1.Nonlinear association of nap duration with anxiety and depressive symptoms among junior high school students
ZHOU Xin,LI Yanqiu,OU Junqi,LIN Jing,FENG Lihui,LIN Ziqiang,GAO Yanhui,LI Lixia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):558-562
Objective:
To explore the association between nap duration with anxiety and depressive symptoms among junior high school students, in order to provide evidence for mental health interventions for adolescents.
Methods:
From May to June 2022, a combination of convenience sampling and cluster sampling was used to select 2 491 students from 2 junior high schools in Haizhu District, Guangzhou City for questionnaire survey and physical examination. The questionnaire collected nap duration, night time sleep duration, bedtime, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Log-binomial regression model was used to analyze the association of nap duration with anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as comorbidity among junior high school students, and a restricted cubic spline (RCS) Log-binomial regression model was employed to analyze the non linear relationship after adjusting for covariates.
Results:
The detection rates of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and comorbidity among junior high school students were 13.29%,14.65%,9.19%. After adjusting for covariates such as age, gender and nighttime sleep duration, compared with a school day nap duration of <30 min/d, a nap duration of 30-<60 min/d was associated with a reduced risk of anxiety symptoms ( APR =0.68, 95% CI =0.49-0.98) and comorbidity ( APR =0.56, 95% CI =0.39-0.87)(both P < 0.05 ). Compared with no napping on weekends, a nap duration of 30-<60 min/d was associated with a reduced risk of anxiety symptoms ( APR =0.62, 95% CI =0.41-0.88), depressive symptoms ( APR =0.52, 95% CI =0.34-0.75) and comorbidity ( APR = 0.52 , 95% CI =0.30-0.83)(all P <0.05). RCS curves showed a nonlinear relationship between weekend nap duration and the prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms and comorbidity among junior high school students(all P non linear <0.05); weekend nap duration of <120 min was associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and weekend nap duration of >180 min was associated with an increased risk.
Conclusions
Appropriate nap duration can help reduce the risk of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and the comorbidity among junior high school students. Adolescents should be guided to reasonably arrange nap duration for promoting physical and mental health.
2.Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications in video-assisted thoracic surgery for lung cancer based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing and machine learning
Lei GUO ; Fusong LIU ; Zhilong OU ; Lan GUO ; Tiantian LI ; Chongfeng ZHOU ; Kun LUAN ; Xiaoman CHEN ; Yucheng WEI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):44-52
Objective To develop a predictive model for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in lung cancer patients by integrating cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters and machine learning techniques. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who underwent CPET and VATS at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between October 2021 and July 2023. Patients were divided into a PPC group and a non-PPC group. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select important features associated with PPC. Six machine learning algorithms were utilized to construct prediction models, including logistic regression, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbors, random forest, gradient boosting machine, and extreme gradient boosting. The optimal model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results A total of 325 patients were included, with an average age of 60.36 years, and 55.1% were male. Significant differences were observed between the PPC and non-PPC groups in age, diabetes, coronary heart disease, surgical approach, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC% predicted, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), anaerobic threshold (AT), and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide slope (VE/VCO2 slope) (P<0.05). In the predictive model constructed by selecting 7 key features using LASSO regression, the random forest model demonstrated the best overall performance across various metrics, with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.930, an F1 score of 0.836, and a Brier score of 0.133 in the training set. It also exhibited good predictive ability and calibration in the test set. SHAP analysis ranked feature importance as follows: peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, age, FEV1, smoking history, diabetes, and surgical approach. Conclusion Integrating CPET parameters, the random forest model can effectively identify high-risk patients for PPC and has the potential for clinical application.
3.Impact of adverse childhood experiences and psychological symptoms on health risk behaviors among college students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):398-402
Objective:
To explore the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health risk behaviors (HRBs) among college students and the mediating role of psychological symptoms, so as to provide a basis for developing intervention strategies.
Methods:
From March to April 2023, a convenience cluster sample of 1 801 students from 12 universities in Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou of Guangxi completed an online survey. A self designed questionnaire, Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were used for evaluation tools. Binary Logistic regression, structural equation modeling (SEM) and Bootstrap methods were used to analyze the associations and mediating effects.
Results:
Overall, 71.2% of college students experienced at least one type of ACE, with emotional neglect (40.3%) and emotional abuse ( 25.2 %) having the highest detection rates. The top three HRBs were unhealthy diet (77.8%), physical inactivity (54.1%), and smoking/alcohol use (18.5%). Logistic regression showed that poor family functioning, abuse, and extra familial violence were each associated with an increased risk of smoking/alcohol use ( OR =1.14, 1.11, 1.18) and deliberate self harm ( OR =1.26, 1.19,1.30) (all P <0.05). Experience of abuse increased the risk of high risk sexual behavior and family dysfunction increaded the risk of physical inactivity, respectively ( OR = 1.07 , 1.04, both P <0.05). Mediation analysis revealed that anxiety ( β =0.20) and depression ( β = 0.09 ) partially mediated the pathway from poor family functioning to deliberate self harm; paranoia ( β =0.02) partially mediated the pathway from abuse to high risk sexual behavior; and obsessive-compulsive symptoms ( β =0.26) and depression ( β =0.10) partially mediated the pathway from extra familial violence to deliberate self harm (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Psychological symptoms play a mediating role in the association between ACEs and HRBs, and mental health interventions may reduce the risk of HRBs among college students.
4.Association between exposure to heatwave and sudden death among residents in Jiangsu Province,China
Changkui OU ; Yanling ZHONG ; Rui LI ; Yi LIN ; Ruijun XU ; Tingting LIU ; Tingting WANG ; Hong SUN ; Yuewei LIU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(1):22-28
Objective To quantitatively assess the exposure-response association between exposure to heatwave and sudden death, estimate the attributable excess deaths, and identify potential vulnerable subgroups. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted among residents who died from sudden death in Jiangsu Province, China between 2015 and 2021. Heatwave events in Jiangsu Province, defined using varying relative temperature thresholds and durations, were identified using temperature data from the China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS V2.0). Individual heatwave exposure was assessed based on each subject's residential address. The exposure-response association between heatwave and sudden death was evaluated using conditional logistic regression model combined with a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model(DLNM). Heatwave-attributable excess deaths were estimated. Stratified analyses by sex and age were performed to assess potential effect modifications. Results Under all definitions, exposure to heatwave was significantly associated with an increased risk of sudden death, and the risk increased with the intensity of heatwave. Using the P95_3d definition (temperature exceeding the 95th percentile for ≥3 consecutive days), heatwave was significantlyassociated with a 56% increased risk of sudden death (95% CI: 31%, 86%). The population-attributable fraction of sudden death due to heatwave exposure was 1.45% (95% CI: 0.97%, 1.90%). Stratified analyses indicated no statistically significant differences in the association between heatwave exposure and sudden death across age or sex subgroups. Conclusion Heatwave exposure was associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Reducing heatwave exposure during summer may help lower the occurrence of sudden death.
5.Construction of Enterococcus faecium -based recombinant Ef-PA0057 vaccine of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its protection in mice
Wengui LI ; Xingkun OU ; Ailin HE
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):518-523
ObjectiveTo construct an Enterococcus faecium (Ef)-based recombinant Ef-PA0057 vaccine of Pseudomonas aeruginosa(Pa)and to study its protective immune mechanism in mice. MethodsThe PA0057 gene was cloned from the genomic DNA of PA01 strain ATCC9027 by PCR and inserted into pGEX-1λT to construct pGEX-PA0057. The recombinant plasmid was electroporated into TX0016 strain to construct rEf-PA0057 vaccine. The plasmid was extracted from rEf for PCR. The rEf vaccine was expressed through IPTG induction, and the expression of protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. BALB/c mice were immunized intragastrically with 5×108 CFU rEf-PA0057 vaccine 3 times per week for 3 weeks. 4 weeks after the first immunization, mice were challenged intranasally with 5×107 CFU of PA01 strain. 2 weeks after challenge, mice were sacrificed, and their lungs were separated. Bacteria in lungs were incubated and colonies were counted. Sera were collected at 0, 4, and 6 weeks after the first immunization. The IgG and its subclasses, and IgE were detected by ELISA. ResultsThe 900 bp PA0057 gene was successfully cloned by PCR. PCR showed that PA0057 gene was amplified when the extracted plasmid from rEf as template; the relative molecular mass (Mr) of the expressed PA0057-GST fusion protein was approximately 58 ku, detected by SDS-PAGE. The amount of the expressed protein was 18% of the total bacterial proteins. Western blot showed that the target protein could be recognized by Pa sera. The colony numbers of lung tissue in rEf-PA0057 vaccine group, blank vector group and Ef control group were (0.297±0.011)×108 CFU, (7.576±0.206)×108 CFU and (7.551±0.185)×108 CFU, respectively, the difference was statistically significant (P0.01). The levels of IgG, IgG1, IgG2b, IgG3 and IgE increased. At the same time point, there was a significant difference compared with the two control groups (P0.01). ConclusionThe rEf-PA0057 vaccine is successfully constructed. It may induce mice to produce humoral response against challenge with PA01.
6.Childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury behavior among hospitalized adolescents: the mediating role of emotional dysregulation and the moderating role of social anxiety
Qiuling HUANG ; Hanqin DING ; Cailan HOU ; Wanqi OU ; Shibin WANG ; Huiping LI
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(3):220-226
BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior has become a global public health concern affecting the physical and mental health of adolescents. The experiential avoidance model posits that childhood trauma contributes to NSSI behavior through the mediating pathway of emotional dysregulation. However, existing research has predominantly focused on isolated psychological or social factors, with limited attention to their interactive effects of emotional dysregulation and social anxiety, both of which fall within the psychosocial domain. ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI among adolescents, and to analyze the mediating role of emotional dysregulation and the moderating role of social anxiety, so as to provide evidence for targeted interventions for NSSI behavior of adolescents. MethodsA total of 282 adolescent inpatients who consecutively admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from March to December 2025 and met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,fifth edition(DSM-5)criteria for NSSI were enrolled as study participants. Participants were assessed using the general information questionnaire, the Adolescent Self-Harm Questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A). Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine correlations among scale scores. model 4 and model 58 of the Process 4.1 were used to test the mediating effect of emotional dysregulation and the moderating effect of social anxiety, respectively. ResultsCTQ score was positively associated with score of the Adolescent Self-Injury Questionnaire (r=0.279, P<0.01). Emotional dysregulation significantly partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI behavior, with a mediating effect of 0.112 (95% CI: 0.043–0.208), accounting for 40.14% of the total effect. Social anxiety moderated the association between childhood trauma and emotional dysregulation,the effect value was 0.102 (95% CI: 0.008–0.196), as well as the relationship between emotional dysregulation and NSSI behavior, the effect value was 0.130 (95% CI: 0.033–0.226). ConclusionEmotional dysregulation may mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI behavior among hospitalized adolescents, while social anxiety moderates both the first and second paths of this mediating process. [Funded by Guangdong Medical Science and Technology Research Fund Project (number, A2022538)]
7.USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 axis confers chemoresistance through decreasing doxorubicin accumulation in triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Yang OU ; Kun ZHANG ; Qiuying SHUAI ; Chenyang WANG ; Huayu HU ; Lixia CAO ; Chunchun QI ; Min GUO ; Zhaoxian LI ; Jie SHI ; Yuxin LIU ; Siyu ZUO ; Xiao CHEN ; Yanjing WANG ; Mengdan FENG ; Hang WANG ; Peiqing SUN ; Yi SHI ; Guang YANG ; Shuang YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2593-2611
Recent studies have indicated that the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 51 (USP51), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that mediates protein degradation as part of the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS), is associated with tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in multiple malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms and signaling networks involved in USP51-mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes remain largely unknown. The present study provides evidence of USP51's functions as the prominent DUB in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. At the molecular level, ectopic expression of USP51 stabilized the 78 kDa Glucose-Regulated Protein (GRP78) protein through deubiquitination, thereby increasing its expression and localization on the cell surface. Furthermore, the upregulation of cell surface GRP78 increased the activity of ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1), the main efflux pump of doxorubicin (DOX), ultimately decreasing its accumulation in TNBC cells and promoting the development of drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, we found significant correlations among USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 expression in TNBC patients with chemoresistance. Elevated USP51, GRP78, and ABCB1 levels were also strongly associated with a poor patient prognosis. Importantly, we revealed an alternative intervention for specific pharmacological targeting of USP51 for TNBC cell chemosensitization. In conclusion, these findings collectively indicate that the USP51/GRP78/ABCB1 network is a key contributor to the malignant progression and chemotherapeutic resistance of TNBC cells, underscoring the pivotal role of USP51 as a novel therapeutic target for cancer management.
8.Inhibition of ferroptosis alleviates acute kidney injury caused by diquat in zebrafish.
Zejin OU ; Ying LI ; Shi CHEN ; Ziyi WANG ; Meiyi HE ; Zhicheng CHEN ; Shihao TANG ; Xiaojing MENG ; Zhi WANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(8):1743-1750
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of ferroptosis in diquat-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and its molecular mechanisms.
METHODS:
Transgenic zebrafish models with Tg (Eco.Tshb:EGFP) labeling of the renal tubules and Tg (lyz:dsRed2) labeling of the neutrophils were both divided into control group, gentamicin (positive control) group, diquat poisoning group, ferroptosis inhibitor group. The indicators of kidney injury, inflammatory response, and ferroptosis were examined in the zebrafish, and the changes in expressions of voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1) and mitochondrial ferritin (FTMT) were detected using Western blotting.
RESULTS:
AKI induced by diquat exhibited a significant dose-effect relationship, and the severity of injury was proportional to the exposure concentration. Diquat also caused marked oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the zebrafish models. Rhodamine metabolism assay and HE staining revealed significantly declined glomerular filtration function of the zebrafish as diquat exposure concentration increased. Immunofluorescence staining highlighted significant changes in the expressions of ferroptosis markers GPX4 and FTH1 in zebrafish renal tissues following diquat exposure. In diquat-exposed zebrafish, treatment with ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor, obviously upregulated GPX4 and downregulated FTH1 expressions and improved the metabolic rate of glucan labeled with rhodamine B. Diquat exposure significantly upregulated the expression of VDAC1 and FTMT in zebrafish, and the application of ferrostatin-1 and VBIT-12 (a VDAC1 inhibitor) both caused pronounced downregulation of FTMT expression.
CONCLUSIONS
Ferroptosis is a critical mechanism underlying diquat-induced AKI, in which VDAC1 and FTMT play important regulatory roles, suggesting their potential as therapeutic target for AKI caused by diquat.
Animals
;
Zebrafish
;
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
;
Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced*
;
Diquat/toxicity*
;
Animals, Genetically Modified
;
Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 1/metabolism*
;
Ferritins/metabolism*
;
Oxidative Stress
9.BiFC and FACS-based CRISPR screening revealed that QKI promotes PABPN1 LLPS in colorectal cancer cells.
Mengxia LI ; Zhijie HU ; Yingye HUANG ; Yuting HAN ; Cheng LIANG ; Yuchi LIU ; Runze WU ; Xin LU ; Ke DENG ; Susu LIU ; Xin OU ; Yuwei LI ; Chao LIU ; Xuening LI ; Jingting LIANG ; Yonggui FU ; Anlong XU
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):557-574
Protein liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a pivotal phenomenon intricately linked to cellular processes, is regulated by various other proteins. However, there is still a lack of high-throughput methods for screening protein regulators of LLPS in target proteins. Here, we developed a CRISPR/Cas9-based screening method to identify protein phase separation regulators by integrating bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this newly developed method, we screened the RNA-binding proteins that regulate PABPN1 phase separation and identified the tumor suppressor QKI as a promoter of PABPN1 phase separation. Furthermore, QKI exhibits decreased expression levels and diminished nuclear localization in colorectal cancer cells, resulting in reduced PABPN1 phase separation, which, in turn, promotes alternative polyadenylation (APA), cell proliferation, and migration in colorectal cancer.
Humans
;
Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics*
;
RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*
;
Poly(A)-Binding Protein I/genetics*
;
CRISPR-Cas Systems
;
Flow Cytometry
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cell Movement
10.Mechanism of auraptene in improving acute liver injury induced by diquat poisoning in mice.
Renyang OU ; Shan HUANG ; Lihong MA ; Zhijie ZHAO ; Shengshan LIU ; Yuanliang WANG ; Yezi SUN ; Nana XU ; Lijun ZHOU ; Mei LI ; Manhong ZHOU ; Guosheng RAO
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2025;37(6):590-594
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate whether auraptene (AUR) exerts a protective effect on acute diquat (DQ)-induced liver injury in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:
Forty SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group (Control group), DQ poisoning model group (DQ group), AUR treatment group (DQ+AUR group), and AUR control group (AUR group), with 10 mice in each group. The DQ poisoning model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg DQ aqueous solution (0.5 mL); Control group and AUR group received an equal volume of pure water intraperitoneally. Four hours post-modeling, DQ+AUR group and AUR group were administered 0.5 mg/kg AUR aqueous solution (0.2 mL) by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days, while Control group and DQ group received pure water. Blood and liver tissues were collected after anesthesia on day 7. Liver ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were detected using WST-1, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and enzymatic reaction methods, respectively. Protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and activated caspase-9 in liver tissues was analyzed by Western blotting.
RESULTS:
Transmission electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria in the Control group exhibited mild swelling, uneven distribution of matrix, and a small number of cristae fractures. In the AUR group, mitochondria showed mild swelling, with no obvious disruption of cristae structure. In the DQ group, mitochondria demonstrated marked swelling and increased volume, matrix dissolution, loss and fragmentation of cristae, and extensive vacuolization. In contrast, the DQ+AUR group showed significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, volume increase, matrix dissolution, cristae loss and fragmentation, and vacuolization compared to the DQ group. Compared with the DQ group, the DQ+AUR group exhibited significantly lower serum AST levels (U/L: 173.45±23.60 vs. 255.33±41.51), ALT levels (U/L: 51.77±21.63 vs. 100.70±32.35), and hepatic MDA levels (μmol/g: 12.40±2.76 vs. 19.74±4.10), along with higher hepatic GSH levels (mmol/g: 37.65±14.95 vs. 20.58±8.52) and SOD levels (kU/g: 124.10±33.77 vs. 82.81±22.00), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed upregulated Nrf2 expression (Nrf2/β-actin: 0.87±0.37 vs. 0.53±0.22) and HO-1 expression (HO-1/β-actin: 1.06±0.22 vs. 0.49±0.08), and downregulated Keap1 expression (Keap1/β-actin: 0.82±0.12 vs. 1.52±0.76) and activated caspase-9 expression (activated caspase-9/β-actin: 1.16±0.28 vs. 1.71±0.30) in the DQ+AUR group compared to the DQ group (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
AUR attenuates DQ-induced acute liver injury in mice by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Liver/pathology*
;
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/drug therapy*
;
Diquat/poisoning*
;
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism*
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Apoptosis
;
Coumarins


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