1.Latent class analysis and influencing factor study of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals
Xiaogui TANG ; Li LI ; Yue ZHAO ; Ningning HU ; Feng FU ; Boya LI ; Mengru YANG ; Yinglan LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):293-301
Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), as one of the major occupational health issues worldwide, have shown an increasing positive rate year by year. Due to the unique demands of work, operating room nurses exhibit a higher positive rate of WMSDs compared to other occupational groups, necessitating active attention and intervention. Objective To estimate the prevalence of WMSDs among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals, explore the characteristics and latent categories of WMSDs, and analyze the influencing factors associated with the occurrence of WMSDs. Method Using a randomized cluster sampling method, operating room nurses from nine tertiary hospitals in Urumqi were selected as study participants between December 2023 and January 2024. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, an ergonomic questionnaire for operating room nurses, and the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. Latent class analysis was employed to examine the patterns of WMSDs among the nurses, while chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression were utilized to analyze the influencing factors of WMSDs. Result A total of 411 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey. The positive rate of WMSDs among operating room nurses in the tertiary hospitals of Urumqi over the past year was 91.9%. The positive rates, ordered from highest to lowest by body region, were neck (79.1%), shoulders (70.3%), and lower back (68.1%). The operating room nurses were categorized into three distinct groups by latent class analysis: multi-site pain group, neck-shoulder-back pain group, and neck and lower back pain group. The results of the multinomial logistic regression models revealed that gender, job strain level, ergonomic load level in the operating room, and exposure to cold or drafty working conditions or not were significant influencing factors for reporting WMSDs among operating room nurses. Specifically, having less than 5 years of work experience, low ergonomic load level, low job strain, and moderate job strain were identified as protective factors against WMSDs. Conversely, exposure to cold or drafty working environments and being female were identified as risk factors for WMSDs. The logistic regression models also indicated that compared to the neck-lower back pain group, the neck-shoulder-back pain group had a higher probability of reporting low job strain (OR=0.168, 95%CI: 0.029, 0.968) and being female (OR=4.847, 95%CI: 2.506, 9.378). In contrast, when comparing to the neck-lower back pain group, the multi-site pain group had a higher probability of reporting, low-level ergonomic workload (OR=0.079, 95%CI: 0.015, 0.412), low job strain (OR=0.019, 95%CI: 0.002, 0.145), moderate job strain (OR=0.080, 95%CI: 0.016, 0.401), high job strain (OR=0.132, 95%CI: 0.027, 0.647), less than 5 years of work experience (OR=0.173, 95%CI: 0.044, 0.683), being female (OR=2.424, 95%CI: 1.130, 5.200), and exposure to cold or drafty working environments (OR=3.277, 95%CI: 1.657, 6.481). Conclusion The positive rate WMSDs among operating room nurses in tertiary hospitals is notably high in Urumqi, with distinct co-occurrence characteristics observed within the population. To mitigate the risk of WMSDs, it is essential to implement targeted health education and prevention training programs tailored to different patterns of WMSDs. Additionally, improving working conditions, optimizing human resource allocation , and other proactive measures should be undertaken. These efforts will effectively reduce the incidence of WMSDs among operating room nurses and safeguard their occupational health.
2.Discovery of a novel AhR-CYP1A1 axis activator for mitigating inflammatory diseases using an in situ functional imaging assay.
Feng ZHANG ; Bei ZHAO ; Yufan FAN ; Lanhui QIN ; Jinhui SHI ; Lin CHEN ; Leizhi XU ; Xudong JIN ; Mengru SUN ; Hongping DENG ; Hairong ZENG ; Zhangping XIAO ; Xin YANG ; Guangbo GE
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):508-525
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes. Activating the AhR-CYP1A1 axis has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against various inflammatory diseases. Here, a practical in situ cell-based fluorometric assay was constructed to screen AhR-CYP1A1 axis modulators, via functional sensing of CYP1A1 activities in live cells. Firstly, a cell-permeable, isoform-specific enzyme-activable fluorogenic substrate for CYP1A1 was rationally constructed for in-situ visualizing the dynamic changes of CYP1A1 function in living systems, which was subsequently used for discovering the efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis. Following screening of a compound library, LAC-7 was identified as an efficacious activator of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis, which dose-dependently up-regulated the expression levels of both CYP1A1 and AhR in multiple cell lines. LAC-7 also suppressed macrophage M1 polarization and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced bone marrow-derived macrophages. Animal tests showed that LAC-7 could significantly mitigate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis and LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice, and markedly reduced the levels of multiple inflammatory factors. Collectively, an optimized fluorometric cell-based assay was devised for in situ functional imaging of CYP1A1 activities in living systems, which strongly facilitated the discovery of efficacious modulators of the AhR-CYP1A1 axis as novel anti-inflammatory agents.
3.Exploration of Acupoint Selection Patterns in the Treatment of Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy Using Data Mining Techniques
Mengru YAN ; Xiaoxue YANG ; Xueqi HU ; Hongli WANG ; Sicong LIN ; Haomin HUANG ; Shufang CHU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1719-1725
Objective To investigate the acupoint selection patterns for treating diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy(DCAN)using data mining techniques,providing evidence for clinical practice.Methods Literature on acupuncture treatment for DCAN was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,and PubMed.The publication dates of the included literature ranged from the inception of each database to April 2024.Descriptive analysis,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis were performed on acupoint prescriptions,with the selection patterns of meridians and acupoints were summarized.Results A total of 27 articles were included,involving 18 acupoints.The top 10 high-frequency acupoints were Neiguan(PC6),Xinshu(BL15),Pishu(BL20),Zusanli(ST36),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Shenmen(HT7),Taixi(KI3),Lingtai(GV10),Shendao(GV11),and Shenshu(BL23).The primary meridians selected were the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang and the pericardium meridian of hand-jueyin.Specific acupoint categories predominantly included back-shu points and five transport points.Association rule and cluster analyses identified core acupoint combinations centered on Xinshu,Neiguan,Pishu,and Zusanli.Conclusion The core acupoint combination for treating DCAN with acupuncture comprises Xinshu,Neiguan,Pishu,and Zusanli.
4.Data Mining in the Medication Rules of Li Huilin in Treating Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Complicated with Hypothyroidism
Xiaoxue YANG ; Chenyang WANG ; Mengru YAN ; Hongli WANG ; Xueqi HU ; Shufang CHU ; Huilin LI
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(7):1779-1785
Objective To explore the medication rules of Professor Li Huilin in treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT)complicated with hypothyroidism using data mining techniques based on the R language.Methods Prescription data of the patients with HT complicated with hypothyroidism treated by Professor Li Huilin in outpatient clinics from March 2023 to March 2024 were collected.A database was established using Microsoft Excel 2021,and R language was employed to analyze the frequency,efficacy,properties and flavors,and meridian tropism of the medicinals from Chinese herbal prescriptions.Additionally,correlation analysis,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis were performed on the medicines from Chinese herbal prescriptions.Results A total of 57 Chinese herbal prescriptions involving 125 medicinals with 782 medication frequencies were included.The top 10 frequently-used medicinals were Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle(Zhigancao),Angelicae Sinensis Radix(Danggui),Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(Baizhu),Astragali Radix(Huangqi),Bupleuri Radix(Chaihu),Cinnamomi Ramulus(Guizhi),Leonuri Herba(Yimucao),Paeoniae Radix Alba(Baishao),Poria(Fuling),and Fici Simplicissimae Radix(Wuzhimaotao).Most of the medicinals had therapeutic action of tonifying deficiency.The analysis of properties and flavors showed that the majority of medicinals were mild or warm in nature,and sweet in flavor.The top three meridians having the tropism of medicinals were the liver,lung,and spleen meridians.Correlation analysis identified five strongly-correlated herbal combinations.Association rule mining revealed a core herbal combination consisting of seven medicinals of Zhigancao,Huangqi,Danggui,Chaihu,Codonopsis Radix(Dangshen),Baizhu,and Cyperi Rhizoma(Xiangfu).Cluster analysis of medicinals with a frequency of≥5 yielded five groups of herbal combination.Conclusion For the treatment of HT complicated with hypothyroidism,Professor Li Huilin follows the principle of addressing the root cause of the disease,and focuses on strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi.Moreover,attention is given to soothing the liver and regulating qi,harmonizing qi and blood simultaneously,and treating symptoms and root cause simultaneously.
5.Mechanism of Shengmaisan Regulating Cardiac Remodeling of Arrhythmias with Deficiency of Qi and Yin
Jingheng WEI ; Xiaolu SHI ; Wei YANG ; Cong HUANG ; Mengru SHI ; Runhao MA ; Mingjie SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):248-259
Arrhythmia is an important disease among cardiovascular diseases. Malignant arrhythmias often occur clinically and are induced by abnormal ion channels, electrical activity disorders, myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, dysfunctional mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial calcium overload, out-of-balance energy metabolism, oxidative stress, sympathetic hyperactivity, and other pathological cardiac remodeling, and they are the main causes of sudden cardiac death. In traditional Chinese medicine, arrhythmias are considered to be palpitations, which are commonly caused by deficiency of Qi and Yin. It is often manifested as a deficiency of the spleen and stomach, resulting in malfunction of the Qi mechanism, followed by a particularly severe decline in cardiac function. Shengmaisan is a representative formula for nourishing Qi and Yin, consisting of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Ophiopogonis Radix, and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus. In recent years, clinical studies have shown that Shengmaisan and its additions and subtractions are commonly used in the treatment of arrhythmias. In this article, the mechanisms of the active ingredients of Shengmaisan in the electrophysiology, biochemistry, structure, autonomic nervous system, and subcellular fraction of the heart are reviewed, and the multi-target, multi-system, and integrality of Shengmaisan in the treatment of arrhythmias of Qi and Yin deficiency are described. In addition, energy metabolism disorder is tightly juxtaposed with Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. Mitochondria, as the center of myocardial energy metabolism, play a paramount role in cardiac remodeling, indicating that Shengmaisan will be a salient part of future research to ameliorate cardiac pathologic remodeling through energy metabolism of mitochondria, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of these arrhythmias.
6.Modified Sanpiantang Treats Nitroglycerin-induced Migraine in Rats via p38 MAPK/iNOS Signaling Pathway
Kun WANG ; Ming MA ; Yanhua YANG ; Quanna REN ; Yuhan CHEN ; Mengru YUE ; Xu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(22):64-70
ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism of modified Sanpiantang in the treatment of nitroglycerin-induced migraine in rats. MethodSeventy-two Wistar rats were randomized into the control, model (nitroglycerin, 10 mg·kg-1), positive control (rizatriptan, 0.89 mg·kg-1), and high- (12.96 g·kg-1), medium- (6.48 g·kg-1), and low-dose (3.24 g·kg-1) modified Sanpiantang groups. The rat model of migraine was established by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg·kg-1 nitroglycerin. The behavioral test was carried out to measure the mechanical pain thresholds (MPT) of the periorbital region and hindpaw after successful modeling. The serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of iNOS and phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK) in the TNC. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA levels of iNOS, p38 MAPK, and IL-1β in the TNC. ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed decreased MPT (P<0.01), elevated serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β (P<0.01), and up-regulated expression levels of p38 MAPK, iNOS, and IL-1β in the TNC (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, modified Sanpiantang increased the MPT (P<0.05), and the medium-dose group showed the most significant effect (P<0.01). In addition, modified Sanpiantang down-regulated the mRNA levels of iNOS, p38 MAPK, and IL-1β and the protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and iNOS in the TNC of migraine rats (P<0.05, P<0.01) and lowered the serum levels of NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionModified Sanpiantang may treat migraine by down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory factors such as NO, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-1β in the p38 MAPK/iNOS signaling pathway to reduce the neurogenic inflammation.
7.A multicenter study of R-ISS staging combined with frailty biomarkers to predict the prognosis and early death in newly diagnosed elderly multiple myeloma patients
Yingjie ZHANG ; Hua XUE ; Mengyao LI ; Jianmei XU ; Xinyue LIANG ; Weiling XU ; Xiaoqi QIN ; Qiang GUO ; Shanshan YU ; Peiyu YANG ; Mengru TIAN ; Tingting YUE ; Mengxue ZHANG ; Yurong YAN ; Zhongli HU ; Nan ZHANG ; Jingxuan WANG ; Fengyan JIN
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2023;42(10):1207-1212
Objective:To improve the prognosis stratification, especially early mortality(EM), of elderly patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(NDMM).Methods:In this retrospective study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival(OS)and the chi-square test and multivariate Logistic analysis were used to identify the prognostic factors associated with EM in 223 elderly patients(age≥65 years)with NDMM from three centers in the country.Results:Increased NT-pro-BNP(≥300 pg/ml), ECOG-PS≥2 and stage Ⅲ R-ISS were identified as three independent adverse prognostic factors of OS.The rates of EM3, EM6, EM12 and EM24 were 12.1%, 20.1%, 32.2% and 60%, respectively.The most common cause for EM6(particularly EM3)was disease-related complications resulting from ineligibility for treatment due to poor physical performance, severe organ dysfunction or treatment discontinuation due to treatment intolerance, while the most common cause for EM12(particularly EM24)was disease progression or relapse mainly as a result of inadequate treatment.R-ISS staging failed to predict EM, while decreased eGFR, ECOG-PS≥2, and increased NT-pro-BNP were able to estimate the risk of EM, with increased NT-pro-BNP as a common independent factor for EM12( P=0.03)and EM24( P=0.015). Conclusions:R-ISS staging, which primarily reflects MM biology, cannot predict EM.However, factors such as NT-pro-BNP, eGFR and ECOG-PS associated with frailty and impairment of organ functions can be used to estimate the risk of EM, among which NT-pro-BNP may be the most important independent factor for EM.Therefore, incorporation of these frailty-related biomarkers into R-ISS staging may be able to more precisely estimate the prognosis and particularly early death of elderly patients with NDMM.
8.Functional annotation map of natural compounds in traditional Chinese medicines library: TCMs with myocardial protection as a case.
Xudong XING ; Mengru SUN ; Zifan GUO ; Yongjuan ZHAO ; Yuru CAI ; Ping ZHOU ; Huiying WANG ; Wen GAO ; Ping LI ; Hua YANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(9):3802-3816
The chemical complexity of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) makes the active and functional annotation of natural compounds challenging. Herein, we developed the TCMs-Compounds Functional Annotation platform (TCMs-CFA) for large-scale predicting active compounds with potential mechanisms from TCM complex system, without isolating and activity testing every single compound one by one. The platform was established based on the integration of TCMs knowledge base, chemome profiling, and high-content imaging. It mainly included: (1) selection of herbal drugs of target based on TCMs knowledge base; (2) chemome profiling of TCMs extract library by LC‒MS; (3) cytological profiling of TCMs extract library by high-content cell-based imaging; (4) active compounds discovery by combining each mass signal and multi-parametric cell phenotypes; (5) construction of functional annotation map for predicting the potential mechanisms of lead compounds. In this stud TCMs with myocardial protection were applied as a case study, and validated for the feasibility and utility of the platform. Seven frequently used herbal drugs (Ginseng, etc.) were screened from 100,000 TCMs formulas for myocardial protection and subsequently prepared as a library of 700 extracts. By using TCMs-CFA platform, 81 lead compounds, including 10 novel bioactive ones, were quickly identified by correlating 8089 mass signals with 170,100 cytological parameters from an extract library. The TCMs-CFA platform described a new evidence-led tool for the rapid discovery process by data mining strategies, which is valuable for novel lead compounds from TCMs. All computations are done through Python and are publicly available on GitHub.
9.Occupational stress, anxiety, and depression among grassroots disease control and prevention staff in Hebei Province: A qualitative comparative analysis based on fuzzy sets
Mengru YANG ; Jianguo LI ; Junqin ZHAO ; Lixin YANG ; Qiuying DONG ; Chunxiang ZHAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(6):681-687
Background Grassroots center for disease control and prevention (CDC) staff undertake intensive work of disease prevention and control, and may be susceptible to occupational stress, anxiety, depression, and other health problems. Objective To understand the current situation of occupational stress, anxiety, and depression among grassroots CDC staff, and to identify potential risk factor configurations for occupational stress, anxiety, and depression using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), so as to provide a basis for effective intervention. Methods The staff working in county/district-level CDCs in Hebei Province were the target population of the current study. Stratified random cluster sampling method was used to select 1860 staff members of the target population. A questionnaire of general situation, Job Content Scale, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used. Risk factor configurations associated with health outcomes of interest were identified by fsQCA3.0 software. Results The positive rates of occupational stress, anxiety, and depression were 42.69%, 44.25%, and 47.96%, respectively. Marital status was a necessary condition for occupational stress, anxiety, and depression in the grassroots CDC staff (the necessity values were 0.911, 0.939, and 0.933, respectively). There were two types of risk factor configurations for occupational stress: "self-improvement" and "disease burden"; the risk factor configurations for anxiety were "disease burden" and "economic-disease burden"; while the risk factor configurations for depression were "disease burden", "economic-disease burden", and "self-improvement". The overall consistency scores of occupational stress, anxiety, and depression were 0.941, 0.820, and 0.774, respectively. Regarding outstanding components, "self-improvement" included pressure of job requirements and promotion, "disease burden" included impact of chronic illness on psychological state, and "economic-disease burden" included not only impact of chronic illness but also financial support for CDC staff. Conclusion All positive rates of occupational stress, anxiety, and depression are high among grassroots CDC staff in Hebei Province. Occupational stress, anxiety, and depression of grassroots CDC staff are the results of multiple influencing factors, so targeted intervention measures should be formulated.
10.Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Molecular Expression Pattern and Intercellular Interactions in the Glial Scar Response to Spinal Cord Injury.
Leilei GONG ; Yun GU ; Xiaoxiao HAN ; Chengcheng LUAN ; Chang LIU ; Xinghui WANG ; Yufeng SUN ; Mengru ZHENG ; Mengya FANG ; Shuhai YANG ; Lai XU ; Hualin SUN ; Bin YU ; Xiaosong GU ; Songlin ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2023;39(2):213-244
Nerve regeneration in adult mammalian spinal cord is poor because of the lack of intrinsic regeneration of neurons and extrinsic factors - the glial scar is triggered by injury and inhibits or promotes regeneration. Recent technological advances in spatial transcriptomics (ST) provide a unique opportunity to decipher most genes systematically throughout scar formation, which remains poorly understood. Here, we first constructed the tissue-wide gene expression patterns of mouse spinal cords over the course of scar formation using ST after spinal cord injury from 32 samples. Locally, we profiled gene expression gradients from the leading edge to the core of the scar areas to further understand the scar microenvironment, such as neurotransmitter disorders, activation of the pro-inflammatory response, neurotoxic saturated lipids, angiogenesis, obstructed axon extension, and extracellular structure re-organization. In addition, we described 21 cell transcriptional states during scar formation and delineated the origins, functional diversity, and possible trajectories of subpopulations of fibroblasts, glia, and immune cells. Specifically, we found some regulators in special cell types, such as Thbs1 and Col1a2 in macrophages, CD36 and Postn in fibroblasts, Plxnb2 and Nxpe3 in microglia, Clu in astrocytes, and CD74 in oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, salvianolic acid B, a blood-brain barrier permeation and CD36 inhibitor, was administered after surgery and found to remedy fibrosis. Subsequently, we described the extent of the scar boundary and profiled the bidirectional ligand-receptor interactions at the neighboring cluster boundary, contributing to maintain scar architecture during gliosis and fibrosis, and found that GPR37L1_PSAP, and GPR37_PSAP were the most significant gene-pairs among microglia, fibroblasts, and astrocytes. Last, we quantified the fraction of scar-resident cells and proposed four possible phases of scar formation: macrophage infiltration, proliferation and differentiation of scar-resident cells, scar emergence, and scar stationary. Together, these profiles delineated the spatial heterogeneity of the scar, confirmed the previous concepts about scar architecture, provided some new clues for scar formation, and served as a valuable resource for the treatment of central nervous system injury.
Mice
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Animals
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Gliosis/pathology*
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Cicatrix/pathology*
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Spinal Cord Injuries
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Astrocytes/metabolism*
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Spinal Cord/pathology*
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Fibrosis
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Mammals
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

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