1.Correlation between hepatitis B virus infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Weiqi CAI ; Kaiyi MAO ; Pingying JIANG ; Yu ZHOU ; Fenglin CHEN ; Dan LI
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(6):532-544
Objective:To systematically evaluate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the quality. Meta-analysis and cumulative meta-analysis were performed using R4.4.1 software. Fixed/random effects models were used to analyze heterogeneous and non-heterogeneous results. Heterogeneous modifiers were identified by subgroup analysis. Funnel plots and Peters' test were used to analyze potential publication bias.Results:A total of 48 studies involving 92 836 HBsAg-positive pregnant women and 7 123 292 HBsAg-negative pregnant women were included. In terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes, HBV infection was significantly correlated with the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus [odds ratio ( OR)=1.34, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.17-1.53] and intrahepatic cholestasis ( OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.88-3.29), with statistically significant differences. In terms of adverse neonatal outcomes, HBV infection was significantly correlated with the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia ( OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.20-1.86) and preterm birth ( OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33), with statistically significant differences. In addition, the cumulative meta-analysis demonstrated that the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and preterm birth both tended to be stable in pregnant women with HBV infection following 2009 and 2010, respectively. The supplementary questions answered for repeated studies had limited significance. Conclusion:Intrahepatic cholestasis, gestational diabetes mellitus, neonatal asphyxia, and preterm birth occurrence risk can be raised with HBV infection in pregnant women.
2.The general algorithm for parentage testing and its thoughts on alleged parent cases
Jian HUANG ; Weiqi HAO ; Jinhong CAI
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;39(4):404-406
The determination of kinship requires the probability calculation among a set of individuals in a population supposed in a certain relationship.To make the method of kinship estimation easier to understand and for reasonable application,a general algorithm for parentage testing is presented in this paper.Furthermore,we discussed the reasons for the controversy of disputed-parent cases and proposed suggestions for it.In conclusion,all kinds of parentage testing can be easily solved based on the genetic rule and general algorithm.
3.A single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas of primate testicular aging reveals exhaustion of the spermatogonial stem cell reservoir and loss of Sertoli cell homeostasis.
Daoyuan HUANG ; Yuesheng ZUO ; Chen ZHANG ; Guoqiang SUN ; Ying JING ; Jinghui LEI ; Shuai MA ; Shuhui SUN ; Huifen LU ; Yusheng CAI ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Fei GAO ; Andy PENG XIANG ; Juan Carlos Izpisua BELMONTE ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Jing QU ; Si WANG
Protein & Cell 2023;14(12):888-907
The testis is pivotal for male reproduction, and its progressive functional decline in aging is associated with infertility. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying primate testicular aging remains largely elusive. Here, we resolve the aging-related cellular and molecular alterations of primate testicular aging by establishing a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas. Gene-expression patterns along the spermatogenesis trajectory revealed molecular programs associated with attrition of spermatogonial stem cell reservoir, disturbed meiosis and impaired spermiogenesis along the sequential continuum. Remarkably, Sertoli cell was identified as the cell type most susceptible to aging, given its deeply perturbed age-associated transcriptional profiles. Concomitantly, downregulation of the transcription factor Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1), essential for Sertoli cell homeostasis, was associated with accelerated cellular senescence, disrupted tight junctions, and a compromised cell identity signature, which altogether may help create a hostile microenvironment for spermatogenesis. Collectively, our study depicts in-depth transcriptomic traits of non-human primate (NHP) testicular aging at single-cell resolution, providing potential diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions against testicular aging and age-related male reproductive diseases.
Animals
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Male
;
Testis
;
Sertoli Cells/metabolism*
;
Transcriptome
;
Spermatogenesis/genetics*
;
Primates
;
Aging/genetics*
;
Stem Cells
4.Potential Mechanism of Action of Qiangxin Decoction (强心汤) for Chronic Heart Failure Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Meiling MAO ; Jianqi LU ; Liyu XIE ; Yan PANG ; Ding ZHANG ; Weiqi SHI ; Shuihua LIU ; Zongyu CAI ; Shiyu ZHANG ; Min HUANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;64(20):2132-2137
ObjectiveTo reveal the targets and molecular mechanisms of the action of Qiangxin Decoction (强心汤) for the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsThe active ingredients of Qiangxin Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP database, and the targets of chronic heart failure were screened by searching GeneCards, OMIM, TTD, PharmGkb, and DrugBank databases, and the intersections were taken to obtain the intersecting targets of Qiangxin Decoction for the treatment of chronic heart failure. STRING platform was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network (PPI), Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to calculate the network topology to screen the core targets, and R 4.2.3 was used to construct the “active ingredient-target” network by analyzing the GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. AutoDock 1.5.7 was used for molecular docking to predict the binding performance of active ingredients and core targets. ResultsSeventy-five intersecting targets were identified for the treatment of chronic heart failure with Qiangxin Decoction, among which the core targets were estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1, degree value=7), nuclear receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1, degree value=8), glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1, degree value=7), and nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2, degree value=7). GO enrichment analysis showed that the top 3 items with the smallest P value in molecular function were G protein-coupled amine receptor activity, postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity, and neurotransmitter receptor activity (P<0.01); the top 3 items with the smallest P value in biological process were adenylyl cyclase-activated adrenergic receptor signaling pathway, adrenergic receptor signaling pathway, and adenylyl cyclase-regulated G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway (P<0.01); the top 3 items with the smallest P values in cellular composition were components of the postsynaptic membrane, synaptic membrane, and presynaptic membrane (P<0.01). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the top 5 key signaling pathways were neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, calcium signaling pathway, dopaminergic synapses, cocaine addiction, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathway. The molecular docking results showed that lignans and isoflavones had lower binding energies and more structural stability with the four core targets (ESR1, NCOA1, NR3C1, NCOA2). ConclusionThe treatment of chronic heart failure by Qiangxin Decoction was associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, calcium signaling pathway, dopaminergic synapses, chemoattractant-receptor activation, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, lipids and atherosclerosis, and cAMP signaling pathway, and lignans and isoflavones may be the core active compounds in its treatment of chronic heart failure.
5.Effects of low-carbohydrate diet versus low-fat diet on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Weiqi CAI ; Juan XIAO ; Qiuyan LIN ; Dan LI ; Ronghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2023;31(1):39-47
Objective:To compare the effects of low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) and low-fat diet (LFD) in the lifestyle intervention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Methods:PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CNKI and Wanfang were searched for relevant studies and study references and conference proceedings were manually searched. Two authors independently screened the items retrieved, extracted the data and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using R4.4.1 and RevMan5.4.1. Data were pooled using random-effects models and potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated using stratified meta-analysis. Funnel plots and Peters' test were used to assess publication bias.Results:Nine studies with a total of 510 participants met our inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results showed that LCD and LFD interventions had similar effects on the reduction of intrahepatic lipid content in NAFLD patients ( SMD: -0.31,95% CI: 0.97 to 0.35, P = 0.36). There were no significant differences in changes of alanine aminotransferase ( SMD: -0.25, 95%CI: 0.91 to 0.41, P = 0.45) and aspartate aminotransferase ( SMD: -0.45, 95%CI: 1.63 to 0.72, P = 0.45) levels, either. Subgroup analyses implied that the duration of different interventions might be the cause of heterogeneity across studies. No significant publication bias was showed in the meta-analysis. Conclusion:Current evidence from randomized controlled studies does not support the superiority of LCD over LFD in the treatment of NAFLD.
6.4E-BP1 counteracts human mesenchymal stem cell senescence via maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
Yifang HE ; Qianzhao JI ; Zeming WU ; Yusheng CAI ; Jian YIN ; Yiyuan ZHANG ; Sheng ZHANG ; Xiaoqian LIU ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Si WANG ; Moshi SONG ; Jing QU
Protein & Cell 2023;14(3):202-216
Although the mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling pathway is implicated in aging and aging-related disorders, the role of 4E-BP1 in regulating human stem cell homeostasis remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the expression of 4E-BP1 decreases along with the senescence of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Genetic inactivation of 4E-BP1 in hMSCs compromises mitochondrial respiration, increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and accelerates cellular senescence. Mechanistically, the absence of 4E-BP1 destabilizes proteins in mitochondrial respiration complexes, especially several key subunits of complex III including UQCRC2. Ectopic expression of 4E-BP1 attenuates mitochondrial abnormalities and alleviates cellular senescence in 4E-BP1-deficient hMSCs as well as in physiologically aged hMSCs. These f indings together demonstrate that 4E-BP1 functions as a geroprotector to mitigate human stem cell senescence and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, particularly for the mitochondrial respiration complex III, thus providing a new potential target to counteract human stem cell senescence.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/physiology*
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Cellular Senescence
;
Homeostasis
;
Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism*
;
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism*
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Electron Transport Complex III/metabolism*
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Humans
;
Cells, Cultured
7.Single-cell profiling reveals a potent role of quercetin in promoting hair regeneration.
Qian ZHAO ; Yandong ZHENG ; Dongxin ZHAO ; Liyun ZHAO ; Lingling GENG ; Shuai MA ; Yusheng CAI ; Chengyu LIU ; Yupeng YAN ; Juan Carlos Izpisua BELMONTE ; Si WANG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Jing QU
Protein & Cell 2023;14(6):398-415
Hair loss affects millions of people at some time in their life, and safe and efficient treatments for hair loss are a significant unmet medical need. We report that topical delivery of quercetin (Que) stimulates resting hair follicles to grow with rapid follicular keratinocyte proliferation and replenishes perifollicular microvasculature in mice. We construct dynamic single-cell transcriptome landscape over the course of hair regrowth and find that Que treatment stimulates the differentiation trajectory in the hair follicles and induces an angiogenic signature in dermal endothelial cells by activating HIF-1α in endothelial cells. Skin administration of a HIF-1α agonist partially recapitulates the pro-angiogenesis and hair-growing effects of Que. Together, these findings provide a molecular understanding for the efficacy of Que in hair regrowth, which underscores the translational potential of targeting the hair follicle niche as a strategy for regenerative medicine, and suggest a route of pharmacological intervention that may promote hair regrowth.
Mice
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Animals
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Quercetin/pharmacology*
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Endothelial Cells
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Hair
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Hair Follicle
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Alopecia
8.Exosomes from antler stem cells alleviate mesenchymal stem cell senescence and osteoarthritis.
Jinghui LEI ; Xiaoyu JIANG ; Wei LI ; Jie REN ; Datao WANG ; Zhejun JI ; Zeming WU ; Fang CHENG ; Yusheng CAI ; Zheng-Rong YU ; Juan Carlos Izpisua BELMONTE ; Chunyi LI ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Jing QU ; Si WANG
Protein & Cell 2022;13(3):220-226
9.Low-dose chloroquine treatment extends the lifespan of aged rats.
Wei LI ; Zhiran ZOU ; Yusheng CAI ; Kuan YANG ; Si WANG ; Zunpeng LIU ; Lingling GENG ; Qun CHU ; Zhejun JI ; Piu CHAN ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Moshi SONG ; Jing QU ; Weiqi ZHANG
Protein & Cell 2022;13(6):454-461
10.mTORC2/RICTOR exerts differential levels of metabolic control in human embryonic, mesenchymal and neural stem cells.
Qun CHU ; Feifei LIU ; Yifang HE ; Xiaoyu JIANG ; Yusheng CAI ; Zeming WU ; Kaowen YAN ; Lingling GENG ; Yichen ZHANG ; Huyi FENG ; Kaixin ZHOU ; Si WANG ; Weiqi ZHANG ; Guang-Hui LIU ; Shuai MA ; Jing QU ; Moshi SONG
Protein & Cell 2022;13(9):676-682

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