1.Exploration in Pathological Mechanisms of Myocardial Infarction and Osteoporosis Based on "Heart-bone" Axis Theory
Yuzhuo ZHANG ; Qi SHANG ; Hui REN ; Bin LIU ; Jingzhi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):251-257
Myocardial infarction (MI) and osteoporosis (OP), as two prevalent metabolic diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates, are respectively characterized by cardiovascular system dysfunction and bone homeostasis imbalance, collectively posing significant global public health challenges. While clinically often considered as independent diseases, recent studies have revealed shared pathological mechanisms between the two. This study initiated its exploration from the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the "heart-bone" axis, systematically analyzing the correlation between MI and OP from perspectives including hemodynamics, neuroendocrinology, calcium homeostasis, inflammation and vascular injury, as well as hormone levels. By discussing the pathological mechanisms of "heart disease affecting the bones and bone disease affecting the heart", the study also elucidated advancements in both Western and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The goal is to provide novel insights and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of "heart-bone comorbidities", thereby facilitating comprehensive management of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases.
2.Exploration in Pathological Mechanisms of Myocardial Infarction and Osteoporosis Based on "Heart-bone" Axis Theory
Yuzhuo ZHANG ; Qi SHANG ; Hui REN ; Bin LIU ; Jingzhi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):251-257
Myocardial infarction (MI) and osteoporosis (OP), as two prevalent metabolic diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates, are respectively characterized by cardiovascular system dysfunction and bone homeostasis imbalance, collectively posing significant global public health challenges. While clinically often considered as independent diseases, recent studies have revealed shared pathological mechanisms between the two. This study initiated its exploration from the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the "heart-bone" axis, systematically analyzing the correlation between MI and OP from perspectives including hemodynamics, neuroendocrinology, calcium homeostasis, inflammation and vascular injury, as well as hormone levels. By discussing the pathological mechanisms of "heart disease affecting the bones and bone disease affecting the heart", the study also elucidated advancements in both Western and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The goal is to provide novel insights and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of "heart-bone comorbidities", thereby facilitating comprehensive management of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases.
3.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
4.Neuroprotective Effects of Transcranial Magneto-acoustic Stimulation on Parkinson’s Disease Model Mice by Regulating Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Shuai ZHANG ; Yan-Bin WANG ; Yi-Hao XU ; Jin-Rui MI ; Xiao-Chao LU ; Yu-Chen AN ; Ji-Zhou LIU ; Jia-Qi SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1457-1470
ObjectiveTranscranial magneto-acoustic stimulation (TMAS) is an emerging non-invasive neuromodulation technique that may provide a novel non-pharmacological intervention strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), leading to motor impairments such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Increasing evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitochondrial quality control are central mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal loss. In particular, abnormalities in mitophagy and mitochondrial fission-fusion balance contribute substantially to oxidative stress, energy metabolic failure, and neuronal injury. At present, most clinical treatments for PD mainly alleviate symptoms but do not effectively halt disease progression. Therefore, exploring new interventions targeting the core pathological mechanisms is of considerable significance. This study aims to investigate whether TMAS can improve neural damage and motor dysfunction in PD mice by regulating mitophagy and the fission/fusion dynamic balance, thereby providing theoretical and experimental support for its application in PD treatment. MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. A PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. After model induction, mice in the intervention group received TMAS once daily for 14 consecutive days, whereas the corresponding control group received sham stimulation. The stimulation target was positioned over the primary motor cortex (M1). Motor performance was evaluated using the pole test and the open-field test. To verify the activation effect of TMAS on the target cortical region, c-Fos immunohistochemistry was performed in the M1. To assess nigral dopaminergic neuronal injury, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was used to quantify TH-positive neurons in the SNc. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the SNc. Western blot was further performed to determine the expression of mitophagy-related proteins, including PINK1, Parkin, LC3-II, and p62, as well as mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, including Drp1 and Opa1. ResultsTMAS significantly increased the number of c-Fos-positive cells in M1 (P<0.000 1), indicating effective activation of neurons in the targeted cortical region. Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited marked motor dysfunction, including a significant reduction in total distance traveled in the open-field test (P<0.000 1) and mean speed (P=0.000 1), as well as significant prolongation of turn time and total climbing time in the pole test (P<0.000 1). These behavioral impairments were accompanied by a substantial loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, whereas TMAS significantly increased TH-positive neuron survival (P<0.000 1). In parallel, MPTP induced a pronounced increase in ROS levels and a significant reduction in ATP content, indicating severe mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolism impairment (P<0.01). TMAS treatment significantly improved motor performance, as reflected by the reversal of MPTP-induced impairment in the open-field and pole tests, and significantly reduced ROS accumulation (P<0.01) while restoring ATP production (P<0.001). At the molecular level, MPTP markedly downregulated PINK1 and Parkin, decreased p62 expression, increased LC3-II accumulation, elevated Drp1 expression, and reduced Opa1 expression, whereas TMAS significantly reversed these abnormalities, suggesting restoration of mitophagy-related mitochondrial quality control and re-establishment of mitochondrial fission-fusion balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that TMAS ameliorates MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and restores mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism. ConclusionTMAS effectively attenuates neural damage and improves motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD mice. Its neuroprotective effects are closely associated with multidimensional regulation of the mitochondrial quality control system, including restoration of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and rebalancing of Drp1/Opa1-related mitochondrial dynamics. Rather than acting only as a symptomatic neuromodulatory intervention, TMAS may influence a key pathological axis of PD by improving mitochondrial homeostasis in SNc and protecting nigral dopaminergic neurons. These findings provide experimental evidence supporting TMAS as a promising non-invasive physical intervention for PD.
5.Asia-Pacific Menopause Federation Consensus Statement on the Management of Menopause 2024
Seng Bin ANG ; Stella Rizalina Sasha SUGIANTO ; Felicia Clara Jun Hui TAN ; Sonia DAVISON ; Qi YU ; Masakazu TERAUCHI ; Mee-Ran KIM ; Jignesh SHAH ; Shaikh Zinnat Ara NASREEN ; Choon Moy HO ; Enkhee SODNOMDORJ ; Muhammad Fidel Ganis SIREGAR ; Rubina HUSSAIN ; Ma Corazon Zaida NOBLEJAS-GAMILLA ; Yang CHUA ; Yung-Chieh TSAI ; Unnop JAISAMRARN
Journal of Menopausal Medicine 2025;31(1):3-11
Objectives:
This study aimed to achieve expert consensus on menopause management in the Asia-Pacific region, taking into account patient diversity, the latest evidence, and current treatment options.
Methods:
A focused literature search was performed to identify clinical practice statements on menopause management. Menopause experts were nominated by members of the Asia-Pacific Menopause Federation (APMF) society. A modified Delphi methodology, involving iterative rounds of anonymous surveys, was employed until consensus was reached for each statement. Consensus was defined as ≥ 70% of experts voting ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ for a given clinical practice statement.
Results:
A total of 39 participants from 14 different APMF member societies were involved. Eighty-five clinical practice statements reached a consensus. Based on the clinical practice statements, an algorithm was created as a tool to guide clinicians on menopause management. APMF experts agreed that, in addition to vasomotor symptoms, Asian women experiencing somatic or psychological symptoms may also benefit from treatment with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). MHT should also be considered for the prevention of osteoporosis in asymptomatic peri- and postmenopausal women.
Conclusions
This APMF consensus statement supersedes the previous one published in 2008. It provides guidance to gynecologists, endocrinologists, family physicians, and other healthcare professionals in delivering optimal care to menopausal women in the ethnically and culturally diverse Asia-Pacific region.
6.Prognostic analysis of genes related to pyroptosis in prostate cancer cells and the regulatory role of NLRP1
Xiaolu MA ; Jiaqin CHEN ; Junlong FENG ; Qi ZHAO ; Bin WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(1):73-81
[Objective] To analyze the prognostic value of prostate cancer (PCa) pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) using gene expression databases and to explore the regulatory mechanism of nucleotidebinding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 1 (NLRP1) in the pyroptosis of PCa cells. [Methods] Fragments per kilobase of exon model per million reads mapped (FPKM) data and clinical information from PCa and adjacent tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were obtained. Differentially expressed PRGs between PCa and adjacent tissues, classified subtypes and plotted survival curves were analyzed. Univariate Cox regression analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were conducted to screen prognosis-related PRGs, risk scores were calculated, and a prognostic risk model was constructed and validated. Patients were divided into high and low risk groups based on the median risk scores from the training and validation sets, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted on differentially expressed PRGs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of NLRP1 in PCa cell lines, and pyroptosis was induced in DU145 and LNCaP cells while morphological changes were observed. Western blot (WB) was performed to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related molecules. [Results] A total of 6 prognostic-related PRGs were obtained, including CHMP4C, CYCS, GPX4, GSDMB, NLRP1, and PLCG1. The risk score was positively correlated with the risk of recurrence but negatively correlated with the progression-free survival (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the training set at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.769 (95%CI: 0.652-0.878), 0.804 (95%CI: 0.736-0.882), and 0.772 (95%CI: 0.631-0.905), respectively, while those for the validation set were 0.731 (95%CI: 0.647-0.826), 0.753 (95%CI: 0.674-0.818), and 0.763 (95%CI: 0.626-0.849), respectively. Differences in expression levels of the 6 PRGs were observed between the high and low risk groups in both the training and validation sets (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that T stage, prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason grade, and risk score were independent predictors of PCa prognosis (P<0.05). Differences in risk scores were observed among patients of different ages, T stages, and Gleason grades (P<0.05). NLRP1 was found to be lowly expressed in PCa cell lines and was involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in DU145 and LNCaP cells. [Conclusion] The prognostic risk model constructed based on PRGs has a certain predictability for the prognosis of PCa patients, and NLRP1 may be involved in the regulation of pyroptosis in PCa cells.
7.Prevotella nigrescens exacerbates periodontal inflammation and impairs cognitive function in mice
Qi CHEN ; Tiantian XIA ; Yongqiang ZHOU ; Mingyang CHANG ; Nan HU ; Yanmei YANG ; Zhong LI ; Yue GAO ; Bin GU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(3):453-460
Objective To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens(Pn)combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,ligation group,and ligation+Pn treatment(P+Pn)group.Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks.After modeling,alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis.Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test(OFT),novel object recognition test(NORT),and Morris water maze test(MWM).Seven weeks after the start of modeling,the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining.Results After 6 weeks of molar ligation,micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice,and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium,epithelial ridge hyperplasia,and lymphocyte infiltration,and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group.Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group.Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT,showed reduced novel object preference in NORT,and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM,and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests.Histologically,obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration,necrosis,nuclear pyknosis,vacuolation,and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups.Conclusion Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction,accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.
8.Perturbation response scanning of drug-target networks:Drug repurposing for multiple sclerosis
Yitan LU ; Ziyun ZHOU ; Qi LI ; Bin YANG ; Xing XU ; Yu ZHU ; Mengjun XIE ; Yuwan QI ; Fei XIAO ; Wenying YAN ; Zhongjie LIANG ; Qifei CONG ; Guang HU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(6):1277-1290
Combined with elastic network model(ENM),the perturbation response scanning(PRS)has emerged as a robust technique for pinpointing allosteric interactions within proteins.Here,we proposed the PRS analysis of drug-target networks(DTNs),which could provide a promising avenue in network medicine.We demonstrated the utility of the method by introducing a deep learning and network perturbation-based framework,for drug repurposing of multiple sclerosis(MS).First,the MS comorbidity network was constructed by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on shared genes between MS and other diseases as seed nodes.Then,based on topological analysis and functional annotation,the neurotransmission module was identified as the"therapeutic module"of MS.Further,perturbation scores of drugs on the module were calculated by constructing the DTN and introducing the PRS analysis,giving a list of repurposable drugs for MS.Mechanism of action analysis both at pathway and structural levels screened dihydroergocristine as a candidate drug of MS by targeting a serotonin receptor of se-rotonin 2B receptor(HTR2B).Finally,we established a cuprizone-induced chronic mouse model to evaluate the alteration of HTR2B in mouse brain regions and observed that HTR2B was significantly reduced in the cuprizone-induced mouse cortex.These findings proved that the network perturbation modeling is a promising avenue for drug repurposing of MS.As a useful systematic method,our approach can also be used to discover the new molecular mechanism and provide effective candidate drugs for other complex diseases.
9.Preliminary examination of the genetic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance genes of Salmonella Alachua
Yue LIU ; Xue-bin XU ; Yi HU ; Qi-fang GU ; Cheng LIU ; Zhen-an YUAN ; Min CHEN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(2):164-170
This study was aimed at preliminarily investigating the genetic and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of Salmonella Alachua isolates through whole-genome analyses.Five Salmonella Alachua isolates from various sources(both hu-man and non-human)were collected and identified.Phenotype and serotype verification,antimicrobial susceptibility testing,and whole-genome sequencing were performed.Virulence genes,antimicrobial resistance genes,and plasmid replicons were predicted according to globally available Salmonella Alachua genomic data.A phylogenetic tree was constructed to explore the genetic background.The first report of Salmonella Alachua in China emerged in Shanghai in 2015,and patients presented pri-marily with diarrhea.The isolates have been found predominantly in the eastern and southern coastal regions.Among the five i-solates analyzed,four belonged to sequence type(ST)2061,and one belonged to ST1298.All isolates were susceptible to most commonly used clinical antibiotics.Whole-genome analyses revealed that two ST2061 strains carried the blaKPC-2 gene,and one ST1298 strain carried the fosA7 gene.Phylogenetic analysis of global Salmonella Alachua populations indicated that the ST2061 clone belonged to the C1 clade,which was closely related to strains from the UK,whereas the ST1298 clone was found in the C4 clade,a globally disseminated fosA 7-positive lineage.This study provides initial insights into the genetic and antimi-crobial resistance characteristics of Salmonella Alachua in China,highlighting the presence of strains carrying blaKPC-2 and fo-sA7 genes.These findings may provide a reference for future large-scale molecular epidemiological surveillance and source-trac-ing efforts,and they underscore the importance of enhanced resistance monitoring for Salmonella Alachua.
10.Structural equation analysis of the incidence of shoulder WMSDs and individual and work-related factors
Shuang ZHOU ; Zhongxu WANG ; Ruijie LING ; Qing XU ; Huadong ZHANG ; Yimin LIU ; Gang LI ; Yan YIN ; Hua SHAO ; Jue LI ; Hengdong ZHANG ; Bing QIU ; Dayu WANG ; Qiang ZENG ; Yan YE ; Bin XIAO ; Hua ZOU ; Jianchao CHEN ; Dongxia LI ; Yongquan LIU ; Jixiang LIU ; Enfei JIANG ; Jun QI ; Liangying MEI ; Xianfeng ZHAO ; Mimi YANG ; Ning JIA
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(2):91-100
Objective:To investigate the incidence of shoulder work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among occupational population in China, and to explore their intrinsic association with personal and work-related factors.Methods:In April 2024, 73497 valid questionnaires of the Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire were retrospectively analyzed from June 2018 to December 2023 in 22 provinces and 29 key industries in China, and the general information, occurrence of WMSDs and related risk factors of key occupational populations in different regions in China were collected. By using Chi-square test and confirmatory factor analysis, the relationship between shoulder fatigue and pain in key occupational groups and individual factors, work type, work posture and work organization was discussed, and the internal relationship was analyzed based on structural equation model.Results:Higher incidence of shoulder fatigue and pain were associated with female, lack of physical exercise, uncomfortable working posture and neck leaning forward ( P<0.05). Structural equation model analysis showed that work type, work posture and work organization were strongly correlated ( r=0.58, 0.55). Work organization and work type were strongly correlated with shoulder fatigue ( r=0.65) and moderately correlated with shoulder fatigue ( r=0.21). Shoulder fatigue was moderately associated with shoulder pain ( r=0.40). Individual factors, work type, work posture and shoulder fatigue could directly affect shoulder pain ( OR=0.07, -0.09, 0.17 and 0.40), and work type and work posture could also indirectly affect shoulder pain through shoulder fatigue ( OR=0.08, 0.03). Work organization only indirectly affected shoulder pain through shoulder fatigue ( OR=0.26) . Conclusion:The main influencing factor of shoulder pain is shoulder fatigue, followed by work posture and individual factors. Structural equation model can better reflect the complex relationship between work type, work posture and work organization and shoulder WMSDs. Improving work posture and work organization may be an effective way to control the influence of shoulder fatigue on shoulder pain.

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