1.Heterogeneity of Adipose Tissue From a Single-cell Transcriptomics Perspective
Yong-Lang WANG ; Si-Si CHEN ; Qi-Long LI ; Yu GONG ; Xin-Yue DUAN ; Ye-Hui DUAN ; Qiu-Ping GUO ; Feng-Na LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):820-835
Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.
2.Mechanism of inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on obesity in mice by regulating intestinal flora
Yixue GAO ; Lin GUO ; Linyan LANG ; Jing WU ; Haoyang WANG ; Jing YANG ; Mingsan MIAO ; Zhanzhan LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(3):293-299
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of total flavonoids from Taraxacum mongolicum on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice through modulation of intestinal flora. METHODS Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group and T. mongolicum total flavonoid group, with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, the other 2 groups were given a high-fat diet, while T. mongolicum total flavonoid group was given T. mongolicum total flavonoid [400 mg/(kg·d)] intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. During the experiment, the food intake of each group of mice was recorded. After the last medication, the body mass, fat weight, blood lipid level and pathological changes of liver and epididymal fat in mice were evaluated to observe the effect of T. mongolicum total flavonoid on the treatment of obesity in mice. The changes in abundance and structure of intestinal flora in mice were detected by amplicon sequencing; the effects of T. mongolicum total flavonoids on fat metabolism related genes were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS Compared with model group, the body weight of mice in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group was decreased significantly (P<0.05); the levels of total lipid cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were all decreased significantly (P<0.01), and the level of HDL cholesterol was increased significantly (P<0.01); the fat indexes of inguinal white adipose tissue and epididymal white wind_lz@hactcm.edu.cn adipose tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.05); significant improvement in hepatocellular steatosis and adipose cytopathy were significantly improved; mRNA expressions of COX7A1 and COX8B were significantly upregulated (P<0.05). The results of bacterial colony detection showed that compared with the model group, there was a rising trend in the diversity of the bacterial colony in T. mongolicum total flavonoids group, and the Sobs index characterization and β diversity were increased significantly (P<0.05). Relative abundances of Blautia, norank_f_Ruminococcaceae, Bilophila, Alistipes, classified_f_Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroides, norank_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Anaerotruncus were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), while those of Faecalibaculum, Erysipelatoclostridium, GCA-900066575, Tuzzerella, Lactobacillus, norank_f_norank_o_RF39, achnospiraceae_FCS020_group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS T. mongolicum total flavonoids can reduce body mass, fat weight and blood lipid levels, and repair the pathological damage to liver and epididymal fat in obese mice, which is related to improving intestinal flora disorders caused by high-fat diet.
3.Different diagnostic methods for necrospermia and correlation between the severity of sperm necrosis and sperm DNA fragmentation index
Lang FAN ; Guo-Qiong ZHANG ; Yu-Qiu TAN ; Wen-Xing ZHU ; Xi-Yan WU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(10):872-877
Objective:To assess the value eosin-nigrosine(E-N)staining and hypo-osmotic swelling test(HOST)in the diag-nosis of necrospermia and investigate the correlation of the degree of sperm necrosis with sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and high DNA stainability(HDS).Methods:Using computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA),we examined the sperm motility of 7 333 males seeking medical care in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province from May 2023 to July 2024,detected the sperm viability of those with asthenozoospermia by E-N staining and HOST,and measured the sperm DFI and HDS of those with necro-spermia by sperm chromatin structure assay(SCSA).Based on sperm progressive motility(PR%),we divided the asthenozoospermia patients into three groups(PR%20%-<30%,PR%10%-<20%and PR%<10%),assessed the value of E-N staining and HOST in the diagnosis of necrospermia,and analyzed the correlation of the severity of sperm necrosis with sperm DFI and HDS.Results:Asthenozoospermia was diagnosed in 1 374(18.74%)of the 7 333 males.The incidence rates of necrospermia revealed by E-N staining in the mild,moderate and severe asthenozoospermia groups were 0.55%(5/913),3.80%(12/316)and 35.86%(52/145),respectively,with a total incidence of 0.94%(69/7333),while those detected by HOST were 0.99%(9/913),6.96%(22/316)and 46.21%(67/145),respectively,with a total incidence of 1.34%(98/7333).There were no statistically significant differences in the results of diagnosis between the two methods(x2=0.97,P>0.05).Both E-N staining and HOST showed that sperm DFI in the necrospermia males was negatively correlated with sperm viability(r=-0.366,r=-0.333,P<0.05),and so was sperm HDS,though with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion:For males with PR%<30%,sperm viability test should be conducted,with E-N staining as the choice of priority for the diagnosis of necrospermia.Sperm necrosis and sperm nuclear chromatin damage may be interactive risk factors.
4.Analysis of Self-healing of 114 Children with Functional Dysarthria with Abnormal Root Sound
Chunmei LANG ; Yingqin GAO ; Hua SHAO ; Quandong CHEN ; Guo LI
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2024;32(5):441-444
Objective To investigate the self-healing status of children with abnormal tongue root sounds at different age stages of 4 to 12 years old who have not received articulation training,and to provide correct guidance plans for patients.Methods Through retrospective analysis,114 cases of children diagnosed with functional dysar-thria and abnormal root of tongue in Kunming children's hospital from 2019 to 2020 who refused to do rehabilitation training but could receive long-term outpatient follow-up visit,were selected.The follow-up visit was conducted one year later to reevaluate the root of tongue of the children,and the relationship between the self-healing situation of the children's root of tongue and age and wrong form was statistically analyzed.Results Among the 114 children with abnormal root sound,35 cases(30.70%)healed by themselves.The self-healing rates of each age group were as follows:4~5 years old(45.24%),5~6 years old(27.08%),6~7 years old(14.29%),7~12 years old(10.00%).The self-healing rate of all age groups was significant(x2=8.254,P=0.041).There were 287 fre-quency of errors in 114 cases,among which the self-healing rate of consonant loss was the highest(41.46%),fol-lowed by consonant substitution(40.76%),and consonant distortion was the worst(16.67%).The overall differ-ence of the three error forms was statistically significant(x2=10.003,P=0.007).According to different root sounds,the self-healing rate of/h/sound was the highest(31/60.78%),followed by/k/sound(40,32.26%),and/g/sound was the worst(35,31.25%).There was significant difference among the three root sounds(x2=15.172,P<0.001).There was no significant difference in the self-healing rate between male and female children(x2=1.311,P=0.252).Conclusion The rate of root sound healing in children with functional articulation disor-der was related to age,wrong form and wrong root sound,but not gender.
5.Development of negative pressure cabin environment detector for aviation
Wei YONG ; Muzhe ZHANG ; Falin LI ; Hailiang ZHOU ; Yuanyuan JIANG ; Bingjie XUE ; Tian TIAN ; Yan JIANG ; Haibo DU ; Lei GUO ; Lang JIANG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(8):187-189
In order to detect the environmental data of isolated cabin under various environmental conditions,a negative pressure cabin environment detector for aviation was developed,which was composed of a shell,a differential pressure transmitter,a pressure sensor,a carbon dioxide concentration sensor,an oxygen concentration sensor,a temperature and humidity sensor,a data processing module,a liquid crystal display(LCD)screen and USB data interface.It could environmental data such as carbon dioxide concentration,oxygen concentration,temperature,humidity,pressure difference between cabin and outside the cabin and air pressure outside the cabin in real time,the data processing module collected and processed the data,the data and data change curves was displayed in real time by the LCD screen,and the detection data was extracted through the USB data interface.When used in aviation environment,the detector could work continuously without fault for no less than 300 hours,and the average fault repair time was about 30 minutes,with good performance and high detection accuracy,which can provide convenience for the environmental data detection of negative pressure cabins,and is worthy of popularization.
6.Clinical efficacy and safety of extended debridement combined with BAM bone-induced artificial bone repair in treating Cierny-Mader type IV osteomyelitis
Keye LI ; Daqiang LIN ; Xu ZHANG ; Yuxiang LIANG ; Dong HE ; Qiang GUO ; Zhigang LANG
Clinical Medicine of China 2024;40(5):328-334
Objective:To explore the clinical effect and safety of extended debridement combined with BAM bone-induced artificial bone repair in the treatment of Cierny-Mader type IV osteomyelitis.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, 106 patients with Cierny-Mader type IV osteomyelitis who were treated with allogeneic bone mixed with autologous bone in department of orthopedics of Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital were retrospectively selected as the study subjects. Among them, 54 patients who were combined with BAM bone-induced artificial bone mixed with autologous bone repair were included in observation group, and 52 patients who only received allogeneic bone mixed with autologous bone repair were enrolled as control group. The clinical related indicators (bone healing time, fracture healing time), clinical efficacy (Johner-Wruh tibial shaft fracture evaluation standard) at 1 year after surgery, inflammatory factors (white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin), limb function (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AH)) and bone healing degree before surgery and at 1 year after surgery were compared between both groups. Chi-square test was used to compare the enumeration data between groups, and the independent sample t test was performed to compare the measurement data with normal distribution between groups.Results:At 1 year after surgery, the clinical healing indicators of bone healing time and fracture healing time and inflammatory factors such as WBC, ESR, CRP and procalcitonin with (21.19±2.16) weeks, (11.35±1.01) weeks, (6.15±0.73)×10 9/L, (9.10±1.05) mm/h, (8.09±1.11) mg/L and (0.05±0.01) μg/L in observation group were significantly shorter or lower than (24.32±2.39) weeks, (12.29±1.27) weeks, (7.86±0.89)×10 9/L, (10.10±1.32) mm/h, (9.26±1.23) mg/L and (0.08±0.01) μg/L in control group,and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 7.08, 4.23, 10.83, 4.33, 5.15, and 15.44, respectively; all P<0.001). The clinical effective rate (85.19%(46/54)), AOFAS-AH score((84.83±12.17) points) and bone healing probability (94.44%(51/54)) were higher than (67.31%(35/52)), (79.17±11.25) points and 80.77% (42/52) in control group,with statistically significant differences (statistical values were χ2=4.70, t=2.48, and χ2=4.60, respectively; P values were 0.030, 0.015, and 0.032, respectively). Conclusion:Expanded debridement combined with BAM bone-induced artificial bone repair can effectively promote the bone tissue healing in patients with Cierny-Mader type IV osteomyelitis, relieve the inflammatory response, and improve the limb function, and it has good clinical efficacy and high safety.
7.Exploration of Decision-Making Methods Based on Syndrome Differentiation by “Data-Knowledge” Dual-Driven Models: A Case Study of Gastric Precancerous State
Weichao XU ; Yanru DU ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Yingying LOU ; Wenwen JIA ; Xin KANG ; Shuo GUO ; Kun ZHANG ; Chunzhi SU ; Junbiao TIAN ; Xiaona WEI ; Qian YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):154-158
Data analysis models may assist the transmission of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experience and clinical diagnosis and treatment, and the possibility of constructing a “data-knowledge” dual-drive model was explored by taking gastric precancerous state as an example. Data-driven is to make clinical decisions around data analysis, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on hidden structural models and partially observable Markov decision-making processes to identify the etiology of diseases, syndrome elements, evolution of pathogenesis, and syndrome differentiation protocols; knowledge-driven is to make use of data and information to promote decision-making and action processes, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on convolutional neural networks to improve the accuracy of local disease identification and syndrome differentiation. The “data-knowledge” dual-driven model can make up for the shortcomings of single-drive numerical simulation accuracy, and achieve a balance between local disease identification and macroscopic syndrome differentiation. On the basis of previous research, we explored the construction method of diagnostic assisted decision-making platform for gastric precancerous state, and believed that the diagnostic and decision-making ability of doctors can be extended through the assistance of machines and algorithms. Meanwhile, the related research methods were integrated and the core features of gastric precancerous state based on TCM syndrome differentiation and endoscopic pathology diagnosis and prediction were obtained, and the elements of endoscopic pathology recognition based on TCM syndrome differentiation were explored, so as to provide ideas for the in-depth research and innovative application of cutting-edge data analysis technology in the field of intelligent TCM syndrome differentiation.
8.Efficacy comparison of botulinum toxin A injection and extraocular muscle surgery in the treatment of large angle acute acquired concomitant esotropia
Jiong ZHANG ; Lijuan LANG ; Junbo RONG ; Limin XU ; Kexin GUO ; Luxi ZHANG ; Ying WANG ; Yujie LIU ; Zhigang LI
International Eye Science 2024;24(6):960-964
AIM: To explore the variance in efficacy between botulinum toxin A(BTA)injection and extraocular muscle surgery in managing large-angle(≥+60 PD)acute acquired concomitant esotropia(AACE).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 patients with AACE treated at our hospital from June 2020 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on different treatments: 2.5 IU BTA injection group(14 cases), 5.0 IU BTA injection group(29 cases), and surgical group(17 cases). Follow-up was conducted for 6 mo after treatment to observe the degree of strabismus after the correction of refractive error, visual function, treatment effectiveness, and occurrence of complications after BTA injection.RESULTS: At 6 mo post-treatment, the degree of strabismus in the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was lower than that in the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(P<0.017). However, there was no significant difference in the degree of strabismus between the surgical group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(P>0.017). The effective rate of the 5.0 IU BTA injection group was higher than that of the 2.5 IU BTA injection group(86% vs 43%, P<0.017). There was no difference in visual function among the three groups(P>0.05). The incidence of complications after treatment was not significantly different between the 2.5 IU BTA injection group and the 5.0 IU BTA injection group(43% vs 52%, P>0.05).CONCLUSION: For AACE patients with esotropia degree ≥+60 PD, bilateral medial rectus injection of 5.0 IU BTA can yield outcomes comparable to traditional extraocular muscle surgery, with the advantages of minimal trauma and simple and convenient operation.
9.Analysis of urinary iodine level in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients
Xiaodie Li ; Yongxia Xu ; Fen Wang ; Wenlu Guo ; Wei Jia ; Xuefeng Wang ; Lang Lang ; Defa Zhu
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(1):144-148
Objective :
To analyze the difference of urinary iodine level in Hashimoto thyroiditis ( HT) patients, and to explore the possible relationship between urinary iodine level and HT under different iodine nutritional sta- tus,so as to provide some references for reasonable iodine intake in HT patients.
Methods :
A total of 101 hospi- talized HT patients were selected as HT group and divided into 3 groups according to thyroid function : HT group with hyperthyroidism (41 cases) .There were 25 cases in HT group with normal thyroid function.There were 35 cases in HT combined with hypothyroidism group.In addition,30 healthy subjects were selected as control group. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) ,triiodothyronine(T3 ) ,thyroxine (T4 ) ,thyroid peroxidase an- tibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (ATG) were detected by chemiluminescence assay.The size and mor- phological structure of thyroid organs were examined by ultrasonography.Urinary iodine was determined by catalytic spectrophotometry with arsenic and cerium.The nutritional status of iodine was classified into iodine deficiency ( < 100 μg/ L) ,iodine adequacy( 100 -199 μg/ L) ,iodine adequacy (200 -299 μg/ L) and iodine excess ( ≥ 300 μg/ L) .Non-parametric test was used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group,one- way ANOVA and t test were used to compare urinary iodine level between HT group and control group ,and Spearman correlation analysis was used to compare the correlation between urinary iodine level and T3 ,T4 ,TSH, ATG and TPOAb under different iodine nutrition status.
Results :
Compared with control group,ATG and TPOAb levels in HT group increased (P<0. 001) ,and urinary iodine levels increased (P<0. 05) ,with statistical signifi- cance.Compared with the control group in different thyroid function states,only the HT group with hypothyroidism increased the urinary iodine level (P<0. 01) ,and the difference was statistically significant.Spearman correlation analysis showed that urine iodine level was positively correlated with ATG and TPOAb levels in iodine excess condi- tion (P<0. 05) ,and urine iodine level was positively correlated with TSH level in iodine sufficient condition and iodine excess condition in HT patients (P<0. 05) .
Conclusion
The urinary iodine level of HT patients was high- er than that of normal people.When the urinary iodine level of residents is ≥ 300 μg/ L,iodine intake is prone to HT.When the urinary iodine level of HT patients is ≥ 200 μg/ L,iodine consumption is prone to hypothyroidism, and iodine intake should be limited.
10.Epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhoids in a healthy physical examination population in China
Chenghua GUO ; Xiaoyu CHE ; Zhi LIN ; Shan CAI ; Guozhen LIU ; Lang PAN ; Jun LV ; Liming LI ; Sailimai MAN ; Bo WANG ; Canqing YU
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(5):815-819
Objective:To describe the epidemiological distribution of hemorrhoids in a physical exami-nation population in China,which could provide evidence for precision prevention and early intervention of hemorrhoids.Methods:Chinese subjects over 18 years of age who underwent a physical examination in a nationwide chain of physical examination centers in 2018 were studied in a cross-sectional design,which collected information by a questionnaire and physical examination results from each subject.The epidemiological distribution of hemorrhoids was described using Logistic models.The gender-,age-,and region-detection rates of hemorrhoids were standardized to the Sixth National Population Census of the People's Republic of China(2010).Results:A total of 2 940 295 adult subjects were included in the study,of whom the average age was(41.7±14.0)years,and 52.6%were females.The standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids was higher for females(43.7%)than that for males(17.7%;P<0.001)in this study.In the females,the age distribution of hemorrhoids was inverted U-shaped,with the highest standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids in the age group of 30-39 years(63.5%).In the males,the standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids increased along with age,with the highest percentage of 17.2%in the age group of 50-59 years,and the standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids in the age group of 60 and above decreased slightly(P<0.001 for trend test).The participants with hypertension had a higher standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids than those with normal blood pressure in both males and females(P<0.001).The standardized detection rate of hemorrhoids showed a positive corre-lation with body mass index(P<0.001 for trend test in males).Conclusion:The detection rate of hemorrhoids varied to gender,age,obesity,and hypertension status,which could help to identify the risk factors and the high-risk sub-groups,and hence to strengthen health education and early detection accordingly,which could eventually reduce the incidence of hemorrhoids and improve the quality of life and health in the Chinese population.This study was conducted in a physical examination population,and the conclusions of this study should be extrapolated with caution.


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