1.Proteomics combined with bioinformatics analysis of protein markers of dry eye
Yanting YANG ; Yajun SHI ; Guang YANG ; Haiyang JI ; Jie LIU ; Jue HONG ; Dan ZHANG ; Xiaopeng MA
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):104-111
AIM:To analyze differential proteins associated with the pathogenesis of dry eye(DE)using bioinformatics methods, in order to reveal their potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS: Articles published in PubMed and EMBASE databases from the inception of the database to August 31, 2023, that used proteomic methods to detect protein expression in clinical samples of dry eye were searched. Differential proteins were selected and further analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software for hub gene screening and module analysis. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis, gene ontology(GO)functional annotation, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed.RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were included, identifying 74 differentially expressed proteins. The most frequently occurring differential proteins were calgranulin A(SA1008), lipocalin-1(LCN1), lysozyme C(LYZ), mammaglobin-B(SCGB2A1), proline-rich protein 4(PRR4), transferrin(TF), and calgranulinB(S100A9). The top 10 hub genes were serum albumin(ALB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin 6(IL6), IL1B, IL8, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), alpha-1-antitrypsin(SERPINA1), IL10, complement component 3(C3), and lactotransferrin(LTF). Module analysis suggested MMP9 and PRR4 as seed genes. KEGG analysis showed that differential proteins were mainly enriched in the IL17 signaling pathway(61.9%).CONCLUSION: The results reveal potential molecular targets and pathways for DE and confirm the association between the pathogenesis of DE and inflammation. Further in-depth research is needed to confirm the significance of these biomarkers in clinical practice.
2.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
3.Treating diabetic kidney disease based on "using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory
Weimin JIANG ; Yaoxian WANG ; Shuwu WEI ; Jiale ZHANG ; Chenhui XIA ; Jie YANG ; Liqiao SUN ; Xinrong LI ; Weiwei SUN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):1-7
The Huangdi Neijing proposes the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory to guide clinical prescription and formulation of herbal remedies based on the physiological characteristics and functions of the five zang viscera, along with the properties and flavors of medicinal herbs. This study explored diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment based on the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory. Kidney dryness is a key pathological factor in diabetic kidney disease, and the disharmony of kidney dryness is an essential aspect of its pathogenesis. Strengthening is the primary therapeutic principle, and kidney dryness is a persistent factor throughout the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney disease. In the early stage, the pathogenesis involves heat-consuming qi and injuring yin, leading to kidney dryness. In the middle stage, the pathogenesis manifests as qi deficiency and blood stasis in the collaterals, resulting in turbidity owing to kidney dryness. In the late stage, the pathogenesis involves yin and yang deficiency, with kidney dryness and disharmony. This study proposes the staging-based treatment based on the " need for firmness" characteristic of the kidney. The aim is to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine by rationally using pungent, bitter, and salty medicinal herbs to nourish and moisturize the kidney. This approach seeks to promote precise syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment for different stages of diabetic kidney disease, thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.
4.Impact of childhood maltreatment and sleep quality on depressive symptoms among middle school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):73-77
Objective:
To explore the impact of sleep quality, experience of childhood maltreatment, and their interaction on depressive symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide the reference for early intervention of depressive symptoms among middle school students.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 231 students from two secondary schools in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province by a convenient sampling method. The survey included general demographic information, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Short Version of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The Chi square test was used to analyze the differences in depressive symptom, sleep quality and childhood maltreatment among students with different demographic characteristics. Correlation analysis was conducted using Logistic regression, and interaction analysis was performed by both additive and multiplicative interaction models.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among middle school students was 22.7%, and the rate for high school students (35.2%) was significantly higher than that for middle school students (17.0%) ( χ 2=50.35, P <0.01). The detection rates of depressive symptoms among middle school students with a history of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality were 45.8% and 44.0%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to students without a history of childhood maltreatment, students with a history of childhood maltreatment had a higher risk of depressive symptoms ( OR =4.49,95% CI =3.31~ 6.09 , P <0.01);students with poor sleep quality had a higher risk of depressive symptoms than students with good sleep quality ( OR = 5.99,95% CI =4.37~8.22, P <0.01).The interaction results showed that the presence of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had an additive interaction on the occurrence of depression in middle school students. Compared with students without childhood maltreatment and having good sleep quality, students with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had a 22.49 times higher risk of developing depression ( OR =22.49,95% CI =14.22~35.59, P <0.01).
Conclusion
Depressive symptoms among middle school students are associated with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality, and there is an additive interaction between childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality on the impact of depressive symptoms.
5.Changes in the body shape and ergonomic compatibility for functional dimensions of desks and chairs for students in Harbin during 2010-2024
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(3):315-320
Objective:
To analyze the change trends in the body shape indicators and proportions of students in Harbin from 2010 to 2024, and to investigate ergonomic compatibility of functional dimensions of school desks and chairs with current student shape indicators, so as to provide a reference for revising furniture standards of desks and chairs.
Methods:
Between September and November of both 2010 and 2024, a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster random sampling was conducted across three districts in Harbin, yielding samples of 6 590 and 6 252 students, respectively. Anthropometric shape indicators cluding height, sitting height, crus length, and thigh length-and their proportional changes were compared over the 15-year period. The 2024 data were compared with current standard functional dimensions of school furniture. The statistical analysis incorporated t-test and Mann-Whitney U- test.
Results:
From 2010 to 2024, average height increased by 1.8 cm for boys and 1.5 cm for girls; sitting height increased by 1.5 cm for both genders; crus length increased by 0.3 cm for boys and 0.4 cm for girls; and thigh length increased by 0.5 cm for both genders. The ratios of sitting height to height, and sitting height to leg length increased by less than 0.1 . The difference between desk chair height and 1/3 sitting height ranged from 0.4-0.8 cm. Among students matched with size 0 desks and chairs, 22.0% had a desk to chair height difference less than 0, indicating that the desk to chair height difference might be insufficient for taller students. The differences between seat height and fibular height ranged from -1.4 to 1.1 cm; and the differences between seat depth and buttock popliteal length ranged from -9.8 to 3.4 cm. Among obese students, the differences between seat width and 1/2 hip circumference ranged from -20.5 to -8.7 cm, while it ranged from -12.2 to -3.8 cm among non obese students.
Conclusion
Current furniture standards basically satisfy hygienic requirements; however, in the case of exceptionally tall and obese students, ergonomic accommodations such as adaptive seating allocation or personalized adjustments are recommended to meet hygienic requirements.
6.Clinical Safety Monitoring of 3 035 Cases of Juvenile Feilike Mixture After Marketing in Hospital
Jian ZHU ; Zhong WANG ; Jing LIU ; Jun LIU ; Wei YANG ; Yanan YU ; Hongli WU ; Sha ZHOU ; Zhiyu PAN ; Guang WU ; Mengmeng WU ; Zhiwei JING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):194-200
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical safety of Feilike Mixture (FLK) in the real world. MethodsThe safety of all children who received FLK from 29 institutions in 12 provinces between January 21,2021 and December 25,2021 was evaluated through prospective centralized surveillance and a nested case control study. ResultsA total of 3 035 juveniles were included. There were 29 research centers involved,which are distributed across 12 provinces,including one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital and 28 general hospitals. The average age among the juveniles was (4.77±3.56) years old,and the average weight was (21.81±12.97) kg. Among them,119 cases (3.92%) of juveniles had a history of allergies. Acute bronchitis was the main diagnosis for juveniles,with 1 656 cases (54.46%). FLK was first used in 2 016 cases (66.43%),and 142 juvenile patients had special dosages,accounting for 4.68%. Among them,92 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred,including 73 cases of gastrointestinal system disorders,10 cases of metabolic and nutritional disorders,eight cases of skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases,two cases of vascular and lymphatic disorders,and one case of systemic diseases and various reactions at the administration site. The manifestations of ADRs were mainly diarrhea,stool discoloration,and vomiting,and no serious ADRs occurred. The results of multi-factor analysis indicated that special dosages (the use of FLK)[odds ratio (OR) of 2.642, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.105-6.323],combined administration: spleen aminopeptide (OR of 4.978, 95%CI of 1.200-20.655),and reason for combined administration: anti-infection (OR of 1.814, 95%CI of 1.071-3.075) were the risk factors for ADRs caused by FLK. Conclusion92 ADRs occurred among 3 035 juveniles using FLK. The incidence of ADRs caused by FLK was 3.03%,and the severity was mainly mild or moderate. Generally,the prognosis was favorable after symptomatic treatment such as drug withdrawal or dosage reduction,suggesting that FLK has good clinical safety.
7.Frontal and Parietal Alpha Asymmetry as Biomarkers for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Yao-Cheng WU ; Chih-Chung HUANG ; Yi-Guang WANG ; Chu-Ya YANG ; Wei-Chou CHANG ; Chuan-Chia CHANG ; Hsin-An CHANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):435-441
Objective:
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia indicate a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of negative symptoms remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between negative symptoms in schizophrenia and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA).
Methods:
The study used a 32-channel electroencephalography to acquire alpha power in 4 target-paired sites in each patient. Regional alpha asymmetry was calculated based on the alpha power using EEGLAB Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Toolbox.
Results:
Sixty schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms (PNS), 72 stabilized schizophrenia (SS) patients, and 73 healthy control (HC) participants were enrolled in this study. No significant differences were observed in FAA between the PNS and SS groups, although both groups exhibited reduced P3-P4 alpha asymmetry compared to HCs. A positive correlation was found between F7-F8 alpha asymmetry and illness duration. Additionally, a predictive model based on P3-P4 alpha asymmetry scores was able to differentiate schizophrenia patients from HCs, achieving a sensitivity of 71.2% and a specificity of 72.6%.
Conclusion
This study highlighted that parietal alpha asymmetry could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.
8.Normalized Creatinine-to-Cystatin C Ratio and Risk of Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Insights from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Honglin SUN ; Zhenyu WU ; Guang WANG ; Jia LIU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(3):448-461
Background:
Normalized creatinine-to-cystatin C ratio (NCCR) was reported to approximate relative skeletal muscle mass and diabetes risk. However, the association between NCCR and cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore their relationship in a large-scale prospective cohort.
Methods:
This study included 5,849 middle-age and older participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) enrolled between 2011 and 2012. The baseline NCCR was determined as creatinine (mg/dL)/cystatin C (mg/L)×10/body mass (kg). CMM was defined as the simultaneous occurrence of two or more of the following conditions: heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Logistic regression analysis and Cox regression analysis were employed to estimate the relationship between NCCR and CMM. The joint effect of body mass index and NCCR on the risk of CMM were further analyzed.
Results:
During a median 4-year follow-up, 227 (3.9%) participants developed CMM. The risk of CMM was significantly decreased with per standard deviation increase of NCCR (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 0.85) after adjustment for confounders (P<0.001). Further sex-specific analysis found significant negative associations between NCCR and CMM in female either without or with one CMM component at baseline, which was attenuated in males but remained statistically significant among those with one basal CMM component. Notably, non-obese individuals with high NCCR levels had the lowest CMM risk compared to obese counterparts with low NCCR levels in both genders.
Conclusion
High NCCR was independently associated with reduced risk of CMM in middle-aged and older adults in China, particularly females.
9.Frontal and Parietal Alpha Asymmetry as Biomarkers for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Yao-Cheng WU ; Chih-Chung HUANG ; Yi-Guang WANG ; Chu-Ya YANG ; Wei-Chou CHANG ; Chuan-Chia CHANG ; Hsin-An CHANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):435-441
Objective:
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia indicate a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of negative symptoms remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between negative symptoms in schizophrenia and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA).
Methods:
The study used a 32-channel electroencephalography to acquire alpha power in 4 target-paired sites in each patient. Regional alpha asymmetry was calculated based on the alpha power using EEGLAB Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Toolbox.
Results:
Sixty schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms (PNS), 72 stabilized schizophrenia (SS) patients, and 73 healthy control (HC) participants were enrolled in this study. No significant differences were observed in FAA between the PNS and SS groups, although both groups exhibited reduced P3-P4 alpha asymmetry compared to HCs. A positive correlation was found between F7-F8 alpha asymmetry and illness duration. Additionally, a predictive model based on P3-P4 alpha asymmetry scores was able to differentiate schizophrenia patients from HCs, achieving a sensitivity of 71.2% and a specificity of 72.6%.
Conclusion
This study highlighted that parietal alpha asymmetry could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.
10.Frontal and Parietal Alpha Asymmetry as Biomarkers for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Yao-Cheng WU ; Chih-Chung HUANG ; Yi-Guang WANG ; Chu-Ya YANG ; Wei-Chou CHANG ; Chuan-Chia CHANG ; Hsin-An CHANG
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(4):435-441
Objective:
Negative symptoms in schizophrenia indicate a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of negative symptoms remain unclear. This study investigated the relationship between negative symptoms in schizophrenia and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA).
Methods:
The study used a 32-channel electroencephalography to acquire alpha power in 4 target-paired sites in each patient. Regional alpha asymmetry was calculated based on the alpha power using EEGLAB Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Toolbox.
Results:
Sixty schizophrenia patients with predominant negative symptoms (PNS), 72 stabilized schizophrenia (SS) patients, and 73 healthy control (HC) participants were enrolled in this study. No significant differences were observed in FAA between the PNS and SS groups, although both groups exhibited reduced P3-P4 alpha asymmetry compared to HCs. A positive correlation was found between F7-F8 alpha asymmetry and illness duration. Additionally, a predictive model based on P3-P4 alpha asymmetry scores was able to differentiate schizophrenia patients from HCs, achieving a sensitivity of 71.2% and a specificity of 72.6%.
Conclusion
This study highlighted that parietal alpha asymmetry could serve as a valuable diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.


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