1.Scientific basis for acupuncture combined with neural stem cells for repairing spinal cord injury
Xiaomeng HUANG ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4111-4121
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.
2.Progress in animal model studies on chronic fatigue syndrome in military seafaring operations
Shuqi CAI ; Ying HE ; Wenhui WU ; Ruisang LIU ; Yunkai ZHANG ; Yong JIAO ; Xiaomeng REN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):373-378
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common problem in military maritime navigation, which greatly affects the safety of military missions. The use of animal models to carry out research on the mechanism of CFS and treatment measures is a common method. This paper systematically introduced the construction methods of CFS models such as single-factor and multi-factor models, summarized common evaluation indicators of CFS, including behavioral and biochemical indicators, and summed up key characteristics of CFS animal models in military oceanic navigation combined with common causes of CFS in military contexts, such as prolonged continuous work, high-intensity physical activity, sleep deprivation, psychological stress, and extreme environmental conditions. The key characteristics of the animal models included, but not limited to, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, impaired cognitive function, psychological stress responses, and abnormal biochemical indicators. Furthermore, this article identified future research directions for CFS animal models in military oceanic navigation to enhance the application value of the models and provide robust support for the health protection and disease prevention of military personnel.
3.Impact of prenatal triclosan exposure on ADHD-like symptoms in school-aged children
Jingjing LI ; Xiaomeng CHENG ; Yan ZHANG ; Luanluan LI ; Xiaodan YU ; Ying TIAN ; Yu GAO
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(6):645-651
Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorder in children, often diagnosed during school age. The etiology of ADHD remains unclear; however, existing studies suggest that environmental factors, such as exposure to triclosan (TCS), may be associated with the occurrence of ADHD-like symptoms in offspring. Nevertheless, relevant research in China remains limited. Objective To investigate the impact of early pregnancy TCS exposure on ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children. Methods This study was based on the Shanghai Birth Cohort (SBC) and included 662 mother-child pairs. TCS concentrations in early pregnancy urine samples were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Demographic information was collected via questionnaires and medical record abstraction. ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children were first assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Further differentiation of ADHD-like symptom subtypes (inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive) was conducted using the SNAP-IV, a clinically validated ADHD screening tool. Negative binomial regression models were applied to evaluate the associations between prenatal TCS exposure and hyperactive behavior (SDQ assessment) as well as ADHD-like symptom subtypes (SNAP-IV assessment) in 7-year-old children. Results The positive rate of TCS in early pregnancy urine samples was 91.39%, with median concentrations of 0.69 μg·L−1 and 0.63 μg·g−1 before and after the creatinine adjustment, respectively. The modeling results indicated that prenatal TCS exposure was associated with an increased risk of hyperactive symptoms (SDQ assessment) in 7-year-old children (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.06); the stratified analyses by children sex revealed similar effects for both boys (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.07) and girls (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.07). Further analysis of ADHD-like symptom subtypes showed that prenatal TCS exposure increased the risk of inattentive symptoms (RR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05); the sex-stratified analyses indicated associations between TCS exposure and inattentive symptoms (RR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.07) as well as hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.08) in girls. Conclusion Prenatal TCS exposure is associated with an increased risk of ADHD-like symptoms in 7-year-old children, primarily contributing to the risk of the inattention subtype. The impact is more pronounced in girls.
4.Strategies for removing the impurities from bispecific antibodies
Xin DONG ; Guanyue ZHOU ; Jufang SHEN ; Xiaomeng ZHANG
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(3):390-396
Bispecific antibodies have shown significant efficacy in tumor therapy due to their dual targeting ability, but the complexity of their structure leads to the production of various process-related impurities such as host cell proteins, host cell DNA, and Protein A, and product-related impurities such as semi antibodies, 3/4 antibodies, homodimers, bispecific antibodies lacking one Fab arm, and aggregates during the manufacturing process. This paper systematically summarizes downstream purification strategies for dual antibodies, including affinity chromatography, deep filtration, hydroxyapatite chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and multimodal chromatography, to efficiently remove various impurities and provide theoretical support for the purification of dual antibodies.
5.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
6.Nasal-to-Brain Drug Delivery Strategies for Active Ingredients of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A Review
Yang CHEN ; Tiantian WANG ; Yufang HUANG ; Guangdi YANG ; Shengmou HU ; Xiaomeng LEI ; Wenliu ZHANG ; Dongxun LI ; Canjian WANG ; Guosong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):252-261
Central nervous system(CNS) disorders are characterized by complex pathological mechanisms and the presence of the blood-brain barrier(BBB), which significantly limits the effectiveness of drug therapy. Traditional drug delivery modes include oral administration, intravenous injection and transdermal delivery, which have certain advantages, but it is difficult for the drugs to effectively cross the BBB. Therefore, it is crucial to find drug delivery modes that can efficiently traverse the BBB. Nasal drug delivery, as a non-invasive method, can realize the targeted delivery of drugs to the CNS via three pathways, including olfactory neurons, trigeminal neurons and blood circulation, and shows a broad application prospect in the treatment of CNS diseases. Numerous studies have further confirmed that nasal drug delivery combined with novel drug delivery systems such as lipid nanocarriers, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and composite in situ gels can effectively load the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and significantly increase drug concentration in the brain, which provides new strategies for the treatment of CNS diseases. In this paper, the current status of drug delivery for CNS diseases was systematically sorted out, the characteristics of nasal drug delivery were discussed in depth, and the research progress of passive targeting, active targeting, and "guiding the meridian" drug delivery strategies for the nasal-to-brain transport of TCM active components was summarized and analyzed, which was aimed to provide references and insights for the development of drugs for CNS diseases and the application of TCM in nasal-to-brain delivery.
7.Chlorhexidine and Fondaparinux-Induced Kounis Syndrome: a Case Report
Fangzheng YU ; Yajing WANG ; Hang LIN ; Lifeng ZHANG ; Yuhui ZHU ; Xiaomeng SHI ; Huimin ZHOU ; Nan LIN ; Xiang GAO
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):334-340
Kounis syndrome is an acute coronary syndrome triggered by an allergic reaction, which is clinically rare and frequently subject to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. This article presents a case report of a 70-year-old male patient who developed a rash, pruritus, and chest pain following colon polyp resection. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, and blood flow was restored after stent implantation. However, the patient experienced recurrent symptoms accompanied by loss of consciousness. Drug skin tests confirmed positive reactions to chlorhexidine and fondaparinux sodium, leading to a diagnosis of type Ⅱ Kounis syndrome. By avoiding allergenic drugs and combining antihistamines with symptomatic treatment to correct myocardial ischemia, the patient′s clinical symptoms significantly improved, and he eventually recovered and was discharged from the hospital. This case underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance for this syndrome in patients with allergies accompanied by chest pain and promptly identifying and avoiding allergens.
8.Research on ethical issues and coping strategies of voice biomarkers in medical applications
Sikai SHAN ; Shuyu HAN ; Wenxia WANG ; Yufan YANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Wenmin ZHANG ; Siye CHEN ; Mo CHEN ; Zhiwen WANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(10):1233-1239
Voice biomarkers, as an emerging smart medical technology, are now being used in applications such as assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, facilitating accurate and personalized medical services for patients. However, it also raises many ethical issues, including informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, legal risks, and other issues. This paper systematically sorted out the ethical issues in the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field, summarized these issues, such as informed consent, privacy protection, accuracy and reliability, data security, and legal risks, as well as explored the corresponding coping strategies. These countermeasures encompassed utilizing new media platforms to raise public awareness of voice biomarkers, strengthening supervision and management to promote the privacy protection of voice biomarkers, reducing algorithm biases to promote the general benefits of voice biomarkers to the public, establishing multidisciplinary teams to protect the data security of voice biomarkers, and encouraging medical professionals and researchers to participate in policy research, with a view to providing references for promoting and regulating the applications of voice biomarkers in the medical field.
9.Exploration of Decision-Making Methods Based on Syndrome Differentiation by “Data-Knowledge” Dual-Driven Models: A Case Study of Gastric Precancerous State
Weichao XU ; Yanru DU ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Yingying LOU ; Wenwen JIA ; Xin KANG ; Shuo GUO ; Kun ZHANG ; Chunzhi SU ; Junbiao TIAN ; Xiaona WEI ; Qian YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):154-158
Data analysis models may assist the transmission of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experience and clinical diagnosis and treatment, and the possibility of constructing a “data-knowledge” dual-drive model was explored by taking gastric precancerous state as an example. Data-driven is to make clinical decisions around data analysis, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on hidden structural models and partially observable Markov decision-making processes to identify the etiology of diseases, syndrome elements, evolution of pathogenesis, and syndrome differentiation protocols; knowledge-driven is to make use of data and information to promote decision-making and action processes, and its syndrome-differentiation decision-making research relies on convolutional neural networks to improve the accuracy of local disease identification and syndrome differentiation. The “data-knowledge” dual-driven model can make up for the shortcomings of single-drive numerical simulation accuracy, and achieve a balance between local disease identification and macroscopic syndrome differentiation. On the basis of previous research, we explored the construction method of diagnostic assisted decision-making platform for gastric precancerous state, and believed that the diagnostic and decision-making ability of doctors can be extended through the assistance of machines and algorithms. Meanwhile, the related research methods were integrated and the core features of gastric precancerous state based on TCM syndrome differentiation and endoscopic pathology diagnosis and prediction were obtained, and the elements of endoscopic pathology recognition based on TCM syndrome differentiation were explored, so as to provide ideas for the in-depth research and innovative application of cutting-edge data analysis technology in the field of intelligent TCM syndrome differentiation.
10.Mechanism of Modified Guizhi Fulingwan in Regulating Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway Through PTEN/PI3K/Akt Pathway to Prevent Colorectal Adenoma in Mice
Sujie JIA ; Longhui LIU ; Yifan ZHANG ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Jianping LIU ; Xin KANG ; Chaodi SUN ; Jingyuan LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):10-20
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of modified Guizhi Fulingwan in preventing colorectal adenoma (CRA) in mice by regulating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway through the regulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. MethodSixty SPF-grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups: Normal group, model group, low, medium, and high dose groups of modified Guizhi Fulingwan (13, 26, 52 g·kg-1·d-1), and positive control aspirin group (0.015 g·kg-1·d-1). A mouse model of CRA was chemically induced using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). During the modeling process, mice received modified Guizhi Fulingwan or aspirin. Body weight of mice was measured weekly during the treatment. After 9 weeks, the number of adenomas formed was observed. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathologic changes in adenoma tissues. The expression of Cyclin D1 and proliferative nuclear antigen (Ki67) was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to assess the apoptosis in adenoma tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to observe the mRNA and protein expression levels of PTEN, PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome C (Cyt C), Caspase-9, and caspase-3. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed no significant change in body weight from week 1 to week 2, but a significant decrease from week 3 to week 9 (P<0.05,P<0.01). The colorectal length was significantly shortened, and the colorectal weight increased with visible varying sized tumor-like protrusions on the mucosal surface (P<0.01). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were elevated (P<0.01). Histopathology showed disordered epithelial gland structure, elongated nuclei with pathological mitosis, and numerous lymphocytic infiltrations in the lamina propria. The positive expression rates of Cyclin D1 and Ki67 were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the apoptosis rate of adenoma cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Expression levels of PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins, as well as p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins, were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas PTEN, Bax, Cyt C, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all drug treatment groups showed an increase in body weight (P<0.01), decreased intestinal weight, increased colorectal length, reduced number of adenomas significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), and significantly lowered serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (P<0.01). Histopathology indicated improved glandular structure and reduced neutrophil infiltration in the mucosal lamina propria. The positive expression rates of Cyclin D1 and Ki67 significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the apoptosis rate of adenoma cells significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Expression levels of PI3K, Akt, Bcl-2 mRNA and proteins, and p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), while PTEN, Bax, Cyt C, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The high-dose modified Guizhi Fulingwan group exhibited the most significant intervention effects. ConclusionModified Guizhi Fulingwan may prevent CRA in mice by regulating the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inducing the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

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