1.Mechanistic study of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal injury induced by maternal bone lead mobilization during pregnancy in rats
Ling LI ; Lin ZHANG ; Li LI ; Yuting WEI ; Man LYU ; Zeshi ZHANG ; Li MA ; Anxin LU ; Yin LIN ; Shaohua WANG ; Chonghuai YAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):286-292
Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.
2.Expert consensus on a stepwise strategy for the surgical management of empyema based on pathological staging (2026 edition)
Jichen QU ; Yunjiu GOU ; Guangyu CHEN ; Yongfu ZHAI ; Tinglong MA ; Xiaogang ZENG ; Feng JIN ; Yanzheng SONG ; Boxiong XIE ; Minjie MA ; Bin LI ; Jiang FAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):988-998
The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.
3.Hei Xiaoyaosan Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Clearing Peripheral Aβ via AMPK/SREBP2/PCSK9/LRP-1 Signaling Pathway
Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Jiao YANG ; Ruixue JIN ; Qian WANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):61-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan (HXS) in ameliorating cognitive impairment in the rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by regulating the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2)/proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) signaling pathway to clear amyloid-β (Aβ) from the peripheral circulation. MethodsNinety 8-week-old specific pathogen-free (SPF)-grade male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were acclimatized for 1 week. After acclimatization, 10 rats were randomly selected as the blank control group, and the remaining 80 rats were prepared for surgical modeling. Among the 80 rats for modeling, 70 were anesthetized and injected with 1 μL of amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) solution into the bilateral hippocampal CA1 region for the modeling of AD, and the remaining 10 were assigned to the sham operation group, which received an injection of 1 μL normal saline at the same anatomical site. The successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=10 per group): a model group, a donepezil hydrochloride group, an acadesine (AICAR, an AMPK agonist) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose HXS groups. After 42 consecutive days of administration intervention, the Morris water maze test and T-maze test were performed to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) staining was conducted to observe pathological changes of neurons in the rat hippocampus, and thioflavin S staining to quantify the area of Aβ deposition in the hippocampal region. Immunofluorescence double staining (IF-DS) was performed to detect the expression of LRP-1 and Aβ signals in the liver tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of Aβ1-42 and soluble LRP-1 (sLRP-1) in the serum. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), SREBP2, PCSK9, and LRP-1 in the liver tissue. Real time polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was adopted to assess the mRNA levels of AMPK, SREBP2, PCSK9, and LRP-1 in the liver tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed increased total swimming distance on day 6 and path length in the target quadrant on day 7 (P<0.01), a decreased correct alternation rate in the T-maze test (P<0.01), disarrangement of hippocampal neurons, increased FJB-positive cells (P<0.01), enlarged area of Aβ deposition (P<0.01). reduced LRP-1 fluorescence signals and enhanced Aβ fluorescence signals in the liver tissue (P<0.01), elevated serum level of Aβ1-42, declined serum level of sLRP-1 (P<0.01), downregulated protein levels of p-AMPK and LRP-1 as well as mRNA levels of AMPK and LRP-1, and upregulated protein and mRNA levels of SREBP2 and PCSK9 in the liver tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose HXS group, donepezil hydrochloride group, and AICAR group exhibited reduced total swimming distance and target quadrant path length (P<0.05, P<0.01), an increased correct alternation rate in the T-maze test (P<0.05), decreased FJB-positive cells (P<0.01), reduced Aβ deposition (P<0.01) in the hippocampal tissue, enhanced LRP-1 signals and weakened Aβ signals in the liver tissue (P<0.01), a declined serum level of Aβ1-42 and an elevated serum level of sLRP-1 (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of p-AMPK and LRP-1 as well as mRNA levels of AMPK and LRP-1, and downregulated protein and mRNA levels of SREBP2 and PCSK9 in the liver tissue (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can regulate the AMPK/SREBP2/PCSK9/LRP-1 signaling pathway to enhance the clearance of peripheral Aβ by the liver tissue and reduce Aβ deposition in the brain, thereby improving the learning and memory abilities of AD rats.
4.Hei Xiaoyaosan Inhibits AEP to Prevent and Treat Alzheimer's Disease
Yumei HAN ; Wenli PEI ; Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Jiao YANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):74-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in regulating asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) to inhibit tau protein (tau) phosphorylation, amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) deposition, and neuroinflammation in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). MethodsNinety SPF-grade SD male rats of 8 weeks old were selected and randomly grouped as follows: 10 rats in the blank group, 10 rats in the sham group (bilateral hippocampus injected with 1 μL normal saline), and 70 rats in the modeling group (bilateral hippocampus injected with 1 μL Aβ1-42 solution for the modeling of AD). Fifty successfully modeled rats were selected and randomly assigned into the model, donepezil hydrochloride (positive control, 0.45 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (15.30, 7.65, and 3.82 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage once a day for 42 days. Morris water maze and Y maze tests were carried out to assess the cognitive abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe morphological changes in hippocampal neurons, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to assess phosphorylation (p)-tau and Aβ expression in the hippocampal tissue of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AEP, tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), α-Syn (α-Syn), phosphorylated α-Syn (p-α-Syn), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3). Real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed prolonged escape latency, a decreased percentage of time spent in the platform quadrant, and a decreased alternation rate (P<0.01), a reduced number, shrinkage, and increased vacuoles of hippocampal neurons, increased expression of p-tau and Aβ in the hippocampus (P<0.01), elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and Aβ1-42, up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3, and up-regulated protein levels of p-tau and p-α-Syn (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive control group and the high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group exhibited shortened escape latency (P<0.01), an increased percentage of retention time in the target quadrant, an increased alternation response rate (P<0.05, P<0.01), alleviated neuronal shrinkage, regular morphology and arrangement of neurons in the hippocampal tissue, lowered levels of p-tau and Aβ in the hippocampal tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), declined levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and Aβ1-42, downregulated mRNA and protein levels of AEP, tau, α-Syn, TLR2, and NLRP3, and downregulated protein levels of p-tau and p-α-Syn (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can protect hippocampal neurons and ameliorate cognitive impairment in the rat model of AD. Specifically, it may inhibit AEP to regulate tau phosphorylation, Aβ deposition, and neuroinflammation.
5.Hei Xiaoyaosan Reduces Neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 Mice via CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Signaling Axis
Yujie LYU ; Jiao YANG ; Yunyun HU ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):83-90
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Hei Xiaoyaosan on neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice and decipher the mechanism based on the C-X3-C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1)-CX3CL1 receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling axis. MethodsSixty 16-week-old male APP/PS1 mice were selected and acclimatized for one week, and they were then randomly allocated into a model group, a CX3CL1 group (bilateral hippocampal injection of CX3CL1 at 0.5 g·L-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (22.10, 11.05, and 5.53 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 12 mice in each group. Twelve age-matched male C57BL/6J mice served as the blank group (bilateral hippocampal injection of an equal volume of PBS). The high-, medium-, and low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups received corresponding drugs via gavage, while the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline, with an intervention period of 90 days. Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) deposition in the hippocampal CA1 region. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of M1 and M2 microglial markers, including cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86)/ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and arginase-1 (Arg1)/Iba1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CREB-binding protein (CBP), cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated (p)-CREB, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited prolonged escape latency on day 5 and a reduced swimming distance in the target quadrant (P<0.01), disarrangement of hippocampal neurons, with a reduced number of cells and uneven Nissl body staining, increased CD86/Iba1 expression, decreased Arg1/Iba1 expression (P<0.01), enhanced Aβ expression (P<0.01), an elevated IL-8 level and a declined IL-13 level (P<0.01), and downregulated protein levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, p-CREB, and BDNF (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed shortened escape latency on day 5 and an increased swimming distance in the target quadrant (P<0.05, P<0.01), regular arrangement of neurons with an increased number and increased Nissl bodies, reduced CD86/Iba1 expression, increased Arg1/Iba1 and decreased Aβ expression (P<0.01), and a declined IL-8 level and an elevated IL-13 level (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the CX3CL1 group and the high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, and p-CREB were upregulated (P<0.01). In the low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, p-CREB/CREB, and BDNF were upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can improve learning and cognitive abilities in APP/PS1 mice. Specifically, it may regulate the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling axis to activate the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway for the subsequent release of BDNF, modulation of microglial polarization, reduction of inflammatory cytokine levels, and attenuation of Aβ deposition.
6.Hei Xiaoyaosan Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease by Activating Autophagy Through Regulating AMPK/ULK1 Signaling Pathway
Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Zifan NIE ; Yingchuan MA ; Ruixue JIN ; Qian WANG ; Jiao YANG ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):91-101
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) by activating autophagy through regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/UNC-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway. MethodsNinety 8-week-old male SPF-grade SD rats were selected and randomized into two groups: a blank control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=80). From the modeling group, 10 rats were randomly assigned as a sham group (bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL normal saline), while the remaining 70 rats were injected with 1 μL Aβ1-42 solution bilaterally into the hippocampus to replicate the AD model. The Morris water maze test was conducted to screen the successfully modeled rats, which were then randomly allocated to the model, donepezil hydrochloride, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR, an AMPK agonist), and high-, medium-, and low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 10 rats per group. After 42 days of drug intervention, the Morris water maze and open field tests were conducted to assess learning and memory abilities and motor function. Pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining, and autophagy-related pathological damage was examined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of LC3 in the hippocampus was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The protein levels of AMPK, phosphorylate (p)-AMPK, ULK1, p-ULK1, p62, and autophagy related 7 (Atg7) were determined by Western blot, while the mRNA levels of AMPK and ULK1 were measured by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank control group, the model group showed increased escape latency (P<0.01) and decreased platform crossings (P<0.01) on day 6 in the water maze test, reduced total distance traveled and average speed in the open field test (P<0.01), disarranged neurons with Nissl body loss and evident autophagic damage, weakened LC3 fluorescence signal (P<0.01), downregulated protein levels of p-AMPK, p-ULK1, and Atg7 and mRNA levels of AMPK and ULK1 in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and upregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the positive drug group, high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, and AICAR group showed decreased escape latency (P<0.05, P<0.01) and increased platform crossings (P<0.01) on day 6, and increased total distance traveled and average speed in the open field test (P<0.05). The positive drug group, high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, and the AICAR group showed alleviated cellular structural damage, regular neuronal arrangement, increased Nissl bodies, and orderly distribution of autophagosomes. Furthermore, the LC3 fluorescence intensity was enhanced in the positive drug group, high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, and the AICAR group (P<0.01). The positive drug group, high-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, and the AICAR group exhibited upregulated protein and mRNA levels of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), upregulated protein level of Atg7 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can improve learning and memory abilities and alleviate pathological status in the rat model of AD by regulating the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular autophagy, and repairing damaged nerve cells.
7.Differences Between Adolescent Depression and Healthy Controls in Biomarkers Associated With Immune or Inflammatory Processes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Jiao LI ; Yan ZHANG ; Ning YANG ; Jing DU ; Pule LIU ; Wenchong DAI ; Qiangli DONG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(2):119-129
Objective:
Adolescent depression is a highly prevalent and disabling mental disorder with unclear pathophysiology and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Recent efforts have been focusing on searching for biomarkers as specific indicators of adolescent depression. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, specifically including studies with healthy control groups as an inclusion criterion. This approach helps to avoid confounding factors and provides more accurate results regarding the inflammatory and immune biomarkers associated with adolescent depression.
Methods:
Three electronic databases were searched for studies comparing the means and changes in the biomarkers between depressed adolescent patients and healthy controls published in English until February 2024. Two authors independently performed the screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes reported by two or more studies using a random-effects model and presented Forrest plots and test statistics (I2) for heterogeneity analysis.
Results:
Nine studies were included in the review, including seven case-control studies and two cross-sectional studies. These studies included 24 target biomarkers, 13 of which were quantified in 2 or more studies. Compared to the healthy controls, the depressed adolescents had significantly higher values in ten indicators. Additionally, the depressed adolescents had lower procalcitonin levels than the healthy controls. The two groups showed no significant differences in the remaining 13 biomarkers.
Conclusion
Our findings offer fresh insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory and immune aspects of adolescent depression and provide helpful guidance in developing targeted and effective intervention and prevention strategies to address adolescent depression.
8.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy*
;
Humans
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
;
Practice Guidelines as Topic
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
9.Association of Body Mass Index with All-Cause Mortality and Cause-Specific Mortality in Rural China: 10-Year Follow-up of a Population-Based Multicenter Prospective Study.
Juan Juan HUANG ; Yuan Zhi DI ; Ling Yu SHEN ; Jian Guo LIANG ; Jiang DU ; Xue Fang CAO ; Wei Tao DUAN ; Ai Wei HE ; Jun LIANG ; Li Mei ZHU ; Zi Sen LIU ; Fang LIU ; Shu Min YANG ; Zu Hui XU ; Cheng CHEN ; Bin ZHANG ; Jiao Xia YAN ; Yan Chun LIANG ; Rong LIU ; Tao ZHU ; Hong Zhi LI ; Fei SHEN ; Bo Xuan FENG ; Yi Jun HE ; Zi Han LI ; Ya Qi ZHAO ; Tong Lei GUO ; Li Qiong BAI ; Wei LU ; Qi JIN ; Lei GAO ; He Nan XIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1179-1193
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study.
METHODS:
A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants.
RESULTS:
Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m 2) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m 2) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m 2) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m 2 ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses.
CONCLUSION
This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans
;
Body Mass Index
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Rural Population/statistics & numerical data*
;
Aged
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Adult
;
Mortality
;
Cause of Death
;
Obesity/mortality*
;
Overweight/mortality*
10.Analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with X-linked cardiac valve dysplasia (CVDPX) and congenital chronic pseudo intestinal obstruction (CIIPX) due to a c.443A>G variant of FLNA gene.
Tingting JI ; Jiao LIU ; Yabing ZHANG ; Qimin TIAN ; Bin MAO ; Xiaoling MA
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(5):603-607
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic etiology for a Chinese pedigree affected with X-linked cardiac valve dysplasia (CVDPX) and congenital chronic pseudo intestinal obstruction (CIIPX).
METHODS:
A pedigree presented at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University for CVDPX combined with CIIX was selected as the study subject. Whole exome sequencing (Trio-WES) was carried out, and the candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University (Ethics No. LDYYSZLLKH2024-15).
RESULTS:
Both the proband and his affected younger brother were found to harbor a hemizygous c.443A>G (p.Tyr148Cys) variant of the FLNA gene, for which their mother was heterozygous and their father was not a carrier, suggesting an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. The variant was not recorded in the OMIM and ClinVar databases, and was determined to be likely pathogenic (PM2+PS4+PP2+PP3) based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). The patients had presented with typical CVDPX/CIIPX phenotype, including multiple valve dysplasia and chronic pseudo intestinal obstruction, in addition with gallbladder wall edema and thickening. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the variant site is highly conserved, and multiple algorithms had predicted its pathogenicity.
CONCLUSION
This study confirmed the diagnosis of CVDPX/CIIX in a Chinese pedigree, expanded the phenotype spectrum of FLNA gene variants, and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the pedigree.
Adult
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Female
;
Humans
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Male
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Filamins/genetics*
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Genetic Diseases, X-Linked/genetics*
;
Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics*
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Heart Valve Diseases/genetics*
;
Pedigree
;
East Asian People/genetics*

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