1.Downregulation of LINC00638 contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease via inhibiting the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway
Zhuojun LIAO ; Naiwang TANG ; Jiahui CHEN ; Xueying SUN ; Jiamin LU ; Qin WU ; Ronghuan YU ; Ying ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2025;32(3):421-431
Objective To identify long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) associated with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and investigate their mechanisms. Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from RA-ILD patients (n=3), RA patients without lung involvement (n=3), and healthy controls (n=3). Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed lncRNA. A human fibrotic lung cell model was established by inducing the MRC-5 cell line with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of target genes, changes in inflammatory and oxidative stress-related genes were analyzed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays were used to validate protein expression, ubiquitination levels, and nuclear translocation of oxidative stress regulators, and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity. Rescue experiments were conducted to confirm the role of target lncRNA in oxidative stress and inflammation in fibrotic lung cells. Results High-throughput sequencing revealed significant downregulation of LINC00638 in RA-ILD patients. Knockdown of LINC00638 markedly reduced transcriptional levels of interleukin (IL)-4, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), while increasing IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, LINC00638 knockdown decreased Nrf2 protein expression, increased its ubiquitination, reduced nuclear translocation, and suppressed ARE transcriptional activity. In MRC-5 cells, LINC00638 knockdown combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment restored Nrf2 and HO-1 levels while reducing IL-6 expression. Conclusions LINC00638 suppresses inflammatory responses in RA-ILD by activating the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment.
2.Epidemiological and spatial distribution characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022
Guanting ZHANG ; Qiming ZHANG ; Yueyi FANG ; Fuquan PEI ; Qiang MAO ; Jiahui LIU ; Zhuohui DENG ; De WU ; Wencheng LU ; Jun LIU ; Yuhuang LIAO ; Jiayi ZHANG ; Jingdiao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2024;36(6):584-590
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into formulation of the clonorchiasis control measures in the province. Methods Xinhui District of Jiangmen City, Longmen County of Huizhou City and Wengyuan County of Shaoguan City in Guangdong Province were selected as fixed surveillance sites for human clonorchiasis from 2016 to 2022, and additional 10% to 15% counties (districts) endemic for clonorchiasis were sampled from Guangdong Province as mobile surveillance sites each year from 2016 to 2022. A village (community) was randomly selected from each surveillance site according to the geographical orientations of east, west, south, north and middle, and subjects were randomly sampled from each village (community). C. sinensis eggs were detected in subjects’ stool samples using the Kato-Katz technique, and the prevalence and intensity of C. sinensis infections were calculated. In addition, subjects’ gender, age, ethnicity, educational level and occupation were collected. The Guangdong Provincial 1:1 million electronic map in vector format was downloaded from the National Geomatics Center of China, and kernel density analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022 were performed using the software ArcGIS 10.7. Results A total of 153 188 residents were tested for C. sinensis infections in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, including 75 596 men (49.35%) and 77 592 women (50.65%), and there were 5 369 residents infected with C. sinensis, with 3.50% overall prevalence of infections. The prevalence rates of severe, moderate and mild C. sinensis infections were 0.76%, 7.26% and 91.97% among C. sinensis-infected residents in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, and there were age-, gender-, ethnicity-, occupation- and educational level-specific prevalence of C. sinensis human infections (χ2 = 2 578.31, 637.33, 52.22, 2 893.28 and 1 139.33, all P values < 0.05). Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a cluster in the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province (Moran’s I = 0.63, Z = 27.31, P < 0.05). Kernel density analysis showed that the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections with a high kernel density in Guangdong Province was mainly distributed along the Zhujiang River basin in Pearl River Delta areas, followed by in eastern and northern Guangdong Province. In addition, local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified 73 high-high clusters of the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections in Guangdong Province. Conclusions The prevalence of C. sinensis human infections was high in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2022, and mild infection was predominant among all clonorchiasis cases, with spatial clusters identified in the prevalence of C. sinensis human infections. Targeted clonorchiasis control measures are required among high-risk populations and areas.
3.Knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners in managing common psychological problems in Shenzhen
Ruihong LIU ; Jing YANG ; Zhiyuan CHEN ; Pui Pui Ng Amy ; Wang LAN ; Zhuo LI ; Jiahui LIAO ; Zhiwei HUANG
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2023;22(1):50-55
Objective:To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of general practitioners (GPs) in Shenzhen towards managing patients with common mental health problems.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study, from September 19 to October 31, 2020, 500 GPs from 100 community health centers (CHC) in 10 districts of Shenzhen municipality were randomly selected as the research subjects by stratified random sampling; the survey was conducted by self-filled questionnaire, which included general conditions, knowledge tests of common psychological problems (generalized anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, panic attacks, sleep disorders), GPs′ attitudes to take care of common psychological problems, and GPs′ practice of caring for common psychological problems.Results:A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed and 329 valid ones were collected. In terms of knowledge, GPs had the highest accuracy of answering the characteristics of depressive disorder (97.3%, 320/329), and the lowest accuracy of case analysis of panic attacks (50.2%, 165/329). In terms of attitude, 71.1%(234/329)of GPs agreed that "common psychological problems should be taken care of",there was a statistically significant difference in attitude scores among GPs with different years of working in CHC ( Z=14.60, P=0.006). In terms of practice, the most encountered mental health problem was insomnia (91.2%, 300/329), 46.5% (153/329) of GPs would use psychological assessment scales, 52.9% (174/329) of GPs would choose direct referral, and there were statistically significant differences in attitude scores among GPs with different years of working ( Z=10.70, P=0.030) and years of working in CHC ( Z=22.14, P<0.001). Conclusions:GPs have a positive attitude in taking care of common psychological problems, but lack of knowledge and confidence. As working in CHC for more years, GPs are more inclined to care for patients with common psychological problems in practice.
4."Four Common Characteristics" of Liver and Eyes and Research Ideas Inspired by "Liver Opens at Eyes"
Suhui XIONG ; Jiahui YU ; Miao SUN ; Bohou XIA ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yamei LI ; Zhe SHI ; Qiuxian PENG ; Duanfang LIAO ; Chun LI ; Qinhui TUO ; Jingchen XIE ; Limei LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(17):185-194
The theory of "liver opens at the eyes" was first seen in Yellow Emperor's Internal Canon of Medicine, which is the ancient people's summary of the connection between the liver and the eyes. The theory of "liver opens at the eyes" suggests the characteristic of "co-damage and co-recover of liver and eyes". It has been found in clinical practice that liver diseases and eye diseases often occur together, and "liver and eyes co-recover" is an ideal choice. The key to achieving "liver and eyes co-recover" is to analyze its pharmacological material basis and mechanism. With the development of modern medicine, more and more evidence indicates that the liver and eyes have complex and close relationships in physiological and pathological aspects. In a pathological state, there is a phenomenon of "liver and eyes co-damage", and after the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine, "liver and eyes co-recover" occurs. "Liver and eyes co-damage and co-recover" can be explained through the "co-material basis and co-action mechanism". On this basis, the research group tentatively proposed that the liver and eyes had "four common characteristics" (4CCs), namely "co-damage, co-recover, co-material basis, and co-action mechanism" from the theoretical connotation of traditional Chinese medicine, clinical practice, and molecular biology. Additionally, the group also took the intervention of Prunella vulgaris, traditional Chinese medicine, for removing liver fire and improving eyesight on immune liver injury (ILI) and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) as examples to analyze 4CCs. This project aims to deeply analyze the scientific connotation of the theory of "liver opens at the eyes", reveal the common characteristics and biological essence of liver and eyes, explore a new research paradigm of "liver and eyes co-recover", and provide a reference for the study of common problems of multi-organ associated diseases.
5.Gastric preparation with Sprite Zero ? for magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy
Jiahui ZHU ; Yangyang QIAN ; Xiao LIU ; Bin JIANG ; Zhuan LIAO ; Zhaoshen LI
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2022;39(12):972-977
Objective:To explore the feasibility of 400 mL Sprite Zero ? in gastric preparation for magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) . Methods:A randomized controlled trial at the Department of Gastroenterology of Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University from December 16th, 2019 to January 15th, 2020 was conducted. The patients and healthy volunteers who intended to receive MCE were randomly divided into the Sprite Zero ? (S) group and the water (W) group at 1∶1. For subjects in the W group, 800 mL water was taken 10 minutes before swallowing the capsule. And for subjects in the S group, 400 mL Sprite Zero ? was taken. The primary endpoint was gastric filling score and the secondary endpoint included the fullness score, gastric transit time (GTT), small bowel transit time (SBTT), completion rate (CR) for small bowel examination and the diagnostic yield. Results:A total of 102 subjects were enrolled, 52 subjects in the S group and 50 subjects in the W group. The median score of gastric filling was 4 at 0-5 min, >5-10 min and >10-15 min after taking the capsule in both groups, with less median liquid consumption in the S group than the W group (500 mL VS 950 mL, P<0.001). The S group showed lower median fullness score (7.0 scores VS 7.5 scores, P=0.030) and higher proportion of patients with GTT less than 30 minutes [69.57% (16/52) VS 27.59% (8/29), P=0.030] compared with the W group. The CR of small bowel examination in the S group was 100.00%, higher than that of the W group (89.66%, P=0.245). Conclusion:Compared with 800 mL water, 400 mL Sprite Zero ? can fully fill the stomach with more comfort. It has the potential to accelerate gastric emptying and improve the CR of small bowel examination, which is feasible for the gastric preparation.
6.Relationship between pancreatic fibrotic markers and glycated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 3c diabetes mellitus secondary to chronic pancreatitis
Jun YE ; Yu CAO ; Jiahui ZHU ; Xiaotong MAO ; Yuanchen WANG ; Jinjin XIE ; Wenbin ZOU ; Yangyang QIAN ; Zhaoshen LI ; Zhuan LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2022;22(2):93-97
Objective:To investigate the relationship between pancreatic fibrotic marker transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and platelet derived growth factor-BB(PDGF-BB) and serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 3c diabetes mellitus secondary to chronic pancreatitis(CP-T3cDM).Methods:The clinical data of 39 patients with CP-T3cDM admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University between February 2018 and August 2020 were collected, and the patients' age, gender, body mass index, duration of chronic pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, serum HbA1c level at admission, degree of pancreatic atrophy, morphology of the main pancreatic duct, and treatment of diabetes mellitus were recorded. Serum TGF-β and PDGF-BB were detected by ELISA. Patients were divided into high and low level group according to the median TGF-β and PDGF-BB levels, respectively. Clinical characteristics of patients were compared between the TGF-β and PDGF-BB high and low level group. The correlation between TGF-β, PDGF-BB and HbA1c was analyzed by Spearman's correlation analysis.Results:A total of 39 CP-T3cDM patients were included; 35 were male and 4 were female. The age of first onset of chronic pancreatitis was (42±14) years old, and the duration of diabetes mellitus was 24(4, 36) months. The serum HbA1c level was (7.8±1.6)%, and the serum TGF-β and PDGF-BB levels were 20.5(10.5, 43.1) and 647.5(276.9, 1349.2)pg/ml, respectively. The serum HbA1c levels of patients in the high-level group of serum TGF-β and PDGF-BB were significantly higher than those in the corresponding low-level group [8.6%(7.4%, 9.9%) vs 6.7%(6.2%, 7.8%) and 8.6%(7.4%, 9.6%) vs 6.7%(6.1%, 7.8%), respectively] , and the difference was statistically different (both P value <0.01), while none of other indicators showed statistically significant differences between both groups. The correlation analysis showed that the levels of TGF-β and PDGF-BB were significantly positively correlated with HbA1c level ( r=0.45, 0.53, both P value <0.01). Conclusions:Increased pancreatic fibrosis in patients with CP-T3cDM was an important factor contributing to elevated blood glucose level. Patients with higher serum pancreatic fibrotic factors exhibited a significant increase in HbA1c level.
7.Clinical, skeletal muscle pathological and genetic characteristics of fatal infantile hypertonic myofibrillar myopathy
Jiahui MAI ; Xinguo LU ; Weike MA ; Yuhui WU ; Weiyan CHEN ; Jianxiang LIAO ; Xianping JIANG ; Jianming SONG ; Chunxi HAN
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2022;37(15):1156-1160
Objective:To investigate the clinical, skeletal muscle pathological, and genetic characteristics of fatal infantile hypertonic myofibrillar myopathy (FIHMM).Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory assessments data and gene sequencing results of 10 patients diagnosed with FIHMM in Shenzhen Children′s Hospital from February 2017 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both musculoskeletal system and the brain, and electromyogram (EMG) were performed in 3 cases, while muscle biopsy was performed in 2 cases.Results:Among these 10 cases, 1 case was from Northeast China and 1 case from East China, while the rest 8 cases were from South China.Eight of the 10 patients were male, and the other 2 cases were female.They were all born normal and not related to each other.The age of onset varied from 2 to 12 months.The main clinical manifestations for all the patients were progressive rigidity of the rectus abdominis (8 cases), neck muscles (7 cases), rectus abdominis (2 cases) and intercostal muscles (1 case), resulting in respiratory failure.Mildly to moderately elevated serum creatine kinase level was detected (436-5 804 IU/L) (reference range: 24-229 IU/L). Complex repetitive discharges can be seen in the EMG, without any myotonic potential.Muscle fiber degeneration, necrosis, and vacuolar degeneration were noted in the histopathological examination of the vastus lateralis and rectus abdominis.An abnormal red granular deposit was observed in a portion of the field of the modified Gomory Trichrome staining.Immunohistochemistry showed substantial deposition of desmin.Under the electron microscopy, the sarcomere structure of the muscle fibers was seriously disordered, with the destruction of Z-bands and the presence of granular deposits.The whole-exome sequencing identified the same homozygous variation c. 3G>A, p.Met1? of CRYAB gene in all the patients, but heterozygous variation in their parents. Conclusions:Axial muscles involvement, such as rectus abdominis rigidity, is the main clinical characteristic of FIHMM.c.3G>A, p.Met1? mutation in the CRYAB gene is a hotspot mutation in Chinese children.
8.Safety and efficacy of vibrating capsule in the treatment of functional constipation: a single center randomized controlled study
Jiahui ZHU ; Yangyang QIAN ; Jin YU ; Zhaoshen LI ; Zhuan LIAO
Chinese Journal of Digestion 2021;41(10):677-684
Objective:Based on the previous animal experiments, to preliminarily explore the safety and efficacy of self-developed new smartphone-controlled vibrating capsule (VC) in the treatment of patients with functional constipation (FC).Methods:At the Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 24 patients with FC were prospectively enrolled. The trial process included basic period for ≥two weeks, treatment period for six weeks, and follow-up visits ≥six (once every two weeks). During treatment period, the patients were assigned into sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group and the patients swallowed 12 corresponding capsules. The safety of VC treatment was evaluated based on the observation the occurrence of adverse events (AE) in patients of three groups, which included abdominal pain, abdominal distention, capsule retention and abnormal laboratory indicators. The efficacy of VC treatment was assessed by comparison of the patients of three groups in mean complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week, mean spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) per week, capsule discharge time, patient assessment of constipation quatity of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), patient assessment of constipation symptom questionnaire (PAC-SYM). Chi-square test, least significant difference- t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Two patients were lost in follow up. In the end, seven, eight and seven patients were enrolled in sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group. AE occurred in three patients. At the sixth week of treatment, the difference between average CSBM in one week and baseline of sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group was 0.0 (0.0, 2.0), 2.0 (1.0, 2.8) and 1.0 (0.0, 5.0), respectively; and the difference between average SBM in one week and baseline of sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group was -1.0 (2.0, 2.0), 1.0 (-0.8, 2.0) and 1.0 (0.0, 4.0), respectively. During the six weeks of treatment period, the difference between mean CSBM per week and baseline of three, seven and five patients of sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group was more than one, and the difference between SBM per week and baseline of two, five and five patients was more than one. At the sixth week of treatment, capsule discharge time of VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group was shorter than that of sham capsule group ((65.7±9.3) and (59.1±3.4) h vs. (96.7±10.0) h), and during the whole treatment period capsule discharge time of VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group was shorter than that of sham capsule group ((63.6±8.6) and (59.8±6.6) h vs. (100.5±13.1) h), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=3.119, 3.584, 2.832 and 3.036, all P<0.05). The PAC-SYM score of patients of sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group during the period of treatment was 14.3±2.0, 9.9±2.3 and 7.0±2.0, respectively, there were no statistically significant differences among the three groups ( P>0.05). The PAC-QOL score of patients of sham capsule group, VC at low frequency mode group and VC at high frequency mode group during the period of treatment was 31.3±4.4, 24.0±3.8 and 13.9±4.1, respectively, and the PAC-QOL score of VC at high frequency mode group was lower than that of sham capsule group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.808, P=0.012), however, there was no statistically significant difference in the PAC-QOL score between VC at low frequency mode group and sham capsule group, and between VC at high frequency mode group and VC at low frequency mode group (both P>0.05). Conclusions:VC can be safely used in patients with FC, which can promote defecation and relieve the symptoms of constipation. However, there is no significant difference in the therapeutic effect of capsules with different vibration frequencies.
9.Discussion on clinical course and multidisciplinary treatment strategy for chronic pancreatitis
Jiahui ZHU ; Wenbin ZOU ; Lianghao HU ; Zhuan LIAO
Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2020;20(5):332-337
As a progressive and chronic intractable disease, chronic pancreatitis (CP) is generally manifested as early chronic pain, and then exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, and various complications in clinical course. The complex clinical manifestations lead to the controversies over treatment strategies at present, involving a multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) approach. It can enable different professional medical experts to discuss the diagnosis and treatment for patients together during a specific period (online or offline), which is an effective mode for diagnosing and treating complex diseases nowadays. MDT for CP usually begins with lifestyle intervention and drug therapy, and then goes with endoscopic interventions and surgical resection, or their combination. This article reviewed the current status on MDT approaches for CP and shared the MDT experience from Changhai Hospital in order to improve the management of CP course.
10.Intellectual developmental disorder with cardiac arrhythmia syndrome in a family caused by GNB5 variation and literature review
Jiahui MAI ; Zhenheng OU ; Li CHEN ; Jing DUAN ; Jianxiang LIAO ; Chunxi HAN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2020;58(10):833-837
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of intellectual developmental disorder with cardiac arrhythmia syndrome (IDDCA) in a family caused by GNB5 gene variation and to review the literature.Methods:The clinical and genetic data of an infant with IDDCA, who visited Shenzhen Children′s Hospital in September 2018, were collected and analyzed. His parents′ and brother′s gene analysis was also done by the next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Related literature up to March 2020 was searched in Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases with “GNB5” “IDDCA” “LADCI” “intellectual developmental disorder with cardial arrhythmia” “language delay and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder or cognitive impairment with or without cardiac arrhythmia” as the key words. The related papers were retrieved and analyzed to summarize the clinical and genetic characteristics of this disorder.Results:The proband was an 11-month-old boy who presented with mental and motor developmental retardation, accompanied with convulsion and muscle weakness. Sinus arrest was also detected. His electroencephalogram (EEG) and flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) were both abnormal. Genetic analysis identified the homozygous frameshift variation of GNB5 gene (c.136delG, p.Glu46Argfs*8) in this infant and heterozygous variation in his parents, confirmed the diagnosis of IDDCA. The same GNB5 variation was identified in his brother, who was 4 years and 8 months old and had developed the similar clinical manifestations after birth. There were only 7 papers reporting this disease in the literature review, with a total of 27 patients from 14 families. Including these 2 cases, there were 29 patients in total, whose age of diagnosis ranged from 5.5 months to 23 years. Among all the patients, 20 cases (69%) were diagnosed as IDDCA, while 8 cases (28%) as LADCI; and 11 (38%) were males while 18 (62%) females. Regarding the clinical features, 66% (19/29) had mental retardation, 41% (12/29) had seizures, 79% (23/29) developed language delay and 62%(18/29) had sinus node dysfunction. Genetic tests showed that 4 patients from 3 families had complex heterozygous variation, and 25 patients (86%) from 12 families had homozygous variation. Seventeen patients from 8 families were consanguineous. Among the total 12 variations, there were 4 nonsense, 3 frameshift, 2 missense and 2 shear mutations, and 1 shear disorder caused by synonymous mutation.Conclusions:IDDCA caused by GNB5 gene variations mainly manifests as general developmental delay or severe mental retardation, and sinus node dysfunction. GNB5 associated syndromes have phenotypic heterogeneity and are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail