1.Reconstructing The Testicular Niche: Mechanisms and Translational Perspectives of Stem Cell-derived Testicular Organoids
Xia DONG ; Tai-Zeng ZHOU ; Lin-Yuan SHEN ; Li ZHU ; Mai-Lin GAN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(8):2242-2246
Mammalian male germline development depends on a specialized gonadal somatic microenvironment. However, itsin vitro reconstruction remains challenging. Major barriers include the generation of appropriate supporting-cell lineages, organized tissue architecture, and culture conditions that sustain germ-cell maturation. Yoshino et al. established a mouse pluripotent stem cell-derived testicular organoid model. This model reconstitutes the sex-determining region Y (Sry)-SRY-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9)‑mediated sex-determination program and generates testicular somatic cell-like cells (TesLCs). When assembled with primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs), TesLCs formed seminiferous tubule-like structures and supported male germline progression toward prospermatogonia and germline stem cell-like cells (GSCLCs). After transplantation into infertile recipient testes, organoid-derived GSCLCs produced fertilization-competent sperm and generated fertile offspring. The major significance of this work extends beyond sperm production. It integrates sex determination, germ-cell fate transition, and testicular niche self-organization into an experimentally tractable organoid system. This commentary discusses the technical strategy, sex-determination mechanism, value of testicular niche reconstruction, and translational limitations of this study. It also highlights its implications for in vitro gametogenesis, male infertility modeling, and reproductive medicine.
2.Cost-benefit analysis of minimally invasive treatment for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage based on health economics
Qingzhen YUAN ; Xinghua XU ; Zhichao GAN ; Yuxiao ZENG ; Haitao JIN ; Jiashu ZHANG ; Xiaolei CHEN
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2025;51(7):385-390
This article is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and health economics of minimally invasive surgery for hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH).This review systematically compares clinical efficacy and economic value of three minimally invasive techniques:small bone window microsurgery,neuroendoscopic surgery and stereotactic drainage based on 12 randomized controlled trials(RCTs),7 cohort studies,and 8 economic evaluations 2019-2024.Cost-effectiveness analysis(CEA)and cost-utility analysis(CUA)were employed to assess resource utilization and health outcomes.Minimally invasive approaches overall outperform conventional craniotomy.Stereotactic surgery achieves the shortest hospitalization(5-8 days)and lowest direct costs;neuroendoscopy significantly improves quality of life(quality-adjusted life years(QALYs);and small bone window surgery offers the best postoperative stability.It is recommended to choose the surgical method based on patient characteristics and to optimize healthcare resource allocation through medical insurance payment reform and technology promotion.
3.Comparison of cumulative live birth rates and cost-effectiveness of FSH between gonadotrophin fixed protocol and adjusted protocol in patients with different ovarian responses during COS: a single-center 5-year real-world study
Yuan ZHANG ; Wen LIU ; Jing WANG ; Shilin GAN ; Qinghao HUANG ; Yi QIAN ; Hui XU ; Xiaoqin DING ; Bo DENG ; Jinyong LIU ; Jiayin LIU ; Jianling BAI ; Xiang MA
Chinese Journal of Reproduction and Contraception 2025;45(6):571-581
Objective:To evaluate the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) and cost-effectiveness of fixed versus adjusted follicle-stimulation hormone (FSH) dosages in infertile women with different ovarian responses during their first assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle.Methods:A retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted on 5 419 infertile women who underwent their first ART treatment at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2013 and December 2017. All patients received an individualized starting dosage of gonadotropin. Based on whether FSH dosages were adjusted during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), patients were divided into fixed-dosage group ( n=2 061) and adjusted-dosage group ( n=3 358). Clinical outcomes and FSH cost-effectiveness were compared between the two groups across different ovarian response groups, with CLBR as the primary outcome. Propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariable logistic regression were used to adjust for potential confounders. Results:FSH dosage adjustments were found in 62.0% (3 358/5 419) of cycles during COS. After PSM, baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05). After adjusting for confounders using multivariable logistic regression, FSH dosage adjustment was not significantly associated with CLBR ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.94-1.20, P=0.332). Compared with the adjusted-dosage group, the fixed-dosage group showed no significant differences in CLBR in poor-, normal-, and high-responder groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P>0.05). In poor-, normal-, and high-responder groups, the total FSH dosages in the fixed-dose group [1 350 (375, 1 825) U, 1 200 (375, 1 500) U and 525 (375, 1 128) U, respectively] were significantly lower than those in the adjusted-dose group [1 875 (1 425, 2 294) U, P=0.001; 1 425 (450, 1 875) U, P<0.001; 600 (375, 1 425) U, P=0.020]. Similarly, average FSH costs in different ovarian response groups in the fixed-dosage group [4 725.0 (1 312.5, 6 387.5) yuan, 4 200.0 (1 312.5, 5 250.0) yuan and 1 837.5 (1 312.5, 3 947.3) yuan, respectively] were significantly lower than those in the adjusted-dosage group [6 562.5 (4 987.5, 8 028.1) yuan, P=0.001; 4 987.5 (1 575.0, 6 562.5) yuan, P<0.001; 2 100.0 (1 312.5, 4 987.5) yuan, P=0.020]. For normal-responders, the FSH cost per high-quality embryo in the fixed-dosage group [1 365.0 (875.0, 2 537.5) yuan] was significantly lower than that in the adjusted-dosage group [2 056.3 (1 268.8, 3 412.5) yuan, P<0.001]. Conclusion:FSH dosage adjustment during COS is not associated with CLBR or the incidence of OHSS. However, the fixed-dose group exhibited lower total FSH dosages and costs across different ovarian response populations. In the context of ART being covered by medical insurance, fixed FSH dosage may represent a more cost-effective ovarian stimulation protocol.
4.Teaching Practice and Exploration of"Tutorial System"Based on The Cultivation of Scientific Research and Innovation Ability of Medical Students
Qiao ZHANG ; Yin-Feng YANG ; Yue-Li NI ; Zhuo-Ran TENG ; Wen-Jing LIU ; Jing WU ; Yan-Rui WU ; Yu DOU ; Ming HE ; Shu-De LI ; Ping GAN ; Fang YUAN ; Zhe YANG ; Xin-Wang YANG
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(3):470-480
The scientific research and innovation capabilities of medical students are intrinsically linked to the sustained and high-quality development of national healthcare initiatives.Cultivating outstanding medi-cal students with independent scientific capabilities and innovative consciousness is a critical component in the education and training of high-level medical professionals.Our investigation revealed that within the imperfections of the cultivating model,some faculty and students at medical schools have an insufficient understanding of scientific research and innovation and lack motivation for engaging in such activities,which hinder the progression of scientific research activities.Consequently,we initiated a teaching practice and exploratory study on the"tutorial system"aimed at fostering medical students'scientific research and innovation abilities.Based on the principle of"research informing teaching,teaching and research advan-cing together,"this study implements a"tutorial system"coordinated by tutors,supplemented by graduate and undergraduate student mentors,to cultivate innovative thinking,stimulate interest in scientific re-search,and enhance practical and research skills among medical students.Through collaborative efforts within"scientific research innovation teams,"various educational methods—including preliminary re-search,in-class and extracurricular activities,intra-group and inter-group interactions,and theoretical and practical applications—are employed to improve and strengthen the cultivation of medical students'scientif-ic research and innovation abilities.This study aims to provide valuable references for optimizing medical education management systems and enhancing the quality of medical student training.
5.Practical research on the international course "Respiratory and Cancer Precision Medicine"
Ying YUAN ; Haiyun DAI ; Lu GAN ; Minmin LI ; Sirong LI ; Dan ZHU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(5):593-598
The goal of medical talent training under the new medical science concept is to comprehensively enhance the quality of medical education and cultivate high-quality medical talents with interdisciplinary integration, innovation spirit, and an international perspective to meet the demands of the new era. To achieve this goal, the joint education program between Chongqing Medical University and the University of Leicester integrates comprehensive quality development into the undergraduate medical education system, introducing the cutting-edge international course "Respiratory and Cancer Precision Medicine". This course centers on precision medicine, spanning respiratory diseases and oncology, and uses a clinical-basic cyclical integrated course design with a highly-informationized blended teaching model. Students have gained a close integration of clinical practice and research capabilities, significantly enhancing their inquiry spirit, critical thinking, independent learning, and higher-order cognitive skills. They also engage in innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration within an international context to better address complex medical issues. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the practice and research of the introduced course, offering valuable insights for cultivating high-quality medical talents.
6.A randomized controlled study on the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation on craving,mood,and cognitive function in alcohol-dependent patients during the withdrawal period
Haihong WANG ; Chenxin YUAN ; Hong GAN ; Haifeng JIANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Jiang DU ; Yi ZHANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2025;45(3):349-356
Objective·To explore the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)on reducing craving in alcohol-dependent patients during the withdrawal period,as well as its impact on patients'emotions and cognitive functions.Methods·A total of 41 inpatients with alcohol dependence in the withdrawal period were recruited from the Addiction Department of Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,and randomly assigned to the experimental group(20 patients)and the control group(21 patients).Both groups received routine inpatient treatment for alcohol-dependence.The experimental group received real iTBS stimulation targeting the left DLPFC on the basis of routine inpatient treatment,while the control group received sham stimulation with the same parameters.The intervention course lasted for 2 weeks,with a total of 10 sessions.The Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Beck Depression Inventory(BDI),and Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI)were used to measure the craving,anxiety,and depression of the patients before and after the intervention.The behavioral tasks of the detection task(DET),identification task(IDN),two back task(TWOB),the Groton maze learning task(GML),and international shopping list task(ISL)in the CogState software package were used to assess the cognitive processing speed,attention/vigilance,working memory,spatial problem-solving/error monitoring ability,and verbal learning and memory of the patients before and after the intervention.Results·Repeated measures ANOVA showed that the time effect[F=126.713,P<0.001,partial η2(ηp2)=0.765]and interaction effect(F=7.080.P=0.011,ηp2=0.154)of the VAS scores in the two groups of patients were statistically significant.The time effect(F=9.114,P=0.004,ηp2=0.189),group effect(F=5.557,P=0.024,ηp2=0.125),and interaction effect(F=4.977,P=0.032,η2=0.113)of the TWOB score were all statistically significant.Only the time effects of BDI(F=45.273,P<0.001,ηp2=0.578),BAI(F=31.432,P<0.001,ηp2=0.473),GML(F=8.993,P=0.005,ηp2=0.209),and ISL(F=26.657,P<0.001,ηp2=0.439)scores were statistically significant.There were no statistically significant effects of time,group,or interaction on the DET and IDN scores.Simple effect analysis showed that the VAS score of the real stimulation group was lower than that of the sham stimulation group after the intervention(F=8.805,P=0.005,ηp2=0.184),and the TWOB score of the real stimulation group was higher than that of the sham stimulation group(F=11.293,P=0.002,ηp2=0.225).Conclusion·Combining iTBS with routine inpatient treatment can enhance the efficacy of reducing alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent patients during the withdrawal period,and improve their working memory.
7.Neuropsychiatric Abnormalities Following Metoclopramide:A Case Report in Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Danna GAN ; Yuan LI ; Shaolian SONG ; Canmao WANG ; Chunyan TANG ; Hongliang MEI
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(10):1684-1687
Hyperemesis gravidarum(HG)refers to persistent and severe nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy.Severe HG may lead to maternal dehydration,electrolyte imbalances,malnutrition,and even hypotension and arrhythmias,potentially affecting fetal growth and development.Due to the unique physiological state of pregnancy,treatment options for HG are limited.Metoclopramide,has become a commonly used drug in treating HG due to its prove efficacy and safety.Previous studies have primarily focused on the extrapyramidal side effects of metoclopramide,but research on its psychiatric adverse effects,such as mania and somnolence,remains limited,particularly in pregnant patients.This paper reports a case of psychiatric abnormalities in an HG patient following metoclopramide administration.By analyzing the patient's condition,medication use,and adverse reactions,this study explores the potential mechanisms underlying metoclopramide-induced psychiatric abnormalities and provides clinical recommendations for preventing and managing such psychiatric adverse effects during pregnancy.These findings offer valuable guidance for healthcare professionals regarding the appropriate use of this medication.
8.Changes and diagnostic value of serum HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection
Xiaowei YE ; Ailin FAN ; Haiwei ZHAO ; Mengmeng CHENG ; Min SUN ; Yushu GAN ; Yuan LIU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(9):1108-1113
Objective To investigate the changes and diagnostic value of serum hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha(HIF-1α)and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)complicated with pulmonary Aspergillosis infection.Methods A total of 240 COPD patients who visited Xi'an Qinhuang Hospital(hereinafter referred to as the hospital)from December 2020 to Decem-ber 2023 were selected as the study subjects in the study,and another 218 volunteers who underwent physical examinations at the hospital were selected as the control group.The COPD patients were separated into an in-fected group(124 cases)and an uninfected group(116 cases)based on whether they had pulmonary Aspergil-losis infection.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect the levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in patients.Fully automated biochemical analyzer was applied to detect lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and albu-min(ALB)levels.Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of infection in COPD patients.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between HIF-1α and TLR4 levels in the infected group.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic val-ue of HIF-1α and TLR4 levels for the occurrence of infection in COPD patients.Results Compared with the control group,the COPD group showed an increase in HIF-1α and TLR4 levels(P<0.05).Compared with the uninfected group,the proportion of dyspnea,antibiotics>3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,mechanical ventilation procedures,the longer glucocorticosteroid(GC)use time,and levels of LDH,HIF-1α,TLR4 in the infected group were higher(P<0.05),while the level of ALB was lower(P<0.05).The types of antibiotics>3 types,the duration of antibiotic use ≥ 14 days,the duration of GC use,and elevat-ed levels of LDH,HIF-1α,and TLR4 were independent risk factors for infection in COPD patients(P<0.05),while elevated level of ALB was an independent protective factor for infection in COPD patients(P<0.05).The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 in the infected group were positively correlated(r=0.453,P<0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)of HIF-1α and TLR4 in diagnosing infection in COPD patients alone was 0.816 and 0.813,and the AUC of their combined diagnosis was 0.930,which was better than their indi-vidual diagnoses(Zcombination-HIF-1α=4.923,Z combination-TLR4=5.192,P<0.001,P<0.001).Conclusion The levels of HIF-1α and TLR4 increase in COPD patients,and further increase after infection with pulmonary Aspergil-lus.They are independent risk factors for infection in patients,and the two are positively correlated.The combined di-agnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis has certain value and provides a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis.
9.Emodin Inhibits Expressions of RhoA and ROCK to Attenuate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Podocyte Injury
Yuan GAN ; Xiaoguang FAN ; Lijiao WANG ; Guofeng LI ; Yujie ZHOU
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(4):962-968
Objective To observe the improvement effect and mechanism of emodin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced podocyte injury.Methods Human glomerular podocytes were used as the study object,and they were randomly divided into the blank control group,the LPS group,the emodin low-,medium-,and high-dose groups,and the emodin+lysophosphatidic acid[LP A,RhoA/RhoRho-associatedcoiled-coil kinase(ROCK)activator]group.Cell counting kit 8(CCK8)and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining were applied to detect the proliferation of glomerular podocytes,Transwell assay was used to test the migration of glomerular podocytes,flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of glomerular podocytes,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-18 in the supernatant of glomerular podocytes,and the protein expression levels of RhoA and ROCK in glomerular podocytes were determined by Western Blot.Results The optical density(OD)450nm,EdU positive cell rate and migration number of glomerular podocytes in the LPS group were lower than those in the blank control group,and the apoptosis rate,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant,as well as the protein expression levels of RhoA and ROCK in the cells were higher than those in the blank control group,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the OD450nm,EdU positive cell rate and migration number of glomerular podocytes in the emodin low-,medium-,and high-dose groups were higher than those in the LPS group,while the apoptosis rate,levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β and IL-18 in supernatant,as well as RhoA and ROCK protein expression levels in cells were reduced compared with those in the LPS group,the differences being statistically significant(P<0.05);the OD450nm and EdU positive cell rate and migration number of glomerular podocytes in LPA group were lower than those of emodin high-dose group,while the apoptosis rate,levels of TNF-α,IL-1 βand IL-18 in supernatant,as well as RhoA and ROCK protein expression levels in cells were higher than those of emodin high-dose group,the differences being all statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Emodin can improve LPS-induced podocyte injury,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
10.DHLX studied correlation between regulation of biliary flora and inflammatory factors on gallbladder stone formation
Yirong GAN ; Yuan YU ; Jinmei CHEN ; Chengji LI ; Wen YANG ; Jiaoan PANG ; Chunli LIU ; Lijun XIAO ; Jinhao TENG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(3):644-649
Objective:By sequencing and analyzing the biliary flora by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology,to identify the main flora associated with gallbladder stone formation and the main flora regulated by the Dahuang lingxian(DHLX),pre-liminary investigation the effect of DHLX on the biliary flora.Methods:The 50 male guinea pigs were randomly divided into Normal group,Model group,DHLX group.There were 15 guinea pigs in the normal group and 20 guinea pigs in the DHLX group,and 20 guin-ea pigs in the model group:the guinea pig model of gallstone was replicated with high-fat lithogenic diet,which was simultaneously ad-ministrated by gavage.After continuous intervention for 8 weeks,bile and gallbladder tissue samples were collected,and the gallstone formation rate of guinea pigs in each group was calculated,the pathological morphological changes of gallbladder tissue were detected by HE,T-CHO,TBA,LPS,IL-6,TNF-α were detected by ELISA,and the changes of biliary flora were detected by 16S rDNA;the correlation between biliary flora and bile index was detected by Pearson statistical method.Results:The stone formation rate of guinea pigs in the normal group was 8.3%,the rate of model stone composition was 90.8%,and the stone composition rate of DHLX group was 36.4%,and the HE staining results showed that compared with the normal group,the mucous membrane of the guinea pig in the model group was thickened,the columnar epithelial cells were arranged in a large number of inflammatory cells,and the columnar epi-thelial cells of the gallbladder mucosa in the chinese medicine group were arranged neatly compared with the model group,the thick-ness of the mucosa was reduced compared with the model group,and some inflammatory cells were infiltrated;ELISA results showed that compared with the normal group,the expressions of T-CHO,LPS,IL-6 and TNF-α in the bile of guinea pigs in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the content of TBA was significantly reduced(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the expression of LPS and IL-6 in the bile of the DHLX group were significantly reduced(P<0.01).The results of 16S rDNA showed that compared with the normal group the Ace index and Chao1 index of the model group were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the Chao1 index of the DHLX group was significantly higher than that of the model group(P<0.05);biliary flora at the genera level was mainly composed of Burkholderia,Sphingomycetes,Breghamus,Delfortella,Pseudomonas;correlation analysis showed that total cholesterol was negatively correlated with the abundance of Methyloversatilis(P<0.05),and total bile acids were positively corre-lated with the abundance of Burkholderia(P<0.05),and Pseudomonas erythrocytes,Rhizobia,the abundance of Phreatobacter was negatively correlated(P<0.01)and LPS was positively correlated with the abundance of Pseudomonas erythrocytes(P<0.01).Conclu-sion:Biliary microflora disorder exists in the formation of biliary stones,and biliary microflora may participate in the formation of stones by regulating cholesterol,bile acids and LPS.DHLX can regulate the changes in the abundance of the microflora,make the structure of the microflora become normal,reduce the inflammation of the gallbladder,and prevent the formation of gallstones.

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