1.Relationship between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia
Ying'ao CUI ; Cheng YANG ; Yinghan TIAN ; Qingqing SHEN ; Huanzhong LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):28-33
BackgroundAggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients could result in legal disputes and public safety concerns. In patients with illness episodes of different numbers, there may exist differences in the association between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity. ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia, in order to search for inflammatory biomarkers to assess aggression level in schizophrenic patients. MethodsA total of 168 schizophrenic patients were selected as subjects, who were hospitalized for acute disease onset in Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 2022 to April 2024 as well as met the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Patients were divided into first-episode group (n=58) and recurrent group (n=110). Meanwhile, 110 healthy controls from community who matched in age and gender with the patient group were recruited. All patients were evaluated with Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). All subjects went through examination of the levels of novel inflammatory indicators, including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and platelet/high-density lipoprotein ratio (PHR). Spearman correlation analysis was adopted to investigate the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and the total score of MOAS in patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia. ResultsThe levels of NLR, MLR, PLR, NHR, MHR and PHR in first-episode group were higher than those in control group (adjusted P<0.01). The levels of NLR, MLR, NHR, MHR and PHR in recurrent group were higher than those in control group (adjusted P<0.01). No significant difference was observed in the comparison in the levels of six novel inflammatory indicators between first-episode group and recurrent group (adjusted P>0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed, the MOAS total score of recurrent group was positively correlated with the levels of NLR, MLR and PLR (r=0.234, 0.192, 0.243, P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between MOAS total score and levels of six novel inflammatory indicators in first-episode group (P>0.05). ConclusionAmong patients with first-episode and recurrent schizophrenia, the correlation between levels of novel inflammatory indicators and aggressivity could differ. NLR, MLR and PLR might be the biomarkers for assessing aggression level in recurrent schizophrenic patients. [Funded by Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (number, 2108085MH275)]
2.Gene Expression Alteration by Non-thermal Plasma-Activated Media Treatment in Radioresistant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sicong ZHENG ; Yudan PIAO ; Seung-Nam JUNG ; Chan OH ; Mi Ae LIM ; QuocKhanh NGUYEN ; Shan SHEN ; Se-Hee PARK ; Shengzhe CUI ; Shuyu PIAO ; Young Il KIM ; Ji Won KIM ; Ho-Ryun WON ; Jae Won CHANG ; Yujuan SHAN ; Lihua LIU ; Bon Seok KOO
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2025;18(1):73-87
Objectives:
. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes.
Methods:
. After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC.
Results:
. NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways.
Conclusion
. NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.
3.Gene Expression Alteration by Non-thermal Plasma-Activated Media Treatment in Radioresistant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sicong ZHENG ; Yudan PIAO ; Seung-Nam JUNG ; Chan OH ; Mi Ae LIM ; QuocKhanh NGUYEN ; Shan SHEN ; Se-Hee PARK ; Shengzhe CUI ; Shuyu PIAO ; Young Il KIM ; Ji Won KIM ; Ho-Ryun WON ; Jae Won CHANG ; Yujuan SHAN ; Lihua LIU ; Bon Seok KOO
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2025;18(1):73-87
Objectives:
. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes.
Methods:
. After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC.
Results:
. NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways.
Conclusion
. NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.
4.Gene Expression Alteration by Non-thermal Plasma-Activated Media Treatment in Radioresistant Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Sicong ZHENG ; Yudan PIAO ; Seung-Nam JUNG ; Chan OH ; Mi Ae LIM ; QuocKhanh NGUYEN ; Shan SHEN ; Se-Hee PARK ; Shengzhe CUI ; Shuyu PIAO ; Young Il KIM ; Ji Won KIM ; Ho-Ryun WON ; Jae Won CHANG ; Yujuan SHAN ; Lihua LIU ; Bon Seok KOO
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2025;18(1):73-87
Objectives:
. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly in cases of radioresistant HNSCC (RR-HNSCC). Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy effectively suppresses the progression of HNSCC. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of NTP therapy in treating RR-HNSCC are not well understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of NTP in the RR-HNSCC signaling pathway and identified its signature genes.
Methods:
. After constructing two RR-HNSCC cell lines, we prepared cell lysates from cells treated or not treated with NTP-activated media (NTPAM) and performed RNA sequencing to determine their mRNA expression profiles. Based on the RNA sequencing results, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by a bioinformatics analysis to identify candidate molecules potentially associated with NTPAM therapy for RR-HNSCC.
Results:
. NTPAM reduced RR-HNSCC cell viability in vitro. RNA sequencing results indicated that NTPAM treatment activated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and induced ferroptosis in RR-HNSCC cell lines. Among the 1,924 genes correlated with radiation treatment, eight showed statistical significance in both the cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Only five genes—ABCC3, DUSP16, PDGFB, RAF1, and THBS1—showed consistent results between the NTPAM data sequencing and TCGA data. LASSO regression analysis revealed that five genes were associated with cancer prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 2.26. In RR-HNSCC cells, NTPAM affected DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 as activated markers within 6 hours, and this effect persisted for 12 hours. Furthermore, enrichment analysis indicated that these three DEGs were associated with the extracellular matrix, transforming growth factor-beta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor pathways.
Conclusion
. NTPAM therapy exerts cytotoxic effects in RR-HNSCC cell lines by inducing specific ROS-mediated ferroptosis. DUSP16, PDGFB, and THBS1 were identified as crucial targets for reversing the radiation resistance induced by NTPAM therapy, providing insights into the mechanisms and clinical applications of NTPAM treatment in RR-HNSCC.
5.Antibiotic resistance and molecular typing of Campylobacter spp. from diarrheal patients in Baoshan District of Shanghai, 2019‒2022
Na NIU ; Shiyong CUI ; Junqing SHEN ; Xu ZHANG ; Min JIN ; Xiaode TANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(6):490-495
ObjectiveTo analyze the drug resistance and the molecular typing characteristics through pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of Campylobacter spp. isolated from patients with infectious diarrhea in Baoshan District of Shanghai, and to provide a basis for Campylobacter spp. prevention and control and clinical medication. MethodsCampylobacter spp. was isolated, cultured and identified from stool samples of diarrheal patients collected from medical institutions at two monitoring sites in Baoshan District from 2019 to 2022. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for 12 antibiotics was conducted on the isolated Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and Campylobacter. Coli (C. coli), and molecular typing was performed using PFGE. ResultsA total of 179 strains of Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 1 786 samples of diarrheal patients, with a positive rate of 10.02%. The highest resistance rate of C. jejuni was to ciprofloxacin (98.63%), followed by tetracycline (97.26%) and nalidixic acid (89.73%). C. coli was completely resistant to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid (100.00%), followed by tetracycline (90.91%). The multidrug resistance rates of C. jejuni and C. coli were 89.73% and 100.00%, respectively. 142 strains of C. jejuni produced 122 PFGE bands, while 33 strains of C. coli produced 33 PFGE bands, and the distribution of the bands was relatively dispersed. ConclusionFrom 2019 to 2022, the detection rate of Campylobacter in diarrheal patients was relatively high in Baoshan District of Shanghai, the multidrug resistance rate of Campylobacter isolates from diarrheal patients was relatively serious, in addition, the drug resistance pattern was complex, and the PFGE band pattern displayed a polymorphic distribution.
6.Therapeutic effect of oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of Aflibercept in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion
Ran SHEN ; Hongying JI ; Hongyu CUI ; Lequan YANG ; Lixia GUO
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1532-1536
AIM: To explore the therapeutic effect of oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion(RVO).METHODS: A total of 80 patients(80 eyes)with RVO admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to March 2024 were prospectively selected. According to the treatment method, they were divided into a control group of 40 patients treated with intravitreal injection of aflibercept, and an observation group of 40 patients treated with oral Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept. The efficacy, TCM syndrome score, retinal microcirculation parameters, macular edema(ME), and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of patients in the treatment of RVO.RESULTS: All patients have completed follow-up. The clinical effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 95%, obviously higher than that of the control group(80%; χ2=4.114, P=0.043). After treatment for 3 mo, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, foveal avascular area(FAZ)area, FAZ circumference, macular central retinal thickness, and neovascularization leakage area of both groups decreased, the overall blood flow density of the superficial capillary plexus(SCP)and deep capillary plexuses(DCP)increased, and the observation group showed better results than the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions between the two groups during the treatment period(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Oral administration of Xuefu Zhuyu Pill combined with intravitreal injection of aflibercept in the treatment of RVO can improve retinal microcirculation, enhance vision, restore ocular blood circulation, improve bleeding, promote ME absorption, and improve clinical efficacy.
7.Effect of Shenfu Yixin Granules on Mitochondrial Dynamics in Rats with Heart Failure After Myocardial Infarction
Yuying SONG ; Lin CUI ; Yufeng HE ; Huiying ZHU ; Weihong LIU ; Si SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):87-94
ObjectiveTo prepare a rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, and to observe the effect of Shenfu Yixin granules on the mitochondrial dynamics of rats with heart failure. MethodFifty SD male rats were randomly taken ten as the sham operation group and the rest as modeling group. The rat model of heart failure after myocardial infarction was prepared by ligation of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. According to the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) on the 28th day after operation, the model rats were randomly divided into the model group, Shenfu Yixin granule low-dose and high-dose groups(3.011, 15.055 g·kg-1) and sacubitril valsartan sodium group(20.83 mg·kg-1). Each administration group was gavaged daily with the corresponding dose of drug solution, while the sham operation group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline once a day for 28 days, with 6 rats in each group. Ultrasound was used to detect the cardiac function parameters, rat heart mass and body mass were weighed to calculate the cardiac mass index, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect serum brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) and soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein(sST2) levels. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the myocardium. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of mitochondrial fusion protein 1/2(Mfn1/2), optic atrophy protein 1(Opa1), dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) and fission protein 1(Fis1). ResultCompared with the sham operation group, the mRNA and protein expression of LVEF, Mfn1, Mfn2, Opal in the model group decreased(P<0.05), while BNP, sST2, cardiac mass index, Drp1, Fis1 mRNA and protein levels increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expression of LVEF, Mfn1, Mfn2, Opal mRNA and protein increased in Shenfu Yixin granule high-dose and sacubitril valsartan sodium groups(P<0.05), while BNP, sST2, cardiac mass index, Drp1, Fis1 mRNA and protein levels decreased(P<0.05). Pathological observation showed that compared with the sham operation group, the model group had disordered arrangement of myocardial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration and myocardial fibrosis. Compared with the model group, the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardial or interstitial fibrosis was improved and alleviated in all administered groups. ConclusionShenfu Yixin granules can resist heart failure, reduce cardiac mass index, decrease BNP and sST2 contents, and improve cardiac function. Its mechanism may be related to the adjustment of mitochondrial dynamics.
8.Optical coherence tomography angiography manifestations of different degrees of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
Menghuan DAI ; Dongli LI ; Yixin CUI ; Lu SHEN ; Qirui LI ; Lingna RAO ; Shurong GUO ; Ling YUAN
International Eye Science 2024;24(2):307-311
AIM: To investigate the differences in varying stages of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 77 cases(77 eyes)of diabetic patients were included, and they were divided into non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR; 23 eyes)and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR; 54 eyes)groups, further subdivided into mild NPDR(20 eyes), moderate NPDR(20 eyes), and severe NPDR(14 eyes). Foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area, superficial and deep capillary plexus densities(SSP and DSP), and visual acuity(LogMAR)were compared between NDR and NPDR groups. Furthermore, the visual acuity, FAZ area and levels of SSP and DSP were compared in different degrees of NPDR. Correlation analysis were conducted to elucidate relationships between FAZ area, visual acuity, SSP, DSP, and severity of the disease.RESULTS: Compared with the NDR group, the visual acuity(LogMAR)and macular FAZ area increased, while SSP and DSP were decreased in the NPDR group(P<0.05); there were significant differences in visual acuity, FAZ area and SSP and DSP levels in different degrees of NPDR(P<0.05). Visual acuity(LogMAR)and FAZ area displayed a positive correlation with the severity of disease, while SSP and DSP showed a negative correlation.CONCLUSION: With the progression of NPDR, the visual acuity(LogMAR)and FAZ area increased, and the SSP and DSP decreased.
9.Clinical study on the construction of risk prediction model for postoperative recurrence of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer based on serum HE4,PLR,RLX and KPNA2
Chen SHEN ; Yi WANG ; Cui ZHENG ; Jun YANG
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(3):295-300
Objective To study the construction of risk prediction model for postoperative recurrence of ad-vanced epithelial ovarian cancer based on serum human epididymis protein 4(HE4),platelet count/lymphocyte count ratio(PLR),relaxin(RLX),karyopherin α2(KPNA2).Methods 124 patients with advanced epithelial o-varian cancer diagnosed and treated in Suzhou Municipal Hospital(East District)from January 2016 to January 2019 were selected as the study objects,patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer were divided into re-currence group and the non-recurrence group based on whether they had recurred or not.The level of HE4 was detected by electrochemical luminescence immunoassay,PLR was calculated according to the blood routine re-sults,and RLX and KPNA2 levels were detected by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay.Multivariate Logis-tic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative recurrence in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer,and establish a risk prediction model for postoperative recurrence of ad-vanced epithelial ovarian cancer.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the pre-dictive efficacy of the model for postoperative recurrence of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer,and Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to analyze the fitting of recurrence risk prediction model for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.Results There was a statistically significant difference in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)staging and serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 125,HE4,PLR,RLX and KPNA2 between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group(P<0.05).FIGO staging Ⅳ of cancer and elevated serum HE4,PLR,RLX and KPNA2 were risk factors for postoperative recurrence in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that,the area under the curve of the recurrence risk prediction model for postoperative recurrence risk of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer was 0.859,which was significantly higher than that single indicator detected by HE4,PLR,RLX and KP-NA2.Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the recurrence risk prediction model of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer had a good fitting(x2=7.869,P=0.437).Conclusion The risk prediction model for postoperative re-currence of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer based on serum HE4,PLR,RLX,KPNA2 and FIGO staging of cancer has high predictive value for evaluating postoperative recurrence of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer,and deserves clinical attention.
10.Analysis on the current situation and influencing factors of occupational burnout among bus drivers in Wuhu City
Yue CUI ; Yuhua SHEN ; Fang WANG ; Wenli ZHU ; Wenjing GE
Journal of Shenyang Medical College 2024;26(2):141-145
Objective:To investigate the current situation of occupational burnout among bus drivers in Wuhu City and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A survey was conducted in 1 388 bus drivers in Wuhu City from Sep to Nov 2022 using the general information questionnaire,the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey(MBI-GS),and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI).Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of occupational burnout in bus drivers.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between occupational burnout and sleep quality.Results:Among 1 388 bus drivers,642(46.3%)were positive for occupational burnout,and 139(10.0%)were found to have sleep disorders.Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that longer bus driving experience(OR=1.873,95%CI:1.325-2.648),lower monthly income(OR=0.376,95%CI:0.158-0.774),higher smoking frequency(OR=1.313,95%CI:1.188-2.163),higher drinking frequency(OR=1.342,95%CI:1.018-1.769),lower weekly physical exercise frequency(OR=0.367,95%CI:0.243-0.555),and poor sleep quality(OR=13.110,95%CI:7.284-23.594)were the influencing factors of bus driver occupational burnout(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total score of occupational burnout and its dimension scores were positively correlated with the total score of sleep quality and its dimension scores(rs=0.12-0.83,P<0.01).Conclusion:The problem of occupational burnout among bus drivers in Wuhu City is relatively serious,and a part of people have sleep problems,which should be paid great attention to and active measures should be taken in time.

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