1.Analysis of the impact of high progesterone ovulation induction protocols on embryo euploidy rates and clinical pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients
Minjie WANG ; Yongjing ZHANG ; Jin QIAN ; Chao WANG ; Yuping XU ; Tianjuan WANG ; Dawei CHEN ; Yan HAO ; Qiong XING
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):923-930
ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of the progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol on embryo euploidy rate and clinical pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients. MethodsWomen who underwent Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles were selected as study participants (a total of 656 cycles and 3 081 blastocysts). Participants were divided into two age groups (≤35 years and >35 years) and further stratified by ovarian stimulation protocol: the Progestin-Primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) group (n=48 and 60, respectively), the Luteal Phase Long Protocol (LP) group (n=160 and 57, respectively), and the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol (AP) group (n=220 and 111, respectively). Baseline characteristics, ovarian stimulation outcomes, and embryo development parameters were compared among the three protocols within each age group. Additionally, clinical pregnancy outcomes of the first frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle were compared. The primary outcome measure was the embryo euploidy rate. Results① In the ≤35 years age group, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (bFSH) levels were significantly higher in the PPOS group compared to the LP and AP groups, and the bFSH/bLH ratio was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in the AP group (P < 0.05). In the >35 years age group, bFSH levels in both the PPOS and AP groups were significantly higher than in the LP group (P < 0.05).② In the ≤35 years group, there were no significant differences in the rates of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, 2-pronuclei (2 PN) zygotes, cleavage, 2 PN cleavage, blastocyst formation, high-quality embryos, or embryo euploidy between the PPOS group and either the LP or AP groups. However, the PPOS group showed significantly lower values for the following parameters compared to the other two groups: total oocytes retrieved, number of MII oocytes, number of 2 PN zygotes, number of cleaved embryos, number of 2 PN cleaved embryos, number of blastocysts formed, number of high-quality embryos, number of high-grade blastocysts, number of transferable embryos, number of cryopreserved embryos, number of biopsied blastocysts, number of euploid embryos, and the rate of obtaining at least one euploid embryo. In the >35 years group, no significant differences were observed among the PPOS, LP, and AP groups in the rates of MII oocytes, 2 PN cleavage, blastocyst formation, or in the number of euploid embryos, euploidy rate, and the rate of obtaining at least one euploid embryo. However, the PPOS group had significantly lower numbers of total oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, 2 PN zygotes, cleaved embryos, 2 PN cleaved embryos, blastocysts formed, transferable embryos, and cryopreserved embryos compared to the LP group (P<0.05). The high-quality embryo rate was significantly lower in the PPOS group than in the AP group (P<0.05). The numbers of high-quality embryos, high-grade blastocysts, and biopsied blastocysts were significantly lower in the PPOS group than in both the LP and AP groups (P<0.05). Notably, the 2 PN fertilization rate was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in the AP group, and the cleavage rate was significantly higher in the PPOS group than in both the LP and AP groups (P<0.05).③ No significant differences were found among the three groups in the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, early miscarriage rate, and late miscarriage rate following the first FET cycle. ConclusionCompared to the other two protocols, the PPOS protocol does not significantly affect embryo euploidy or clinical pregnancy rates. However, in freeze-all cycles with PGT-A, the PPOS protocol does not reduce the rate of chromosomally normal embryos but may decrease the total number of available embryos. It may not be the optimal choice for younger women, but it can be considered as a viable option for women of advanced maternal age.
2.Efficacy and safety of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopy in hiatal hernia repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Yaping WANG ; Changhao QUE ; Keyong LI ; Zhibo YE ; Dacheng JIN ; Yunjiu GOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):957-963
Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RAS) and conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) in hiatal hernia repair. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Web of Science, VIP, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect literature comparing the efficacy and safety of RAS and CLS for hiatal hernia repair published from their inception to November 7, 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 15 retrospective cohort studies with 18239 patients were finally included. The NOS scores of the included literature were all ≥7 points. Meta-analysis results showed that RAS was superior to CLS in terms of postoperative complications as the primary outcome [OR=0.56, 95%CI (0.42, 0.77), P<0.01]. There was no statistical difference between the two methods in terms of average operation time [MD=−0.74, 95%CI (−12.99, 11.51), P=0.91], average intraoperative blood loss [MD=−24.47, 95%CI (−54.80, 5.87), P=0.11], intraoperative complications [OR=0.76, 95%CI (0.29, 2.01), P=0.58], average postoperative hospital stay [MD=−0.24, 95%CI (−0.75, 0.27), P=0.36], postoperative GERD score [MD=−0.04, 95%CI (−0.41, 0.33), P=0.81], and 30-day readmission rate [OR=0.60, 95%CI (0.30, 1.20), P=0.15]. The cost of CLS surgery was less than that of RAS [SMD=1.59, 95%CI (1.16, 2.01), P<0.01]. Conclusion RAS has comparable efficacy and safety to CLS in hiatus hernia repair.
3.Study on the biomodification of demineralized dentin matrices in primary teeth with piceatannol
WANG Manze ; LI Runhang ; LV Jing ; LV Xuechao ; JIN Xing' ; ai
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(7):668-679
Objective:
To investigate the ability of different concentrations of piceatannol (PIC) solution to biomodify decalcified dentin matrices in primary teeth, thereby providing a theoretical basis for improving the durability of resin-dentin bonding.
Methods:
This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the institution. Molecular docking was performed to predict the interaction effects of PIC with type I collagen and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in dentin. A total of 124 clinically extracted intact primary molars were selected due to retention; of these, 76 were prepared into 60 completely decalcified dentin beams and 24 dentin slices. The 60 beams were equally allocated for dry mass loss and swelling ratio testing (30 beams each). For both experiments, the beams were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): a control group, 5% glutaraldehyde group, and 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL PIC solution groups. This was to evaluate the anti-enzymatic hydrolytic properties and mechanical performance of type I collagen. Of the 24 slices, 15 were assigned to the aforementioned five groups (n = 3) for Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to explore the cross-linking mechanism. The remaining nine slices were randomly divided into three groups (n = 3): distilled water group A (SEM examination prior to enzymatic hydrolysis), distilled water group B (SEM examination after enzymatic hydrolysis), and a 10 mg/mL PIC solution group (SEM examination after treatment with 10 mg/mL PIC and subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis). This was to evaluate the cross-linking effect on demineralized dentin collagen. The remaining 48 molars were fabricated into bonding specimens and randomly divided into four groups (n = 12): a control group (distilled water group) and 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL PIC groups. Immediate and aged shear bond strength (SBS) were measured, and failure modes were observed under a stereomicroscope to investigate the impact of different PIC concentrations on the bonding durability of primary tooth dentin.
Results:
Molecular docking revealed strong binding activity between PIC and type I collagen/MMPs via hydrogen bonds, electrostatic potential, and hydrophobic forces; the FTIR results confirmed hydrogen bond formation. In the dry mass loss test, mass loss rates in the 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL PIC groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), with the 10 mg/mL PIC group showing the most optimized cross-linking effect. Swelling tests indicated that all three PIC concentrations reduced the swelling ratio of the demineralized matrix, effectively improving its mechanical properties. SEM showed that collagen from the 10 mg/mL PIC group retained its natural three-dimensional network post-enzymolysis, contrasting sharply with the disintegrated collagen in the enzymolyzed distilled water group B but resembling the morphology of the non-enzymolyzed distilled water group A. SBS results demonstrated that the 10 mg/mL PIC group exhibited significantly higher bond strengths than the control group in both the immediate and aged tests (P < 0.05); immediate SBS in the 10 mg/mL PIC group was also significantly greater than that in the 2.5 mg/mL PIC group (P < 0.05), while no other intergroup differences were found (P > 0.05). Failure mode analysis indicated predominantly mixed fractures, with the proportion of interfacial fractures decreasing as PIC concentration increased compared with the control group.
Conclusion
A 10 mg/mL PIC solution can effectively cross-link decalcified dentin matrices in primary teeth, enhancing the anti-enzymatic hydrolytic capacity and mechanical properties during clinical operation, thereby promoting bond strength and interface stability, which promises to improve the long-term durability of resin-dentin bonding.
4.Targeting ER lipid raft-associated 1 reveals a coordinated cholesterol-dependent vulnerability in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yiming ZHANG ; Yushan HOU ; Xinxin WANG ; Kaikun XU ; Pei JIANG ; Siqi WANG ; Huimin KANG ; Hu ZHANG ; Jingzhuo JIN ; Xiaofen HUANG ; Zifeng LIU ; Songpeng YANG ; Jiaqi LIU ; Lingqiang ZHANG ; Fuchu HE ; Chunyan TIAN ; Aihua SUN
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):866-883
Background/Aims:
Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that drives tumor initiation and progression. However, clinical targeting of cholesterol metabolism has yielded limited benefits due to stringent feedback in tumor cells. Identifying a central mediator capable of restoring cholesterol homeostasis within the cell’s intrinsically fine-tuned regulatory framework is urgently needed.
Methods:
We integrated a proteomic dataset from patients with cholesterol-dysregulated HCC into a global cholesterol metabolic regulatory network to identify potential therapeutic targets for disrupted cholesterol homeostasis. The prognostic significance of the candidate targets was further validated in an independent cohort through immunohistochemistry. Functional and mechanistic studies were conducted in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using mouse models. The pharmacological efficacy of the candidate agent was evaluated in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC mouse models.
Results:
ER lipid raft-associated 1 (ERLIN1), a pivotal regulator of cholesterol metabolism reprogramming, was identified as an independent favorable prognostic indicator in HCC. ERLIN1 constrains HCC progression both in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing the INSIG1–SCAP–SREBP2 axis and maintaining the metabolic balance of intracellular cholesterol. Under hypoxia, impaired factor-inhibiting hypoxia-1-dependent hydroxylation of ASB11 at asparagine residues 90 and 92 enhances ASB11-mediated ERLIN1 degradation. Pharmacological targeting of this axis using zoledronic acid (ZoA) attenuated HCC progression by weakening the ASB11–ERLIN1 interaction and restoring cholesterol homeostasis.
Conclusions
ERLIN1 represents a druggable metabolic vulnerability in cholesterol-dysregulated HCC. Targeting the ASB11–ERLIN1 axis with the clinically approved ZoA reestablishes cholesterol homeostasis and offers a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome the current limitations of cholesterol-targeted HCC therapies.
5.Dissecting antibody-mediated natural killer cell effects reveals a cytotoxic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset linked to hepatitis B virus outcomes
Libo TANG ; Yuhao WANG ; Zihan JIN ; Yurong GU ; Zhaofeng ZENG ; Linnan SONG ; Xuan YI ; Lingtao ZHANG ; Yujing ZHANG ; Weiying HE ; Liping WANG ; Weixin HE ; Jianru SUN ; Xiaoqin LAN ; Xiangyong LI ; Shihong ZHONG ; Yongyin LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):683-705
Background/Aims:
Natural killer (NK) cell function is generally considered dampened in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; however, the NK cell pool exhibits phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and the antibody--mediated effect of NK cells remains less characterized. This study evaluated the dynamic changes in antibody-mediated NK cell responses and the involvement of distinct NK subsets across disease stages and during antiviral treatment.
Methods:
A T-cell receptor-like antibody specific for the HBV core 18–27 peptide (cTCRL-Ab) was used to determine the antibody-mediated effect of NK cells, and an array of NK cell surface markers were analyzed in cross-sectional and longitudinal cohorts of patients with chronic HBV infection. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify the heterogeneity of NK subsets.
Results:
The cTCRL-Ab enabled the detection of NK cell cytolytic activity and IFNγ production. Notably, cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell responses were compromised in chronically HBV-infected patients, particularly in those receiving pegylated interferon-α (Peg-IFNα), which was associated with the downregulation of CD16 expression. Correspondingly, Peg-IFNα inhibited cTCRL-Ab-mediated NK cell function by reducing CD16 expression in vitro. scRNA-seq revealed that CD16 downregulation occurred mainly within a dysfunctional CD16hi NK subset exhibiting exhaustion properties. In contrast, an activated CD16hiNK subpopulation (CX3CR1⁺KLRC2–CD16hi) with high cytotoxicity was enriched in patients who experienced favorable treatment responses. Furthermore, the intrahepatic CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hi subset tended to exhibit functional restoration in HBsAg-loss individuals.
Conclusions
Our data contribute to the understanding of antibody-mediated responses of NK cells in chronic HBV infection, and highlight a previously unappreciated functional CX3CR1+KLRC2–CD16hiNK subset as a potential therapeutic target.
6.Isolation, Identification and Biological Characteristics Analysis of Citrobacter freundii from Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca fascicularis)
Heling LI ; Ziyao QIAN ; Gangmin QIN ; Debing JIANG ; Yanqiong ZHANG ; Wenzheng JIN ; Hong WANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(3):367-377
ObjectiveIdentification and analysis, animal regression test, and drug susceptibility study were conducted on a pathogenic strain causing diarrhea in cynomolgus monkeys, aiming to provide a practical basis for the clinical treatment of Citrobacter freundii. MethodsFresh fecal samples were collected from nine diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys and streaked on Salmonella-Shigella (SS) medium, LB medium, and Columbia blood agar medium, and incubated at 37 ℃ for 24 h. Subsequently, the isolated strain was identified by colony morphology observation, Gram staining, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and PCR was used to detect its major virulence genes. After propagation, the isolate was intragastrically administered to healthy cynomolgus monkeys and C57BL/6 mice for animal regression tests to evaluate its pathogenicity. Finally, the disk-diffusion method was used to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolate. ResultsA single bacterial strain, designated MF071743, was isolated from 9 fecal samples collected from diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys. The isolate formed pink, smooth, round colonies on SS medium; translucent, smooth, moist, shiny colonies with neat edges on LB medium; and smooth, moist, off-white colonies on Columbia blood agar medium. Gram staining revealed that the isolate was a Gram-negative, spore-free short bacillus. Biochemical tests showed that the isolate was positive for motility test, mannitol test, hydrogen sulfide test, methyl red test, citrate utilization test, gas production from glucose test, raffinose test, sorbitol test, and D-xylose test, but negative for phenylalanine test, gluconate test, indole test, Voges Proskauer (VP) test, urease test, lysine test, ornithine test, and adonitol test. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the gene sequence similarity between strain MF071743 and Citrobacter freundii was 99.0%. PCR results showed that this strain carries genes encoding the urease accessory proteins UreD, UreE, and UreF. Animal intragastric administration assays demonstrated that the strain caused loose stools in cynomolgus monkeys, and all C57BL/6 mice died within 72 h. Drug susceptibility test results indicated that the isolate was sensitive to 16 antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, amikacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, and levofloxacin, while it exhibited resistance to 5 antibiotics, including ampicillin, cefazolin, vancomycin, erythromycin, and cephalexin. ConclusionA strain of Citrobacter freundii with certain drug resistance was isolated from the feces of diarrheal cynomolgus monkeys. The results of this study provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in captive laboratory monkeys.
7.Prediction factors of dual-task gait function improvement through short-term aerobic training in patients with Parkinson's disease
Yang JIAO ; Xinru HU ; Weijia HOU ; Yue WANG ; Jin WANG ; Yang YU ; Zhizhong ZHU ; Ying DONG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(6):699-707
ObjectiveTo construct a prediction model for high responsiveness to short-term aerobic training in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) based on dual-task gait assessment, and to provide evidence for identifying individuals who are most likely to benefit from such interventions. MethodsA total of 42 patients with PD who visited the outpatient clinic of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between August 29, 2023 and December 19, 2024 were enrolled. All participants completed a 4-week home-based aerobic cycling training program and underwent dual-task gait assessments pre- and post-training. Patients were classified into high-response group (n = 12) and low-response group (n = 30) according to whether the improvement in gait speed reached the minimal clinically important difference of 0.1 m/s. The clinical validity of this grouping was verified by comparing differences in cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters and dual-task gait indicators between the two groups pre- and post-training. Based on baseline characteristics, Firth's penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression was applied to construct a predictive model for high responsiveness, and the discriminative performance of the model was assessed preliminarily. ResultsThe high-response group showed significantly greater improvement in gait speed, step length, cadence and the anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake ratio after training compared with the low-response group (P < 0.05), confirming the clinical validity of the grouping. The baseline anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake ratio (OR = 3.348), body mass index (OR = 2.229) and age (OR = 0.428) demonstrated certain discriminative ability in the present sample. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.831, with an overall prediction accuracy of 81.0%, specificity of 83.3% and sensitivity of 75.0%. Robustness of the model was confirmed via internal validation using the Bootstrap method, which suggested that the results were informative, but further validation was still required. ConclusionThe anaerobic threshold/maximal oxygen uptake ratio, body mass index and age may predict the response to short-term aerobic training in patients with PD.
8.Innovative Development and Cutting-edge Applications of Split Intein Technology
Jin-Qiu GAN ; Xiang-Yu DENG ; Xin-Yan WANG ; Jia-Bin LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1520-1540
Inteins are unique protein insertion sequences capable of self-excision, enabling the covalent ligation of flanking extein peptides via amide bond formation. This process proceeds spontaneously without requiring external enzymes, cofactors, or chemical reagents, granting inteins exceptional biocompatibility and traceless performance in protein engineering applications. Split inteins represent a specialized and versatile subclass whose splicing domains are encoded by two separate gene fragments rather than a single continuous open reading frame. These fragments, known as the N-terminal (IntN) and C-terminal (IntC) split inteins, associate through non-covalent interactions including hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces to assemble into an active three-dimensional structure, which then drives efficient extein ligation and enables protein trans-splicing. Protein trans-splicing mediated by split inteins has become a cornerstone for traceless protein ligation owing to its high specificity and irreversibility, fundamentally reshaping strategies for protein modification, assembly, and functional regulation. Compared with traditional chemical ligation methods, split intein systems require no complex chemical derivatization of peptide fragments and can operate efficiently at micromolar concentrations under physiological conditions, thus avoiding structural and functional damage caused by organic reagents. In contrast to enzymatic ligation tools such as sortase, split inteins eliminate the need for additional enzymes or cofactors, simplifying reaction systems, reducing costs, and minimizing non-specific side products. These distinctive advantages render split inteins highly promising for applications in chemical biology, synthetic biology, and biopharmaceutical development. In recent years, deepened mechanistic understanding has established structure-guided rational design as the primary approach to overcoming key limitations of split inteins, including intrinsic aggregation propensity, strict extein sequence dependence, and limited splicing efficiency. Bioinformatic tools have been used to identify aggregation-prone regions in the IntN fragment, and site-directed mutagenesis of hydrophobic residues, relocation of split sites, or removal of misfolding-prone sequences has substantially reduced in vitro aggregation and improved soluble expression and assembly activity. Rational engineering of catalytic residues and adjacent flexible loops has relaxed strict amino acid preferences at extein junctions, enhancing sequence tolerance and reducing the risk of functional impairment in target proteins. Consensus design based on multiple sequence alignments has yielded ultra-fast splicing variants such as Cfa DnaE and Cat-TerL, which exhibit significantly accelerated kinetics and improved tolerance to denaturing conditions. Meanwhile, advances in structural biology have further clarified the conformational dynamics and catalytic mechanisms of splicing, supporting the precise design of high-performance intein modules. On this basis, electrostatic interaction tuning and metagenomic screening have yielded multiple mutually orthogonal split intein pairs, enabling selective multi-fragment protein ligation and providing new routes for the efficient synthesis of large multi-domain functional proteins. With these engineered split inteins offering continuously improved performance and expanded applicability, protein trans-splicing has been widely applied in numerous cutting-edge areas of protein research and biomedicine. In gene delivery, split intein-based systems overcome the packaging limit of adeno-associated viral vectors, enabling the accurate reconstitution of large therapeutic proteins and base editors in target cells, thereby enhancing the efficacy and scope of gene therapy for genetic diseases. In internal protein sequence editing, split inteins mediate precise sequence replacement and modification in flexible regions or loops of target proteins, without the need for complex multi-step ligation and protein refolding involved in traditional protein semisynthesis. In protein-protein interaction studies, intein-mediated splicing covalently captures transient and weak intracellular complexes, enabling sensitive, high-throughput interaction detection and drug screening. In synthetic biology, conditionally controllable splicing systems support the construction of diverse intracellular and cell-surface biological logic gates for the precise regulation of cellular behavior. In mechanistic biochemical research, split inteins enable photocatalytic proximity labeling and site-specific tagging, allowing the preparation of homogeneous protein samples carrying precise post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and polyglutamylation for chromatin interactome analysis and epigenetic studies. Moreover, covalent trapping strategies using split inteins stabilize transient enzymatic intermediates, providing unprecedented insights into molecular mechanisms such as nucleosome ubiquitination that are difficult to elucidate using conventional methods. This review systematically summarizes key technological advances in split inteins over the past decade, highlighting engineering strategies, mechanistic insights, and the development of orthogonal components. It comprehensively surveys emerging applications at the frontiers of protein research, analyzes current core challenges, and proposes future directions, particularly emphasizing artificial intelligence-driven de novo design and novel splicing pathways to break existing technical bottlenecks. By enabling traceless, efficient, and versatile protein manipulation, split inteins continue to serve as indispensable tools that drive innovation in protein engineering and fundamental life science research.
9.Comparison of professional competency between full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in Shanghai
Jin WANG ; Liang ZHANG ; Ying LYU ; Kun ZHANG ; Yanting WANG ; Xiaodong GAO ; Qingfeng SHI ; Yizhou JIANG
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):245-250
ObjectiveTo investigate the current professional competency among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in Shanghai, so as to provide a scientific basis for future training programmes. MethodsIn December 2024, a questionnaire survey was conducted by the Shanghai Nosocomial Infection Quality Control Center among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration across medical institutions at various levels and types in Shanghai using convenience sampling method. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic information and professional competency assessment. The professional competency scale comprised four dimensions: fundamental cognition, basic skills, professional expertise, and personal qualities, totaling 35 items. ResultsA total of 1 179 questionnaires were distributed, with 1 144 valid responses collected, yielding an effective response rate of 97.03%. Statistically significant differences were observed among full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in terms of age (t=5.32, P=0.021), professional background (χ2=9.90, P=0.019), educational qualifications (χ2=19.10, P<0.001), professional titles (χ2=12.60, P=0.002), and the levels of medical institutions (χ2=111.08, P<0.001). The scores of full-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in fundamental cognition [92 (82, 99) points] and basic skills [88 (78, 96) points] were significantly higher than those of part-time personnel(Z=-2.21, P=0.027;Z=-2.74, P=0.006). Statistically significant differences were found in fundamental cognition scores between full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration regarding occupational safety protection, definition of healthcare-associated infection outbreaks, types of drug-resistant bacteria and their prevention and control strategies, and transmission routes of different infectious diseases (all P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were also observed in basic skills scores including proficient use of monitoring platforms, formulation and revision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), independent completion of targeted surveillance, guidance on basic infection control skills, guidance for key departments, and follow-up of personnel with occupational exposure (all P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found in scores of professional knowledge and personal qualities (P>0.05). ConclusionThere are certain differences in professional competency between full-time and part-time personnel of the nosocomial infection control administration in Shanghai in terms of fundamental cognition and basic skills. Part-time personnel can effectively improve their professional competency through systematic training on basic infection control knowledge and practical skills, thereby comprehensively enhancing the overall quality of the nosocomial infection administration team.
10.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.


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