1.Deciphering the Role of VIM, STX8, and MIF in Pneumoconiosis Susceptibility: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis of the Lung-Gut Axis and Multi-Omics Insights from European and East Asian Populations.
Chen Wei ZHANG ; Bin Bin WAN ; Yu Kai ZHANG ; Tao XIONG ; Yi Shan LI ; Xue Sen SU ; Gang LIU ; Yang Yang WEI ; Yuan Yuan SUN ; Jing Fen ZHANG ; Xiao YU ; Yi Wei SHI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1270-1286
OBJECTIVE:
Pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by irreversible fibrosis, represents a significant public health burden. This study investigates the causal relationships between gut microbiota, gene methylation, gene expression, protein levels, and pneumoconiosis using a multi-omics approach and Mendelian randomization (MR).
METHODS:
We analyzed gut microbiota data from MiBioGen and Esteban et al. to assess their potential causal effects on pneumoconiosis subtypes (asbestosis, silicosis, and inorganic pneumoconiosis) using conventional and summary-data-based MR (SMR). Gene methylation and expression data from Genotype-Tissue Expression and eQTLGen, along with protein level data from deCODE and UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, were examined in relation to pneumoconiosis data from FinnGen. To validate our findings, we assessed self-measured gut flora from a pneumoconiosis cohort and performed fine mapping, drug prediction, molecular docking, and Phenome-Wide Association Studies to explore relevant phenotypes of key genes.
RESULTS:
Three core gut microorganisms were identified: Romboutsia ( OR = 0.249) as a protective factor against silicosis, Pasteurellaceae ( OR = 3.207) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( OR = 2.343) as risk factors for inorganic pneumoconiosis. Additionally, mapping and quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that the genes VIM, STX8, and MIF were significantly associated with pneumoconiosis risk.
CONCLUSIONS
This multi-omics study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and key genes ( VIM, STX8, MIF) with pneumoconiosis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
Humans
;
Male
;
East Asian People/genetics*
;
Europe
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Lung
;
Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism*
;
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
;
Multiomics
;
Pneumoconiosis/microbiology*
;
Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
2.The protective effect of Jujing formula on tretina of mice with dry age-related macular degeneration
Cheng-Cheng QI ; Ruo-Ying FAN ; Xue-Sen WANG ; Shu-Lan SU ; Yue ZHU ; Sheng GUO ; Hong-Jie KANG ; Xue-Yi ZHOU ; Jin-Ao DUAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(7):1358-1367
Aim To investigate the protective effect of Jujing formula on retina of mice with dry age-related macular degeneration(AMD).Methods The mouse model of dry AMD was induced by intraperitoneal in-jection of sodium iodate,and the prognosis was given to the Jujing formula.Retinal thickness was detected by optical coherence tomography(OCT),the retinal morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and the apoptosis of retinal cells was detected by in situ terminal transferase labeling(TUNEL)staining.Combination of tumor necrosis fac-tor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)and interleukin-1β(IL-1 β)in eyeballs and serum,superoxide dis-mutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH)and malondialde-hyde(MDA)were evaluated to assess the protective effects of Jujing formula on retinal injury in mice with dry AMD.Results The results of OCT,HE and TUNEL staining showed that Jujing formula significant-ly improved the retinal injury induced by sodium iodate in mice with dry AMD,increased the retinal thickness(P<0.05),reduced the apoptosis of retinal cells(P<0.01),and increased the levels of GSH,IL-6 and SOD activity in eyeballs and serum(P<0.01).The levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and MDA were reduced(P<0.01).Conclusions Jujing formula has certain therapeutic effects on retinal injury in dry AMD,which may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and enhancing antioxidant capacity.
3.Analysis of verification results of protective effects of hearing protectors in different industries.
Han Xue SHI ; Shi Biao SU ; Ming LIU ; Rong Zong LI ; Tian Jian WANG ; Bin XIAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2023;41(5):333-337
Objective: To get insight into the current practice of noise reduction effect of workers as they wore hearing protectors in different domestic enterprises and the possible affected factors. Methods: From October 2020 to April 2021, using a random sampling method, 1197 workers exposed to noise in petrochemical factories, textile factories, and parts manufacturing factories were selected as the study subjects. The noise reduction effect of hearing protectors worn by workers in daily use was tested using a hearing protector suitability testing system. The personal sound attenuation level (PAR) was compared among workers in three enterprises, Targeted intervention and repetitive testing were conducted for workers who did not meet the noise reduction effect required by the enterprise, and the changes in PAR of workers before and after the intervention were compared. The comparison of baseline PARs between two or more groups was performed using the Mann Whitney test, the comparison of baseline PARs with post intervention PARs was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test, and the comparison of qualitative data between two or more groups was performed using the Chi square test. Results: The median baseline PAR for all workers was 15 dB. Men, age<30 years old, education level at or above college level, working experience of 5 to 15 years, and those who used hearing protectors for 5 to 15 years had higher PARs, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The median difference in baseline PAR among workers from three enterprises was statistically significant (H=175.06, P<0.01). The median PAR of subjects who did not pass the baseline increased from 3 dB to 21 dB after intervention (Z=-27.92, P<0.01) . Conclusion: Some workers wearing hearing protectors do not meet the required PAR, and low PARs may be related to incorrect wearing methods and incorrect selection of hearing protectors. As a tool for testing, training, and assisting in selection, the hearing protector suitability testing system is of great significance for worker hearing protection.
Male
;
Humans
;
Adult
;
Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/prevention & control*
;
Ear Protective Devices
;
Noise, Occupational/prevention & control*
;
Hearing
;
Audiometry
4.CircFhit Modulates GABAergic Synaptic Transmission via Regulating the Parental Gene Fhit Expression in the Spinal Dorsal Horn in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain.
Ting XU ; Zhen-Yu LI ; Meng LIU ; Su-Bo ZHANG ; Huan-Huan DING ; Jia-Yan WU ; Su-Yan LIN ; Jun LIU ; Jia-You WEI ; Xue-Qin ZHANG ; Wen-Jun XIN
Neuroscience Bulletin 2023;39(6):947-961
Effective treatments for neuropathic pain are lacking due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms. The circRNAs are mainly enriched in the central nervous system. However, their function in various physiological and pathological conditions have yet to be determined. Here, we identified circFhit, an exon-intron circRNA expressed in GABAergic neurons, which reduced the inhibitory synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn to mediate spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. Moreover, we found that circFhit decreased the expression of GAD65 and induced hyperexcitation in NK1R+ neurons by promoting the expression of its parental gene Fhit in cis. Mechanistically, circFhit was directly bound to the intronic region of Fhit, and formed a circFhit/HNRNPK complex to promote Pol II phosphorylation and H2B monoubiquitination by recruiting CDK9 and RNF40 to the Fhit intron. In summary, we revealed that the exon-intron circFhit contributes to GABAergic neuron-mediated NK1R+ neuronal hyperexcitation and neuropathic pain via regulating Fhit in cis.
Rats
;
Animals
;
Posterior Horn Cells/pathology*
;
Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn/metabolism*
;
Neuralgia
;
Synaptic Transmission
5.Preliminary insights into the practice of hypoallergenic home visiting program.
He ZHANG ; Min ZHOU ; Qi Lin ZHOU ; Xin LUO ; Rui ZHENG ; Jing SU ; Guo Wei XIONG ; Yun CHENG ; Ya Ting LI ; Ping Ping ZHANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Min DAI ; Xue Kun HUANG ; Ya Na ZHANG ; Zhao Hui SHI ; Jin TAO ; Yu Qi ZHOU ; Pei Ying FENG ; Zhuang Gui CHEN ; Qin Tai YANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(12):1957-1963
Allergic diseases affect about 40% of the world's population. Environmental factors are important in the occurrence and development of allergic diseases. Dust mites are one of the most important allergens in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization proposes the "four-in-one, combination of prevention and treatment" treatment principle for allergic diseases, in which environmental control to avoid or reduce allergens is the first choice for treatment. Modern people spend much more time at home (including sleeping) than outdoors, and the control of the home environment is particularly critical. This practice introduces the hypoallergenic home visit program, which including home environment assessment, environmental and behavioral intervention guidance, and common household hypoallergenic supplies and service guidance for the patient's home environment. The real-time semi-quantitative testing of dust mite allergens, qualitative assessments of other indoor allergens, record of patients' household items and lifestyle, and precise, individualized patient prevention and control education will be conducted. The hypoallergenic home visit program improves the doctors' diagnosis and treatment data dimension, and becomes a patient management tool for doctors outside the hospital. It also helps patients continue to scientifically avoid allergens and irritants in the environment, effectively build a hypoallergenic home environment, reduce exposure to allergens in the home environment, and achieve the goal of combining the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
Humans
;
Hospitals
;
Life Style
;
Sleep
6.Diagnosis and treatment procedures and health management for patients with hereditary angioedema.
Min ZHOU ; Xin LUO ; Qi Lin ZHOU ; Wen Hao ZHOU ; Rui ZHENG ; Ya Na ZHANG ; Xi Fu WU ; Shuo WU ; Jing SU ; Guo Wei XIONG ; Yun CHENG ; Ya Ting LI ; Ping Ping ZHANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Min DAI ; Xue Kun HUANG ; Zhao Hui SHI ; Jin TAO ; Yu Qi ZHOU ; Pei Ying FENG ; Zhuang Gui CHEN ; Qin Tai YANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(8):1280-1285
As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up "one-click help". The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.
Humans
;
Angioedemas, Hereditary/drug therapy*
7.Preliminary insights into the practice of hypoallergenic home visiting program.
He ZHANG ; Min ZHOU ; Qi Lin ZHOU ; Xin LUO ; Rui ZHENG ; Jing SU ; Guo Wei XIONG ; Yun CHENG ; Ya Ting LI ; Ping Ping ZHANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Min DAI ; Xue Kun HUANG ; Ya Na ZHANG ; Zhao Hui SHI ; Jin TAO ; Yu Qi ZHOU ; Pei Ying FENG ; Zhuang Gui CHEN ; Qin Tai YANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(12):1957-1963
Allergic diseases affect about 40% of the world's population. Environmental factors are important in the occurrence and development of allergic diseases. Dust mites are one of the most important allergens in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization proposes the "four-in-one, combination of prevention and treatment" treatment principle for allergic diseases, in which environmental control to avoid or reduce allergens is the first choice for treatment. Modern people spend much more time at home (including sleeping) than outdoors, and the control of the home environment is particularly critical. This practice introduces the hypoallergenic home visit program, which including home environment assessment, environmental and behavioral intervention guidance, and common household hypoallergenic supplies and service guidance for the patient's home environment. The real-time semi-quantitative testing of dust mite allergens, qualitative assessments of other indoor allergens, record of patients' household items and lifestyle, and precise, individualized patient prevention and control education will be conducted. The hypoallergenic home visit program improves the doctors' diagnosis and treatment data dimension, and becomes a patient management tool for doctors outside the hospital. It also helps patients continue to scientifically avoid allergens and irritants in the environment, effectively build a hypoallergenic home environment, reduce exposure to allergens in the home environment, and achieve the goal of combining the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
Humans
;
Hospitals
;
Life Style
;
Sleep
8.Diagnosis and treatment procedures and health management for patients with hereditary angioedema.
Min ZHOU ; Xin LUO ; Qi Lin ZHOU ; Wen Hao ZHOU ; Rui ZHENG ; Ya Na ZHANG ; Xi Fu WU ; Shuo WU ; Jing SU ; Guo Wei XIONG ; Yun CHENG ; Ya Ting LI ; Ping Ping ZHANG ; Kun ZHANG ; Min DAI ; Xue Kun HUANG ; Zhao Hui SHI ; Jin TAO ; Yu Qi ZHOU ; Pei Ying FENG ; Zhuang Gui CHEN ; Qin Tai YANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(8):1280-1285
As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up "one-click help". The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.
Humans
;
Angioedemas, Hereditary/drug therapy*
9.Effect of Arsenic Trioxide on Acute T-Lymphocytic Leukemia and DNA methyltransferase 1
Jia-yin SU ; Zhong-dao WU ; Xue-qun LUO
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2022;43(3):422-429
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and its anti-leukemia mechanism in acute T-lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. MethodsT-ALL cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, Molt-4) were cultured in vitro and divided into control (0 μmol/L), low concentration (3 μmol/L) and high concentration (6 μmol/L) groups according to the dose of ATO, and the expression of DNMT1 and cleaved-caspase-3 were investigated by RT-qPCR and western blot after ATO treatment for 24 h (0, 3 and 6 μmol/L) intervention; Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell death in T-ALL cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4); The expression of DNMT1 and cleaved-caspase-3 and cell death were detected after applying ATO and Z-DEVD-FMK (caspase-3 specific inhibitor); T-ALL cell death was detected after overexpressing DNMT1 under ATO intervention. ResultsWith the dose of ATO increasing, the expression level of DNMT1 in T-ALL cells decreased, the expression level of cleaved-caspase-3 protein increased, and the cell mortality increased (P<0.05); The application of Z-DEVD-FMK specifically inhibited cleaved-caspase-3, diminished the inhibitory effect of ATO on DNMT1 expression, and decreased the cell mortality (P<0.05);Overexpression of DNMT1 in T-ALL cells significantly reduced cell death induced by ATO treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionWithin a certain concentration range, ATO effectively down-regulates the expression of DNMT1 via the activation of caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner, thus inducing cell death in T-ALL cells, which provides a theoretical basis for the future application of ATO as a demethylating drug to improve the clinical treatment of T-ALL.
10.Screening Allergenic Pollen Plants in Central Urban Areas of Guangzhou Based on "Xingse APP"
Guo-wei XIONG ; Yun CHENG ; Jing SU ; Xue-kun HUANG ; Ya-ting LI ; Rui ZHENG ; Qi-lin ZHOU
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2022;43(1):27-34
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of allergenic pollen plants in the central urban areas of Guangzhou, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and reasonable urban greening construction. MethodsThe "Xingse APP" was used to identify the plants in 13 survey sites in the central urban areas of Guangzhou, and the plants that could produce allergenic pollen in the survey areas were screened out. ResultsA total of 102 families, 265 genera, 311 species of plants were found; 38 genera of plants, among which 20 (52.6%) were native to Guangzhou and 18 (47.4%) were not native to Guangzhou, can produce allergenic pollen. The non-native allergenic pollen plant species accounted for nearly half of the total number of sensitized pollen plant species in Guangzhou urban areas, and the distribution density of non-native allergenic pollen plants in each genus was higher than that of native allergenic pollen plants. Poaceae was the most widely distributed, with a discovery rate of 100%. The most abundant sensitive pollen plants were 6 species (15.8%) belonging to Poaceae, which were Cynodon, Echinochloa, Setaria, Pennisetum, Phragmites and Digitaria. Mangifera and Bauhinia were found in 11 sites, and the discovery rate was 84.6%. ConclusionsUnreasonable urban greening has occurred in downtown Guangzhou, and many allergenic pollen plants have been planted. Thirty-eight genera (14.3%) of plants belong to plants that can produce allergic pollen, of which native (52.6%) and non-local (47.4%) allergenic pollen plants account for nearly half. Increasing the types and quantities of gas-sensitized pollen from the source may lead to an increase in the risk of hay fever. When planning urban greening, the cultivation of allergic pollen plants should be reduced.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail