1.Relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension and potential therapeutic targets
Cuicui ZHANG ; Huanyu CHEN ; Qiao YU ; Yuxuan HUANG ; Gengzhen YAO ; Xu ZOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1331-1340
BACKGROUND:Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a destructive cardiopulmonary disease for which there is no cure.An association between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension has been suggested,but the causal relationship has not been specifically elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteome and pulmonary arterial hypertension using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method,thereby searching for potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.METHODS:Plasma Protein Gene-Wide Association Analysis Statistics for 4 907 Aptamer Measurements in 35 559 Icelanders from the Icelandic Database;Genome-wide association analysis statistics for pulmonary arterial hypertension were obtained from the Finn Gen database,version R9,including 234 cases and 265 626 controls.Analyses were performed using Mendelian randomization and Bayesian co-localization analysis,the findings were examined using sensitivity analyses,and protein-protein interaction network maps were constructed to explore the causal relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighting,maximum likelihood and Wald ratio methods showed 19 proteins causally associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(P<0.05).Among them,10 plasma proteins,including Beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase manic fringe(odds ratio[OR]=0.12,95%confidence interval[CI]0.02-0.61,P=0.01)and interferon alpha/beta receptor 1(OR=0.45,95%CI 0.24-0.84,P=0.012),might be associated with a reduced risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.In contrast,nine plasma proteins,such as glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(OR=3.48,95%CI 1.51-8.00,P=0.003)and plasminogen(OR=42.78,95%CI 2.49-734.31,P=0.01),might be associated with an increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.After the false discovery rate was corrected,19 proteins remained significantly associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension.(2)Multiple sensitivity analyses such as the MR-Egger intercept test and leave-one-out method showed no horizontal multiplicity or heterogeneity in the results of the study,indicating the stability of the study's results.(3)Bayesian co-localization analysis showed that six plasma proteins,including plasminogen(PPH4=1.0)and glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(PPH4=0.94),had PPH4>0.8,suggesting that plasma proteins and the genome-wide association study of pulmonary arterial hypertension had similar causal variance in terms of genetic association.(4)By constructing a protein-protein interaction network map,plasminogen,Annexin A1,fibrinogen gamma chain and matrix metalloproteinase 7 were found to be core proteins.(5)The article used Mendelian randomization analysis to reveal a potential causal association between 4 907 plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension,suggesting that plasma proteins may be potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.The core proteins identified in the study also provide a theoretical basis for further in-depth study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.Secondly,analyses using the large-scale international databases of Iceland and FinnGen provide new research directions and treatment ideas for pulmonary arterial hypertension in specific populations and environments,as well as ideas and methods that can be used to prevent and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in China.
2.Impact of height-desk-chair matching intervention on viewing distance of primary school students
ZHANG Yaxin*, YAO Yuan, FENG Mian, WU Yuxuan, CHEN Guoping, TAO Fangbiao, XU Shaojun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):51-54
Objective:
To compare the effects of height-desk-chair matching on the viewing distance of primary school students before and after intervention, so as to provide scientific basis for the hygiene management of desks and chairs.
Methods:
From April to June 2025, a random cluster sampling method was used to select 141 third grade students from three classes equipped with adjustable desks and chairs in a primary school in Hefei City for a height-desk-chair matching intervention study. The height of students desks and chairs was adjusted according to the standard height and height range specified in the Functional Sizes and Technical Requirements of Chairs and Tables for Educational Institutions (GB/T 3976-2014), with an intervention period of one week. Before and after the intervention, eye use data were measured by using the electronic smart device "Cloud Clip", while collecting data on vision data viewing distance, time spent using eyes at close range and outdoor time, desk and chair height, and physical examination. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the factors related to viewing distance before the intervention of height-desk-chair matching, and a paired t-test was used to analyze the difference in viewing distance before and after the intervention. A mixed effects model was used to explore the effect of height desk and chair adaptation intervention on viewing distance.
Results:
The compliance rates for desk and chair adjustments before and after the intervention were 1.4% and 18.4%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ 2=22.84, P <0.01). The viewing distance increased from (30.48±5.01) cm before intervention to (32.06±5.75) cm post intervention, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.57, P <0.01). The proportion of students meeting the viewing distance standard increased from 33.3% to 51.1%. The linear mixedeffects model results indicated that the association between height appropriate desk and chair interventions and viewing distance was statistically significant, regardless of whether covariates such as time spent using eyes at close range and outdoor time were adjusted ( β=-1.58, 95%CI = -2.25 to -0.91; β=-1.14, 95%CI =-1.85 to -0.43, both P <0.05).
Conclusion
Height adjusted desks and chairs, which can effectively increase the viewing distance for primary school students, has positive implications for improving healthy eye care behaviors among children and adolescents.
3.Relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension and potential therapeutic targets
Cuicui ZHANG ; Huanyu CHEN ; Qiao YU ; Yuxuan HUANG ; Gengzhen YAO ; Xu ZOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(5):1331-1340
BACKGROUND:Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a destructive cardiopulmonary disease for which there is no cure.An association between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension has been suggested,but the causal relationship has not been specifically elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteome and pulmonary arterial hypertension using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method,thereby searching for potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.METHODS:Plasma Protein Gene-Wide Association Analysis Statistics for 4 907 Aptamer Measurements in 35 559 Icelanders from the Icelandic Database;Genome-wide association analysis statistics for pulmonary arterial hypertension were obtained from the Finn Gen database,version R9,including 234 cases and 265 626 controls.Analyses were performed using Mendelian randomization and Bayesian co-localization analysis,the findings were examined using sensitivity analyses,and protein-protein interaction network maps were constructed to explore the causal relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighting,maximum likelihood and Wald ratio methods showed 19 proteins causally associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(P<0.05).Among them,10 plasma proteins,including Beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase manic fringe(odds ratio[OR]=0.12,95%confidence interval[CI]0.02-0.61,P=0.01)and interferon alpha/beta receptor 1(OR=0.45,95%CI 0.24-0.84,P=0.012),might be associated with a reduced risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.In contrast,nine plasma proteins,such as glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(OR=3.48,95%CI 1.51-8.00,P=0.003)and plasminogen(OR=42.78,95%CI 2.49-734.31,P=0.01),might be associated with an increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.After the false discovery rate was corrected,19 proteins remained significantly associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension.(2)Multiple sensitivity analyses such as the MR-Egger intercept test and leave-one-out method showed no horizontal multiplicity or heterogeneity in the results of the study,indicating the stability of the study's results.(3)Bayesian co-localization analysis showed that six plasma proteins,including plasminogen(PPH4=1.0)and glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(PPH4=0.94),had PPH4>0.8,suggesting that plasma proteins and the genome-wide association study of pulmonary arterial hypertension had similar causal variance in terms of genetic association.(4)By constructing a protein-protein interaction network map,plasminogen,Annexin A1,fibrinogen gamma chain and matrix metalloproteinase 7 were found to be core proteins.(5)The article used Mendelian randomization analysis to reveal a potential causal association between 4 907 plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension,suggesting that plasma proteins may be potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.The core proteins identified in the study also provide a theoretical basis for further in-depth study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.Secondly,analyses using the large-scale international databases of Iceland and FinnGen provide new research directions and treatment ideas for pulmonary arterial hypertension in specific populations and environments,as well as ideas and methods that can be used to prevent and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in China.
4.Correlation between visual recovery and non-treponemal serologic test titers in ocular syphilis patients
Yahan WANG ; Fanghua HE ; Chongke ZHONG ; Yuxuan XU ; Yating XU ; Yunhai ZHANG ; Minzhi WU ; Wei XIA
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(5):654-657
Objective:To investigate the relationship between visual recovery and non-treponemal serologic test titers [tolulized red unheated serum test (TRUST) or rapid plasma reagin (RPR)] in patients with isolated ocular syphilis and those with ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis.Methods:A total of 35 ocular syphilis patients treated at the Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and the Department of Dermatology, the Fifth People′s Hospital of Suzhou between 2016 and 2024 were enrolled. Pre-treatment serum TRUST/RPR and treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay results were collected for all 35 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemical, routine, TRUST/RPR, and TPPA results were obtained for 29 patients. Visual acuity (logMAR) before and after treatment was recorded for 21 patients (34 eyes). Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between pre-and post-treatment visual acuity, degree of visual recovery, and serum titers.Results:No significant differences in titer distribution were observed among the 35 ocular syphilis patients based on age or sex ( P>0.05). Among the 29 patients who underwent lumbar puncture, 17(58.62%) were diagnosed with ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis, while 12(41.38%) had isolated ocular syphilis. The proportion of patients with high pre-treatment serum titers did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P=0.294). The degree of post-treatment visual recovery showed a positive correlation with pre-treatment serum titers, indicating that higher initial titers were associated with better visual recovery (34 eyes, r=-0.302, P=0.081). Post-treatment visual acuity was positively correlated with pre-treatment visual acuity (34 eyes, r=0.547, P=0.001), suggesting that patients with poor baseline vision had worse post-treatment visual outcomes. The median visual improvement was logMAR 0.560 in the isolated ocular syphilis group and logMAR 0.202 in the neurosyphilis-combined group, with no significant difference between the two ( P=0.322). Conclusions:Ocular syphilis patients with higher pre-treatment titers exhibit better visual recovery, while poor post-treatment visual outcomes are associated with low baseline visual acuity.
5.Therapeutic effect of combined extracranial-intracranial revascularization in elderly patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion
Xiaonan ZHU ; Haitao XU ; Junhui LIU ; Rui DING ; Rongxin GENG ; Xiang TAO ; Yuxuan WANG ; Jing LIU
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics 2025;44(11):1549-1555
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of combined extracranial-intracranial revascularization on elderly patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion, and to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the elderly population.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 35 elderly patients(aged ≥60 years)who underwent combined extracranial-intracranial revascularization for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion in the Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2017 to June 2022.The clinical data during hospitalization, as well as the follow-up data within 2 years after operation, were collected and analyzed.Results:A total of 35 cases of combined extracranial-intracranial revascularization were performed on 35 patients.The age at surgery ranged from 60 to 74 years(mean age 65.5 ± 4.2 years). The incidence of reversible neurological deficits within 2 weeks postoperation was 34.3%, and the incidence of focal cerebral infarction within 30 days postoperation was 5.7%.The patency rate of the bridging vessel was 97.1% at 3 months postoperation., and the incidence of focal cerebral infarction during the follow-up period of 30 days to 2 years postoperation was 2.9%.At 3 months after surgery, computed tomography perfusion imaging showed that regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), regional cerebral blood volume(rCBV), regional mean transit time(rMTT), and regional time to peak(rTTP)were improved compared with those before surgery.The modified Rankin scale score decreased compared to preoperative values, while the Montreal Cognitive Assessment showed improvement in cognitive function compared to preoperative levels(all P<0.05). From 6 months to 1-year postoperation, cerebral angiography showed that 38.7% of the patients had neovascularization of Matsushima grade A or grade B. No cases of cerebral hemorrhage or death was observed during the treatment and follow-up. Conclusions:Combined extracranial-intracranial revascularization is safe and effective for elderly patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusion, which can improve the patient′s hemodynamic disorders, prevent infarction events, and improve the patients′ neurological function and cognitive ability.
6.Correlation between visual recovery and non-treponemal serologic test titers in ocular syphilis patients
Yahan WANG ; Fanghua HE ; Chongke ZHONG ; Yuxuan XU ; Yating XU ; Yunhai ZHANG ; Minzhi WU ; Wei XIA
Journal of Chinese Physician 2025;27(5):654-657
Objective:To investigate the relationship between visual recovery and non-treponemal serologic test titers [tolulized red unheated serum test (TRUST) or rapid plasma reagin (RPR)] in patients with isolated ocular syphilis and those with ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis.Methods:A total of 35 ocular syphilis patients treated at the Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and the Department of Dermatology, the Fifth People′s Hospital of Suzhou between 2016 and 2024 were enrolled. Pre-treatment serum TRUST/RPR and treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay results were collected for all 35 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemical, routine, TRUST/RPR, and TPPA results were obtained for 29 patients. Visual acuity (logMAR) before and after treatment was recorded for 21 patients (34 eyes). Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between pre-and post-treatment visual acuity, degree of visual recovery, and serum titers.Results:No significant differences in titer distribution were observed among the 35 ocular syphilis patients based on age or sex ( P>0.05). Among the 29 patients who underwent lumbar puncture, 17(58.62%) were diagnosed with ocular syphilis combined with neurosyphilis, while 12(41.38%) had isolated ocular syphilis. The proportion of patients with high pre-treatment serum titers did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P=0.294). The degree of post-treatment visual recovery showed a positive correlation with pre-treatment serum titers, indicating that higher initial titers were associated with better visual recovery (34 eyes, r=-0.302, P=0.081). Post-treatment visual acuity was positively correlated with pre-treatment visual acuity (34 eyes, r=0.547, P=0.001), suggesting that patients with poor baseline vision had worse post-treatment visual outcomes. The median visual improvement was logMAR 0.560 in the isolated ocular syphilis group and logMAR 0.202 in the neurosyphilis-combined group, with no significant difference between the two ( P=0.322). Conclusions:Ocular syphilis patients with higher pre-treatment titers exhibit better visual recovery, while poor post-treatment visual outcomes are associated with low baseline visual acuity.
7.Research Progress of 223-Ra in the Treatment of Bone Metastases from Desmoplasia-resistant Prostate Cancer
Chang LU ; Ran ZHANG ; Li ZHANG ; Jiaxin DING ; Yue SUN ; Zhuoling RAN ; Yuxuan ZHENG ; Lin YU ; Xu GAO ; Jing XIE ; Huan ZHOU ; Jian GONG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(3):446-451
Prostate cancer is one of the most common male urological malignancies,in which bone metastasis of desmo-plasia-resistant prostate cancer is an important stage in the progression of the disease,which seriously affects the quality of life and survival of patients.With the development of nuclide therapy technology in recent years,223-Ra,as a new type of alpha-targeted therapy,has shown good efficacy in the treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis.The purpose of this pa-per is to review the characteristics,mechanism of action,treatment,and the main research results of its treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis,and provide a comprehensive review of the clinical application of 223-Ra in the treatment of desmoplasia-resistant prostate cancer bone metastasis for the clinical application of 223-Ra in prostate cancer bone metastasis.
8.Correlation Analysis of Muscle Tissue Changes and Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Women with Hip Fracture
Wenjiang PEI ; Wenting XU ; Pei MU ; Yuxuan WANG ; Chaoyong MAO ; Jian CHEN
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(1):113-117
Objective To investigate the correlation between the change of muscle tissues and bone mineral density(BMD)in elderly women with hip fracture,with consideration of the impact of muscle mechanics on bone mass changes.Methods A total of 79 elderly patients with hip fracture were selected as the fracture group,and 45 physical examination personnel as the control group.The differences in total muscle mass,total body fat,trunk muscle mass,trunk fat mass,arm muscle mass,arm fat mass,leg muscle mass,leg fat mass,as well as BMD at the lumbar spine(L1-4),femoral neck,hip joint,and whole body were analyzed.Results Muscle content and fat content of the whole body,upper limb and lower limb,fat content of the trunk,relative skeletal muscle index(SMI)and BMD of the whole body in fracture group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).The incidence rate of sarcopenia for elderly women in fracture group was higher than that in control group.BMD of femoral neck of the affected side was significantly lower than that of the intact side in women with intertrochanteric fractures.Logistic regression analysis found that SMI in elderly women with hip fracture was negatively correlated with age,and positively correlated with body mass index(BMI),BMD of the femoral neck and whole body.Conclusions The rate of sarcopenia was significantly higher in elderly patients with hip fracture,and SMI was closely related to BMD of the femoral neck and whole body.Therefore,sarcopenia should be highly emphasized in the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fracture in elderly people.
9.Study on the occlusal stability after three years of full-mouth occlusal reconstruction in maximum intercuspal position
Yuxuan WANG ; Tongkai XU ; Jian LI ; Ting JIANG
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(2):132-139
Objective:To observe the stability of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and mandibular position in full-mouth occlusal reconstruction subjects by means of digital occlusal analysis.Methods:Six subjects who had completed full-mouth occlusal reconstruction by intraoral functional generated path technique for more than three years in the Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were enrolled for follow-up observation, all six patients were male, with an age of (53.6±8.4) years. The digital dentition model and occlusal contact at baseline and three years follow-up review after restoration were recorded by intraoral laser scanning, and the changes in occlusal surface morphology, occlusal contact area and mandibular position (mandibular overall deviation and mandibular reference plane average angle deviation) were measured in reverse engineering software. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to statistically analyze the changes of horizontal and vertical overbite of anterior teeth and VDO of posterior teeth between baseline and three years follow-up after reconstruction.Results:The prosthesis in the 6 subjects were intact at the time of follow-up, and there was no significant change in occlusal morphology compared with that at the baseline right after restoration delivery, and the occlusal contact in maximum intercuspid position was stable. The overall deviation of the lower jaw was (0.19±0.06) mm, and the angular deviation of the mandibular reference plane was 0.72°±0.38°. The chromatic scale of occlusal contact showed that the occlusal contact in some areas was heavier during the three years post-delivery, and the overbite of anterior teeth and the VDO of posterior teeth showed no statistical difference compared with that in the baseline (all P>0.05). Conclusions:This study suggests that the occlusal contact distribution and jaw position relationship can be maintained after 3 years of full-mouth occlusal reconstruction, and there is no significant change in the anterior overbite and VDO.
10.Isolation,culture and differentiation of human urine-derived stem cells into smooth muscle cells
Jiahui CHEN ; Xiaoqi DAI ; Yangang XU ; Yuanchao LI ; Mei HUANG ; Yifei ZHAN ; Yuxuan DU ; Liuqiang LI ; Yaochuan GUO ; Jun BIAN ; Dehui LAI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4076-4082
BACKGROUND:Traditional methods of urinary tract reconstruction are limited by donor scarcity,high complication rates,and suboptimal functional recovery.Tissue engineering strategies offer new directions in this field.Since the urinary tract is mainly composed of muscle tissue,the key is to find suitable seed cells and efficiently induce them to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.Comparative studies on the efficacy of different smooth muscle cell induction regimens are still lacking. OBJECTIVE:To isolate,culture,and identify human urine-derived stem cells,and to compare the effects of two different induction protocols. METHODS:Human urine-derived stem cells were isolated from urine samples of 11 healthy adult volunteers by multiple centrifugations.Surface markers were identified by flow cytometry.The multi-directional differentiation potential of human urine-derived stem cells was verified through osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.Differentiation was induced by transforming growth factor-β1 or transforming growth factor-β1 combined with platelet derived growth factor for 14 days.Immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay were employed to compare the expression differences of smooth muscle-specific proteins(α-SMA and SM22). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Urine-derived stem cells were successfully isolated from the eight urine samples of healthy people.These cells exhibit a"rice grain"-like morphology and possess a robust proliferative capacity.(2)Urine-derived stem cells exhibited high expression of mesenchymal stem cell surface markers(CD73,CD90,and CD44)and extremely low expression of hematopoietic stem cell surface markers(CD34 and CD45).These cells did not express CD19,CD105,and HLA-DR.(3)After osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation,the formation of calcium nodules and lipid droplets was observed,with positive staining results from Alizarin Red S and Oil Red O staining.(4)After 14 days of smooth muscle induction culture,immunofluorescence staining revealed that the smooth muscle differentiation rate of urine-derived stem cells treated with a combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and platelet derived growth factor was significantly higher compared to those treated with transforming growth factor-β1 alone(P<0.005).(5)After 14 days of smooth muscle induction culture,western blot assay further demonstrated that the expression levels of α-SMA and SM22 in the transforming growth factor-β1/platelet derived growth factor group were significantly elevated compared to those in the transforming growth factor-β1 only group(P<0.005).These findings confirm that urine-derived stem cells can be non-invasively isolated using multiple rounds of centrifugation.Compared with transforming growth factor-β1 alone,the combination of transforming growth factor-β1 and platelet derived growth factor can improve the efficiency of inducing urine-derived stem cells to differentiate into smooth muscle cells.


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