the fundus (9.1%, 1 021/11 225).Conclusion:The application of AI System can increase the detection rate of focal gastric lesions.

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