1.Distribution characteristics and health risk assessment of trihalomethanes in drinking water in Guangzhou City
Miao LIU ; Pingsheng GAN ; Guowei LI ; Zhijun BAI ; Rongfei PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):35-39
Objective To comprehensively investigate the levels of exposure and distribution characteristics of trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water in Guangzhou City, and evaluate the health risks of different groups of children, adolescents and adults, and to provide data and evidence for protecting human health and promoting risk control of drinking water. Methods According to the technical requirements of the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality Testing Methods" (GB/T 5750-2023), the concentration of THMs, including trichloromethane (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and tribromomethane (TBM) in drinking water in Guangzhou City from 2023-2024 were detected. The health risk model recommended by USEPA was used for risk assessment.Results TCM, BDCM and DBCM were detected in the factory water and terminal water, with TCM contributing the most. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between the wet and dry seasons, and the concentration of TCM in the wet season was higher than that in the dry season. Among the multiple exposure factors, the amount of exposure through drinking water intake was much greater than that through skin absorption. The carcinogenic risk index of THMs for children, adolescents, and adults was 22.0×10-6, 12.2×10-6, and 11.4×10-6, respectively, while the non-carcinogenic risk was less than 1. Conclusion The exposure risks of THMs in children, adolescents, and adults is within an acceptable range, but monitoring needs to be strengthened, with a particular focus on children.
2.Role of Macrophage Ferroptosis in Immune Evasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Jinxiang PENG ; Xiaojuan LI ; Man LU ; Xinhua XU ; Mengxian SHU ; Feng WU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(4):316-324
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops within a profoundly immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), which limits the efficacy of immunotherapy. Polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward a pro-tumorigenic M2 phenotype is a major driver of immune escape. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death program, intersects with hepatic iron metabolism and immune regulation and thus offers promising points of therapeutic intervention. This review systematically elucidates the mechanistic role of TAM ferroptosis in HCC immune evasion and highlights a “bidirectional regulation” intervention strategy grounded in the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle of “fortifying healthy qi and eliminating pathogens” (Fuzheng Quxie). This strategy employs “eliminating pathogens” (Quxie) approaches to exploit the metabolic vulnerability of M2-like TAMs and precisely induce their ferroptosis. Moreover, it utilizes “fortifying healthy qi” (Fuzheng) approaches to protect M1-like TAMs and CD8+ T cells from oxidative damage. This parallel “induction-protection” paradigm demonstrates the unique advantages of TCM in systemically remodeling TIME through multitarget synergistic actions. Accordingly, precision regulation of TAM ferroptosis based on the Fuzheng Quxie theory represents a promising integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy for overcoming current bottlenecks in HCC immunotherapy, although its clinical translational potential warrants further validation.
3.Mechanism of Huangqi Gegen Decoction in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Intestinal Mucosal Barrier
Lili PENG ; Miao HAO ; Zhijun YANG ; Yajie LIU ; Hongxia YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huangqi Gegentang (HGT) in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through the application of proteomic techniques. MethodsThe rat model of T2DM was established by streptozotocin combined with a high-fat, high-sugar diet. Thirty-two male SD rats were randomized into four groups: blank, model, HGT (8.10 g·kg-1·d-1), and positive control (metformin hydrochloride, 76.5 mg·kg-1·d-1). After 6 weeks of drug intervention, the fasting blood glucose level was measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to assess the level of glycated hemoglobin (GHbA1c) in the serum. The limulus amebocyte lysate assay was employed to measure the serum level of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Pathological changes in the colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in the colon tissue were quantified via Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Additionally, the protein and mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon tissue were assessed by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively. Label-free quantitative proteomics was employed to identify the differentially expressed proteins between the colon tissue samples from the blank, model, and HGT groups. Key proteins identified were subsequently validated by Western blot and Real-time PCR. Finally, bioinformatics analysis was conducted on the differentially expressed proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited increased fasting blood glucose, AUC, and GHbA1c levels (P<0.01), damaged colonic mucosal epithelial structure and inflammatory cell infiltration, up-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon and an increase in serum LPS content (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HGT group showed reductions in fasting blood glucose, AUC, and GHbA1c (P<0.01), alleviated damage to the colonic mucosal epithelium, down-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the colon, a reduction in serum LPS content (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 in the colon (P<0.05, P<0.01). Proteomics analysis identified 70 differentially expressed proteins that exhibited a downward trend in the model group relative to the blank group and an upward trend in the HGT group relative to the model group. These findings were corroborated by Western blot and Real-time PCR, which confirmed that the protein and mRNA levels of mucin 2 (Muc2) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor 1 (Tgfbr1) in the colon tissue were consistent with the proteomic data. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these 70 differentially expressed proteins identified were significantly enriched in multiple signaling pathways, among which the TGF-β and advanced glycation endproduct (AGE)/receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) signaling pathways were closely associated with damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier. This suggests that HGT may ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage by regulating these pathways. ConclusionHGT potentially exerts anti-T2DM effects by influencing AGE/RAGE and TGF-β signaling pathways, thereby contributing to the restoration of the intestinal mucosal barrier.
4.Mitochondrial Function and Regulation in Spermatogenesis and Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans
Zhan-Xin CHANG ; Long MIAO ; Peng WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1661-1672
Mitochondria play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis and sperm activation in Caenorhabditis elegans, serving as the primary ATP supplier for cell division and differentiation while also acting as a key regulator of zinc ion homeostasis, membrane dynamics, and apoptotic signaling. This review systematically summarizes the essential mitochondrial mechanisms at different stages of sperm development, highlighting their multifaceted contributions beyond energy metabolism. Mitochondria are crucial for maintaining the health and stability of the gonads by regulating key apoptotic execution proteins that facilitate the proper elimination of damaged or unnecessary germ cells. Additionally, mitochondria dynamically adjust their energy supply to meet the metabolic demands of different stages of germline development. During early spermatogenesis, mitochondria provide ATP to fuel mitotic and meiotic divisions, support cellular differentiation, and regulate H+ and Zn2+ exchange to maintain cytoplasmic homeostasis, thereby ensuring the proper maturation and functionality of sperm cells. As spermatogenesis progresses, mitochondria participate in processing and sorting essential sperm proteins, such as major sperm protein (MSP), and contribute to the formation of membranous organelles (MOs), which are critical for subsequent activation events. During sperm activation, mitochondria play a dual role in ensuring a successful transition from immotile spermatids to fully functional spermatozoa. First, they provide ATP to facilitate pseudopod formation, MO fusion, and ion channel regulation, all of which are essential for sperm motility and fertilization potential. Second, mitochondria regulate the quality and quantity of functional mitochondria within sperm cells through mitopherogenesis—a recently discovered process in which mitochondrial vesicles are selectively released, ensuring that only healthy mitochondria are retained. This quality-control mechanism optimizes mitochondrial function, which is crucial for sustaining sperm motility and longevity. Beyond their traditional role in energy metabolism, mitochondria may also contribute to protein synthesis during spermatogenesis and activation. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial ribosomes actively translate specific proteins required for sperm function, challenging the long-standing belief that spermatozoa do not engage in de novo protein synthesis after differentiation. This emerging perspective raises important questions about the role of mitochondria in regulating sperm activation at the molecular level, particularly in modulating oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) protein composition to optimize ATP production. In summary, mitochondria serve as both the central energy hub and a crucial regulatory factor in sperm activation, metabolic homeostasis, and reproductive success. Their involvement extends beyond ATP generation to include apoptotic regulation, ion homeostasis, vesicle-mediated mitochondrial quality control, and potential contributions to protein synthesis. Understanding these mitochondrial functions in C. elegans not only deepens our knowledge of nematode reproductive biology, but also provides valuable insights into broader mechanisms governing mitochondrial regulation in germline cells across species. These findings open new avenues for future research into the interplay between mitochondria, energy metabolism, and sperm function, with potential implications for reproductive health and fertility studies.
5.Evaluation of myopia prevention and control effect of defocus incorporated multiple segments lenses in children with monocular myopia
Lu JIANG ; Mengling PENG ; Miao MA ; Xue YUAN ; Chao ZHOU
International Eye Science 2025;25(10):1683-1687
AIM:To compare the changes in diopters and axial length after 1 a of wearing defocus incorporated multiple segments(DIMS)lenses or single vision(SV)spectacle lenses in children with monocular myopia.METHODS:In this retrospective case group study, monocular myopia children aged from 6 to 14 years old in Hankou Aier Eye Hospital from October 2020 to October 2022, who were fitted with DIMS lens(n=52)or single-vision(SV)spectacle lenses(n=49)were collected. The spherical degree of myopia eyes ranged from -4.00 D to -0.50 D and the nonmyopic eyes ranged from 0 to +1.00 D, astigmatism in all eyes ranged from 0 to -2.00 D. The DIMS lens group was classified into DIMS-myopia group(the myopic eyes)and DIMS-nonmyopia group(the nonmyopic eyes). The SV lens group was also divided into SV-myopia group and SV-nonmyopia group. The changes in spherical equivalent refraction(SER)and axial length(AL)of each group were compare before and after wearing lenses for 1 a, and variations in SER and AL of both eye among groups were analzed.RESULTS: After wearing lenses for 1 a, the changes of SER in the DIMS-myopic group and the DIMS-nonmyopic group were -0.41±0.44 and -0.26±0.54 D, respectively, and the changes of AL were 0.18±0.20 and 0.15±0.15 mm, respectively. SER changes were -0.74±0.63 and -0.70±0.68 D in SV-myopic group and SV-nonmyopic group, and AL changes were 0.30±0.28 and 0.31±0.28 mm. The changes of SER and AL in the DMS-myopic and non-myopic groups were slower than those in SV group(all P<0.05). Compared with SV lenses, wearing DIMS lenses delayed and 44.6% in myopia eyes, and 62.9% in non-myopia eyes, AL delayed by 40.0% in myopia eyes and 51.6% in non-myopia eyes. The percentage of 1-year AL change ≤0.2 mm in the DIMS-myopic group and non-myopic group was 53.9% and 65.4%, respectively, which was higher than that in the SV myopic group(34.7% and 42.9%, all P<0.05). The percentage of AL change >0.4 mm in the DIMS-myopic group and nonmyopic group was 17.3% and 7.7%, respectively, which was lower than that in the SV myopic group(32.7% and 28.6%, all P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the change of AL and age and baseline AL in the DIMS-myopic and non-myopic groups after wearing lens for 1 a(all P>0.05); the change of AL in SV-myopic group and non-myopic group was negatively correlated with age(r=-0.446, P=0.001; r=-0.312, P=0.029), and there was no significant correlation with baseline AL(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: DIMS lens has a good effect on myopia control and prevention in both myopia and non-myopia children with monocular myopia. Children with early pre-myopia can wear DIMS to prevent myopia.
6.A machine learning-based model for predicting the risk of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Tingting LI ; Peng SU ; Jinbo CHEN ; Xiaoyan HE ; Yi CAO ; Xin ZHANG ; Qingling TANG ; Xubin MIAO ; Xiaohua LIANG ; Dong MA
Chinese Journal of Diabetes 2025;33(4):241-247
Objective To compare and find an optimal model for predicting the risk of DKD occurrence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 2005 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study from The Second Hospital of Shijiazhuang City during December 2017 to December 2022.All the subjects were divided into a training set(n=1403)and a validation set(n=602)according to the ratio of 3∶1 by simple random sampling.With the occurrence of DKD as the outcome variablein the training set,important feature variables were screened by LASSO regression.Six different machine learning models were established according to the feature variables,thenthe optimal model was determined by comparison,and anonlinerisk predictor for DKD occurrence was constructed in patients with T2DM.Results Taking the occurrence of DKD as the outcome variable in the training set,the results of LASSO regression analysis showed that the optimal value of the model was 10-fold cross validation lambda.1se=0.01662473,and 15 characteristic variables with nonzero coefficient were screened out to be related to the occurrence of DKD.The data included sex,age,family history of DM,DM duration,LDL-C,HbA1c,WBC,PDW,Scr,urine α1-microglobulin,urine β2-microglobulin,urine microalbumin,hypertension,hypokalemia,and DR.In the training set and validation set,the prediction performance of XGBoost model was better than that of other models(AUC=0.872,0.893,95%CI 0.853~0.891,0.865~0.921),the sensitivity was 0.779,0.863,and the specificity was 0.721,0.758,respectively.The F1 scores were 0.774 and 0.787.DCA analysis showed that the XGBoost model had a greater net benefit and threshold probability.According to the XGBoost model,the online predictor of DKD risk in T2DM patients was laid out,and two patients were selected for application,the results showed that the predictive value of the model was 0.185 in non-DKD patients,and the predictive value was 0.510 in DKD patients.Conclusions The XGBoost model is the best model for predicting the occurrence of DKD in T2DM patients,and an online predictor was successfully built.
7.Role of peer attachment and cognitive fusion in relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms
Xiaofan PENG ; Ting WANG ; Miao WU ; Tiangui TANG ; Lei TAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(10):895-901
Objective:To examine the roles played by peer attachment and cognitive fusion in the association between negative life events and depression,as well as the differences in these relationships of variables among pri-mary and secondary school students.Methods:A total of 2 767 students(1 950 elementary school students and 817 middle school students)were selected.The Adolescent Life Events Scale,the Experiences in Close Relationships-Relationship Structures Questionnaire,the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire,and the Patient Health Questionnaire were used to measure negative life events,peer attachment,cognitive fusion,and depression,respectively.Results:Negative life events,peer attachment,cognitive fusion and depression were positively correlated with each other(r=0.36-0.75,Ps<0.001);the mediation effects of peer attachment and cognitive fusion and their chain mediation effects were 0.04,0.30,and 0.04,respectively,accounting for 6.7%,50%,and 6.7%of the total effect.There were significant differences in the chain mediation model between primary and secondary school students(△x2=47.12,△df=6,P<0.001),and significant gender differences in the chain mediation effect among primary school students(△x2=43.72,△df=6,P<0.001).Conclusion:Negative life events influence depression in primary and secondary school students both directly and indirectly through peer attachment and cognitive fusion.Negative life e-vents have greater impact on primary school students'(particularly girls)peer attachment.Peer attachment has grea-ter impact on secondary school students' cognitive fusion.Cognitive fusion has greater impact on primary school students' depression.Peer attachment has greater impact on primary school boys' depression.
8.Clinical research of Zhuangdan Yanshi Decoction combined with dapoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of premature ejaculation with cholestasis and phlegm disturbance syndrome
Xing-yun PENG ; Jian-guo LIU ; Jiao-jiao LI ; Xiao-guang MIAO ; Xu ZHANG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(8):732-736
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Zhuangdan Yanshi Decoction combined with dapoxetine hydrochlo-ride in the treatment of premature ejaculation with cholestasis and phlegm disturbance.Methods:A total of 120 patients diagnosed with premature ejaculation and treated in the Andrology Outpatient Department of Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from March to December in 2022 were selected and randomly divided into treatment group and control group,with 60 cases in each group.The incubation period of intravaginal ejaculation(IELT),the Diagnostic Scale of Premature Ejaculation(PEDT),the Premature Ejaculation Assessment Scale(PEP),the 5-item Sexual Function Evaluation of Chinese Premature Ejaculation Patients(CIPE-5)and the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores were compared before and after the treatment.And the adverse reactions were recorded as well.Results:A total of 105 cases were ultimately included,with 55 cases in the treatment group and 50 cases in the control group.Measurable improvements in IELT,PEDT scores,PEP scores,CIPE scores and TCM symptom scores had been found after treatment in both of two groups(P<0.05).Moreover,the improvement in the treatment group was superi-or to that in the control group(P<0.05).The total effective rate in the treatment group was 89.1%,which was higher than that(84%)in the control group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was 9.1%,which was 24%in the control group.There was significantly difference between two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combination therapy with Zhuangdan Yanshi Decoction and dapoxetine hydrochloride for premature ejaculation associated with cholestasis and phlegm disturbance syndrome is definite,and it can reduce the side effects of drugs,which is better than oral dapoxetine hydrochloride alone.
9.Construction of an Efficient Delivery Vector Based on Fluorinated Polyethyleneimine for Transfection of Cdh23 Full-length Plasmid in HEI-OC1 Cell
Bing-Qian LI ; Mu-Lan LI ; Miao XIA ; Zhen LIU ; Lan WANG ; Peng MA
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(9):1349-1359
The CDH23 gene is a pathogenic mutant gene of the USH1D subtype in Usher syndrome.In this study,two wild-type Cdh23 full-length plasmids(~16 kb)with different promoters were construc-ted,and fluorinated polyethylene imine(FPEI)was used as a delivery vector to transfect the house ear institute-organ of corti 1(HEI-OC1)and the optimal expression plasmid was obtained by evaluating the transfection efficiency in vitro.Firstly,the results of the synthesis of FPEI were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy to prove the successful synthesis of FPEI.After that,the plas-mid encapsulation ability of FPEI and the surface potential and hydration diameter of the formed comple-xes were characterized by agarose gel blocking assay,Zeta potential assay,and dynamic light scattering assay.It was found that FPEI had good plasmid encapsulation ability,and the FPEI plasmid complexes were all positively charged at high mass ratio,with the distribution of particle sizes in the range of 100-300 nm.The low cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency of FPEI in HEI-OC1 cells were verified by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)and flow cytometry.Comparing FPEI with Lipofectamine 3000 and differ-ent quality PEI(25K,40K)transfection reagents,the transfection efficiency of FPEI was found to be significantly better than that of the traditional transfection reagents.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot results showed that the CAG promoter was better than the CMV promoter,which could be used as the optimal expression plasmid for the subsequent in vivo experi-ments.In addition,it was verified by cellular immunofluorescence that CDH23 was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm after overexpression.The above results demonstrated that FPEI can be used as an efficient delivery vector for in vitro overexpression of large genes represented by Cdh23,which provides an impor-tant experimental basis for subsequent in vivo gene therapy of USH1D syndrome.
10.Experimental study of magnetic tracer technique in the localization of pulmonary nodules in dogs
Huan-chen SHA ; Miao-miao ZHANG ; Jia-hui WAN ; Qiu-ye ZHONG ; Rui-min GONG ; Yi LYU ; Xiao-peng YAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(10):841-845
Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.


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