1.Disease burden and health inequality attributable to non-optimal temperature exposure in China from 1990 to 2021
Yanling HUANG ; Junle WU ; Bin XIAO ; Xiao ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):604-613
Background As climate change intensifies and extreme temperature events become more frequent, non-optimal temperature has emerged as a significant contributor to the global disease burden, representing a pressing public health challenge. Objective To analyze the disease burden, temporal trends, and health inequalities attributable to non-optimal, high, and low temperatures in China from 1990 to 2021, and to compare these findings with global levels to provide a scientific basis for targeted prevention strategies. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD 2021), we extracted mortality rates and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates, and other indicators attributable to non-optimal, high, and low temperatures by sex, age, region, and cause. Joinpoint regression was applied to examine temporal trends. Decomposition analysis identified driving factors of change, while the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (CI) quantified disparities across socio-demographic index (SDI) levels. Results From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR) attributable to non-optimal temperature in China exhibited a downward trend, decreasing from 66.48 (95%UI: 58.09, 76.56) to 32.70 (95%UI: 27.26, 39.26) per 100000 population, and from 1219.59 (95%UI: 1056.28, 1418.37) to 493.22 (95%UI: 403.88, 609.32) per 100000 population, respectively. Burdens attributable to non-optimal temperature and low temperature were higher than the global average, whereas the high temperature burden was lower. Males consistently experienced higher ASMR and ASDR attributable to non-optimal temperature than females. Cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and respiratory infections and tuberculosis were the top three causes of non-optimal temperature-attributable burdens. Decomposition analysis revealed that population aging and growth were the primary drivers of increased burden, while epidemiological changes primarily drove the decline. Health inequalities were most predominant between extreme SDI regions but narrowed over time. Conclusion Despite the overall decline in burden attributable to non-optimal temperature in China, significant challenges remain, including high risks from cold exposure, gender disparities, and the compounding effects of an aging population with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases. Policy makers should prioritize climate change adaptation, focusing on elderly health and regional equity while strengthening the public health workforce.
2.Disease burden and health inequality attributable to non-optimal temperature exposure in China from 1990 to 2021
Yanling HUANG ; Junle WU ; Bin XIAO ; Xiao ZHANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):604-613
Background As climate change intensifies and extreme temperature events become more frequent, non-optimal temperature has emerged as a significant contributor to the global disease burden, representing a pressing public health challenge. Objective To analyze the disease burden, temporal trends, and health inequalities attributable to non-optimal, high, and low temperatures in China from 1990 to 2021, and to compare these findings with global levels to provide a scientific basis for targeted prevention strategies. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD 2021), we extracted mortality rates and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates, and other indicators attributable to non-optimal, high, and low temperatures by sex, age, region, and cause. Joinpoint regression was applied to examine temporal trends. Decomposition analysis identified driving factors of change, while the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (CI) quantified disparities across socio-demographic index (SDI) levels. Results From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rates (ASDR) attributable to non-optimal temperature in China exhibited a downward trend, decreasing from 66.48 (95%UI: 58.09, 76.56) to 32.70 (95%UI: 27.26, 39.26) per 100000 population, and from 1219.59 (95%UI: 1056.28, 1418.37) to 493.22 (95%UI: 403.88, 609.32) per 100000 population, respectively. Burdens attributable to non-optimal temperature and low temperature were higher than the global average, whereas the high temperature burden was lower. Males consistently experienced higher ASMR and ASDR attributable to non-optimal temperature than females. Cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and respiratory infections and tuberculosis were the top three causes of non-optimal temperature-attributable burdens. Decomposition analysis revealed that population aging and growth were the primary drivers of increased burden, while epidemiological changes primarily drove the decline. Health inequalities were most predominant between extreme SDI regions but narrowed over time. Conclusion Despite the overall decline in burden attributable to non-optimal temperature in China, significant challenges remain, including high risks from cold exposure, gender disparities, and the compounding effects of an aging population with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases. Policy makers should prioritize climate change adaptation, focusing on elderly health and regional equity while strengthening the public health workforce.
3.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
4.Construction and validation of a mouse model for optically activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells
Shu-yue WANG ; Bei-na SHENYANG ; Nan-xin HUANG ; Si-wei LI ; Bin YU ; Yu-xin WANG ; Lan XIAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(5):507-514
Objective To develop and validate a transgenic mouse model enabling specific and inducible optogenetic activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells(OPCs).Methods A conditional allele for the photosensitive opsin chicken opsin 5(cOpn5)(Rosa26-LSL-cOpn5)was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.These mice were subsequently crossed with NG2-CreERT transgenic mice to produce NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 animals.In this model,tamoxifen administration induces Cre-mediated recombination,leading to specific expression of cOpn5 in NG2-positive OPCs.The specificity and efficiency of cOpn5 expression in OPCs were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining.Functional validation of light-induced OPC activation was performed by using calcium imaging in acute brain slices after stimulation with 470 nm blue light.Results Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed robust and specific expression of cOpn5 within NG2-positive OPCs in the brains of tamoxifen-treated NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 mice.Crucially,calcium imaging of acute brain slices from these mice demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular calcium levels in cOpn5-expressing OPCs upon stimulation with 470 nm blue light,indicating successful optogenetic activation.Conclusion We have successfully generated and validated a novel transgenic mouse model(NG2-CreERT;cOpn5)that permits specific and inducible optogenetic activation of OPCs.This model provides a novel tool for subsequent in vivo studies of the role and regulating mechanisms of OPCs in the central nervous system.
5.Effect of puerarin on myocardial injury in diabetic mice via NLRP3-caspase-1-GSDMD signaling pathway
Qiu-yan CHEN ; Lu WANG ; Ren-bin HUANG ; Xiao-hui XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1259-1264
Aim To study the protective effect of puer-arin(PR)on myocardial injury in diabetic mice and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected as the control group,and the remaining mice were randomly injected with streptozotocin(STZ)to construct a diabetes mod-el,and the mice that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into the model group,PR high,medi-um and low dose groups,pyroptosis inhibitor(NSA)group and pyroptosis inducer(Nigericin)group,which were administered continuously for 12 weeks.After the last dose,the serum and heart tissues of mice were taken to observe the changes of myocardium,the con-tents of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and creatine ki-nase isoenzyme(CK-MB)in the serum were detected,and the protein and mRNA expressions of pyroptosis-related factors(NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-18,IL-1β)in myocardial tissues of mice were detected.Re-sults Compared with the control group,the model group had swollen and twisted myocardial tissue,myo-cardial arrangement disorder,increased collagen fibers,increased content of LDH and CK-MB in serum,and significantly increased the expression of pyroxosis relat-ed factors in myocardial tissue(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the pathologi-cal changes of myocardial tissue in in the PR and NSA groups were significantly improved,the content of ser-um LDH and CK-MB was significantly reduced,and the expression of pyroxosis related factors in myocardial tis-sue was significantly inhibited(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while there was no significant change in the Nigericin group.Conclusions PR has a protective effect on myocardial injury in diabetic mice,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the NL-RP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyrosis signaling pathway.
6.Study on mechanism of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in treatment of endometriosis fibrosis based on mitophagy
Can-can HUANG ; Wen-wen WAN ; Xiu-jia JI ; Bin YUE ; Yu-gui ZHANG ; Xiao-hua ZHANG ; Li LIANG ; Guo-lian CHEN ; Quan-sheng WU ; Hai-yan MAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1177-1185
Aim To explore the mechanism of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction in antagonizing endometriosis fibrosis by regulating mitophagy.Methods After the animal model was constructed,the syndrome was evalu-ated by general condition,organ water content and ther-mal imaging.The curative effect was evaluated by the weight of ectopic focus and the degree of adhesion.The pathological changes were compared using HE stai-ning,transmission electron microscopy,Masson and Sir-ius red staining.The expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of mRNA and protein was determined by qPCR and Western blot,and the level of serum ROS was detected by ELISA.Results The autonomic activity of model mice was weakened,the water content of organs rose,and the temperature of limbs and lower abdomen was reduced by thermal imaging.HE staining showed obvi-ous hyperplasia of ectopic epithelium and glands.Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum structure damage,and nor-mal autophagy structure disappeared.Masson and Siri-us red staining showed increased collagen deposition;immunohistochemistry showed decreased expression of PINK1 and Parkin in ectopic foci.qPCR and Western blot showed that the expression of PINK1,Parkin,Bec-lin1,LC3 mRNA and protein in ectopic foci of model mice decreased,the expression of p62 mRNA and pro-tein increased,and serum ROS increased.The syn-drome performance of model mice was improved after the intervention of Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction;the inflammatory infiltration of ectopic foci was relieved,the morphology of mitochondria and endoplasmic retic-ulum was restored,and normal autophagy structure ap-peared.The degree of collagen deposition and fibrosis was reduced;the mRNA and protein expression of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin1 and LC3 increased.The ex-pression of p62 mRNA and protein decreased,and the level of ROS decreased.Conclusions Jiawei Shaofu Zhuyu decoction can improve the fibrosis of ectopic le-sions in mice with endometriosis of cold-dampness sta-sis syndrome,which may be related to the regulation of mitophagy.
7.Isolation,identification,and biological characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from a South China tiger
Jing-ru XU ; Zhi-hao ZHU ; Yu-qi LI ; Si-si FAN ; Ya-li KANG ; Yu-bin ZHUO ; Ling-shan HUANG ; Shu-qi QIU ; XUE-YUXI ; Xiao-ping WU ; Yu-ting LIAO ; Wei-ye LIN ; Xiao-ziyi XIAO ; Xue-jin LI ; Teng-teng CHEN ; Xi-pan LIN ; Kai-xiong LIN ; Ke-wei FAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):567-573
This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.
8.Construction and validation of a mouse model for optically activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells
Shu-yue WANG ; Bei-na SHENYANG ; Nan-xin HUANG ; Si-wei LI ; Bin YU ; Yu-xin WANG ; Lan XIAO
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(5):507-514
Objective To develop and validate a transgenic mouse model enabling specific and inducible optogenetic activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells(OPCs).Methods A conditional allele for the photosensitive opsin chicken opsin 5(cOpn5)(Rosa26-LSL-cOpn5)was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.These mice were subsequently crossed with NG2-CreERT transgenic mice to produce NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 animals.In this model,tamoxifen administration induces Cre-mediated recombination,leading to specific expression of cOpn5 in NG2-positive OPCs.The specificity and efficiency of cOpn5 expression in OPCs were confirmed by immunofluorescent staining.Functional validation of light-induced OPC activation was performed by using calcium imaging in acute brain slices after stimulation with 470 nm blue light.Results Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed robust and specific expression of cOpn5 within NG2-positive OPCs in the brains of tamoxifen-treated NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 mice.Crucially,calcium imaging of acute brain slices from these mice demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular calcium levels in cOpn5-expressing OPCs upon stimulation with 470 nm blue light,indicating successful optogenetic activation.Conclusion We have successfully generated and validated a novel transgenic mouse model(NG2-CreERT;cOpn5)that permits specific and inducible optogenetic activation of OPCs.This model provides a novel tool for subsequent in vivo studies of the role and regulating mechanisms of OPCs in the central nervous system.
9.Isolation,identification,and biological characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from a South China tiger
Jing-ru XU ; Zhi-hao ZHU ; Yu-qi LI ; Si-si FAN ; Ya-li KANG ; Yu-bin ZHUO ; Ling-shan HUANG ; Shu-qi QIU ; XUE-YUXI ; Xiao-ping WU ; Yu-ting LIAO ; Wei-ye LIN ; Xiao-ziyi XIAO ; Xue-jin LI ; Teng-teng CHEN ; Xi-pan LIN ; Kai-xiong LIN ; Ke-wei FAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(6):567-573
This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.
10.Advances in mechanism of mitochondrial quality control system in endometriosis
Yuan-huan CHEN ; Bin YUE ; Hai-yan MAO ; Can-can HUANG ; Xiao-hua ZHANG ; Peng FENG ; Quan-sheng WU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):406-410
Endometriosis(EMs)is a common estrogen-depend-ent clinical disease with the pathological characteristics of malig-nant tumors,which has great impact on women's physical and mental health.In recent years,experimental exploration has re-vealed that ectopic foci are in a hypoxic environment outside the uterine cavity,and mitochondria,as the"functional factories"of the cells,play an important role in the process of planting and in-vasion,and the mitochondrial quality control system,which in-cludes mitochondrial oxidative stress,kinetics,autophagy,bio-genesis and calcium homeostasis,is a key mechanism for the e-quilibrium of the mitochondrial function.The mitochondrial quality control system,including mitochondrial oxidative stress kinetics,autophagy,biogenesis and calcium homeostasis,is a key mechanism for mitochondrial functional balance.Therefore,to clarify the role of the mitochondrial quality control system in the development of EMs with the help of rational and rigorous experi-mental and clinical studies can not only help to clarify the patho-genesis of the disease,but also explore the key targets in the prevention and treatment of the disease.Therefore,this article summarizes the research progress of mitochondrial quality control system in endometriosis,with a view to providing reference and theoretical basis for the etiology,pathogenesis and prevention strategies of EMs.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail