1.Mechanical Loading Improves Qi-Blood Nourishment in "Sinew Wei (痿)"via Mitochondrial Regulation
Xili CHANG ; Sipeng HUANG ; Wuquan SUN ; Mengni SHI ; Chengheng YOU ; Min FANG ; Qingguang ZHU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(7):725-729
This study focuses on the core pathology of sinew wei (痿), which is mainly characterized by the fai-lure of qi and blood to nourish the sinews. A mechanical-biological response framework is constructed with mitochondria as a key component, explaining the modern interpretation of the disease location of sinew transmitting to qi and blood pathology. Mechanical loading, as a physical stress stimulus applied to the body, manifests primarily as passive loading formed by external forces such as massage, and active loading resulting from voluntary muscle contractions, such as dao yin (导引). Mechanical loading can regulate mitochondrial function through two pathways, mechanical signal transduction and metabolic demand-driven regulation. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is regarded as the core microscopic basis of qi imbalance in sinew wei, highlighting the intrinsic connection between qi and mitochondrial energy metabolism, as well as between blood and microcirculatory efficiency. Accordingly, distinct regulatory patterns of mechanical loading are identified. Wei associated with qi stagnation may correspond to mitochondrial network fragmentation and can be treated by regulating qi through passive loading, such as tuina, to restore mitochondrial dynamics. In contrast, wei caused by qi deficiency is attributed to insufficient mitochondrial biogenesis and may be treated by tonifying qi through active loading, such as dao yin, to promote mitochondrial biogenesis. This framework reveals the biological differences in mitochondrial regulation induced by distinct mechanical loading modalities and provides a microscopic mechanism-based explanation for the principle of "treating the same disease with different methods" in sinew wei.
2.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
3.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
4.Mechanism of Aerobic Exercise in Delaying Brain Aging in Aging Mice by Regulating Tryptophan Metabolism
De-Man ZHANG ; Chang-Ling WEI ; Yuan-Ting ZHANG ; Yu JIN ; Xiao-Han HUANG ; Min-Yan ZHENG ; Xue LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1362-1372
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.
5.Characterization of the shared microbial profile between infected extraction socket and maxillary sinus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis
LU Chang ; QIN Yicheng ; WANG Ye ; XU Min ; LIN Jiang
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2025;33(12):1041-1052
Objective:
To explore whether infected granulation tissue in tooth extraction sockets and maxillary sinus pus share a common microbial profile at the subspecies-strain level in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS), providing evidence for infection origin tracing and precise antimicrobial therapy in OMS.
Methods:
This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics committee. Nine consecutive OMS patients who underwent synchronous endoscopic sinus surgery and tooth extraction from October 2020 to August 2022 were prospectively enrolled. Under general anesthesia, paired specimens were collected from infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the full-length 16S rRNA gene was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were generated using the DADA2 algorithm and taxonomically annotated to the subspecies level against the Human Oral Microbiome Database. The detection rate of shared ASVs between the two sites and their relative abundance in sinus pus were compared. Functional profiles were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States 2 (PICRUSt2).
Results:
Shared ASVs were identified in seven of the nine patients. Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella were the most prevalent genera. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were co-detected in multiple patients, with relative abundances exceeding 5% in sinus pus of several cases. Identical ASVs of F. nucleatum or Porphyromonas spp. were detected in six patients; the ASVs corresponding to F. nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis were significantly more abundant in sinus pus than in extraction-socket granulation tissue. PICRUSt2 functional profiling revealed that the proportion of socket-derived microbes in sinus pus was strongly correlated with 10 pathways, including ferroptosis, adipocytokine signaling, and apoptosis, et al. Except for biotin metabolism, the remaining pathways showed weak correlation with the proportion of extraction socket-derived ASVs in the extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus. Removing F. nucleatum ASVs markedly attenuated these associations
Conclusion
At the subspecies-strain level, this study confirmed the presence of a shared microbial profile between infected extraction-socket granulation tissue and maxillary sinus pus in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. The co-detected subspecies-strains with high relative abundance in maxillary sinus pus included Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Porphyromonas endodontalis, thus providing strain-level microbiological evidence for infection source tracing in OMS.
6.Investigation on the current nursing practice status of prone position ventilation in patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome among intensive care unit nurses in Shandong province
Lixia CHANG ; Jicheng ZHANG ; Min DING ; Fengzhi CHEN ; Yan CHEN ; Beibei LIU ; Li CHEN ; Xue BAI
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(1):67-72
Objective To understand the nursing practice of prone position ventilation for patients with moderate to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)in intensive care unit(ICU)in Shandong province,so as to provide basis for standardizing the nursing practice process of prone position ventilation and carrying out training for hospitals.Methods A self-made questionnaire was used,and convenience sampling was adopted.From September 15th to November 5th,2023,ICU nurses were selected from various hospital levels in Shandong province to investigate the obstructive factors of prone ventilation implementation,the weak links in nursing practice and status,and the occurrence of complications.Results A total of 1 188 questionnaires were collected,of which 991 were valid.92.8%(920/991)of nurses had performed prone position ventilation.The biggest obstacle to the implementation of prone position ventilation was the complexity of patient treatments and multiple devices involved[74.6%(686/920)].Regarding the status of training,90.5%(897/991)of nurses had received training on prone position ventilation and 77.0%(763/991)of nurses felt that training was needed.As for pre-operation assessment,more than 80.0%of nurses evaluated patients'vital signs,airway and secretions and so on,among which the evaluation awareness of analgesia was the worst[81.6%(751/920)].As for the main points of implementation,only 14.0%(129/920)of nurses chose the opposite side of the most important pipeline as the turning direction;48.6%(447/920)of nurses chose the anti-Trendelenburg position;36.3%(334/920)of nurses chose to ventilate≥12 hours.Facial edema[81.7%(752/920)],skin pressure injury[78.9%(726/920)]and eye complication[75.8%(697/920)]were the top 3 most frequent complications.Conclusions ICU nurses'prone position ventilation practices were generally line with the nursing team standard for prone position of adult mechanically ventilated patients and the best evidence recommendation,and needs to be further standardized in aspects of turning direction,position management,ventilation duration,and enteral nutrition management.It is recommended that nursing managers at all levels of hospitals further improve the quality of nursing practice of prone position ventilation according to relevant evidence-based evidence and the actual situation of hospitals.
7.Icariin improves injury of tight junctional function by regulating balance of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in testicular Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice
Yao-ting CHENG ; Chang-cheng ZHANG ; Guo-qing FU ; Tan WANG ; Jian-min MAO ; Jian-ming SUN ; Hai-xia ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(6):1091-1098
Aim To explore the protective effect of icariin on the damage of tight junctional function of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice and the related mechanism.Methods 15-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into three groups:aging model group,low-dose and high-dose icariin treatment group(5 and 20 mg·kg-1).Another 1-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were considered as adult control group(n=10).The mice in adult control group and aging model group were given the vehicle(0.5%sodi-um carboxymethyl cellulose solution)by intragastric administration,while the mice in icariin-treated groups were given different concentrations of icariin,respec-tively.After continuous administration of icariin for three months,the testes and epididymis were immedi-ately removed,weighed,and the organ index was calcu-lated.Sperm viability and sperm concentration in epi-didymis were measured.The morphological changes of testes were observed by HE staining.The ultrastructur-al changes of tight junctions of Sertoli cells were ob-served by transmission electron microscopy.The ex-pression levels of tight junction-related proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudin11 of testicular Sertoli cells were detected by Western blot.The expression and localiza-tion of ZO-1,Occludin,Raptor,Rictor,p-70S6K,and p-rps6 were detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the aging model group,icariin signifi-cantly increased testicular weight and its index,and ep-ididymal index,improved sperm viability and increased sperm concentration in naturally aging mice.In addi-tion,icariin improved the degeneration of testicular morphology and the damage of ultrastructure of Sertoli cell tight junction with aging.Furthermore,Western blot results showed that icariin up-regulated the expres-sion of ZO-1 and Occludin,but had no significant effect on the expression of Claudin 11.Immunofluorescence assay showed that icariin up-regulated the expression of Rictor,and down-regulated the expression of p-70S6K,p-rps6 and Raptor.Conclusions Icariin improves the tight junction damage of Sertoli cells in naturally aging mice,and its mechanism may be related to restoring the balance between mTORC1 and mTORC2.
8.Liver abscesses caused by Streptococcus:report of 21 cases
Qin LONG ; Xiaoyu ZHAO ; Chang CHEN ; Min HAO ; Xiaohua QIN
Chinese Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy 2025;25(3):272-278
Objective To improve the diagnosis and treatment of Streptococcus liver abscesses by analyzing the clinical presentations,antibiotic susceptibility,and treatment strategies of patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients diagnosed with liver abscess caused by Streptococcus from June 2012 to June 2022.The data included demographic information,clinical characteristics,laboratory tests,imaging findings,treatment strategies,and outcomes.Results The 21 patients were 29 to 77 years of age,and 81.0%were male.Clinical manifestations included fever,chills,fatigue,and abdominal pain.Some patients also had headache and altered consciousness,indicating possible concomitant brain abscess.Hematogenous dissemination and biliary tract origin were the most common routes of infection.The predominant pathogen was Streptococcus anginosus group(76.2%).Single pathogen infection was found in 12 cases and mixed infection in 9 cases.All isolates were sensitive to penicillin,cefotaxime,vancomycin,and levofloxacin,but 36.4%(4/11)of the isolates showed resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin.Four patients developed metastatic abscesses,and two experienced septic shock.The main treatment approach was a combination of antibiotics and percutaneous liver puncture drainage,resulting in improvement in 18 patients.Conclusions Liver abscesses caused by Streptococcus are usually non-specific in terms of symptoms.Streptococcus anginosus group is the primary pathogen.Antibiotics combined with percutaneous drainage is an effective treatment approach.It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of potential brain abscesses and the necessity of early intervention.
9.Study on the Medication Law of Wang Zhongyi in Treating Tic Disorder Based on Data Mining
Hongwei FAN ; Min LI ; Xiaojin QIU ; Xiaoqin LYU ; Ying CHANG ; Zhongyi WANG
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(7):55-61
Objective To study the medication law of Professor Wang Zhongyi in the treatment of tic disorder(TD)based on data mining technology.Methods From January 1,2022 to December 31,2023,the cases treated for TD in Professor Wang Zhongyi's outpatient clinic,which participated in the real-world study were collected.A comprehensive database has been established,screening information related to effective case diagnosis and treatment.Utilizing Excel 2021,R 4.4.2,Origin 2024 and Cytoscape 3.9.1,this study conducted medication frequency analysis,property-flavor-meridian tropism analysis,efficacy analysis,association rule analysis,clustering analysis and co-occurrence network analysis to summarize medication law.Results Totally 640 effective prescriptions were included,involving 208 kinds of Chinese materia medica.The properties were mainly warm,cold,and neutral.The flavors were mainly pungent,bitter and sweet.The meridians were mainly liver meridians.The therapeutic categories were primarily composed of liver-calming and endogenous wind-stopping drugs,along with exterior-resolving prescriptions.Correlation analysis obtained 17 strongly correlated rules.Clustering analysis obtained 5 types of medicinal combinations.The therapeutic categories were primarily composed of liver-calming and endogenous wind-stopping drugs,along with exterior-resolving prescriptions.Conclusion According to the comprehensive statistical analysis,Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis,Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Haliotidos Concha,Paeoniae Radix alba,Bupleuri Radix,Puerariae Lobatue Radix and Scorpio are the core drugs used by Professor Wang Zhongyi to treat TD.Professor Wang Zhongyi believes that the core pathogenesis of TD is the internal movement of liver wind,and the treatment mainly focuses on calming the liver,calming the wind and stopping spasms,while also nourishing the heart,calming the mind,harmonizing blood and relieving qi.Based on different clinical symptoms of TD,modifications and adjustments are made to the core prescription to treat children with TD.
10.Serotyping and drug resistance analysis of Salmonella from waterfowl in the Guangdong Region,2013-2023
Wan-jia LI ; Yin-sheng LIN ; Min-fang LIU ; Wen-chang XUE ; Wan-jun ZHU ; Ji-dang CHEN ; Ji-pei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(3):297-303
This study was aimed at understanding the prevalence and drug resistance status of Salmonella of waterfowl ori-gin in the Guangdong region in the past decade,to guide prevention and control efforts.The drug-sensitive paper slide method was used to conduct drug susceptibility testing on 314 waterfowl-originating Salmonella strains isolated from 238 waterfowl farms in the Guangdong region from 2013 to 2023.The isolated Salmonella strains were most resistant to penicillin,amoxicil-lin,cefradine,and cefazolin in the β-lactam group;sulphadoxine dimethylpyrimidine in the sulphonamide group;and tetracy-cline in the tetracycline group.The resistance rates ranged from 73.57%to 89.49%.The highest sensitivity was observed to amikacin,gentamicin,and kanamycin in the aminoglycoside group,and norfloxacin in the quinolone group,with susceptibility rates all exceeding 50%.The 280 strains of Salmonella showed multi-drug resistance to six classes of antimicrobial drugs and high resistance(as much as 60.83%)to five drug classes.Correlation analysis revealed the highest correlations for florfenicol with gentamicin,and for amoxicillin with penicillin(r=0.650 for both),followed by gentamicin with kanamycin(r=0.620).Salmonella resistance in waterfowl in Guangdong Province was generally severe and showed a complex pattern of drug resist-ance.Detection of waterfowl pathogens should be strengthened to prevent the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and support ra-tional use of antibiotics.This work provides a reference for Salmonella prevention and control in waterfowl farms.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail