1.α-ketoglutarate ameliorated arsenic-induced hepatic lipid deposition in offspring via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Shuangrui BAO ; Hongyan WU ; Ying SUN ; Tong ZHAN ; Qian YANG ; Xinru LIANG ; Zhiyan WAN ; Wenyi CHEN ; Cheng ZHANG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):225-231
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) on hepatic lipid deposition in offspring caused by arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Methods8-week-old institute of cancer research (ICR) mice were mated in a ratio of 2∶1 between females and males, and the detection of vaginal plugs confirmed pregnant. A total of 32 pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, arsenic group, α-KG group, arsenic+α-KG group. On gestational day 0-16 (GD0-GD16), the arsenic and arsenic+α-KG groups were exposed to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ,15 mg/L) in drinking water everyday, and the α-KG and arsenic+α-KG groups were gavaged with α-KG (2 g/kg) everyday. On GD16, pregnant mice were euthanized to collect fetal liver, and fetal body weight and crown-rump length were measured. Gene expression differences between the control group and the arsenic group were analyzed by transcriptome. The total triglycerides (TGs) and subtypes in fetal liver were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oil red O staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of genes related to lipid synthesis, transport, and degradation, and phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) in the liver of fetus. ResultsTranscriptomics analysis showed that 2 144 genes were downregulated and 1 675 genes were upregulated in the arsenic exposed fetal liver; body weight and crown-rump length were reduced (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs was elevated in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.05); oil-red O staining showed a significant increase in lipid droplets in arsenic group (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were significantly upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression of PI3K, AKT decreased(PTuKey<0.05). Compared with the arsenic group, the body weight and crown-rump length of fetus increased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); the level of hepatic TGs decreased in the arsenic+α-KG group (PTuKey<0.05); oil red O staining showed lipid droplets significantly decreased (PTuKey<0.01); the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes were downregulated (PTuKey<0.05), the expression of β-oxidation-related genes and lipid degradation-related genes were upregulated (PTuKey<0.05); the expression levels of PI3K and AKT increased (PTuKey<0.05). Conclusionα-KG alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in offspring exposed to arsenic during pregnancy through activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
2.Effect of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children on parental emotions
Luwei LI ; Zhicheng ZHANG ; Haoning LIU ; Li YANG ; Ying QIAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(6):507-514
Objective:To investigate children's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and their im-pact on parental anxiety and depression,as well as the mediating role of parent-child relationship.Methods:A total of 472 children with ADHD who met the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Dis-orders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ)were selected.The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed using the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale(ADHD-RS),parent-child relationships were assessed using the Parent-Child Relationship Test(PCRT),and parental anxiety and depression were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale(GAD-7)and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9),respectively.Mediation analysis was conducted following structural equation modeling construction.Results:There was a positive correlation be-tween ADHD-RS scores and PCRT scores,parental GAD-7 scores,and PHQ-9 scores(r=0.19-0.29,Ps<0.001).PCRT scores significantly mediated the relationship between ADHD-RS total scores and parental GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores(β=0.02-0.03,Ps<0.05).PCRT scores did not significantly mediate the relationship between ADHD-RS inattention scores and parental GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores(β=0.01-0.02,Ps>0.05).PCRT scores significantly mediated the relationship between ADHD-RS hyperactivity/impulsivity scores and parental GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores(β=0.02,Ps<0.05).Conclusion:The symptoms of ADHD in children are associated with parental anxiety and depression symptoms,with parent-child relationships mediating this relationship.
3.Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A/B virus infection in children aged 0-4 in Jining City from 2022 to 2024
Jinghong GUO ; Yan LIU ; Ying ZHANG ; Chunhua HUANG ; Yanan SONG ; Qian DONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(1):91-95
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A/B virus (IAV/IBV) infection in children aged 0-4 years in Jining city from 2022 to 2024.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 3 106 influenza affected children who visited two monitoring outpost hospitals in Jining city from January 2022 to January 2024. They were separated into two groups based on the type of virus infection: IAV group (n=1 829) and IBV group (n=1 277). Two groups were compared for general information, epidemiological characteristics, and laboratory test indicators.Result:The majority of influenza patients were boys (59.01%) and 1-4 years old (63.01%), with peak body temperature mainly ranging from 37.8 to 38.9 ℃ (59.30%). Coughing (69.00%) and runny nose (66.03%) were the main manifestations. The onset season was concentrated in winter (42.43%) and spring (40.44%), and the exposure target were family members (51.90%), and the proportion of influenza vaccine injections (20.90%) was relatively low. The proportions of visit time≤3 d, peak body temperature≥39.0 ℃, myocardial damage, liver function damage, white blood cell count (WBC) of 4-10×10 9/L, and neutrophil percentage (N)>70% in the IAV group were higher than those in the IBV group ( P<0.05). The proportions of preschool children and WBC>10×10 9/L in the IBV group were higher than those in the IAV group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Children aged 0-4 years who are infected with IAV in Jining City are more common in terms of high fever, early medical attention, impaired heart and liver function, normal WBC, and abnormal N elevation compared to those infected with IBV. However, children aged 0-4 who are infected with IBV have abnormally high WBC and are more common in daycare.
4.Intermittent fasting alleviates insulin resistance through autophagy in a polycystic ovary syndrome mouse model
Zhouying TAN ; Yu LI ; Dingyan LUO ; Jiaoyang FENG ; Yan DENG ; Lin ZHANG ; Qian WANG ; Han ZHANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Xiaoying YUAN ; Xin LIAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(6):482-492
Objective:To investigate whether intermittent fasting alleviates insulin resistance in a polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) mouse model through the regulation of autophagy.Methods:Fifty 3-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into the following groups using a random number table: normal control(NC) group( n=10), maintained on a standard chow diet; high-fat diet(HFD) group( n=10) fed a diet with 60% of calories derived from fat; and PCOS model group( n=30), established by combining a HFD with dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) administration. Successful modeling was confirmed by disrupted estrous cycles, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. The PCOS model mice were further divided into three groups: PCOS group( n=9), PCOS with intermittent fasting group(PCOS+ IF, n=9), and PCOS with intermittent fasting plus the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine(3-MA) group(PCOS+ IF+ 3-MA, n=9). Autophagy levels were assessed by detecting markers LC3 and p62 and observing autophagosomes via transmission electron microscopy. Glucose tolerance test(GTT) and insulin tolerance test(ITT) were performed, and the area under the curve(AUC) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance. Western blotting was used to detect phosphorylation levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K), protein kinase B(Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), and p70S6 kiase(p70S6K). Results:Compared with the NC group, the PCOS model group showed absent estrous cycles, significantly elevated serum testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and luteinizing hormone(LH) levels( P<0.001), and polycystic ovarian changes on hematoxylin-eosin staining, confirming successful model establishment. Immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting demonstrated that autophagy levels were increased in the PCOS+ IF group compared with the PCOS group, while 3-MA administration reduced the intermittent fasting - induced autophagy. The AUC values for both GTT and ITT were significantly lower in the PCOS+ IF group than those in the PCOS group( P<0.001, P=0.003), but increased in the PCOS+ IF+ 3-MA group compared to the PCOS+ IF group( P<0.001, P=0.020). Western blotting analysis showed that phosphorylation levels of PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K were significantly decreased in the PCOS+ IF group compared with the PCOS group( P=0.002, P=0.001, P=0.001, and P<0.001, respectively), and increased in the PCOS+ IF+ 3-MA group compared with the PCOS+ IF group( P=0.021, P=0.041, P=0.047, and P=0.024, respectively). Conclusions:Intermittent fasting alleviates insulin resistance in a PCOS mouse model through inhibitiing PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and promoting autophagy.
5.Proficiency testing for 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City: simulation study and result analysis
Qian ZHANG ; Yun ZHANG ; Lu HAN ; Min LIU ; Yongbo YU ; Yan WANG ; Ying HU ; Hui ZHONG ; Dan GUO ; Shipeng SUN ; Jinxi LIN ; Siyuan XU ; Xiaokun TANG ; Gaoyuan SUN ; Chuanbao ZHANG ; Hexin LI
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(9):1590-1596
Objective:To evaluate the sample preparation proficiency and storage proficiency of 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing through simulated experiments, and to establish an assessment method for the quality comparability of biological samples.Methods:An exploratory research design was adopted. In November 2023, artificial composite serum quality control materials containing six recombinant human protein markers—recombinant human alanine aminotransferase (rhALT), recombinant human aspartate aminotransferase (rhAST), recombinant human creatine kinase (rhCK), recombinant human creatine kinase-MB (rhCK-MB), recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), and recombinant human troponin I (rhTNI)—were distributed to 11 clinical biobanks in Beijing City. Sample preparation and storage followed the standardized operating procedures. Proficiency differences were assessed through statistical analysis.Results:Three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed all six protein markers showed a declining trend over storage time in ultra-low-temperature environments ( F values 11.68-4 179.66, all P<0.01). However, neither long-term/temporary refrigerator types ( F values 0.01-1.23, all P>0.05)nor placement locations within refrigerators significantly affected the stability of these six proteins ( F valus 0.03-1.47, all P>0.05). The biases in detection results for rhALT, rhAST, rhTNI, and rhBNP at different storage time points were within the allowable bias limits for each item, supporting their use as markers for protein stability in biobank samples. All 11 institutions passed the storage proficiency assessment. In the preparation proficiency assessment, deviations were observed in post-preparation sample results, with a notably high out-of-control rate for rhCK (36.36%). Conclusion:Sample preparation proficiency can serve as a quality control metric for clinical biobanks. Future external quality assessment systems for biobanks should focus on sample preparation rather than storage processes.
6.Correlation between atherogenic index of plasma and metabolism-associated steatotic liver disease
Ying LI ; Xiyu GAO ; Bao'e YAN ; Di BAI ; Gen LIU ; Jing XIAO ; Qian WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Tuo HAN ; Chunyan ZHANG
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):966-973
Objective To investigate the association between plasma atherogenic index of plasma(AIP)and metabolism-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),and to evaluate the potential value of AIP as a predictive marker for MASLD risk.Methods We enrolled a total of 4 850 health check-up participants from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between June 2021 and May 2023.The participants were divided into quartiles(Q1-Q4)according to their AIP level.Biochemical indicators and MASLD prevalence were compared across groups.Logistic regression,subgroup analysis,and restricted cubic splines(RCS)were used to explore the relationship between AIP and MASLD.Results Among the 4 850 participants,the prevalence of MASLD was 26.08%(1 265/4 850).MASLD prevalence increased across AIP quartiles:4.0%,13.8%,30.8%,and 55.6%in Q1-Q4,respectively(P<0.001).Compared with Q1,Q2-Q4 groups showed higher proportions of males,BMI,smokers,overweight/obesity,central obesity,prediabetes,hypertension,serum uric acid,and fatty liver index(FLI)(all P<0.001).Lipid profiles worsened with increased AIP:total cholesterol,triglycerides,and LDL-C increased,while HDL-C decreased(P<0.001).RCS analysis demonstrated a significant linear relationship between AIP and MASLD risk.After adjusting for confounders,the participants in Q4 had an 8.71-fold higher risk of MASLD than those in Q1(OR:8.71,95%CI:6.20-12.23,P<0.001).A composite model incorporating AIP,BMI,and FLI showed superior discriminative performance(AUC:0.883,95%CI:0.873-0.892).Interaction analysis suggested that AIP had significant interactions with BMI,hypertension,and prediabetes(P<0.05).In individuals without these metabolic abnormalities,the association between AIP and MASLD was more pronounced.Conclusion Elevated AIP was significantly associated with an increased risk of MASLD,with a stronger association observed in individuals with normal BMI,blood pressure,and blood glucose levels,suggesting that AIP may serve as a potential indicator for early screening of MASLD.
7.Evaluation of the Quality Management Effectiveness of a Digital Risk Prevention and Control Platform for Venous Thromboembolism
Yue ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Jiani WU ; Ying SHAN ; Li YI
Chinese Hospital Management 2025;45(11):69-72
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the venous thromboembolism(VTE)digital risk prevention and control platform based on whole-process closed-loop management for the quality management of VTE in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital.Methods The data of 360 718 hospitalized patients from 2021 to 2024 were collected to analyze the rate of VTE risk assessment,the proportion of VTE intermediate and high-risk patients,the rate of VTE prophylaxis implementation(physical/pharmacological),and the VTE outcome indexes,and the differences between groups were verified using the Cochran-Armitage χ2 trend test.Results The VTE initial risk assessment rate,the implementation rate of VTE physical prophylaxis,and the rate of VTE pharmacological prophylaxis all showed an upward trend;the incidence rate of hospital correlated VTE,and the incidence rate of VTE in hospitalized surgical patients all showed a downward trend.Conclusion The establishment of the VTE digital risk prevention and control intelligent platform can effectively improve the level of standardized prevention and treatment of in-hospital VTE and the efficacy of quality management,and provide a digital management paradigm for the implementation of the national healthcare quality and safety improvement goals and the monitoring indicators of surgical quality and safety improvement actions.
8.Inspiratory muscle training for weaning outcomes in patients with weaning failure:a systematic review
Qian CAI ; Xi ZHANG ; Hairong SU ; Na LIU ; Ying HUANG ; Jiqiang LI ; Jin'gen XIA ; Decai ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(3):306-313
Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training(IMT)on weaning outcomes in patients with weaning failure.Methods Literatures in Chinese and English were retrieved from databases such as PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Embase,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang data and CBM for researches on the effect of IMT in mechanical ventila-tion weaning failure,from the inception of the databases to October 22,2024.The methodological quality of the researches was evaluated with PEDro scale,and data were extracted for a systematic review.Results Nine randomized controlled trials were included,published between 2011 and 2023,from Brazil,China,the United States,Iran and Australia,with a total of 499 patients.The scores of the PEDro scale ranged five to eight.The population included patients with prolonged weaning,difficult weaning and tracheostomy.The IMT methods included threshold load training and tapered flow resistance training.The training intensity was 30%to 80%of maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP),and some researches did not set the training intensity based on MIP.The pro-gression of intensity varied widely across researches.The intervention frequency ranged from five to 30 breaths per set,with at least one minute rest between sets,two to six sets per session,one to two sessions per day,and five to seven days per week.The duration of the intervention ranged from successful weaning,one week after weaning,extubation,or four days to eight weeks.Regarding the efficacy of the intervention,IMT was not benefi-cial for the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit(ICU)length of stay on weaning failure pa-tients.However,the effect of IMT on weaning successful rates,duration of weaning,MIP and mortality was in-consistent.Conclusion IMT can not improve the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay for weaning failure pa-tients,and there is still debate regarding its effect on successful rate of weaning,duration of weaning,MIP and mortality.
9.Current understanding and challenges of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated diseases
Guohuan YING ; Bing WU ; Xin WANG ; Hongdan QI ; Mingying HE ; Hao QIAN ; Shangyu WANG ; Gang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(4):316-320
In 2023, new diagnostic criteria were proposed to distinguish myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) from other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.With typical clinical presentation and neuroimaging features, the seropositive status of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-IgG (MOG-IgG) is essential for the diagnosis of MOGAD.Advances in cell transfection immunofluorescence assays have improved diagnostic accuracy in the last few years, but there are differences in the positive predictive value of serum MOG-IgG titers in the context of different MOGAD prevalence.Therefore, alternative diagnostic methods need to be further explored, and the clinical significance of low MOG-IgG titers should be carefully interpreted.In this review, the main clinical features, current understanding and challenges of MOGAD were discussed, including uncertainties about the specificity and pathogenicity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein autoantibodies and the need to identify immunopathological targets for future therapies.Moreover, it is necessary to search for and validate biomarkers that can help diagnose and detect disease activity, and it is important to identify MOGAD patients who need long-term immunotherapy.
10.Design of performance testing platfrom for proportional solenoid valves in ventilators
Long-ying YE ; Ming-kang TANG ; Pei-pei ZHANG ; Ke-sheng WANG ; Dan LING ; Qian-hong HE
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):13-19
Objective To design a performance testing platform to evaluate the working status and performance characteristics of the ventilator proportional solenoid valve.Methods The performance testing platform had its hardware including a high-pressure gas source,a pressure regulating valve,sensors and etc,and its software designed based on PyQt5 and composed of several modules for data acquisition,parameter setting,image display,indicator computation,result output and etc.Two kinds of proportional solenoid valves(Valve 1、Valve2)were selected for static and dynamic tests to verify the performance of the platform.Results The platform developed facilitated the proportional solenoid valve to carry out accurate computation of static and dynamic indicators at real time and time domain and waveform feature extraction of sensor data by precision control and data acquisition for the proportional solenoid valve.Static tests showed that Valve 1 gained advantages over Valve 2 in static flow characteristics involving in lowered repeatability,return error and offset while enhanced stability;dynamic tests indicated Valve 2 had rapid flow variations and significant flow fluctuation impacts,Valve 1 showed smooth dynamic response changes,and Valve 2 behaved better than Valve 1 in dynamic performance.Conclusion The testing platform developed comprehensively demonstrates the performance characteristics and working performance of the ventilator proportional solenoid valve,which is of great significance to enhance the reliability and safety of the ventilator.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):13-19]

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