1.Study on meal preferences of school aged children based on discrete choice experiment
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):45-49
Objective:
To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children.
Methods:
From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices.
Results:
The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.
3.Nose-to-brain delivery of targeted lipid nanoparticles as two-pronged β-amyloid nanoscavenger for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
Yanyan XU ; Xiangtong YE ; Yanfeng DU ; Wenqin YANG ; Fan TONG ; Wei LI ; Qianqian HUANG ; Yongke CHEN ; Hanmei LI ; Huile GAO ; Weiwei ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):2884-2899
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and neuroinflammation, remains a formidable clinical challenge. Herein, we present an innovative nose-to-brain delivery platform utilizing lactoferrin (Lf)-functionalized lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) co-encapsulating α-mangostin (α-M) and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) siRNA (siB). This dual-modal therapeutic system synergistically combines the neuroprotective and microglia-reprogramming capabilities of α-M with the transcriptional silencing of BACE1 via siB, thereby simultaneously inhibiting Aβ production and enhancing its clearance. Fabricated via a microfluidic approach, the LNPs exhibited uniform particle size distribution, great encapsulation efficiency, and robust colloidal stability. Upon intranasal administration, Lf-functionalization enabled superior brain-targeting efficacy through receptor-mediated transcytosis. In vitro studies demonstrated that α-M reversed Aβ-induced low-density lipoprotein receptor downregulation, promoting microglial phagocytosis and autophagic degradation of Aβ, while siB effectively suppressed BACE1 expression, abrogating Aβ synthesis. In vivo investigations in APP/PS1 transgenic mice revealed remarkable cognitive recovery, substantial Aβ plaque reduction, and alleviation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. This intricately designed LNP system, exploiting a non-invasive and efficient nose-to-brain delivery route, provides a biocompatible, synergistic, and transformative therapeutic strategy for the multifaceted management of AD.
4.Decreased neurotensin induces ovulatory dysfunction via the NTSR1/ERK/EGR1 axis in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Dongshuang WANG ; Meiling ZHANG ; Wang-Sheng WANG ; Weiwei CHU ; Junyu ZHAI ; Yun SUN ; Zi-Jiang CHEN ; Yanzhi DU
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(1):149-169
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the predominant cause of subfertility in reproductive-aged women; however, its pathophysiology remains unknown. Neurotensin (NTS) is a member of the gut-brain peptide family and is involved in ovulation; its relationship with PCOS is unclear. Here, we found that NTS expression in ovarian granulosa cells and follicular fluids was markedly decreased in patients with PCOS. In the in vitro culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes, the neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) antagonist SR48692 blocked cumulus expansion and oocyte meiotic maturation by inhibiting metabolic cooperation and damaging the mitochondrial structure in oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells. Furthermore, the ERK1/2-early growth response 1 pathway was found to be a key downstream mediator of NTS/NTSR1 in the ovulatory process. Animal studies showed that in vivo injection of SR48692 in mice reduced ovulation efficiency and contributed to irregular estrus cycles and polycystic ovary morphology. By contrast, NTS partially ameliorated the ovarian abnormalities in mice with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS. Our findings highlighted the critical role of NTS reduction and consequent abnormal NTSR1 signaling in the ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS, suggesting a potential strategy for PCOS treatment.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology*
;
Female
;
Animals
;
Neurotensin/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Neurotensin/antagonists & inhibitors*
;
Mice
;
Ovulation/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Granulosa Cells/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Oocytes/metabolism*
;
MAP Kinase Signaling System
;
Signal Transduction
;
Follicular Fluid/metabolism*
;
Disease Models, Animal
;
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives*
5.Effect of over-expression of NR2F2 on biological behaviors of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells
Shuo ZHANG ; Yunxiu XIA ; Weiwei CHEN ; Hongliang DONG ; Bingjie CUI ; Cuilan LIU ; Zhiqiang LIU ; Fei WANG ; Jing DU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(1):58-67
Objective:To investigate the effect of nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2(NR2F2)on the biological behaviors of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells,and to clarify its molecular mechauism and provide the new idea for treatment of ovarian cancer.Methods:Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)Database analyse the expression level of NR2F2 gene in ovarian tissue,and analyse its correlation with clinical prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.The human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells were divided into control group and NR2F2 over-expression(NR2F2 OE)group,which were transfected with mCherry control virus and NR2F2 OE over-expression virus,respectively,when the cell deusity reached 70%,and the stable transfection SKOV3 cell lines were screened with puromycin(puro)48h lafter.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods were used to detect the transfection efficiencies of the cells;RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression levels of NR2F2 and sex-determining region Y-box 2(SOX2)mRNA in the cells in two groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of NR2F2,ATP-binding cassette superfamily G member 2(ABCG2),and programmed cell death 1-ligand 1(PD-L1)protcins in the cells in two groups.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in two groups;Wound assay was used to detect the migration rates of the cells in two groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the number of transmembrane cells;Spheroidization assay was used to detect the numbers of spheroids in the cells;peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)-mediated tumor cell killing assay was used to detect the relative densities of surviving tumor cells;CCK-8 assay was used to detect the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of paclitaxel(PTX)and carboplatin(CBP).Results:Compared with normal ovarian tissue,the expression level of NR2F2 gene in ovarian tumor tissue was decreased(P<0.05),and decreased with the improvement of clinical pathological grading of ovarian tumor.The patients with higher expression level of NR2F2 gene had better clincal prognosis.The SKOV3 cells with NR2F2 over-expresson were successfully constructed,and the expression levels of NR2F2 mRNA and protein in the cells in NR2F2 OE group were increased compared with control group(P<0.001).The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activities of the cells in NR2F2 OE group were decreased at different time points(1,2,3,and 4 d)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The cell wound assay results showed that compared with control group,the migration rate of the cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P<0.001).The Transwell assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of transmembrane cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the number of the spheroids in NR2F2 OE group was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of SOX2 mRNA(P<0.01)and protein(P<0.001)were increased.Compared with control group,the relative density of surviving tumor cells in NR2F2 OE group was decreased,but the difference was not significant(P<0.05),and the expression level of PD-L1 protein was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the proliferation activities of cells in NR2F2 OE group were decreased(P<0.05),and the drug sensitivities of the cells to PTX and CBP were enhanced(P<0.05);the IC50 of PTX was significantly reduced,while the IC50of CBP could not be calculated due to excessively high drug concentration;the expression level of ABCG2 protein was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:The over-expression of NR2F2 may inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells,decrease the expression levels of SOX2,PD-L1 and ABCG2 proteins,suppress the stemness and immune evasion ability of the SKOV3 cells,and enhance the sensitivities of the SKOV3 cells to PTX and CBP.
6.Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system for differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma and other hepatic malignancies less than or equal to 3 cm
Lili ZHENG ; Yanyan LIN ; Yiyan DU ; Weiwei ZHAN ; Xinping REN
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(1):89-94
Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)liver imaging reporting and data system version 2017(LI-RADS v2017)in the differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other hepatic malignancies(OM)less than or equal to 3 cm.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 163 liver lesions less than or equal to 3 cm in 126 patients with pathologically-confirmed liver malignancy were retrospectively analyzed.The patient underwent CEUS from Jan.2018 to Jun.2022 in our hospital,including 133 with HCC and 30 with OM.Nodules were classified based on the CEUS features according to the CEUS LI-RADS v2017.The evaluation of CEUS characteristics and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 in differential diagnosis of HCC and OM were calculated based on pathological findings.Results There were significant differences in the characteristics of arterial phase enhancement,timing of washout onset and washout degree between the HCC group and the OM group(all P<0.001).The HCC group was mainly LR-3(20 lesions,15.04%),LR-4(25 lesions,18.80%)and LR-5(82 lesions,61.65%),and the OM group was mainly LR-M(28 lesions,93.33%).The specificity and positive predictive value of late washout for HCC were 93.33%(28/30)and 98.06%(101/103),respectively;and the sensitivity of early washout for OM was 93.33%(28/30).With LR-5 as the criterion to diagnose HCC,the sensitivity was 61.65%(82/133),the specificity was 93.33%(28/30),and the positive predictive value was 97.62%(82/84);with LR-4/5 as the criterion to diagnose HCC,the sensitivity was 80.45%(107/133),the specificity was 93.33%(28/30),and the positive predictive value was 98.17%(107/109),with the sensitivity of LR-4/5 being significantly higher than those of LR-5(P=0.001).With LR-M as the criterion to diagnose OM,the sensitivity was 93.33%(28/30)and the specificity was 95.49%(127/133).Conclusion The CEUS LI-RADS v2017 can effectively distinguish HCC from OM less than or equal to 3 cm.LR-5 has a low sensitivity for HCC,while LR-4/5 can improve the sensitivity for HCC.
7.Sleep deprivation interferes with the working memory processing chain:evidence from ERPs
Weiwei CAO ; Changwei DU ; Lin XU ; Wenjie ZONG ; Yongcong SHAO ; Yan GENG
Space Medicine & Medical Engineering 2025;36(3):230-235
Objective Sleep is an important physiological process for maintaining normal cognitive functions,but with the accelerated pace and increased work pressure in modern society,sleep deprivation has become a common phenomenon.It has been shown that sleep deprivation interferes with higher cognitive functions such as working memory,but the specific mechanism of its effect is still not completely clear.The present study aimed to systematically investigate the effects of 36 hours of sleep deprivation on the stages of the working memory processing chain and its neural mechanisms through behavioral and event-related potential(ERP)techniques.Methods Using a randomized controlled experimental design,48 healthy adult subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to sleep deprivation and control groups.All subjects completed a 2-back phonological working memory task,and behavioral data(response time and correctness)and ERP data(P2,N2,and P3 component wave amplitudes)were collected at 0 and 36 hours,respectively.The effects of sleep deprivation on working memory behavioral performance and neurophysiological indices were assessed by ANOVA.Results Behavioral results showed that the sleep deprivation group had a significantly longer response time after 36 hours,but no significant decrease in correctness,indicating a decrease in response efficiency but stable accuracy.ERP results showed that P2 amplitude did not change significantly before and after sleep deprivation,indicating that the early perception and categorization stages were limitedly affected by sleep deprivation;whereas,N2 and P3 amplitudes decreased significantly after sleep deprivation,reflecting that later cognitive processing such as conflict monitoring and resource allocation and other late cognitive processing were significantly disturbed.Conclusion Through ERP technology,this study uncovers the phased impact of 36-hour sleep deprivation on the working memory processing chain.The study found that early perceptual and categorization stages may be less susceptible to the effects of sleep deprivation,likely due to their relatively automatic processing and lower demand for cognitive resources.In contrast,during later stages of cognitive processing,particularly in higher-order functions such as conflict monitoring and resource allocation,sleep deprivation significantly impaired task performance efficiency by disrupting prefrontal cortex function.This finding deepens the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep deprivation and provides a scientific basis for cognitive intervention and management strategies in high-stress occupational groups.Future studies can further explore the long-term effects of sleep deprivation and its neural mechanisms by combining multimodal techniques.
8.Association between internal pentachlorophenol exposure characteristics and thyroid hormone indices in a community population in Shanghai, China
Yajiao TAN ; Zhiyuan DU ; Jiefeng QIAN ; Lingyi LU ; Xue BAI ; Zhou LI ; Weiwei ZHENG ; Sifei SUN ; Lanxia LIU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(8):746-752
ObjectiveTo assess the level of internal exposure to PCP in a community population in Shanghai, to investigate the factors affecting the level of PCP, and to analyze the correlation between the exposure and thyroid hormone levels. MethodsA total of 464 residents of a community in Shanghai were selected as the study subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the demographic information, dietary situation, lifestyle and behavioral habits, and disease history of the individuals, and blood samples were collected. Gas chromatography-electron trap was applied to determine the PCP levels in serum. Multicategorical logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the possible influencing factors of PCP exposure in humans. Thyroid hormone levels were used as the dependent variable and serum PCP as the independent variable. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between PCP and thyroid hormones in the community population after controlling the confounding factors such as age, gender, literacy, annual personal income, and chronic diseases. ResultsThe detection rate of serum PCP in 464 subjects was 90.3%, and the median serum PCP level was 0.43 μg·L-1. The differences in PCP levels among different age groups were statistically significant. There were no significant differences in PCP levels among different gender and BMI groups. The study of PCP exposure factors showed that age, frequency of using plastic products, consumption of freshwater fish, type of occupation, annual income, and consumption of tea or coffee were the potential influencing factors for PCP exposure. Among them, age, frequency of using plastic products, consumption of tea or coffee, and consumption of freshwater fish were positively associated with PCP levels, and annual personal income was negatively associated with it. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that among men, PCP levels were positively correlated with TSH (b=0.105, 95%CI:0.017‒0.313) and negatively correlated with FT4 (b=-0.026, 95%CI:-0.057‒0.004), and among women, PCP levels were positively correlated with TSH (b=0.092, 95%CI:-0.211‒0.904) and FT3 (b=0.017, 95%CI:-0.058‒0.230) and negatively correlated with FT4 (b=-0.013, 95%CI:-0.011‒0.037). ConclusionSerum PCP detection is common among community residents in Shanghai. Different demographic characteristics or behavioral habits may increase or decrease PCP exposure. PCP exposure then affects human thyroid hormone levels.
9.Analysis on the assessment value of DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and tumor markers for the curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer
Rui MA ; Yanhui WANG ; Min DU ; Xianlong QI ; Lin ZHANG ; Weiwei WANG
China Medical Equipment 2024;21(1):73-77
Objective:To explore the assessment value of quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and tumor markers in assessing the curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.Methods:A total of 75 patients with breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgical intervention in Jining No.1 People's Hospital from May 2019 to May 2022 were selected,and they were divided into effective group(54 cases)and ineffective group(21 cases)according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumour(RECIST).The Ve,Kep and Ktrans of DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and CEA,CA125 and CA15-3 levels of tumor markers between two groups were compared before and after chemotherapy,and the receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was adopted to analyze the predictive efficiency of each diagnostic method.Results:After chemotherapy,the differences of the Ve,Kep and Ktrans of quantitative parameters between the two groups were significant(t=7.237,51.695,16.879,P<0.05),respectively.The differences of the CEA,CA125 and CA15-3 of tumor markers between two groups were significant(t=44.201,6.736,6.885,P<0.05),respectively.The AUC value of combined prediction of 6 indicators included Ve,Kep,Ktrans,CEA,CA125 and CA15-3 was 0.979 in predicting the curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer,which was significantly higher than the AUC value of each alone indicator,and the differences of them were statistically significant(Z=2.993,2.679,2.510,2.731,3.215,3.071,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:The combination of tumor markers and DCE-MRI quantitative parameters can better predict the curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer,which can indirectly assess the prognosis.
10.Predictive value of infiltrating zone contrast-enhanced ultrasound gradient features in Nottingham grading and pathologically true infiltration of invasive ductal carcinoma
Rui DU ; Weiwei SHU ; Xincai WU ; Xin ZHANG ; Yuefeng LI
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2024;33(2):119-125
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of infiltrating zone contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) gradient features in Nottingham grading and pathologically true infiltration of invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 78 female breast cancer patients (95 masses) confirmed by surgical and pathology in the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from July 2019 to June 2022, which were divided into Grade-Ⅰ (22 masses), Grade-Ⅱ (28 masses), and Grade-Ⅲ (45 masses) according to the Nottingham histological grading system. The differences in the maximum diameter of the infiltration zone and the characteristic parameters of the gradient of the inner and outer edges of the infiltration zone among the three groups of masses were compared, and the differential gradient features among them were analyzed by multivariate ordered Logistic regression and ROC curves. The relationship between the differential gradient characteristics of the infiltration zone and the pathologically true infiltration of the mass was further explored.Results:The univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences among the three groups for peak-arrival time gradient (ΔTTP), ascending branch slope gradient (ΔRS), peak intensity gradient (ΔPI) and area gradient under the curve (ΔAUC) (all P<0.05). Multiple ordered logistic regression analysis showed that ΔTTP, ΔPI and ΔAUC had independent influences on the histologic grading of IDC (all P<0.05), and the area under the curve for the combination of the three in predicting IDC histology grades Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ was 0.692, 0.705 and 0.765, respectively. In addition, the maximum diameter of pathologically true infiltration of the mass was positively correlated with ΔTTP ( r=0.621, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with ΔPI ( r=-0.605, P<0.05) and ΔAUC ( r=-0.719, P<0.05). Conclusions:Infiltration zone CEUS gradient features are effective in predicting the histologic grade of IDC and strongly correlate with the degree of pathologically true infiltration of the mass.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail