1.Epigenetic modification of Igf2/H19 imprinting control region regulates PGC-1α/PI3K/AKT2 pathway in a rat model of intrauterine growth restriction
Lihong LIAO ; Xiuyun ZHOU ; Meihui ZHANG ; Tulian LIN ; Wenjun LONG ; Yaqin YAN ; Qin NING ; Xiaoping LUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2472-2480
Background::Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with adverse metabolic outcomes during adulthood. Histone modifications and changes in DNA methylation-affected genes are important for fetal development. This study aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanisms in IUGR.Methods::IUGR models were established in Sprague–Dawley rats using a maternal nutritional restriction approach during pregnancy. The abundance of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT serine/threonine kinase 2 (AKT2), and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation RT-PCR was employed to analyze histone modification in CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) 1–4 binding sites of the Igf2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR). The methylation states of CTCF1–4 binding sites were studied by pyrosequencing. Results::The IUGR models were constructed successfully. Igf2 mRNA abundance in the placenta, fetal liver, and newborn liver was decreased in the IUGR group ( P <0.01). Meanwhile, as compared with the control group, the expression levels of AKT2, PI3K, and PGC-1α were lower in newborn and 8-week-old livers in the IUGR group ( P <0.05). In addition, knocking down Igf2 reduced the protein expression levels of AKT2-phosphorylation and PGC-1α ( P <0.05). In CTCF binding sites 1-4 of the Igf2/ H19 ICR, acetylated histones H3 (AcH3) enrichment was significantly lower in CTCF1-3 in newborn and 8-week-old IUGR rats. Histone H3 tri-methylated lysine 4 (H3K4me3) enrichment was significantly lower in the CTCF1–4 of newborn and 8-week-old IUGR groups ( P <0.01). H3K9me2 enrichment was significantly higher in the IUGR group ( P <0.01). The CpG dinucleotide methylation levels of CTCF1 and CTCF3, but not those of CTCF2 and CTCF4 binding sites in IUGR rat fetal, 4-week old, and 8-week-old livers decreased significantly ( P <0.05). Conclusion::The methylation status and histone modification in the Igf2/H19 ICR are related to growth and lipid metabolism via the PGC-1α/PI3K/AKT2 pathway in IUGR rats.
2.Gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Jiabei HE ; Meihui QIU ; Weiping XIA ; Lu LU ; Jingyi WU ; Xuan CAO ; Jinsong ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(11):970-975
Objective:To explore the gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),in order to reveal their potential unique patterns of emotional cognition.Methods:A case-control design was employed,including 81 children diagnosed with the DSM-5 ADHD and 57 normal control(NC)children.Emotional images from the Chinese Children's Emotional Image Library were used as stimuli.The Tobii Pro X3-120 eye-tracking device was utilized to record fixation count(FC)and fixation duration percentage(FDP)under a free-viewing paradigm.Mixed-effects ANOVA was applied to explore the effects of group,gaze region(eyes and mouth),and emotional attributes on gaze characteristics,controlling for gen-der and age.Results:The FC and FDP of ADHD children were lower than those of NC children,particularly in the eye region of non-negative emotional images(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were observed be-tween the two groups when viewing negative emotional images(sadness and anger)(P>0.05).NC children ex-hibited a significant emotional bias effect in their gaze behavior towards emotional portraits(P<0.05),whereas ADHD group showed only slight differences between non-negative emotional images(adjusted P<0.05),indica-ting a weaker overall emotional attention bias.Conclusion:Children with ADHD display reduced attention to non-negative emotional expressions and a diminished emotional attention bias,suggesting potential deficits in emotional processing during face perception.
3.Pharmacological advances in pharmacological research on the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration with traditional Chinese medicine
Siya ZHANG ; Yu PEI ; Xi CHEN ; Li PAN ; Ge ZHANG ; Yuanchen DING ; Meihui WEI ; Wei SHI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(12):981-985
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is rising with the intensifying aging trend,be-coming a critical challenge that demands urgent solutions.Dry AMD(dAMD)accounts for approximately 80%of all AMD cases,and there is currently a lack of highly effective treatment options.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been proven to effectively treat dAMD through actions such as antioxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and lipid-lowering.By reviewing domestic and international literature,this article discusses TCM monomers,extracts,and compound formulations for dAMD,analyzing their various mechanisms.Based on traditional TCM efficacy theories and in-tegrated with modern mechanisms of action,it targets the active components of TCM to elucidate the connection between effective medicinal targets of TCM and dAMD,thereby clarifying the efficacy and scientific basis of TCM monomers,com-pounds,and extracts in treating dAMD.The aim is to provide new perspectives for the prevention and clinical treatment of dAMD.
4.Gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Jiabei HE ; Meihui QIU ; Weiping XIA ; Lu LU ; Jingyi WU ; Xuan CAO ; Jinsong ZHANG
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(11):970-975
Objective:To explore the gaze characteristics towards emotional portraits in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),in order to reveal their potential unique patterns of emotional cognition.Methods:A case-control design was employed,including 81 children diagnosed with the DSM-5 ADHD and 57 normal control(NC)children.Emotional images from the Chinese Children's Emotional Image Library were used as stimuli.The Tobii Pro X3-120 eye-tracking device was utilized to record fixation count(FC)and fixation duration percentage(FDP)under a free-viewing paradigm.Mixed-effects ANOVA was applied to explore the effects of group,gaze region(eyes and mouth),and emotional attributes on gaze characteristics,controlling for gen-der and age.Results:The FC and FDP of ADHD children were lower than those of NC children,particularly in the eye region of non-negative emotional images(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were observed be-tween the two groups when viewing negative emotional images(sadness and anger)(P>0.05).NC children ex-hibited a significant emotional bias effect in their gaze behavior towards emotional portraits(P<0.05),whereas ADHD group showed only slight differences between non-negative emotional images(adjusted P<0.05),indica-ting a weaker overall emotional attention bias.Conclusion:Children with ADHD display reduced attention to non-negative emotional expressions and a diminished emotional attention bias,suggesting potential deficits in emotional processing during face perception.
5.Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients
Jiaoxia LIU ; Panpan QIN ; Yonghui LI ; Yafang LIU ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Meihui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(6):758-761
Objective To analyze the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients.Methods A total of 120 COPD patients admitted to the Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from January 2022 to December 2024 were prospectively enrolled and served as the COPD group.Another 120 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group during the same period.The general clinical data and coronary plaque burden were compared between the two groups.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and coronary plaque burden as well as left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the influencing factors of total coronary plaque bur-den and calcified plaque burden.Results The COPD group had significantly larger smoking ratio and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and IL-6,but obviously lower LVEF and FEV1 levels than the control group(P<0.01).Notably increased total coronary plaque burden(38.30±8.22 vs 24.61±5.56,P<0.01),calcified plaque burden(21.11±6.57 vs 12.54±3.65,P<0.01)and non-calcified plaque burden(17.19±5.39 vs 12.07±3.92,P<0.01)were observed in the COPD group than the control group.FEV1 was negatively correlated with coro-nary plaque burden,calcified plaque burden,and non-calcified plaque burden,and positively corre-lated with LVEF(P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FEV1 and IL-6 were influencing factors for both total coronary plaque burden(P<0.01)and coronary calcified plaque burden(P<0.01),and FEV1 was an influencing factor of non-calcified plaque burden in coronary arteries(P<0.01).Conclusion COPD promotes the development of coronary plaque burden.So,for COPD patients,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and early prevention of coronary plaque burden.
6.Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients
Jiaoxia LIU ; Panpan QIN ; Yonghui LI ; Yafang LIU ; Yuanyuan WANG ; Meihui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(6):758-761
Objective To analyze the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)on coronary plaque burden in elderly patients.Methods A total of 120 COPD patients admitted to the Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University from January 2022 to December 2024 were prospectively enrolled and served as the COPD group.Another 120 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group during the same period.The general clinical data and coronary plaque burden were compared between the two groups.Pearson linear correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and coronary plaque burden as well as left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the influencing factors of total coronary plaque bur-den and calcified plaque burden.Results The COPD group had significantly larger smoking ratio and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and IL-6,but obviously lower LVEF and FEV1 levels than the control group(P<0.01).Notably increased total coronary plaque burden(38.30±8.22 vs 24.61±5.56,P<0.01),calcified plaque burden(21.11±6.57 vs 12.54±3.65,P<0.01)and non-calcified plaque burden(17.19±5.39 vs 12.07±3.92,P<0.01)were observed in the COPD group than the control group.FEV1 was negatively correlated with coro-nary plaque burden,calcified plaque burden,and non-calcified plaque burden,and positively corre-lated with LVEF(P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FEV1 and IL-6 were influencing factors for both total coronary plaque burden(P<0.01)and coronary calcified plaque burden(P<0.01),and FEV1 was an influencing factor of non-calcified plaque burden in coronary arteries(P<0.01).Conclusion COPD promotes the development of coronary plaque burden.So,for COPD patients,it is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and early prevention of coronary plaque burden.
7.Pharmacological advances in pharmacological research on the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration with traditional Chinese medicine
Siya ZHANG ; Yu PEI ; Xi CHEN ; Li PAN ; Ge ZHANG ; Yuanchen DING ; Meihui WEI ; Wei SHI
Recent Advances in Ophthalmology 2025;45(12):981-985
The incidence of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is rising with the intensifying aging trend,be-coming a critical challenge that demands urgent solutions.Dry AMD(dAMD)accounts for approximately 80%of all AMD cases,and there is currently a lack of highly effective treatment options.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been proven to effectively treat dAMD through actions such as antioxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and lipid-lowering.By reviewing domestic and international literature,this article discusses TCM monomers,extracts,and compound formulations for dAMD,analyzing their various mechanisms.Based on traditional TCM efficacy theories and in-tegrated with modern mechanisms of action,it targets the active components of TCM to elucidate the connection between effective medicinal targets of TCM and dAMD,thereby clarifying the efficacy and scientific basis of TCM monomers,com-pounds,and extracts in treating dAMD.The aim is to provide new perspectives for the prevention and clinical treatment of dAMD.
8.Epigenetic modification of IGF2/H19 imprinting control region regulates PGC-1α/PI3K/AKT2 pathway in a rat model of intrauterine growth restriction.
Lihong LIAO ; Xiuyun ZHOU ; Meihui ZHANG ; Tulian LIN ; Wenjun LONG ; Yaqin YAN ; Qin NING ; Xiaoping LUO
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;138(19):2472-2480
BACKGROUND:
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with adverse metabolic outcomes during adulthood. Histone modifications and changes in DNA methylation-affected genes are important for fetal development. This study aimed to confirm the epigenetic mechanisms in IUGR.
METHODS:
IUGR models were established in Sprague-Dawley rats using a maternal nutritional restriction approach during pregnancy. The abundance of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT serine/threonine kinase 2 (AKT2), and PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation RT-PCR was employed to analyze histone modification in CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)1-4 binding sites of the IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR). The methylation states of CTCF1-4 binding sites were studied by pyrosequencing.
RESULTS:
The IUGR models were constructed successfully. IGF2 mRNA abundance in the placenta, fetal liver, and newborn liver was decreased in the IUGR group (P <0.01). Meanwhile, as compared with the control group, the expression levels of AKT2, PI3K, and PGC-1α were lower in newborn and 8-week-old livers in the IUGR group (P <0.05). In addition, knocking down IGF2 reduced the protein expression levels of AKT2-P and PGC-1α (P <0.05). In CTCF binding sites 1-4 of the IGF2/H19 ICR, AcH3 enrichment was significantly lower in CTCF1-3 in newborn and 8-week-old IUGR rats. H3K4me3 enrichment was significantly lower in the CTCF1-4 of newborn and 8-week-old IUGR groups (P <0.01). H3K9me2 enrichment was significantly higher in the IUGR group (P <0.01). The CpG dinucleotide methylation levels of CTCF1 and CTCF3, but not those of CTCF2 and CTCF4 binding sites in IUGR rat fetal, 4-week old, and 8-week-old livers decreased significantly (P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
The methylation status and histone modification in the IGF2/H19 ICR are related to growth and lipid metabolism via the PGC-1α/PI3K/AKT2 pathway in IUGR rats.
9.Clinical features of 131 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria accompanied by angioedema or not: a retrospective study
Linxia WANG ; Liming ZHANG ; Meihui SHI ; Xinghua GAO ; Hongduo CHEN ; Ting XIAO
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(6):510-515
Objective:To investigate the clinical features of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients with angioedema (AE) .Methods:Clinical data were collected from adult outpatients with active CSU diagnosed and treated at the First Hospital of China Medical University from January 2019 to December 2021, and analyzed retrospectively. The data included gender, age, disease duration, the presence or absence of angioedema, urticaria activity score for one day, prior treatments, previous history, family history, laboratory test results, therapeutic effect, and adverse reactions. Their treatment regimens were based on the Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of urticaria (2018) and the American guidelines for the diagnosis and management of urticaria (2014). Statistical analysis was carried out by using Mann-Whitney U test, two-independent-sample t test, Chi-square test, corrected Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Results:A total of 131 CSU patients were collected, including 78 females and 53 males. Their age at the first visit was 44.6 ± 13.3 years, and the disease duration ( M[ Q1, Q3]) was 4.0 (2.0, 10.0) months. Among these CSU patients, there were 58 with AE and 73 without AE. The disease duration was significantly longer in the CSU patients with AE (6.0 [3.0, 24.0] months) than in those without AE (3.5 [2.0, 6.0] months; Z = -2.78, P = 0.005). The urticaria activity score for one day was also significantly higher in the CSU patients with AE (5.0 [3.0, 5.3] points) than in those without AE (4.0 [3.0, 5.0] points; Z = -2.63, P = 0.008). The CSU patients with AE showed a decreased proportion of patients completely controlled by licensed-dose second-generation H1-antihistamines (sgAHs) (8.6%, 5/58) compared with those without AE (24.7%, 18/73), but an increased proportion of patients uncontrolled by licensed-dose sgAHs (91.4%, 53/58) compared with those without AE (74.0%, 54/73; Z = -2.53, P = 0.011) ; there were no significant differences in the proportions of patients completely controlled or uncontrolled by updosed sgAHs alone or combinations of 2- to 4-fold equivalent-dose sgAHs, or in the proportions of patients completely controlled or uncontrolled by combination therapy with 4-fold equivalent-dose sgAHs and non-H1-antihistamines between the CSU patients with AE and those without AE ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Compared with the CSU patients without AE, the CSU patients with AE had a longer disease duration, higher disease activity, a lower proportion of patients completely controlled by licensed-dose sgAHs, and a higher proportion of patients uncontrolled by licensed-dose sgAHs.
10.Application of"intelligent platform"based on BOPPPS model in clinical nursing teaching of plastic and aesthetic surgery
Ximei SU ; Yamin LI ; Meihui XIAO ; Li YANG ; Li TANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Liping CAO ; Xia ZHANG
Modern Hospital 2024;24(12):1952-1955,1958
Objective To explore the effect of the implementation of intelligent platform based on the BOPPPS model in the clinical nursing teaching of the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery.Methods Seventy-nine undergraduate nurs-ing students interned from July 2022 to September 2023 in the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery of a tertiary univer-sity hospital were recruited.Thirty-nine students were selected in the control group,and fourty students were in the observation group.The control group was implemented the traditional clinical nursing teaching mode,and the observation group was imple-mented the intelligent platform based on BOPPPS teaching mode.We compared the theoretical scores,independent learning abili-ty,and teaching satisfaction of the two groups.Results The observation group's theory achievement score,speciality operation score,independent learning ability score and teaching satisfaction score were higher than those of the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion In the clinical nursing teaching of plastic and cosmetic surgery,the intelligent platform based on the BOPPPS model can improve the interns'theoretical and operational performance,independent learning ability and teaching satisfaction.The education method is worth promoting.

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