1. MW-9, a chalcones derivative bearing heterocyclic moieties, ameliorates ulcerative colitis via regulating MAPK signaling pathway
Zhao WU ; Nan-Ting ZOU ; Chun-Fei ZHANG ; Hao-Hong ZHANG ; Qing-Yan MO ; Ze-Wei MAO ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Ming-Qian JU ; Chun-Ping WAN ; Xing-Cai XU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):514-520
Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of the MW-9 on ulcerative colitis(UC)and reveal the underlying mechanism, so as to provide a scientific guidance for the MW-9 treatment of UC. Methods The model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells was established. The effect of MW-9 on RAW264.7 cells viability was detected by MTT assay. The levels of nitric oxide(NO)in RAW264.7 macrophages were measured by Griess assay. Cell supernatants and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines containing IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by ELISA kits. Dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced UC model in mice was established and body weight of mice in each group was measured. The histopathological damage degree of colonic tissue was assessed by HE staining. The protein expression of p-p38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was detected by Western blot. Results MW-9 intervention significantly inhibited NO release in RAW264.7 macrophages with IC50 of 20.47 mg·L-1 and decreased the overproduction of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05). MW-9 had no cytotoxicity at the concentrations below 6 mg·L-1. After MW-9 treatment, mouse body weight was gradually reduced, and the serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were significantly down-regulated. Compared with the model group, MW-9 significantly decreased the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 protein. Conclusions MW-9 has significant anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo, and its underlying mechanism for the treatment of UC may be associated with the inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway.
2.Latest research progress in airway stenosis after lung transplantation
Yujie ZUO ; Menggen LIU ; Jiaxin WAN ; Yuxuan CHEN ; Wenlong HU ; Junjie ZHANG ; Yuyang MAO ; Jing CHEN ; Ailing ZHONG ; Lingzhi SHI ; Bo WU ; Chunrong JU ; Dong TIAN
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(3):474-478
With the optimization of surgical technologies and postoperative management regimens, the number of lung transplantation has been significantly increased, which has become an important treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, due to the impact of comprehensive factors, such as bronchial ischemia and immunosuppression, the incidence of airway stenosis after lung transplantation is relatively high, which severely affects postoperative survival and quality of life of lung transplant recipients. In recent years, with the improvement of perioperative management, organ preservation and surgical technologies, the incidence of airway stenosis after lung transplantation has been declined, but it remains at a high level. Early diagnosis and timely intervention play a significant role in enhancing clinical prognosis of patients with airway stenosis. In this article, the general conditions, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of airway stenosis after lung transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for comprehensive management of airway stenosis after lung transplantation and improving clinical prognosis of lung transplant recipients.
3.Epidemiological investigation of iron deficiency among preschool children in 10 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities in China
Lei WANG ; Jie SHAO ; Wenhong DONG ; Shuangshuang ZHENG ; Bingquan ZHU ; Qiang SHU ; Wei CHEN ; Lichun FAN ; Jin SUN ; Yue GAO ; Youfang HU ; Nianrong WANG ; Zhaohui WANG ; Tingting NIU ; Yan LUO ; Ju GAO ; Meiling TONG ; Yan HU ; Wei XIANG ; Zhengyan ZHAO ; Meng MAO ; Fan JIANG
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2024;62(5):416-422
Objective:To understand the current status of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with a multi-stage stratified sampling method to select 150 streets or townships from 10 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities (East: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hainan; Central: Henan; West: Chongqing, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and Xinjiang; Northeast: Liaoning). From May 2022 to April 2023, a total of 21 470 children, including community-based children aged 0.5 to<3.0 years receiving child health care and kindergarten-based children aged 3.0 to<7.0 years, were surveyed. They were divided into 3 age groups: infants (0.5 to<1.0 year), toddlers (1.0 to<3.0 years), and preschoolers (3.0 to<7.0 years). Basic information such as sex and date of birth of the children was collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained for routine blood tests and serum ferritin measurement. The prevalence rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were analyzed, and the prevalence rate differences were compared among different ages, sex, urban and rural areas, and regions using the chi-square test.Results:A total of 21 460 valid responses were collected, including 10 780 boys (50.2%). The number of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were 2 645 (12.3%), 6 244 (29.1%), and 12 571 (58.6%), respectively. The hemoglobin level was (126.7±14.8) g/L, and the serum ferritin level was 32.3 (18.5, 50.1) μg/L. The overall rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were 10.4% (2 230/21 460), 28.3% (6 070/21 460), and 3.9% (845/21 460), respectively. The prevalence rate of anemia was higher for boys than for girls (10.9% (1 173/10 780) vs. 9.9% (1 057/10 680), χ2=5.58, P=0.018), with statistically significant differences in the rates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (18.0% (475/2 645), 10.6% (662/6 244), and 8.7% (1 093/12 571), respectively, χ2=201.81, P<0.01), and the rate was significantly higher for children in rural than that in urban area (11.8% (1 516/12 883) vs. 8.3% (714/8 577), χ2=65.54, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences in the rates by region ( χ2=126.60, P<0.01), with the highest rate of 15.8% (343/2 173) for children in Central region, and the lowest rate of 5.3% (108/2 053) in Northeastern region. The prevalence rates of iron deficiency were 33.8% (895/2 645), 32.2% (2 011/6 244), and 25.2% (3 164/12 571) in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, respectively, and 30.0% (3 229/10 780) in boys vs. 26.6% (2 841/10 680) in girls, 21.7% (1 913/8 821), 40.0% (870/2 173), 27.1% (2 283/8 413), 48.9% (1 004/2 053) in Eastern, Central, Western, and Northeastern regions, respectively, and each between-group showed a significant statistical difference ( χ2=147.71, 29.73, 773.02, all P<0.01). The prevalence rate of iron-deficiency anemia showed a significant statistical difference between urban and rural areas, 2.9% (251/8 577) vs. 4.6% (594/12 883) ( χ2=38.62, P<0.01), while the difference in iron deficiency prevalence was not significant ( χ2=0.51, P=0.476). Conclusions:There has been a notable improvement in iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China, but the situation remains concerning. Particular attention should be paid to the prevention and control of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, especially among infants and children in the Central, Western, and Northeastern regions of China.
4.Study on the Mechanism of Lupeol in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Miaoxia PAN ; Ju CHEN ; Shanshan MAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(3):808-818
Objective To explore the mechanism of lupeol in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods The target of lupeol was obtained by Swiss and TCMSP analysis platform,and the RA related target was obtained by searching"rheumatoid arthritis"in GeneCards database,which was transformed into the corresponding standardized gene name by UniProt database.The common targets of lupeol and RA were mapped by R-package,and the cross genes were obtained.The cross genes were introduced into the string database to construct protein protein interactions(PPI)network.The clusterProfiler database was used to analyze the enrichment of GO and KEGG pathways.The binding of lupeol with AR,CASP3 and CCNB1 was evaluated by molecular docking.The RA mouse model was established and the foot volume of each group was measured.HE staining for pathological changes,ELISA kit for detecting mouse serum TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 expression levels.The protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,CASP3 and CASP9 were detected by Western blot.Results Forty targets of lupeol,4734 related targets of RA disease and 27 common targets of lupeol RA were obtained.The top three genes of PPI network were AR,CASP3 and CCNB1.291 GO and 20 KEGG pathways were enriched.Molecular docking showed that lupeol had good affinity with AR,CASP3 and CCNB1.The foot volume of the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal control group on the 8th,12th,16th and 20th day(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the foot volume ofthe lupeol group was significantly lower on the 8th,12th,16th and 20th day(P<0.05),andthat ofthe diclofenac group was significantly lower onthe 12th,16th and 20th day(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed that compared with the model group,the lupine alcohol drug group significantly improved the pathological state.Compared with the model group,the level of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in serum of mice in the Lupeol drug group decreased(P<0.01).WB results showed that compared with the normal group,the protein expressions of Bax,CASP3 and CASP9 in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of Bax,CASP3 and CASP9 in the positive control group and drug group were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05),and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly down regulated(P<0.05).Conclusion Lupeol plays a therapeutic role in RA by regulating Bax,Bcl-2,Casp3 and Casp9 in the p53 signaling pathway.
5.A multicenter study of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China
Li-Xiu SHI ; Jin-Xing FENG ; Yan-Fang WEI ; Xin-Ru LU ; Yu-Xi ZHANG ; Lin-Ying YANG ; Sheng-Nan HE ; Pei-Juan CHEN ; Jing HAN ; Cheng CHEN ; Hui-Ying TU ; Zhang-Bin YU ; Jin-Jie HUANG ; Shu-Juan ZENG ; Wan-Ling CHEN ; Ying LIU ; Yan-Ping GUO ; Jiao-Yu MAO ; Xiao-Dong LI ; Qian-Shen ZHANG ; Zhi-Li XIE ; Mei-Ying HUANG ; Kun-Shan YAN ; Er-Ya YING ; Jun CHEN ; Yan-Rong WANG ; Ya-Ping LIU ; Bo SONG ; Hua-Yan LIU ; Xiao-Dong XIAO ; Hong TANG ; Yu-Na WANG ; Yin-Sha CAI ; Qi LONG ; Han-Qiang XU ; Hui-Zhan WANG ; Qian SUN ; Fang HAN ; Rui-Biao ZHANG ; Chuan-Zhong YANG ; Lei DOU ; Hui-Ju SHI ; Rui WANG ; Ping JIANG ; Shenzhen Neonatal Data Network
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2024;26(5):450-455
Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75%(27/36);boys accounted for 64%(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86%)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53%)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61%)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36%)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75%)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72%)and seizures in 10 neonates(34%).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33%,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44%(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.
6.Association Between Exposure to Particulate Matter and the Incidence of Parkinson’s Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Ting-Bin CHEN ; Chih-Sung LIANG ; Ching-Mao CHANG ; Cheng-Chia YANG ; Hwa-Lung YU ; Yuh-Shen WU ; Winn-Jung HUANG ; I-Ju TSAI ; Yuan-Horng YAN ; Cheng-Yu WEI ; Chun-Pai YANG
Journal of Movement Disorders 2024;17(3):313-321
Objective:
Emerging evidence suggests that air pollution exposure may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the risk of incident PD nationwide.
Methods:
We utilized data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, which is spatiotemporally linked with air quality data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration website. The study population consisted of participants who were followed from the index date (January 1, 2005) until the occurrence of PD or the end of the study period (December 31, 2017). Participants who were diagnosed with PD before the index date were excluded. To evaluate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and incident PD risk, we employed Cox regression to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results:
A total of 454,583 participants were included, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 63.1 (9.9) years and a male proportion of 50%. Over a mean follow-up period of 11.1 (3.6) years, 4% of the participants (n = 18,862) developed PD. We observed a significant positive association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD, with a hazard ratio of 1.22 (95% CI, 1.20–1.23) per interquartile range increase in exposure (10.17 μg/m3) when adjusting for both SO2 and NO2.
Conclusion
We provide further evidence of an association between PM2.5 exposure and the risk of PD. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health policies aimed at reducing ambient air pollution and its potential impact on PD.
7.Implementation of point-of-care platforms for rapid detection of porcine circovirus type 2
Chiao-Hsu KE ; Mao-Yuan DU ; Wang-Ju HSIEH ; Chiu-Chiao LIN ; James Mingjuh TING ; Ming-Tang CHIOU ; Chao-Nan LIN
Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;25(2):e28-
Background:
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection is ubiquitous around the world.Diagnosis of the porcine circovirus-associated disease requires clinic-pathological elements together with the quantification of viral loads. Furthermore, given pig farms in regions lacking access to sufficient laboratory equipment, developing diagnostic devices with high accuracy, accessibility, and affordability is a necessity.
Objectives:
This study aims to investigate two newly developed diagnostic tools that may satisfy these criteria.
Methods:
We collected 250 specimens, including 170 PCV2-positive and 80 PCV2-negative samples. The standard diagnosis and cycle threshold (Ct) values were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Then, two point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platforms, convective polymerase chain reaction (cPCR, qualitative assay: positive or negative results are shown) and EZtargex (quantitative assay: Ct values are shown), were examined and analyzed.
Results:
The sensitivity and specificity of cPCR were 88.23% and 100%, respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of EZtargex were 87.65% and 100%, respectively. These assays also showed excellent concordance compared with the qPCR assay (κ = 0.828 for cPCR and κ = 0.820 for EZtargex). The statistical analysis showed a great diagnostic power of the EZtargex assay to discriminate between samples with different levels of positivity.
Conclusions
The two point-of-care diagnostic platforms are accurate, rapid, convenient and require little training for PCV2 diagnosis. These POC platforms can discriminate viral loads to predict the clinical status of the animals. The current study provided evidence that these diagnostics were applicable with high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PCV2 infection in the field.
8.Clinical effect of arthroscopic reduction and suture for tibial intercondylar eminence fractures by perforated Kirschner wire
Fei LIU ; Huacheng HOU ; Li JU ; Fengyong MAO ; Kai TANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2023;38(9):693-697
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of arthroscopic reduction of tibial intercondylar ridge fractures in children using a 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire to establish bone tunnels and the Krackow-" 8" suture.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2020, 24 children (14 males and 10 females, aged 6-15 years) with tibial intercondylar ridge fractures admitted to Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively recruited for analyses.All patients were treated with arthroscopic reduction, non-absorbable Krackow-" 8" suture for the base of the anterior cruciate ligament, and establishment of bone tunnels by 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire from the proximal tibial epiphysis for inserting a suture to fix the fractures.The affected limb was immobilized with a cast for 4 weeks, followed by active exercises postoperatively.Knee function was assessed using the Lysholm score and IKDC 2000 subjective score.Knee stability was evaluated using the Lachman test.X-rays were taken at 3 and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate fracture healing.Growth retardation of epiphyseal plate at 2 years of follow-up was assessed by bilateral knee X-rays.Results:All the 24 cases were successfully operated, with the operation time of (63.1±20.2) (40-115) min.All children were followed up for 24-36 months[(28.7±3.4) months]. All children achieved an anatomical reduction of the fracture postoperatively.No complications like fracture displacement, suture rupture, or infection were reported.All fractures healed completely at 3 months postoperatively.At the last follow-up, the Lysholm score and IKDC 2000 subjective score were (94.4±4.8) points and (93.8±5.6) points, respectively.The positive Lachman test was detected in 2 patients.No inhibition of proximal tibial epiphyseal growth was observed.Conclusions:Arthroscopic reduction with non-absorbable Krackow-" 8" suture and establishment of bone tunnels using a 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire for the treatment of tibial intercondylar ridge fractures in children has the advantages of simple surgical procedures, minimal invasiveness, which is an effective treatment method.
9.Identification and expression analysis of apple PDHB-1 gene family.
Jinghua YANG ; Ju GAO ; Wenfang LI ; Ji LIU ; Jiaxing HUO ; Zhenshuo REN ; Long LI ; Baihong CHEN ; Juan MAO ; Zonghuan MA
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(12):4965-4981
Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit beta-1 (PDHB-1) is a gene encoding the β-subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, which plays an important role in fruit acid accumulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution characteristics of apple PDHB-1 family and its expression in apples with different acid contents. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using databases including NCBI, Pfam and software including ClustalX, MEGA, and TBtools. By combining titratable acid content determination and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), the expression of this family genes in the peel and pulp of apple 'Asda' and 'Chengji No.1' with different acid content were obtained, respectively. The family members were mainly located in chloroplast, cytoplasm and mitochondria. α-helix and random coil were the main factors for the formation of secondary structure in this family. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that the expression of most members were higher in fruit than in other tissues. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression profile of most members was consistent with the profile of titratable acid contents. In the peel, the expression levels of 14 members in 'Asda' apples with high acid content were significantly higher than that in 'Chengji No.1' apples with low acid content, where the expression difference of MdPDHB1-15 was the most significant. In the pulp, the expression levels of 17 members in 'Asda' apples were significantly higher than that in 'Chengji No.1' apples, where MdPDHB1-01 was the most highly expressed. It was predicted that PDHB-1 gene family in apple plays an important role in the regulation of fruit acidity.
Malus/metabolism*
;
Fruit/genetics*
;
Protein Structure, Secondary
10.Exploration of the policy structure of China s school sexuality education based on text analysis
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(11):1614-1617
Objective:
To explore the structural status of school sexuality education policies in China, so as to provide a reference to optimize their effectiveness and development.
Methods:
A total of 45 policy documents closely related to school sexuality education, released at the national level, as samples in order to construct an analytic framework of policy objectives/instruments by analyzing their textual content.
Results:
In terms of policy objectives, school sexuality education policies focused on educational methods guidance (32.76%), and tend to underestimate the evaluation of educational effects (5.17%) and the protection of teachers and students rights and interests (5.17%), while failed to consider the creation of educational environments (0). In regards to policy tools, school sexuality education policies often used command line tools (59.45%) and capacity building tools ( 29.71% ), while the use of system change tools (2.70%) and incentive tools was lacking (0). In respect to the adaptability of policy objectives/tools, school sexuality education policies focused on using command based tools to guide educational methods ( 68.42% ), educational process management (54.55%), student literacy improvement (38.46%), and educational resource development ( 37.50% ). However, system change tools and incentive tools were scarcely used to achieve policy goals in education effectiveness evaluation, to protect teacher student rights and interests, and to improve student literacy and comprehensive social governance.
Conclusions
There is some deviations in the positioning of policy objectives, the selection of policy tools, and the interaction and adaptation between the two in school sex education policies, and further improvement is needed.


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