1.Meta analysis of the efficacy of digital psychological therapies on depressive symptoms among adolescents
YANG Xuan, YANG Dong, CAI Rui, TANG Yuping, YE Sheng, LUO Yaoyue
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):531-537
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and maintenance effects of digital psychological therapies on depressive symptoms among adolescents, so as to provide a reference for clinical practice.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial(RCT) investigating digital psychological therapies to improve depressive symptoms among adolescents were searched across databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP database, and SinoMed, from database inception to November 20, 2025. Following literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction, a Meta analysis was performed using Stata 18.0 software.
Results:
A total of 20 studies involving 2 042 adolescents aged 11-19 were included. The Meta analysis revealed that digital psychological therapies significantly alleviated depressive symptoms in adolescents ( SMD =-0.59, 95% CI =-0.85 to -0.32, P <0.01). The therapeutic effect was sustained at long term follow up ( SMD =-0.21, 95% CI =-0.34 to -0.09, P <0.01). Furthermore, depression scores in the intervention group showed a continued decrease from post intervention to long term follow up ( SMD =-0.28, 95% CI =-0.41 to -0.14, P <0.01). Egger s linear regression test indicated possible publication bias (Kendall s tall=0.28, P <0.01).
Conclusions
Digital psychological therapies can effectively improve depressive symptoms among adolescents, with stable long term efficacy. However, current evidence remains limited and exhibits substantial heterogeneity. Therefore, further large sample, high quality RCTs are warranted to validate the effectiveness of this intervention.
2.column:Serum short-chain fatty acid levels and their association with atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients
Zhenxiang WANG ; Lele CHEN ; Liping DONG ; Sheng WANG ; Jinlei XU ; Xinying CAI ; Fengli XIAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(4):763-769
ObjectiveTo investigate the metabolic alterations of serum short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and their correlation with different clinical phenotypes using targeted metabolomics. MethodsThis study enrolled 87 AD patients and 67 healthy controls (HC). Serum levels of eight SCFAs were quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The associations between SCFAs and AD were assessed using various statistical methods. ResultsCompared with the HC group, levels of acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), and caproic acid (CA) (P=0.002,P=0.002,P=0.043) decreased in the AD group. Logistic regression analysis identified AA (OR=0.449, 95% CI: 0.289–0.698) and PA (OR = 0.487, 95% CI: 0.324–0.732) as protective factors against AD. The combination of AA and PA yielded an area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic efficacy. Age-stratified analysis revealed that AA reduction was predominant in childhood, whereas PA reduction was predominant in adolescence. Pathway enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment of fatty acid biosynthesis (FDR=0.341, P=0.003) and vitamin K metabolism (FDR=1, P=0.039) pathways. Furthermore, subgroup analyses based on disease severity, personal/family history of atopy, and sex revealed no significant differences in SCFAs levels among the groups. ConclusionDifferential serum SCFAs and their enriched metabolic pathways may be implicated in the pathogenesis of AD.
3.Comparative Analysis of Sex Differences Between Cyclophosphamide- and Paclitaxel-Induced Mouse Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
Qiuming ZHONG ; Liping QIAN ; Yuanyuan CAI ; Deqiang LIU ; Wei LIN ; Chunying YU ; Jindong XIE ; Xunli WANG ; Sheng WU ; Biyin CHEN ; Zhen HUANG
Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine 2026;46(5):677-688
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of sex on phenotypic stability in mouse models of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) induced by cyclophosphamide (CYP) or paclitaxel (PTX), and to explore potential mechanisms underlying phenotypic heterogeneity in female mice. MethodsTwenty-eight wild-type specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL/6J mice (half male and half female) aged 6-8 weeks were selected for synchronous back hair removal. On the 9th day after hair removal (T0), the mice were randomly divided into a wild-type female CYP group, a wild-type male CYP group, a female negative control group and a male negative control group. Mice in the CYP groups were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 120 mg/kg CYP, and mice in the negative control groups were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of normal saline. Subsequently, the phenotypic changes of the CIA model induced by CYP were continuously observed and photographed. Eleven 6-week-old SPF female C57BL/6J mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX group). Following successful surgery, these mice and five XY (Sry⁻) mice bred from Four Core Genotypes breeding stock were used to establish the chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) model using the same protocol. Serum was collected from mice in the OVX group, wild-type female CYP group, and wild-type male CYP group on T7 after CYP administration for steroid hormone analysis by mass spectrometry to evaluate the effects of gonadal estrogen and sex chromosome background changes on the stability of the CYP-induced female alopecic phenotype. Finally, twenty SPF C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks (half male and half female) were randomly divided into a PTX low-dose group and a PTX high-dose group. On the 9th day after simultaneous hair removal, PTX was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 80 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg, respectively. Mice from the PTX low-dose group and the PTX high-dose group were continuously observed and photographed to compare the intra-group consistency of the phenotypes of female and male mice. Six SPF C57BL/6J mice (half male and half female) aged 6-8 weeks were used to repeat the construction method of the PTX low-dose group, and the hair follicle histological examination was performed at T0, T4, T7, T14 and T21, respectively, to observe the damage caused by PTX to hair follicle regeneration. ResultsThe phenotypes of CYP-induced male CIA mice are stable and reproducible. There are obvious individual differences in the alopecia phenotype in the CYP-induced female CIA model mice, which may be mainly caused by the differences in the relevant estrogens in the estrous cycle. The difference between OVX+CYP group and XY (Sry⁻) +CYP group disappeared, suggesting that ovarian-derived hormones and XY (Sry⁻) sex chromosome background may be involved in the formation of phenotypic heterogeneity of CYP-induced alopecia in female mice. The mice in the high-dose PTX group and the low-dose PTX group showed a relatively consistent alopecia and regrowth process, and there was no significant sex difference. ConclusionCYP-induced CIA is strongly influenced by sex, and ovariectomy or alteration of the sex chromosome background can improve the consistency of CYP-induced alopecic phenotypes in female mice. PTX-induced CIA shows good phenotypic consistency in both female and male mice, indicating broad applicability across sexes. Taken together, the choice of animal sex in CIA model construction, mechanistic studies, and evaluation of anti-alopecia interventions should take into account the type of chemotherapeutic agent, the study objective, and the required degree of phenotypic stability. Sex should therefore be considered an important variable in model standardization and interpretation of experimental findings.
4.Development of DUS testing guidelines for new Atractylodes lancea varieties.
Cheng-Cai ZHANG ; Ming QIN ; Xiu-Zhi GUO ; Zi-Hua ZHANG ; Hao-Kuan ZHANG ; Xiao-Yu DAI ; Sheng WANG ; Lan-Ping GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1515-1523
Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herbaceous plant of Asteraceae, with rhizomes for medical use. However, A. lancea plants from different habitats have great variability, and the germplasm resources of A. lancea are unclear and mixed during production. Therefore, it is urgent to protect new varieties of A. lancea. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing of new plant varieties is the foundation of plant variety protection, and the DUS testing guidelines are the technical basis for variety approval agencies to conduct DUS testing. In this study, the phenotypic traits of 94 germplasm accessions of A. lancea were investigated considering the breeding and variety characteristics of A. lancea in China. The traits were classified and described, and 24 traits were preliminarily determined, including 20 basic traits that must be tested and four traits selected to be tested. The 20 basic traits included 3 quality traits, 5 false quality traits, and 12 quantitative traits, corresponding to 1 plant traits, 2 stem traits, 8 leaf traits, 6 flower traits, and 3 seed traits. The measurement ranges and coefficients of variation of eight quantitative traits were determined, on the basis of which the grading criteria and codes of the traits were determined and assigned. The guidelines has guiding significance for the trait evaluation, utilization, and breeding of new varieties of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/growth & development*
;
China
;
Phenotype
;
Guidelines as Topic
;
Plant Breeding
5.Randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter, equivalence clinical trial of Jiuwei Xifeng Granules(Os Draconis replaced by Ostreae Concha) for treating tic disorder in children.
Qiu-Han CAI ; Cheng-Liang ZHONG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Xin-Min LI ; Zhi-Chun XU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying HUA ; Jun-Hong WANG ; Ji-Hong TANG ; Bing-Xiang MA ; Xiu-Xia WANG ; Ai-Zhen WANG ; Meng-Qing WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi-Qun TENG ; Yi-Hui SHAN ; Sheng-Xuan GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1699-1705
Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Double-Blind Method
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Tic Disorders/drug therapy*
;
Treatment Outcome
6.Identification of telomere-related diagnostic markers in osteoarthritis based on bioinformatics analysis and machine learning
Sheng XU ; Jia YE ; Xiaochong CAI
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):359-372
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint disorders, with aging considered a primary, irreversible factor contributing to its progression. Telomere-related cellular senescence may be a crucial factor influencing the OA process, yet biomarkers for OA based on telomere-related genes have not been clearly identified. The datasets GSE51588, GSE12021, and GSE55457 were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Initially, R software was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes between OA and normal samples. Subsequently, differentially expressed telomere-related genes (DETMRGs) were obtained, and their functional enrichment was analyzed. Feature genes for OA diagnosis were selected from DETMRGs using a combination of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination, and Random Forest algorithms. The diagnostic value of these feature genes was then validated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis. Additionally, CIBERSORT and xCell were employed to assess the infiltration of immune cells in OA tissues.Finally, potential drugs targeting candidate genes were predicted. Three telomererelated genes, PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT, have been identified as biomarkers for OA diagnosis and were confirmed through ROC diagnostic tests. The immune infiltration of mast cells, neutrophils, common lymphoid precursors, and eosinophils associated with PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT was reduced. Recognizing telomere-related genes PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT as potential diagnostic biomarkers for OA is significant, as it offers valuable insights into the role of telomere-related genes in OA. This discovery also provides valuable information for the diagnosis and treatment of OA.
7.Effects of T2-FLAIR sequence under different imaging conditions on the appearance of ivy sign in patients with moyamoya disease
Wenxue TIAN ; Shen GAO ; Xiangyun RONG ; Zhaoxue ZHANG ; Jianming CAI ; Fugeng SHENG ; Hongtao ZHANG
Military Medical Sciences 2025;49(4):303-306
Objective To investigate the effect of T2-fluid attenuated inversion recovery(T2-FLAIR)sequence on the appearance of ivy sign in patients with moyamoya disease under different imaging conditions.Methods Coronal T2-FLAIR scans were performed in 51 consecutive adult patients with moyamoya disease who had not undergone surgery and had their first visit to this hospital between March and July of 2024.According to the scanning conditions,the patients were divided into 19 and 14 of the echo train length in two groups,and 103,144,and 195 ms of the time of echo(TE)in three groups,respectively.The left and right cerebral hemispheres and whole brains were scored according to the cerebral vascular anatomy,and scores of the ivy sign of left and right cerebral hemispheres and whole brain were compared.Results There was no statistical significance in the ivy sign scores of right and left cerebral hemispheres and whole brain between the two groups with 19 and 14 of the echo train length(P>0.05).Comparison of ivy sign scores in right and left cerebral hemispheres and whole brain was statistically significant among the three groups of TE at 144,103 and 195 ms(P<0.05).Conclusion The best appearance of ivy sign in patients with moyamoya disease is seen under the condition of TE at 195 ms,so appropriately extending the TE time is helpful for ivy sign display.
8.Identification of telomere-related diagnostic markers in osteoarthritis based on bioinformatics analysis and machine learning
Sheng XU ; Jia YE ; Xiaochong CAI
The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2025;29(3):359-372
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint disorders, with aging considered a primary, irreversible factor contributing to its progression. Telomere-related cellular senescence may be a crucial factor influencing the OA process, yet biomarkers for OA based on telomere-related genes have not been clearly identified. The datasets GSE51588, GSE12021, and GSE55457 were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Initially, R software was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes between OA and normal samples. Subsequently, differentially expressed telomere-related genes (DETMRGs) were obtained, and their functional enrichment was analyzed. Feature genes for OA diagnosis were selected from DETMRGs using a combination of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination, and Random Forest algorithms. The diagnostic value of these feature genes was then validated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis. Additionally, CIBERSORT and xCell were employed to assess the infiltration of immune cells in OA tissues.Finally, potential drugs targeting candidate genes were predicted. Three telomererelated genes, PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT, have been identified as biomarkers for OA diagnosis and were confirmed through ROC diagnostic tests. The immune infiltration of mast cells, neutrophils, common lymphoid precursors, and eosinophils associated with PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT was reduced. Recognizing telomere-related genes PGD, SLC7A5, and TKT as potential diagnostic biomarkers for OA is significant, as it offers valuable insights into the role of telomere-related genes in OA. This discovery also provides valuable information for the diagnosis and treatment of OA.
9.Effects of Hot Night Exposure on Human Semen Quality: A Multicenter Population-Based Study.
Ting Ting DAI ; Ting XU ; Qi Ling WANG ; Hao Bo NI ; Chun Ying SONG ; Yu Shan LI ; Fu Ping LI ; Tian Qing MENG ; Hui Qiang SHENG ; Ling Xi WANG ; Xiao Yan CAI ; Li Na XIAO ; Xiao Lin YU ; Qing Hui ZENG ; Pi GUO ; Xin Zong ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):178-193
OBJECTIVE:
To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality.
METHODS:
A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters.
RESULTS:
The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans
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Male
;
Semen Analysis
;
Adult
;
Sperm Motility
;
Hot Temperature/adverse effects*
;
China
;
Middle Aged
;
Spermatozoa/physiology*
;
Young Adult
10.Waist Circumference Status and Distribution in Chinese Adults: China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (2015-2017).
Jing NAN ; Mu Lei CHEN ; Hong Tao YUAN ; Qiu Ye CAO ; Dong Mei YU ; Wei PIAO ; Fu Sheng LI ; Yu Xiang YANG ; Li Yun ZHAO ; Shu Ya CAI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):757-762


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