1.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
2.Mechanism of Embryo Implantation Promotion via Exosomal miRNA-mediated Communication Network at Maternal-fetal Interface Based on Bushen Huoxue Therapy
Pei GUO ; Jiajun LIU ; Hang ZHOU ; Zeyi GUO ; Yili WANG ; Linwen DENG ; Qian ZENG ; Jinzhu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):317-327
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Bushen Huoxue prescription improves embryo implantation through regulating exosomal miRNA to enhance maternal-fetal interface communication based on Bushen Huoxue therapy. MethodsIn the animal experiment, all the rats (except for the blank group) were administered hydroxyurea (450 mg·kg-1) via gavage for 10 d, as well as epinephrine (0.3 mg·kg-1) and mifepristone (5.5 mg·kg-1) via subcutaneous injection for 7 d to establish an implantation disorder model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type. The Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX) groups were administered the prescription at different doses (7.30 g·kg-1 for the high-dose group, 3.65 g·kg-1 for the medium-dose group, and 1.83 g·kg-1 for the low-dose group) via gavage. The dydrogesterone group was administered the corresponding medicine (2.63 mg·kg-1) via gavage. After intervention for 10 days, uterine histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Mucin (MUC1), forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and homeobox A10 (HoxA10) expression levels were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. Cell experiment selected primary endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and trophoblast cells (TC) as research subjects. Exosome-free medicated serum was prepared by ultracentrifugation and cultured in complete medium. Exosomes were isolated from cell supernatants by ultracentrifugation for cross-co-culture. After 48 h, migration and invasion abilities were assessed by scratch and Transwell assays. Sequencing was then performed on EEC-origin exosomal miRNA. ResultsThe model rats exhibited thin endometrium, along with reduced blood vessels, glandules, and pinopode numbers. BSHX improved endometrial morphology and increased pinopode numbers. MUC1, FoxO1, and HoxA10 expressions were downregulated in the model rats, while these parameters were upregulated after BSHX medium- and high-dose intervention. In the cell experiment, after exosome-free medicated serum intervention for 24 h, migration and invasion abilities were enhanced in the BSHX groups (P<0.01). In EEC-origin exosomal miRNA sequencing, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed enrichment in biological processes (gastrulation, neuronal differentiation, alongside cell development and regeneration), involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), FoxO1, Wnt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways. ConclusionBSHX promotes embryo implantation by improving endometrial receptivity via regulating exosomal miRNA. These findings provide potential targets for exosomal miRNA-based assisted reproductive strategies and a novel theoretical basis for infertility treatment by traditional Chinese medicine.
3.The Biomechanical Implications and Applications of Yin-Yang Balance in Human Anatomy and Functional Regulation under the Perspective of Holistic Force-Line
Jiajun XU ; Meng WU ; Daopeng ZHOU ; Rui WANG ; Jinyan TENG ; Zhigang LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1809-1815
Drawing on recent advances in modern fascial anatomy and biomechanics, this paper interprets the biomechanical implications of yin-yang balance at the physical level from the perspective of holistic force lines. It posits that holistic force lines represent the functional expression of mechanical load transmission and integration within the myofascial network; the channel sinews system and myofascial chains exhibit significant similarities in terms of their distribution, functional attributes, and principles of holistic regulation, and can thus be understood as structural-functional carriers of yin-yang balance. Accordingly, this paper provides a biomechanical interpretation of the yin-yang relationship from four aspects, including interdependence, mutual restriction, dynamic balance through waxing and waning, and mutual transformation, proposing that in a healthy state, the body relies on the continuous integration, distribution, and readjustment of the myofascial tension network to maintain overall coordination, whereas disease states are often associated with compensatory transmission of local tension abnormalities along holistic force lines, the accumulation of imbalances, and structural rigidity. The holistic force-line perspective provides a biomechanical explanatory framework for the theory of yin-yang balance and offers a new theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment to shift from empirical holistic balancing toward holistic force-line balancing based on posture, function, and tension transmission pathways.
4.Mendelian randomization study of sleep duration and sleep disorders in relation to age at menarche in females
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(7):1021-1025
Objective:
To determine the potential genetic causal relationship between sleep related phenotypes and female pubertal onset using the two sample Mendelian randomization approach.
Methods:
Genetic instrumental variables for sleep and age at menarche were sourced from FinnGen, IEU Open GWAS and GWAS Catalog three publicly available Genome Wide Association Study databases. Causal effects were estimated using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by sensitivity analyses and tests for heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and direction.
Results:
Genetically predicted sleep duration was positively associated with age at menarche ( β =0.61, 95% CI =0.30-0.91, P <0.01). Conversely, overall sleep problems ( β =-0.13, 95% CI =-0.20 to -0.07 ), two specific types of sleep disorders (sleep apnea: β =-0.10, 95% CI =-0.16 to -0.03; insomnia: β =-0.40, 95% CI = -0.69 to -0.11) were causally associated with earlier age at menarche (all P <0.01). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings with consistent effect directions and no evidence of significant directional pleiotropy.
Conclusions
The study reveales a genetic causal relationship between sleep and pubertal onset. Adequate sleep duration appears to have a protective effect. These findings suggest that sleep may have a critical regulatory role in the initiation of pubertal development.
5.Association between body composition patterns and dyslipidemia among adolescents
SHI Longkai, XU Yingli, CHEN Linlin, ZHENG Chuanlei, LI Cunxiu, WANG Jiajun, DING Wenqing
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(10):1456-1460
Objective:
To explore the association between body composition patterns and dyslipidemia in adolescents, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing strategies to prevent and manage dyslipidemia.
Methods:
A total of 1 371 adolescents aged 12-18 years were selected from Yinchuan City in 2020 and 2023 by using a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster sampling. All participants completed questionnaire surveys, physical examinations, body composition measurements and blood lipid tests. Principal component analysis was used to extract body composition patterns, and participants were divided into quartiles( Q 1- Q 4) based on the score of each factor. Logistic regression combined with restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to examine the associations between body composition patterns and dyslipidemia, and analyses were stratified by gender.
Results:
The prevalence of dyslipidemia among adolescents was 30.0%, with 27.4% for boys and 35.2% for girls. Principal component analysis extracted four body composition patterns:the fat mass pattern (eigenvalue=12.86, variance contribution rate=46.92%), the lean body mass pattern (eigenvalue=6.86, variance contribution rate=30.42%), the trunk dominant fat distribution pattern (eigenvalue=1.58, variance contribution rate=8.58%), and the trunk dominant lean body mass distribution pattern (eigenvalue=1.05, variance contribution rate=7.19%). According to the results of Logistic regression analysis, after adjusting confounding factors such as age, smoking, and alcohol consumption, compared with Q 1 group, adolescents in the Q 4 group of the fat mass pattern and the trunk dominant fat distribution pattern had increased risks of dyslipidemia ( OR =4.07,1.68), while adolescents in the Q 2 group of the lean body mass pattern had a decreased risk of dyslipidemia ( OR =0.59) (all P <0.05). RCS analysis showed nonlinear associations of the fat mass pattern and lean body mass pattern with dyslipidemia among adolescents (both P non-linearity <0.05), and the trunk dominant fat distribution pattern showed a linear association with dyslipidemia ( P-non linearity > 0.05 ). Among boys, the fat mass pattern and lean body mass pattern were associated with dyslipidemia ( OR =1.62,1.77), and a similar association for the fat mass pattern was also observed among girls ( OR =1.39)(all P <0.05). A similar association for the trunk dominant fat distribution pattern was observed only among boys (OR =1.46, P <0.05), with a significant gender interaction ( P interaction <0.05).
Conclusions
Increased fat mass and trunk fat accumulation in adolescents are associated with a higher risk of dyslipidemia, while moderate lean body mass plays a protective role. Controlling fat accumulation and maintaining appropriate lean body mass contribute to the prevention and management of dyslipidemia in adolescents.
6.MAFLD or MASLD: Which better represents the prognosis of the steatotic liver population: Letter to the editor on “Evolutionary changes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study”
Ying WANG ; Shengfeng WANG ; Xiude FAN ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yongfeng SONG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):e128-e133
7.Correlation Between the Spinopelvic Parameters and Morphological Characteristics of Pedicle-Facet Joints in Different Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Baoqiang HE ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Yang LI ; Jiajun ZHOU ; Min KANG ; Yehui LIAO ; Minghao TIAN ; Qiang TANG ; Fei MA ; Qing WANG ; Chao TANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):231-242
Objective:
Based on spinopelvic parameters and biomechanical principles, the pedicle-facet joint (PFJ) morphological characteristics of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the mechanism of their onset and progression was discussed.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 194 patients with L5 spondylolysis or L5–S1 low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 172 patients with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 366 patients with nonlumbar spondylolysis (NL group). The spinopelvic parameters and PFJ morphological parameters of the patients were measured, the differences in these parameters among and within the 3 groups were compared, and the correlations were analyzed.
Results:
Sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were the highest in the IS group, the second highest in the DS group, and the lowest in the NL group. Among the 3 groups, the L4 facet joint angle (FJA) was the largest in the IS group, the second largest in the NL group, and the smallest in the DS group. The L4 pedicle-facet joint angle (PFA) was the largest in the DS group, the second largest in the IS group, and the smallest in the NL group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that within each group, SS and LL were negatively correlated with FJA and positively correlated with PFA.
Conclusion
This study found a correlation between the PFJ morphological characteristics of patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinopelvic parameters, suggesting that the morphological characteristics of PFJs may be caused by varying stresses under different spinopelvic morphologies.
8.Correlation Between the Spinopelvic Parameters and Morphological Characteristics of Pedicle-Facet Joints in Different Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Baoqiang HE ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Yang LI ; Jiajun ZHOU ; Min KANG ; Yehui LIAO ; Minghao TIAN ; Qiang TANG ; Fei MA ; Qing WANG ; Chao TANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):231-242
Objective:
Based on spinopelvic parameters and biomechanical principles, the pedicle-facet joint (PFJ) morphological characteristics of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the mechanism of their onset and progression was discussed.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 194 patients with L5 spondylolysis or L5–S1 low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 172 patients with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 366 patients with nonlumbar spondylolysis (NL group). The spinopelvic parameters and PFJ morphological parameters of the patients were measured, the differences in these parameters among and within the 3 groups were compared, and the correlations were analyzed.
Results:
Sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were the highest in the IS group, the second highest in the DS group, and the lowest in the NL group. Among the 3 groups, the L4 facet joint angle (FJA) was the largest in the IS group, the second largest in the NL group, and the smallest in the DS group. The L4 pedicle-facet joint angle (PFA) was the largest in the DS group, the second largest in the IS group, and the smallest in the NL group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that within each group, SS and LL were negatively correlated with FJA and positively correlated with PFA.
Conclusion
This study found a correlation between the PFJ morphological characteristics of patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinopelvic parameters, suggesting that the morphological characteristics of PFJs may be caused by varying stresses under different spinopelvic morphologies.
9.Correlation Between the Spinopelvic Parameters and Morphological Characteristics of Pedicle-Facet Joints in Different Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
Baoqiang HE ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Yang LI ; Jiajun ZHOU ; Min KANG ; Yehui LIAO ; Minghao TIAN ; Qiang TANG ; Fei MA ; Qing WANG ; Chao TANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Neurospine 2025;22(1):231-242
Objective:
Based on spinopelvic parameters and biomechanical principles, the pedicle-facet joint (PFJ) morphological characteristics of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis were analyzed, and the mechanism of their onset and progression was discussed.
Methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study included 194 patients with L5 spondylolysis or L5–S1 low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 172 patients with L4–5 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 366 patients with nonlumbar spondylolysis (NL group). The spinopelvic parameters and PFJ morphological parameters of the patients were measured, the differences in these parameters among and within the 3 groups were compared, and the correlations were analyzed.
Results:
Sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were the highest in the IS group, the second highest in the DS group, and the lowest in the NL group. Among the 3 groups, the L4 facet joint angle (FJA) was the largest in the IS group, the second largest in the NL group, and the smallest in the DS group. The L4 pedicle-facet joint angle (PFA) was the largest in the DS group, the second largest in the IS group, and the smallest in the NL group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that within each group, SS and LL were negatively correlated with FJA and positively correlated with PFA.
Conclusion
This study found a correlation between the PFJ morphological characteristics of patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinopelvic parameters, suggesting that the morphological characteristics of PFJs may be caused by varying stresses under different spinopelvic morphologies.
10.Exploration on the Approach to Treating Pediatric Pneumonia by Relieving Qi Stagnation,Unblocking Blockage,and Resolving Stasis
Wei WANG ; Dongsheng QIU ; Jiajun LIU ; Guoping YE
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(6):1521-1526
The mutual transformation and intertweaving of qi stagnation and blood stasis exist through the development and progression of pediatric pneumonia.Based on the pathogenic mechanism of qi stagnation and blood stasis obstructing the lungs and by analyzing the progression of pneumonia,this paper proposed that the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pathogenesis of pediatric pneumonia can be divided into three stages:early,middle,and late.In the early stage,external pathogens invade and then lead to lung qi stagnation and blockage.In the middle stage,qi stagnation and blood stasis block the lungs and then cause blood vessel stagnation.In the late stage,qi stagnation and blood stasis linger,and then result into the residual pathogens lurking in the lungs.Accordingly,the principles of treating pediatric pneumonia are proposed,i.e.,ventilating the lungs and dispelling pathogens,activating blood circulation and resolving stasis,relieving qi stagnation and unblocking blockage.The strategies for treating pediatric pneumonia in three stages are also introduced:for the early stage of pneumonia characterized by lung qi stagnation and blockage,the formula Yinqiao San combined with Wuhu Erchen Decoction are used for clearing lung-heat,resolving phlegm,and relieving wheezing;for the middle stage of pneumonia characterized by the intertweaving of qi stagnation and blood stasis,the formula Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction combined with Xuanfei Baidu Prescription are used for activating blood circulation and resolving stasis,ventilating the lungs and removing toxins,relieving qi stagnation and unblocking blockage;for the late stage of pneumonia characterized by qi stagnation and blood stasis lingering in the lungs,Qinghao Biejia Decoction and Qingfei Touxie Prescription are used by modification for clearing heat and nourishing yin,resolving blood stasis and relieving qi stagnation,nourishing yin and subduing yang.The approach to treating pediatric pneumonia from the pathogenic mechanism of qi stagnation and blood stasis obstructing the lung show significant efficacy on improving clinical symptoms in children with pediatric pneumonia and preventing the progression of pneumonia,and will provide reference to the clinical prevention and treatment of pediatric pneumonia.


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