1.Association between metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease and bone mineral density among children and adolescents
ZHAO Zengtong*,WANG Lan ,LIU Qin,WANG Mingming, LIU Junting
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):470-474
Objective:
To investigate the association between metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and bone mineral density among children and adolescents, so as to provide evidence for the early prevention and intervention of bone health in this population.
Methods:
In September 2022, a method combining convenience sampling with cluster sampling was used to select 5 089 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years in 9 schools from kindergarten to senior high school in Tongzhou District, Beijing, for physical measurements, ultrasound measurements, blood biochemical index testing, and questionnaire surveys. Participants were categorized into three groups: the normal control group ( n =1 515), the metabolic abnormality group (MA, n = 3 007 ), and the MASLD group ( n =567). Multivariable linear regression model was applied to examine the association between MASLD and bone speed of sound (SOS), while multivariable Logistic regression model was used to assess the association between MASLD and low bone mineral density. Subgroup analysis was conducted by sex and age groups.
Results:
Compared with the normal control group, the MASLD group showed significantly lower SOS values ( β =-6.31, 95% CI =-9.63 to -2.99), lower SOS Z scores ( β = -0.21, 95% CI =-0.32 to -0.10), and higher susceptibility to low bone mineral density( OR =1.56, 95% CI =1.25-1.96)(all P <0.05). No significant differences in SOS or odds of low bone density were observed between the MA and normal control groups (all P > 0.05). In sex stratified analyses, males with MASLD exhibited significantly lower SOS Z scores ( β =-0.35, 95% CI =-0.49 to -0.20 , P <0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in females with MASLD ( β =-0.03, 95% CI =-0.21-0.15; P >0.05). When hepatic steatosis grade (0, 1, 2, and 3) was treated as a continuous variable, each one grade increase was associated with a 31% higher odds of low bone mineral density ( OR =1.31, 95% CI =1.13 to 1.53, P <0.05).
Conclusions
MASLD is significantly associated with low bone mineral density among children and adolescents, with a stronger association in males. Moreover, children and adolescents with hepatic steatosis have a higher risk of impaired bone health compared with those with metabolic abnormalities alone.
2.The construction and evaluation of heart preservation model for empty beating donor heart based on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation technology
Shijie YIN ; Xiao YUE ; Chunhua WANG ; Wei WU ; Guanbin QIN ; Lan LUO ; Qiangxin HUANG ; Guixin HE
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(05):791-798
Objective To explore the construction of heart preservation model of empty beating donor based on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods From January 2022 to August 2023, 20 Guangxi Bama miniature pigs weighing 25-30 kg were selected, half male and half female. Under general anesthesia and heparinization, a midline thoracotomy was performed. The pericardium was cut after freeing the anterior and posterior vena cavae, and a perfusion needle was inserted near the brachiocephalic artery in the ascending aorta, connected to a blood collection bag to collect 500-600 mL of blood. The anterior and posterior vena cavae were ligated, the aorta was blocked and perfused with HTK solution to stop the heart beating. The superior and inferior vena cavae were cut off, the right pulmonary vein was decompressed, the aorta and left and right pulmonary arteries and veins were cut off, and the whole heart was removed. An ECMO device was used to continuously perfuse a cardioprotective solution mainly composed of oxygenated warm blood, maintaining the isolated pig heart beating for 8 hours, monitoring (once/hour) ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, inflammatory factors, myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels. Myocardial tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe myocardial cell damage and evaluate the quality of heart preservation. Results Among the 20 isolated beating pig hearts, 17 successfully resumed beating, 3 experienced ventricular fibrillation, resuscitated after intracardiac electrical defibrillation, and all 20 pig hearts successfully beat for 8 hours. There was no statistical difference in ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, and inflammatory factors at each time point (P>0.05). There were statistical increases in myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels (P<0.05). HE staining results suggested that there was no severe myocardial damage. Conclusion ECMO technology can be used for pig heart preservation with good results, and this study provides experimental evidence for improving heart preservation research in clinical heart transplantation.
3.Research progress on typical work-related diseases
Xuemei TAN ; Yingying FENG ; Tangfei GUAN ; Yuqin YAO ; Xin SUN ; Juan LIAO ; Yajia LAN ; Qin ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(1):108-115
Work serves as a critical means of obtaining resources, facilitating personal growth, realizing self-worth, and engaging in social interactions. However, work-related diseases pose significant threats to workers’ health and productivity, and impose considerable economic burdens. This article categorized work-related diseases into six major types, including musculoskeletal disorders, mental and behavioral disorders, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, digestive system diseases, reproductive system diseases, and non-specific respiratory diseases, and summarized their risk factors, assessment methods, policy regulation, and prevention and control measures. Current research in this field predominantly relies on cross-sectional studies, which present limitations in causal inference and potential risks of bias. Future studies should expand sample sizes, optimize research designs, and establish multidimensional evaluation systems to comprehensively assess the health and economic impacts of work-related diseases. It is recommended to enhance the translation of research findings into practice, thereby providing a scientific basis for the occupational health protection system and promoting the well-being and sustainable development of the working population.
4.Research advances on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in sepsis-acquired weakness.
Xiujun CHANG ; Zhaoxuan GUO ; Jiayu FANG ; Xian QIN ; Fan ZENG ; Yunping LAN
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(10):976-981
Sepsis-acquired weakness (SAW) is a common complication in critically ill patients, yet significant gaps remain in both mechanistic understanding and therapeutic interventions for this condition. SAW not only prolongs the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization but is also closely associated with increased mortality. Even if these SAW patients survive, they often experience long-term physical dysfunction after hospital discharge, leading to diminished quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that sustained mitochondrial dysfunction may constitute a pivotal pathophysiological basis for the development and progression of SAW, primarily encompassing five key aspects: dysregulated mitochondrial quality control (MtQC), impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), exacerbated oxidative stress, disrupted Ca2+; homeostasis, and their mediation of diverse myofiber injuries. This article systematically elucidates the central role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of SAW. Furthermore, we explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial function, including mitigating mitochondrial oxidative stress, optimizing nutritional support, and supplementing with muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells. These insights provide a critical theoretical framework for understanding SAW mechanisms and developing clinical interventions, with particular emphasis on the translational value of mitochondrial-targeted therapies in improving outcomes for septic patients.
Humans
;
Sepsis/metabolism*
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Muscle Weakness/etiology*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Oxidative Phosphorylation
5.Pseudomonas monteilii ZMU-T06 produces 2-substituted quinolines by oxidative dehydroaromatization.
Min YANG ; Lan ZOU ; Huimin RAN ; Lei QIN
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2025;41(1):288-295
2-substituted quinolines are the building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and pharmaceuticals. In comparison with classical methods, dehydroaromatization of 2-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines has emerged in recent years as an efficient and straightforward method to synthesize quinolines due to its high atom economy and sustainability. However, existing chemical methods need transition metal catalysts and harsh reaction conditions. Biocatalysis with high efficiency, high selectivity, and mild reaction conditions has become an important method of organic synthesis. We mined a strain Pseudomonas monteilii ZMU-T06 capable of producing monoamine oxidase for the dehydroaromatization of 2-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines to synthesize 2-substituted quinolines (8 substrates, yields of 45.7%-48.4%) and then hypothesized the catalytic mechanism, providing a new method for green synthesis of 2-substituted quinolines.
Quinolines/chemistry*
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Pseudomonas/classification*
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Oxidation-Reduction
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Monoamine Oxidase/biosynthesis*
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Biocatalysis
6.The Acceleration of Spatial Navigation Aging Process by Liver Failing to Convey and Disperse and Its Neuroelectrophysiological Mechanisms
Yan ZHANG ; Yong LIU ; Lan ZHAO ; Jinchai DENG ; Lei HUO ; Zhongpeng QIN ; Wenju ZHANG ; Xianghong ZHAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(7):1934-1945
Objective To investigate the influence of the liver failing to convey and disperse on space navigation aging.Methods High and low neuroticism subjects screened by Eysenck personality questionnaire were included in liver failing to convey and disperse group and liver controlling conveyance and dispersion group,respectively.The two groups were then divided into youth and elderly groups based on age.Finally,spatial navigation task was conducted to record and analyze behavioral(reaction time and accuracy)and EEG data(amplitude and latency of P2 and N2 components)of all the four groups(30 subjects each group).Results Compared with liver controlling conveyance and dispersion group,the accuracy in subjects with liver failing to convey and disperse decreased significantly(P<0.001)and reaction time was prolonged significantly(P<0.05).The interaction effect between age and liver regulation status showed a marginal significant difference(P=0.078).The accuracy of elderly people was lower than that of youth people(P=0.002)for liver failing to convey and disperse subjects,while there was no significant difference between the two groups for subjects with liver controlling conveyance and dispersion.The P2 amplitude in the elderly group was significantly smaller than that in the youth group(P=0.027).The amplitude of P2 in group of liver failing to convey and disperse was significantly smaller than that in group of liver controlling conveyance and dispersion(P=0.042).The interaction effect of P2 amplitude between age and liver regulation status showed a marginal significance(P=0.073).For youth subjects,the P2 amplitude in group of liver controlling conveyance and dispersion was significantly larger than that in group of liver failing to convey and disperse(P=0.007),while there was no significant difference in P2 amplitude between the two groups for the elderly subjects.The N2 amplitude for tasks of allocentric frames of reference was significantly greater than that of egocentric frames of reference(P=0.024).Conclusion Liver failing to convey and disperse caused by long-term emotional disturbance accelerates spatial navigation aging,and selective attention feature inhibition disorder may be the underlying ERPs neuroelectrophysiological mechanism.
7.New ideas and opportunities for polyurethane materials in peripheral nerve repair
Xiaoqian LAN ; Guangli FENG ; Shiyi QIN ; Lianmei ZHONG ; Qing LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(28):6127-6137
BACKGROUND:Polyurethane materials,with their outstanding physicochemical properties,present extensive opportunities in the realm of biomedical engineering.Biomimetic design and functional modification of polyurethane nerve conduits are expected to further address the challenges of nerve regeneration and repair.OBJECTIVE:To review the current status and advancements in the application of polyurethane-based nerve conduits in the field of peripheral nerve repair.METHODS:The Chinese and English search terms consisted of"polyurethane,PU,polyurethane material,polyurethane biomaterials,nerve regeneration,peripheral nerve injury,nerve repair,nerve scaffold,nerve guidance conduit,nerve conduits."The search was conducted in databases such as PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI(China National Knowledge Infrastructure),and WanFang for articles published from 2014 to 2024.Finally,61 articles were included in the review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Biomimetic composition is an effective strategy for enhancing the biological activity of polyurethane nerve conduits.Through structural biomimicry,polyurethane nerve conduits can be optimized to provide biological guidance cues for neural tissue regeneration.The biomechanically biomimetic polyurethane nerve conduits are likely to play a significant role in immune modulation and the promotion of axonal growth.By optimizing the conductive microenvironment of polyurethane materials,the reconstruction of neural electrical signal pathways can be facilitated.Polyurethane nerve conduits can serve as drug carriers,exerting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.Although the combined application of multiple design strategies can improve various aspects of damaged nerve function,the complex structure and dynamically changing pathophysiological microenvironment of nerves mean that nerve conduit design strategies still require refinement.Future advancements and innovations in nerve biomimetic design strategies hold promise for providing new insights and opportunities in the field of neural tissue engineering.
8.An Exploration of the Influence and Mechanism of Liver Failing to Convey and Disperse on Age-Related Changes in Attentional Search Based on ERPs
Yan ZHANG ; Lan ZHAO ; Yong LIU ; Junlin HOU ; Jinchai DENG ; Lei HUO ; Zhongpeng QIN ; Wenju ZHANG ; Xianghong ZHAN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(7):1946-1956
Objective To investigate the influence of the and mechanism of liver failing to convey and disperse on age-related changes in attentional search based on ERPs.Methods oddball attention search task was administrated to record and analyze behavioral and EEG data(N2pc、SPCN、N2pc-Ptc components)of 120 subjects.Results Compared with liver controlling conveyance and dispersion group,the accuracy in subjects with liver failing to convey and disperse decreased significantly(P<0.05).The elderly group had a lower accuracy(P<0.001)and a longer reaction time(P<0.001)compared to the young group.The N2pc amplitude in subjects with liver failing to convey and disperse was significantly greater than that in subjects with liver controlling conveyance and dispersion(P<0.05).The interaction effect of SPCN amplitude between age and liver failing to convey and disperse status was significant(P=0.024).And in the elderly group,SPCN amplitude in subjects with liver dysregulation was significantly smaller than that of liver controlling conveyance and dispersion(P=0.042).The N2pc-Ptc peak to peak amplitude interaction effect between age and liver regulation status was marginal significant(P=0.087),and in liver failing to convey and disperse group,N2pc-Ptc peak to peak amplitude of the elderly was significantly smaller than that of the young(P=0.008).Conclusion Attention search ability is impaired in the elderly with liver failing to convey and disperse,and the electrophysiological abnormalities,such as directed attention allocation,spatiotemporal dynamic cohesion and short-term memory maintenance,may be part of the mechanism.
9.Changes in expression of miR-146a-5p and StAR in blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis
Lan ZHENG ; Lianyu LI ; Penghui ZHANG ; Dingxin ZHANG ; Yaoyao QIN ; Weiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(4):482-488
Objective:To investigate the changes in the expression of miR-146a-5p and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis, and to preliminarily evaluate the underlying mechanisms of vascular lesions in hypertension complicated with sepsis.Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks, weighing 250-270 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group, sepsis group, hypertension group, and hypertension complicated with sepsis group. In sham operation group, laparotomy was performed, and sterile normal saline was subcutaneously infused using a micro-osmotic pump for 4 weeks. The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation after anesthesia in sepsis group. The hypertension model was established by subcutaneously infusing angiotensin Ⅱ at a rate of 500 ng·kg -1·min -1 for 4 weeks using a micro-osmotic pump in hypertension group. In hypertension complicated with sepsis group, angiotensin Ⅱ was subcutaneously infused, and 4 weeks later the sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation. Blood pressure was measured at the end of establishing the model in each group, and blood samples of the abdominal aorta and specimens of aorta were obtained under deep anesthesia, and the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The systolic and diastolic functions of the aorta were detected using the aortic vascular ring assay. The collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated after Masson staining. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and StAR was detected using the immunohistochemical staining assay, and the thickness of the aortic wall was measured. The expression of StAR mRNA and miR-146a-5p was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with sham operation group, the aortic contraction rate was significantly decreased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in the other three groups, and the systolic blood pressure and CVF were significantly increased, the thickness of the aortic wall was increased, the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated, and the thickness of the aortic wall was increased in hypertension and hypertension complicated with sepsis groups ( P<0.05). Compared with sepsis group, the systolic pressure was significantly increased, the aortic contraction rate was decreased, CVF was increased, the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated, the thickness of the aortic wall was increased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in hypertension complicated with sepsis group ( P<0.05). Compared with hypertension group, the aortic contraction rate was significantly decreased, the diastolic rate was increased, the expression of StAR protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of miR-146a-5p was down-regulated, and the serum TNF-α concentration was increased in hypertension complicated with sepsis group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Down-regulation of miR-146a-5p and up-regulation of StAR in the blood vessels of rats with hypertension complicated with sepsis may be associated with the vascular lesions caused by hypertension complicated with sepsis.
10.Distinct gut microbiota and metabolic profiles in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease
Xiaowei PANG ; Lian CHEN ; Lan ZHANG ; Shu FAN ; Yuxin LIU ; Wei WANG ; Daishi TIAN ; Chuan QIN
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(11):1160-1168
Objective:To investigate the gut microbiota and metabolic profiles of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and to identify potential microbial biomarkers with diagnostic values.Methods:A total of 16 NMOSD patients, 6 MOGAD patients, and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology since June 2024. Fecal samples were subjected to metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Differential microbes were identified using LEfSe (linear discriminant analysis effect size), and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate diagnostic potential. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between key microbes, metabolites, and serum antibody titers.Results:Distinct alterations in gut microbiota were observed in both disease groups compared with healthy controls. Ligilactobacillus salivarius was significantly enriched in both NMOSD and MOGAD patients and exhibited robust diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve=0.779 P=0.005). Metabolomics revealed that levels of ethosuximide and lysine-proline were elevated, while free fatty acids (15∶1) and 5, 6-dihydrothymine were reduced in the disease groups. Analysis results indicated that Ligilactobacillus salivarius abundance was positively correlated with aquaporin 4 antibody titers in NMOSD patients ( r=0.522, P=0.046). Conclusions:Patients with NMOSD and MOGAD have characteristic alterations in gut microbial and metabolic profiles.


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