1.Risk assessment of human Spirometra mansoni infections and cross-sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice towards sparganosis in endemic areas of Henan Province
Yalan ZHANG ; Tiantian JIANG ; Xiaohui MA ; Yan DENG ; Weiqi CHEN ; Yankun ZHU ; Zhenqiang TANG ; Xi-meng LIN ; Hongwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):190-195
Objective To assess the risk of human Spirometra mansoni infections and investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards sparganosis mansoni among residents in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the sparganosis mansoni control measures. Methods Qinling Village in Fugou County of Zhoukou City, Bali Village in Yancheng District of Luohe City, Duzhai Village in Puyang County of Puyang City and Doushan Village in Luoshan County of Xinyang City were sampled as survey sites in Henan Province from July to August 2023, and more than 40 frogs were sampled from ponds or streams in each survey site for detection of Sparganum mansoni infections. At least 150 residents were sampled using a cluster sampling method from each survey site, and the sero-prevalence of anti-S. mansoni IgG antibody was estimated. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted on the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni among participants, and the proportion of eligible KAP, rate of correct KAP and KAP scores were calculated. Results A total 229 frogs were collected from 4 survey sites in 2023, and the overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 4.37% (10/229) in frogs, with 7.75% (10/129) prevalence in wild frogs and 0 in farm-bred frogs. A questionnaire survey was performed among 649 residents sampled from 4 survey sites, and 649 serum samples were collected. The seroprevalence of anti-S.mansoni IgG antibody was 0.15% (1/649) and the overall proportion of eligible KAP was 23.73% (154/649) among participants. There were age- (χ2 = 30.905, P = 0.000), educational level- (χ2 = 41.011, P = 0.000), and occupation-specific proportions of eligible KAP among participants (χ2 = 10.721, P = 0.005), and the proportion of eligible KAP decreased with age (χ2 trend = 22.717, P = 0.000) and increased with education levels (χ2 trend = 40.025, P = 0.000). The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni were 40.81% (2 119/5 192), 96.66% (1 882/1 947) and 63.81% (3 727/5 841) (χ2 = 1 913.731, P = 0.000) among residents, respectively. The rates of correct KAP towards sparganosis mansoni varied significantly among survey sites (χ2 = 136.872, 42.347 and 255.157; all P values= 0.000, with the highest rate of correct knowledge (51.94%, 748/1 440) and practices (75.86%, 1 229/1 620) in Yancheng District of Luohe City and the highest rate of correct attitudes in Puyang County of Puyang City (99.11%, 446/450) (all P values< 0.05). Conclusions There is still a high transmission risk of sparganosis mansoni in Henan Province, and the KAP towards sparganosis mansoni is required to be improved among residents.
2.Osteoprotective Effect and Mechanisms of Taxillus chinensis from Different Hosts on Ovariectomized Osteoporotic Rats
Di WEI ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Qiong MO ; Shaoxuan WEI ; Wenhui QIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):112-120
ObjectiveTo compare the effects of Taxillus chinensis from different hosts with different meridian affinity on bone microstructure and bone metabolism in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats, and investigate its mechanism of action. MethodEighty-eight specific-pathogen-free (SPF)-grade female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected and randomly divided into 11 groups: sham-operated group, model group, low-, medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from Morus alba (2.5, 5, and 10 g·kg-1), low-, medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from Cinnamomum cassia (2.5, 5, and 10 g·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from C. burmannii (2.5, 5, and 10 g·kg-1). After 12 weeks of drug intervention, the rats were examined for proximal femur bone density and bone microstructure using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). Histopathological changes in rat femur were observed by the hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). Contents of serum estradiol (E2), bone Gla protein (BGP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and pre-collagen type Ⅰ amino-terminal protopeptide (PINP) were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), Smad1, Smad9 and recombinant runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in rat humerus. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of BMP-2, p-Smad1/5/9 and Runx2 in rat humerus. ResultCompared with that in the sham-operated group, the femur microstructure of rats in the model group was significantly disrupted, with significant decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) value, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (P<0.01), and significant increases in trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) and structure model index (SMI) (P<0.01). The serum levels of BGP, BALP, TRACP-5b and PINP were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and E2 levels were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of BMP-2, Smad1, Smad9, and Runx2 were significantly decreased in rat humerus (P<0.01), and the protein expressions of BMP-2, p-Smad1/5/9, and Runx2 were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the administration groups of T. chinensis from different hosts all elevated the BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, Tb.Th, Tb.Sp, and SMI levels in the femur, improved bone microstructure, increased serum E2 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the levels of serum BGP, BALP, TRACP-5b, and PINP, upregulated the mRNA expression of BMP-2, Smad1, and Runx2 and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Smad9 (P<0.05, P<0.01), and upregulated the protein expressions levels of BMP-2, p-Smad1/5/9, and Runx2 (P<0.01). The best effect was observed in the group of T. chinensis from C. cassia. ConclusionT. chinensis from different hosts improved osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats, with the group of T. chinensis from C. cassia being the most potent among the administered groups, and its treatment of osteoporosis may regulate the balance of bone conversion by regulating BMP/Smad signaling pathway.
3.Prevalence of central obesity among the elderly with different body mass indexes in Xuhui District, Shanghai
Zhanyu JIANG ; Xiaolin QIAN ; Xiaohong ZHANG ; Zhenmei PU ; Jing ZHU ; Weiqi XU ; Chaowei FU ; Haiyan GU
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(3):289-296
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of overweight, obesity and central obesity among elderly residents in Xuhui District, and to analyze the epidemiological status of central obesity in elderly people with different body mass indexes. MethodsThe third round of health status and health service utilization monitoring data in Xuhui District was used. The information collected from questionnaire survey and physical examination were analyzed. SPSS 20.0 software was used for χ2 test, trend χ2 test and multinominal logistic regression analysis. Results5 096 survey subjects were included. The prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and central obesity in the residents aged 60 and above in Xuhui District were 34.3%, 6.5%, and 29.2%, respectively. There was gender difference in the rates of overweight, obesity, and central obesity among the residents. The overweight and central obesity rates in males were higher than those in females, while the obesity rate was lower than that in females (P<0.05). Multinominal logistic regression analysis showed that in comparison with the normal weight non-central obesity group drinking only at party (OR=1.729, 95%CI: 1.184‒2.525), and hypertension (OR=1.637, 95%CI: 1.305‒2.053), were highly associated with normal weight with central obesity. Aged 60‒ years (OR=1.589, 95%CI: 1.190‒2.120), aged 70‒ years (OR=1.763, 95%CI: 1.327‒2.342), male (OR=1.379, 95%CI: 1.134‒1.676), hypertension (OR=2.231, 95%CI: 1.878‒2.649), former smokers (OR=1.437, 95%CI: 1.027‒2.011), drinking at party only (OR=1.491, 95%CI: 1.107‒2.006), and drinking ≥3 times per week (OR=1.611, 95%CI: 1.116‒2.325), were highly associated with overweight combined with central obesity. Aged 60‒ years (OR=3.817, 95%CI: 2.251‒6.474), aged 70‒ years (OR=3.084, 95%CI: 1.838‒5.175), hypertension (OR=3.683, 95%CI: 2.753‒4.929), diabetes (OR=2.085, 95%CI: 1.511‒2.878), former smokers (OR=1.835, 95%CI: 1.043‒3.226), were highly associated with compound obesity. Central obesity was found in the elderly residents with different BMI categories, and the rate of central obesity increased with the increase of BMI grade. ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity among the elderly aged 60 years and above in Xuhui District is not optimistic. Attention should be paid to the elderly under 80 years old who are with hypertension and/or diabetes, alcohol consumption, low educational level and not doing physical exercise. Especially for the central obesity population with normal BMI, measures should be taken to prevent and intervene the occurrence of obesity and related diseases.
4.Current Research Status and Application Technical Progress of Small Molecule Drug Screening Technology
Ruijun WU ; Weiqi LI ; Yang YANG ; Jing WANG ; Xin ZHANG ; Zihan FANG ; Xiaoyi ZHANG ; Yue SU
Herald of Medicine 2024;43(2):255-261
Small molecule drug screening technology is continuously evolving and expanding along with drug discovery,and the innovation in drug screening technology can improve the research and development efficiency and success rate,shorten the cycle time,and reduce the cost.From traditional screening technologies based on known active compounds and high-throughput screening(HTS)to new technologies such as structure-based drug discovery(SBDD),fragment-based drug discovery(FBDD),DNA encoded compound library(DEL)and proteolysis targeting chimeras(PROTAC),small molecule drug screening technologies are continuously broadening the market potential for small molecule drugs.This article will provide an overview of the current status of small molecule drug screening technology,systematically review each technique along with their advantages and disadvantages,and offer essential insights for the development of new small molecule drug screening technologies.
5.Human ESC-derived vascular cells promote vascular regeneration in a HIF-1α dependent manner.
Jinghui LEI ; Xiaoyu JIANG ; Daoyuan HUANG ; Ying JING ; Shanshan YANG ; Lingling GENG ; Yupeng YAN ; Fangshuo ZHENG ; Fang CHENG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Juan Carlos Izpisua BELMONTE ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Si WANG ; Jing QU
Protein & Cell 2024;15(1):36-51
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism*
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Endothelial Cells/metabolism*
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Transcription Factors/metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Hypoxia/metabolism*
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Cell Hypoxia/physiology*
6.Expert Consensus on Standard Terminology for Hair Transplantation (2024 Edition)
Yong MIAO ; Wei WU ; Zhenyu GONG ; Wenjie JIANG ; Yufei LI ; Zhiqi HU ; Hua XIAN ; Xiang XIE ; Weiqi YANG ; Dongyi ZHANG ; Jufang ZHANG ; Jiaxian ZHANG ; Chunhua ZHANG ; HAIR TRANSPLANTATION EXPERT GROUP OF PLASTIC AND AESTHETIC NATIONAL MEDICAL QUALITY CONTROL CENTER
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(6):1301-1310
In order to promote the development of hair transplantation, particularly the establishment of standards, the Hair Transplantation Expert Group of Plastic and Aesthetic National Medical Quality Control Center invited experts in the field of hair transplantation across China and formed a draft of the
7.Expert Consensus on Standard Terminology for Hair Transplantation (2024 Edition)
Yong MIAO ; Wei WU ; Zhenyu GONG ; Wenjie JIANG ; Yufei LI ; Zhiqi HU ; Hua XIAN ; Xiang XIE ; Weiqi YANG ; Dongyi ZHANG ; Jufang ZHANG ; Jiaxian ZHANG ; Chunhua ZHANG
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(6):1301-1310
In order to promote the development of hair transplantation, particularly the establishment of standards, the Hair Transplantation Expert Group of Plastic and Aesthetic National Medical Quality Control Center invited experts in the field of hair transplantation across China and formed a draft of the
8.Colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation: a clinicopathological analysis of eight cases
Qi WANG ; Yan ZHANG ; Cong TAN ; Shujuan NI ; Dan HUANG ; Bin CHANG ; Weiqi SHENG ; Lei WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2024;53(4):370-376
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features of colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation (CAED).Methods:Eight cases of CAED diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from January 2017 to August 2023 were collected. The histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular and prognostic features of 8 CAED cases were analyzed. The relevant studies were also reviewed.Results:Among the eight patients, there were six males and two females, with an average age of 58 years (range: 29-77 years, median age: 61.5 years). Preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were elevated in five patients (14.0-286.6 μg/L). Four tumors were located in the colon, and four tumors in the rectum. Two patients were clinically staged as advanced stage (stage Ⅳ), and distant metastasis occurred at the initial diagnosis (one case had liver metastasis, and the other had lung, bone and multiple lymph nodes metastases). Six patients were clinically staged as locally-advanced stage (Stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Three of them developed distant metastases after surgery (one case had liver metastasis, one case had lung metastasis, and one case had peritoneal metastasis). Additionally, two patients died at 9 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. The tumors were composed of various proportions of adenocarcinoma components with enteroblastic differentiation (30%-100%) and classical tubular adenocarcinoma components. The component with enteroblastic differentiation exhibited morphology similar to embryonic intestinal epithelium: cuboidal or columnar tumor cells arranged in tubular, papillary, cribriform, or solid nest patterns, with clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells expressed at least one oncofetal protein (SALL4, Glypican-3, and AFP). In addition, focal squamous differentiation was observed in 3 cases (3/8). Compared to the primary tumor, both CAED and squamous differentiation components were increased in the metastatic tumors. Based on the sequencing results of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF of the primary and/or metastatic tumors, 5 cases were wild-type, while KRAS exon 2 (G13D) mutations were identified in 2 cases.Conclusions:CAED is a rare colorectal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Accurate pathological diagnosis is prognostically valuable. The histological features of enteroblastic differentiation, elevated serum AFP levels, and the expression of oncofetal proteins play an important role in the tumor diagnosis.
9.18F-Florzolotau PET Imaging of Abnormal tau Protein Deposition in Alzheimer's Disease
Fangyang JIAO ; Jiaying LU ; Ming LI ; Qi HUANG ; Weiqi BAO ; Zhengwei ZHANG ; Zizhao JU ; Qianhua ZHAO ; Yihui GUAN ; Chuantao ZUO ; Huiwei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging 2024;32(5):426-430,438
Purpose To explore the value of the new generation tau PET tracer 18F-Florzolotau in Alzheimer's disease(AD)at different stages.Materials and Methods Twenty-five MCI patients and sixty-one AD patients with positive β-amyloid status in Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from February 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively enrolled with 18F-Florzolotau PET imaging and demographic and clinical data.The pre-processed PET images were analyzed by SPM two-sample t-test between MCI and AD groups,and the standardized uptake value ratios(SUVR)were extracted from the region of interest defined by SPM analysis(P<0.001);scaled subprofile model/principal component analysis was used to construct the different tau related patterns(MCItauRP,ADtauRP)and calculate the corresponding expression values.The classification efficiency of SUVR and MCItauRP,ADtauRP expression values was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results Compared with MCI patients,tau protein deposition of AD patients was increased mainly in the bilateral temporal,occipital lobe(P<0.001),and the SUVR of these brain region in the AD group was higher than that in the MCI group(Z=-3.164,P<0.00l);the expression values of MCItauRP and ADtauRP were significantly different between the AD group and MCI group(t=3.72,Z=-3.51;both P<0.001),and these expression values of AD patients were higher than those in the MCI group;the accuracy of tauRP expression values and SUVR for the differentiation between the AD and MCI group were 61.63%,65.12%and 65.12%,respectively;the sensitivity was 88.00%,96.00%and 100.00%,respectively;the specificity was 50.82%,52.46%and 50.82%,respectively.Conclusion The new tau PET can identify and distinguish the differences in tau protein deposition between AD and MCI patients.However,the classification and diagnosis efficiency is not high.In the future,it is necessary to find a more ideal analysis method.
10.Pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective
Nan DING ; Lixin PAN ; Changlin LIAN ; Zhifeng XU ; Yukai WANG ; Fen ZHANG ; Guanghua ZHAO ; Xiaojue LIANG ; Wenjie LAI ; Weiqi ZENG ; Jingjuan CHEN ; Guohua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2024;23(4):333-339
Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.

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