1.Acute Inflammatory Pain Induces Sex-different Brain Alpha Activity in Anesthetized Rats Through Optically Pumped Magnetometer Magnetoencephalography
Meng-Meng MIAO ; Yu-Xuan REN ; Wen-Wei WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Chen PAN ; Xiang-Hong LIN ; Hui-Dan LIN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):244-257
ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.
2.Characteristic Analysis of Effective Components and Compounds of TCM for Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer Based on Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting
Haoyang WANG ; Lin GUO ; Hui ZHAO ; Lihua CAO ; Na LI ; Mingsan MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):282-290
Breast cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with a complex mechanism, and its morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year, which seriously threatens women's health. At present, the main clinical treatments are surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and drug therapy, but they are often accompanied by side effects and adverse reactions, which affect the therapeutic effect. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multi-component and multi-target treatment in the fight against breast cancer. The wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the classic pathways in cancer research. Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibits β-catenin degradation by blocking the formation of Axin/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/adenomatous polyposis coli complex, thus promoting β-catenin nuclear metastasis, and it binds to T cell transcription factor/lymphoenhancer factor-1 to initiate downstream target genes and further interfere with the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells to affect the tumor process. Previous studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds can mediate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit the malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells, thus playing an anti-breast cancer role, and the biochemical process involved in the regulation of therapeutic drugs has not been systematically combed. By analyzing and collating Chinese and foreign literature at the present stage, this paper discussed the association mechanism between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and breast cancer and analyzed the internal mechanism of TCM monomers and compounds in mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to exert anti-breast cancer effect. The statistical results showed that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids in TCM monomers could target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and block the further development of malignant phenotype of breast cancer cells. TCM compounds with functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and tonifying kidney and liver were commonly used to intervene in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to prevent breast cancer. Compared with the current inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the application of TCM monomers and compounds is expected to bring low-toxicity and high-efficiency breast cancer treatment drugs to the clinical practice, and the existing results provide a reference for the subsequent screening, research, and development of TCM small-molecule compounds and TCM compounds against breast cancer.
3.Research progress on pathogenesis and exercise intervention of adolescent with upper cross syndrome
YIN Ding, WANG Hui, ZHAI Suo, CHEN Miao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):144-147
Abstract
Upper cross syndrome (UCS) is an abnormal body posture phenomenon. The detection rate of UCS in adolescents is high in China, which has become a serious public health problem threatening the health of adolescents. Exercise therapy has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of UCS.The article reviews the pathological mechanisms of muscle imbalance, muscle interaction inhibition, and neural control related to the occurrence and development of UCS both domestically and internationally in recent years.And it elucidates the effects and corresponding mechanisms of exercise interventions such as gentle exercise, stretching exercise and physical function training on UCS, so as to provide help for the correction of UCS.
4.Assoication between 24 hour activity time allocation and active health levels among college students in Yinchuan City
CHEN Miao, ZHAI Suo, DING Wenqing, YIN Ding
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(7):950-955
Objective:
To explore the potential classification of 24 hour activity time allocation among college students in Yinchuan and its association with active health levels, so as to provide references for optimizing activity time allocation to enhance active health levels.
Methods:
From November 18 to December 6, 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 422 first and second year college students from full time undergraduate institutions in Yinchuan. The Chinese College Students 24 hour Movement Behaviors Questionnaire (24 h MBQ) and Active Health Behavior Scale were used to assess 24 hour activity time allocation and evaluate active health levels. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to categorize activity types, and a binary Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between active health levels and activity types.
Results:
A total of 1 087 students (44.9%) were found of meeting active health standards, and significant statistical differences were found in active health levels across different genders, grades, academic qualities, sources of origin and academic categories ( χ 2= 22.03 , 7.65, 25.50, 10.12, 43.44, all P <0.01). Moreover, significant statistical differences could also be found among college students 24 hour activity time across different genders, ages, grades, sources of origin, academic qualities, and academic categories ( t/Z/H/F=-5.70-111.39, P <0.05).The 24 hour activity time allocation was classified into four types:academic high ( 6.9 %), low activity rest (8.8%), light activity (67.8%), and high activity dynamic (16.4%). Significant statistical differences were observed in activity time allocation categories across different ages, academic qualities and academic categories ( χ 2=15.52-108.46, all P <0.05). Using the high activity dynamic type as a reference, the light activity type ( OR=0.39, 95%CI =0.31-0.50), low activity rest type ( OR=0.10, 95%CI =0.06-0.15), and academic high type ( OR=0.03, 95%CI =0.02-0.07) had lower active health levels among college students (all P <0.01).
Conclusion
There is a significant difference in 24 hour activity time allocation among college students in Yinchuan, and different activity types are associated with active health levels.
5.Molecular biological characterization analysis of tick-borne encephalitis virus strain adapted to primary hamster kidney cells
Chinese Journal of Biologicals 2025;38(10):1168-1174
Objective To analyze the molecular biological characteristics of tick-borne encephalitis virus(TBEV) strain adapted to primary hamster kidney(PHK) cells, and evaluate the genetic stability, so as to provide a basis for the screening of vaccine candidate strains.Methods The mouse brain-adapted TBEV original “Senzhang” strain was adapted on PHK cells for 10 generations(PT-1 to PT-10), and animals' method was used to determine the virus titers of each generation. The E protein gene of PT-1 to PT-10 passages and the whole genomes of PT-1, 3, 4, 7 and 10 passages were amplified and sequenced. Bioinformatics software was used for sequence alignment, homology analysis and E protein structure prediction.Results The virus titer of TBEV was stable at(8. 89 ± 0. 07) lgLD_(50)/mL after adaptation to PHK cells. The genome full length of TBEV strain adapted to PHK cells was 10 782 bp, encoding 3 414 amino acids. The length of E protein gene was 1 488 bp,encoding 496 amino acids. Compared to the original strain, the TBEV adapted to PHK cells exhibited four amino acid mutations at specific sites: E-203 from aspartic acid to alanine at PT-8, PT-9 and PT-10 generation, NS2A-163 from glutamine to lysine at PT-3 and PT-4 generations, NS4B-110 from isoleucine to phenylalanine at PT-3 and PT-4 generations, and NS4 B-40 from tryptophan to arginine at PT-4 generation. The amino acid sequence identity between the PHK cell-adapted TBEV strain and the original mouse brain TBEV stain was 99. 99%, and the simulated tertiary structure of E protein, the theoretical number and position of transmembrane domains as well as the secondary structure of the viral polyprotein were completely consistent.In addition, the virus showed the highest homology with the representative strain of the Far Eastern subtype.Conclusion “Senzhang” strain of TBEV demonstrates good genetic stability after adaptation to PHK cells with conserved key antigen structure,and is expected to serve as a TBEV vaccine candidate strain.
6.Hedysari Radix Polysaccharide Regulates Apoptosis of Smooth Muscle Cells in Gastric Antrum of Rat Model of Diabetic Gastroparesis via IGF-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Linlin MIAO ; Shengfang WAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Rongke LI ; Zhaohui WEI ; Xiaoli ZHU ; Hui AN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(1):130-139
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide on the apoptosis of gastric sinus smooth muscle cells and explore the underlying mechanism via the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt) pathway in the rat model of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). MethodSixty-two Wistar male rats were randomized into a blank group (n=12) and a modelling group (n=50). The rat model of DGP was established by small-dose multiple intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin combined with an irregular high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks. The modeled rats were randomized into model group, mosapride citrate (1.35 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (200, 100, and 50 mg·kg-1, respectively) Hedysari Radix polysaccharide groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the blank and model groups with equal volumes of pure water by gavage once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. The random blood glucose and body mass were measured every 2 weeks, and gastric emptying rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of smooth muscle in gastric antrum, and terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to detect the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum. The expression of IGF-1, phosphorylated (p)-PI3K, and p-Akt in the smooth muscle of gastric sinus tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of IGF-1, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the smooth muscle of the gastric antrum. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated random blood glucose at all time points (P<0.01), decreased body mass and gastric emptying rate (P<0.01), increased apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum (P<0.01), down-regulated protein levels of IGF-1, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2, and up-regulated protein level of Bax (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the 8 weeks of drug administration lowered the random blood glucose, increased the body mass and gastric emptying rate (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2, and down-regulated the protein level of Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the mosapride citrate group,the administration of low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide for 6 and 8 weeks lowered the random blood glucose and decreased the body mass (P<0.05, P<0.01),low and medium-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide decreased the gastric emptying rate and the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the astragaloside low-dose group decreased (P<0.05). The protein levels of IGF-1,p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt and Bcl-2(low dose)were down-regulated and the protein level of Bax was up-regulated by low doses of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with high-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide, low-dose Hedysari Radix polysaccharide elevated random blood glucose and reduced body mass after 6 and 8 weeks of administration (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the low and medium doses decreased the gastric emptying rate, increased the apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in the gastric antrum (P<0.05, P<0.01), down-regulated the protein levels of IGF-1, p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and Bcl-2, and up-regulated the protein level of Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the medium-dose group,the low-dose group of Hedysari Radix polysaccharide had lower body mass,lower gastric emptying rate in rats,higher apoptotic index of smooth muscle cells in gastric sinus tissue after 6 and 8 weeks of administration (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower protein expression of IGF-1,p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt. ConclusionHedysari Radix polysaccharide protects the smooth muscle cells in gastric antrum against apoptotic injury and promotes gastric motility by activating the IGF-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, as manifested by the up-regulated expression of IGF-1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and Bcl-2 and down-regulated expression of Bax.
7.Swyer syndrome with gonadal non-dysgerminoma malignant germ cell tumors: a report of 15 cases in a national medical center.
Huan LIANG ; Si Jie LI ; Jia Xin YANG ; Ming WU ; Dong Yan CAO ; Jin Hui WANG ; Tao WANG ; Xin Yue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2024;59(1):64-69
Objective: To evaluate the incidence, treatment, and survival outcomes of Swyer syndrome with gonadal non-dysgerminoma malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT-NDG). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on Swyer syndrome patients with MGCT-NDG between January 2011 and December 2022 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital to investigate their characteristics and outcomes. Results: A total of 15 patients (4.9%, 15/307) with Swyer syndrome were identified in 307 MGCT-NDG patients. The average age at diagnosis of MGCT-NDG and Swyer syndrome were (16.8±6.7) and (16.7±6.6) years, respectively. Six cases were preoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, of which 4 cases received bilateral gonadectomy with or without hysterectomy, while the other 2 cases underwent removal of gonadal tumor and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy, respectively. Of the 9 patients postoperatively diagnosed as Swyer syndrome, unilateral gonadectomy, removal of gonadal tumor, and unilateral gonadectomy with hysterectomy were performed in 6 patients, 2 patients, and 1 patient, respectively. Mixed malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT;10 cases), yolk sac tumor (4 cases), and immature teratoma (1 case) were the pathological subtypes, in the descending order. There were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage Ⅰ in 6 cases, stage Ⅱ in 3 cases, stage Ⅲ in 5 cases, and stage Ⅳ in 1 case, respectively. Eleven patients received reoperation for residual gonadectomy after a average delay of (7.9±6.2) months, including 8 MGCT-NDG patients and 1 gonadoblastoma patient, no tumor involved was seen in the remaining gonads in the other 2 cases. Ten patients experienced at least one recurrence, with a median event free survival of 9 months (5, 30 months), of which 2 patients received surgery only at the time of initial treatment. All patients with recurrence received surgery and combined with postoperative chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 25 months (15, 42 months), 10 patients were disease-free, 3 patients died of the tumor, 1 died of side effects of leukemia chemotherapy, and 1 survived with disease. Conclusion: The incidence rate of Swyer syndrome in patients with MGCT-NDG is about 4.9%; timely diagnosis and bilateral gonadectomy should be emphasized to reduce the risk of reoperation and second carcinogenesis in this population.
Female
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Humans
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Retrospective Studies
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Gonadal Dysgenesis, 46,XY/surgery*
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Gonadoblastoma/surgery*
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Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/surgery*
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Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*
8.Kidney transplantation from donors with Marfan syndrome: report of 2 cases and literature review
Meng ZHANG ; Yibin WANG ; Yuchen WANG ; Rumin LIU ; Ziyan YAN ; Renfei XIA ; Wenli ZENG ; Jialiang HUI ; Minjie ZHOU ; Jian XU ; Yun MIAO
Organ Transplantation 2024;15(2):257-262
Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical experience of kidney transplantation from donors with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Methods Clinical data of 2 recipients undergoing kidney transplantation from the same MFS patient were retrospectively analyzed and literature review of 2 cases was conducted. Characteristics and clinical diagnosis and treatment of kidney transplantation from MFS patients were summarized. Results The Remuzzi scores of the left and right donor kidneys of the MFS patient during time-zero biopsy were 1 and 2. No significant difference was observed in the renal arteriole wall compared with other donors of brain death and cardiac death. Two recipients who received kidney transplantation from the MFS patient suffered from postoperative delayed graft function. After short-term hemodialysis, the graft function of the recipients received the left and right kidney began to gradually recover at postoperative 10 d and 20 d. After discharge, serum creatinine level of the recipient received the left kidney was ranged from 80 to 90 μmol/L, whereas that of the recipient received the right kidney kept declining, and the lowest serum creatinine level was 232 μmol/L before the submission date (at postoperative 43 d). Through literature review, two cases successfully undergoing kidney transplantation from the same MFS donor were reported. Both two recipients experienced delayed graft function, and then renal function was restored to normal. Until the publication date, 1 recipient has survived for 6 years, and the other recipient died of de novo cerebrovascular disease at postoperative 2 years. Conclusions MFS patients may serve as an acceptable source of kidney donors. However, the willingness and general conditions of the recipients should be carefully evaluated before kidney transplantation. Intraoperatively, potential risk of tear of renal arterial media should be properly treated. Extensive attention should be paid to the incidence of postoperative complications.
9.Relationship between depressive symptoms and frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations
XING Yuping ; XING Hui ; LI Miao ; GAO Yan
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;36(8):649-653
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations, so as to provide insights into the early identification and prevention of frailty.
Methods:
Based on the 2018 database of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), demographic information, lifestyle and self-rated health status were collected from people aged 50 years and older. Depression symptoms were evaluated using the Short Version of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scales (CES-D-10), and the frailty status was evaluated using frailty index. The relationship between depressive symptoms and frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations were using a multivariable logistic regression model, and the dose-response relationship was analyzed using a restricted cubic spline model.
Results:
A total of 5 172 individuals were enrolled, including 2 495 males (48.24%) and 2 677 females (51.76%), with a median age of 63.00 (interquartile range, 12.00) years, a median CES-D-10 score of 7.00 (interquartile range, 9.00) scores. There were 1 560 participants (30.16%) detected with mild depressive symptoms, 360 participants (6.96%) detected with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for gender, age, educational level, marital status, smoking, alcohol consumption and self-rated health status, participants who had mild depressive symptoms (OR=4.226, 95%CI: 3.625-4.928) and moderate to severe depressive symptoms (OR=10.737, 95%CI: 8.259-13.958) had a higher risk of frailty. The restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear relationship between depressive symptoms and frailty among middle-aged and elderly populations. When the CES-D-10 scores were greater than 7, the risk of frailty increased with higher CES-D-10 scores.
Conclusion
The degree of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly people is associated with frailty, and there is a nonlinear relationship between the two.
10.Identification and expression analysis of AP2/ERF gene family in Artemisia argyi
Xue-xue YUE ; Chuang XIAO ; Qian-wen ZHANG ; Sai-nan PENG ; Chang-jie CHEN ; Jia ZHOU ; Jin-xin LI ; Yu-kun LI ; Yu-huan MIAO ; Da-hui LIU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(9):2634-2647
italic>Artemisia argyi is a traditional Chinese medicine in China, which is used as medicine with its leaves. The leaves of


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