1.Screening of biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome and analysis of immune infiltration
Yani LIU ; Jinghuan YANG ; Huihui LU ; Yufang YI ; Zhixiang LI ; Yangfu OU ; Jingli WU ; Bing WEI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(5):1091-1100
BACKGROUND:Fibromyalgia syndrome,as a common rheumatic disease,is related to central sensitization and immune abnormalities.However,the specific mechanism has not been elucidated,and there is a lack of specific diagnostic markers.Exploring the possible pathogenesis of this disease has important clinical significance. OBJECTIVE:To screen the potential diagnostic marker genes of fibromyalgia syndrome and analyze the possible immune infiltration characteristics based on bioinformatics methods,such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),and machine learning. METHODS:Gene expression profiles in peripheral serum of fibromyalgia syndrome patients and healthy controls were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database.The differentially co-expressed genes were screened in the expression profile by differential analysis and WGCNA analysis.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE)machine learning algorithm were further used to identify hub biomarkers,and draw receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)to evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome.Finally,single sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)were used to evaluate the immune cell infiltration and pathway enrichment in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Eight down-regulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained after differential analysis of the GSE67311 dataset according to the conditions of log2|(FC)|>0 and P<0.05.After WGCNA analysis,497 genes were included in the module(MEdarkviolet)with the highest positive correlation(r=0.22,P=0.04),and 19 genes were included in the module(MEsalmon2)with the highest negative correlation(r=-0.41,P=6×10-5).After intersecting DEGs and the module genes of WGCNA,seven genes were obtained.Four genes were screened out by LASSO regression algorithm and five genes were screened out by SVM-RFE machine learning algorithm.After the intersection of the two,three core genes were identified,which were germinal center associated signaling and motility like,integrin beta-8,and carboxypeptidase A3.The areas under the ROC curve of the three core genes were 0.744,0.739,and 0.734,respectively,indicating that they have good diagnostic value and can be used as biomarkers for fibromyalgia syndrome.The results of immune infiltration analysis showed that memory B cells,CD56 bright NK cells,and mast cells were significantly down-regulated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome compared with the control group(P<0.05),and were significantly positively correlated with the above three biomarkers(P<0.05).The enrichment analysis suggested that there were nine fibromyalgia syndrome enrichment pathways,mainly related to olfactory transduction pathway,neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,and infection pathway.The above results showed that the occurrence and development of fibromyalgia syndrome are related to the involvement of multiple genes,abnormal immune regulation,and multiple pathways imbalance.However,the interactions between these genes and immune cells,as well as their relationships with various pathways need to be further investigated.
2.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid alleviates inflammation in C2C12 myoblasts through the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway
Huihui JI ; Xu JIANG ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yunhong XING ; Liangliang WANG ; Na LI ; Yuting SONG ; Xuguang LUO ; Huilin CUI ; Ximei CAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(6):1220-1229
BACKGROUND:Rev-erbα is involved in the regulation of inflammation,but pharmacological activation of Rev-erbα increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.To reduce the relevant risk,an exploration on SR9009,a Rev-erbα agonist,combined with other drugs to relieve inflammation in skeletal myoblasts was conducted,laying the theoretical foundation for the treatment of inflammation-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship of SR9009,indolepropionic acid and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced C2C12 myoblasts. METHODS:(1)C2C12 myoblasts were induced to differentiate in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL).RNA-seq and KEGG pathway analysis were used to study signaling pathways.(2)C2C12 myoblast viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay to determine optimal concentrations of indolepropionic acid.Subsequently,cells were categorized into control group,lipopolysaccharide(1 μg/mL)group,SR9009(10 μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,indolepropionic acid(80μmol/L)+lipopolysaccharide group,and SR9009+indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.ELISA was employed to measure protein expression levels of interleukin-6 in the cultured supernatant.Real-time quantitative PCR were employed to measure mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Western blot assay were employed to measure protein expression levels of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65.(3)After Rev-erbα was knocked down by siRNA,knockdown efficiency was assessed by RT-qPCR.And mRNA levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were also measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,lipopolysaccharide time-dependently inhibited myofibroblast fusion to form myotubes,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were elevated,and the level of interleukin-6 in the cell supernatant was significantly increased.The results of KEGG pathway showed that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway was activated by lipopolysaccharide.Indolepropionic acid exhibited significant suppression of C2C12 myoblasts viability when its concentration exceeded 80 μmol/L.Indolepropionic acid and SR9009 inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby played an anti-inflammatory role,and suppressed the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression were downregulated.SR9009 combined with indolepropionic acid notably reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation,further downregulated the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor α,TLR4 and CD14.The ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 protein expression was significantly lower than that in the SR9009+lipopolysaccharide group or indolepropionic acid+lipopolysaccharide group.Rev-erbα increases time-dependently with lipopolysaccharide induction.The knockdown efficiency of Rev-erbα by siRNA reached over 58%,and lipopolysaccharide was added after Rev-erbα was successfully knocked down.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly up-regulated.These results conclude that Rev-erbα may act as a promising pharmacological target to reduce inflammation.SR9009 targeted activation of Rev-erbα combined with indolepropionic acid significantly inhibits the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and attenuates the inflammatory response of C2C12 myofibroblasts.Moreover,the combined anti-inflammatory effect is superior to that of the intervention alone.
3.A systematic evaluation of the public health governance capacity of 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces
Huayi ZHANG ; Qingyu ZHOU ; Huihui HUANGFU ; Peiwu SHI ; Qunhong SHEN ; Chaoyang ZHANG ; Zheng CHEN ; Chuan PU ; Lingzhong XU ; Anning MA ; Zhaohui GONG ; Tianqiang XU ; Panshi WANG ; Hua WANG ; Chao HAO ; Zhi HU ; Chengyue LI ; Mo HAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(5):451-457
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the public health governance capacity of 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces, providing a scientific evaluation basis for building a "Healthy Yangtze River Delta". MethodsA comprehensive collection of policy documents, public information reports, and research literature related to public health governance capacity in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces was conducted, totaling 6 920 policy documents, 1 720 information reports, and 1 200 literature pieces. Based on the evaluation standards for an appropriate public health system established by the research team, the basic status of public health governance capacity was assessed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the 40 cities. ResultsIn 2022, the public health governance capacity score for the 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces was (562.5±38.0) points. In terms of specific areas, the emergency response field received the highest score of (791.4±49.7) points, while the chronic disease prevention and control field received the lowest score of (368.2±29.6) points. The Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Anhui region has largely achieved the strategic priority of health, gradually improved public health legal regulations, and established a basic organizational framework with a solid foundation for information and data infrastructure. However, challenges still need to be addressed, such as unstable government funding for public health, unclear departmental responsibilities, and barriers to information interoperability. ConclusionThe public health governance capacity of the 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Province has been at a moderate level, but disparities have still existed across regions and fields. In the future, while continuing to deepen existing advantages, it is essential to accurately identify the causes of problems, establish a long-term and stable investment mechanism, enhance information connectivity mechanisms, further clarify departmental responsibilities, and promote the achievement of the "Healthy Yangtze River Delta" goal.
4.Usage and Dosage Analysis and Countermeasures for Development of Compound Preparations of Han Dynasty Famous Classical Formulas
Yan JIN ; Bing LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Huasheng PENG ; Huamin ZHANG ; Huihui LIU ; Lin ZHANG ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):1-10
In order to provide a reference basis for the development of relevant compound preparations, this article takes a comprehensive analysis of the usage and dosage of famous classical formulas in Han dynasty from various perspectives, and gives corresponding countermeasures on this basis. Through the comprehensive analysis of the classification and statistics of Zhongjing's medication characteristics, decoction methods, administration and dosage, and combining conversion methods of weights and measures by ancient medical practitioners, along with the dosage and administration of the listed Han dynasty famous classical formulas, it was found that the "Jiangxi method" served as a general guideline for administration according to Zhongjing's original text. This method allowed for flexible dosing based on the conversion of the ancient measurements to modern equivalents[13.8 g per Liang(两)], ensuring the safe and effective medication of these formulas. After combing, it is found that although the dosage of single medicine is large in famous classical formulas from Han dynasty, the administration is flexible. The crude drug amount per administration serves as the foundational dose, with the frequency of administration adjusted flexibly according to the condition. This dosing approach becomes the key for the rational development of compound formulations of famous classical formulas. Based on the conclusions of the study, it is recommended that when developing compound formulations of famous classical formulas in Han dynasty, the original administration method and dosage should be respected. The original crude drug amount per administration should be considered as the daily foundational dose, with the frequency of administration described within a range(1 to N times per day, where N is the maximum number of administrations as per the original text). The specific frequency of administration can be adjusted flexibly by clinical practitioners based on the individual condition. This approach should also be adopted in toxicological studies, where the dosage per administration serves as the basis for toxicity research, and the toxicity profile at the maximum administration frequency should be observed, providing guidance on the clinical safety range. Corresponding drug labels should provide information within a range to indicate toxicological risk intervals.
5.Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Ticagrelor Versus Clopidogrel in CYP2C19 Loss-of-function Carriers with Mild Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Yu LI ; Huaisen WANG ; Xiaojun FENG ; Huihui FAN ; Tianlu SHI
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(5):678-683
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in CYP2C19 loss-of-function carriers with mild ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA).
METHODS
Databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang were systematically searched, and the search period was from database establishment to June 2022. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS
A total of 2 studies with 7 087 patients were included. Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduced the incidence of stroke[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.93), I2=0%, P=0.007] and vascular event[RR=0.78, 95%CI(0.66−0.91), I2=0%, P=0.002] in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele. The incidence of any bleeding[HR=2.18, 95%CI(1.66−2.85)] and minor bleeding[HR=2.41, 95%CI (1.81−3.20)] in the ticagrelor-aspirin group was higher than that in the clopidogrel-aspirin group, and dyspnea (1.2% vs 0.2%, P<0.001) and arrhythmias(1.7% vs 0.8%, P=0.001) were more common in the ticagrelor-aspirin group than in the clopidogrel-aspirin group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe bleeding between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor reduces the incidence of stroke and vascular events in patients with mild ischemic stroke or TIA carrying the CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele, and did not increase the risk of severe bleeding. However, the ticagrelor group had a higher incidence of minor bleeding, dyspnea and arrhythmias.
6.Expression of enolase and laminin in the vagina of bacterial vaginosis of mice
Rui Zhang ; Yiqing Wu ; Haixu Yin ; Chang Li ; Aixin Ma ; Junzhu Wang ; Huihui Bai ; Zhaohui Liu ; Qinping Liao
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(11):1939-1943
Objective:
To investigate the differences in enolase and laminin levels in vaginal epithelial tissues between mice successfully infected withGardnerellaand mice not infected with Gardnerella, providing information for further exploration of the correlation between enolase and laminin levels and the incidence of bacterial vaginosis.
Methods:
Gardnerella strains isolated, purified, and identified from vaginal secretions of patients with bacterial vaginosis were used to infect the vagina of mice and establish a mouse model of bacterial vaginosis. Successful and failed mice was defined as successful and failed groups, respectively. Differential expression of enolase and laminin in the vaginal epithelial tissue of two groups of mice was detected by Western blot. Modeling success rate was statistically analyzed, and the expression differences of enolase and laminin was compared between two groups.
Results:
One strain of Gardnerella vaginalis infected 10 SPF grade KM mice, 7 mice met the diagnostic criteria for bacterial vaginosis, and 3 mice failed to model, with a success rate of 70%. Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels, and the levels of laminin and enolase in the successfully modeled mouse vaginal epithelial tissue were significantly higher than those in the failed modeling group, with statistical differences between the two groups(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Enolase and laminin may be involved in the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, however, further research is needed to determine the mechanisms through which they trigger the occurrence and development of the disease.
7.Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of syphilis in Gansu province in 2005 - 2021
Li LI ; Aixia TU ; Qijun LIANG ; Jianjun YANG ; Xiaoqiang YANG ; Huihui YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(4):53-57
Objective To analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the syphilis epidemic in Gansu Province from 2005 to 2021, and to provide a reference for the prevention and control of the syphilis epidemic in Gansu Province. Methods ArcGIS 10.7 was used to map the annual incidence of syphilis in Gansu Province from 2005 to 2021, spatial autocorrelation analysis and local autocorrelation analysis were performed, and SaTScan 10.0.2 software was used for spatiotemporal scanning analysis. Results The global autocorrelation results showed that the annual incidence of syphilis in 2005-2021 was >0, Z>1.96, and the P< 0.0001, showing a spatial clustering distribution, and the local autocorrelation results showed that there was one spatially similar high-high aggregation area and two spatially similar low-low aggregation areas in Gansu Province, and the hot spot analysis showed that there were 9 negative hotspot areas and 2 positive hotspot areas in the syphilis epidemic in Gansu Province. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis detected two high concentration areas, mainly concentrated in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Conclusion Syphilis in Gansu Province has regional differences in space, and high-high accumulation areas in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture persist, and targeted prevention and control strategies should be specified according to temporal and spatial characteristics.
8.Analysis of Research Status on Performance Assessment of Tertiary Public Hospitals Based on VOSviewer
Li WEI ; Huihui CHEN ; Jiahong XIA ; Yi-Xiang PENG ; Dong XU ; Ming ZHANG ; Ning DING ; Yidan ZHANG ; Wen CHEN ; Chang'e XIONG
Chinese Hospital Management 2024;44(9):1-4
Objective To analyze the current research status and hotspot issues of performance assessment in tertia-ry public hospitals in China,providing reference for subsequent research and practice.Methods Using"performance assessment of tertiary public hospitals"as the main keyword,a total of 520 articles were retrieved from the CNKI ac-ademic journal database from January 30,2019,to January 30,2024.After further screening of literature based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 364 eligible articles were obtained.Visual analysis was conducted using the VOSviewer tool.Results The number of publications increased annually from 2019 to 2021,with a decline ob-served in 2022-2023."Chinese Journal of Health"published the most articles on performance assessment in tertiary public hospitals.Research institutions mainly focused on universities,health administrative departments,and hospi-tals.The hotspot clusters of research included performance assessment,public hospitals,target management,high-quality development,tertiary hospitals,and operational efficiency.Conclusion Performance assessment in tertia-ry public hospitals has received widespread attention,with rich connotations and obvious guiding effects,but further research is needed to deepen and explore related topics.
9.Research on the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide involvement in regulating uterine contraction during pregnancy through TREK-1
Xingxing WANG ; Huihui YU ; Xuan LI ; Zongzhi YIN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(4):634-639
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)on the contraction of pregnant uterine smooth muscle at tissue and cellular levels.Methods C57BL/6J mice at 16 days of gestation were randomly divided into control group and LPS group.The mice in LPS group were intraperitoneally injected with 20 μg in LPS solution to establish the model of preterm birth,and the mice in control group were intraperitone-ally injected with the same amount of normal saline.Isolated uterine muscle strips were used to detect changes in the contractile function of the tissue,as well as changes in the expression and function of the contraction key signa-ling molecule TWIK-related K+channel 1(TREK-1).Primary cultured pregnant mouse uterine smooth muscle cells were used to detect the expression of TREK-1 under the regulation of LPS.Results The contractility of mouse u-terine tissues was significantly enhanced by LPS,and the protein expression of TREK-1,a key signal for contrac-tion,was significantly reduced,and activation of TREK-1 resulted in a significant down-regulation of the enhanced contractility of mouse uterine tissues in the LPS group.However,there was no significant difference in the expres-sion of TREK-1 protein,which was highly expressed in the smooth muscle of pregnant mice,when LPS acted on the primary uterine smooth muscle cells of pregnant mice.Conclusion Uterine contractility is enhanced in pregnant mice uterine tissues by inhibiting TREK-1 expression and function in response to LPS,and it may be one of the mechanisms by which LPS induces preterm labor.However,the effect of LPS on TREK-1 on mouse pregnant uter-ine smooth muscle cells may be realized through intercellular signaling and not directly on uterine smooth muscle cells.This further suggests that the animal and histological experiments cannot be completely replaced by isolated cell experiments in the study of inflammatory preterm labor.
10.Effect of ephedrine on airway remodeling in bronchial asthma mice by regulating TGF-β1/Smads pathway
Huihui FAN ; Yumei REN ; Xinlei TIAN ; Kai ZHANG ; Xiaoli LI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(8):1398-1404
Objective To explore the effect of ephedrine on airway remodeling and its regulation effect on transfor-ming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads pathway in asthmatic mice.Methods All mice were randomly separated into control group,model group,dexamethasone group,ephedrine low-dose group,ephedrine high-dose group,and ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group,with 12 mice in each group.Except for the control group,mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 40 μg ovalbumin(OVA)and 2 mg 10%aluminium hydroxide sensitizer to induce asthma models.After 8 weeks,the airway hyperresponsiveness of mice in each group was detec-ted;eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)were counted;ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,and IL-13 in BALF;hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining were applied to observe the pathological changes and collagen fiber area of mouse lung tissue;immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)protein in mouse lung tissue;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of TGF-β1/Smads pathway related proteins in mouse lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,total area of airway wall(Wat)/perimeter of the basement membrane(Pbm)ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the model group in-creased(P<0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the dexamethasone group,the ephedrine low-dose and high-dose groups decreased(P<0.05),the expression of Smad7 increased(P<0.05);compared with the ephedrine high-dose group,the airway hyperreactivity at different doses of methacholine,Wat/Pbm ratio,collagen fiber area,eosinophil,the contents of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13,the ex-pression of α-SMA,TGF-β1,the ratios of p-Smad2/Smad2 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in the ephedrine high-dose+TGF-β1 activator group increased(P<0.05),the expression of Smad7 decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion E-phedrine can improve airway remodeling in asthmatic mice,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.


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