1.Epigenetic changes and exercise regulation:mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle aging and improvement
Rao FAN ; Jianda KONG ; Lin LI ; Teng ZHAI ; Zirou YANG ; Lei ZHU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(2):419-429
BACKGROUND:Muscle aging is closely related to various epigenetic changes,and exercise has a certain regulatory effect on these epigenetic changes.However,the specific mechanism is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To review the epigenetic mechanisms of skeletal muscle and how exercise can improve skeletal muscle aging and promote adaptive changes in muscle through these epigenetic mechanisms,aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of skeletal muscle aging and disease mechanisms. METHODS:During the period from June 1st to August 1st,2023,literature searches were conducted for relevant literature published from database inception to August 2023 in databases including Web of Science,PubMed,CNKI,WanFang,and VIP.The search terms used included"skeletal muscle,""muscle,""aging,""older adult,""aging,""exercise,""physical exercise,""epigenetic,"and"epigenetics"in Chinese as well as"skeletal muscle,muscle,aging,older adult,senescence,age,exercise,sports,physical activity,epigenetic,epigenetics"in English.Boolean logic operators were used to connect the search terms for retrieval,and corresponding strategies were developed.According to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria,70 eligible articles were selected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Epigenetics refers to the phenomenon where gene expression and function are regulated without changes in gene sequence,and epigenetic changes in skeletal muscle are an important field.The epigenetic mechanisms of skeletal muscle play an important role in muscle aging,mainly involving DNA methylation,histone modification,regulation of non-coding RNAs,chromatin remodeling,changes in mitochondrial function and expression changes of aging-related genes.Exercise significantly regulates the epigenetics of skeletal muscle,including promoting DNA methylation,muscle histone modification,regulating miRNA expression,and regulating lncRNA expression,regulating muscle factors(such as interleukin-6),regulating mitochondrial function(such as peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors γ co-activator 1α).Future studies are recommended for long-term,cross-diverse population-based exercise interventions;the application of multi-omics techniques such as proteomics and metabolomics;strengthening the understanding of epigenetic changes at the single-cell level;cross-species comparative studies as well as human clinical trials for the translation of animal model findings to humans;strategies for combining exercise and pharmacological interventions to assess their synergistic effects;and epigenetic studies of crosstalk interactions between skeletal muscle and different organs.
2.Effects of cumulative family risk on internalizing problems in university students
LU Fan, ZHAI Hongkun, HUO Qingqing, HUANG Bijuan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1142-1146
Objective:
To explore effects of cumulative family risk in university students on individuals internalizing problems, to elucidate the mediating roles of perceived social support and self esteem in the relationship, so as to provide a basis for promoting university student s mental health.
Methods:
Using longitudinal design, 1 207 freshmen from a university in Tianjin were randomly selected and surveyed in November 2023 (T1) and November 2024 (T2). The instruments included the Cumulative Family Risk Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Self esteem Scale, and the College Student Mental Health Screening Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was constructed, with Bootstrap method used to test mediating effects and to examine gender differences.
Results:
The results showed that cumulative family risk at T1 with internalizing problems at T1( r =0.30) and internalizing problems at T2 ( r =0.32) were significantly positively correlated (both P <0.01). Mediation analysis indicated that the independent mediating effect of perceived social support at T1,cumulative family risk at T1 and internalizing problems at T2 was 0.03 (95% CI =0.02-0.05), and the independent mediating effect of self esteem at T1 was 0.08 (95% CI = 0.06 -0.10) (both P <0.05). The chain mediating effect of perceived social support and self esteem at T1 was 0.02 (95% CI =0.02-0.03) ( P <0.05). Significant gender differences were observed in the path from cumulative family risk to self esteem ( β male =-0.24, β female =-0.35) and in the path from perceived social support to self esteem ( β male =0.41, β female =0.25) (all P <0.05).
Conclusion
Cumulative family risk reduces internalizing behaviors in university students via internal and external development resources, with gender specific mechanisms.
3.Efficacy and Safety of Diagnostic-Driven Therapy for Invasive Fungal Disease in Patients with Myeloid Hematologic Malignancies.
Hui XIAO ; Fan WU ; Ying PAN ; Fu-Run AN ; Zhi-Min ZHAI
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(5):1524-1528
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the efficacy and safety of diagnostic-driven therapy for invasive fungal disease(IFD) in patients with myeloid hematologic malignancies.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 91 patients with myeloid hematologic malignancies who received diagnostic-driven therapy for IFD at the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on medication: 44 patients in the caspofungin group and 47 patients in the voriconazole group. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared and analyzed.
RESULTS:
The overall response rates in the caspofungin and voriconazole groups were 67.4% and 60.0%, respectively. Among patients who transitioned to diagnostic-driven therapy following prophylactic or empirical treatment with triazole antifungal agents, the response rate of the caspofungin group was significantly higher than that of the voriconazole group (76.9% vs 35.3%, P <0.05). A total of 9 patients in both groups experienced adverse reactions, and no grade III or higher adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of grade I-II adverse reactions in the caspofungin group was lower than in the voriconazole group (2.3% vs 17.0%, P <0.05).
CONCLUSION
In patients with myeloid hematologic malignancies, caspofungin and voriconazole demonstrate comparable clinical efficacy in diagnostic-driven therapy for IFD, but caspofungin is associated with a lower incidence of adverse reactions. Caspofungin exhibits significant effectiveness when initiating diagnostic-driven therapy after prophylactic or empirical treatment with broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agents.
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Hematologic Neoplasms/complications*
;
Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Voriconazole/therapeutic use*
;
Caspofungin/therapeutic use*
;
Invasive Fungal Infections/diagnosis*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Mycoses/drug therapy*
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Aged
;
Adult
4.Identification of a nanobody able to catalyze the destruction of the spike-trimer of SARS-CoV-2.
Kai WANG ; Duanfang CAO ; Lanlan LIU ; Xiaoyi FAN ; Yihuan LIN ; Wenting HE ; Yunze ZHAI ; Pingyong XU ; Xiyun YAN ; Haikun WANG ; Xinzheng ZHANG ; Pengyuan YANG
Frontiers of Medicine 2025;19(3):493-506
Neutralizing antibodies have been designed to specifically target and bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike (S) protein to block severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus from attaching to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This study reports a distinctive nanobody, designated as VHH21, that directly catalyzes the S-trimer into an irreversible transition state through postfusion conformational changes. Derived from camels immunized with multiple antigens, a set of nanobodies with high affinity for the S1 protein displays abilities to neutralize pseudovirion infections with a broad resistance to variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2, including SARS-CoV and BatRaTG13. Importantly, a super-resolution screening and analysis platform based on visual fluorescence probes was designed and applied to monitor single proteins and protein subunits. A spontaneously occurring dimeric form of VHH21 was obtained to rapidly destroy the S-trimer. Structural analysis via cryogenic electron microscopy revealed that VHH21 targets specific conserved epitopes on the S protein, distinct from the ACE2 binding site on the RBD, which destabilizes the fusion process. This research highlights the potential of VHH21 as an abzyme-like nanobody (nanoabzyme) possessing broad-spectrum binding capabilities and highly effective anti-viral properties and offers a promising strategy for combating coronavirus outbreaks.
Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology*
;
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism*
;
SARS-CoV-2/immunology*
;
Animals
;
Humans
;
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology*
;
Camelus
;
COVID-19/immunology*
;
Antibodies, Viral/immunology*
;
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
5.Short-term effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with reconstruction of the acute His angle on postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease
Ke CAO ; Xuyin SHI ; Yin JIN ; Chunxiang YE ; Zhiwei ZHAI ; Yunlong WU ; Jianmeng FAN ; Zhenjun WANG ; Jiagang HAN
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(10):1050-1055
Objective:To compare the short-term efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) combined with sharp His angle reconstruction (LSG-His) versus traditional LSG.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study we collected clinical data of patients with obesity who had undergone LSG or LSG-His in the Department of General Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January to June 2022. After excluding patients with incomplete follow-up data and those with hiatal hernia, 83 obese patients, of which 39 who had undergone LSG (LSG group) and 44 who had undergone LSG-His (LSG-His group), were included in the study. The basic steps in LSG-His are the same as in conventional LSG. After continuous suturing of the gastric staple line, one stitch is placed between the proximal side of the gastric greater curvature staple line and the proximal side of the gastric fundus posterior wall with the left diaphragm, and another stitch between the right side of the gastric fundus and the esophagus, reconstructing the sharp His angle. Clinical data, postoperative complications, and follow-up data on weight loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-discharge were compared between the two groups. GERD symptoms were assessed using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire and Reflux Diagnostic Questionnaire.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics, length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative nausea and vomiting, dysphagia, or postoperative complications (all P>0.05). Compared with the LSG group, the LSG-His group had significantly longer operative times (92 [80, 100] minutes vs. 80 [70, 100] minutes, U=2.227, P=0.026), higher postoperative 24-hour pain scores (5.2±1.8 vs. 4.3±1.9, t=-2.065, P=0.041), and higher rates of morphine use (70.5% [31/44] vs. 46.2% [18/39], χ2=4.519, P=0.025). The incidence of new-onset GERD 12 months postoperatively was significantly lower in the LSG-His than the LSG group (10.7% [3/28] vs. 61.3% [19/31], χ2=14.00, P<0.001). According to changes in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire and Reflux Diagnostic Questionnaire scores, the LSG-His group also had significantly lower rates of exacerbation of GERD (2/16 vs. 5/8, χ2=4.27, P=0.021) and higher rates of GERD remission (12/16 vs. 2/8, χ2=3.62, P=0.032) than did the LSG group. Additionally, excess weight loss rates were significantly higher in the LSG-His group at 3 months [(54.7± 18.7)% vs. (46.5±15.0)% , t=-2.166, P=0.033], 6 months [(73.8±24.7)% vs. (64.0±19.1)% , t=-2.018, P=0.047], and 12 months [(82.9±26.7)% vs. (72.2±19.3)%, t=-2.063, P=0.042] than in the LSG group. Conclusion:Compared with LSG, LSG-His is safe and feasible and achieves better short-term control of postoperative GERD and more effective weight loss. Further large-scale, long-term, prospective studies are needed to confirm the long-term efficacy of LSG-His.
6.Advances in Quantification and Site Stoichiometry Analysis Methods for Phosphorylated Proteins
Yuan LIU ; Rui ZHAI ; Fan WU ; Zhan-Ying CHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Xin-Hua DAI ; Xiang FANG ; Xiao-Ping YU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2024;52(5):609-623
The post-translational modification of proteins is a key mechanism that imparts physiological functions to proteins,among which reversible phosphorylation modifications play a pivotal role in many biological processes.Aberrant changes in phosphorylation are often closely associated with various major disease processes.In recent years,with the aid of proteomic technologies and methods,high-throughput,high-precision qualitative and quantitative approaches for phosphorylated proteins have rapidly advanced.This article reviews the research progress of phosphorylated protein quantification and chemical proteomics analysis methods based on the"bottom-up"strategy,including phosphopeptide enrichment methods,mass spectrometry fragmentation methods,quantification analysis methods and phosphorylation site stoichiometry,and discusses the development trend of quantification and stoichiometric analysis methods for phosphorylated proteins.
7.Establishment of UPLC characteristic chromatogram and component analysis of the volatile oil in the standard decoction of Qingshang juantong decoction
Zhiying FAN ; Qianqian ZHU ; Xiehe WANG ; Yanjuan ZHAI ; Huimin WANG ; Yangxin GU ; Haiqin ZHOU ; Tulin LU ; Kewei ZHANG ; Song LI
China Pharmacy 2024;35(9):1082-1086
OBJECTIVE To establish the characteristic chromatogram of the volatile oil in the standard decoction of Qingshang juantong decoction, and preliminarily infer the main active components of volatile oil that affect the clinical therapeutic effect. METHODS The volatile oil in the standard decoction of Qingshang juantong decoction was extracted by steam distillation. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of samples were established by the Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint (2012 edition), and the similarity evaluation was carried out. The volatile oil of standard decoction was identified by UPLC coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Then the volatile oil components were analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS The similarities of UPLC characteristic chromatograms for volatile oil of 15 batches of Qingshang juantong decoction were between 0.949 and 0.997. A total of 12 common peaks were obtained. According to the UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, the main components were methyl eugenol, E-ligustilide, E-butylidenephthalide and so on. A total of 23 components were identified by GC-MS, which were mainly 3,4,5-trimethoxy- methylbenzene, patchouli alcohol, Z-ligustilide and so on. CONCLUSIONS The characteristic chromatograms of the volatile oil in the standard decoction of Qingshang juantong decoction is established, and it is inferred that methyl eugenol, ligustilide, E- butylidenephthalide, patchouli alcohol, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-methylbenzene might be the main active components affecting the clinical therapeutic effect of the volatile oil of Qingshang juantong decoction.
8.The role of CB2 in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement
Dengying FAN ; Haoyan ZHAI ; Huijuan LIU ; Yuan ZHAO ; Dongna LI ; Xing QIAO ; Wenjing KANG ; Dechao ZHU ; Chunyan LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):212-218
Objective To explore the effect of cannabinoid receptor 2(CB2)on orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)rate and periodontal tissue reconstruction of pressure area in mice.Methods Thirty CB2-/-male mice and thirty littermate control WT male mice were individually accepted the orthodontic appliance at their age of 6 weeks.The mice were respectively scarified at 3 days,7 days,14 days and 21 days after the operation.Then the tooth movement distance was examined through the stereomicroscope.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to explore the biological responses of periodontium at the distal mesial root pressure area.Anti-tartrate acid phospha-tase staining was performed to calculate the number and distribution of osteoclasts at the distal mesial root pressure area,and MMP-9 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry to examine the number of MMP-9(+)monocytes and multinucleated cells in the same district as the TRAP staining.Results Compared with those WT mice at 3,7,14 and 21 days,OTM distance showed a gradual increased tendency according with experimental time over 21 days.The widths of periodontal ligament on the pressure side were markedly greater in CB2-/-mice than WT mice at 7,14 and 21 days(P<0.000 1).The numbers of TRAP positive osteoclasts were significantly greater in CB2-/-mice than those in WT mice at 14 days of OTM(P<0.001).MMP-9 immunohistochemical staining showed that the number of MMP-9(+)monocytes and multinucleated cells was more in CB2-/-mice than that in WT mice at 14 days of OTM(P<0.05).Conclusion The absence of CB2 accelerates orthodontic tooth movement under or-thodontic force.The absence of CB2 reinforces bone resorption in orthodontic tooth movement compressive area dur-ing orthodontic tooth movement.
9.Feasibility study of low tube voltage and low contrast medium combined with IMR technology in 3DCTA of vertebral artery V3 segment
Junlin YANG ; Duchang ZHAI ; Xiuzhi ZHOU ; Rong LIU ; Guohua FAN ; Wu CAI
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(1):5-10
Objective To investigate the feasibility of low-voltage,automatic tube current adjustment(ATCM)and low contrast agent concentration,dose and injection rate combined with full-model iterative re-construction(IMR)in vertebral artery V3-segment three-dimensional CT angiography(3DCTA).Methods A total of 60 patients with suspected upper cervical spine,craniocervical junction lesions undergoing cervical vertebral artery V3 segment 3DCTA in this hospital from November 2019 to May 2020 were selected and divided into the group A and B by adopting the random number table method,30 cases in each group.The group A adopted the ATCM technology of 80 kV,average tube current of 50 mAs,25 mL of contrast agent io-hexol(iodine content 300 mg/mL)combined IMR technology with an injection rate of 3 mL/s,while the group B adopted 120 kV,150 mAs fixed tube current,50 mL injection rate of 5 mL/s contrast agent iopamidol(iodine content 370 mg/mL)combined filter back projection(FBP)reconstruction technology.CT value,noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),contrast noise ratio(CNR)and image sensitivity(FOM)were measured and compared between the two groups and the quality of the resulting images was evaluated.The CT volumet-ric dose index(CTDIvol)and dose-length product(DLP)were recorded,and the effective dose(ED)was cal-culated.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the vertebral arterial CT value between the two groups(P>0.05),but the noise of the group A was lower than that of the group B(P<0.05),SNR,CNR and FOM of the group A were greater than those of the group B(P<0.05).The image quality of the two groups met the requirements of clinical diagnosis[(4.78±0.41)points vs.(4.85±0.35)points],and there was no statistically significant difference in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P>0.05).The CTDIvol,DLP and ED levels in the group A were lower than those in the group B(P<0.05).The iodine in-takes of contrast medium in the group A and group B were 7.5 g and 18.5 g,respectively,and the iodine flow rates of contrast agent were 0.9 and 1.85 mg/s,respectively,and compared with group B,the iodine intake and iodine flow rate of the group A were decreased by 59.5%and 51.4%,respectively.Conclusion Low tube voltage ATCM and low contrast concentration,dose and injection rate combined with IMR technology can not only ensure the 3DCTA image quality of vertebral artery V3 segment,but also reduce the radiation dose re-ceived by the patients,and reduce the iodine intake and iodine flow rate of contrast agent.
10.Quantitative Analysis of China's Public Hospital Liability Governance Policies from the Perspective of Policy Tools
Pengju FAN ; Yan LI ; Jing FENG ; Feng GUO ; Tiemin ZHAI
Chinese Health Economics 2024;43(6):36-39
Objective:To explore the scientificity of the public hospital liability policy governance from the perspective of policy tools,and to provide evidence for the optimization and adjustment of subsequent policies.Methods:Policy texts at the national and regional levels from 2009-2022 were selected,and the coding results were statistically analyzed using Excel 2019 based on Rothwell and Zegveld's classification of policy tools.Results:A total of 128 policy texts were included in the analysis,with 29.96%,34.16%,and 35.88%of the policy tools in the policy instrument dimension being demand-based,supply-based,and environment-based,respectively.The system mechanism dimension focused primarily on compensation mechanisms.Conclusion:The use of the three policy instruments is mainly dominated by environmental policies,with a relative lack of policies from demand side.It is recommended that the use of policies from demand side could be strengthened and the internal structure of policy tools be optimized,to improve the consistency and coupling of policies.


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