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.Qingre sanzhuo decoction treats hyperuricemia complicated with gouty arthritis via TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signaling pathway
Weigang CHENG ; Haolin LI ; Juanjuan YANG ; Qian BAI ; Luoyang JING ; Lele HU ; Fangmei JIN ; Haidong WANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2025;30(4):456-463
AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Qingre sanzhuo decoction on rats with hyperuri-caemia combined with gouty arthritis and its effect on TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB signalling pathway.METHODS:Forty-eight SD male rats were randomly divided into blank,model,and colchicine groups(0.3 mg·kg-1·d-1),and Origre sanzhou decotion low,medium and high-dosage groups(7.42,14.85,29.70 g·kg-1·d-1),which were treated with the modified Coderre method for hyperuricemia combined with acute gouty arthritis via gavage of yeast paste combined with potassium oxa-late,which was used for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis combined with hyperuricemia.A composite rat model of acute gouty arthritis was constructed by combining yeast paste with potassium oxalate gavage to cause hyperuricaemia,combined with the modified Coderre method.After 7 days of intervention,the circumference of the right ankle joint of rats was measured and the swelling of the ankle joint was calculated,the blood uric acid(HUA)level of rats was determined by biochemical method,the histopatho-logical and morphological changes of the synovial membrane of the ankle joint of rats were examined by HE staining,and the serum levels of inflammatory factors,tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),inter-leukin-6(IL-6),and IL-1β were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and Western blotting was performed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors,TNF-α,and IL-1β.The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(Myd88),and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)in the synovial tissues of the ankle joints of the rats were determined by Western blot method,and the mRNA expression of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB in the rat was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR).RESULTS:Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group showed significantly lower ankle joint swelling(P<0.01),increased levels of HUA,dis-organised synovial tissue structure,large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,and significantly higher serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β(P<0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB in the synovial membrane of the ankle joints of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01).levels were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,joint swelling was significantly reduced in the colchicine group,and the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction(P<0.05);synovial hyperplasia and inflam-matory cell infiltration were improved in the colchicine group and the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction,and the HUA and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased in the dosing groups(P<0.05,P<0.01),and compared with the model group,the medium-and high-dose groups of Qingre sanzhuo decoction could significantly reduce the expression of TLR4,Myd88,and NF-κB protein and mRNA(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Qingre sanzhuo decoction reduces the release of inflamma-tory factors by inhibiting the TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB pathway,and plays a role in the treatment of hyper-uricaemia combined with gouty arthritis.
4.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.
5.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.
6.5 Hz microcurrent stimulation before bedtime improves sleep and mental state
Weiyi ZHOU ; Wei LUO ; Lele CHEN ; Dingding WANG ; Renlai ZHOU
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(3):199-205
Objective Previous studies have suggested that bilateral 5-Hz microcurrent stimulation has a hypnotic effect,but the lack of evidence on how the stimulation affects subjects'sleep limits the validation of this intervention.To address this gap,a crossover experimental design was employed,recruiting both insomnia and non-insomnia subjects.Methods 10 participants with insomnia and 10 healthy participants were selected to attend our study.In this crossover study,true(5 Hz)vs.sham stimulation was applied over the parietal temporal lobes.Impact of stimulation on subjective sleep experience,sleep efficiency,sleep structure and psychomotor vigilance task(PVT)was assessed.Results Subjects who received the true 5-Hz stimulation before bedtime had significantly enhanced sleep efficiency,sleep quality,and mental state compared to the night of sham stimulation.Additionally,subjects who received true stimulation exhibited higher sleep efficiency and a later appearance of dream sleep.These findings suggest that 5-Hz microcurrent stimulation before bedtime can enhance both objective and subjective sleep efficiency.Conclusion 5 Hz microcurrent stimulation before bedtime improved sleep efficiency of subjects and also enhanced their subjective perception of sleep.
7.Association Between Surrogate Markers of Insulin Resistance and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in a Population With Stages 0-3 Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome:A Prospective Cohort Study
Yajie ZHAO ; Lele WANG ; Jiawei LI ; Bing GUO ; Juying ZHANG ; Xiaolin GUO ; Yuying LUO ; Gonghua WU ; Xing ZHAO
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(2):495-505
Objective To investigate the association between 8 insulin resistance(IR)surrogate markers and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)in population with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)of stages 0-3,and to identify the surrogate marker with the best predictive performance.Methods A study was conducted on 20121 community residents classified as CKM stages 0-3 from the Chengdu cohort of the China Multi-Ethic Cohort.A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios(HRs)between each IR surrogate marker and incident ASCVD.Cubic spline regression was employed to explore the dose-response relationships between these markers and incident ASCVD.The relative relationships between different markers and incident ASCVD were examined through the ratio of HRs(RHRs).Time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(TDAUC)and Uno's C-statistic were calculated to compare the predictive performance of each marker for incident ASCVD.Based on the PREVENT equation components and the 8 surrogate markers under analysis,random forest feature selection was used to determine the contribution of each marker to accurate prediction.Results During a follow-up period of82 741.93 person-years,1447 incident cases of ASCVD were recorded,with an incidence density of 17.49 per 1000 person-years.Association analyses indicated that the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(TG/HDL)and the TyG/(TG/HDL)index were not associated with incident ASCVD(P>0.05).The TyG index combined with obesity measurement parameters emerged as a reliable predictor of ASCVD incidence.The most promising indicator,TyG index with waist-to-height ratio(TyG_WHtR),exhibited an inverted J-shaped association with incident ASCVD(P for nonlinearity=0.045;TDAUC=0.640;C=0.634),while the TyG index with body mass index(TyG_BMI),waist circumference(TyG_WC),and waist-to-hip ratio(TyG_WHR)showed positive linear associations(all P for trend<0.05),with relatively lower predictive performance(C=0.564,0.588,and 0.598,respectively).Although both the TyG index and the metabolic score for insulin resistance(METS-IR)were associated with increased ASCVD risk(TyG:Q2 vs.Q1,HR=1.23 and Q4 vs.Q1,HR=1.24;METS-IR:P for non-linearity=0.045),they exhibited poor predictive performance for incident ASCVD.Conclusion The TyG index combined with obesity measurement parameters is an ideal IR surrogate marker for predicting incident ASCVD in populations with stages 0-3 CKM.Monitoring these markers will facilitate the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in CKM populations.
8.Association of Rest-Activity Rhythm With the Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Effect Modification by Genetic Susceptibility
Lele WANG ; Huan XU ; Gonghua WU ; Bing GUO ; Xiong XIAO ; Xing ZHAO ; Juying ZHANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2025;56(3):785-791
Objective To investigate the association between rest-activity rhythm(RAR)and the risks of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),and to evaluate whether genetic susceptibility modifies this relationship.Methods This prospective cohort study utilized data from the UK Biobank,including 88 060 participants who did not have RA at baseline.RAR parameters(e.g.,relative amplitude)were calculated using data obtained through wrist-worn accelerometers.The participants'genetic susceptibility to RA was assessed using a polygenic risk score.Cox proportional hazards models were employed to analyze the association between RAR and RA risk,with interaction terms incorporated to evaluate the effect modification by genetic susceptibility.Results Over a median follow-up period of 7.97 years,660 incident RA cases were identified.After adjusting for age,sex,ethnicity,educational attainment,Townsend deprivation index,drinking status,smoking status,dietary score,body mass index,and polygenic risk score for incident RA,the dose-response analysis revealed a linear relationship between the RAR-related parameters,including the average amplitude during the most active 10 h(M10),interdaily stability(IS),intradaily variability(IV),and the risk of developing RA(P>0.05).In contrast,relative amplitude and the average amplitude during the least active 5 h(L5)showed a nonlinear relationship with the risk of developing RA(P<0.05).Compared to those in the the highest quartile of relative amplitude,participants in the lowest quartile had a 49%increase in the risk of developing RA(hazard ratio[HR]=1.49;95%CI,1.17-1.90).Compared to those in the lowest quartile,participants in the highest quartile of L5 had a 40%increased risk of developing RA(HR=1.40;95%CI,1.12-1.75).Every time M10 increased by one standard deviation,the risk of developing RA decreased by 12%(HR=0.88;95%CI,0.80-0.96).No evidence of effect modification by genetic susceptibility was observed in the RAR-RA association(P>0.05).Conclusion Disrupted rest-activity rhythm is associated with an increased risk of RA,which is independent of genetic susceptibility to RA.Our findings suggest that improving rest-activity rhythm may help reduce RA risks.
9.Safety and Complications Associated with External Cephalic Version for Term Breech Presentation
Huiqian ZENG ; Zheng ZHENG ; Lele WANG ; Junmin ZHONG ; Bei ZHOU ; Feng YAN ; Yumian LAI
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2025;41(10):836-841
Objective:To evaluate the safety and complications of external cephalic version(ECV)for term breech presentation and to explore factors influencing the occurrence of ECV-related complications.Methods:Pregnant women with term breech presentation who underwent ECV(ECV group,n=751)and those who under-went direct cesarean section(CS)without ECV(CS group,n=706)at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medi-cal Center of Guangzhou Medical University,from January 1,2018,to July 31,2024,were enrolled.Differences in maternal clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.The ECV group was further divided into a successful ECV subgroup(n=537)and a failed ECV subgroup(n=214)to compare complication rates.Based on the presence or absence of complications,the ECV group was divided into a compli-cation subgroup(n=86)and a no-complication subgroup(n=665).Univariate analysis was performed on the clinical data of these subgroups.Statistically significant factors identified in the univariate analysis were subse-quently included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify high-risk factors for ECV complications.Results:①Among the 751 women undergoing ECV,the success rate was 71.50%(537/751).The vaginal deliv-ery rate following successful ECV was 57.26%(430/751).The overall complication rate was 11.45%(86/751),with a perinatal mortality rate of 0.13%(1/751).②There were no significant differences with regard to severe neonatal asphyxia and neonatal intensive care admission rate between ECV group and CS group(P>0.05).③The total complication rate,incidence of cesarean delivery(CS)within 24 h,and incidence of uterine contrac-tions were significantly higher in the failed ECV group compared to the successful ECV group(P<0.05).Howev-er,there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe complications(fetal demise,placental abruption,emergency CS)between the two groups(P>0.05).④Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses revealed that three factors were associated with a reduced risk of ECV complications(P<0.05):a high-er amniotic fluid index(AFI),non-engagement of the presenting part,and a palpable fetal head.Conversely,the use of anesthesia and the use of nifedipine as the tocolytic were associated with an increased risk of ECV compli-cations(P<0.05).Conclusions:ECV does not increase the adverse outcomes of full-term neonates with breech presentation.But failed ECV can increase complications.Higher amniotic fluid index,not engaged of fetal presen-tation,touchable of fetal head and appropriate tocolytic agent application can reduce the complications while anes-thesia during ECV procedure can increase the complications of ECV.
10.Loss-of-function mutations in Chinese Han patients with familial benign chronic pemphigus are associated with an earlier age at onset
Xueying WANG ; Zhenzhen WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zihao MI ; Lele SUN ; Hong LIU ; Furen ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2025;58(3):221-227
Objective:To expand the mutation spectrum of familial benign chronic pemphigus (HHD), and to deeply explore the relationship between clinical phenotypes and genotypes.Methods:HHD patients were retrospectively collected from the Department of Dermatology, Hospital for Skin Diseases, Shandong First Medical University from January 2018 to October 2023, and their clinical data and blood samples were also collected. Sanger sequencing and Whole-exome sequencing were performed on 34 HHD patients. Mutations in the ATP2C1 gene were classified into loss-of-function mutations (including frameshift mutations, nonsense mutations, and splicing mutations) and missense mutations. The relationship between clinical phenotypes and genetic mutation types was analyzed using Fisher's exact test or two-independent-sample t test, and further verified by meta-analysis. Results:The 34 HHD patients were all of Chinese Han nationality, including 20 males and 14 females, and their ages ranged from 35 to 77 years. Pathogenic mutations in the ATP2C1 gene were successfully identified in all the 34 patients, including 29 independent mutations, among which there were 9 frameshift mutations, 8 splicing mutations, 6 missense mutations, and 6 nonsense mutations. The age at onset was significantly earlier in the loss-of-function mutation group (37.62 ± 10.10 years) than in the missense mutation group (49.63 ± 14.90 years; t = 2.62, P = 0.013). However, there were no significant differences in gender, family history, disease seasonality, disease severity, or disease progression among patients with different mutation types (all P > 0.05). Meta-analysis showed that the age at onset was significantly earlier in Chinese Han patients with HHD carrying loss-of-function mutations than in those carrying missense mutations (mean difference: -4.61 years, 95% CI: -8.68 - -0.53 years, P = 0.030) . Conclusion:Chinese Han patients with HHD carrying loss-of-function mutations in the ATP2C1 gene showed significantly earlier ages at onset compared with those carrying missense mutations.

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