1.Sleep Traits and Malignant Risk of Pulmonary Nodules: Evidence Triangulation From Questionnaire, Cohort, and Mendelian Randomization
Xiangyu CHEN ; Yiqiao XUE ; Mengqing LIU ; Yile HU ; Weizuo LIANG ; Hanqing LIU ; Yizheng WANG ; Mingfang ZHAO
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):663-676
To investigate the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignancy in pulmonary nodules, and to provide complementary evidence from a general population cohort and genetic analyses. This study comprised three parts. Part 1 was a cross-sectional study that consecutively enrolled patients with imaging-confirmed pulmonary nodules at the First Hospital of China Medical University from November 2024 to December 2025. Nine sleep domains were constructed using items from the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), with domain severity coded on a 0-6 scale according to the frequency of occurrence. Benign or malignant status of pulmonary nodules was determined based on pathological results or clinical follow-up. Multivariable Logistic regression models with progressive adjustment were constructed. Stratified, interaction, and dose-response analyses (including categorical grouping and restricted cubic splines) were performed focusing on the insomnia symptom domain to explore the association between sleep-related phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules. Part 2 was a prospective cohort study using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident lung cancer risk in the general population. Part 3 comprised genetic causality analyses, including two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), using data from the OpenGWAS database, to assess whether directionally consistent genetic association signals exist between sleep-related phenotypes and lung cancer risk. In the cross-sectional study, a total of 800 patients with pulmonary nodules were included, of whom 288 (36.0%) were in the malignant group. In the continuous-variable main model fully adjusted for baseline confounders, all nine sleep domains, imaging findings, and depression and anxiety status, the severity of the insomnia symptom domain showed a positive association signal with the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules (fully adjusted model: per 1-point increase, In patients with pulmonary nodules, an association signal exists between insomnia-related symptoms and the risk of malignancy, but the dose-response relationship remains unclear. The CHARLS cohort and genetic analyses provide supplementary directional clues for the above associations, albeit with limited statistical strength and result consistency. Definitive conclusions regarding the association between sleep phenotypes and the risk of malignant pulmonary nodules require further validation in prospective studies.
2.Functional perforator flap: concept and clinical applications.
Hu JIAO ; Mengqing ZANG ; Lu ZHOU ; Shengyang JIN ; Jiadong PAN ; Miao WANG ; Xin WANG ; Yuanbo LIU
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery 2025;39(9):1076-1085
OBJECTIVE:
To review the clinical applications of functional perforator flaps in restoring human body functions.
METHODS:
An extensive literature review was conducted on both domestic and international publications to summarize the clinical use of functional perforator flaps for functional restoration.
RESULTS:
Perforator flaps are among the most commonly used flaps in reconstructive surgery. Beyond providing soft tissue repair, they are increasingly employed to reconstruct diverse bodily functions, leading us to propose the concept of the "functional perforator flap". Although various forms of functional perforator flaps are currently utilized, reports are predominantly scattered case studies, lacking systematic organization. Commonly used functional perforator flaps can be categorized into five types: chimeric perforator flaps, perforator flaps for nerve function restoration, perforator flaps for lymphatic drainage enhancement, flow-through perforator flaps, and perforator flaps for restoring bone and joint motion. These flaps significantly broaden the application scope of perforator flaps, elevating the goal of reconstruction from mere wound repair to achieving repair concurrent with functional reconstruction.
CONCLUSION
The application of various functional perforator flap designs significantly improves wound reconstruction outcomes and represents an effective approach for managing complex defects. Future developments will undoubtedly see more forms of functional perforator flaps reported to meet increasingly sophisticated reconstructive demands.
Humans
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Perforator Flap/blood supply*
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Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*
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Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery*
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Skin Transplantation/methods*
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Wound Healing
3.Effects of acetazolamide on the proliferation , apoptosis , and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast⁃like synoviocytes by inhibiting autophagy
Mengqing Wang ; Manyu Zhang ; Shenglong Gu ; Yan Huang ; Rong Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(12):2187-2196
Objective:
To study the effects and potential mechanisms of the aquaporin 1(AQP1) inhibitor acetazolamide(AZ) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS).
Methods:
TNF-α-induced RA-FLS was served as in vitro RA model. MTT assay, IF staining, and EdU incorporation assay were applied to study AZ′s effects on RA-FLS proliferation. Hoechst staining, flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V-FITC/PI-stained cells, and mitochondrial membrane potential detection experiments were used to detect cell apoptosis. ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR methods were used to measure pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Cell autophagy was evaluated using IF staining and mCherry-GFP-LC3B puncta assay. Western blot was performed to detect the levels of autophagy, apoptosis, and proliferation-related proteins. Moreover, the role of autophagy inhibition in AZ′s effects on RA-FLS was examined by co-treating with the autophagy activator rapamycin(RAPA) or the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA).
Results:
AZ dose⁃dependently inhibited cell proliferation , promoted apoptosis , and reduced the production of pro⁃inflammatory cytokines in RA⁃FLS. Furthermore , AZ suppressed cytoprotective autophagy in these cells , as evidenced by decreased LC3B levels ( P < 0. 05 ) , increased p62 expression ( P < 0. 05 ) , and reduced autophagic flux ( P <0. 01) . Particularly , AZ ′s beneficial effects were reversed by RAPA⁃induced autophagy activation and enhanced by 3 ⁃MA⁃induced autophagy inhibition.
Conclusion
This study provides the first evidence that AZ hinders cytoprotective autophagy , thereby alleviating the hyperproliferation , apoptosis resistance , and aberrant inflammatory response of RA⁃FLS , revealing the core role of autophagy inhibition in AZ ′s anti⁃RA effects.
4.Research advances of pathological mechanisms, biomarkers and therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer′s disease
Mengqing GUO ; Chenyang LI ; Yingying WANG ; Yiqing WANG ; Guojie ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2025;58(12):1316-1323
Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. As the global population ages, incidence, morbidity and mortality of AD have increased significantly. The core pathological features of AD include β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and phosphorylated tau aggregation, resulting in neuronal damage, abnormal mental behavior, and cognitive decline. In recent years, research breakthroughs have not only deepened the Aβ cascade hypothesis and the pathological theory of tau protein, but also made important progress in the fields of neuroimmune regulation, "microbiota-gut-brain" axis, genetic factors, especially the ApoEε4 allele. At the same time, AD has been continuously enriched in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and imaging markers, and sensitivity of markers has been improved and detection tends to be non-invasive. Therapeutic strategies for AD include traditional drugs, novel drugs targeting Aβ/tau protein, and non-pharmacological interventions such as cognitive training, non-invasive brain stimulation and exercise. This review systematically expounds the pathological mechanism, biomarkers, and treatment strategies of AD, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a biomarker-based precision diagnosis and treatment paradigm.
5.Short-term outcome study on cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Cheng GAN ; Zhengdong KONG ; Xiaoye RAN ; Shudong QIAO ; Yixin ZHANG ; Lu YUE ; Yingjie WANG ; Hui BI ; Dong YANG ; Hongtong MA ; Yuan CHEN ; Hongli CHAI ; Ying JIA ; Chenhao MA ; Zixiang CHEN ; Ke LI ; Miao WANG ; Liguo XUE ; Siwen ZHAO ; Ke WEN ; Lin YIN ; Bo DING ; Shan ZHU ; Yuanbo LIU ; Mengqing ZANG
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025;41(2):130-143
Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.
6.Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of sleep quality in shift nurses
Shulong DING ; Ying TANG ; Lan JIANG ; Fengjuan SHI ; Mengqing SUN ; Juxia WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(1):48-53
Objective:To explore the latent categories of sleep quality in shift nurses using latent profile analysis, and analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of each category.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 1 480 shift nurses from three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Fuyang city from January to February 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire-5. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify the latent categories of sleep quality, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of different sleep quality categories. In this study, a total of 1 480 questionnaires were distributed. After excluding 28 invalid questionnaires, 1 452 valid questionnaires were retrieved, the effective recovery rate of the questionnaires was 98.11%.Results:The sleep quality of 1 452 shift nurses was classified into four latent categories: 44.5% (647/1 452) were in the "sleep impairment" category, 44.6% (648/1 452) in the "good sleep" category, 4.0% (58/1 452) in the "difficulty falling asleep-low efficiency" category, and 6.8% (99/1 452) in the "sleep disorder-medication-induced sleep" category. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that perceived stress, monthly night shift frequency, sleep timing, daytime napping, and years of work experience were significant influencing factors for sleep quality ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Sleep quality among shift nurses shows heterogeneity. Nursing managers should develop tailored management strategies and implement targeted sleep hygiene interventions based on nurses' sleep quality characteristics to improve their sleep quality.
7.Chinese version of the Clinical Leadership Needs Analysis Instrument and its reliability and validity test
Mengqing DU ; Jinpeng XU ; Zhigang QIAN ; Qian WANG ; Yixin WANG ; Manyu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(4):491-496
Objective:To translate the Clinical Leadership Needs Analysis Instrument (CLeeNA) into Chinese and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The source scale was translated based on the Beaton translation model, and cultural debugging was completed through expert consultation and pre-surveys to form the Chinese version of CLeeNA. Convenience sampling was used to select 536 nurses from three Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Anhui Province from August to December 2023 to conduct the survey and to verify the reliability and validity of the scale. A total of 536 questionnaires were distributed and 495 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 92.351% (495/536) .Results:The Chinese version of CLeeNA contained 43 entries in 7 dimensions of self and team development, staff and care delivery, technology and care initiatives, financial and service management, leadership and clinical practice, patient safety and risk management, and standards of care. The content validity index at the item level ranged from 0.800 to 1.000, and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.953. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 7 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 82.098%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit was acceptable. The total Cronbach's ɑ coefficient for the scale was 0.958, the folding coefficient was 0.898, and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.928.Conclusions:The Chinese version of CLeeNA has good reliability and validity, and can be used for measuring the clinical leadership needs of nurses.
8.Latent profile analysis and influencing factors of sleep quality in shift nurses
Shulong DING ; Ying TANG ; Lan JIANG ; Fengjuan SHI ; Mengqing SUN ; Juxia WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(1):48-53
Objective:To explore the latent categories of sleep quality in shift nurses using latent profile analysis, and analyze the characteristics and influencing factors of each category.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 1 480 shift nurses from three ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals in Fuyang city from January to February 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire-5. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify the latent categories of sleep quality, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of different sleep quality categories. In this study, a total of 1 480 questionnaires were distributed. After excluding 28 invalid questionnaires, 1 452 valid questionnaires were retrieved, the effective recovery rate of the questionnaires was 98.11%.Results:The sleep quality of 1 452 shift nurses was classified into four latent categories: 44.5% (647/1 452) were in the "sleep impairment" category, 44.6% (648/1 452) in the "good sleep" category, 4.0% (58/1 452) in the "difficulty falling asleep-low efficiency" category, and 6.8% (99/1 452) in the "sleep disorder-medication-induced sleep" category. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that perceived stress, monthly night shift frequency, sleep timing, daytime napping, and years of work experience were significant influencing factors for sleep quality ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Sleep quality among shift nurses shows heterogeneity. Nursing managers should develop tailored management strategies and implement targeted sleep hygiene interventions based on nurses' sleep quality characteristics to improve their sleep quality.
9.Chinese version of the Clinical Leadership Needs Analysis Instrument and its reliability and validity test
Mengqing DU ; Jinpeng XU ; Zhigang QIAN ; Qian WANG ; Yixin WANG ; Manyu ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(4):491-496
Objective:To translate the Clinical Leadership Needs Analysis Instrument (CLeeNA) into Chinese and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The source scale was translated based on the Beaton translation model, and cultural debugging was completed through expert consultation and pre-surveys to form the Chinese version of CLeeNA. Convenience sampling was used to select 536 nurses from three Class Ⅲ Grade A hospitals in Anhui Province from August to December 2023 to conduct the survey and to verify the reliability and validity of the scale. A total of 536 questionnaires were distributed and 495 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 92.351% (495/536) .Results:The Chinese version of CLeeNA contained 43 entries in 7 dimensions of self and team development, staff and care delivery, technology and care initiatives, financial and service management, leadership and clinical practice, patient safety and risk management, and standards of care. The content validity index at the item level ranged from 0.800 to 1.000, and the content validity index at the scale level was 0.953. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 7 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 82.098%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit was acceptable. The total Cronbach's ɑ coefficient for the scale was 0.958, the folding coefficient was 0.898, and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.928.Conclusions:The Chinese version of CLeeNA has good reliability and validity, and can be used for measuring the clinical leadership needs of nurses.
10.Exploration on the Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of Wenhe Decoction in the Treatment of Febrile Seizures Based on the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway
Huan YU ; Wenyuan GUO ; Yijue DENG ; Xin LI ; Mengqing WANG ; Yunfei SHUAI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(7):25-33
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Wenhe Decoction in the treatment of febrile seizures through network pharmacology based on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway;To conduct experimental verification.Methods The active components and targets of Wenhe Decoction were retrieved and screened through TCMSP,BATMAN-TCM,PubChem databases and SwissADME platform.The disease targets of febrile seizures were found in GenCards,OMIM and DisGeNET databases.The intersection targets of Wenhe Decoction and the disease and the active components corresponding to the intersection targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct the Chinese materia medica-active components-targets network.The intersection targets were submitted to the STRING database to construct a protein-protein interaction network,and then the intersection targets were imported into the Metascape database for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.The febrile seizures rat model was established,and Wenhe Decoction of 4.05,8.1 and 16.2 g/kg were given respectively by gavage for 21 days.The rats were placed in batches in(45±0.5)℃constant temperature water bath to induce convulsive seizures,and the convulsive latency time and convulsive duration of rats were recorded.The behavioral differences of mice were observed.The morphology of hippocampal tissue were observed by HE and Nissl staining.The ROS content of hippocampal tissue was detected by DHE fluorescent probe technology.The serum ATP,GABA,Glu,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 contents were detected by ELISA,and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related protein in hippocampal tissue was detected by Western blot.Results Network pharmacology analysis obtained 98 active components of Wenhe Decoction and 1 838 targets.162 targets were obtained by intersecting with disease targets,the core components for the treatment of febrile seizures were β-sitosterol,quercetin,luteolin,trans-squalene,sitosterol,saponin,etc.,and the core targets were EGFR,TNF,JUN,MTOR,etc.,and mainly through the regulation of inflammatory response,apoptosis,mitochondrial function and energy metabolism,mediating anti-inflammatory pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and calcium signaling pathway to exert anticonvulsant effects.The experimental results showed that Wenhe Decoction could prolong the convulsive latency and shorten the duration of convulsions in febrile seizures model rats,decrease the level of convulsions,and the pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was improved and damaged neurons were repaired.The serum contents of ROS,Glu,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly reduced,and ATP and GABA contents significantly increased.The protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,pro-Caspase-1,pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 in hippocampal tissue significantly decreased.Conclusion Wenhe Decoction may intervene in febrile seizures rats through NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway,inhibit pyroptosis to reduce the occurrence of neuroinflammation,and then affect the balance of neurotransmitters Glu and GABA to play a role in anti-febrile seizures and prevent brain tissue damage.


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