1.Determination of 27 volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Rui GAO ; Fangda PENG ; Yazhen HE ; Jie FENG ; Wubin LIU ; Lijia YU ; Qingsong CHEN ; Chunguang DING
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(1):96-102
Background Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath are closely associated with respiratory diseases and are linked to various metabolic reactions in the human body. A quantitative analytical method can provide technical support for studying VOCs related to various diseases. Objective To establish a thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) method for the determination of 27 VOCs in exhaled breath. Methods VOCs in exhaled breath were collected using a Bio-VOC sampler and enriched with Tenax TA thermal desorption tubes before TD-GC-MS analysis. Standards were collected using thermal desorption tubes and optimized for thermal desorption conditions as well as chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions: The separation of the 27 VOCs was achieved by an optimized temperature program, the improvement of sensitivity by optimizing quantitative ions, and the increase of VOCs desorption efficiency by optimizing thermal desorption time and temperature. Limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy, precision, and stability of the proposed method were investigated by spiking with a blank gas bag, and exhaled breath samples from 20 healthy individuals were collected for an application study of the proposed method. Results The thermal desorption temperature was 280 ℃, and desorption time was 6 min. A VF-624ms chromatographic column was selected for the separation of target substances. The initial temperature of heating program was 35 ℃, maintained for 1 min, and then increased to 100 ℃ at a heating rate of 3 ℃·min−1 for 1 min, followed by increasing to 210 ℃ at a heating rate of 28 ℃·min−1 for 5 min. A quantitative analysis was conducted with a single ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Under these conditions, the 27 VOCs showed good linear relationships in their respective concentration ranges and the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.9990. The limits of detection of the method were in the range of 0.01-0.13 nmol·mol−1, the limits of quantification were in the range of 0.02-0.44 nmol·mol−1, and the spiked recoveries were in the range of 80.1%-120.5%, with intra-batch and inter-batch precision ≤ 18.8% and 17.9% respectively. All substances can be stored at room temperature (23-28 °C) for 7 d and at 4 °C for 14 d. The proposed method was applied to exhaled breath samples from 20 subjects with detection rates≥ 80% (except for trans-2-pentene and decane) and a concentration range of 0.00-465.50 nmol·mol−1. Conclusion The established TD-GC-MS method for quantification of VOCs in exhaled breath is characterized by high sensitivity and good accuracy, and is suitable for quantitative determination of VOCs in exhaled breath, which can provide technical support for the study of exhaled breath VOCs.
2.Advances in immunomics research
Kang TANG ; Yongli HOU ; Yazhen WANG ; Lihua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(1):185-191
With the progress of high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics,and deepening understanding of immune system,immunomics has evolved from initially deciphering gene sequences of B cell receptor(BCR)and T cell receptor(TCR)to unraveling and mapping interactions between host immune system and antigens,as well as panorama of host immune system response mechanisms,which now encompasses various research areas,such as antigen epitopeomics,immunogenomics,immunopro-teomics,antibodyomics and immunoinformatics.Based on a large amount of immunological research data,immunological databases such as ImmPort,VDJdb and IEDB have been established to accelerate discovery of new antigen epitopes and study of immune response mechanisms.Immunomics has revealed the association between immune system and diseases,promoted the development of novel vac-cines and immunotherapeutic strategies,and effectively drove the development of personalized medicine and precision medicine.In recent years,integration of immunome with exposome and fusion it with artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on compre-hensively understanding immune system's response and regulatory mechanisms to environmental factors,as well as deciphering molecular mechanisms underlying disease occurrence and progression.
3.Comparison of occupational exposure limits in China with threshold limit values announced by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
Qiangzhi GUO ; Yazhen WANG ; Yuntao MU ; Jinling LIU ; Xue JIANG ; Di LIU ; Chen SHEN ; Lingling LI ; Yi LIU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(11):1290-1296
Background The threshold limit values (TLVs) established and regularly updated by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) are widely adopted and referenced globally, serving as a crucial reference for China's occupational exposure limits (OELs). It is necessary to track it regularly and compare it with China's OELs. Objective To compare the OELs stipulated in Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace—Part 1: Chemical hazardous agents (GBZ 2.1—2019) and the ACGIH TLVs (2024) and to provide references for subsequent formulation and revision of OELs in China. Methods The OELs specified in GBZ 2.1—2019 and the TLVs issued by ACGIH were used to establish a database using Microsoft Excel 2019 software. Cross verification was conducted through matching Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS Rn) and both Chinese and English names to ensure accuracy. Then, comparisons and analyses were carried out based on the type of limit values, which were matched as follows: permissible concentration-time weighted average (PC-TWA) with threshold limit value-time weighted average (TLV-TWA), permissible concentration-short term exposure limit (PC-STEL) with threshold limit value-short term exposure limit (TLV-STEL), and maximum allowable concentration (MAC) with threshold limit value-ceiling (TLV-C). Comparisons included types, quantities, and sizes of limits. Results The GBZ 2.1—2019 OELs and the ACGIH TLVs (2024) were generally consistent in terms of types and definitions, but there were differences in the number and size of the limits. In terms of the number of limits, GBZ 2.1—2019 specified 365 OELs for 358 chemical hazardous agents, while ACGIH TLVs (2024) included 316 corresponding limits. Among these, 148 (46.9%) limits were consistent, 38 (12.0%) were basically consistent, and 130 (41.1%) were inconsistent. In terms of the size of the limits, out of the 130 inconsistent limits, 51 OELs were lower than the corresponding TLVs, 67 OELs were higher than the corresponding TLVs, and 12 were under different limit types. For some chemical hazardous agents, their OELs were significantly lower or higher than their TLVs. Conclusion Some of the OELs for chemical hazardous agents specified in GBZ 2.1—2019 are significantly lower or higher than the TLVs. For these chemical hazardous factors, it is recommended to prioritize their inclusion in research projects and to complete the revisions as soon as possible based on the latest scientific evidence.
4.Clinical features and genetic analysis of child with Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 6 due to variant of DNA2 gene
Yuanling CHEN ; Lulu YAN ; Jiangyang XUE ; Haibo LI ; Ling WU ; Jika ZHENG ; Yazhen DI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2024;41(10):1238-1242
Objective:To explore the genetic etiology for a child with Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 6 (PEOA6).Methods:A child who had attended the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University on 7 August, 2023 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were analyzed retrospectively. The child and her parents were subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. This study was approved by Medical Ethics Committee of the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No. EC2020-048).Results:The child, a 7-year-old female, had presented with limb muscle pain, amyosthenia, significantly increased creatine kinase, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and recurrent respiratory tract infections. WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous c. 1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene, which was verified to have a de novo origin by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.1590G>C was rated as a likely pathogenic variant (PS2+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Conclusion:The c.1590G>C (p.L530F) variant of the DNA2 gene probably underlay the PEOA6 in this child.
5.Proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels for immediate breast reconstructions using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in four cases
Xiuxiu CHEN ; Huangfu WU ; Lan MU ; Wuping ZHENG ; Junbo PAN ; Guisheng HE ; Tao SONG ; Yazhen ZHANG ; Hengyu CHEN ; Jinghui HUANG ; Yilian XU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(5):507-513
Objective:Explore the feasibility and advantages of using proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap immediate breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery using the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal vein as recipient vessels at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from March 2022 to June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative examinations included thoracoabdominal angiography and color Doppler ultrasonic localization of the main trunk and perforators of the inferior epigastric vessels. The procedure began with mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by the isolation of bilateral perforators and the main trunk of the abdominal flap. The main trunks of the bilateral inferior epigastric arteries were then transected, and their vascular pedicles exposed and anastomosed respectively to the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein. Both arteries and veins were joined end-to-end. The flap after trimming and reconstruction was then implanted into the cavity left after mastectomy through the incision. Breast positioning was performed with the patient in a knee-bent and hip-flexed position. After adjusting the shape of the reconstructed breast. The donor site was closed, the umbilicus was reconstructed, drainage tubes were placed, and the breast incision was closed. Postoperative follow-up monitored complications associated with the flap and patient satisfaction with the breast reconstruction, utilizing a self-assessment method.Results:Four female patients were included, aged (46.0±6.5) years, ranging from 37 to 52 years. All four patients had bilateral vascular pedicles in the donor area, with three patients having thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends as recipient vessels, and one patient having anterior serratus branch of the thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends. All drainage tubes were removed within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients were discharged. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 15 months, averaging 6 months. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no flap-related complications occurring. All four patients were satisfied with the result of the reconstruction.Conclusion:The simultaneous application of the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein can ensure the safety of flap survival while reducing damage to the ribs and intercostal muscles, achieving better aesthetic result.
6.Proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels for immediate breast reconstructions using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in four cases
Xiuxiu CHEN ; Huangfu WU ; Lan MU ; Wuping ZHENG ; Junbo PAN ; Guisheng HE ; Tao SONG ; Yazhen ZHANG ; Hengyu CHEN ; Jinghui HUANG ; Yilian XU
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2024;40(5):507-513
Objective:Explore the feasibility and advantages of using proximal and distal ends of thoracodosal artery and vein as recipient vessels in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap immediate breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent breast reconstruction surgery using the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal vein as recipient vessels at the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University from March 2022 to June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Preoperative examinations included thoracoabdominal angiography and color Doppler ultrasonic localization of the main trunk and perforators of the inferior epigastric vessels. The procedure began with mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection, followed by the isolation of bilateral perforators and the main trunk of the abdominal flap. The main trunks of the bilateral inferior epigastric arteries were then transected, and their vascular pedicles exposed and anastomosed respectively to the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein. Both arteries and veins were joined end-to-end. The flap after trimming and reconstruction was then implanted into the cavity left after mastectomy through the incision. Breast positioning was performed with the patient in a knee-bent and hip-flexed position. After adjusting the shape of the reconstructed breast. The donor site was closed, the umbilicus was reconstructed, drainage tubes were placed, and the breast incision was closed. Postoperative follow-up monitored complications associated with the flap and patient satisfaction with the breast reconstruction, utilizing a self-assessment method.Results:Four female patients were included, aged (46.0±6.5) years, ranging from 37 to 52 years. All four patients had bilateral vascular pedicles in the donor area, with three patients having thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends as recipient vessels, and one patient having anterior serratus branch of the thoracodorsal vessels at the distal and proximal ends. All drainage tubes were removed within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients were discharged. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 15 months, averaging 6 months. The patients recovered well postoperatively, with no flap-related complications occurring. All four patients were satisfied with the result of the reconstruction.Conclusion:The simultaneous application of the proximal and distal ends of the thoracodorsal artery and vein can ensure the safety of flap survival while reducing damage to the ribs and intercostal muscles, achieving better aesthetic result.
7.Effect of modified citrus pectin on synovial fibroblasts
Yazhen CHEN ; Danning SU ; Jianuo ZHENG ; Jiayue HE ; Ruiping DUAN ; Bo DU ; Xuemin LI ; Lingrong LIU
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2023;46(2):97-103
Objective:To study the effects of modified citrus pectin (MCP) on the viability and gene expressions of synovial fibroblasts (SF) as well as SF treated by galectin-3 (Gal-3).Methods:Rabbit SF was isolated and cultured in vitro. Then SF was treated with different concentrations of MCP (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg/L). In addition, SF was further treated with the same different concentrations of MCP after treatment with 10 μg/ml Gal-3 for 24 h. The viability of SF was detected by CCK-8 on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (COL1A2), and Gal-3 in SF was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The synthesis of type I collagen in SF was investigated by immunofluorescence staining. Results:MCP, especially at a concentration of 500 mg/L can inhibit the proliferation of SF significantly (all P < 0.05) on the first, third, and fifth day after treatment. Compared with the control group, MCP at different concentrations induced different gene expression profiles. In particular, MCP at high concentrations can upregulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2 and Gal-3 in SF. However, MCP shows no significant effect on the synthesis of type I collagen in SF. MCP can down-regulate the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and significantly reduce the synthesis of type I collagen in SF after Gal-3 treatment. Particularly, the effect of MCP at a concentration of 500 mg/L on inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1, COL1A2, and Gal-3 in SF is significant. Conclusions:MCP can inhibit the excessive proliferation of SF and regulate gene expression in SF.
8.Effects of family empowerment model based on cloud follow-up in schizophrenia patients and their main caregivers
Yazhen ZHU ; Liping ZHAO ; Yahong LI ; Linxia CHEN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2023;29(4):527-532
Objective:To explore the effect of family empowerment model based on cloud follow-up in schizophrenia patients and their main caregivers.Methods:From January 2020 to June 2021, 160 schizophrenics and their 160 main caregivers who were admitted to Shaoxing Seventh People's Hospital were selected as the study subject by convenience sampling. According to the method of random number table, the subjects were divided into control group and observation group, with 80 patients and 80 main caregivers in each group. The patients in the control group were given routine nursing, while the patients in the observation group received family empowerment nursing model based on cloud follow-up on the basis of the control group. Both groups of patients were intervened continuously for six months after enrollment. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) , Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) , Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version (FES-CV) , Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS) , Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the drug compliance, personal social function, family function of the two groups of patients, disease burden and negative emotions of main caregivers.Results:After six months of intervention, the medication compliance of observation group was better than control group, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The PSP score of patients in the observation group was higher than that of the control group, and the FEC-CV scores in all dimensions of the observation group were better than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . After intervention, the disease burden, SAS and SDS scores of the main caregivers in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The family empowerment model based on cloud follow-up can improve the treatment compliance, personal social function and family environment of schizophrenics, and relieve the disease burden and negative emotions of the main caregivers, which is worthy of clinical practice.
9.Mechanisms of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in treating diabetic nephropathy complicated with depression based on network pharmacology
LEI Xing ; CHEN Qingyao ; WANG Xiaoping ; XU Jie ; GAO Yazhen ; LIN Qiaohong ; YE Zuwen ; ZHANG Jieyan ; SI Qin ; WANG Fang
Digital Chinese Medicine 2022;5(2):178-188
Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN) complicated with depression based on network pharmacology. Methods The components of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) were identified from the Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and relevant literature. The component targets were detected by combining the SwissTargetPrediction and PubChem databases. Disease targets were collected from the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DisGeNET, and Ensembl databases with “diabetic nephropathy” and “depression” as keywords. The disease-component targets were mapped using Venny 2.1.0 to obtain potential targets. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database and Cytoscape 3.7.2. The co-expression genes of the key targets were collected based on the COXPRESdb 7.3. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed for potential targets using R language. Target-component docking was verified and evaluated using Discovery Studio 4.5. Results According to the databases and literature reports, Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) contained 65 active components, and had 155 related targets for the treatment of DN complicated with depression. PPI screening showed that the key targets included serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT3), interleukin 6 (IL-6), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), etc. GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes, such as lipid metabolism, protein secretion regulation, cell homeostasis, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis included the role of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complements, insulin resistance (IR), neurotrophin signal path, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), etc. Molecular docking showed that the target had high affinity for stachyose, manninotriose, verbascose, nigerose, etc. Conclusion Based on network parmacology, this study preliminarily predict the effects of Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) in treating DN complicated with depression by regulating inflammation, glucose metabolism, nution nerve, etc.
10.Analysis of the clinical characteristics of 24 cases of hematological malignancies with SET-NUP214 fusion gene
Shumin CHEN ; Wenjie SONG ; Yazhen QIN ; Zheng WANG ; Hui DANG ; Yan SHI ; Qi HE ; Qian JIANG ; Hao JIANG ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Yueyun LAI
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2021;42(6):459-465
Objective:To investigate the expression of SET-NUP214 fusion gene in hematological malignancies and to analyze its related clinical biological characteristics.Methods:The clinical data of 24 patients with SET-NUP214 fusion gene-positive hematological malignancies were retrospectively analyzed, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results:Among the 24 patients with SET-NUP214 fusion gene, 15 cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (13 cases of T-ALL and 2 cases of B-ALL) , 7 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) , and 2 cases of T/myeloid mixed acute leukemia have been identified. The immunophenotype of 13 cases of T-ALL was mainly characterized by CD3 +CD2 -, 73.3% of ALL was characterized by myeloid marker expression, and 85.7% of AML was characterized by CD7 expression. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 22 patients (91.7%) after induction chemotherapy. All 24 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) . With a median follow-up of 24 months, the 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) of AML and ALL was 85.7% and 33.3%, respectively ( P=0.128) . Comparing 13 cases of SET-NUP214-positive and 62 cases of SET-NUP214-negative T-ALL, the CR rates of induction chemotherapy were 92.3% and 93.5% ( P=0.445) , and the 4-week CR rates of induction chemotherapy were 69.2% and 72.6%, respectively ( P=0.187) ; the differences were not statistically significant. After HSCT, the 3-year RFS of SET-NUP214 +T-ALL and SET-NUP214 -T-ALL was 38.5% and 66.4%, respectively ( P=0.028) , and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:The SET-NUP214 fusion gene is mainly detected in T cell-derived hematological malignancies, and the prognosis of SET-NUP214 positive T-ALL is relatively poor.

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