1.The role of bile acid dynamics in inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Si-Rui Yu ; Run Sun ; Mei-Ya Shi ; Mei Yang ; Kun Chen ; Qiong Pan ; Ling Zhao ; Ming-Yue Wu ; Jin Chai
Liver Research 2026;10(1):35-50
The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is higher among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in the general population. Emerging evidence indicates that the development of MASLD in patients with IBD may occur independently of traditional metabolic risk factors, suggesting a unique pathophysiological mechanism distinct from conventional MASLD pathways. Bile acids (BAs), which act as critical signaling molecules in enterohepatic circulation, play an essential role in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis through bidirectional gut–liver axis communication. These molecules are increasingly recognized as pivotal regulators in the progression of both MASLD and IBD. While previous studies have characterized the dynamics of BA in blood or fecal samples under both conditions, a comprehensive understanding of their metabolic profiles and the associated interactions within the gut–liver axis is still lacking. This review synthesizes current evidence from studies employing BA metabolomics to investigate IBD and MASLD. By focusing on BA signatures, we summarize conserved alterations between these two conditions and their potential mechanisms of disease progression. Our review advances understanding of BA-mediated pathways in IBD and MASLD, providing a foundation for assessing their roles in contributing to the pathogenesis of MASLD in patients with IBD.
2.Advances in the genetic research of Meniere's disease
Mingwei XU ; Yu WANG ; Yuan YAO ; Qiong WU ; Qin ZHANG ; Jun YANG ; Yulian JIN ; Qing ZHANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(5):479-484
Meniere's disease represents an idiopathic inner ear disorder characterized by endolymphatic hy-drops.Currently,the research methods for identifying genes associated with this disease mainly involve first-genera-tion sequencing and second-generation sequencing.This article reviews research on the genetic study of Meniere's disease,mainly summarizing the candidate genes with repeated pedigree validation in familial Meniere's disease,as well as those frequently reported in sporadic Meniere's disease.
3.Novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA triple networks associated programmed cell death in atherosclerosis
Qiong YANG ; Yue-yue SONG ; Yu-han JIA ; Zhi-bo GAI ; Wen-qing YANG ; Dan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):156-163
Aim To mine the competing ceRNA net-works associated with programmed cell death in the pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis(AS)based on bioinformatics,in order to identify new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of AS.Methods Firstly,the GSE97210 and GSE28858 datasets were screened from the GEO database.Differentially ex-pressed lncRNA,mRNA and miRNA were identified,following which a IncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed in Cytoscape 3.7.2 software based on ceRNA theory.Second,GO and KEGG en-richment analysis of mRNA in the ceRNA network was performed.Finally,the mRNAS within the ceRNA net-work were compared with genes related to autophagy,pyroptosis and ferroptosis to establish a ceRNA network related to programmed cell death.Results A total of 1208 DElncRNAS,4723 DEmRNAS and 139 DEmiR-NAS were identified.A ceRNA network was estab-lished,comprising 64 lncRNAS,8 miRNAS and 167 mRNAS.The mRNAS within the CeRNA network were mainly enriched in biological processes such as positive regulation of transcription and migration,protein bind-ing,and signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt signa-ling pathway,and mTOR signaling pathway.Finally,this study established 7 lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regu-latory pathways associated with pyroptosis and 23 ln-cRNA-mediated regulatory pathways for ferroptosis and autophagy.Conclusion This study has successfully constructed a ceRNA network related to programmed cell death,which helps us understand the mechanism by which programmed cell death leads to AS.
4.Exploration on the Mechanism of Astragali Complanati Semen in Preventing and Treating Hyperlipidemia Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
Juanjuan TAN ; Wenqi ZHOU ; Guorong DENG ; Li CHENG ; Fang GUAN ; Qiong YU ; Hongyi YANG ; Feng HUANG ; Yuanwang YU ; Haifang WANG ; Ruihua YUAN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):40-47
Objective To investigate the mechanism of Astragali Complanati Semen in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia;To provide theoretical basis for its clinical application.Methods The active components of Astragali Complanati Semen were retrieved and screened through TCMSP,TCMID and TDT databases to obtain the action targets of the active components.Hyperlipidemia targets were obtained through GeneCards,DisGeNET,and TTD databases,and the drug active component targets were intersected with hyperlipidemia targets.Cytoscape 3.9.1 software and STRING database were used to construct active component-target network and protein-protein interaction network,screening for major active components and core targets.GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID database,and the CB-Dock platform was used for molecular docking.HepG2 cells were induced to construct a high-fat cell model using oleic acid and palmitic acid,and intervened with Astragali Complanati Semen freeze-dried powder solution.The mRNA expression of the core target was detected by RT-qPCR.Results A total of 10 active components of Astragali Complanati Semen and 67 potential action targets of hyperlipidemia were identified,involving signaling pathways such as AGE-RAGE,lipid metabolism,HIF-1,etc.Experimental results showed that intervention with Astragali Complanati Semen could reduce lipid accumulation in the high-lipid cell model,with an optimal intervention concentration of 500 μg/mL;RT-qPCR revealed significant down-regulation of TNFα,IL6,AKT1,PPARG,and other genes after intervention with Astragali Complanati Semen.Conclusion Astragali Complanati Semen exerts lipid-regulating effects through multiple targets and pathways,providing a basis for its application in the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia.
5.Novel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA triple networks associated programmed cell death in atherosclerosis
Qiong YANG ; Yue-yue SONG ; Yu-han JIA ; Zhi-bo GAI ; Wen-qing YANG ; Dan ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(1):156-163
Aim To mine the competing ceRNA net-works associated with programmed cell death in the pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis(AS)based on bioinformatics,in order to identify new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of AS.Methods Firstly,the GSE97210 and GSE28858 datasets were screened from the GEO database.Differentially ex-pressed lncRNA,mRNA and miRNA were identified,following which a IncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed in Cytoscape 3.7.2 software based on ceRNA theory.Second,GO and KEGG en-richment analysis of mRNA in the ceRNA network was performed.Finally,the mRNAS within the ceRNA net-work were compared with genes related to autophagy,pyroptosis and ferroptosis to establish a ceRNA network related to programmed cell death.Results A total of 1208 DElncRNAS,4723 DEmRNAS and 139 DEmiR-NAS were identified.A ceRNA network was estab-lished,comprising 64 lncRNAS,8 miRNAS and 167 mRNAS.The mRNAS within the CeRNA network were mainly enriched in biological processes such as positive regulation of transcription and migration,protein bind-ing,and signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt signa-ling pathway,and mTOR signaling pathway.Finally,this study established 7 lncRNA-mediated ceRNA regu-latory pathways associated with pyroptosis and 23 ln-cRNA-mediated regulatory pathways for ferroptosis and autophagy.Conclusion This study has successfully constructed a ceRNA network related to programmed cell death,which helps us understand the mechanism by which programmed cell death leads to AS.
6.Design of intelligent airborne soldier physical training system based on human body composition analysis
Lin YANG ; Zheng LIU ; Yu-shan YE ; Jian-fei PANG ; Jing HE ; Xuan-zi ZHOU ; Qiong WANG ; Xin-sheng CAO ; Tao LIU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(2):16-23
Objective To design an intelligent airborne soldier physical training system based on human body composition analysis to solve the problems in diversity of training mode,targeted training plan and high incidence of military training-related injuries.Methods The intelligent airborne military physical training system was designed with B/S architecture and developed with Python language,which was composed of four functional modules for airborne soldier information acquisition,trainee physical fitness state assessment,physical fitness training program recommendation and airborne soldier physical fitness training program evaluation.The airborne soldier information acquisition module collected and analyzed the trainee physiological parameter information with a human body composition analyzer,clarified the parameter characteristics related to physical training with considerations on military physical training requirements and constructed a trainee physical fitness assessment parameter model;the trainee physical fitness state assessment module established an evaluation model based on machine learning to realize stage-by-stage physical fitness evaluation for airborne soldiers;the physical fitness training program recommendation module was constructed based on the physical training feature similarity algorithm and graph embedding theory to provide decision making assistance for program development of airborne military physical training;the airborne soldier physical fitness training program evaluation module compared the physical fitness and evaluation results before and after training by means of list and chart,and updated the training program based on the evaluation results by calling the physical training program recommendation module.Results The intelligent airborne soldier physical training system contributed to forming an individualized physical fitness training recommendation mechanism after trainee body evaluation,modifying training program based on comparison and feedback for stage-by-stage training evaluation,so as to decrease the incidence of military training-related injuries while increasing the training efficiency.Conclusion The system developed improves airborne soldier physical training in rationality and reliability,and provides references for intelligent military training of the PLA.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):16-23]
7.Advances in the genetic research of Meniere's disease
Mingwei XU ; Yu WANG ; Yuan YAO ; Qiong WU ; Qin ZHANG ; Jun YANG ; Yulian JIN ; Qing ZHANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(5):479-484
Meniere's disease represents an idiopathic inner ear disorder characterized by endolymphatic hy-drops.Currently,the research methods for identifying genes associated with this disease mainly involve first-genera-tion sequencing and second-generation sequencing.This article reviews research on the genetic study of Meniere's disease,mainly summarizing the candidate genes with repeated pedigree validation in familial Meniere's disease,as well as those frequently reported in sporadic Meniere's disease.
8.Causal association of obesity and chronic pain mediated by educational attainment and smoking: a mediation Mendelian randomization study
Yunshu LYU ; Qingxing LU ; Yane LIU ; Mengtong XIE ; Lintong JIANG ; Junnan LI ; Ning WANG ; Xianglong DAI ; Yuqi YANG ; Peiming JIANG ; Qiong YU
The Korean Journal of Pain 2025;38(2):177-186
Background:
Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship.
Methods:
This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders.
Results:
The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively.
Conclusions
The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.
9.Causal association of obesity and chronic pain mediated by educational attainment and smoking: a mediation Mendelian randomization study
Yunshu LYU ; Qingxing LU ; Yane LIU ; Mengtong XIE ; Lintong JIANG ; Junnan LI ; Ning WANG ; Xianglong DAI ; Yuqi YANG ; Peiming JIANG ; Qiong YU
The Korean Journal of Pain 2025;38(2):177-186
Background:
Obesity and chronic pain are related in both directions, according to earlier observational research.This research aimed to analyze the causal association between obesity and chronic pain at the genetic level, as well as to assess whether common factors mediate this relationship.
Methods:
This study used bidirectional two sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique to analyze the association between obesity and chronic pain. Obesity's summary genome-wide association data were obtained from European ancestry groups, as measured by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC), genome-wide association study data for chronic pain also came from the UK population, including chronic pain at three different sites (back, hip, and headache), chronic widespread pain (CWP), and multisite chronic pain (MCP). Secondly, a two-step MR and multivariate MR investigation was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of several proposed confounders.
Results:
The authors discovered a link between chronic pain and obesity. More specifically, a sensitivity analysis was done to confirm the associations between greater BMI, WC, and HC with an increased risk of CWP and MCP.Importantly, the intermediate MR results suggest that education levels and smoking initiation may mediate the causal relationship between BMI on CWP, with a mediation effect of 23.08% and 15.38%, respectively.
Conclusions
The authors’ findings demonstrate that the importance of education and smoking in understanding chronic pain’s pathogenesis, which is important for the primary prevention and prognosis of chronic pain.
10.Efficacy and immunological mechanisms of pegylated interferon α-2b in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B
Shufen SONG ; Fengxian JIN ; Yu LAN ; Gongchang ZHANG ; Zhiguo WU ; Yao ZHOU ; Qiong XIE ; Long YANG ; Shuilin SUN
Chinese Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025;43(1):14-23
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and immunological mechanisms of pegylated interferon α-2b (Peg-IFNα-2b) antiviral therapy in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).Methods:A total of 166 treatment-naive CHB patients, who were treated at Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2021 to March 2023, were enrolled in this study. All the patients received Peg-IFNα-2b therapy for 48 weeks. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBV serological markers, biochemical parameters, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokine levels were detected and compared before and after treatment. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and paired sample t test were used for statistical comparison. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion by stepwise regression method, and the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of immune indicators on HBsAg seroconversion. Results:Among the 166 treatment-naive CHB patients, the rate of HBV DNA negativity following 48 weeks of Peg-IFNα-2b therapy was 71.08%(118/166), the rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negativity was 32.05%(25/78), and the rate of HBsAg negativity was 20.48%(34/166). HBsAg negativity rate was 52.17%(24/46) in patients with baseline HBsAg<200 IU/mL, 10.26%(4/39) in patients with baseline HBsAg 200 to <1 200 IU/mL, and 7.41%(6/81) in patients with baseline HBsAg≥1 200 IU/mL, and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=39.37, P<0.001). After 48 weeks of treatment, serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly lower than those before treatment ( Z=9.33, 8.58, 5.99, 2.36, respectively, all P<0.05). lmmune indicators were detected in 58 patients, and the proportion of peripheral blood lymphocytes increased significantly post-treatment, with notable increases in CD3 + CD8 + T/CD3 + T, CD3 + CD4 + DR + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + DR + /CD3 + CD8 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD8 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD28 + /CD3 + CD8 + , and CD19 + B cells, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=-2.56, t=-8.65, Z=-3.58, t=-3.66, Z=-3.04, t=-3.62, t=-3.87, respectively, all P<0.05). Conversely, the proportion of CD3 + , CD3 + CD4 + T/CD3 + T, CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + CD45RO + /CD3 + CD8 + and the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio decreased significantly post-treatment ( t=3.13, t=5.61, t=3.69, Z=3.95, Z=7.33, respectively, all P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the proportion of CD16 + CD56 + natural killer (NK) cells, CD3 + CD4 + CD28 + /CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD4 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD4 + cells before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-8, IL-12P70, and IL-17 significantly decreased post-treatment ( Z=2.85, 3.26, 4.12, respectively, all P<0.05), while IL-2, IL-1β, and interferon(IFN)-α levels were significantly elevated compared to baseline ( Z=-4.92, -4.85, -9.01, respectively, all P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 levels before and after treatment (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified CD3 + CD8 + T/CD3 + T(odd ratios ( OR)=1.198, 95%confidence interval( CI) 1.003 to 1.432, P=0.046), CD3 + CD4 + DR + /CD3 + CD4 + ( OR=1.185, 95% CI 1.035 to 1.357, P=0.014), CD3 + CD8 + DR + /CD3 + CD8 + ( OR=0.813, 95% CI 0.690 to 0.958, P=0.013), CD3 + CD4 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD4 + ( OR=0.678, 95% CI 0.488 to 0.940, P=0.020), CD3 + CD8 + CD38 + /CD3 + CD8 + ( OR=1.272, 95% CI 1.069 to 1.512, P=0.007), CD19 + B cells( OR=0.752, 95% CI 0.582 to 0.971, P=0.029), IL-2( OR=8.568, 95% CI 1.927 to 38.087, P=0.005), and IL-17( OR=0.728, 95% CI 0.535 to 0.989, P=0.042) as independent factors influencing HBsAg seroconversion. The area under the curve (AUC) of the proportion of dCD19 + B cells (the reciprocal of CD19 + B cells) for predicting HBsAg seroconversion was 0.716, the sensitivity was 0.636, and the specificity was 0.809. The AUC of IL-2 was 0.657, the sensitivity was 0.818, and the specificity was 0.404. The AUC of dIL-17 (the reciprocal of IL-17 levels) was 0.624, the sensitivity was 0.727, and the specificity was 0.489. The AUC of IL-2 and dIL-17 as a combined predictor was 0.830, the sensitivity was 0.909, and the specificity was 0.787. Conclusions:Peg-IFNα-2b demonstrates significant antiviral, biochemical, and serological responses in treatment-naive CHB patients, with enhanced efficacy in patients exhibiting HBsAg levels <200 IU/mL. In patients with HBsAg<200 IU/mL, the rate of HBsAg negativity reached 52.17%.Peg-IFNα-2b can regulate the immune function of patients with CHB by increasing the proportion of activated T lymphocyte subsets and functional subsets. The proportion of CD19 + B cells, IL-2 levels, and IL-17 levels hold predictive value for achieving HBsAg seroconversion.


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