Publications by authors named "Pingping Meng"

Aims: To investigate the association of cumulative childhood adversity with frailty and whether this association differs across socioeconomic status.

Methods: The study included 6100 middle-aged and older adults in China from the CHARLS-2014 life course survey and the CHARLS-2015 survey. A frailty index (FI) was constructed from 39 questionnaire items, with higher values indicating higher frailty.

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In recent decades, the impact of air pollution on eye health has been emphasized, but the effect of air pollution on changes in refractive error is still unknown. A comprehensive retrospective cohort study was conducted to address this, utilizing the China Medical University Hospital Clinical Research Data Repository (CMUH-CRDR). It included 4,399 participants aged 6-12 years, with 2,166 females and 2,223 males, who visited the ophthalmology department between 2003 and 2019, ensuring a robust and representative sample.

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Solute carrier 25 member 21 () serves as an oxodicarboxylate carrier, which mainly conveys 2-oxoadipate from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria a reverse exchange mechanism. Previous studies have indicated that the capacity for glucose consumption is significantly enhanced in 3T3-L1 cells overexpressing . In this study, we upregulate in 3T3-L1 cells to further probe into the downstream key metabolic genes of .

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Dietary intake can be an important exposure route to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Little is known about the bioaccumulation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs) in garden produce from PFAS-impacted communities and the associated dietary exposure risk. In this study, 53 produce samples were collected from five residential gardens near a fluorochemical manufacturer.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants with adverse environmental and public health effects. Anion exchange (IX) processes can effectively remove many PFAS from water. Objectives of this research were to (1) quantify the effects of PFAS structure and background water matrix constituents [dissolved organic matter (DOM) and major inorganic anions (bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate)] on PFAS uptake capacity of IX resins (K), and (2) develop models that predict PFAS breakthrough in packed bed IX columns from PFAS structure and background water matrix characteristics.

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Neuritin plays an important role in promoting nerve injury repair and maintaining synaptic plasticity, making it a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of nerve injury and neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to obtain an active, unlabeled neuritin protein. Initially, a neuritin protein expression system with an enterokinase site was constructed in Escherichia coli.

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Article Synopsis
  • Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are essential for clean energy, but they now use a group of contaminants called bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis-FASIs), which are toxic and mobile like other harmful PFAS substances.
  • Research shows that the environmental levels of bis-FASIs near manufacturing sites and their harmful effects are similar to those from banned PFAS, highlighting a significant concern for the clean energy sector.
  • The study emphasizes the need to evaluate the environmental implications of clean energy initiatives to ensure they don't inadvertently increase the release of pollutants, counteracting benefits of reduced carbon emissions.
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Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could support a class-based approach to regulation. However, standardized methods for organofluorine analysis in a broad suite of matrices are currently unavailable, including a method for extractable organofluorine (EOF) measured using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Here, we report the results of an international interlaboratory comparison.

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Neuritin is a vital neurotrophin that plays an essential role in recovery from nerve injury and neurodegenerative diseases and may become a new target for treating these conditions. However, improving neuritin protein stability is an urgent problem. In this study, to obtain active and stable neuritin proteins, we added a carboxyl-terminal peptide (CTP) sequence containing four O-linked glycosylation sites to the C-terminus of neuritin and cloned it into the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) expression system.

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Background: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) blended with early rehabilitation on the diaphragm and skeletal muscle in sufferers on mechanical ventilation (MV).

Method: This is a prospective randomized controlled study. Eighty patients on MV for respiratory failure were divided into a study group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases) randomly.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the potential link between tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and uveitis (inflammation of the eye) due to shared autoimmune pathways.
  • It analyzed data from over 31,000 tinnitus patients compared to more than 124,000 individuals without tinnitus, from 2001 to 2018.
  • Results indicated that tinnitus patients have a significantly higher risk of developing uveitis, suggesting a possible association between the two conditions.
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Neuritin plays a key role in neural development and regeneration by promoting neurite outgrowth and synapse maturation. Our previous research revealed the mechanism by which neuritin inhibits Notch signaling through interaction with neuralized-like 1 (Neurl1) to promote neurite growth. However, how neuritin regulates Notch signaling through Neurl1 has not been elucidated.

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Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of swallowing-related brain regions using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in healthy subjects who underwent intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on dominant or non-dominant cerebellar hemispheres.

Methods: Thirty-nine healthy subjects were randomized into three groups that completed different iTBS protocols (dominant cerebellum group, non-dominant cerebellum group and sham group). Before iTBS, the resting motor threshold (rMT) was measured by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) on the cerebellar representation of the suprahyoid muscles, and the dominant cerebellar hemisphere for swallowing was determined.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to identify OCT-based biomarkers that can help predict treatment response in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab injections, which is crucial for customizing treatment plans.
  • - Researchers analyzed data from 65 eyes of 35 patients, tracking visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and other OCT features at various time points before and after treatment.
  • - Results showed that specific biomarkers like DRIL, LONLC, and SRF were significant predictors of visual and structural improvements, demonstrating the potential value of OCT biomarkers in managing DME.
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Evidence of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in stage 1 hypertension patients is scarce. This study aimed to explore the association between TyG index and arterial stiffness in this population. A total of 1041 individuals from 32 centers with normal/elevated blood pressure (BP, <130/80 mmHg; 345 men (33%); median age, 37 years) and 585 stage 1 hypertension patients (BP ≥130/80 and <140/90 mmHg; 305 men (52%); median age, 47 years) were prospectively enrolled.

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Perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) are a group of emerging recalcitrant contaminants that are being developed to replace legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in industrial applications and that are generated as by-products in fluoropolymer manufacturing. Here, we report on the removal and destruction of four structurally different PFECAs using an integrated anion exchange resin (AER) and electrochemical oxidation (ECO) treatment train. Results from this work illustrated that (1) flow-through columns packed with PFAS-selective AERs are highly effective for the removal of PFECAs and (2) PFECA affinity is strongly correlated with their hydrophobic features.

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: To report the initial response to a single intravitreal brolucizumab (IVI-B) injection in wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) or polypoidal choroidopathy (PCV) complicated with either persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) or pigment epithelial detachment refractory to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. : In this retrospective study, all eyes received a single IVI-B (6 mg/0.05 mL) for wAMD or PCV with treatment-resistant SRF or PED.

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Purpose: Shear wave elastography (SWE) accurately and sensitively evaluates arterial wall stiffness by quantifying the elastic modulus (EM); however, the absence of reference values has precluded its widespread clinical application. This prospective cohort study aimed to establish reference values for the carotid EM using SWE; investigate the main determinants of the EM; and evaluate EM changes in coronary slow flow (CSF), which is characterized by delayed coronary opacification without evident obstructive lesion in epicardial coronary artery on angiography.

Method: This study enrolled 169 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with CSF.

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Purpose: To review the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) and to report a case with the use of ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA) for confirming the precise staging of IRVAN and aid in early treatment. The patient improved after being treated with intravitreal aflibercept injection.

Results: A 26-year-old female complained of progressive blurred vision OD for one week.

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The present study aimed to uncover the underlying mechanisms and potential intervention targets of ischemic stroke (IS). An immune cell infiltration analysis using CIBERSORT was performed on two stroke-related datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to generate a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to predict potential biological functions of the network.

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Objective: To explore the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the swallowing motor area of the cerebellum in patients with dysphagia after brainstem stroke.

Methods: A total of 36 patients with dysphagia after brainstem stroke were recruited and divided into 3 groups. Before stimulation, single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to determine the swallowing dominant cerebellar hemisphere and the representation of the mylohyoid muscle.

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Purpose: To identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers that may predict functional and anatomical outcomes in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients treated with intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-four eyes from 50 patients with DME were enrolled. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT biomarkers including central retinal thickness (CRT), subretinal fluid (SRF), intraretinal cysts (IRC), ellipsoid zone disruption (EZD), disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), hard exudate (HE), hyperreflective foci (HRF), epiretinal membrane (ERM), and vitreomacular interface (VMI) changes were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.

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Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on the speech function of patients with non-fluent aphasia after stroke.

Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 patients with post-stroke non-fluent aphasia were included and randomly divided into treatment group (rTMS group) and sham stimulation group (S-rTMS group). Patients in rTMS group were given low-frequency rTMS + ST training.

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Objective: The effects and possible mechanisms of cerebellar high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on swallowing-related neural networks were studied using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Method: A total of 23 healthy volunteers were recruited, and 19 healthy volunteers were finally included for the statistical analysis. Before stimulation, the cerebellar hemisphere dominant for swallowing was determined by the single-pulse TMS.

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