1.Thymosin α1 alleviates pulpitis by inhibiting ferroptosis of dental pulp cells.
Jie WU ; Qimei GONG ; Wenxuan LIU ; Aijia CHEN ; Zekai LIAO ; Yihua HUANG ; Wenkai JIANG ; Zhongchun TONG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):68-68
Tooth pulpitis is a prevalent oral disorder. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of pulpitis and developing effective treatment strategies hold great significance. Ferroptosis has recently emerged as a new form of cell death, but the role of ferroptosis in pulpitis remains largely unknown. In our study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to identify cellular heterogeneity between 3 pulpitis tissue and 3 healthy pulp tissue, and explored ferroptosis occurrence in pulpitis tissue and inflamed dental pulp cells (DPCs). In scRNA-seq, 40 231 cells (Pulpitis: 17 814; Healthy pulp: 22 417) were captured, and visualized into 12 distinct cell clusters. Differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DE-FRGs) were almost presented in each cluster in pulpitis vs healthy pulp. ROS and Fe2+ levels significantly rose, and immunohistochemistry showed low expression of GPX4 and high expression of PTGS2 in pulpitis. In LPS-stimulated DPCs, thymosin α1 increased the expression of GPX4 and FTL, and decreased expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and Fe2+ levels. In rat pulpitis models, both prothymosin α (PTMA, precursor of thymosin α1) gelatin sponge placed at the hole of pulp (LPS-P(gs)) and PTMA injection in pulp (LPS-P(i)) significantly reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and expression of PTGS2, and increased the expression of GPX4. In RNA sequencing, the expression of DE-FRGs were reversed when thymosin α1 were added in LPS-stimulated DPCs. Collectively, single-cell atlas reveals cellular heterogeneity between pulpitis and healthy pulp, and ferroptosis occurrence in pulpitis. Thymosin α1 may reduce ferroptosis in DPCs to alleviate pulpitis and thus potentially has the ability to treat pulpitis.
Ferroptosis/drug effects*
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Dental Pulp/drug effects*
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Animals
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Pulpitis/pathology*
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Rats
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Thymalfasin/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Male
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Thymosin/pharmacology*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
2.Analysis of the clinical,pathological and CT features of mediastinal carcinoid
Mingjing CHEN ; Ling HE ; Qian LI ; Yongmei YU ; Zhongchun ZHOU
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(8):1259-1262
Objective To analyze the clinical,pathological and CT features of mediastinal carcinoid so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy.Methods The clinical,pathological and imaging data of 4 patients with mediastinal carcinoid were analyzed retrospectively.Results All 4 patients were elderly male,in which 3 cases had elevated serum neuron specific enolase(NSE)before operation and other one was not examined.All tumors were atypical carcinoid with Ki-67 expression of 5%-25%and positive expression of Syn,CD56,CK and CgA.The CT showed the lateral mass on the left(n=3)or both(n=1)sides of the anterior mediastinum,3 of which grew along the vascular space and could not be clearly demarcated from the pericardium and cardiovascular system.The lesions were large with irregular shape in 3 cases and round shape in 1 case,with heterogeneous density in 3 cases and homogeneous density in 1 case,with intratumoral calcification in 2 cases.Contrast enhanced CT showed the lesions with mild or moderate progressive enhancement,3 of which had supplying vessels from internal thoracic artery.The enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were found in 3 cases and bone metastasis was in 1 case.Conclusion Mediastinal carcinoid is more common in elderly male,usually with elevated serum NSE.CT shows lateral mass in the anterior mediastinum with heterogeneous density,intratumoral calcification,mild or moderate progressive enhancement,and supplying vessels from internal thoracic artery.The larger lesion is indistinguishable from the adjacent lung tissue and cardiovascular system,usually with intrathoracic and extrathoracic lymph node metastasis.
3.Effects of biologics on psychological status and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter study
Shuchun WEI ; Chuan LIU ; Min CHEN ; Yanhui CAI ; Xiaohan WU ; Meilin CHEN ; Jixiang ZHANG ; Dan XIANG ; Zhongchun LIU ; Changqing JIANG ; Jie SHI ; Kaichun WU ; Weiguo DONG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(8):1000-1006
Objective:To investigate the effects of biologics on psychological status and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 42 hospitals in 22 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) from September 2021 to May 2022. General clinical information and the use of biologics were obtained from adult patients diagnosed with IBD who voluntarily participated in the study. Psychological status was evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) assessment tools. Counts were analyzed via the Chi-square test, and datasets that were not normally distributed were analyzed via nonparametric tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 2 478 valid questionnaires were collected. The GAD-7 score of the biologics group was significantly lower than that of the non-use group [6 (2, 9) vs. 7 (3, 10), Z=-3.49, P<0.001]. IBDQ scores [183 (158, 204) vs. 178 (152, 198), Z=-4.11, P<0.001], intestinal symptom scores [61 (52, 67) vs. 58 (49, 65), Z=-5.41, P<0.001], systemic symptom scores [28 (24, 32) vs. 27 (23, 31), Z=-2.37, P=0.018], emotional ability scores [69 (58, 77) vs. 67 (56, 75), Z=-3.58, P<0.001] and social ability scores [26 (22, 29) vs. 25 (22, 29), Z=-2.52, P=0.012] in the biologics group were significantly higher than in the non-use group. GAD-7 scores [5 (2, 9) vs. 6 (3, 10), Z=-3.50, P<0.001] and PSQI scores [6 (4, 9) vs. 6 (4, 9), Z=-2.55, P=0.011] were significantly lower in the group using infliximab than in the group not using it. IBDQ scores were significantly higher in patients using vedolizumab than in those not using it [186 (159, 205) vs. 181 (155, 201), Z=-2.32, P=0.021] and were also significantly higher in the group treated with adalimumab than in the group not treated with adalimumab [187 (159, 209) vs. 181 (155, 201), Z=-2.16, P=0.030]. However, ustekinumab had no significant effect on any of the scores. Conclusion:The use of biologics is strongly associated with improvements in anxiety status and quality of life in IBD patients.
4.Exploration and Revision of the Content for "Mental Health Scale for Middle School Students (MSSMHS)": Expert Consensus and Analysis of Reliability and Validity
Xiong Chen ; Chunqi Ai ; Zhongchun Liub
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry 2023;24(no. 2):1-10
Objective:
Primary and secondary school students in a unique stage of development, has a unique psychological age characteristics, their mental health screening should be appropriate for their psychological development characteristics. The contents of Middle School Students Mental Health Scale (MSSMHS) were explored and revised, and the reliability and validity of the revised scale were tested.
Methods:
The middle school and high school students in Shiyan city of Hubei province were selected by random cluster sampling, and the revised mental health scale for middle school students was used to investigate. The 57 items of the original scale were revised, and SPSS25.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient under Alpha was used to test the reliability of the scale. Factor analysis was used for structural validity analysis.
Results:
The results of factor analysis, correlation analysis and internal consistency coefficient showed that the revised scale had high reliability, and its validity also met the requirements of psychological measurement.
Conclusion
The revised content of "MSSMHS" reasonably avoids cultural taboos and sensitive words of "suicide", and has good reliability and validity, which is worth popularizing in the practice of psychological assessment of middle school students.
5.Diagnostic value of portable monitor device in patients with potential obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
Songmin LIANG ; Zhongchun CHEN ; Jingjing HUANG ; Xia ZHAO ; Yu HUANG ; Ruxin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2016;51(3):209-211
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of portable monitor device (PMD) in potential obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients.
METHODSAll patients met the inclusion criteria were asked to finish the questionniar and underwent anthropometric measurements, and then completed polysomnography (PSG) test and PMD test simultaneously. The correlation between AHI-PMD and AHI-PSG, between MinSaO2-PMD and MinSaO2-PSG were analyzed by Spearman analysis. T test was used to compare the correlation coefficient between the two groups; ROC analysis was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PMD in diagnosis of OSAHS, and got the Cut-off value between moderate and severe OSAHS and mild OSAHS.
RESULTSThrough PSG test, of all the 111 cases, including 4 simple snoring cases, accounting for 3.6%, OSAHS patients with 107 cases, accounting for 96.4% which including 11 patients (9.9%) with mild, 17 patients (15.3%) with moderate, 79 patients (71.2%) with severe. The correlation of AHI-PMD and AHI-PSG between moderate and severe OSAHS patients was stronger than simple snoring and mild OSAHS patients. The coefficient test between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.026). The correlation of MinSaO2-PMD and MinSaO2-PSG was statistically significant (P<0.001), the correlation of MinSaO2-PMD and MinSaO2-PSG between moderate and severe OSAHS group and snoring and mild OSAHS group was not statistically significant (P=0.270). A statistically significant correlation between AHI-PMD and AHI-PSG was found (P<0.001). PMD had a sensitivity and specificity of 96.9% and 86.7%, respectively (AUC=0.990, 95%CI 0.970-1.000). The cut-off value between moderate and severe OSAHS and mild OSAHS was AHI-PMD≥12 times/h.
CONCLUSIONPMD had a satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing and judging the severity of moderate and severe OSAHS.
Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Polysomnography ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Snoring
6.Roles of glutamate transporter EAAT2 in occurrence and treatment of depression
Jianxin CHEN ; Lihua YAO ; Huiling WANG ; Zhongchun LIU ; Xiaoping WANG ; Ling XIAO ; Chang SHU ; Gaohua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2016;32(7):894-897
The glutamate transporter EAAT 2 ( rodent nomencla-ture GLT-1:glutamate transporter 1), which is a predominantly astroglial glutamate transporter in the hippocampus and the pre-frontal cortex , is responsible for the majority of extracellular glu-tamate uptake .The glutamate transporter EAAT 2 can decrease the high levels of glutamate in the synaptic cleft , avoiding gluta-matergic excitotoxicity to damage the glial cells and neurons . Currently, the transporter EAAT2 has become a research hotspot of depression .This article aims to summarize roles of glutamate transporter EAAT2 in the occurrence and treatment of depres-sion.
7.Effects of ceftriaxone on depressive-like behavior and changes of hippocampal glutamate transporter-1 in depression model C57 mice
Jianxin CHEN ; Lihua YAO ; Huiling WANG ; Zhongchun LIU ; Xiaoping WANG ; Kangsong CHEN ; Gaohua WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2015;24(5):389-392
Objective To investigate the effects of ceftriaxone on depressive-like behavior and changes of hippocampal glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) in C57 mice depression model,and to further explore the molecular mechanism of ceftriaxone on antidepressant action.Methods Thirty male C57 mice were randomly divided into control group(group A,n=10),CUS group(group B,n=10) and CUS+ceftriaxone group(group C,n=10).The mice of the CUS group and the CUS+ceftriaxone group were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) for 2 sessions per day for 21 days.Then,the mice of the CUS+ceftriaxone group were given ceftriaxone for 21 days.Behavioral changes were assessed by the sucrose preference test and open field test.The GLT-1 protein levels in the hippocampus were detected by Western blot analysis at the end of the ceftriaxone treatment.Results (1) Compared with the control group,the percentage of sucrose preference,the total traveled distance,the moved velocity,and the frequencies of rearing of the CUS group were significantly decreased(P<0.05) at the 21 days.However,the percentage of sucrose preference ((78.74 ± 3.54) %),the total traveled distance ((6818.35 ± 505.14) cm),the moved velocity((12.36±0.89) cm/s),and the frequencies of rearing(58.20±4.05) of the CUS+ceftriaxone group at the end of the ceftriaxone treatment were improved significantly compared with the CUS group ((59.46 ± 2.75) %,(2931.71±271.89) cm,(5.84±0.42) cm/s,(26.20±2.62),P<0.05).(2) Western blot analysis indicated significant reductions of the GLT-1 protein levels in the hippocampus of CUS group (versus the control mice:P <0.05),and chronic ceftriaxone treatment reversed the CUS-induced decrease in the GLT-1 levels(P<0.05).Conclusion Ceftriaxone might significantly improve depressive-like behavior in C57 mice depression model.Chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) could down-regulate the GLT-1 protein levels in the hippocampus,which are reversed by ceftriaxone.These results further support the notion enhanced expression of the GLT-1 protcin can be molecular mechanism of ceftriaxone on antidepressant action.
8.Effects of fluoxetine on changes of GLT-1 in rat prefrontal cortex after chronic unpredictable stress
Jianxin CHEN ; Lihua YAO ; Huiling WANG ; Zhongchun LIU ; Xiaoping WANG ; Ling XIAO ; Gaohua WANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2015;(2):256-260
Aim To investigate the effects of fluoxe-tine on the changes of of protein levels of GLT-1 in pre-frontal cortex in rat depression model, and to further explore the molecular mechanism of antidepressant ac-tion of fluoxetine. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control group, chronic unpredictable stress ( CUS) group, and CUS+fluoxetine group. The rats of CUS group and CUS+flu-oxetine group were subjected to CUS for 2 sessions per day for 35 days. Then, the rats of the CUS+fluoxetine group were given fluoxetine for 28 days. Behavioral changes were assessed by the sucrose preference and open field tests. The GLT-1 protein levels in the pre-frontal cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis at the end of the fluoxetine treatment. Results ( 1 ) Compared with the control group,sucrose preference, total traveling distance, ve-locity and frequencies of rearing were reduced in the CUS group ( P < 0. 01 ) . These behavioral changes could be reversed after 28 day fluoxetine treatment. (2 ) Immunohistochemistry assay indicated weak im-munoreactivity for GLT-1 in the prefrontal cortex of CUS group ( versus the control rats: P <0. 01 ); the immunoreactivity for GLT-1 of the fluoxetine-treated rats was significantly up-regulated compared with the CUS group rats ( P<0. 01 ) . ( 3 ) Western blot analy-sis indicated significant reductions of GLT-1 in the pre-frontal cortex of CUS group ( versus the control rats:P<0. 01 ) , and chronic fluoxetine treatment reversed the CUS-induced decrease in GLT-1 levels ( P <0. 01 ) . Conclusions Chronic unpredictable stress ( CUS ) could down-regulate the GLT-1 protein levels in the prefrontal cortex, which is reversed by fluoxe-tine. These results further support the notion that en-hanced expression of the GLT-1 protein could be mo-lecular mechanism of fluoxetine antidepressant effect.
9.Study of C57 mice depression model induced by chronic stress and separation
Lihua YAO ; Jianxin CHEN ; Xiaoping WANG ; Huiling WANG ; Gaohua WANG ; Zhongchun LIU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2014;23(1):23-24
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of C57 mice depression model established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and separation.Methods 30 male C57 mice were randomly divided into three groups:CUMS + separation group (group CS),CUMS + separation + fluoxetine group (group CSF),and control group (group C).The mice of group CS and group CSF were fed with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and separation for 3 weeks.Then,the mice of group CSF were given fluoxetine.To record the food intake/body weight,liquid consumption and field test of the mice at relevant time point.Results Compared with control group,the food intake/body weight,total route in the field test,and the sucrose solution consumption in liquid consumption test of group CS and group CSF decreased significantly (P<0.05) at the 21th days.But after giving fluoxetine for 14 days,group CSF had no significant differences with group C except sucrose solution consumption.Although the difference of sucrose solution preferences was significant compared with control group(P<0.05),it was improved significantly compared with CS group (P< 0.05).Conclusion The C57 mice depression model established by CUMS and separation are feasible and effective,and it is the ideal animal model of depression.
10.Pilomatricoma: a retrospective study of 399 cases.
Yongwei GUO ; Xia ZHAO ; Zhongwen ZHOU ; Zhongchun CHEN ; Songmin LIANG
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2013;27(21):1211-1213
OBJECTIVE:
To study the clinical and pathological features of pilomatricoma.
METHOD:
The authors retrospectively investigated the clinical and pathological materials of 399 patients with pilomatricoma.
RESULT:
Single lesion occurred in most patients (99%) and 56.39% of them were younger than 30 years. The male-female ratio was 1:1.33. The lesions which sizes average 1.22 cm were commonly emerged in the head, neck, and upper extremity.
CONCLUSION
Pilomatricoma is a slowly developed benign cutaneous tumour, but it can aggravate sometimes. It's manifestation is diversed and easily misdiagnosed. Early complete excision is recommended for hard or tenacious nodules on head, neck and upper extremity.
Adult
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Extremities
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Female
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Hair Diseases
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pathology
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surgery
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Head and Neck Neoplasms
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pathology
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surgery
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Pilomatrixoma
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pathology
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surgery
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Retrospective Studies
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Skin Neoplasms
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pathology
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surgery
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Tumor Burden


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