1.column:Serum short-chain fatty acid levels and their association with atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients
Zhenxiang WANG ; Lele CHEN ; Liping DONG ; Sheng WANG ; Jinlei XU ; Xinying CAI ; Fengli XIAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):763-769
ObjectiveTo investigate the metabolic alterations of serum short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their correlation with different clinical phenotypes using targeted metabolomics. MethodsThis study enrolled 87 AD patients and 67 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of eight SCFAs were quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The associations between SCFAs and AD were assessed using various statistical methods. ResultsCompared with the HC group, levels of acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), and caproic acid (CA) (P=0.002,P=0.002,P=0.043) decreased in the AD group. Logistic regression analysis identified AA (OR=0.449, 95% CI: 0.289–0.698) and PA (OR = 0.487, 95% CI: 0.324–0.732) as protective factors against AD. The combination of AA and PA yielded an area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic efficacy. Age-stratified analysis revealed that AA reduction was predominant in childhood, whereas PA reduction was predominant in adolescence. Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment of fatty acid biosynthesis (FDR=0.341, P=0.003) and vitamin K metabolism (FDR=1, P=0.039) pathways. Furthermore, subgroup analyses based on disease severity, personal/family history of atopy, and sex revealed no significant differences in SCFAs levels among the groups. ConclusionDifferential serum SCFAs and their enriched metabolic pathways may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AD.
2.Clinicopathological analysis of conjunctival lymphangiectasia
Jie RAN ; Duosheng XIA ; Fuli WANG ; Xuandi SU ; Lele ZHENG ; Yujin WANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1276-1280
AIM: To analyze the pathological features, immunophenotype, and imaging findings of conjunctival lymphangiectasia(CL), and to explore the etiological mechanisms and provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS:This single-center descriptive cross-sectional study enrolled postoperative specimens from patients with CL who underwent surgical treatment in the hospital between Feb. 2023 and Sept. 2025. Routine hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining and immunohistochemical staining(D2-40, CD31, CD34, CK)were performed. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)was used to observe the lesion morphology. The pathological results were comprehensively analyzed combined with clinical data. RESULTS: A total of postoperative specimens from 32 eyes of 32 patients with CL were enrolled, including 23 females(72%)and 9 males(28%), with a mean age of 53.03±12.47 y. All patients presented with single or multiple transparent cystic elevations beneath the bulbar conjunctiva. The postoperative pathological manifestations were characterized by dilation of conjunctival lymphatic vessels lined with a single layer of flattened endothelial cells, accompanied by edema and inflammatory infiltration in the surrounding stroma. All cases were positive for D2-40, confirming a lymphatic origin; some cases also expressed CD31 and CD34. AS-OCT revealed the lesions as unilocular or multilocular cystic spaces with low reflectivity. After complete surgical resection, the mean follow-up period was 16.2 mo with no recurrence.CONCLUSION:CL is a benign ocular surface lesion characterized by lymphatic vessel dilation. The endothelium co-expresses lymphatic and some vascular markers, suggesting that CL may belong to the spectrum of vascular malformations. AS-OCT has adjunctive diagnostic value, and surgical resection has definitive therapeutic efficacy.
3.Distribution and Contributing Factors of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels in South China Population
Yuliang CHEN ; Bingqi YE ; Shujun YANG ; Xirui ZHOU ; Zekai LEI ; Lele YUAN ; Qianyi XU ; Min XIA
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(1):55-63
ObjectiveTo describe the characteristics of cardiorespiratory fitness levels in the baseline population of the South China Cohort, and to identify the potential contributing factors. MethodsFace-to-face surveys and physical examinations were conducted to collect information on demographic characteristics, medical histories, medications, lifestyles, and physical activity conditions. After excluding individuals with missing cardiorespiratory fitness-related data and covariates including physical activity and dietary information, a total of 77 024 participants aged 25 to 85 were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness levels were evaluated using a non-exercise algorithm, and low cardiorespiratory fitness level was defined as below the lower tertile of the population distribution. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the distribution of low cardiorespiratory fitness level, and log-binomial regression and ordered logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the associations of cardiorespiratory fitness with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors (including alcohol consumption and dietary diversity), and chronic diseases conditions (including diabetes, hypertension, pulmonary diseases, and cardiovascular diseases). ResultsCardiorespiratory fitness levels showed a sufficiently normal distribution in both male and female group. We found that the proportion of low cardiorespiratory fitness level was higher among Han ethnicity, those with an educational level below 9th grade, households with an annual income of more than 100 000 Yuan, as well as those who drank alcohol at least one time per week and who exhibited low dietary diversity (all P<0.001). Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases were found to be statistically associated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels in the South China population (all P<0.001). ConclusionCardiorespiratory fitness levels varied across different population groups in South China, with ethnicity, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases serving as key determinants. Therefore, it is recommended that the public pay attention to cardiorespiratory fitness, as strengthening population-level monitoring and interventions for cardiorespiratory fitness carries significant public health implications.
4.Longitudinal Association Between Weight Adjusted Waist Index and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Middle Aged and Elderly Adults Based on the CHARLS
Xiang LIU ; Shujun YANG ; Xirui ZHOU ; Lele YUAN ; Meisi KONG ; Yan LIU ; Min XIA
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(1):64-76
ObjectiveTo investigate the temporal trend of weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) and its association with the risk of incident cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. MethodsBased on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this research enrolled participants aged 45 and above with complete physical measurement data from the 2011, 2013, and 2015 waves. Complex sampling weights were applied to calculate the mean WWI, and the Mann-Kendall test was used to analyze its trend. From the 2011 baseline survey, individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease or missing key covariates were further excluded. New-onset cardiovascular outcome events were collected during follow-up until 2020. Participants were categorized into Q1–Q4 groups based on baseline WWI quartiles. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were constructed to assess the association between WWI and CVD, while restricted cubic splines were employed to evaluate potential nonlinear relationships. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the robustness of the findings. ResultsFrom 2011 to 2015, the weighted mean WWI among Chinese middle-aged and older adults remained generally stable (2011: 11.17±1.68; 2013: 11.28±1.35; 2015: 11.24±1.59; P for trend <0.05). During the longitudinal follow-up, 1 784 incident CVD cases were documented. After multivariable adjustment, each unit increase in WWI was associated with a 17% increased risk of CVD (RR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.10-1.24). Compared with the Q1 group, the risk of CVD in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups increased by 23% (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.40), 27% (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.11-1.44), and 40% (RR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.22-1.60), respectively. A significant linear trend was observed between the increasing WWI and elevated CVD risk (P for trend <0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger association in participants aged 45-60 years (P for interaction <0.05). The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the main research results. ConclusionsThe overall trend of WWI level in the middle-aged and elderly population in China is stable from 2011 to 2015. The higher level of WWI is associated with an increased risk of CVD, suggesting that WWI may be used as a simple and effective indicator to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular metabolism in middle-aged and elderly people.
5.Analysis of Postoperative Obesity and Glucolipid Metabolism Characteristics in Children and Adolescent with Craniopharyngioma
Zulin LIU ; Chenchen GAO ; Dilong WANG ; Huilian DAI ; Lele HOU ; Hui OU ; Zhe MENG ; Liyang LIANG
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2026;47(4):747-755
ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence, glucolipid metabolism characteristics, and associated factors of postoperative overweight/obesity in children and adolescent with craniopharyngioma. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using follow-up data from 44 patients (aged 0-18 years) diagnosed with craniopharyngioma who underwent surgical treatment and received follow-up care at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, between January 2006 and February 2024. The incidence and glucolipid metabolism characteristics of overweight/obesity were summarized, and potential influencing factors were analyzed. ResultsA total of 44 patients were enrolled. The mean age at surgery was (8.57 ± 4.25) years, and the mean age at last follow-up was (16.02 ± 5.36 )years. The mean follow-up duration was (7.45 ± 4.64) years (range, 8 months to 17.5 years). The preoperative incidence of overweight/obesity was 40.91% (predominantly overweight, 27.27%), which increased to 68.18% postoperatively (predominantly obesity, 50.00%). Postoperatively, all patients (44/44, 100%) underwent fasting plasma glucose (FPG) testing, among whom 2 (4.55%) had impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Fasting insulin (FINS) was measured in 20 patients, and insulin resistance was identified in 11 (55.00%). Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) with insulin release assessment was performed in 12 patients, and all (100%) exhibited abnormal insulin secretion, including 5 (41.67%) with hyperinsulinemia and 3 (25.00%) diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). All patients (44/44, 100%) underwent lipid profile assessment. The incidence of dyslipidemia was 81.82% (36/44), including elevated non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (29/44, 65.91%), hypertriglyceridemia (29/44, 65.91%), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (22/44, 50.00%), and mixed hyperlipidemia (13/44, 29.55%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that preoperative overweight/obesity and postoperative abnormal glucose metabolism were significant factors associated with postoperative overweight/obesity. Compared with normal-weight patients, those with postoperative overweight/obesity had higher FINS levels (14.22 mU/L vs. 3.57 mU/L), higher insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) (2.88 vs. 0.52), and a higher incidence of abnormal glucose metabolism (77.78% vs. 23.08%). However, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of dyslipidemia (94.44% vs. 73.08%). ConclusionsChildren and adolescent with craniopharyngioma exhibit a higher incidence of overweight/obesity than healthy peers preoperatively, which becomes more pronounced after surgery. This is accompanied by a high incidence of glucolipid metabolic disorders, placing these patients at increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which warrants clinical attention and regular metabolic assessment. In patients who develop postoperative obesity, particular attention should be given to the risk of glucose metabolism abnormalities, and further monitoring of glucose homeostasis is recommended.
6.Microbial Diversity and Physicochemical Properties of Rhizosphere Soil of Healthy and Diseased Andrographis paniculata
Yongqin LI ; Sitong ZHOU ; Lele XU ; Liyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):172-181
ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil, plants, and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined, and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness (operational taxonomic units) of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Bryobacter significantly increased, while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants, while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata, leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.
7.Microbial Diversity and Physicochemical Properties of Rhizosphere Soil of Healthy and Diseased Andrographis paniculata
Yongqin LI ; Sitong ZHOU ; Lele XU ; Liyun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):172-181
ObjectiveTo analyze the diversity and structural characteristics of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased Andrographis paniculata and to explore the interactions of soil, plants, and microorganisms during the occurrence of diseases. MethodsThe physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A.paniculata were determined, and the composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, the correlations between physicochemical properties and microorganisms of the rhizosphere soil were explored. ResultsThe content of total nitrogen, total potassium, and available potassium in the rhizosphere soil of diseased A. paniculata was significantly higher than that of healthy A. paniculata. The alpha diversity and richness (operational taxonomic units) of bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants decreased compared with those of healthy plants. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata showed similar composition but different relative abundance. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chytridiomycota significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidota significantly decreased in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, and Bryobacter significantly increased, while that of RB41 showed a significant decrease in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. The correlation analysis showed different correlations of microbial phyla with physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil between healthy and diseased plants. Organic matter, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, and total potassium were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of healthy plants, while available nitrogen and total phosphorus were correlated with the relative abundance of some dominant bacterial and fungal phyla in the rhizosphere soil of diseased plants. ConclusionThere are differences in the diversity and richness of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil of healthy and diseased A. paniculata. The physicochemical properties of soil may have an impact on the rhizosphere microorganisms of A. paniculata, leading to the development of diseases. The results provide a scientific basis for the prevention and ecological management of A. paniculata diseases.
8.Differentiation and Treatment of Lipid Turbidity Disease Based on Theory of "Spleen Ascending and Stomach Descending"
Yun HUANG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Wei SONG ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Xin ZHOU ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):244-252
Lipid turbidity disease is a metabolic disease featuring lipid metabolism disorders caused by many factors such as social environment, diet, and lifestyle, which is closely related to many diseases in modern medicine, such as hyperlipidemia, obesity, fatty liver, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, with a wide range of influence and far-reaching harm. According to the Huangdi Neijing, lipid turbidity disease reflects the pathological change of the body's physiologic grease. Grease is the thick part of body fluids, which has the function of nourishing, and it is the initial state and source of important substances in the human body such as brain, marrow, essence, and blood. Once the grease of the human body is abnormal, it can lead to lipid turbidity disease. The Huangdi Neijing also points out the physiological relationship between the transportation and transformation of body fluids and the rise and fall of the spleen and stomach, which can deduce the pathological relationship between the occurrence of lipid turbidity disease and the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach functions. Lipid turbidity disease is caused by overconsumption of fatty and sweet foods or insufficient spleen and stomach endowments, leading to disorders of the function of promoting clear and reducing turbidity in the spleen and stomach. This leads to the transformation of thick grease in body fluids into lipid turbidity, which accumulates in the body's meridians, blood vessels, skin pores, and organs, forming various forms of metabolic diseases. The research team believed that the pathological basis of lipid turbidity disease was the abnormal rise and fall of the spleen and stomach and the obstruction of the transfer of grease. According to the different locations where lipid turbidity stays, it was divided into four common pathogenesis types: ''inability to distinguish between the clear and turbid, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood'', ''spleen not rising clear, turbid accumulation in the vessels'', ''spleen dysfunction, lipid retention in the pores'', ''spleen failure to transportation and transformation, and grease accumulation in the liver''. According to the pathogenesis, it could be divided into four common syndromes, namely, turbid stagnation in the Ying blood, turbid accumulation in the vessels, lipid retention in the pores, and grease accumulation in the liver, and the corresponding prescriptions were given for syndrome differentiation and treatment, so as to guide clinical differentiation and treatment of the lipid turbidity disease.
9.Chrysophanol affects macrophage polarization by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis through AMPK/PGC-1α pathway
Lele Wang ; Caixia Tan ; Wei Zhang ; Ruihan Ge ; Chen Li ; Xinmin Wang ; Le Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(3):488-494
Objective :
To explore whether chrysophanol(CHR) affects macrophage polarization by promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis through AMPK/PGC-1α pathway.
Methods :
The molecular docking and binding ability of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were predicted by Autodock vina software. Human monocytes(THP-1) were induced to M0 macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA), and to M1 macrophages by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) combined with interferon-γ(IFN-γ), which were set as Control group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR were set as CHR group. M1 macrophages treated with CHR combined with AMPK inhibitor(Compound C) were set as CHR+Compound C group. The mRNA expression levels of M1 macrophage markers(iNOS, CD86) and mitochondrial biosynthesis related genes(PGC-1α, NFR-1, TFAM) were detected by Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The expression level of M1 macrophage marker iNOS was detected by immunofluorescence. The protein expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK and PGC-1α were detected by Western blot.
Results :
The docking results showed that the binding energies of CHR with AMPK and PGC-1α were-8.4 kcal/mol and-7.4 kcal/mol, respectively. qRT-PCR results showed that the in vitro model of M1 macrophages was successfully established. Compared with the Control group, CHR treatment significantly increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group, CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes PGC-1α, NFR-1, and TFAM(P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that CHR treatment inhibited the protein expression of iNOS compared with the Control group(P<0.001). Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment reversed the inhibitory effect of CHR on i NOS protein expression(P<0.05). Western blot results showed that compared with the Control group,the CHR treatment group had significant increase in the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.001).Compared with CHR treatment group,CHR combined with Compound C treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of p-AMPK and PGC-1α(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Chrysophanol may inhibit macrophage polarization to M1 by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis.
10.Application of virtual reality technology in stroke field over the past decade:a visualization analysis
Ying LI ; Lele HUANG ; Feng HUANG ; Huanzhi ZHU ; Jinghui HUANG
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(4):458-465
Objective To explore the research status and emerging focus of virtual reality(VR)technology in the field of stroke.Methods The global literature of VR technology in the field of stroke from Jan.2014 to Aug.2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection.Bibliometric software was used to draw a visual knowledge map of authors,institutions,key words,etc.Results After excluding proofreading notices,editorial materials,conference papers,etc.,a total of 785 articles were included.Over the past decade,the number of new publications has shown an upward trend.China was the country with the largest total number of publications(130 articles).Lamontagne Anouk(10 articles)and Calabro Rocco Salvatore(10 articles)were tied for the authors with the highest number of publications.The institution and journal with the most literature in this field were McGill University(Canada,27 articles)and Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation(60 articles),respectively.The key word analysis and the results of the strongest burst key words indicated that the research focused on upper limb,gait training,motor function,cognitive rehabilitation,post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect,stimulation,motor imagery,cortical reorganization,etc.Conclusion Over the past decade,the application of VR technology has gradually increased in both breadth and depth in the field of stroke,bringing new opportunities and thoughts to stroke rehabilitation.The new forms of VR technology combined with neuromodulation,neuroimaging,brain-computer interfaces,artificial intelligence,and telemedicine may be the future research topics and directions.


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