Publications by authors named "Li Xiu-Juan"
Article Synopsis
- Genome engineering is a vital tool across scientific fields that improves human welfare and addresses challenges, with CRISPR-Cas being the most prominent method used for modifying genomes.
- The limitations of the CRISPR-Cas system, notably its reliance on double-strand breaks and variable editing efficiency, have spurred interest in CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs), which can integrate DNA with high precision and without depending on the host's DNA repair processes.
- This review discusses the advancements and challenges of CASTs, highlighting their potential to revolutionize genome editing by expanding available techniques beyond conventional methods.
Article Synopsis
- * The research included data from 8 studies with 9,397 AMI patients and found that SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced hospitalization for heart failure and all-cause mortality compared to placebo/non-SGLT2 treatment.
- * SGLT2 inhibitors also improved heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction) and reduced certain biomarkers in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, indicating they could be a viable treatment option for AMI.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the relationship between trans fatty acids (TFAs) intake and a systemic inflammatory marker called the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) among US adults.
- Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 3,047 individuals, using statistical models to assess this connection.
- Findings indicated that certain types of TFAs show a positive association with SII, with variations noted based on participants' obesity and smoking status.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how dietary potassium intake influences the relationship between vitamin C and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- A large sample of 9,443 participants was analyzed using NHANES data from 2007-2018, examining the negative association between vitamin C and both NAFLD and advanced hepatic fibrosis (AHF).
- Results indicated that potassium intake modifies this relationship, suggesting that combining potassium with vitamin C could be beneficial in managing NAFLD, highlighting its potential clinical significance.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify less common clinical phenotypes of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in children by reviewing medical records from 236 patients.
- Out of these patients, 16.9% exhibited less common phenotypes, with many initially misdiagnosed, highlighting the potential for diagnostic errors in conditions presenting with atypical symptoms.
- The research emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of MOG antibodies to improve outcomes for children with MOGAD, indicating that these rare phenotypes warrant greater clinical awareness.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the connection between frailty and liver fibrosis in middle-aged and older adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2020.
- A frailty index was assessed alongside hepatic steatosis and fibrosis levels, revealing a significant relationship where higher frailty scores correlated with greater liver fibrosis even after adjusting for confounding factors.
- The results showed that the correlation was particularly strong among males, those with normal or overweight BMI, and individuals without hyperlipidemia, emphasizing the frailty index's potential role as a predictor of liver health in NAFLD patients.
Article Synopsis
- A study explored the potential relationship between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and homocysteine (HCY) by analyzing data from NHANES cycles 2001-2002 and 2003-2004, involving 2398 participants.
- The BV score was determined using Nugent's method, with scores of 6 or below considered negative and 7 or above considered positive.
- Findings indicated a positive correlation between HCY levels and BV prevalence, with significant results noted in both the coarse model and adjusted models, suggesting HCY may influence BV management.
Tumor-associated macrophages as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid cancers.
Cancer Immunol Immunother
December 2023
Article Synopsis
- Macrophages are key players in the immune system and significantly influence thyroid cancer (TC) by serving as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment.
- TAMs have dual roles in TC development and progression: M1-like TAMs can attack tumors and activate immune responses, while M2-like TAMs support tumor growth and spread as they increase due to changes in the tissue environment.
- The review focuses on the effects of TAMs on TC, examining how they promote tumor growth and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting M2-like TAMs, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy trials.
Article Synopsis
- * Findings indicated that individuals with higher serum folate had significantly lower odds of having NAFLD (27% lower) and AHF (53% lower) compared to those with lower serum folate.
- * The results suggest that higher serum folate levels could protect against NAFLD and AHF in US adults, but further research is needed to confirm these findings due to the limitations of relying solely on cross-sectional data.*
Aim: To analyze the efficacy and safety of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) in the treatment of acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).
Methods: This is a retrospective case analysis study. Totally 58 eyes of 58 patients were enrolled, and they were divided into different groups.
Article Synopsis
- The gut microbiota significantly influences human health and immunity, and its composition changes with aging, leading to inflammation and increased risk of diseases.* -
- Plant polysaccharides, specifically Eucommiae polysaccharides (EPs), have shown potential in improving gut health by reducing harmful bacteria and promoting beneficial ones, but their effects on aging-related microbiota changes are not well understood.* -
- Research on Drosophila indicates that EPs can extend lifespan, reduce age-related reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and help prevent gut dysfunction associated with aging, suggesting their potential as prebiotics for improved gut health in older populations.*
Article Synopsis
- Covid-19 has led to increased global efforts for booster vaccinations as the virus evolves and primary vaccine effectiveness decreases.
- A study involving 97 participants evaluated the antibody response and immune persistence for 6 months after receiving a third dose of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine, revealing a consistent 100% seroconversion rate for total antibodies.
- Findings showed that antibody levels, including IgG and neutralizing antibodies, rose significantly after the third dose, remained stable after 6 months, and no serious side effects were reported, with responses not influenced by age or sex.
Article Synopsis
- - Two coordination polymers, [Mn(L)(4,4'-bipy)(HO)] and [Ni(L)(1,4-bib)(HO)], were created using a hydrothermal synthesis method, involving specific ligands and metal ions.
- - The study found that a bromine atom in one polymer structure led to a ligand transformation, while Ni(II) ions acted both as coordination points and catalysts in a reaction that resulted in different structural arrangements (one-dimensional vs. two-dimensional).
- - Advanced techniques like X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that these complexes form unique 3D supramolecular structures with various weak interactions and different magnetic properties.
Article Synopsis
- * A case-crossover design was used to analyze data from 2014-2019, focusing on four pollutants: NO, PM, SO, and O, with findings indicating significant associations between NO levels and outpatient visits while other pollutants showed no correlation.
- * The results suggest that increased exposure to NO2 may elevate the risk of psychiatric issues requiring outpatient care, while pollutants like PM2.5, SO2, and O3 do not appear to impact mental health in this population.
Sulfur dioxide-enhanced asthma susceptibility is involved with inhibition of bitter taste transduction in mouse lung.
Environ Toxicol Pharmacol
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- Sulfur dioxide (SO) exposure may increase the severity of asthma symptoms, although how it affects the condition isn't fully understood.
- In a study using mouse models, researchers found that bitter taste receptors were significantly down-regulated in asthmatic mice, and their inhibition correlated with worse asthma symptoms.
- The combination of SO and the allergen ovalbumin (OVA) resulted in more pronounced asthma signs, such as increased inflammation, mucus production, and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating SO exacerbates asthma by interfering with the body's bitter taste signal pathways.
Article Synopsis
- Oxygen is vital for life, and a lack of it (hypoxia) can lead to severe health issues, but some species, like Qinghai and Brandt's voles, have adapted to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
- The study compared the physiological and molecular responses of these voles under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, finding they tolerate low oxygen much better than Kunming mice, which suffered significant cardiac damage.
- The voles employ different strategies to cope with hypoxia, with Qinghai voles enhancing heart function and oxygen transport, while Brandt's voles focus on increasing red blood cell production, illustrating their unique adaptations to oxygen scarcity.
Article Synopsis
- Sol-gel materials are effective for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coatings but have limited use in in vivo sampling due to unclear compatibility with biological matrices like plasma and blood.
- A study evaluated the matrix compatibility of various sol-gel coatings, finding that they could be used 20-35 times in plasma, with the hydroxy-terminated silicone oil/methacrylic acid fiber showing the best extraction ability in pig blood.
- A new direct-immersion SPME method was developed for detecting phthalic acid esters in blood, which was found to be rapid, simple, and sensitive, though further work is needed on quantification techniques.
Article Synopsis
- Liquid submerged fermentation is a promising method for producing active ingredients from macrofungi, but controlling the mycelium shape is a challenge.
- This study utilized microparticles to significantly improve the morphology and biomass of the fungus Paraisaria dubia during fermentation.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed that this morphological regulation is complex, involving various biological processes and positively affecting both basic and secondary metabolism in the fungus.
Article Synopsis
- Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) may enhance brain function and cognitive abilities in older adults, but its effects on younger individuals and compared to other aerobic exercises are still unclear.
- An 8-week study using functional MRI showed that TCC significantly improved inhibitory control and increased spontaneous neural activity in specific brain regions compared to brisk walking.
- The improvement in brain activity, particularly in the left medial superior frontal gyrus, was directly linked to enhanced performance in inhibitory control tasks, suggesting that TCC may offer unique benefits over traditional aerobic exercises.
Article Synopsis
- Vincristine, a common chemotherapy drug, can cause chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), leading to significant pain and economic burden for patients.
- The study found that GAD67, an enzyme critical for GABA synthesis (an inhibitory neurotransmitter), is down-regulated in vincristine-induced neuropathy, while its mRNA levels remain unchanged.
- Researchers identified miR-30d as a microRNA that may be responsible for this down-regulation, and blocking miR-30d improved GAD67 levels and reduced pain symptoms in affected models, providing new insights into the mechanisms behind CIPN and potential pain management strategies.
Influence of Commercial Insurance Purchase on the Health Status of Chinese Residents.
Front Public Health
October 2021
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the link between purchasing commercial insurance and health status among Chinese residents amid economic and social growth.
- Using data from the 2015 Chinese General Social Survey, the research finds that buying commercial insurance significantly enhances health, with stronger effects seen in rural areas compared to urban ones.
- The findings suggest that commercial insurance can boost household income and improve health, providing valuable insights for future medical reforms and the Healthy China Strategy.
Article Synopsis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a significant cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children, with a study analyzing 122 cases showing common clinical features and antecedent infections in over half of the patients.
- The median age of diagnosis was 4 years, with notable symptoms including cranial nerve involvement, sensory issues, and respiratory difficulties in some cases, leading to a need for mechanical ventilation in a few.
- The study found a considerable portion (70.2%) could walk independently after 12 weeks, but noted that cranial nerve involvement and decreased tendon reflexes were linked to more severe muscle weakness in affected children.
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed that Tai Chi Chuan improved brain network properties more than aerobic exercise, enhancing aspects like local efficiency and clustering in specific brain regions linked to cognitive function.
- * Additionally, improvement in cognitive flexibility was linked to changes in the brain's nodal structures, with the left thalamus clustering coefficient serving as a key predictor for better cognitive flexibility from Tai Chi Chuan practice.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focused on the genetic and clinical traits of Chinese children with disorders linked to the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, using next-generation sequencing to identify harmful genetic variations.
- - Out of 44 patients with harmful mutations, 79.5% had heterozygous mutations, with c.649dupC being the most frequent variant; the majority of cases were inherited, and most were diagnosed with benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE).
- - Patients with whole gene deletions experienced longer remission periods compared to those with heterozygous mutations, and while many patients showed positive responses to antiseizure medications, some faced severe outcomes, such as developmental delays or death
Article Synopsis
- Epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) is a rare condition characterized by severe developmental issues and migrating seizures, prompting this study to explore genotype-phenotype correlations.
- Five patients in China were studied, showing early seizure onset around 2 months, with various seizure types and genetic variants such as KCNT1 and SCN1A.
- Treatment outcomes varied, with some patients experiencing significant seizure reductions while all showed developmental delays, highlighting the need for larger studies to understand gene-related clinical features better.