1.Trajectories of body mass index for age z-score and its influencing factors among children with congenital hypothyroidism
CHENG Lingling ; YAN Yaqiong ; BAI Zenghua ; ZHANG Xiaogang ; HAO Liting ; YANG Huiying
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(8):858-863
Objective:
To analyze the trajectories of body mass index for age z-score (BAZ) and its influencing factors among children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) based on latent class growth modeling (LCGM), so as to provide the evidence for improving treatment measures and optimizing growth management among children with CH. Methods Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model.
Methods:
Children with CH aged 0 to 3 years from the Newborn Disease Screening Center of Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Basic information, height and weight data from 3 to 36 months of age, age at treatment initiation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at diagnosis, and family information were retrospectively collected. BAZ for children with CH at each month of age was calculated based on the WHO Child Growth Standards. The trajectories of BAZ were analyzed using LCGM, and factors affecting the trajectories of BAZ among children with CH were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 299 children with CH were included. There were 140 boys (46.82%) and 159 girls (53.18%). The median of BAZ was 0.50 (interquartile range, 1.68). The LCGM analysis categorized the subjects into three groups: the persistent high-growth pattern group with 24 cases (8.03%), the slow-growth pattern group with 39 cases (13.04%), and the appropriate-growth pattern group with 236 cases (78.93%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the children with CH in the appropriate-growth pattern group, those who started treatment at the age of 30 to 60 days (OR=0.109, 95%CI: 0.016-0.732; OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.032-0.852) had a lower risk of persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns; CH children with TSH levels of 50 to 150 mIU/L at diagnosis (OR=3.554, 95%CI: 1.201-10.514) and those whose paternal had a senior high school/technical secondary school education (OR=2.975, 95%CI: 1.003-8.823) exhibited a higher risk of the persistent high-growth pattern. Conversely, CH children whose paternal reproductive age was 30 to 35 years (OR=0.166, 95%CI: 0.034-0.806) had a lower risk of the persistent high-growth pattern.
Conclusions
The BAZ trajectory of children with CH aged 0 to 3 years exhibited three patterns: persistent high-growth, slow-growth, and appropriate-growth. The persistent high-growth and slow-growth patterns were associated with treatment timing, TSH levels at diagnosis, paternal reproductive age, and paternal education level. It is recommended to strengthen early treatment interventions and provide family follow-up guidance.
2.Study of large-scale functional brain networks and topological properties in patients with major depressive disorder
Hao SUN ; Rui YAN ; Lingling HUA ; Zhilu CHEN ; Jiabo SHI ; Yu CHEN ; Xiaoqin WANG ; Qing LU ; Zhijian YAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2024;33(5):425-431
Objective:To explore the changes of large-scale functional brain networks and network topological properties in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) whose diagnosis had not changed after 5 years of follow-up.Methods:Totally 521 cases of hospitalized MDD patients were recruited from January 2012 to August 2018, and another 204 cases of gender- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants completed resting-state functional magnetic resonance scanning and clinical assessment. Their diagnosis were reviewed 5 years after discharge.A total of 258 participants whose diagnosis had not changed were counted into the MDD group for analysis. The differences in large-scale brain network connectivity between the two groups were analyzed by constructing a whole-brain functional network, on the basis of which the altered topological properties of the sensorimotor network (SMN), visual network (VN) and default mode network (DMN) were further analyzed between the two groups.The SPSS 24.0 software was used for data analysis and the independent sample t-test and χ2 test were used for the data comparison of the two groups. Results:Compared with the healthy controls, the MDD group had significantly decreased network clustering, mainly involving the SMN, VN and DMN (edge P<0.001, cluster P<0.05). The MDD group had decreased functional connectivity(FC) strength within the SMN, VN and DMN networks, the FC strength between the SMN and VN networks, between the frontoparietal network (FPN) and the DAN networks were decreased(all P<0.05, FDR corrected). Graph-theory analysis showed that local efficiency, clustering coefficient, and normalized shortest path length were decreased in the MDD group, node efficiency was decreased in the left ventral medial prefrontal cortex and the middle of the bilateral insula, node centrality was decreased in the middle of the bilateral insula and occipital lobe, and the betweenness was decreased in the middle of the right insula (all P<0.05, FDR corrected). Conclusion:MDD exhibits abnormal network functional connectivity, disruption of network topological properties, diminished optimal information processing, and to some extent reflects the severity of depressive symptoms. The decreased ability of information transfer flow in the insula plays an important role for the functional abnormality of the network.
3.Recent advances in pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of spinocerebellar ataxia
Kang WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Long SHAO ; Lingling FENG ; Tong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(5):526-533
Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a group of progressively aggravated neurodegenerative disease with autosomal dominant inheritance. Cerebellar ataxia is the core symptom, which may be accompanied by pyramidal tract signs, extrapyramidal signs, cognitive dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy. Although SCA can be accurately diagnosed by genetic testing, treatment is still difficult. We review the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of SCA in recent years, in terms of genetic or gene regulation abnormalities, disruption of protein quality control (PQC) network, disruption of energy homeostasis, stability maintenance of PQC system, maintenance of cerebellar Purkinje cell function, and regulation of neuroinflammation, so as to promote the transformation of preclinical research into human therapy.
4.Trend Analysis on Incidence and Age at Diagnosis for Bladder Cancer in Cancer Registration Areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019
Junpeng CUI ; Yan LU ; Linchi WANG ; Lingling JIN ; Jinyi ZHOU ; Ran TAO ; Weigang MIAO ; Renqiang HAN
China Cancer 2024;33(12):983-990
[Purpose]To analyze the trend of bladder cancer incidence and age at diagnosis in can-cer registration areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]The data of bladder can-cer incidence from 2009 to 2019 were collected from 16 cancer registries in Jiangsu Province,and quality control indicators of the data were evaluated.The crude rate(CR)of incidence,age-standar-dized incidence rate by Segi world standard population(ASIRW),age-specific incidence rate,mean age at diagnosis,mean standardized age at diagnosis,and age-specific incidence composi-tion ratio were calculated.Incidence trends were analyzed using Joinpoint software and the average annual percentage change(AAPC)was calculated.Birth cohort models were constructed and can-cer incidence rates were calculated for people born from 1929 to 2019 and the incidence trends were analyzed.The linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship of average age at onset,standardized average age of onset with year of onset.[Results]The CR of bladder cancer in Jiangsu Province increased from 4.27/105 in 2009 to 7.04/105 in 2019.The CR and ASIRW showed upward trends(CR:AAPC=4.62%,ASIRW:AAPC=1.92%,both P<0.001).Sex-specific analysis showed that the incidence rate was higher in male(AAPC=5.32%)than that in female(AAPC=1.98%).Birth cohort results indicated a significant upward trend in incidence rates among age groups of 60 years old above,and the fastest increase was in those aged 80 years old and above(AAPC=3.27%,P=0.007).From 2009 to 2019,the average age of bladder cancer onset in Jiangsu Province showed a significant rising trend,increasing by an average of 0.17 years old annually,but the standardized average age of onset showed no significant change after adjusting for age structure.[Conclusion]The incidence rate of bladder cancer showed an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 in Jiangsu Province,with a significantly higher incidence rate in male than that in female.
5.Discussion on the Effects of Macrophage Polarization on Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on TCM Yin-yang Theory
Lingling ZHU ; Ying TAN ; Yun SHE ; Jiangyi YU ; Qianhua YAN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(10):19-23
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is one of the serious microvascular complications of diabetes.Immune disorder-mediated chronic inflammation is an essential mechanism underlying the occurrence of DKD.Macrophages,as important participants in the immune-inflammatory response,can polarize into the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype under different microenvironments.The two are functionally antagonistic to each other.They can be transformed into each other in different developmental stages of DKD,which is similar to the connotation of yin and yang in the theory of"yin-yang theory"in TCM,such as restriction of opposites,mutual root and mutual use,balance of growth and decline,and mutual transformation.The imbalance of M1 and M2 macrophages is an important factor leading to DKD inflammatory response and renal fibrosis.Therefore,based on the yin-yang theory in TCM,this article clarified the effects of macrophage polarization on DKD,and proposed that the basic treatment method is to"tonify deficiency and damage excess"to adjust the polarization of macrophages and restore the balance of yin and yang,in order to provide ideas for the clinical treatment of DKD.
6.Inhibition of Alcoholic Liver Injury by Paeonol Through Eubacterium-mediated TGR5/PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway
Luning ZHANG ; Lingling LIU ; Shengnan JIANG ; Qifeng WU ; Guiming YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(12):78-86
ObjectiveTo investigate whether paeonol exerts a protective effect on mice with alcoholic liver injury by regulating the takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response binding element (CREB) signaling pathway mediated by Eubacterium. MethodC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, paeonol group (480 mg·kg-1), antibiotic group (Abs group), and antibiotic + paeonol group. Lieber-DeCarli liquid was used to feed C57BL/6 mice on the second day of modeling for 10 days. The blood lipids, liver function, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress levels in mice were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and oil red O staining were used to observe the morphological changes and fat accumulation in liver tissue. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to detect the diversity of intestinal microbiota in the blank, model, and paeanol groups. Western blot was used to detect the effect of paeonol on the expression levels of protein related to the signaling pathway of atresia band protein 1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in mouse ileal tissue. ResultCompared with those in the blank group, the blood lipids, liver function, oxidative stress levels, and the expression of inflammatory factors in the model group increased (P<0.01), and the liver fat vacuoles were obvious. The ileal mucosa was seriously damaged, and the protein contents of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in the ileal tissue decreased significantly (P<0.01). The intestinal microbiota changed, and the proteobacteria phylum increased significantly. The ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes decreased. The relative abundance of Dubosiella newyorkensis, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other genera decreased, while the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Morganella, Providencia, and Proteus increased significantly. Compared with the model group, paeonol significantly reduced the blood lipids, liver function, oxidative stress levels, and expression of inflammatory factors in mice with alcohol diet-induced liver injury (P<0.05), decreased liver fat vacuoles, improved and restored the ileal intestinal barrier, and restored the normal structure of hepatocytes and ileal cells. The intestinal microbiota disorder caused by alcohol was improved, and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Eubacterium spp. was increased. The protein expression levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and TGR5/PKA/CREB in ileal tissue were increased (P<0.05). ConclusionPaeonol has a protective effect on alcoholic liver injury in mice, and the mechanism of action is achieved by regulating the Eubacterium-mediated TGR5/PKA/CREB signaling pathway to ensure anti-inflammatory effect and improve the intestinal barrier.
7.Human ESC-derived vascular cells promote vascular regeneration in a HIF-1α dependent manner.
Jinghui LEI ; Xiaoyu JIANG ; Daoyuan HUANG ; Ying JING ; Shanshan YANG ; Lingling GENG ; Yupeng YAN ; Fangshuo ZHENG ; Fang CHENG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Juan Carlos Izpisua BELMONTE ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Si WANG ; Jing QU
Protein & Cell 2024;15(1):36-51
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
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Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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Transcription Factors/metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Hypoxia/metabolism*
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Cell Hypoxia/physiology*
8.Herbal Textual Research on Bletillae Rhizoma in Famous Classical Formulas
Dan ZHAO ; Tao ZHOU ; Chaolei LUO ; Dewei GAN ; Lingling LIU ; Chuanzhi KANG ; Zhikun WU ; Xu LI ; Yan FU ; Guoqiong CAO ; Yongping ZHANG ; Chenghong XIAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):77-88
In order to provide basic information for the utilization and development of famous classical formulas containing Bletillae Rhizoma, this article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, harvesting and processing of Bletillae Rhizoma by reviewing the ancient materia medica, prescription books, medical books and modern literature. The research results showed that Baiji(白及) was the main name, some scholars took Baiji(白芨) as its main name, and there were many other names such as Baiji(白给), Baigen(白根), Baiji(白苙). The mainstream source of Bletillae Rhizoma was the tubers of Bletilla striata, and drying, large, white, solid, root-free and skin removed completely were the good quality standards. With the promotion of wild to cultivated medicinal materials, there were certain differences between their traits, and the quality evaluation indexes should be adjusted accordingly. The origin of records in the past dynasties was widely distributed, with Guizhou and Sichuan having high production and good quality in modern times. The harvesting period is mostly in spring and autumn, and harvested in autumn was better. The processing and processing technology is relatively simple, and it was used fresh or powdered in past dynasties, while it is mainly sliced for raw use in modern times. Based on the results, it is suggested that the tubers of Bletilla striata of Orchidaceae should be used in the famous classical formulas, and it should be uniformly written as Baiji(白及). And if the original formula indicates the requirement of processing, it should be operated according to the requirement, if the requirement of processing is not indicated, it can be used in raw form as medicine.
9.Signaling Pathways Related to Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease Regulated by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Lingling ZHU ; Yun SHE ; Jiangyi YU ; Qianhua YAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):213-225
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication of diabetics mellitus (DM) and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the primary pathological basis for DKD progression to ESRD, which significantly increases the mortality rate of DKD patients and burdens patients and society, and it is thus a clinical problem that needs to be solved urgently. The pathogenesis of RIF is complex and mainly associated with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), oxidative stress, inflammation, and autophagy. Multiple signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor-β1/Smad (TGF-β1/Smad), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), secretory glycoprotein/β-catenin (Wnt/β-catenin), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), neurogenic site-gap homologous protein (Notch), and nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2 (Nrf2) mediate the development of RIF, which are currently novel targets for DKD therapy. Due to the complexity of its pathogenesis, the current Western medical treatment mainly focuses on essential treatment to improve metabolism, which has poor efficacy and is difficult to prevent the progression of DKD, so it is significant to find new treatment methods clinically. In recent years, many studies have proved that traditional Chinese medicine can alleviate oxidative stress, inhibit inflammatory response, and regulate cellular autophagy by modulating relevant signaling pathways, so as to treat RIF in DKD, which has the advantages of multi-pathway, multi-targeting, multi-linking, and significant therapeutic efficacy. However, there is still a lack of relevant summary. By reviewing the latest research reports in China and abroad, this article examines the roles of the signaling pathways mentioned above in the occurrence and development of RIF in DKD and the recent research progress in the intervention of RIF in DKD by traditional Chinese medicine via these pathways, aiming to provide new ideas and references for further scientific research and clinical practice.
10.Influencing factors for frailty among the elderly
JIN Lingling ; ZHANG Mingqing ; HUANG Chunyan ; FAN Wei ; WEI Xiaolin ; LU Yan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(11):931-935
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of frailty and its influencing factors among the elderly, so as to provide the evidence for prevention and control of frailty.
Methods:
The elderly population at ages of 65 years and older were selected from 14 administrative villages or communities in Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, using the random cluster sample method from July to November, 2022. Demographic information, smoking and alcohol consumption were collected through questionnaire surveys. Physical activity, sleep quality and frailty were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the FRAIL Scale, respectively. Factors affecting frailty among the elderly were evaluated using a multinomial logistic regression model.
Results:
A total of 8 782 elderly peolple were surveyed, including 4 259 males (48.50%) and 4 523 females (51.50%). The median age was 71.00 (interquartile range, 8.00) years. There were 2 145 cases with pre-frailty (24.42%) and 189 cases with frailty (2.15%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age (75-<85 years, OR=1.330, 95%CI: 1.186-1.492; ≥85 years, OR=2.452, 95%CI: 1.882-3.195), smoking (current smoking, OR=0.838, 95%CI: 0.714-0.983), physical activity level (low, OR=1.161, 95%CI: 1.010-1.333) and sleep quality (poor, OR=2.248, 95%CI: 1.822-2.774) were associated with pre-frailty; age (75-<85 years,OR=2.629, 95%CI: 1.921-3.596; ≥85 years, OR=3.067, 95%CI: 1.621-5.801), educational level (junior high school and above, OR=0.488, 95%CI: 0.298-0.798), body mass index (underweight, OR=1.848, 95%CI: 1.023-3.337; obesity, OR=1.798, 95%CI: 1.180-2.740), smoking (quit smoking, OR=1.787, 95%CI: 1.007-3.171; current smoking, OR=0.448, 95%CI: 0.242-0.830), alcohol consumption (yes, OR=0.532, 95%CI: 0.291-0.972), physical activity level (low, OR=2.757, 95%CI: 1.646-4.616) and sleep quality (poor, OR=3.911, 95%CI: 2.438-6.273) were associated with frailty.
Conclusion
Older, low physical activity level, poor sleep quality, underweight and obesity are associated with frailty of the elderly.


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