1.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
2.Research Progress of Adenosine Monophosphate-activated Protein Kinase in Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment
Wenjing LI ; Yanjie BAI ; Yan WANG ; An LIU ; Hangyao ZHANG ; Yanjie LI
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;17(1):230-237
Post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI) is one of the common complications in stroke patients, mainly manifested as impairments in memory, attention, and orientation. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK), as a crucial intracellular energy sensor, has attracted extensive research attention in the field of PSCI in recent years. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the research progress on AMPK-related signaling pathways and their roles in PSCI, with a focus on exploring action mechanisms of AMPK in processes such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. Additionally, it summarizes the prospects and challenges of AMPK as a potential target for improving PSCI, aiming to offer new theoretical foundations for the clinical prevention and treatment of PSCI.
3.Design and application of one piece temperature controlled enema device
Yu LI ; Huiyang SUN ; Yanjiang LIU ; Tong JIN ; Ze LI ; Yan BAI
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(17):1290-1295
Objective:To design a safe and convenient temperature-controlled enema device and to verify its effectiveness in enema operation.Methods:This study was a quasi experimental research. A total of 60 patients who were hospitalized in Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital from October 2023 to January 2024 were selected as the control group, and 60 patients who underwent enema from February to May 2024 were selected as the experimental group adopting convenience sampling method. The control group used traditional enema operation method, while the experimental group used an integrated temperature controlled enema device for enema operation. The heating time of enema solution, retention time of enema solution in the intestine, patient satisfaction rate, and nursing staff satisfaction rate were compared between the two groups before enema operation.Results:There were 39 males and 21 females in the control group, aged (54.78 ± 10.66) years, and 42 males and18 females in the experimental group, aged (56.15 ± 9.88) years. The warming time of enema fluid in the experimental group was 17.00 (15.25, 18.00) s, which was lower than 55.00 (47.00, 59.75) s in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 9.47, P<0.01). The intraintestinal retention time of enema fluid in the experimental group was 9.50 (9.00, 10.00) min, which was greater than 7.00 (6.00, 8.75) min in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = - 7.93, P<0.01); the satisfaction rate of the experimental group was 96.67% (58/60), which was higher than 73.33% (44/60) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 12.81, P<0.01); the satisfaction rate of the nursing staff in the experimental group was 96.00% (48/50), which was higher than 66.00% (33/50) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 14.62, P<0.01). Conclusions:The integrated temperature-controlled enema device reduces the tediousness of nursing operation. It improves the rate of complete preparation of goods, patient satisfaction and nursing staff satisfaction, thereby ensuring efficacy and patient safety.
4.Risk factors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation:a prospective cohort study
Jin BAI ; Peng-xin XIE ; Yan-guang LI ; Ran JING ; Zong-shi LI ; Gong-bu ZHOU ; Shu-wang LIU
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(3):121-127
Objective To explore the factors that influence major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in atrial fibrillation(AF)patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation(RFA),as well as to compare the prognosis of patients with advanced AF to that of the general population.Methods We prospectively recruited AF patients who underwent RFA treatment at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2021 and March 2023.General patient data were collected through the hospital's inpatient system,and MACE were tracked through outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups.Patients were categorized into three age groups:Group 1(under 65 years),Group 2(65 to 75 years),and Group 3(over 75 years).In this study,MACE was defined as include cardiovascular death,all-cause death,readmission for heart failure,acute coronary syndrome(ACS),grade 2 or higher bleeding and stroke.Results A total of 431 patients were included in this study,with an average age of(66.17±12.22)years.Among these patients,259 were male(60.09%),and the mean of CHA2DS2-VASc score was(1.79±1.30).The median follow-up period was 16.0(11.3,21.3)months,during which 28(6.50%)patients experienced MACE,with ACS and stroke being the most common events.Variables were selected using LASSO regression,and a LASSO-Cox regression model was constructed.Age(HR 1.06,95%CI 1.02-1.10,P=0.006)and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HR 3.70,95%CI 1.27-8.68,P=0.008)were identified as independent predictors of MACE after RFA for AF.Subgroup analysis revealed that patients under 65 had significantly better prognoses compared to older AF patients(P=0.030 compared with group 2;P=0.021 compared with group 3).Conclusions Age and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are independent risk factors for MACE in AF patients undergoing RFA.The prognosis for younger patients is better than that for older patients,while the prognosis for advanced patients is comparable to that of patients aged 65-75 years.
5.Metformin upregulates ABCA1 expression via inhibiting ubiquitin-proteasome system
Yunxia LIU ; Yan YANG ; Lei FAN ; Minjie WANG ; Lingze YU ; Tuya BAI ; Mengdi ZHANG ; Xiaoli LYU ; Jun LI ; Yuxia HU ; Feng GAO
Chinese Journal of Arteriosclerosis 2025;33(6):474-480
Aim To explore the potential mechanism of metformin on ATP-binding cassette transport A1(ABCA1)expression.Methods J774A.1 macrophages were treated with metformin and cycloheximide,and ABCA1 expression was determined by Western blot.His-tagged ABCA1 and HA-tagged Ub plasmids were co-transferred into HEK293 cells and stimulated with metformin.Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)was used to test the binding ability of ABCA1 and ubiquitin.Candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases(CE3)of ABCA1 were identified through Co-IP-based pro-teomics.The MIB1 plasmid was constructed and transferred into HEK293 cells,and Western blot was used to determine the effect of metformin and MIB1 on ABCA1 expression.Results Metformin increased the expression of ABCA1 in J774A.1 cells(P<0.01),and inhibited ABCA1 degradation(P<0.05).Metformin disrupted the binding of ABCA1 to ubiquitin(P<0.05).The proteins regulated by metformin in ABCA1 expression were primarily enriched in pathways re-lated to cell development,inflammation and immune defense.Metformin may upregulate ABCA1 protein expression via MIB1(P<0.05).Conclusion Metformin inhibits the degradation of ABCA1 by blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome system(UPS),and MIB1 might act as a candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase(CE3)for ABCA1.
6.Annual report of National Monitoring Network for Clinical Safe Medication (2024)
Xiangrong BAI ; Qingxia ZHANG ; Yuqin WANG ; Ling JIANG ; Manling MA ; Xin HAI ; Pinfang HUANG ; Yi ZHANG ; Taotao LIU ; Suying YAN
Adverse Drug Reactions Journal 2025;27(8):449-457
In 2024, a total of 27 309 cases of medication error (ME) from 484 hospitals in 27 provincial administrative regions were collected in the National Monitoring Network for Clinical Safe Medication. Among them, 279 (1.02%) were classified as grade A, 22 081 (80.86%) as grade B, 4 268 (15.63%) as grade C, 472 (1.73%) as grade D, 96 (0.35%) as grade E, 105 (0.38%) as grade F, 6 (0.02%) as grade H, and 2 (<0.01%) as grade I; no MEs of grade G occurred. Among the 27 030 patients involved in MEs of grade B to I, 15 124 (55.95%) were male and 11 906 (44.05%) were female; their ages were from 1 day to 104 years; 3 369 (12.46%) were children (<18 years old), 12 113 (44.81%) were young and middle-aged adults (≥18 to <60 years old), and 11 548 (42.72%) were elderly (≥60 years old). The top 3 contents of ME were wrong drug class (5 347 cases, 19.13%), wrong dosage (4 913 cases, 17.58%), and wrong administration frequency (3 429 cases, 12.27%). Among the 27 030 grade B-I MEs, the main person who triggered the event were physicians (18 703 cases, 69.19%) and pharmacists (6 343 cases, 23.47%). These MEs mainly occurred in clinics (11 009 cases, 40.73%), in hospital wards (7 393 cases, 27.35%), and in pharmacies (6 219 cases, 23.27%). The main persons who discovered the MEs were pharmacists (21 021 cases, 74.14%). The top 3 factors causing ME were lack of related pharmacologic knowledge (8 716 cases, 26.49%), tiredness (5 755 cases, 17.49%), and inexperienced skills (4 505 cases, 13.69%). A total of 209 patients were involved in severe MEs (grade E-I), including 133 (63.64%) males and 76 (36.36%) females, aged from 21 months to 94 years, of which 42 (20.10%) were children, 75 (35.88%) were young and middle-aged adults, and 92 (44.02%) were elderly. The top 3 diseases diagnosed in severe MEs were drug poisoning (41 cases, 19.62%), diabetes (34 cases, 16.27%), and hypertension (14 cases, 6.70%); the main person who triggered the MEs were patients and their families (135 cases, 64.59%); the MEs occurred mainly in patients′ houses (116 cases, 55.50%). Drug poisoning was mainly related to accidental ingestion by children, and MEs in patients with diabetes and hypertension were often related to issues on patient compliance. Based on the data of MEs in 2024, it was proposed to establish a better medication safety culture and improve the ME reporting situation in China, pay attention to the risks of misusing external drugs for internal use, children′s accidental ingestion and insulin-related MEs, strengthen the prevention of MEs related to look-alike sound-alike drugs, pay attention to the post administration management and the compliance education of home care for patients with chronic diseases, so as to improve the medication safety of patients in China.
7.A cross-sectional study of anxiety disorders in adults in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Xin WANG ; Lixia CHEN ; Tingting ZHANG ; Ping LYU ; Dongsheng LYU ; Zhaorui LIU ; Jie YAN ; Ruiqi WANG ; Hua DING ; Yinxia BAI ; Yueqin HUANG ; Xiaojie SUI
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(5):385-391
Objective:To describe the prevalence of anxiety disorders and its distribution in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,and to explore the relevant factors of anxiety disorders.Methods:From June 2019 to Decem-ber 2019,representative multi-stage disproportionate stratified sampling procedure was used to sample in residents aged 18 and over in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.All respondents were face-to-face interviewed by trained interviewers.Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0(CIDI-3.0)was used to diagnose anxiety disorders according to the criteria and definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for statistical anal-ysis.Results:Totally 12 315 people were interviewed in the survey.The weighted 12-mouth prevalence rate of any anxiety disorder was 4.64%,and the lifetime prevalence rate was 6.25%.The weighted 12-month prevalence rate of anxiety disorders was higher in female than that in male(5.38%vs.3.92%).The rate was higher in rural resi-dents than that in urban residents(5.67%vs.3.95%).The rate was higher in people with chronic diseases than that in people without chronic diseases(6.81%vs.2.29%).Logistic regression analysis showed that unmarried(OR=2.32,95%CI:1.31-4.10),separated/divorced(OR=2.49,95%CI:1.33-4.67),in debt(OR=1.55,95%CI:1.04-2.32),chronic disease(OR=2.22,95%CI:1.39-3.53),family history of anxiety disorders(OR=12.05,95%CI:8.78-16.53),poor sleep(OR=2.64,95%CI:1.97-3.54)were risk factors of occurrence of anxiety disorders,while junior high school(OR=0.65,95%CI:0.44-0.96)was protective factor of anxiety disor-ders.Conclusion:Adults with chronic diseases,poor sleep,unmarried or separated/divorced,family history of anxi-ety disorders,and financial debt are at higher risk groups of anxiety disorder in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Re-gion.
8.A cross-sectional study of mood disorder in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Peifeng YANG ; Ruiqi WANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Hua DING ; Lixia CHEN ; Zhaorui LIU ; Ping LYU ; Dongsheng LYU ; Jie YAN ; Yinxia BAI ; Yueqin HUANG ; Xiaojie SUI
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(4):308-314
Objective:To describe the prevalence and distributions of mood disorder in Inner Mongolia Au-tonomous Region,and analyze the related risk factors.Methods:The multistage stratified sampling method with un-equal probability was used to select permanent residents aged 18 years and over in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Re-gion.The Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 was used as a diagnostic tool.Mood disorders were di-agnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).Single and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the related factors of mood disorders.Results:Totally,12 315 community residents were interviewed in the survey.The weighted 12-month prevalence and lifetime prevalence of mood disorder were 5.4%and 8.7%,respectively.Weighted 12-month prevalence of depressive disorder was 4.9%,and that of bipolar disorder was 0.3%.Among all subtypes of mood disorder,the 12-month prevalence rate of major depressive disorder(3.1%)was the highest.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female,unmarried,separated or divorced,unemployment,family history,other mental disorders,sleep disorders and chronic diseases(OR=1.56,2.80,2.07,1.42,13.46,7.97,3.23,2.13)were risk factors of mood disorder,while aged 65 years and over(OR=0.44)was protective factor of mood disorders.The lifetime consultation rate in patients with mood disorders was 15.5%,the rate of psychiatric consultation was 3.7%,the rate of medication was 1.8%.Con-clusion:It indicates that female residents and people who are unmarried,separated and divorced,unemployed,with family history,suffering from other mental disorders,suffering from sleep disorders,and suffering from chronic dis-eases may be high risk groups of mood disorders,and the utilization rate of health services is rather low in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
9.Consensus on informed consent for orthodontic treatment
Yang CAO ; Bing FANG ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Lin WANG ; Haiping LU ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Tianmin XU ; Weiran LI ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Jun WANG ; Fang JIN ; Ding BAI ; Xianglong HAN ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jie GUO ; Jiejun SHI ; Yongming LI ; Zhihua LI ; Xiuping WU ; Jiangtian HU ; Linyu XU ; Lin LIU ; Yi LIU ; Yanqin LU ; Wensheng MA ; Shuixue MO ; Liling REN ; Shuxia CUI ; Yongjie FAN ; Jianguang XU ; Lulu XU ; Zhijun ZHENG ; Peijun WANG ; Rui ZOU ; Chufeng LIU ; Lunguo XIA ; Li HU ; Weicai WANG ; Liping WU ; Xiaoxing KOU ; Jiali TAN ; Yuanbo LIU ; Bowen MENG ; Yuantao HAO ; Lili CHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(12):1327-1336
This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.
10.Application of unrelated umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of 2 cases with congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia and literature review
Shufang SU ; Dao WANG ; Yufeng LIU ; Bai LI ; Huanhuan LI ; Jiao CHEN ; Lei ZHANG ; Yan XU ; Shuting MAO ; Linlin WEI
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(4):295-298
Objective:To investigate the clinical experience and efficacy of unrelated umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT).Methods:A case summary was conducted.The clinical data of 2 children with CAMT who were finally cured by unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT in the Department of Pediatric Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2020 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Related studies were retrieved from databases CNKI, Wanfang and PubMed using search terms including " congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia" and " hematopoietic stem cell transplantation" from the inception to July 2024.The clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment processes, and prognosis of CAMT patients treated by HSCT were then summarized.Results:Both cases exhibited scattered skin haemorrhages throughout the body and carried 2 compound heterozygous mutations with pathogenicity in the MPL gene.Both patients were finally diagnosed with CAMT.Case 1 was a girl aged 3 at the time of transplantation, and case 2 was also a girl, who aged 5 at the time of transplantation.Both of them received unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT and hematopoietic reconstruction was achieved.The time of neutrophil and platelet implantation was 21 and 40 days after transplantation in case 1, and 20 and 31 days in case 2, respectively.The chimerism rate of neutrophil implantation in both children was complete chimerism of donor cells.Implantation syndrome was detected in case 1 following transplantation.Case 2 suffered implantation syndrome, hypertensive encephalopathy, and cytomegalovirus infection following transplantation.Both children showed no graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).Both children had hematopoietic and immune reconstruction after transplantation and their primary diseases were cured.Cases 1 and 2 were followed up for more than 14 and 17 months, respectively.Both of them achieved disease-free survival during the follow up.Literature review of 26 cases with CAMT treated by HSCT, including the above-mentioned 2 cases was conducted, with an overall disease-free survival rate of 92.3%(24/26).Of 12 cases with CAMT typing, 10 were type Ⅰ and 2 were type Ⅱ.Of the 26 cases treated by HSCT, 17 had bone marrow HSCT, with an overall survival rate of 88.2%(15/17), and 2 had peripheral blood HSCT.Seven cases had umbilical cord blood HSCT (6 cases receiving unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT and 1 case receiving related umbilical cord blood HSCT), with an overall survival rate of 100%.Unlike bone marrow and peripheral blood HSCT, unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT did not result in 3-4 grade GVHD. Conclusions:Unrelated umbilical cord blood HSCT can achieve good therapeutic effects in CAMT patients when there is no suitable donor.Myeloablative pretreatment is conducive to CAMT patients.

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