1.Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis of plasma proteins identifies biomarkers for anxiety disorders
Xuelian LI ; Min DENG ; Rongting RAN ; Yuqian HE ; Geman WANG ; Yujie LI ; Zhili ZOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2026;39(1):63-69
BackgroundAnxiety disorder is a common mental disorder, with its prevalence showing a continuous upward trend, significantly affecting the quality of life and social function of patients. Due to the lack of objective and reliable biomarkers in clinical practice, the early identification and treatment of anxiety disorder have been somewhat limited. Plasma proteins have the potential to serve as biomarkers for mental diseases, however, the causal relationship between them and anxiety disorder remains unclear. ObjectiveTo identify the plasma proteins that have a causal relationship with anxiety disorders, and to elucidate the associated biological pathways, in order to provide references for the search for biomarkers of anxiety disorders and the exploration of potential therapeutic targets. MethodsBased on the protein quantitative trait locus (pQTL) data of 4 907 plasma proteins covering 35 559 Icelandic individuals from the deCODE database, and the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data of 50 486 patients with anxiety disorders and 330 460 healthy controls, the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis method, supplemented by MR-Egger method, weighted median method, simple model method, and weighted model method for bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. Enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways was conducted for the related proteins. Sensitivity analysis was performed using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO test, and leave-one-out analysis to evaluate the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 10 plasma proteins were identified as significantly associated with anxiety disorders. Among these, SPATA9 (OR=0.856, 95% CI: 0.784–0.934, P<0.01) and PDE5A (OR=0.911, 95% CI: 0.864–0.961, P<0.01) were identified as protective factors, while CRYGD (OR=1.209, 95% CI: 1.095–1.334, P<0.01), BTN3A3 (OR=1.045, 95% CI: 1.018–1.073, P<0.01), SERPINB13 (OR=1.102, 95% CI: 1.040–1.168, P<0.01), ERBB4 (OR=1.283, 95% CI: 1.109–1.484, P<0.01), LSAMP (OR=1.096, 95% CI: 1.037–1.158, P<0.01), ICOSLG (OR=1.283, 95% CI: 1.104–1.490, P<0.01), DNAJB11 (OR=1.172, 95% CI: 1.076–1.277, P<0.01), and TREML1 (OR=1.115, 95% CI: 1.054–1.179, P<0.01) were identified as risk factors. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were robust, with no heterogeneity (Cochran's Q test P>0.05) or pleiotropy (MR-Egger intercept test P>0.05). Enrichment analysis indicated that these plasma proteins were enriched in biological processes such as T-cell signal transduction, lymphocyte proliferation, cell membrane structure and synaptic function, as well as the intestinal immune network that produces IgA and the ErbB signaling pathway. ConclusionThis study identified 10 plasma proteins associated with anxiety disorders. The functions of these plasma proteins involve multiple biological processes such as neural development and immune regulation.
2.Assessment and management of HIV-reactive blood donors based on routine blood screening data
Xuelian DENG ; Xiaohan GUO ; Yingying WANG ; Xiaochun LIU ; Xiaohua LIANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):430-436
Objective: To establish evidence-based, safe and efficient management of HIV-reactive blood donors by investigating safe and feasible assessment strategies for HIV-reactive blood donors based on routine blood screening data. Methods: The data of blood screening, supplementary testing, follow-up and CDC confirmation for HIV-reactive blood donors in our center from 2014 to 2024 were analyzed systematically to confirm HIV infection and identify infection status. Results: There were 1 235 samples (0.13%, 1 235/928 000) reactive in HIV blood screening over the 11-year period. A-mong them, 199 donors (16.11%) in asymptomatic HIV infection (HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA+), 2(0.16%) as acute early HIV infection (HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA+) and 7(0.57%) as window-period infection (HIV RNA positive only) were confirmed. Donors with the result of HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA-(single-positive) were all excluded for HIV infection, while 1 in 6 HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA-donors (double-positive) was confirmed to have HIV infection. When HIV Ag/Ab reagents were used continuously before and after the follow-up, it's observed in one reagent that the proportion of negative results in subsequent follow-up in single-positive donors who had negative results in the first sampling was significantly higher than the proportion of negative results in subsequent follow-up in those initially single-positive (P<0.05). But no significant difference was observed in another reagent (P>0.05). When reagents were changed in follow-up, the rate of singlepositive donors with negative results in the first sampling reached 96.7%, which was significantly higher than the negative rate of those without reagent changing in follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the serological and nucleic acid testing results of HIV blood screening, the confirmation of HIV infection and identification of infection status can be achieved accurately and efficiently. All HIV Ag/Ab+-&HIV RNA-donors were confirmed as false positive, and should be maintained their eligibilities for blood donation, but recommended to pass the retest before next donation. Using a different reagent for retesting helps improve the eligible rate. HIV Ag/Ab++&HIV RNA-donors should be deferred permanently due to the risk of true positivity.
3.The management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection
Xuelian DENG ; Liang ZANG ; Xiaofang GONG ; Lei ZHOU ; Xiaochun LIU ; Lin WANG ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):444-451
Objective: To explore the management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection. Methods: Multiple HCV antibody assays, repeating HCV RNA testing, follow-up of blood donors and retesting of archive samples were performed to confirm HCV infection, identify infection status, and exclude false positives in blood donors reactive to HCV in blood screening. Results: From 2011 to 2024, the unqualified rate of HCV detection in blood screening was 2.45‰(2 751/1 122 026). Among these, anti-HCV+-&NAT-accounted for 1.85‰, followed by anti-HCV++ at 0.60‰. The proportion of anti-HCV+-&NAT-and HCV RNA yields was extremely low (0.007‰). The positive rate of anti-HCV+-&NAT-samples tested by electrochemiluminescence method (ELCIA) was approximately 7.5%, differing among reagents (P<0.05). The follow-up of anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors showed that 96.2% (202/210) were false positives, but 51.4% of donors remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-during follow-up. Among them, 8 donors (3.8%) could not be ruled out from HCV infection due to positive retesting by ELCIA. Of the anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors who were reactive at the first follow-up, 86.8% remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-at the second follow-up. The sampling confirmation data showed that all of 260 anti-HCV++ donors were confirmed as anti-HCV positive, and the proportion of false positives or missed detections by NAT was very low. Two occult HBV infections (OBIs) and one HBsAg carrier were identified among the 3 anti-HCV +-&NAT+ donors, and no HCV infection was confirmed in 5 anti-HCV--&HCV RNA + donors. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Dalian was about 0.06%, with extremely low proportion of window-period infection and slightly higher proportion of resolved infections than that of current infections. The majority of anti-HCV+-&NAT-were false positive. Blood donors confirmed as false positive should be qualified in blood screening 3 months later before next donation. In order to reduce the false positive results, it was advisable to avoid the same type of supplementary reagents as the initial reagents when performing confirmation.
4.Confirmatory analysis of HBsAg reactive samples from voluntary blood donors
Qiaolin ZHANG ; Fang WANG ; Dong LIU ; Fengjiao HAN ; Liu LI ; Xiaochuan ZHENG ; Xuelian DENG ; Dongyan YANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):452-457
Objective: To systematically analyze the confirmatory positivity of different combinations of HBsAg screening results in blood testing, providing data to support the optimization of blood donor eligibility management. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on blood screening data from 174 266 voluntary blood donor samples at the Chongqing Blood Center between October 2021 and September 2022. Samples with inconsistent results between the two HBsAg enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and individual donor nucleic acid testing (NAT) were confirmed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and a neutralization test. The detection efficacy of four different HBsAg ELISA reagents was compared using the HBsAg-confirmed positive samples. Results: A total of 767(0.44%) HBV-reactive (HB-sAg and/or HBV DNA reactive) samples were detected. Among them, 344 samples with discordant serological and NAT results were collected, of which 64(18.6%) were confirmed positive by neutralization test. Additionally, 5 samples that were neutralization-negative but double-reactive for HBsAg and HBV DNA were confirmed as positive according to FDA guidance, resulting in a total of 69(20.1%) confirmed HBsAg-positive samples. There were significant differences in the neutralization test confirmation rates among different screening result categories (P<0.05): The group with dual HBsAg reagent reactivity (double reactive) & NAT-negative had the highest confirmation rate (96.9%, 31/32); the group reactive to only reagent 2 (single reactive) had a rate of 25.7% (29/113); while the confirmation rates for samples reactive to only reagent 1 and samples with isolated HBV DNA positivity were extremely low [0(0/34) and 2.4%(4/165), respectively]. The four commercial reagents showed significant differences in their ability to detect confirmed positive samples that were initially single reactive (P<0.05). Conclusion: Given the performance variations among HBsAg screening reagents, thorough performance verification is essential before implementation. When NAT is negative, dual HBsAg reactivity in screening can serve as a basis for confirming infection and directly deferring blood donors. However, confirming infection in donors with single HBsAg reactivity is more challenging, necessitating supplementary tests to rule out infection risk.
5.Evaluation of repeated testing with blood screening platform in confirmation of NAT non-discriminatory reactive samples
Mengfan LI ; Xuelian DENG ; Liang ZANG ; Lei ZHOU ; Xiaochun LIU ; Xiaohua LIANG ; Lunan WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(4):458-464
Objective: To evaluate repeated testing on blood screening platforms in confirmation of non-discriminatory reactive (NDR) samples in nucleic acid testing (NAT). Methods: A total of 102 HBsAg-negative/NAT NDR samples were collected from voluntary blood donors at Dalian Blood Center between January 2021 and December 2023. Repeated testing was performed using two NAT platforms (Cobas s201 and Panther). For the first round of repeated testing, all samples were tested 12 times on each system; for the second round, the samples which were non-reactive or only reactive once in the first round were tested an additional 8 times. Anti-HBc and anti-HBs was detected using electrochemiluminescence assay (ECA). Meanwhile, blood donors were followed up. Results: The proportion of anti-HBc+ in 102 NDR samples was 88.2%. Forty-one samples (40.2%, 41/102) and 7 samples were confirmed HBV DNA+ in first-round and second-round repeated testing, respectively. The cumulative confirmation rate of HBV DNA+ was 47.1% (48/102) after repeated testing. Extra five blood donors detected HBV DNA+ in follow-up were identified as anti-HBc+ occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), while no window period infection was observed. Ultimately, there were 53 HBV infected donors confirmed, 46 HBV infection-unconfirmed, and 3 HBV uninfected. No significant difference was observed between the confirmation rate of the first-round testing and the cumulative confirmation rate after the second-round testing (P>0.05). The proportion of anti-HBc+ donors was quite high in both HBV infection-confirmed (98.1%) and unconfirmed group (82.6%), and donors with seronegative and anti-HBs-only occupied a high proportion in the latter (P<0.05). Conclusion: Numerous repeated testing of NDR samples using NAT platforms cannot achieve complete confirmation of HBV infection. Supplementary anti-HBc testing can minimize potential OBI risk among NDR donors, and is low-cost and efficient.
6.Research on the association between immune-related gene expression and panic disorder
Yuqian HE ; Geman WANG ; Rongting RAN ; Xuelian LI ; Yujie LI ; Min DENG ; Zhili ZOU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(5):392-397
BackgroundGenetic factor plays an important role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder. Previous studies have revealed that immune system dysregulation is closely related to mental disorders such as panic disorder, while the relationship between panic disorder and immune-related gene expression remains unclear. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between the expression of CXCL8, IL6R, JUN, PTGS2, TGFBR1, TLR2, CCR4 genes and panic disorder, providing references for the diagnosis and treatment of panic disorder. MethodsA total of 52 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for panic disorder according to the Diagnosed and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) were enrolled at the Psychosomatic Medicine Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to March 2021. Another 72 healthy individuals matched for age and gender from Chengdu were concurrently recruited as control group. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used to assess the severity of symptoms in panic disorder patients. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect gene expression levels in two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to determine the correlation between PDSS score and immune-related gene expression in research group. ResultsThe expression of the JUN, PTGS2 and TGFBR1 genes were significant higher in panic disorder patients than those in control group (Z=-4.172, -2.086, -3.018, P<0.05 or 0.01). After false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple testing, the differential expression of JUN and TGFBR1 genes remained statistically significant between two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of CCR4, CXCL8, IL6R and TLR2 genes between two groups (P>0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the expression of the JUN gene in panic disorder patients was positively correlated with PDSS score (r=0.360, P<0.01), while the CCR4, CXCL8, IL6R, PTGS2, TGFBR1 and TLR2 genes showed no statistically significant correlation with the PDSS score (P>0.05). ConclusionThe expression of the JUN and TGFBR1 genes may be associated with panic disorder, and the expression of the JUN gene correlated with the severity of panic disorder. [Funded by Science and Technology Plan Project of Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (number, 2021YJ0440)]
7.Characteristics of asymptomatic HBV infection in HBsAg-positive blood donors from Dalian
Yingying WANG ; Xuelian DENG ; Xiaohan GUO ; Huihui GAO ; Peng SUN ; Dan LIU ; Daniel CANDOTTI ; Bing WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(10):1361-1369
Objective: To analyze serological and molecular characteristics of asymptomatic HBV infection in HBV surface antigen positive (HBsAg+) blood donors from Dalian. Methods: The prevalence of HBsAg was analyzed among blood donors in Dalian between 2013 and 2022. Randomly selected HBsAg+ blood samples were subjected to HBV serological testing, HBV viral DNA quantification, and HBV genotyping. Results: Over this ten-year period, the prevalence of HBsAg decreased from 1.25% to 0.50% among blood donors in Dalian. Donors who tested positive for HBsAg prior to donation using a rapid test (RT) accounted for 92.5% of all HBsAg+ donors identified. A total of 240 confirmed HBsAg+ blood donors were randomly selected, including 125 donors with positive results and 115 with negative results in the pre-donation rapid test. HBsAg+ donors were mainly males (71.2%), with a median age of 42, and 97.5% of them being first-time donors. Based on HBV serological profiles, three stages of infection were identified: early infection (2.9%), suspected acute hepatitis (0.8%), and chronic infection (96.3%). The dominant HBV genotypes were C (68.9%) and B (28.4%). Among chronic HBV infection individuals, donors infected with HBV genotype B were older than those infected with genotype C (median age: 45y vs 38.5y, P<0.05). Additionally, they showed significantly lower HBsAg levels with a narrower distribution range than those infected with genotype C [median: 23.2 IU/mL (range: <0.05-7 910 IU/mL) vs 968 IU/mL (range: <0.05-3.4×10
), P<0.05]. However, no significant difference was observed in the HBV DNA loads between these two genotypes (P>0.05). Conclusion: Between 2013 and 2022, the prevalence of HBsAg among blood donors in Dalian showed a year-over-year decline. Chronic infection was predominant among HBsAg+ first-time blood donors. The characteristics of chronic infection in blood donors differed significantly depending on the viral genotype, manifesting as differences in age of infected individuals and HBsAg level distribution.
8.Mechanism of Huanglian Wendantang on Damp-heat Type Diabetes Enteropathy Rats Based on TGR5/GLP-1 Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Flora
Yujin WANG ; Yulong QIE ; Hua JIANG ; Chen YUAN ; Xirui DENG ; Xuelian MENG ; Wenli WANG ; Yanjin SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):10-18
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Huanglian Wendantang on damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy rats based on the G protein coupled bile acid receptor 5/glucagon like peptide-1 (TGR5/GLP-1) signaling pathway and intestinal flora. MethodsA total of 72 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were adaptively fed for one week. Twelve SD rats were randomly selected as a blank group and fed with an ordinary diet. The rest of the SD rats were fasted for 12 hours without water. A rat model with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy was made by left intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg·kg-1) and high sugar and high fat diet (20% sucrose solution + high fat diet) in a humid and hot environment (artificial climate box: temperature 30-34 ℃, relative humidity: 85%-95%). After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into a model group, a metformin group (200 mg·kg-1), low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Huanglian Wendantang groups (7.10, 14.20, 28.39 g·kg-1), with 12 rats in each group. The normal group and the model group were orally administered with physiological saline once a day for 6 consecutive weeks. During the observation period, the weight and blood glucose levels of rats were measured and recorded weekly. After the administration, fresh feces were collected from rats, and 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to study the differences and changes in intestinal flora among different groups. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological morphological changes of colon tissue were examined. The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 proteins in colon tissue was measured by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed a decrease in body weight, an increase in blood glucose, and significant damp-heat symptoms. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 was decreased (P<0.01), and the pathogenic bacteria were increased. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups exhibited improvements in body weight, blood glucose levels, and damp-heat syndrome in rats. Among them, the high-dose group of Huanglian Wendantang displayed the most significant improvement effect, with significantly reduced inflammation levels (P<0.01) and elevated expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 (P<0.01). Colonic pathological sections showed that Huanglian Wendantang could effectively ameliorate colonic pathological changes. The 16S rRNA sequencing result indicated a significant increase in beneficial bacteria in the treatment groups. ConclusionHuanglian Wendantang can effectively ameliorate the damp-heat symptoms and blood glucose levels in rats with damp-heat type diabetes enteropathy, and it may exert an effect by regulating the TGR5/GLP-1 signaling pathway and intestinal flora disorder.
9.Chinese expert consensus on digital screening for mild cognitive impairment in the community(2025 edition)
Xuelian SUN ; Yuxiao LI ; Yiping DENG ; Jirong YUE ; Pulin YU ; Birong DONG
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(3):238-249
Digital screening incorporates technology into the disease assessment process and plays a significant role in large-scale screening for mild cognitive impairment(MCI)within communities.This consensus systematically reviews and evaluates the existing evidence regarding the effectiveness of digital screening for MCI in these settings.The working group has integrated the perspectives of experts from diverse fields, including clinical practice, scientific research, and industry, to clarify the definitions of digital-related terms.Furthermore, the consensus presents 12 recommendations that outline the main classifications of tools, basic elements to consider, target individuals, screening frequency, and management strategies for digital screening, while also indicating future development directions.The aim is to optimize early diagnosis and treatment strategies for MCI and to promote the advancement of digital screening in cognitive health management for middle-aged and older adults in community settings.
10.Research progress in the treatment of minor stroke
Lingming KONG ; Xuelian DENG ; Lin YIN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(7):868-871
Minor stroke has a high incidence, accounting for up to 50% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The symptoms are typically mild at the initial onset, with significant concealment, and thus are easily overlooked by patients, leading to delayed medical intervention. However, minor stroke is associated with a high recurrence rate and susceptibility to early neurological deterioration (END), which may rapidly worsen the condition. This often results in missing the optimal treatment window and unfavorable prognoses. Currently, controversies persist regarding standardized treatment strategies for minor stroke, as inappropriate interventions could increase the risk of disability and mortality. This article reviews recent research advances in treatment plans for patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤5, aiming to summarize the latest evidence and provide references for clinical practice.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail