1.A comprehensive review of risk factors for pulmonary infection after kidney transplantation
Jiayuan CHEN ; Mingxi KUANG ; Youqing YAN ; Jingting WANG ; Zhen LI
Organ Transplantation 2026;17(3):503-511
Objective To conduct a comprehensive review of the risk factors for post-transplant pulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients. Methods Following the methodology guidelines for systematic reviews, the research question was clearly defined. Systematic searches were conducted in both Chinese and English literature databases, with the search period ranging from the establishment of the database to May 1, 2025. Two researchers independently screened and extracted the risk factors related to post-transplant pulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients, and the research results were qualitatively described. Results A total of 45 articles were finally included, involving 30 risk factors for post-transplant pulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients, including five aspects as donor factors, recipient factors, disease factors, treatment factors and laboratory test result factors. Conclusions The occurrence of post-transplant pulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients is related to donor factors, recipient factors, disease factors, treatment factors and laboratory test result factors, providing a reference for clinical prevention, screening, and intervention.
2.LINC00657 Promotes Malignant Progression of Cervical Cancer by Sponging miR-30a-5p to Regulate Skp2 Expression
Changhui ZHOU ; Jingqin REN ; Zhen CHEN ; Qi YAN ; Nan YANG ; Jiaqi ZHAO ; Rong LI
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(2):103-111
Objective To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of LINC00657 in the progression of cervical cancer. Methods Bioinformatics analysis predicted potential binding sites between LINC00657 and miR-30a-5p and between miR-30a-5p and Skp2. These sites were verified by using RNA immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter experiments. LINC00657, miR-30a-5p, and Skp2 mRNA expression levels in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines were assessed by utilizing RT-qPCR. Western blot analysis was employed to examine the protein levels of Skp2 in cells and subcutaneous xenograft tumor models in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry was applied to analyze Skp2 expression in animal tissues. The cellular processes of cervical cancer cell lines were evaluated through CCK-8, scratch, and Transwell assays. Results LINC00657 and Skp2 presented binding sites for miR-30a-5p. In cervical cancer, LINC00657 and Skp2 showed high expression levels (P<0.05), whereas miR-30a-5p displayed low expression (P<0.05). Functional experiments demonstrated that linc00657 upregulates Skp2 expression, a process that is dependent on its sequestration of miR-30a-5p. Conclusion LINC00657 promoted the malignant progression of cervical cancer by upregulating Skp2 expression through specifically sequestering miR-30a-5p, thereby relieving its inhibitory effect on the target gene Skp2.
3.Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Monomers and Compounds on Regulating JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Review
Xiaonan YAN ; Jigao LI ; Ruixiang YANG ; Ruilin LIU ; Quan ZHOU ; Zhen LI ; Yan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):289-298
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease with synovitis as the main manifestation, which often causes joint swelling and pain or even deformity. It is considered to be an incurable lifelong disease. Although the current Western medicine treatment can alleviate the progression of the disease, it has the clinical limitations of liver injury, cardiovascular complications, and other adverse reactions, along with easy recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and has the advantages of individualized treatment and fewer adverse reactions. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of joint swelling and pain in RA patients and slow down the progression of bone destruction, which has attracted wide concern in the medical community. Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is an important intracellular pathway involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune regulation, and other biological behaviors, and plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of RA. In recent years, many studies have confirmed that TCM monomers and compounds can inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), regulate immune response, and thus exert an effect in the treatment of RA. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic induction and overview. Therefore, by searching the relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and PubMed databases from 2009 to 2024, this study described the mechanism of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of RA and summarized the research progress of TCM monomers and compounds in regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in RA intervention. The study aims to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM and the research and development of new drugs.
4.Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation regulates functional connectivity of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome
Ruijing SUN ; Yinqi LAI ; Ya CHEN ; Yuejuan WU ; Zhen LIU ; Qingping ZHANG ; Ziyan LAI ; Gaoxiong DUAN ; Yan ZHANG ; Shanshan LI ; Yuanyuan OU ; Sijing TUO ; Hui ZHOU ; Rongcai WU ; Zhizhong CHEN ; Demao DENG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(12):1384-1392
Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on functional connectivity (FC) of thalamic subregions in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods:This study was a cross-sectional investigation. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 56 PMS patients (PMS group) and 66 healthy controls (control group) recruited from various universities and hospitals in Nanning between November 2021 and June 2024. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data and fMRI data during taVNS immediate stimulation (2 Hz, 25 Hz) were acquired from subjects during their late luteal phase. Using thalamic subregions (anterior thalamic nucleus, lateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, medial nucleus, central nucleus, posterior nucleus) as seeds, two-sample t-tests or paired t-tests were employed to analyze alterations in thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and the regulatory effects of taVNS on these changes. Independent samples t-test were used to compare the differences in clinical and laboratory indicators between the PMS group and the control group. The relationship between taVNS regulation of thalamic subregion FC in PMS patients and thalamic internal functional connectivity were analyzed using mediation effect analysis. Results:Compared to the control group, patients in the PMS group showed increased scores on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale 17, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 14 during the late luteal phase ( P<0.05). At baseline, PMS patients exhibited higher FC between the left thalamic lateral nucleus and the left insula, and lower FC between the left medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, and ventral nucleus of the thalamus and the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) compared to the control group (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 2 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation in PMS group, FC between the left thalamic medial nucleus, posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the right MFG, as well as the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleu and the left MFG increased compared to baseline levels; meanwhile, FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus, ventral nucleus and the left insula decreased compared to baseline levels (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). During 25 Hz taVNS immediate stimulation, the FC between the left thalamic ventral nucleus and the right MFG decreased compared to the baseline level (GRF corrected, voxel-level P<0.001, cluster-level P<0.05). Mediation effect analysis showed that the FC between the left thalamic posterior nucleus and the left lateral nucleus mediated part of the association between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-left insula and the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-left putamen/insula; there were significant direct effects between the FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left posterior nucleus and FC of the left lateral thalamic nucleus-the left insula, as well as between the FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the left MFG and FC of the left ventral thalamic nucleus-the right MFG. Conclusions:taVNS can modulate abnormal FC of the left thalamic subregions in PMS patients, restoring it toward normalization. The regulatory effects of 2 Hz stimulation are more pronounced than those of 25 Hz stimulation. This modulation primarily operates through two pathways: the left thalamic lateral nucleus-left insula-left thalamic ventral nucleus pathway and the left MFG-left thalamic ventral nucleus-right MFG.
5.Serum Periostin protein,TGF-β2 levels in patients with atrial fibrillation and left atrial fibrosis and their association
Xu-ming MA ; Jing LI ; Wan-peng LI ; Lu-zhen WANG ; Yi LIU ; Yan HUANG
Chinese Journal of cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine 2025;34(3):304-309
Objective:To investigate the factors influencing left atrial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)and the association of Periostin protein,serum transforming growth factor-β2(TGF-β2)with left atrial fibrosis.Methods:We enrolled 100 AF patients admitted to Gansu Provincial People's Hospital between March 2021 and March 2023.They were divided into control group(<10%,n=53)and fibrosis group(≥10%,n=47)according to their left atrial low voltage region.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the influ-encing factors of left atrial fibrosis in AF patients and construct a nomogram model.The diagnostic value of related factors and their combined detection for left atrial fibrosis in AF patients were analyzed by receiver operating char-acteristic curve(ROC).Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the association of Periostin protein,TGF-β2 with left atrial fibrosis in AF patients.Results:Compared to patients in the control group,those in the fibrosis group had significant higher left atrial diameter(LAD)[(37.08±3.19)mm vs.(33.45±2.45)mm],levels of ser-um uric acid(SUA)[(313.75±49.06)μmol/L vs.(279.88±38.15)μmol/L],Periostin protein[(83.27±3.98)ng/L vs.(75.21±3.04)ng/L],TGF-β2[(4346.84±321.34)ng/L vs.(4186.02±306.91)ng/L],and signifi-cant lower left atrial ejection fraction(LVEF)[(62.28±5.00)%vs.(67.24±3.07)%](P<0.05 or<0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that LAD(OR=1.663,95%CI 1.238~3.887,P=0.001),SUA(OR=1.586,95%CI 1.164~2.892,P<0.001),Periostin protein(OR=1.997,95%CI 1.513~4.585,P=0.001),TGF-β2(OR=2.013,95%CI 1.543~5.864,P<0.001)were independent risk factors for left atrial fi-brosis in AF patients,while LVEF was an independent protective factor(OR=0.524,95%CI 0.141~0.920,P=0.002).The nomogram model for left atrial fibrosis in AF patients:logit(P)=4.631+0.445 × LVEF+0.546 × LAD+0.575 × SUA+0.530 × Periostin protein+0.347 × TGF-β2.ROC curve showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of combined detection(0.893,95%CI 0.842~0.932)was significantly higher than SUA(AUC=0.637,95%CI 0.566~0.704),LVEF(AUC=0.701,95%CI 0.632~0.763),LAD(AUC=0.649,95%CI 0.579~0.715),Periostin protein(AUC=0.676,95%CI 0.606~0.740),TGF-β2(AUC=0.641,95%CI 0.570~0.707)alone(Z=5.265,6.399,6.379,6.040,6.483,P<0.001 all).Spearman correlation analysis showed that Perios-tin protein and TGF-β2 were significantly positive correlated with left atrial fibrosis in AF patients(r=0.536,0.578,P<0.001 all).Conclusion:Periostin protein and TGF-β2 were independent risk factors for left atrial fi-brosis in AF patients and were significantly positive correlated with it,a combination of above-mentioned indexes,cardiac function indexes and uric acid had good diagnostic value for left atrial fibrosis.
6.Expression characteristics and diagnostic value of PD-1 and PD-L1 in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Yuexin SHI ; Li LI ; Jun YAN ; Caijun WU ; Zhi YAO ; Yuan-zhen JIAN ; Ziqing LI ; Fang LI ; Lulu YANG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(11):1655-1662
Objective To investigate the expression characteristics and clinical diagnostic value of programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)and its corresponding ligand(PD-L1)in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).Methods One hundred and sixty COPD patients who visited Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from April 2024 to November 2024 were included and divided into an acute exacerbation group of 100 cases and a stable group of 60 cases according to the severity of the disease.Additionally,40 healthy volunteers during the same period were recruited as the control group.The general clinical data of the patients were collected.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test(CAT)and Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Questionnaire(mMRC)Scale were used to test the severity of the disease;respiratory function testing was performed and fasting venous blood was collected for serum PD-1 and PD-L1 testing.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum PD-1,PD-L1,CAT,and mMRC,and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the influencing factors of AECOPD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum PD-1 and PD-L1 level for AECOPD.Results Serum PD-1 level in the stable COPD group and AECOPD group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group,while serum PD-L1 level was significantly decreased,showing statistical significance(P<0.05);The level of PD-1 gradually increased with the grading of lung function and the deterioration of AECOPD,with statistical significance(P<0.05);Pearson correlation showed that serum PD-1 level was positively correlated with CAT scores in COPD patients,while negatively with CAT scores,showing statistical significance(P<0.05);Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that elevated levels of serum inter-leukin-6(IL-6),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and PD-1 were risk factors for AECOPD,while elevated level of PD-L1 was protective factor for AECOPD(P<0.05);ROC curve showed that the levels of PD-1,PD-L1,IL-6,NLR,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)for their combined prediction of AECOPD diagnosis were 0.884,0.867,0.868,0.802,and 0.995,respectively.Conclusion Serum PD-1 and PD-L1 in AECOPD patients have presented certain expression characteristics,with elevated PD-1 level while decreased PD-L1 level.Both have good clinical diagnostic value for AECOPD.
7.Case report and literature review of myocardial infarction caused by myocardial bridge
Xiao-qing KOU ; Yi-rong GAN ; Yun-long ZHANG ; Ding-xiong XIE ; Rui MAO ; Tian-xiang LIANG ; Xiao-li YANG ; Yan-zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(2):111-116
Medical therapy and surgical intervention are the two primary approaches for treating myocardial bridge.However,there remains controversy regarding the use of coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and myocardial bridge unroofing.Here,we report a case of myocardial infarction following CABG in a patient with a myocardial bridge.The patient was admitted to Lanzhou First Peopie's Hospital with persistent chest pain,chest tightness,and shortness of breath lasting 2 hours.Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities.Electrocardiography(ECG)indicated extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Laboratory findings showed myoglobin levels of 140.1 ng/ml and troponin Ⅰ levels of 2.59 ng/ml,with no other significant abnormalities.The initial diagnosis was acute extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction.Emergency coronary angiography revealed a myocardial bridge in the mid-segment of the left anterior descending artery(LAD).Emergency CABG using the left internal mammary artery to the LAD was performed,leading to symptomatic improvement,and the patient was discharged in stable condition.However,the patient experienced a recurrent myocardial infarction seven years post-surgery and received secondary preventive medical therapy.The patient is currently under ongoing follow-up care.CABG is an effective treatment for myocardial bridge.However,based on the case reported in this study,we recommend careful evaluation of whether a patient may benefit from CABG.
8.Establishment and application of ultra-fast real-time PCR for Brucella detection
Zhen-na XU ; Zhi-peng WU ; Wei-bin HONG ; Zhi-shen GUAN ; Qi-ming LIN ; Zuan-lan MO ; Yi-fei YE ; Hai-yan XIE ; Min LI ; Yan-qiu ZHU ; Xiao-jun LI ; Xian-peng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):278-283
This study was aimed at establishing a method of ultra-fast quantitative PCR for Brucella detection.We used an exogenous recombinant plasmid as the internal reference and targeted the T4SS secretion system,an important Brucella viru-lence factor,to design specific primers and probes.The sensitivity,specificity,and repeatability of this method were evaluated,and a standard curve was constructed.The coincidence rate of detection findings with this method versus quantitative PCR was determined.This method markedly decreased the detection time to only 10 minutes.The standard curve demonstrated a good linear relationship(Y=-3.410 7x+38.357,R2=0.998 5)with a low minimum detection limit of 10 copies/μL.The method exhibited good specificity and did not specifically amplify several common clinical bacteria other than Brucella.The de-tection of three concentrations of positive plasmids yielded coefficients of variation(CVs)of 0.20%to 0.91%,thus demonstra-ting the method's excellent repeatability.Furthermore,140 clinical samples were analyzed concurrently with the fluorescence PCR method,which yielded a 100%compliance rate and consistent results.Our findings indicated that the Brucella ultra-fast quantitative PCR was ultrafast;had high sensitivity,high specificity,and good specificity;and can be used for the clinical de-tection of Brucella and emergency investigation of epidemics.Therefore,this method is valuable for the early diagnosis of Bru-cella.
9.Analysis of the association between serum γ-aminobutyric acid levels and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Yingtan Nie ; Yanfang Li ; Jinke Han ; Feifei Wu ; Xiaodan Wang ; Li Lin ; Zhen Yan
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):136-141
Objective :
To explore the association between serum γ-aminobutyric acid ( GABA) levels and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes( T2DM) .
Methods :
187 cases of T2DM patients attending the hospital were selected as the T2DM group,and 187 cases of non-T2DM population attending the same period of time were selected as the control group according to age ( ± 3 years) and gender 1 ∶ 1.On-site questionnaires and physical examination were conducted for the study subjects,and serum levels of GABA,Malondialdehyde ( MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase ( SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px) were detected by using ELISA kits.The differences in the levels of GABA and oxidative stress indicators ( SOD,GSH-Px,MDA) between the two groups were compared, and the correlation between GABA and oxidative stress indicators was analyzed by Spearman's method; GABA and oxidative stress indicators were divided into three groups according to their control quartiles,respectively [low level group ( Q1: <P25) ,medium level group ( Q2: P25 -P75) ,high level group ( Q3: >P75) ],and conditional logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between GABA,oxidative stress indicators and the risk of develo- ping T2DM; the dose-response relationship between GABA,oxidative stress indicators and the risk of developing T2DM was analyzed by using restricted cubic spline ( RCS) .
Results :
T2DM group ( P<0. 05) .Spearman's correlation analysis showed that GABA level was positively correlated with SOD and GSH-Px activities and negatively correlated with MDA level ( P<0. 001) .Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that medium levels of SOD and GSH-Px as well as medium and high levels of GABA were protective factors for T2DM compared with low levels in each group ( P<0. 05) .RCS results showed that a negative dose-response relationship between GABA,GSH-Px and the risk of developing T2DM,and SOD showed a trend of decreasing and then increasing the risk of developing T2DM ( P<0. 05) .
Conclusion
Serum GABA levels have been associated with the risk of developing T2DM.As serum GABA levels increase,the risk of developing T2DM may decrease.
10.Correlation between serum zinc level and prognosis of patients with sepsis
Xiao-Gang WANG ; Jia-Jun MA ; Rui-Xin ZHU ; Li-Bing ZHOU ; Sai-Hu HUANG ; Shui-Yan WU ; Wen-Si NIU ; Jie HUANG ; Zhen-Jiang BAI
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(5):278-282
Objective:To investigate the differences in clinical outcomes of septic children with varying serum zinc levels,and to analyze the relationship between reduced serum zinc levels and organ dysfunction as well as 28-day mortality in septic children.Methods:This study conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from pediatric patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock in the Department of critical care medicine of the children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2017 and December 2022.Clinical characteristics,organ dysfunction,and prognosis were compared between two groups:children with low serum zinc levels and those with normal zinc levels.Results:The serum zinc level of septic children within 24 hours of admission was 9.60(5.52,13.80)μmol/L,with 50.54%(94/186)of the children exhibiting low serum zinc levels(<10.07 μmol/L).Compared to the normal serum zinc group,the low serum zinc group had a significantly lower Pediatric Critical Illness Score(PCIS)[(78.71±9.35)vs.(85.12±8.51),P=0.005]and higher 28-day mortality(46.80%vs.14.13%,P<0.001).The low serum zinc group also had a higher proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation(64.89%vs.47.82%,P=0.019),renal replacement therapy(15.59%vs.3.26%,P=0.003),and use of vasoactive drugs(56.38%vs.30.43%,P<0.001).The rate of underlying conditions in the low serum zinc group was significantly higher than that in the normal serum zinc group(57.44%vs.36.95%,P=0.005).Additionally,the low serum zinc group had a higher incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)compared to the normal serum zinc group(P<0.05).Serum zinc levels had predictive value for 28-day mortality in septic children(AUC=0.813;95%CI:0.725~0.902;P<0.001).A serum zinc level of less than 6.950 μmol/L predicted the death of septic children with a sensitivity of 0.618 and a specificity of 0.902.Conclusion:Sepsis in children is commonly associated with low serum zinc levels,especially in those with underlying conditions such as hematologic and oncologic disorders.Sepsis patients hypozincemia with a higher incidence of DIC,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,shock,and MODS.A serum zinc level below 6.95 μmol/L serves as a significant predictor of 28-day mortality in children with severe sepsis.


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