1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Research Progress on Prevention and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease Based on Organ Crosstalk Theory
Limin DONG ; Ping WANG ; Yi WANG ; Xiaodong YAO ; Zhiping DING ; Ru ZHANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(6):1522-1529
Alcoholic liver disease(ALD)is a liver disease caused by long-term heavy drinking and one of the most common causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality.According to Chinese medicine,the development of ALD is mainly related to alcoholism,and the evolution of its pathology is a gradually aggravating process.Wine-heat injures the liver,without obvious organic lesions at the initial stage,and as the disease progresses to different stages,internal dampness appears,dampness depresses and transforms into heat,and Qi stagnation and blood stasis are gradually aggravated,which affects the functions of various internal organs,directly or indirectly,and creates a complex mechanism of crosstalk between the liver and other organs,which leads to the pathological condition of This leads to the pathological state of multi-organ dysfunction.Modern research has found that long-term alcohol abuse not only causes direct damage to the liver,but also leads to progression to end-stage liver disease by altering the intestinal barrier function and intestinal microbial community,and producing kidney damage and cardiac function.This article reviewed recent studies on the interactions between the liver and other organs in light of the Chinese and Western pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease and the theory of organ crosstalk,and introduces potential strategies for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease,which will provide a reference for the discovery of new therapeutic avenues.
4.Clinicopathological significance of USP9X and PD-L1 expression in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma
Yang YANG ; Qian LIU ; Yi RU ; Shasha ZHANG ; Biao LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(6):746-750
Purpose To investigate the expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 9X(USP9X)and programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma(PSC),and to assess their clinicopathological signif-icance.Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 48 PSC specimens using the EnVision two-step method to detect USP9X and PD-L1 expression.The relationships between their expressions levels and clinicopathologi-cal parameters were analyzed.Results USP9X was positively expressed in 81.3%(39/48)of PSC cases,and the USP9X positivity rate was significantly higher in lymph node-negative tumors compared with lymph node-positive tumors(P<0.05).PD-L1 expression was observed in 70.8%(34/48)of cases,with a significantly higher positivity rate in male patients than in female patients(P<0.01).Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between USP9X and PD-L1 expression in PSC(P<0.05).Conclusion Both USP9X and PD-L1 are highly expressed in PSC,and their expression levels are significantly positively correlated.Combined detection of USP9X and PD-L1 may aid in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in PSC.
5.Whole genome sequencing and analysis of multidrug resistant ST314 Salmonella Kentucky from a broiler slaughterhouse
Jia-rui LI ; Rui-yuan SUN ; Pei-jie HE ; Hao-tian LIU ; Ru-yi KUANG ; Jing XIA ; Min CUI ; Yong HUANG ; Li-kou ZOU ; Xin-feng HAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):537-543
This study investigated the potential pathogenicity and genetic characteristics of ST314 Salmonella Kentucky(S.Ken-tucky)isolates from a broiler slaughterhouse.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing(WGS)were used to determine antimicrobial resistance,virulence factors,and the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes(ARGs)and mobile genetic elements(MGEs)among the isolates.The three multidrug resistant(MDR)isolates exhibited high resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents.The F4-2S strain exhibited resistance to 14 drugs across seven categories,whereas the F4T strain showed resistance to 13 drugs in the same number of categories.In contrast,the Y23 strain was resistant to nine drugs in six categories.Notably,F4-2S dem-onstrated high homology with F4T:both possessed 13 ARGs distributed across nine categories,in addition to a wide range of virulence factors,including secretion systems and effector proteins.The presence of IncR and IncX1 plasmids significantly enhanced both the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of the isolates.The genome map of Y23 revealed a chromosome alongside two plasmids.The chromosome containedonly one resistance gene but several virulence factors,including the type III secretion system(T3SS),which is crucial for bacterial invasion.The plasmid pY23-1 contained eight types of 19 ARGs.Comparative analysis indicated that pY23-1 ex-hibited high homology with pZ1323SSL0055 and pSAL-045,all of which contained multiple ARGs,thus suggesting critical roles of these genes in the evolution of bacterial resistance.In conclusion,ST314 S.Kentucky demonstrated a complex mechanism of resis-tance coupled with significant pathogenic potential.The ARGs and MGEs in the plasmid contributed to the emergence and dissemina-tion of antimicrobial resistance.The multiple virulence factors present in the chromosome may be key factors driving the increasing virulence of ST314 S.Kentucky.
6.Effects of supernatant of BV-2 cells induced by LPS on inflammatory response and apoptosis in HT22 neurons
Li-ya WU ; Xin-ru WANG ; Yu-jie WU ; Wei-yi ZHANG ; Nan LI ; Yong-hui WANG ; Li GAO ; Le ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(7):1324-1331
Aim To observe the effect of lipopolysac-charide(LPS)induced supernatant of BV-2 cells on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of HT22 neu-rons.Methods After the concentration and time of LPS were determined by CCK-8 method,BV-2 cells were cultured with medium without LPS and medium containing LPS,the morphological changes of BV-2 microglia were observed by inverted microscope,and the CD86/CD206 ratio of BV-2 microglia was detected by immunofluorescence.Subsequently,BV-2 cell cul-ture supernatants were isolated and added to HT22 neuronal culture to observe the effect on the inflamma-tory response of HT22 neurons.The proliferation of HT22 neurons was detected by CCK-8 method and EdU method.The structural changes of HT22 neurons were observed under the microscope and examined by urani-um-lead staining.The levels of cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-10(IL-10),nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say(Elisa).Neuronal apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method.The protein expressions of Bax,Bcl-2 and inflammatory factors were detected by Western blot.Results After induction with 1 mg·L-1 LPS,BV-2 cells exhibited increased cell body size,thicker protrusions on both side,and some cells showed de-formed protrusions,the CD86/CD206 ratio in BV-2 cells decreased,promoting the transformation of BV-2 cells from M2 type to M1 type.After treating with the culture supernatant of BV-2 cells,HT22 neuronal cell activity and proliferation were reduced,axons short-ened,and the number of cells decreased.Neuronal cell bodies were enlarged and some cells were de-formed,with damaged cell membranes,round cell nu-clei but displaced nucleoli from the normal position,swollen mitochondria with vacuoles,reduced internal ridge structures,and increased levels of inflammatory factors NF-κB,IL-1 β,and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 de-creased(P<0.05),protein expression of the pro-apoptotic indicator Bax increased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of the anti-apoptotic indicator Bcl-2 decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion After induction of BV-2 cell polarization by LPS,the supernatant could inhibit HT22 neuronal cell viability,upregulate inflam-matory factor expression and promote apoptosis.
7.Exploring the sustainability of China's medical and health assistance and cooperation with Uganda
Ru-zhang JIANG ; Xiao-xing FU ; Jian JI ; Yi-hang LU ; Zhi-wei LENG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(2):69-75
Sustainability is a critical issue in China's medical and health assistance and cooperation with Africa.As China enters a new phase in this field,achieving sustainability presents both opportunities and challenges.Summarizing past successes and identifying barriers are of great practical significance for future development.This study examines the current state of China's medical and health assistance and cooperation with Uganda and finds that China has actively sought to integrate into local communities by collaborating with Ugandan medical institutions.However,several factors continue to constrain the sustainability of these efforts,including Uganda's fragmented public-private healthcare system heavily reliant on external aid,the personnel structure of Chinese medical teams,and linguistic and cultural barriers between China and Uganda.Based on official policy documents from both countries and field research findings,this study recommends supporting and assisting Uganda in establishing an independent healthcare system,with a particular focus on maternal and child health,youth health,and chronic disease management.Furthermore,strengthening cultural exchanges can contribute to the sustainable development of China-Uganda and broader China-Africa medical and health assistance and cooperation.
8.Prediction of Linezolid-induced Thrombocytopenia Based on Machine Learning Algorithm
Ru LIAO ; Yi CUI ; Xiaoliang CHENG ; Feng WANG ; Houli LI ; Haiyan DONG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(4):676-681
Objective To construct machine learning models to predict the incidence of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia(LIT).Methods A total of 198 patients treated with linezolid in a hospital between January 2020 and March 2024 were retrospectively included.Firstly,the patients were divided into LIT and non-LIT groups,and the basic characteristics of the two groups were compared.Then,the variables with significant differences between the two groups were selected as potential risk factors to construct models for predicting LIT,including Logistic regression,decision tree and random forest models,and the prediction performance of the models was evaluated and compared.Results There were 52(26.3%)patients developed LIT during the treatment.The univariate analysis showed significant differences in linezolid trough concentration(Cmin),baseline platelet counts and creatinine clearance,the incidence of cerebrovascular disease,acute respiratory distress syndrome,and abdominal infection in patients with and without LIT.Among the three models built based on these variables,the random forest model has the best predictive performance.The results of variable importance analysis based on random forest model showed that Cmin,baseline platelet count and combined with acute respiratory distress syndrome had higher importance scores.Conclusions The random forest model has high accuracy in predicting the occurrence of LIT,and the risk of LIT is higher in patients with higher levels of linezolid exposure and lower baseline platelets.
9.Quantitative evaluation and driving path exploration on the level of the tripartite system reform in China
Ling-yun GUO ; Liu-jie FU ; Yong-yi GUAN ; Liang-ru ZHOU ; Qiu-ying ZHENG ; Rui-feng LI
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(3):9-17
Objective:To quantitatively evaluate the level of the three medical linkage in China from 2009 to 2022,explore the influencing factors and driving paths of the three medical linkage in China,and provide a new perspective for promoting the development of the three medical linkage.Methods:An optimized coupling coordination degree model was used to calculate the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems and different binary systems within the systems in 31 provinces of China(excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan),and the Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis method was used to explore the condition configurations of multi-factor-driven three medical linkage.Results:From 2009 to 2022,the coupling coordination degree between the trinity healthcare systems in each province of China generally showed an increasing trend year by year.Among the binary systems,the overall coordinated development situation between the medical and medical insurance systems was the best and the regional development was the most balanced.The coupling coordination degree gap between the trinity healthcare system and the internal binary systems among provinces gradually widened,and the multi-polarization trend intensified.The paths to promote high-level three medical linkage can be summarized into two types:internal and external balanced development type(H1)and government-led type(H2,H3),among which the H1 path with per capita GDP and health expenditure as core conditions was the most common.Conclusion:It is suggested to enhance institutional and technological innovation,and integrate resources through a cross-departmental collaboration mechanism and digital technology.Provinces should select high-level optimization paths by leveraging regional endowments to narrow the regional development gap.Meanwhile,under the impetus of high-level policies,the protection and supervision system continues to improve,thereby promoting the three medical linkage.
10.Effect of fasting blood glucose on coronary fractional flow reserve in patients with borderline coronary artery disease
Yi-wen ZHANG ; Ya-dong LIU ; Meng-xiao WANG ; Yi-ru WANG ; Yun-peng YANG ; Yun-fang SU ; Ji-xin ZHI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(5):272-277
Objective To explore the correlation between fasting blood glucose(FBG)level and fractional flow reserve(FFR)in patients with borderline coronary artery disease,and to clarify its potential influence on FFR measurement.Methods From August 2020 to August 2023,the data of 135 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease who received coronary angiography and FFR evaluation in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were retrospectively collected.According to the exclusion and inclusion criteria,85 cases of borderline diseased vessels of single coronary artery with stenosis degree of 50%-80%were screened out,and they were divided into FBG≥6.1 mmol/L group(47 cases)and FBG<6.1 mmol/L group(38 cases).The baseline data,angiographic and functional indexes of the two groups were compared,and the correlation between FBG and FFR was analyzed.Results Compared with the FBG<6.1 mmol/L group,the FBG≥6.1 mmol/L group had a higher proportion of FFR negative results(72.3%vs.23.7%,P<0.001),and the FFR measurement values were generally increased[0.84(0.80,0.90)vs.0.75(0.68,0.80),P<0.001],with statistically significant differences.Pearson correlation analysis was performed on all lesions,and FFR>0.80(negative result)was positively correlated with FBG≥6.1 mmol/L(r=0.484,P<0.001).Conclusions Among the patients with borderline coronary artery disease(50%-80%stenosis)included in this study,FBG≥6.1 mmol/L is significantly correlated with FFR>0.80.For patients with borderline coronary lesions with elevated FBG,the influence of blood glucose factors should be carefully considered in clinical interpretation of FFR results.

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