1.Unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion reduces paravertebral muscle atrophy and enhances recovery compared with Wiltse-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in lumbar degenerative disease: a retrospective study in a Chinese cohort
Chong CHEN ; Jing ZHUANG ; Xiang LONG ; Xingchen ZHAO ; Jun OUYANG ; Jianxiong ZHUANG ; Shuaihao HUANG ; Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yunbing CHANG ; Dong YIN ; Yongxiong HUANG
Asian Spine Journal 2026;20(2):232-243
Methods:
Fifty patients who underwent UBE-TLIF and 50 patients who underwent W-TLIF, each with >2 years of follow-up, were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes included operative parameters, time to postoperative mobilization, paravertebral muscle atrophy and fat infiltration rates, clinical scores (Visual Analog Scale [VAS], Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Japanese Orthopaedic Association [JOA]), modified Macnab criteria, fusion rates, and complications.
Results:
Compared with W-TLIF, the UBE-TLIF group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss, shorter operative times, and lower postoperative drainage volumes (p <0.05). The UBE-TLIF group showed faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stays. At 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, W-TLIF patients had higher multifidus and erector spinae atrophy, and greater paravertebral muscle fat infiltration (p <0.05). The UBE-TLIF group also had lower VAS and ODI scores at 1 year and 2 years (p <0.05) and fewer surgical complications (6% vs. 10%). Fusion rates (94% vs. 92%) and modified Macnab outcomes (88% vs. 86%) were comparable (p >0.05).
Conclusions
UBE-TLIF is associated with reduced intraoperative trauma, quicker recovery, and fewer complications. In the long-term, it better preserves paravertebral muscle integrity and provides superior pain and functional outcomes.
2.Molecular mechanism and therapeutic strategies of necrotic apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease
Zhi-Cheng LU ; Li-Na TANG ; Sheng-Long MO ; Cheng-Min YANG ; Chong-Dong JIAN ; Jing-Wei SHANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(2):239-247
This review delves into the pivotal role of necrotic apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease(AD),with a focus on treatment strategies,drug development,prospects,and challenges,highlighting its significance in the progression of the disease.Firstly,necrotic apoptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD,particularly in association with the abnormal metabolism of β-amyloid(Aβ)and Tau proteins.The primary focus of drug design is to regulate the metabolism pathways of these two proteins to slow down or inhibit the progression of necrotic apoptosis.Secondly,the progress in drug development further emphasizes the importance of necrotic apoptosis in treating AD.Current research mainly focuses on drugs that affect the metabolism of Aβ and Tau proteins,such as lecanemab.Still,inconsistent result underscore the necessity for a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of necrotic apoptosis.Finally,the prospects and challenges of necrotic apoptosis research in AD are thoroughly discussed.A deeper understanding of necrotic apoptosis contributes to a better comprehension of the pathological mechanisms of AD but also may reveal new therapeutic targets.However,challenges such as multifactorial influences and the selection of treatment timing necessitate further in-depth research in the future.In conclusion,this review advocates for future research to deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of necrotic apoptosis,enhance research on treatment strategies,gain a deeper understanding of its cross-regulation with other cell death pathways,and promote collaboration between basic research and clinical practice to advance the comprehensive understanding and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and necrotic apoptosis.
3.Application of Forensic Transcriptomics in the Identification of Tissue Origin of Body Fluid Stains
Yi-Fan BAI ; He-Miao ZHAO ; Jing CHEN ; Hong-Di LIU ; Rui-Qin YANG ; Chong WANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(3):260-266
The inference of tissue origin of body fluid stains is crucial for case investigation and court proceedings.However,traditional methods for identification of body fluid stains,such as morpho-logical,chemical,and immunoassay identifications have certain limitations,and there is an urgent need for more efficient methods for confirmatory experiments.In recent years,the rapid development of tran-scriptomics technology has provided new means for the identification of tissue origin of body fluid stains.Different types of RNA in the transcriptome have their own advantages.This paper elaborates in detail on the application of different types of RNA,such as mRNA,miRNA,circRNA,lncRNA,piRNA and microbial transcriptomics in body fluid identification,and summarizes their respective ad-vantages and limitations,in order to provide a reference for related research.
4.Research on The Construction and Application of Multiple Fluorescence Amplification System for Three Kinds of Stains
Yi-Fan BAI ; He-Miao ZHAO ; Jing CHEN ; Hong-Di LIU ; Rui-Qin YANG ; Chong WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):982-994
ObjectiveA multiplex amplification system was constructed based on the capillary electrophoresis platform for simultaneous detection of saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions using tissue-specific RNA markers. The aim of this study is to identify the tissue origin of suspicious body fluid stains found at crime scenes and determine whether the body fluid stains at the crime scene are one or several types among saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. MethodsThirty saliva samples, forty semen samples, and forty vaginal secretion samples (half from 2015 and half from 2024) were collected from healthy adult volunteers. Through primer designing, system formulation, and PCR condition optimization, a multiplex fluorescent amplification system was constructed. The specificity, sensitivity, and detection ability for mixed samples of this system were investigated, and it was tested using real crime scene materials. In the primer design stage, to reduce the requirements for RNA template quality, the amplification products were set within 80-300 bp. In the system formulation stage, dominant and subordinate primers were mainly considered. By reducing the concentration of dominant primers and increasing that of subordinate primers, a capillary electrophoresis spectrum with an appropriate peak height ratio was finally obtained. Additionally, gradient experiments were designed to adjust the concentrations of PCR reagents and PCR amplification conditions, and multiple versions of DNA amplification enzymes were optimized to achieve the best experimental results. ResultsThrough statistical analysis, there was no significant difference in the capillary electrophoresis of the 3 types of body fluid samples from the two years (2015 and 2024), demonstrating that the sample preservation method in this study can preserve samples for a relatively long time. The composite amplification system constructed in this study exhibited high specificity for all 3 types of body fluid, with no cross-reactions between the markers of each type of body fluid. The minimum detection thresholds for the 3 types of body fluid reached 0.002 9, 0.001 5, and 0.42 mg/L, respectively. This system also had a high degree of discrimination for mixed samples, especially for semen-saliva mixtures, where each body fluid marker could still be successfully detected when the concentration ratio of semen to saliva was 100:1. Meanwhile, in the two actual cases presented in this article, the application of this composite amplification system performed outstandingly. ConclusionThe composite amplification detection system constructed in this study can achieve the correct screening of saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions, overcoming the problems such as low specificity and sensitivity of marker tests and unbalanced RFU values of each marker in previous studies. The specificity and sensitivity meet the practical work requirements, and the operation is simple. It provides an analytical and identification method for body fluid stains in actual case and is applicable to the identification of the tissue origin of biological evidence at crime scenes involving sexual assault, indecent assault, and other criminal acts. In the future, more types of body fluid markers will be screened to expand the types of body fluids detected by the system, and body fluid-specific cSNP and cInDel genetic markers will be introduced to infer the sources (individuals and types) of mixed and complex stains more accurately.
5.Short-term Effects of Fine Particulate Matter and its Constituents on Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: A Time-stratified Case-crossover Study.
Jing Wei ZHANG ; Jian ZHANG ; Peng Fei LI ; Yan Dan XU ; Xue Song ZHOU ; Xiu Li TANG ; Jia QIU ; Zhong Ao DING ; Ming Jia XU ; Chong Jian WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):389-393
6.Independent and Interactive Effects of Air Pollutants, Meteorological Factors, and Green Space on Tuberculosis Incidence in Shanghai.
Qi YE ; Jing CHEN ; Ya Ting JI ; Xiao Yu LU ; Jia le DENG ; Nan LI ; Wei WEI ; Ren Jie HOU ; Zhi Yuan LI ; Jian Bang XIANG ; Xu GAO ; Xin SHEN ; Chong Guang YANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):792-809
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases.
METHODS:
TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases.
RESULTS:
Increased TB risk was linked to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall, whereas NO 2, SO 2, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM 2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM 10 ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO 2 ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO 2 ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM 2.5 on TB.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to PM 2.5, PM 10, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology*
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Humans
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Air Pollutants/analysis*
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Tuberculosis/epidemiology*
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Incidence
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Meteorological Concepts
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Particulate Matter/adverse effects*
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Environmental Exposure
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Male
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Female
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Adult
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Air Pollution
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Middle Aged
7.Pathophysiological Evolution and Syndrome-Based Stratified Treatment of Qi Deficiency with Stagnation in Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression
Jing LONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Wenbo HUANG ; Feng YU ; Yifang JIANG ; Zhuoling DAI ; Chong XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1109-1113
The concept of "qi deficiency with stagnation" refers to a pathological state characterized by the depletion of primordial qi, impaired qi transformation, and the development of internal stagnation. Under the cyclic chemotherapy regimen in oncology, chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression follows a progressive pathological course from qi deficiency to increasing stagnation. This sequential evolution from mild to severe myelosuppression closely aligns with the dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment framework of "qi deficiency with stagnation". "Qi deficiency" reflects the gradual depletion of qi, blood, and essence, while "stagnation" refers to the accumulation of phlegm, turbid dampness, and blood stasis. These two components interact reciprocally, forming a vicious cycle where deficiency leads to stagnation, and stagnation further damages the healthy qi. In the early stage of mild myelosuppression, chemotoxicity begins to accumulate in the bone marrow, leading to qi consumption, blood deficiency, yin injury, and the gradual formation of turbid phlegm and damp stagnation. In the advanced stage of severe myelosuppression, the accumulation of toxicity causes qi sinking, exhaustion of essence, and marrow depletion, along with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. Treatment strategies should be based on syndrome differentiation, with an emphasis on assessing the severity of the condition, balancing deficiency and excess, and achieving both symptomatic relief and root cause resolution.
8.Efficacy and safety of BTX-A in alleviating postoperative pain and reducing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery
Chong JING ; Xiaopeng WANG ; Zhenggang XIAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(2):167-171
Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of type A botulinum toxin (BTX-A) in alleviating pain and reducing capsular contracture after breast augmentation surgery.Methods:This single-center, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial included 212 female patients who underwent breast augmentation surgery at Changsha YaMei Medical Cosmetic Hospital from May 2020 to January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether BTX-A was injected into the pectoralis major during the augmentation: 106 in the BTX-A group, with an average age of (33.1±3.8) years; and 106 in the control group, with an average age of (33.3±3.5) years. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain on days 1, 3 and 7 post-operation. After two years of follow-up, the postoperative VAS scores, duration of pain, rates of capsular contracture, and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:One case was lost to follow-up in each group. On postoperative days 1 and 3, the VAS scores of the BTX-A group were (3.93±1.77) and (5.35±2.04) scores, respectively, lower than those of the control group, which were (5.93±2.17) and (7.34±1.75) scores (both P<0.001). On day 7, the scores were (1.96±1.71) and (2.26±1.90) scores, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.225). The pain severity in both groups showed a trend of initial increase followed by a decrease, with a significant difference ( P<0.001). The duration of pain in the BTX-A group was (2.6±1.8) days, shorter than that in the control group (4.9±2.1) days, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). The rate of capsular contracture in the BTX-A group was 0.95% (1/105), compared to 1.90% (2/105) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=1.000). The incidence of adverse reactions was 11.32% (12/106) in the BTX-A group and 10.38% (11/106) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.825). There were no severe adverse reactions such as respiratory or cardiovascular events or deaths in either group. Conclusion:BTX-A can alleviate pain after breast augmentation surgery with high safety. However, it does not have a significant advantage in preventing capsular contracture.
9.Research on the mechanism of Sini Powder regulating the HPA axis and inflammatory levels to ameliorate depression-like behaviors and inhibiting tumor proliferation in liver cancer
Xiaojun CAI ; Yuwei SONG ; Renyi YANG ; Chengjing HU ; Hua LIU ; Chong ZHONG ; Jing LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(11):1507-1518
Objective To investigate the effects of Sini Powder on serum hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis-related hormones and inflammatory factors in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression,and to evaluate its effect on depressive behavior and tumor proliferation activity.Methods Forty-eight specific pathogen-free female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to either a blank(n=8)or model group(n=40).The modeling group was subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)for six weeks.Both groups underwent orthotopically transplanted liver tumor surgery at the end of the fourth week of CUMS treatment.At the end of the sixth week of CUMS treatment,color Doppler ultrasonography was used to observe tumor formation in the orthotopic transplantation liver tumors,and the tail suspension test was used to assess depressive behavior.Non-tumor-bearing and deceased mice were excluded.The remaining model group mice were stratified by tail suspension immobility time and randomly assigned to the following groups:model group(distilled water),Fluoxetine group(5.0 mg/kg),and Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups(5.2,10.4,and 20.8 g/kg,respectively),with six mice per group.The treatments were administered once daily for 21 consecutive days.After treatment,depressive behaviors were assessed using the open field,tail suspension,and forced swimming tests.The proliferation status of the orthotopic liver transplantation tumor was evaluated by measuring the size of the tumor,observing pathological changes in the tumor tissue through hematoxylin and eosin staining,and detecting the positive cell rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(Ki-67)in the tumor tissue using immunohistochemistry.The levels of HPA axis-related hormones in serum,such as corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticosterone(CORT),as well as inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-6(IL-6)were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Western blotting was used to assess mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPKs)phosphorylation and the expression of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing receptor 3(NLRP3),and cysteine aspartic protease-1(Caspase-1)in orthotopic tumors.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group showed reduced total distance traveled in open field test,prolonged immobility times in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests(P<0.05,P<0.01),indicating successful establishment of the liver cancer with comorbid depression mice model.Also,the model group showed increased orthotopic tumor volume(P<0.01),and elevated serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.01).The phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),while NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Sini Powder medium-and high-dose groups exhibited increased total distance traveled in the open field test(P<0.05),reduced forced swimming test and prolonged total distance traveled in open field test(P<0.01),while Sini Powder high-dose group showed reduced immobility times in the tail suspension test(P<0.05).Also,Sini Powder low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups showed slower tumor growth,histological changes,including vacuolization and necrosis,decreased Ki-67 positive cell rate(P<0.01),and reduced serum CRH,ACTH,CORT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels(P<0.05).Additionally,the phosphorylation of MAPKs in tumor tissues was suppressed(P<0.01),and NF-κB,NLRP3,and caspase-1 expression levels were downregulated(P<0.01).Conclusion Sini Powder may alleviate depressive behaviors and suppress tumor proliferation activity in liver cancer mice with comorbid depression by modulating MAPKs activation,inhibiting NF-κB,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 expressions,and reducing serum inflammatory factors and HPA axis-related hormones levels.
10.CHK1 attenuates cardiac senescence of mice through activating Rap1/Nox4 mediated oxidative stress homeostasis
Peng JING ; Liuhua ZHOU ; Yixi CHEN ; Lingfeng GU ; Chong DU ; Tongtong YANG ; Shuxuan CHEN ; Hao WANG ; Liansheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(12):1411-1421
Objective:To investigate the biological role and molecular mechanism of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) in delaying cardiac aging in mice.Methods:In vitro, a senescence model of H9C2 cells (a cardiomyocyte line) was induced using H 2O 2. A control group (without H 2O 2 treatment) and three H 2O 2-treated groups (at concentrations of 10, 30, and 50 μmol/L) were set up. The CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the proliferative activity of cells in each group; Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression level of CHK1; and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to determine the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of P16 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In vivo, C57BL/6 wild-type mice aged 2 months ( n=15) and 24 months ( n=40), as well as myocardial-specific CHK1-overexpressing (CHK1-TG) mice aged 2 months ( n=15) and 24 months ( n=40), were selected. The mice were divided into four groups based on age and genotype: 2-month-old wild-type (WT-2M), 24-month-old wild-type (WT-24M), 2-month-old CHK1-TG (CHK1-TG-2M), and 24-month-old CHK1-TG (CHK1-TG-24M). Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function of mice in the WT-24M and CHK1-TG-24M groups. Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the protein expression levels of CHK1, total Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1), NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), and Rap1-guanosine triphosphate (Rap1-GTP, the active form of Rap1) in the cardiac tissue of mice in each group. qRT-PCR was used to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of CHK1, collagen type Ⅰ (Coll1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (Mmp2), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), P53, P21, P16, thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), glutathione recluctase (GR), Rap1, and Nox4. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to determine the protein expression levels of P53, P21, and P16, as well as the proportion of histone H2AX phosphorylation-positive cells. Dihydroethidium (DHE) staining was used to detect the relative intensity of DHE. Wheat germ agglutinin staining, HE staining, Masson staining and Sirius red staining were applied to measure the cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, cardiac morphology, and myocardial fibrosis area. Mice in the WT-24M and CHK1-TG-24M groups were intraperitoneally injected with the Rap1 activity inhibitor GGTI298 (25 μmol/kg). After injection, the oxidative stress damage in the cardiac tissue of the mice was detected, along with the mRNA expression levels of fibrosis-related indicators (Coll1, Mmp2, and α-SMA) and cell cycle inhibitory proteins (P16, P21, and P53). Results:A concentration of 30 μmol/L was determined as the optimal concentration for establishing an H 2O 2-induced senescence model of myocardial cells in vitro. The expression level of CHK1 in H9C2 cells of the 30 μmol/L H 2O 2 group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Echocardiographic examination showed that the left ventricular ejection fraction ((61.08±1.13)% vs. (52.55±2.02)%) and fractional shortening ((31.80±1.27)% vs. (25.18±1.59)%) of mice in the CHK1-TG-24M group were higher than those in the WT-24M group (both P<0.05). qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that, compared with the WT-24M group, mice in CHK1-TG-24M group had higher expression levels of CHK1 and its mRNA, lower expression levels of Nox4 and its mRNA, and higher expression level of Rap1-guanosine triphosphate (Rap1-GTP) (all P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the total expression level of Rap1 and its mRNA between the two groups (both P>0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of Coll1, Mmp2, and α-SMA in myocardial tissue of mice in the CHK1-TG-24M group were lower than those in the WT-24M group (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expression levels of P53, P21, and P16 proteins, as well as the proportion of phosphorylated histone H2AX-positive cells in myocardial tissue of mice in the WT-24M group were higher than those in the CHK1-TG-24M group (all P<0.05). qRT-PCR further confirmed that the mRNA expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins in cardiac tissue of mice in the WT-24M group were higher than those in the CHK1-TG-24M group (all P<0.05). DHE staining results indicated that the relative intensity of DHE in cardiac tissue of mice in the CHK1-TG-24M group was lower than that in the WT-24M group ( P<0.05). Meanwhile, the left ventricular internal diameter, cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and myocardial fibrosis area of mice in the CHK1-TG-24M group were all smaller than those in the WT-24M group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the degree of DNA damage in cardiac tissue as well as the mRNA levels of fibrosis-related indicators (Coll1, Mmp2, and α-SMA) and cell cycle inhibitory proteins (P53, P21, P16) in mice of the WT-24M+GGTI298 group were higher than those in the WT-24M group and the CHK1-TG-24M+GGTI298 group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:CHK1 alleviates oxidative stress-induced damage in mouse cardiomyocytes by activating the Rap1/Nox4 signaling pathway, thereby delaying cardiac aging in mice.

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