1.Distribution of potential suitable habitats for Haemaphysalis longicornis in Nanjing City based on the maximum entropy model
Pumin ZHOU ; Jianjun XIA ; Luyao SUN ; Xuemin CHEN ; Bingdong SONG ; Shougang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):44-53
Objective To investigate the current distribution and predict the future suitable habitats of Haemaphysalis longicornis in Nanjing City, so as to provide insights into control and early warning of ticks and management of tick-borne diseases in Nanjing City. Methods The electronic map of Nanjing City was obtained from the National Platform for Common GeoSpatial Information Services. The distribution of H. longicornis and the longitude and latitude of distribution points from 2022 to 2024 were obtained from centers for disease control and prevention across each district in Nanjing City. Climatic and environmental variable data in Nanjing City were captured from the Worldclim database. Initially, 19 bioclimatic variables in this database were selected, including annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the warmest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and precipitation of the coldest quarter. The elevation and normalized difference vegetation index were obtained from Data Sharing Platform of the Center for Resources and Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Then, the distribution points of H. longicornis, elevation, vegetation index and 19 bioclimatic variables were loaded into the software MaxEnt 3.4.4 to evaluate and screen out the variables with a contribution rate of 1% and higher. ArcGIS 10.8.1 software was used to extract the elevation, vegetation index and 19 bioclimatic variables of the distribution points of H. longicornis for a correlation analysis. If the absolute value of the correlation coefficient was 0.8 and higher, the variable with the higher contribution was retained. The 2050 dataset of the BCCCSM2-MR atmospheric circulation model in the coupled model intercomparison project phase 6 (CMIP6) were obtained from the Worldclim database as climate data for 2050. Screened H. longicornis species data and environmental and climate data were loaded into the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model with the software MaxEnt 3.4.4 for training and validation, and then, all data generated from the model were imported into the software ArcGIS 10.8.1 to generate raster data and yield the map pertaining to the distribution of H. longicornis risk in Nanjing City. The accuracy of the model was evaluated with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the predictive effect of the model was assessed with area under the ROC curve (AUC). The suitable habitats of H. longicornis were classified in Nanjing City with the software ArcGIS 10.8.1, and the areas of distribution of suitable habitats in various categories were recorded to create the map of current H. longicornis suitable habitats classification in Nanjing City. The climatic and geographic information data in 2050 were employed as future environmental and climatic factors, and current environmental and climatic factors and current H. longicornis distribution data were additionally used to predict the future suitable habitats of H. longicornis in Nanjing City. In addition, the contributions of environmental and climatic factors to distribution of suitable habitats of H. longicornis was evaluated with the Jackknife method in Nanjing City. Results A total of 10 environmental and climatic variables were screened for analysis of the suitability of H. longicornis in Nanjing City based on correlation analyses and contributions of the MaxEnt model, including annual mean temperature, precipitation of the warmest quarter, vegetation index, precipitation of the wettest month, temperature annual range, annual precipitation, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, elevation, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, and maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature (34.8%), precipitation of the warmest quarter (17.3%), vegetation index (13.1%), and precipitation of the wettest month (10.8%) contributed relatively highly to the distribution of suitable habitats of H. longicornis in Nanjing City. The mean AUC of the ROC curve was 0.810 ± 0.055 for 10 repeated modeling results of the MaxEnt model, indicating high predictive performance of the model. The potential distribution areas of H. longicornis were predicted to be mainly located in Luhe District, Pukou District, Jiangning District, Lishui District, and Gaochun District in Nanjing City with the MaxEnt model. Under current climatic conditions, the area of potential suitable habitats of H. longicornis was 4 182.42 km2 in Nanjing City, including 1 252.94 km2 highly suitable habitats, which accounted for 19.00% of the total area of Nanjing City. Under the climate scenario in 2050, the area of potential suitable habitats of H. longicornis was projected to increase to 5 467.58 km2 in Nanjing City, accounting for 82.95% of the total area of the city, and these habitats were mainly concentrated in Luhe District, Pukou District, Jiangning District, Lishui District, and Gaochun District. The areas of suitable habitats of H. longicornis at various categories were predicted to vary greatly in 2050, and the area of highly suitable habitats of H. longicornis was projected to increase to 2 378.82 km2, accounting for 36.08% of the total area of Nanjing City. Based on jackknife tests and contributions of environmental and climatic variables, 6 dominant environmental and climatic factors were screened, including annual mean temperature (34.8% contribution), precipitation of the warmest quarter (17.3% contribution), vegetation index (13.1% contribution), precipitation of the wettest month (10.8% contribution), temperature annual range (5.4% contribution), and mean temperature of the warmest quarter (5.0% contribution), with cumulative contributions of 86.4%. Conclusion The distribution of H. longicornis is strongly associated with vegetation, temperature and precipitation in Nanjing City. Future climate change may lead to an expansion of the distribution area of H. longicornis in Nanjing City.
2.Correlation of mitochondrial genetic differentiation and spatial variables of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province
Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Jing SONG ; Yuwan HAO ; Zaogai YANG ; Xinping SHI ; Siqi NING ; Hongqiong WANG ; Chunhong DU ; Jihua ZHOU ; Zongya ZHANG ; Kai LI ; Shizhu LI ; Yi DONG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2026;38(1):54-59
Objective Objective To analyze the potential spatial factors affecting the genetic differentiation of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province. Methods A total of 13 administrative villages were selected from schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province as O. hupensis snail sampling sites. At least 200 snails were collected in each site, and the spatial variable data of each site were recorded, including longitude, latitude and altitude. Thirty active and Schistosoma japonicum uninfected O. hupensis snails were selected from each sampling site by means of the crawling method and the cercarial shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from O. hupensis snails. Following PCR amplification, purification of PCR amplification products and sequencing, the gene sequences of O. hupensis snail samples were spliced and edited using the DNAstar software and the NCBI database to yield the complete mitochondrial sequences of O. hupensis snails at each sampling site, and the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni was calculated at each sampling site. The geographical coordinates of each sampling site were marked using the software ArcGIS 10.2, and the straight-line geographical distance between each sampling site was calculated. The altitude difference, longitude difference and latitude difference between each sampling site were calculated using the Excel software, and the correlation between the mitochondrial genetic distance matrix of O. hupensis robertsoni and each spatial variable matrix was examined by using the Mantel test at 13 sampling sites in Yunnan Province. Results Among the 13 O. hupensis snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province, the largest mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Caizhuang Village, Midu County (26.244 2), and the largest geographical distance was seen between Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (272.64 km). The highest altitude difference was seen between Anding Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1 086.10 m), and the largest longitude difference was found between Qiandian Village, Eryuan County and Cangling Village, Chuxiong County (1.86°), while the largest latitude difference was measured between Leqiu Village, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County and Dongyuan Village, Gucheng District (1.81°). In addition, the mitochondrial genetic distance of O. hupensis robertsoni snail populations was positively correlated with altitude at 13 snail sampling sites in Yunnan Province (r = 0.542 8, P < 0.001), and showed no significant correlations with geographical distance (r = 0.093 4, P > 0.05), longitude (r = −0.199 5, P > 0.05) or latitude (r = 0.205 7, P > 0.05). Conclusion Altitude may be a potential spatial factor affecting the genetic differentiation of O. hupensis robertsoni in Yunnan Province.
3.Effect of maternal pyrethroid pesticides exposure during pregnancy on lymphocytes in 1-year-old children: A birth cohort study
Zhiye QI ; Xia XIAO ; Shuqi CHEN ; Dandan ZHAO ; Xiaoxiao SONG ; Yan LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):402-409
Background Pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs) can cross the placental barrier to cause intrauterine fetal exposure, which may lead to developmental immunotoxicity (DIT). However, the specific effect of maternal PYR exposure during pregnancy on the cellular immune function of 1-year-old children remains unclear. Objective To explore the effect of PYRs exposure throughout the entire pregnancy on peripheral blood lymphocytes in 1-year-old children and potential sensitive window period of PYRs exposure. Methods A birth cohort was established by enrolling pregnant women in their first trimester and following them and their infants until one year of age. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of PYRs metabolites, including 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4F3PBA), and cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2- dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DBCA), in the urine of pregnant women during the first trimester (gestational weeks 6-12), the second trimester (gestational weeks 21-24), and the third trimester (gestational weeks 33-36). Peripheral blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were measured in children at 12 months of age using the Coulter principle combined with flow cytometry. Exposure levels of PYRs metabolites in each trimester were divided into low, moderate, and high exposure groups based on the 25th (P25) and 75th (P75) percentiles. Meanwhile, participants were classified as having repeated high or low exposure if their metabolite levels were > P75 or <P25 in at least two trimesters, respectively, while all others were categorized as having repeated moderate exposure. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the associations between trimester-specific and repeated PYRs metabolite exposure levels and the peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts in children aged 1 year. Results A total of 336 mother-child pairs were included in this study. For the pregnant women, the total detection rates of maternal urinary 3PBA, 4F3PBA, and cis-DBCA across the three trimesters of pregnancy were 80.5%, 100.0%, and 81.3%, respectively; and median creatinine-corrected concentrations were 0.24, 0.36, and 0.42 μg·g−1, respectively. In children aged 1 year, the mean WBC and lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood were (8.9±2.0)×109·L−1 and (5.7±1.6)×109·L−1, respectively. The results of the generalized linear model analysis indicated that compared to the low exposure group, the high cis-DBCA exposure group during the third trimester of pregnancy had significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−0.87, 95%CI: −1.51, −0.23) and lymphocyte count (β=−0.64, 95%CI: −1.15, −0.13); and the repeated high-exposure group of cis-DBCA had significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−1.34, 95%CI: −2.34, −0.34) and lymphocyte count (β=−0.80, 95%CI: −1.60, −0.01) than the repeated low exposure group. Similarly, the repeated moderate-exposure group of cis-DBCA had a significantly lower peripheral blood WBC count (β=−0.83, 95%CI: −1.59, −0.07) than the repeated low exposure group. Conclusion High maternal exposure to PYRs with cis-DBCA as the major metabolite exposure is associated with decreased peripheral leukocyte and lymphocyte counts in children aged 1 year, and repeated high-level exposure throughout gestation appears to exacerbate DIT in offspring. The third trimester of pregnancy maybe a sensitive window for children's DIT induced by exposure to PYRs during pregnancy.
4.Association of mixed exposure to lithium, vanadium, uranium, and bismuth in early pregnancy with gestational weight gain
Jiao LI ; Qi LI ; Shuang CHENG ; Jiayi SONG ; Xiaohui GUO ; Xiang WANG ; Di CHENG ; Kefeng FAN ; Ju WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):475-484
Background Gestational weight gain is closely related to maternal and infant health outcomes. Pregnant women are simultaneously exposed to four metals—lithium (Li), vanadium (V), uranium (U), and bismuth (Bi)—through inhalation of fine particulate matter and consumption of contaminated food and water. Existing studies suggest that exposure to these metals may be associated with gestational weight gain. However, no study has yet explored the complex relationships between exposure to mixtures of these four metals and weight gain at different stages of pregnancy. Objective To investigate the associations between mixed exposure to Li, V, U, and Bi in early pregnancy and the average weekly gestational weight gain during both early pregnancy and mid-to-late pregnancy. Methods This prospective study recruited eligible women in early pregnancy from an obstetrics clinic of a tertiary hospital in Jinan, China, between September 2021 and July 2023. Pre-pregnancy weight, current weight (at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation), and spot urine samples (≥5.0 mL) were collected at enrollment. Urinary concentrations of Li, V, Bi, and U were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Participants were followed up in late pregnancy (≥28 weeks of gestation) to collect information on physical activity via questionnaire; weight measurements at the last antenatal visit (35+0 to 37+6 weeks of gestation) were obtained from the hospital information system. After adjusting for covariates, multiple linear regression and generalized additive models were used to assess the associations of individual metals with weekly weight gain in early pregnancy and in mid-to-late pregnancy. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) and quantile-based g-computation (Qgcomp) were applied to evaluate the joint effects of the metal mixture exposure on weekly weight gain at the two gestational stages. Results A total of 313 pregnant women were included. The geometric means of urinary Li, V, U, and Bi concentrations were 37.07, 0.20, 0.06, and 0.04 μg·L−1, respectively; after creatinine adjustment, the corresponding values were 46.82, 0.25, 0.07, and 0.05 μg·g−1 (Cr). The mean weekly gestational weight gain was (0.19±0.25) kg in early pregnancy and (0.53 ± 0.18) kg in mid-to-late pregnancy. Both multiple linear regression and generalized additive models showed that urinary V concentration was positively associated with average weekly gestational weight gain in early pregnancy, while no significant associations were found for other metals or for gestational weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy. In the BKMR model with early-pregnancy weight gain as the outcome, V had the strongest association [posterior inclusion probability (PIP)=0.773]. When other metals were fixed at their medians, V showed a positive non-linear association with the outcome. A significant single-metal effect of V and its interaction with Li were observed. Compared with the 50th percentile of the metal mixture, the average weekly weight gain in early pregnancy increased by 0.016 (95%CI: 0.003, 0.029) and 0.018 (95%CI: 0.001, 0.036) at the 60th and 65th percentiles, respectively; conversely, at the 25th percentile, it decreased by 0.026 (95%CI: 0.002, 0.050). Overall, the joint effect of the metal mixture on early- pregnancy weight gain showed an upward trend. In the BKMR model for mid-to-late pregnancy gestational weight gain, all PIPs were<0.5, and no significant single-metal effects, interactions, or joint effects were identified. Qgcomp results confirmed a positive association between the metal mixture and early-pregnancy weight gain (b=0.031, 95%CI: 0.010, 0.051; P<0.01), with V contributing the highest positive weight (0.71). No significant association was found for weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy (b=0.007, P=0.339). Conclusion Higher levels of co-exposure to the Li, V, Bi, and U metal mixture during early pregnancy may be associated with increased average weekly weight gain in early pregnancy. Among these metals, V exhibits a predominant role and appears to interact with Li. No association is observed between early-pregnancy metal mixture exposure and average weekly gestational weight gain in mid-to-late pregnancy. These findings suggest that monitoring and managing metal exposure during early pregnancy may be crucial for the rational regulation of gestational weight gain.
5.Similarities and Differences between Myofascial Trigger Points and Sinew Knot:from the Perspective of the Channel Sinew Theory
Zijie CHEN ; Haohan ZHU ; Xingke SONG ; Xue PU ; Junying WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):1023-1026
Myofascial trigger points, as hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle, can induce local or referred pain, and show a high degree of similarity to acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly the so-called sinew knot lesion point. From the perspective of channel sinew theory, and by examining the correlations of myofascial trigger points with acupoints and channel sinew disorders, this study aims to compare the similarities and differences between MTrPs and sinew knot lesion points in terms of pathological mechanisms, needling analgesic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to deepen the understanding of MTrPs and dry needling, and provide a modern scientific perspective on channel sinew theory and the sinew knot lesion point.
6.Study on the safety and efficacy of micro-perfusion device for preserving isolated porcine limbs
Pengkai LI ; Zhaodi MI ; Shen LI ; Man YUAN ; Xiwei PENG ; Jia LÜ ; Sice WANG ; Zhibo JIA ; Xiangyu SONG ; Yixuan ZHU ; Chonghui LI ; Moling XIAO ; Wenjing XU ; Jiang PENG
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):422-431
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a self-developed micro-normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) system (micro-perfusion device) for preserving isolated porcine limbs. Methods Five healthy Landrace pigs were selected, and their left and right forelimbs were randomly divided into the NMP group and static cold storage (SCS) group. The NMP group was perfused with the self-developed micro-perfusion device and polymerized hemoglobin perfusate for 32 hours at normothermia, while the SCS group was preserved at 4 ℃. Hemodynamic parameters such as perfusion pressure and flow were monitored. The pH value, partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), lactic acid (Lac), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the perfusate were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to assess the muscle tissue structure, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling was employed to evaluate muscle cell apoptosis, and immunohistochemistry staining was applied to detect the expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6. A mixed-effects model was used to analyze the effects of time and treatment methods on tissue structure, cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors. Results The device could stably maintain a perfusion pressure of (69±15) mmHg and a flow rate of (117±42) mL/min. The pH value and electrolytes of the perfusate were generally stable, with PO2 maintained at a high level. Lac was maintained at 5.38(3.81, 6.45) mmol/L, while CK and LDH increased over time. After 32 hours of perfusion in the NMP group, both the myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate were better than those in the SCS group. Mixed-effects model analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on myocyte spacing and apoptosis rate per unit time (both P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in TNF-α and IL-6 between the two groups, and mixed-effects model analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the effects of NMP treatment and SCS treatment on TNF-α and IL-6 per unit time (both P > 0.05). Conclusions The micro-perfusion device used in this study may achieve 32-hour normothermic preservation in a porcine limb amputation model, maintain basic metabolism and ionic homeostasis, reduce muscle structural damage and cell apoptosis without inducing additional inflammatory responses. This technology is expected to significantly extend the time window for replantation of amputated limbs in disaster rescue and long-distance transportation, providing an important technical basis for clinical translation and subsequent replantation research.
7.Similarities and Differences between Myofascial Trigger Points and Sinew Knot:from the Perspective of the Channel Sinew Theory
Zijie CHEN ; Haohan ZHU ; Xingke SONG ; Xue PU ; Junying WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):1023-1026
Myofascial trigger points, as hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscle, can induce local or referred pain, and show a high degree of similarity to acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly the so-called sinew knot lesion point. From the perspective of channel sinew theory, and by examining the correlations of myofascial trigger points with acupoints and channel sinew disorders, this study aims to compare the similarities and differences between MTrPs and sinew knot lesion points in terms of pathological mechanisms, needling analgesic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches. The goal is to deepen the understanding of MTrPs and dry needling, and provide a modern scientific perspective on channel sinew theory and the sinew knot lesion point.
8.Study on the effect and mechanism of processed Oxytropis falcata in improving renal fibrosis in rats
Qing ZHANG ; Xinhuan MA ; Mingjing YANG ; Zhiwei XU ; Wenjing WANG ; Hui SONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1167-1172
OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of processed Oxytropis falcata on renal fibrosis (RF) in rats. METHODS RF model was induced by adenine. After modeling, the rats were divided into the model group, positive control group (colchicine, 0.45 mg/kg), and processed O. falcata low-, medium- and high-dose groups (0.5, 1, 2 g/kg), respectively. Additionally, a blank group without modeling was set up, with 8 rats in each group. The positive control group and the various dosage groups of processed O. falcata were given the corresponding medicinal solutions intragastrically, while the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline intragastrically, once daily for 28 consecutive days. The appearance and histopathological morphology of the rats’ kidneys were observed. Serum levels of renal function indexes [bl ood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) ] and inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ] in rats were detected. Protein expressions of fibronectin (FN), α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA) and collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ) in renal tissue of rats were determined. mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1 ), Smad3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in renal tissues were measured. Protein expression of TGF-β 1 and phosphorylation levels of Smad3 and ERK1/2 in renal tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the rats in the model group exhibited enlarged kidneys with pale color, rough and uneven surface. There was a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells and vacuolated cells in the renal tubules, along with marked proliferation of collagen fibers. Serum levels of BUN, Cr, IL-6 and TNF-α, protein expressions of α -SMA, Col-Ⅰ and FN in renal tissues, mRNA expressions of TGF-β 1 , Smad3, ERK1 and ERK2 and protein expression of TGF-β 1 as well as phosphorylation levels of Smad3 and ERK1/2 in renal tissues were increased significantly ( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, renal pathological changes of rats were alleviated in processed O. falcata groups, with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and proliferation of collagen fibers. The levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were all significantly reversed ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Processed O. falcata can improve renal function in RF rats, alleviate inflammatory responses, and reduce abnormal collagen fiber deposition. Its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the activity of the TGF-β 1 /Smad signaling pathway.
9.Cardiac-targeted liposomes alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting inflammation resolution
Guangrui ZHU ; Xueyi WENG ; Weiyan LI ; Yanan SONG ; Zheyong HUANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(2):240-249
Objective To explore the pro-inflammation resolution and protective effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive liposomes modified with a cardiac-targeted peptide and loaded with resolvin D1 (RvD1, C-LP-RvD1) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Methods The C-LP-RvD1 nanoliposomes were constructed, characterized physically and chemically, and evaluated for in vitro release. Non-targeting peptide-modified drug-loaded liposomes (LP-RvD1) were served as controls. Apoptotic adult mouse cardiomyocytes (AMCMs) were used to verify in vitro targeted binding capacity of C-LP-RvD1. In MI/R mice models, the in vivo distribution and cardiac enrichment of C-LP-RvD1 were assessed. Levels of specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) and inflammatory factors in cardiac tissue homogenates and cell culture supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cardiac function and fibrosis remodeling were evaluated via echocardiography and Masson staining four weeks after treatment. Biosafety was evaluated in healthy mice injected by C-LP-RvD1. Results The C-LP-RvD1 exhibited good nanoscale uniformity and stability, with ROS-triggered accelerated release characteristics. In vitro experiments showed that C-LP-RvD1 had higher binding capacity to apoptotic AMCMs than LP-RvD1, with significantly higher SPM levels (P<0.01) and lower inflammatory factor levels (P<0.05). In vivo experiments indicated enhanced cardiac enrichment of C-LP-RvD1 in MI/R injured hearts, with higher local myocardial SPM levels and lower inflammatory factor levels compared to LP-RvD1 (P<0.05). Four weeks after treatment, compared with LP-RvD1, the C-LP-RvD1 mice group showed improved cardiac function indicators and reduced ventricular fibrosis remodeling ratio (P<0.05). Safety evaluation revealed no significant systemic inflammation, immunogenicity, or coagulation abnormalities in healthy mice, with liver and kidney function and major organ histology showing no notable damage. Conclusions C-LP-RvD1 improves effective delivery of RvD1 to MI/R injured hearts through injury-targeted enrichment and ROS-responsive release, promoting inflammation resolution and suppressing excessive inflammation, thereby improving cardiac function and reducing adverse remodeling, with favorable biosafety.
10.Clinical study on gut microbiota and metabolomic characteristics in septic patients
Xiangyu LONG ; Zhenju SONG ; Mian SHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026;33(1):65-73
Objective To explore the dynamic changes of gut microbiota metabolites in septic patients following admission, as well as the correlations between these metabolites, the gut microbiota, and the prognosis of septic patients. Methods A total of 119 fecal samples were collected from 23 septic patients, 16 non-septic patients admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 20 healthy controls at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from January to August 2019. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was applied to analyze the microbiome, while ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was used for metabolomics research. The R software was used to analyze the gut microbiota and metabolite data. Based on 180-day survival status after admission, the sepsis group was divided into the survival group (n=15) and the death group (n=8) to analyze differential metabolites between the two groups. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to assess correlations between gut microbiota and metabolites. Results In the first week of ICU stay, gut microbiota metabolites such as nicotinic acid, methylsuccinic acid, and glutaric acid were significantly lower in septic patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05), whereas tryptophan, histidine, valine, and pyroglutamic acid were higher in septic patients (P<0.05). The methylsuccinic acid and phenylacetic acid levels in the first week were lower in the death group than those in the survival group (P<0.05), and the levels of methylsuccinic acid, phenylacetic acid, and glutaric acid were lower in the third week (P<0.05). Further analysis indicated that methylsuccinic acid was closely associated with sepsis prognosis. These differential metabolites involved in metabolic pathways such as phenylalanine metabolism and β-alanine metabolism. Most differential amino acids were positively correlated with opportunistic pathogens but negatively correlated with normal gut microbiota. Conversely, metabolites such as nicotinic acid, phenylacetic acid, methylsuccinic acid, and glutaric acid were negatively correlated with opportunistic pathogens and positively correlated with normal gut microbiota. Conclusions Significant dynamic changes occur in gut microbiota metabolites in septic patients, with methylsuccinic acid, phenylacetic acid, and glutaric acid potentially playing important roles in determining patient prognosis.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail