1.Circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy:large sample analysis of European populations from GWAS Catalog and FinnGen databases
Yu DING ; Jingwen CHEN ; Xiuyan CHEN ; Huimin SHI ; Yudie YANG ; Meiqi ZHOU ; Shuai CUI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1047-1057
BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95%Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95%CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95%CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95%CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95%CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95%CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95%CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.
2.Circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy:large sample analysis of European populations from GWAS Catalog and FinnGen databases
Yu DING ; Jingwen CHEN ; Xiuyan CHEN ; Huimin SHI ; Yudie YANG ; Meiqi ZHOU ; Shuai CUI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1047-1057
BACKGROUND:Myocardial hypertrophy often leads to severe cardiovascular diseases and is difficult to diagnose due to its early stages being hard to detect.Circulating inflammatory proteins have been found to be significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases,yet the specific mechanisms linking them to myocardial hypertrophy remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between circulating proteins and myocardial hypertrophy using multiple Mendelian randomization approaches.METHODS:Utilizing data from 91 circulating inflammatory proteins in the GWAS Catalog database and the latest myocardial hypertrophy data from the R11 FinnGen database,we employed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization,multivariate Mendelian randomization,and Genome-Wide Association Studies co-localization to investigate the causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and myocardial hypertrophy.The accuracy of the results was verified through sensitivity tests including MR-PRESSO,Cochran's Q test,MR-Egger intercept assessment,leave-one-out analysis,and funnel plot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization,the primary method used for evaluation was the Inverse Variance Weighting(IVW)approach.It was found that the level of T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform(IVW:P=0.046,OR=0.74,95%Cl:0.66-1.00),level of slit chemokine(IVW:P=2.1×10-2,OR=0.74,95%CI:0.556-0.95),level of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-4,OR=0.66,95%CI:0.49-0.87),level of interleukin-2(IVW:P=3.8×103,OR=0.667,95%CI:0.50-0.88),and sulfotransferase 1A1(IVW:P=1.42×102,OR=0.80,95%CI:0.67-0.96)had a unidirectional causal effect on cardiac hypertrophy.(2)Among the findings in multivariate Mendelian randomization,the levels of the CD6 isoform of T-cell surface glycoprotein(IVW:P=1.39×102,OR=0.81,95%CI:0.69-0.96)and the levels of Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor(IVW:P=3.7×10-2,OR=0.73,95%CI:0.55-0.98)were positive,indicating that the results remained significant after excluding the effects of other circulating inflammatory proteins that had an impact on myocardial hypertrophy.(3)In colocalization,T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels had H3+H4=0.96,with the most significant single nucleotide polymorphism being rs59570070,suggesting an intrinsic link between T-cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoform levels and myocardial hypertrophy.(4)Sensitivity results showed no abnormalities,indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropic effects influencing the results.(5)These results verified that T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms,Slit chemokine,Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors,interleukin-2,and sulfotransferase 1A1 had a unidirectional causal effect on myocardial hypertrophy.T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptors had the deepest impact,suggesting that there may be related pathways between T cell surface glycoprotein CD6 isoforms and myocardial hypertrophy.Mendelian randomization studies require large amounts of clinical data and therefore often use European samples from international databases for analysis.Since this analytical method has significant advantages in causal inference,precision medicine,and cross-population validation,its research results still hold great significance for the medical development in China.As Mendelian randomization research deepens,it also promotes the collection and analysis of clinical data in China to some extent.In the future,we can further analyze key protein mechanisms,combine multiomics and clinical validation,develop an inflammatory marker monitoring system and novel anti-inflammatory therapies,thereby promoting the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and the development of personalized medicine.
3.A preliminary exploration of an intelligent system for personalized tooth morphology reconstruction based on deep learning
Meiqi YU ; Du CHEN ; Zhenyu WANG ; Fei LIU ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Yunpeng LI ; Jiefei SHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(6):618-625
Objective:To integrate implicit templates with deep learning techniques, a novel neural network, the tooth-deformable deep implicit network (T-DDIN), was constructed to achieve high-precision shape completion of tooth defects in a personalized manner.Methods:A total of 550 intraoral scan models were collected from patients treated at the Department of Orthodontics and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University (500 for training and 50 for testing), between March 2022 and March 2024. T-DDIN reconstructed defective tooth morphology using an implicit template and a latent encoding prediction network. During model evaluation, Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear defects were simulated in the test set. Morphological restoration was performed using both traditional computer aided design (CAD) methods and the T-DDIN deep learning approach. The two methods were compared based on three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volumes, cusp angle deviation, and restoration time.Results:The T-DDIN group demonstrated significantly lower three-dimensional deviation for Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear restoration [(0.14±0.05) and (0.16±0.09) mm], occlusal adjustment volumes [(0.44±0.03) and (0.49±0.03) mm 3], and difference value of the tooth cusp angles (5.69°±1.90° and 6.04°±0.53°) compared to the traditional CAD group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were observed within the T-DDIN group between the two defect types in terms of three-dimensional deviation ( P=0.098) or occlusal adjustment volume ( P=0.154) or difference value of the tooth cusp angles ( P=0.196). However, in the traditional CAD group, three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volume and difference value of the tooth cusp angles was significantly higher in occlusal wear restorations than in Class Ⅱ cavity defects restorations ( P<0.001). The T-DDIN group, which involved Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear, demonstrated significantly less recovery time of morphology (37.2±7.7) and (39.4±6.2) s compared to the traditional CAD group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:T-DDIN demonstrated superior stability and accuracy in morphological reconstruction for various types of dental defects while significantly reducing restoration time.
4.The influence of titanium nanotopography on the mitochondrial metabolism and polarization of macro-phages
Meiqi ZHAO ; Weihua YU ; Li DING ; Yan ZHANG ; Wen SONG ; Yumei ZHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(1):34-40
Objective:To explore the effects of different titanium(Ti)surfaces on mitochondria metabolism and polarization of mac-rophages.Methods:The anodic oxidation method prepared nanotubes with distinct morphologies(NT5 and NT20 groups)on smooth titanium surfaces(P group)were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).After 24 hours of culturing RAW264.7 cells on the samples,SEM was employed to observe the morphology of the cells of all groups.Levels of mitochondria ATP and ROS,as well as the activity of hexokinase(HK),were measured by fluorescence probes and luciferase assays.The expression of iNOS,Arg-1,TNF-α and CD206 mRNA was evaluated by RT-qPCR.Changes in mitochondria metabolism and macrophage polarization were studied following inhibition of cellular glycolysis by using 2-deoxy-D-glucose(2-DG)in groups P*and NT20*.Results:Compared with the P group,the NT5 group showed no significant changes in mitochondria ATP,ROS levels and HK activity,but an upregula-tion in M2-associated gene expression was observed.In the NT20 group,mitochondria ATP and ROS levels were increased,HK ac-tivity was elevated,and M1-associated gene expression was upregulated.After glycolysis inhibition,there was no significant differ-ence in mitochondria ATP,ROS levels,HK activity and polarization-related gene expression levels between the P*and NT20*groups compared with the P group.Conclusion:Large-diameter nanotubes may promote macrophage M1 polarization by regulating the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in macrophage mitochondria.
5.A preliminary exploration of an intelligent system for personalized tooth morphology reconstruction based on deep learning
Meiqi YU ; Du CHEN ; Zhenyu WANG ; Fei LIU ; Yanyan ZHANG ; Yunpeng LI ; Jiefei SHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(6):618-625
Objective:To integrate implicit templates with deep learning techniques, a novel neural network, the tooth-deformable deep implicit network (T-DDIN), was constructed to achieve high-precision shape completion of tooth defects in a personalized manner.Methods:A total of 550 intraoral scan models were collected from patients treated at the Department of Orthodontics and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University (500 for training and 50 for testing), between March 2022 and March 2024. T-DDIN reconstructed defective tooth morphology using an implicit template and a latent encoding prediction network. During model evaluation, Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear defects were simulated in the test set. Morphological restoration was performed using both traditional computer aided design (CAD) methods and the T-DDIN deep learning approach. The two methods were compared based on three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volumes, cusp angle deviation, and restoration time.Results:The T-DDIN group demonstrated significantly lower three-dimensional deviation for Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear restoration [(0.14±0.05) and (0.16±0.09) mm], occlusal adjustment volumes [(0.44±0.03) and (0.49±0.03) mm 3], and difference value of the tooth cusp angles (5.69°±1.90° and 6.04°±0.53°) compared to the traditional CAD group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were observed within the T-DDIN group between the two defect types in terms of three-dimensional deviation ( P=0.098) or occlusal adjustment volume ( P=0.154) or difference value of the tooth cusp angles ( P=0.196). However, in the traditional CAD group, three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volume and difference value of the tooth cusp angles was significantly higher in occlusal wear restorations than in Class Ⅱ cavity defects restorations ( P<0.001). The T-DDIN group, which involved Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear, demonstrated significantly less recovery time of morphology (37.2±7.7) and (39.4±6.2) s compared to the traditional CAD group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:T-DDIN demonstrated superior stability and accuracy in morphological reconstruction for various types of dental defects while significantly reducing restoration time.
6.The influence of titanium nanotopography on the mitochondrial metabolism and polarization of macro-phages
Meiqi ZHAO ; Weihua YU ; Li DING ; Yan ZHANG ; Wen SONG ; Yumei ZHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(1):34-40
Objective:To explore the effects of different titanium(Ti)surfaces on mitochondria metabolism and polarization of mac-rophages.Methods:The anodic oxidation method prepared nanotubes with distinct morphologies(NT5 and NT20 groups)on smooth titanium surfaces(P group)were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).After 24 hours of culturing RAW264.7 cells on the samples,SEM was employed to observe the morphology of the cells of all groups.Levels of mitochondria ATP and ROS,as well as the activity of hexokinase(HK),were measured by fluorescence probes and luciferase assays.The expression of iNOS,Arg-1,TNF-α and CD206 mRNA was evaluated by RT-qPCR.Changes in mitochondria metabolism and macrophage polarization were studied following inhibition of cellular glycolysis by using 2-deoxy-D-glucose(2-DG)in groups P*and NT20*.Results:Compared with the P group,the NT5 group showed no significant changes in mitochondria ATP,ROS levels and HK activity,but an upregula-tion in M2-associated gene expression was observed.In the NT20 group,mitochondria ATP and ROS levels were increased,HK ac-tivity was elevated,and M1-associated gene expression was upregulated.After glycolysis inhibition,there was no significant differ-ence in mitochondria ATP,ROS levels,HK activity and polarization-related gene expression levels between the P*and NT20*groups compared with the P group.Conclusion:Large-diameter nanotubes may promote macrophage M1 polarization by regulating the metabolic reprogramming that occurs in macrophage mitochondria.
7.Association between heavy metal mixed exposure and neonatal birth weight in pregnancy
Jianzhang ZHAO ; Wenlin BAI ; Miao YUAN ; Meiqi DONG ; Ruiling FANG ; Hongmei YU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):1055-1061
The impact of prenatal exposure to a mixture of heavy metals on birth weight in newborns has been a topic of ongoing interest. In this study, 258 mothers and infants from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) were selected as the study subjects, and the concentrations of seven heavy metals in the placenta, including Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Plumbum (Pb), Selenium (Se) and Arsenic (As) were collected. And the birth weight of newborns, the relevant covariates of mothers and newborns were collected. Three analytical methods, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed. After adjusting for maternal gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking status, education level, parity, gestational age and newborn gender, the combined three methods showed that the total effect of mixed exposure of seven heavy metals on birth weight was negative. Specifically, the WQS analysis revealed that Se had the greatest impact on birth weight, followed by Al. The QGC results showed that the heavy metal associated with the reduction of birth weight was mainly Se and Al in female and male infants, respectively. The BKMR analysis demonstrated a negative combined effect of the seven heavy metals on birth weight in both male and female infants, with Se having the highest posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) for female infants (0.45), and Al having the highest PIPs for male infants (0.64) after stratification by gender. In summary, mixed exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy was associated with a decrease in newborn birth weight. Furthermore, there are gender effects with Se and Al associated with decreased birth weight in female and male infants, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of public health policies aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving the health of newborns.
8.Association between heavy metal mixed exposure and neonatal birth weight in pregnancy
Jianzhang ZHAO ; Wenlin BAI ; Miao YUAN ; Meiqi DONG ; Ruiling FANG ; Hongmei YU
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(7):1055-1061
The impact of prenatal exposure to a mixture of heavy metals on birth weight in newborns has been a topic of ongoing interest. In this study, 258 mothers and infants from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) were selected as the study subjects, and the concentrations of seven heavy metals in the placenta, including Aluminum (Al), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Plumbum (Pb), Selenium (Se) and Arsenic (As) were collected. And the birth weight of newborns, the relevant covariates of mothers and newborns were collected. Three analytical methods, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed. After adjusting for maternal gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking status, education level, parity, gestational age and newborn gender, the combined three methods showed that the total effect of mixed exposure of seven heavy metals on birth weight was negative. Specifically, the WQS analysis revealed that Se had the greatest impact on birth weight, followed by Al. The QGC results showed that the heavy metal associated with the reduction of birth weight was mainly Se and Al in female and male infants, respectively. The BKMR analysis demonstrated a negative combined effect of the seven heavy metals on birth weight in both male and female infants, with Se having the highest posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) for female infants (0.45), and Al having the highest PIPs for male infants (0.64) after stratification by gender. In summary, mixed exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy was associated with a decrease in newborn birth weight. Furthermore, there are gender effects with Se and Al associated with decreased birth weight in female and male infants, respectively. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development of public health policies aimed at preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and improving the health of newborns.
9.Dynamic Changes of Volatile Components During Processing Process of Jianchangbang Characteristic Ginger Processed Xingpo Pieces Based on HS-GC-MS
Yuxun CHEN ; Wanai XU ; Jingyu WU ; Meiqi LU ; Lingbang MENG ; Cheng XU ; Hailian ZHENG ; Xian ZHANG ; Na ZHANG ; Qianfeng GONG ; Huan YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(20):127-134
ObjectiveTo reveal the influence of Jianchangbang characteristic processing method on the change process of volatile components and the processing mechanism of reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex(MOC) by studying the changes in the composition and content of volatile components during the processing of ginger processed Xingpo pieces. MethodSamples of raw products, ginger juice moisturized products and stir-fried and heap moisturized products of MOC were taken according to the set time points, and headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) was used to determine the contents of volatile components in the samples, and the relative content of each component was obtained by peak area normalization. Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were performed on the sample data using SIMCA 14.1 software, and the differential components during the processing were screened with variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>1 as the indicator. ResultA total of 68 volatile components were identified in the samples, among which some of the chemical components with similar structures showed similar trends of changes, and there was also the phenomenon of interconversion between compounds. Compared with the raw products, the contents of 42 components in ginger juice moisturized products increased, while the contents of 25 components decreased, 19 components were unique, and 4 components were unique to the raw products. Compared with ginger juice moisturized products, MOC in the early stage of piling had three unique components, and the contents of 11 components such as cyclosativene and (+)-α-pinene increased, and the contents of 5 components such as tricyclic terpene and α-curcumene decreased, and ginger juice moisturized products had four unique components. Compared with the early stage of piling, in the later stage, the contents of 8 components such as (+)-α-pinene and camphene significantly increased, while the contents of 6 components such as linalool and α-selinene significantly decreased. During the processing of MOC, there were significant changes in the chemical composition of the samples before and after 20 days. The differences between ginger juice moistening and the early stage of piling, the early stage and the later stage of piling could be clearly distinguished. ConclusionDuring the preparation process of ginger processed Xingpo pieces, the addition of ginger juice can reduce the contents of stimulating components, and the contents of active components continue to increase in several stages, such as the addition of ginger juice, frying and heap moisturizing, the quality of the decoction pieces may change significantly at about 20 d of processing. This study can provide a research basis for exploring the processing mechanism of ginger processed Xingpo pieces.
10.Isolation of microglia from aged rat brain tissue and phenotypic identification by flow cytometry
Miaomiao Liu ; Meiqi Guan ; Lian Yu ; Xiaorong Yang ; Jie Wang ; Yanli Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(11):1967-1973
Objective:
To establish an optimized method for isolation and purification of microglia from aged rat brain tissue, and the phenotype of microglia was detected by flow cytometry.
Methods:
With young rats(3 months old) as control, the brain tissues of aged rats were immediately processed into single cell suspensions by mechanical dissociation and enzymatic digestion using type IV collagenase. Microglia were isolated on Percoll gradients(30%-37%-70%). The cells were stained with fluorescence-labeled antibodies and the phenotype of microglia was detected by flow cytometry.
Results:
This study developed a method that enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissociation combined with density gradient centrifugation. More single cells could be obtained by using this method. And the survival rate of cells was more than 90%. The flow cytometric analysis showed that the expression of M1 microglia marker CD86 and MHC Ⅱ increased(P<0.01), and the expression of M2 microglia marker CD200R increased(P<0.01) in aged rats compared with that in young rats.
Conclusion
The use of type IV collagenase and mechanical digestion combined with density gradient centrifugation is good for isolating and purifying microglia from adult and aged rat brain tissue.


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