1.Severity Assessment Parameters and Diagnostic Technologies of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Zhuo-Zhi FU ; Ya-Cen WU ; Mei-Xi LI ; Ping-Ping YIN ; Hai-Jun LIN ; Fu ZHANG ; Yu-Xiang YANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):147-161
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO2), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO2 plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.
2.Exploring mechanism of Porana racemosa Roxb. in treating rheumatoid arthritis based on integration of network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental validation
Chen-yu YE ; Ning LI ; Yin-zi CHEN ; Tong QU ; Jing HU ; Zhi-yong CHEN ; Hui REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):117-129
Through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, combined with
3.Effects of Different Modes in Hypoxic Training on Metabolic Improvements in Obese Individuals: a Systematic Review With Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Trail
Jie-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Shi LI ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Yi-Yin ZHANG ; Feng-Zhi YU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1587-1604
This paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of hypoxic training at different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in obese individuals, and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration range to provide scientific evidence for personalized and precise hypoxic exercise prescriptions. A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies published up to March 31, 2025, involving hypoxic training interventions in obese populations. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software to assess the effects of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2≤14% vs. FiO2>14%) on BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with subgroup analyses based on oxygen concentration. A total of 22 studies involving 292 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that hypoxic training significantly reduced BMI (mean difference (MD)=-2.29,95%CI: -3.42 to -1.17, P<0.000 1), body fat percentage (MD=-2.32, 95%CI: -3.16 to -1.47, P<0.001), waist circumference (MD=-3.79, 95%CI: -6.73 to -0.85, P=0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD=-3.58, 95%CI: -6.23 to -0.93, P=0.008), insulin (MD=-1.60, 95%CI: -2.98 to -0.22, P=0.02), TG (MD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.25 to -0.12, P<0.001), and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.11, P=0.000 3). Greater improvements were observed under moderate hypoxic conditions with FiO2>14%. Changes in HOMA-IR (MD=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.52 to 0.04,P=0.06) and HDL-C (MD=-0.09, 95%CI: -0.21 to 0.02, P=0.11) were not statistically significant. Hypoxic training can significantly improve body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism indicators in obese individuals, with greater benefits observed under moderate hypoxia (FiO>14%). As a key parameter in hypoxic exercise interventions, the precise setting of oxygen concentration is crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes.
4.Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome: Two Cases Treated with Autologous Seminal Plasma Subcutaneous Cluster Immunotherapy
Lun LI ; Yanping DUAN ; Fan ZHI ; Jing ZHANG ; Yu LI ; Bei LIU ; Jia YIN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):341-347
Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition characterized by the rapid onset of extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, difficulty concentrating, depression, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes, and other physical and psychological discomforts following ejaculation. This report presents the outcomes of two patients with POIS who underwent a two-year course of autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunotherapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed using methods such as the symptom Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Union Physio-Psycho-Social Assessment Questionnaire (UPPSAQ)-70, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The results suggest that autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunother-apy may be a safe and effective therapeutic approach for POIS.
5.Simultaneous content determination of twelve constituents in Bushen Huoxue Sanjie Capsules by HPLC
Ji-Yao YIN ; Jing HU ; Xia SHEN ; Xiao-Min CUI ; Hui REN ; Tong QU ; Ning LI ; Wen-Jin LU ; Zhi-Yong CHEN ; Kai QU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(1):1-6
AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of gallic acid,protocatechuic acid,morroniside,loganin,sweroside,paeoniflorin,hypericin,astragalin,salvianolic acid B,salvianolic acid A,epimedin C and icariin in Bushen Huoxue Sanjie Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic Agilent 5 TC-C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 240 nm.RESULTS Twelve constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 8),whose average recoveries were 97.11%-101.14%with the RSDs of 0.60%-2.65%.CONCLUSION This simple,accurate and reproducible method can be used for the quality control of Bushen Huoxue Sanjie Capsules.
6.Postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fracture:construction of a nomogram model for influencing factors and risk prediction
Haotian WANG ; Mao WU ; Junfeng YANG ; Yang SHAO ; Shaoshuo LI ; Heng YIN ; Hao YU ; Guopeng WANG ; Zhi TANG ; Chengwei ZHOU ; Jianwei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(36):5785-5792
BACKGROUND:Establishing a nomogram prediction model for postoperative pulmonary infection in hip fractures and taking early intervention measures is crucial for improving patients'quality of life and reducing medical costs. OBJECTIVE:To construct a nomogram risk prediction model of postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fracture,and provide theoretical basis for feasible prevention and early intervention. METHODS:Case data of 305 elderly patients with hip fractures who underwent surgical treatment at Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine between January and October 2020(training set)were retrospectively analyzed.Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test,receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to analyze the diagnostic predictive efficacy of independent risk factors and joint models for postoperative pulmonary infections.Tools glmnet,pROC,and rms in R Studio software were applied to construct a nomogram model for predicting the risk of postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fractures,and calibration curves were further drawn to verify the predictive ability of the nomogram model.Receiver operating characteristic curves,calibration curves,and decision curves were analyzed for 133 elderly patients with hip fractures(validation set)receiving surgery at the same hospital from November 2022 to March 2023 to further predict the predictive ability of the nomogram model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The postoperative pulmonary infection rate in elderly patients with hip fractures in this group was 9.18%(28/305).(2)Single factor and multivariate analysis,as well as forest plots,showed that preoperative hospitalization days,leukocyte count,hypersensitive C-reactive protein,and serum sodium levels were independent risk factors(P<0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed good fit(χ2=4.57,P=0.803).Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted on the independent risk factors and their joint models mentioned above,and the differentiation of each independent risk factor and joint model was good,with statistical significance(P<0.05).(3)The graphical calibration method,C-index,and decision curve were used to validate the nomogram prediction model.The predicted calibration curve was located between the standard curve and the acceptable line,and the predicted risk of the nomogram model was consistent with the actual risk.(4)The validation set used receiver operating characteristic curve,graphic calibration method,and decision curve to validate the prediction model.The results showed good consistency with clinical practice,indicating that the model had a good fit.The nomogram risk prediction model constructed for postoperative pulmonary infection in elderly patients with hip fractures has good predictive performance.The use of the nomogram risk prediction model can screen high-risk populations and provide a theoretical basis for early intervention.
7.Effects of puerarin apioside on hepatic lipid metabolism in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease mice
Zhi SHANG ; Yin-Lu HU ; Sheng-Lin XU ; Li-Li LIN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(11):1598-1602
Objective To investigate the preventive effects of puerarin apioside on a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)mouse model and its influence on hepatic lipid metabolism.Methods Thirty-two male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal group,model group and experimental-L,-H groups,with 8 mice in each group.The normal group was given regular maintenance feed;the other 3 groups were fed to construct NAFLD model.Experimental-L,-H groups were given 5 and 10 mg·kg-1 puerarin apioside by gavage.Normal and model groups were treated with an equal amount of dimethylsulfoxide by gavage.Four groups were administered once a day for 8 weeks.Changes in mouse body weight were measured.Serum levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT)and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT)and the levels of total cholesterol(TC)and triglycerides(TG)in hepatic tissue were determined by kit.Western blot was used to evaluate the expression levels of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1(ACC1)and phosphorylated 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(p-AMPK).Results The body weights of mice in the normal,model and experimental-L,-H groups were(32.69±1.37),(45.51±3.29),(41.18±3.22)and(38.28±2.62)g;serum GPT levels were(36.53±6.44),(134.56±39.91),(121.54±43.38)and(75.92±25.98)U·L-1;serum GOT levels were(60.81±8.74),(188.51±39.70),(156.02±41.67)and(126.79±16.49)U·L-1;hepatic TC levels were(2.17±0.24),(6.46±1.22),(5.86±0.66)and(3.62±0.45)mmol·L-1;hepatic TG levels were(0.57±0.09),(1.39±0.27),(1.28±0.34)and(0.73±0.19)mmol·L-1;the relative expression levels of ACC1 protein were 1.01±0.04,2.00±0.02,1.47±0.08 and 1.20±0.09;the relative expression levels of p-AMPK protein were 1.03±0.09,0.33±0.02,0.66±0.04 and 0.95±0.08,respectively.The differences between the model group and the normal and experimental-H groups were statistically significant for all the above indicators(all P<0.05).Conclusion Puerarin apioside can improve the hepatic lipid metabolism in NAFLD mice by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway.
8.Polyene phosphatidylcholine protects hepatocytes from palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity by regulating AKT/FoxO1 signaling pathway
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1878-1882
Objective To observe the protective effect of polyene phosphatidylcholine on palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes and explore the possible mechanism.Methods HepG2 cells were continuously stimulated with 0.4 mmol·L-1palmitic acid filtrate for 24 h at logarithmic growth stage,and 0,0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mg·mL-1 polyene phosphatidylcholine solution were added at the same time,which were set as model group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups,respectively.Cells without any treatment were taken as control group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method was used to detect cell viability.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the content of triglyceride(TG)in cells.Probe method was used to detect mitochondrial function.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of protein kinase B(AKT)and forkhead box transcription factor O1(FoxO1).Results The cell viability rates of the experimental-M,-H groups,model group and control group were(74.31±8.69)%,(78.13±9.34)%,(63.67±7.40)%and(82.47±12.30)%;the cellular TG contents were(11.45±3.06),(8.34±2.05),(17.63±5.12)and(5.12±1.32)mg·g-1 protein;the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production levels were(0.47±0.06),(0.39±0.05),(0.62±0.09)and(0.31±0.05)U·mg-1 protein;the cellular expression levels of FoxO1 protein were 0.27±0.05,0.22±0.03,0.41±0.08 and 0.07±0.02;the p-AKT/AKT ratios were 0.23±0.07,0.34±0.06,0.09±0.01 and 0.38±0.05,respectively.The differences of the above indicators were statistically significant among the experimental-M,-H groups and model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion Polyene phosphatidylcholine can reduce palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes,improve hepatocyte viability and mitochondrial function,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of AKT/FoxO1 signaling pathway activity.
9.Proguanil induces bladder cancer cell apoptosis through mediating oxidation-reduction driven ferroptosis
Qing-Hua PAN ; Yin-Long LIU ; Yong LIU ; Bao-Chun LIAO ; Jian HU ; Zhi-Jian ZHU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(20):2988-2992
Objective To explore the potential mechanism of proguanil on the proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells.Methods 253J cells were randomly divided into control group(normal treatment),proguanil group(42.06 μmol·L-1 proguanil),pcDNA group(transfected with pcDNA+42.06 μmol·L-1 proguanil),FADS2 group[transfected fatty acid desaturase gene 2(FADS2)+42.06 μmol·L-1 proguanil],si-NC(transfection si-NC),si-FADS2(transfection si-FADS2),Ferrostatin-1 group(transfected with si-FADS2+10 μmol·L-1 ferrostatin-1).Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)assay was used to detect mRNA expression of related genes;Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of each protein;apoptosis was detected by TdT mediated dUDP nick end labeling(Tunel)assay;5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay to detect cell proliferation;the Transwell assay measures the ability of cells to migrate;Fe2+levels were determined by kit method;DCFH-DA probe was used to detect ROS levels.Results The mRNA levels of FADS2 in control group,proguanil group,pcDNA group and FADS2 group were 1.00±0.11,0.47±0.09,0.49±0.06 and 2.09±0.21,respectively;cell proliferation rate were(100.00±3.50)%,(54.31±4.90)%,(56.46±5.17)%and(78.76±6.50)%,respectively;the apoptosis rate were(3.92±0.53)%,(28.79±3.30)%,(27.20±2.90)%and(7.34±0.68)%,respectively;the migration number were 132.70±9.81,70.10±5.05,68.70±537 and 101.80±11.25,respectively;Fe2+level were(100.00±8.14)%,(201.33±17.84)%,(192.38±21.34)%and(116.70±10.90)%,respectively;GPX4 protein relative expression level were 0.77±0.05,0.31±0.05,0.34±0.05 and 0.68±0.06,respectively.The above indexes in proguanil group were compared with those in control group,the above indexes in FADS2 group were compared with those in pcDNA group,all the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The ROS levels of si-NC,si-FADS2 and Ferrostatin-1 groups were 9.72±1.18,40.94±5.63 and 13.77±1.40,respectively.Compared the si-FADS2 group with the si-NC group,Ferrostatin-1 group compared with si-FADS2 group,ROS level were significantly different(all P<0.05).Conclusion Proguanil can induce the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells by inhibiting FADS2 expression mediated by oxidation-reduction driven ferroptosis pathway.
10.Correlation between Combined Urinary Metal Exposure and Grip Strength under Three Statistical Models: A Cross-sectional Study in Rural Guangxi
Jian Yu LIANG ; Hui Jia RONG ; Xiu Xue WANG ; Sheng Jian CAI ; Dong Li QIN ; Mei Qiu LIU ; Xu TANG ; Ting Xiao MO ; Fei Yan WEI ; Xia Yin LIN ; Xiang Shen HUANG ; Yu Ting LUO ; Yu Ruo GOU ; Jing Jie CAO ; Wu Chu HUANG ; Fu Yu LU ; Jian QIN ; Yong Zhi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(1):3-18
Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95% confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

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