1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Effect of Modified Autologous Skull Defect Repair in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury and its Influence on Neurological Function and Living Ability
Bin WANG ; Jin ZHU ; Biao YUAN ; Yu-ping TANG ; Yang SHEN ; Xian-jun ZHANG
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(18):2949-2955
Objective:To observe the effect of modified autologous skull defect repair in patients with traumatic brain injury and its influence on neurological function and living ability.Methods:104 patients with traumatic brain injury who were admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to August 2024 were included,they were divided into Group A[37 cases,poly ether ether ketone(PEEK)skull defect repair],Group B(35 cases,traditional titanium mesh skull defect repair),and Group C(32 cases,modified autologous skull defect repair).Perioperative indicators,neurological function,activity of daily living,quality of life,satisfaction,and incidence of postoperative complications were compared among three groups.Results:There were no differences in the operation time,operation blood loss and postoperative hospital stay among the three groups(P>0.05).The hospitalization costs of Group A,Group B and Group C decreased successively(P<0.05).Activity of Daily Living(ADL)scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery increased among three groups,while National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores decreased(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in physiological function,social function,psychological function,and material life among the three groups at 6 months after surgery(P>0.05).The overall satisfaction rate in Group C was higher than that of Group A and Group B(P<0.05).The overall incidence of complications in Group C was lower than that in Group A and Group B(P<0.05).Conclusion:PEEK,traditional titanium mesh,and modified autologous skull are used in skull defect repair,operation time,operation blood loss and postoperative hospital stay are comparable,they can also reduce neurological function damage,improve living ability,and enhance the quality of life of patients,however,PEEK is relatively expensive,the satisfaction of traditional titanium mesh is low,andincidence of postoperative complications are relatively high.
3.CiteSpace-based literature visualization analysis of brain-computer interface technology applied in rehabilitation of stroke patients
Yu-wei HAN ; Da HUO ; Li-gang CHEN ; Xin-yu YANG ; Hai JIN ; Xiao-ming LI ; Guo-biao LIANG ; Chun-yong YU
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(9):65-69
Relevant China's literature on the application of brain-computer interface technology in the field of rehabilita-tion of stroke patients was retrieved in the China Knowledge Network database from its establishment to December 31,2024,and CiteSpace visual analysis software was used to analyze the selected literature in terms of trend of annual publica-tion number,author collaboration network,keyword co-occurrences and emergences and to generate a corresponding knowledge map.It's pointed out brain-computer interface technology showed significant application potential for motor function recovery and neurorehabilitation,which had the research hotspots of the cross technologies covering motor imagina-tion,rehabilitation training and virtual reality and the research frontiers of the fusion application of intelligent algorithms of deep learning and pattern recognition.The challenges and future development directions of the field were investigated,and references were provided for promoting the application of brain-computer interface technology to rehabilitation of sroke patients in China.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):65-69]
4.Value of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR and diffusion kurtosis imaging in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and prostatic hyperplasia
Yu ZHANG ; Xinyun HUANG ; Fan FU ; Xiaozhu LIN ; Jin WANG ; Biao LI ; Miao ZHANG ; Hongping MENG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(7):400-404
Objective:To investigate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-1007 in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by using PET/MR imaging. Methods:From June 2019 to December 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 134 patients ((65.5±10.0) years) with prostate diseases who underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR whole-body examination at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level continuously rising to >4μg/L within 1 month and not yet receiving treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups (PSA<10μg/L and PSA≥10μg/L). The PET/MR examination included high b-value diffusion imaging, and the ROI was delineated based on the prostate diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high-signal area and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) low-signal area by the professional radiology physician. The SUV max, mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed, and ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy. Results:Of 134 patients, 72 were with PSA<10μg/L and 62 were with PSA≥10μg/L. There were 68 patients who obtained biopsy results, including 37 cases of BPH and 31 cases of PCa. In PSA<10μg/L group, there were no significant correlations between MK and SUV max, MK and PSA ( rs values: 0.22, 0.06, P values: 0.065, 0.603). In the PSA≥10μg/L group, there were positive correlations between MK and SUV max, MK and PSA ( rs values: 0.52, 0.40, P values: 0.008, 0.005). In the PSA<10μg/L group, SUV max, MK, and MD showed no diagnostic value (AUCs: 0.44-0.67, all P>0.05), while the AUC for combined diagnosis using these three parameters was 0.78( P=0.008). In the PSA≥10μg/L group, the AUCs of SUV max, MK, and MD were 0.81( P=0.001), 0.84( P<0.001) and 0.72( P=0.023) respectively, and the AUC for combined diagnosis using these three parameters was 0.91( P<0.001). Conclusion:The combination of MK, MD and SUV max improves the diagnostic efficacy of PCa in PET/MR examination.
5.Effects of omazumab on immune response,inflammatory transmitters and airway remodeling in asthmatic children
Chunzhi ZHANG ; Miao GUO ; Biao YANG ; Chi JIN ; Chaocui LIU
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(1):176-181
Objective:To study the clinical effect of omalizumab for asthmatic children,and to analyze its effect on immune re-sponse,inflammatory transmitters and airway remodeling.Methods:Eighty-two children with bronchial asthma in Nanyang Second People's Hospital from May 2018 to May 2022 were selected,and classified into Control group(n=36)and experimental group(n=46)according to the admission time.Control group received budesonide and formoterol fumarate powder for inhalation,based on this,experimental group received subcutaneous injections of omalizumab therapy.Palmaer method was applied to assess the clinical out-come of children.Forced vital capacity(FVC),forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and FEV1/FVC were measured using a spirometer.The percentage of Th1,Th2 and Treg cells were detected by flow cytometry.Levels of IL-4,IL-5,IFN-γ,TGF-β1,IL-10 and IL-35 were detected by ELISA.The lumen area(LA),wall area(WA)and percentage(WA%),and wall thickness(WT)of RB1(apical segment of the right upper lobe),RB10(posterobasal segment of the right lower lobe),LB1+2(apicoposterior seg-ment of the left upper lobe)and LB10(posterobasal segment of the left lower lobe)were obtained via CT scan,meantime,the quanti-tative assessment of the percentage of voxels below-950 hounsfield unit(HU)in inspiratory(IN-950),the volume at the end of deep inspiration(Vin)and the mean lung density(MLD)were also performed.Then comparison was conducted between two groups.Results:The clinical efficacy rate was 93.48%in experimental group,which was higher than 75.00%in control group,with statistical difference(P<0.05).No statistical difference was found in the lung function,immune response,inflammatory transmitters and airway remodeling between two groups before intervention(all P>0.05).After treatment,an increase in the lung function parameters FVC and FEV1,the immune response parameters Th1 cell ratio and Th1/Th2 levels,the expression level of the inflammatory transmitter IFN-γ,IL-10,IL-35,and the airway remodeling parameters LA normalized to body surface area(LA/BSA),WA/BSA and WT/√BSA,along with a decrease in Th2 and Treg cell percentage,IL-4,IL-5 and TGF-β1 expression and IN-950 were observed in experi-mental group compared with control group,with statistical difference(all P<0.05),while FEV1/FVC,WA%,Vin and MLDin no statis-tical difference between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Omalizumab improves the clinical outcome of children with asthma by up-regulating the level of immune response,attenuating body inflammatory response and reducing airway remodeling caused by inflamma-tory stimuli,thus promoting the recovery of bronchial lumen of the children.
6.Under expanded stent of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with coronary thrombosis using intravascular lithotripsy:report of one case
Dong-biao YU ; Li-kun MA ; Hao HU ; Xiang-yong KONG ; Jin-sheng HUA ; Jian-yuan PAN ; Guang-yao YANG ; Hong-wu CHEN
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(1):54-57
Coronary artery calcification often appears a variety of complex lesions,increasing coronary intervention of the difficulty of treatment,especially the severe calcification lesions,usually cannot be fully dilated,resulting in a reduced success rate of surgery,an increased rate of acute stent thrombosis and restenosis,and even a serious impact on the prognosis of patients.Intravascular lithotripsy(IVL)is increasingly used in calcified lesions.There is more and more evidence of using in stable angina pectoris and unstable angina pectoris,but its use in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is limited,and only a few cases have been reported abroad.Moreover,the consensus of Chinese experts in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery calcification in 2021 edition lists thrombotic lesions as contraindications of shock wave balloon.This case is the first time in China to report the use of shock wave balloon in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated with thrombus.In this case,the patient with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction complicated with thrombus was severely under expanded stent after stent implantation,and obtain good curative effect using shockwave balloon at selected time in hospital after intensive anticoagulant therapy.
7.Research on the association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring
Jin GUO ; Peng ZHAO ; Chunrong LIU ; Mingyu LIAO ; Jingwen CHEN ; Jianru WU ; Yan REN ; Biao RONG ; Huanyang QI ; Moliang CHEN ; Xin SUN ; Jing TAN ; Yiquan XIONG
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(9):530-536
Objective:To explore the association between the use of tetracyclines during pregnancy and congenital malformations, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidance for the rational use of antibiotics during pregnancy.Methods:Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction (CVAR) database from January 2015 to September 2024 were collected. Five methods including Tree-based scan statistic (TreeScan), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) comprehensive standard, and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) were used to detect signals of risk for congenital malformations in offspring following maternal use of tetracyclines during pregnancy. A signal that met the threshold criteria of all above 5 methods was considered as a risk signal. Based on population-based cohort of the drug exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes (DEEP) data from January 2013 to December 2021 in Xiamen City, propensity score matching (PSM)-based Poisson regression was applied to evaluate the association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring. Adjusted relative risk (a RR) and its 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to validate the reliability of the results. Results:A total of 304 098 reports of adverse events during pregnancy were obtained from the FAERS and CVAR databases. Among them, 5 028 reports were related to tetracyclines, including 1 026 reports of congenital malformations in offspring, involving congenital malformations of musculoskeletal system, other digestive system, and other congenital malformations. Signal detection results suggested that tetracyclines may be a risk signal for above congenital malformations in offspring. The DEEP data included 411 936 pregnant women. After PSM, 240 pregnant women exposed to tetracyclines were included. The results showed no significant association between the first-trimester tetracyclines exposure and congenital malformations in offspring (a RR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.26-2.17), sensitivity analysis also showed no correlation. Conclusions:Data mining from the FAERS and CVAR databases suggests a potential association between tetracyclines use during pregnancy and congenital malformations in offspring. However, the DEEP data study shows no significant correlation.
8.Value of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR and diffusion kurtosis imaging in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and prostatic hyperplasia
Yu ZHANG ; Xinyun HUANG ; Fan FU ; Xiaozhu LIN ; Jin WANG ; Biao LI ; Miao ZHANG ; Hongping MENG
Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025;45(7):400-404
Objective:To investigate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-1007 in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by using PET/MR imaging. Methods:From June 2019 to December 2022, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 134 patients ((65.5±10.0) years) with prostate diseases who underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR whole-body examination at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) level continuously rising to >4μg/L within 1 month and not yet receiving treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups (PSA<10μg/L and PSA≥10μg/L). The PET/MR examination included high b-value diffusion imaging, and the ROI was delineated based on the prostate diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high-signal area and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) low-signal area by the professional radiology physician. The SUV max, mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) were obtained. Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed, and ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy. Results:Of 134 patients, 72 were with PSA<10μg/L and 62 were with PSA≥10μg/L. There were 68 patients who obtained biopsy results, including 37 cases of BPH and 31 cases of PCa. In PSA<10μg/L group, there were no significant correlations between MK and SUV max, MK and PSA ( rs values: 0.22, 0.06, P values: 0.065, 0.603). In the PSA≥10μg/L group, there were positive correlations between MK and SUV max, MK and PSA ( rs values: 0.52, 0.40, P values: 0.008, 0.005). In the PSA<10μg/L group, SUV max, MK, and MD showed no diagnostic value (AUCs: 0.44-0.67, all P>0.05), while the AUC for combined diagnosis using these three parameters was 0.78( P=0.008). In the PSA≥10μg/L group, the AUCs of SUV max, MK, and MD were 0.81( P=0.001), 0.84( P<0.001) and 0.72( P=0.023) respectively, and the AUC for combined diagnosis using these three parameters was 0.91( P<0.001). Conclusion:The combination of MK, MD and SUV max improves the diagnostic efficacy of PCa in PET/MR examination.
9.Dosimetric effect of combined physical optimization and gEUD optimization on hippocampus avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy
Zhen LI ; Jin-bao JIAO ; Ding-biao GU ; Meng-hao CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(11):44-49
Objective To investigate the dosimetric effect of a biological optimization approach combining physical optimization with generalized equivalent uniform dose(gEUD)on hippocampus avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy(HA-WBRT).Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 20 patients with multiple brain metastases who underwent whole-brain radiotherapy at a certain hospital between May 2021 and December 2022.Two radiotherapy plans including plan_DV and plan_gEUD were designed for each patient by using Eclipse V15.6 planning system.Plan_DB used conven-tional dose-volume(DV)physical optimization,and plan_gEUD went through re-optimization with an Upper gEUD function applied to hippocampal region and hippocampal protection zone.Evaluation was carried out in accordance with RTOG 0933 guidance for the absolute values D2%,D98%and D50%received by 2%,98%,and 50%of the target volume in the planning target volume,conformity index(CI),homogeneity index(HI),gradient index(GI)and the dosimetric indexes of hippocampal region,hippocampal protection zone and other organs at risk(OARs).SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The two kinds of plans both had the target volume coverage meet the requirements of RTOG 0933 guidance.Plan_gEUD had the D98%,D2%and V105 of the planning target volume lower than those of plan_DV,with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.05).The two kinds of plans had no significant differences in monitor unit,D50%and Dmax of PTV,HI,CI and GI(all P>0.05).Plan_gEUD had the Dmax and Dmean of hippocampal region and them of hippocampal pro-tection zone lower than those of plan_DV,and the optic nerve Dmax of plan_gEUD was higher than that of plan_DV,with the differences being statistically significant(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the two kinds of plans in the Dmax of inner ear,optic chiasm,lens,and eyeball(all P>0.05).Conclusion Physical optimization in the HA-WBRT plan combined with gEUD optimization results in a greater dose reduction to the hippocampus while maintaining target coverage.
10.Expert consensus on infection prevention and control of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in medical institutions
Tianxiang GE ; Yangyang JIA ; Chunhui LI ; Jianrong HUANG ; Xiujuan MENG ; Xiaodong GAO ; Jingping ZHANG ; Fu QIAO ; Lijuan XIONG ; Hui LIANG ; Wei LI ; Haiyan LOU ; Wenjuan WU ; Tianxin XIANG ; Jiansen CHEN ; Biao ZHU ; Kaijin XU ; Zhihui ZHOU ; Hongliu CAI ; Meihong YU ; Yan ZHANG ; Yanwan SHANGGUAN ; Haiting FENG ; Hangping YAO ; Lei GUO ; Tieer GAN ; Weihong ZHANG ; Jimin SUN ; Ye LU ; Qun LU ; Meng CAI ; Jin SHEN ; Yunsong YU ; Anhua WU ; Liu-yi LI ; Tingting QU
Chinese Journal of Infection Control 2025;24(4):437-450
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease(CJD)is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions,with certain infectivity and iatrogenic transmission risks.With the rapid progress and application of new dia-gnostic biomarkers and detection methods,as well as the construction and improvement of surveillance and reporting systems,the detection of CJD in patients domestically and internationally has shown an increasing trend year by year.Due to its long incubation period and heterogeneity of early symptoms,early identification and diagnosis of the disease is difficult,increasing the risk of transmission within medical institutions.Currently,there is a lack of con-sensus on the infection prevention and control of CJD.In order to timely identify and diagnose CJD as well as effec-tively block its transmission in medical institutions,this consensus summarizes 15 clinical concerns and formulates 24 specific recommendations based on the latest domestic and international research findings and clinical evidence,as well as combines with clinical practice,aiming to standardize healthcare-associated infection prevention and control measures for CJD and reduce its transmission risk in medical institutions.

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