1.Research progress on the relationship between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity
GAO Lei ; YE Zhen ; WANG Wei ; ZHAO Dong ; XU Peiwei ; ZHANG Ronghua
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):48-54
Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue. Current research indicates that early life obesogen exposure has emerged as a significant risk factor for childhood obesity. While obesogens have been confirmed to influence the development and progression of childhood obesity through mechanisms such as endocrine disruption and epigenetic programming, controversies remain regarding the establishment of causal relationships, assessment of combined exposures, and validation of transgenerational effects in humans. In recent years, novel approaches including multi-omics technologies, exposome-based analysis, and multigenerational cohort studies have integrated dynamic biomarker monitoring with analyses of social-environmental interactions, offering new perspectives and methodologies for constructing a systematic "exposure-mechanism-outcome" research framework. This article reviews literature from PubMed and Web of Science up to August 2025 on the association between early life obesogen exposure and childhood obesity, summarizing evidence on the health effects of early life obesogen exposure, major exposure pathways and internal exposure assessment, interactions and amplifying effects of social and environmental factors, as well as the biological mechanisms underlying obesogen action. It further examines current research frontiers and challenges, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for early prevention and precision intervention of childhood obesity.
2.Structural and Functional Abnormalities of White-matter Tracts in Male College Smokers
Xiao-Jiao LI ; Da-Hua YU ; Ting XUE ; Kai YUAN ; Zhen-Zhen MAI ; Xu-Wen WANG ; Fang DONG ; Juan WANG ; Yu-Xin MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1770-1779
ObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter microstructure and spontaneous neural activity in male college smokers, and to further explore their associations with nicotine dependence. Given that adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for brain maturation, particularly for white matter development, understanding the neural correlates of smoking behavior during this stage is of substantial importance for both neuroscience and public health. MethodsA total of 115 male undergraduate students were initially recruited for this study. After quality control and exclusion procedures, 52 male college smokers and 42 demographically matched healthy non-smokers were included in the final analysis. All participants underwent multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). White matter fiber tracts were reconstructed using the automated fiber quantification (AFQ) method, which enables precise identification and quantification of major fiber bundles. Eighteen major white matter tracts were segmented for each participant. Along the core trajectory of each tract, 100 equidistant nodes were sampled. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated at each node to assess white matter microstructural integrity, while amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) was computed to evaluate spontaneous neural activity within white matter tracts. Between-group differences in FA and ALFF were assessed using two-sample t-tests, with appropriate corrections applied for multiple comparisons. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between imaging-derived metrics (FA and ALFF values in regions showing significant group differences) and nicotine dependence severity, as measured by the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). ResultsCompared with healthy non-smokers, male college smokers exhibited significantly increased FA values in several white matter tracts, including the left thalamic radiation, right corticospinal tract, forceps major of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and right arcuate fasciculus. These findings suggest altered microstructural organization or increased directional coherence within these pathways. In addition, smokers demonstrated significantly elevated ALFF values in the forceps major, right uncinate fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus, indicating enhanced spontaneous neural activity in these white matter regions. Correlation analyses revealed that FA values in the left thalamic radiation and right corticospinal tract were negatively correlated with FTND scores, suggesting that higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with reduced microstructural integrity or altered fiber organization in these regions. In contrast, ALFF values in the forceps major and right uncinate fasciculus were positively correlated with FTND scores, indicating that greater nicotine dependence was associated with increased spontaneous neural activity in specific white matter pathways. ConclusionThe present study provides evidence that male college smokers exhibit distinct alterations in both white matter microstructure and functional activity. These abnormalities are not uniformly distributed but rather localized to specific fiber tracts implicated in sensorimotor processing, interhemispheric communication, and higher-order cognitive and emotional regulation. Importantly, the observed associations between imaging metrics and nicotine dependence severity suggest that these structural and functional alterations may reflect neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction. The combination of AFQ-based tract profiling and multimodal MRI offers a sensitive approach for detecting subtle changes along white matter pathways, highlighting its potential utility in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of nicotine dependence. Overall, these findings indicate that smoking during early adulthood may disrupt ongoing white matter maturation, potentially leading to long-term consequences for brain function. This study provides novel insights into the neural basis of nicotine dependence and underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies targeting young smokers.
3.Does Vertebral Cement Augmentation Reduce Postoperative Proximal Junction Complications in Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Dong LI ; Xin SUN ; Jie LI ; Yanjie XU ; Yong QIU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Zhen LIU
Neurospine 2025;22(1):51-66
Objective:
To assess the effectiveness of vertebral cement augmentation (VCA) at upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and UIV+1 in preventing proximal junction complications in correction surgery for adult spinal deformity patients.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases for comparative studies published before December 30th, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened eligible articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed study quality with Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and extracted data like study characteristics, surgical details, primary and secondary outcomes. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata software.
Results:
Of all 513 papers screened, a meta-analysis was conducted on 7 articles, which included 333 cases in the VCA group and 827 cases in the control group. Patients in the VCA group had significantly older age and lower T score than patients in the control group. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of proximal junctional failure between the 2 groups, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the incidence of proximal junctional failure and the need for revision surgery were reduced by 36% and 71%, respectively, in the VCA group. One study reported 2 clinically silent pulmonary cement embolism and 1 patient requiring surgical decompression for cement leak into the spinal canal.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis supported the use of VCA in corrective surgery for spinal deformities patients, especially in patients with advanced age and osteoporosis.
4.Effect of butorphanol on lipopolysaccharide-induced chondrocyte injury by regulating SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway
Jun FANG ; Ximing LIU ; Zhen LI ; Meng YANG ; Qingyong DONG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(8):94-101
Objective To investigate the effect of butorphanol on lipopolysaccharide-induced chondrocyte injury by regulating the stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)pathway.Methods Human C28/12 chondrocytes were cultured in vitro and assigned to the following groups:control(normal culture),model(100 μmol/L lipopolysaccharide),model+low-dose butorphanol(100 μmol/L lipopolysaccharide+1μmol/L butorphanol),model+medium-dose butorphanol(100 μmol/L lipopolysaccharide+2 μmol/L butorphanol),model+high-dose butorphanol(100 μmol/L lipopolysaccharide+4 μmol/L butorphanol),and model+high-dose butorphanol+NUCC-390(100 μmol/L lipopolysaccharide+4 μmol/L butorphanol+500 nmol/L CXCR4 agonist NUCC-390).Cell viability,interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels,apoptosis,and SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway-related proteins were evaluated by MTT assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,flow cytometry,and Western blot,respectively.Results Chondrocyte survival rate and Bcl-2 protein expression were decreased while TNF-α,IL-6,apoptosis rate,Bax,Cleaved caspase-3,SDF-1α,and CXCR4 proteins were increased in the model group compared with the control group(P<0.05).The above indicators were improved in the model+low-,medium-,and high-dose butorphanol groups compared with the model group,while the result for the model+high-dose butorphanol+NUCC-390 group were opposite to those of the model+high-dose butorphanol group.Conclusions Butorphanol may improve lipopolysaccharide-induced chondrocyte injury induced by inhibiting the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway.
5.Effect of Qishen Yixin Granules on microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction induced by Ang Ⅱ and high-fat diet in mice and its mechanism
Wen-fang JIN ; Zhen-ni ZHANG ; Tian-tian ZHU ; Hu-gang JIANG ; Xin-qiang WANG ; Chun-zhen REN ; Xi-ping XING ; Kai LIU ; Ying-dong LI ; Xin-ke ZHAO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1982-1990
Aim To clarify the mechanism by which Qishen Yixin Granules improved microcirculation vas-cular endothelial dysfunction(VED)in mice,through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate oxidative stress.Methods C57 mice were randomly divided into six groups:blank group,model group,pos-itive drug group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qishen Yixin Granules.The VED model was established by long-term infusion of Ang Ⅱ combined with a high-fat diet.Each treatment group received the corresponding drug intervention.After four weeks of drug intervention,cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography.Carstairs staining was used to ob-serve the formation of microthrombi in myocardial tis-sue.The micro vascular ischemia was evaluated by Hei-denhain staining.The ultrastructure of endothelial cells was observed by electron microscopy.The levels of EMPs,ROS,NO,ET-1,TF,TM,VWF,and TXA2 in serum were measured by ELISA.The expression levels of MDA,SOD,and GSH-Px in mouse heart tissue were determined by chemical methods.Cardiac microvascu-lar density and the expression of Nrf2,Keap1,and HO-1 proteins were detected by Immunohistochemical stai-ning.The protein expressions of Keap1,cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,and HO-1 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Qishen Yixin Granules could effectively improve the cardiac function of mice,alleviate the damage of endothelial cells and endothelial function.They could up-regulate serum NO levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,while down-regulating the expression of ROS and vascular inflammatory injury factors such as ET-1,VWF,TXA2,TF,TM,and EMPs.Qishen Yixin Granules also increased the positive counts of CD34,Nrf2,and HO-1,as well as microvessel density.Fur-thermore,they inhibited the expression of MDA,Keap1,and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein in myocardial tis-sue,while increasing the expression of nuclear proteins HO-1 and Nrf2.Conclusions Qishen Yixin Granules may inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby improving vascular endothelial damage and cardiac function in VED mice.
6.Epimedokoreanin B induces pyroptosis in HepaRG cells through NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway
Yu-tong DONG ; Hao-ran HU-YAN ; Li-zhen QIU ; Chao MA ; Shao-xia WANG ; Kun ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(11):2053-2057
Aim To explore the role and mechanism of epimedokoreanin B(EKB)in HepaRG cell pyroptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP1-me-diated pyroptosis pathway.Methods The effect of EKB on the viability of HepaRG cells at different con-centrations was determined by MTT assay,and the cell growth status was recorded by Incucyte.Four groups of HepaRG cells were set up.The control group was cul-tured with complete medium for 24 h;the drug admin-istration group was cultured with three concentration gradients of 6.25,12.5 and 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB for 24 h.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and pyroptosis-related proteins in the cells of each group.Results HepaRG cells showed cytotoxicity at a concentration of 6.25 μmol·L-1 for 24 h,and the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)was 12.41 μmol·L-1.Incucyte recordings of the cell growth status showed that the cells in the control group were in good growth status,and the vesicular pyropto-sis cells appeared in the different concentrations of EKB and the cells swelled and ruptured after 24 h.Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins pERK,eIF-2α,ATF-4,GRP78,and CHOP significantly in-creased in HepaRG cells at 25 μmol·L-1 of EKB compared with the control group.The proteins of the classical pathway of cellular pyroptosis mediated by NLRP1,caspase-1,cleaved caspase-1,GSDMD,GS-DMD-N significantly increased in HepaRG cells.Con-clusion EKB administration induces HepaRG cell py-roptosis,and EKB activates HepaRG cells to undergo endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the NLRP1/caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis pathway.
7.Application of transcranial electrical stimulation in psychiatry and the progress of clinical research
Lin MENG ; Shiqi WU ; Zhen WU ; Yueqing DONG
Tianjin Medical Journal 2025;53(11):1228-1232
Transcranial electrical stimulation(tES)is a process,in which a specific pattern of low-intensity electrical currents is applied to the cerebral cortex through a combination of electrode sheets placed on the surface of scalp,modulating neural activity and corresponding human behaviors.In recent years,its application in the field of psychiatry has been gradually increasing.This paper reviews the clinical applications and latest research progress of tES technology in schizophrenia,depressive disorders,bipolar disorder,obsessive-compulsive disorder and sleep disorders,aiming to provide references for its application and further research in the field of psychiatric practice.
8.Predictive model for intra-abdominal pressure in critically ill patients based on multiple regression and variational auto-encoders
Yi ZHANG ; Zhi-qin ZHU ; Wen-lin LI ; Dong-chu ZHAO ; Chang LIU ; Zhi-wei FAN ; Zhen WANG ; Lian-yang ZHANG ; Hao TANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(11):10-17
Objective To propose a multiple regression-variational auto-encoders(MR-VAE)model to realize precise and non-invasive prediction of intra-abdominal pressure(IAP)in critically ill patients.Methods At first,a dataset was constructed by retrospectively analysing baseline characteristics and clinical indicators of 100 critically ill patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Daping Hospital of Army Medical University between 30 August 2019 and 30 March 2021.Then,a MR-VAE prediction model was developed by integrating a feedforward neural network for supervised regression onto a variational autoencoder(VAE)framework and incorporating multiple regression strategies to mitigate feature interference.Finally,the MR-VAE model had its performance evaluated by its comparison with five classical models including support vector machines(SVM),convolutional neural networks(CNN),Scikit-learn integrated model(SIM),multi-layer perceptron(MLP)and K-nearest neighbors(KNN),and its prediction accuracy verified by testing the data of 10 randomly selected patients.Results The MR-VAE model behaved the best when compared with the five classical models,with a mean squared error(MSE)of 0.207,a root mean square error(RMSE)of 0.454,a mean absolute error(MAE)of 0.361,a median absolute deviation(MAD)of 0.243,an explained variance score(EVS)of 0.814 and a R2of 0.823,which also outperformed the five models in fitting performance,convergence and final loss.In random sample testing,the MR-VAE model exhibited high consistency between predicted and actual values.Conclusion The MR-VAE model proposed can accurately predict IAP,which has great potential in reducing the repeated measurements of IAP in critically ill patients and providing new ideas for the early diagnosis and treatment of IAH.
9.Radiation hardening study for control chips in casualty transport robots
Jian-jun CHEN ; Fang GUO ; Zhen-dong ZHENG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(11):18-23
Objective To explore the performance of gallium nitride(GaN)-based digital circuit chips applied in nuclear radiation environments and investigate the feasibility of their use in control chips for robots transporting injured personnel.Methods First,a GaN-based NAND gate digital circuit chip was fabricated.Second,both the GaN-based digital chip and the SN74AHCT1G00 silicon-based digital chip were irradiated with 60Co gamma-ray.The irradiation doses for the GaN-based digital chip were 1 Mrad(Si)and 2 Mrad(Si),while the irradiation dose for the SN74AHCT1G00 silicon-based digital chip was 1 Mrad(Si).Finally,the post-irradiation electrical performance of the two chips was measured using a Keithley 4200A-SCS semiconductor characterization system.Results Under 60Co gamma-ray irradiation doses of 1 Mrad(Si)and 2 Mrad(Si),the response delay of the GaN-based digital circuit chip was only on the order of 0.1 μs.In contrast,the response rate of the SN74AHCT1G00 silicon-based digital circuit chip significantly degraded under 60Co gamma-ray irradiation dose of 1 Mrad(Si),rendering it unable to perform the NAND gate logic function.Conclusion GaN-based digital circuit chips exhibit high radiation resistance in 60Co gamma-ray irradiation environments,with no significant performance degradation.Compared with silicon-based digital circuit chips,they demonstrate considerable advantages and can preliminarily meet the requirements for control chips of robots transporting injured personnel in nuclear radiation environments.
10.Parecoxib sodium alleviates pain in rats with femoral fractures by modulating TLR4/p38MAPK pathway
Hua WANG ; Huili SHEN ; Liyun DONG ; Shuqing ZHEN ; Guangping ZHAO ; Yongxue CHEN ; Xinbo WANG ; Jianhua LI
Immunological Journal 2025;41(4):237-242
Objective To investigate the effects of parecoxib sodium on pain and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/p38 mitogen activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)pathway in rats with femoral fracture.Methods Sixty rats were randomly separated into sham operation group,model group,TLR4 inhibitor(TAK-242)group(3 mg/kg),parecoxib sodium group(10 mg/kg),and parecoxib sodium+TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide group(10 mg/kg parecoxib sodium+15 mg/kg LPS),with 12 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,rats in all other groups were used to establish a femoral fracture model by transverse cutting of the mid femur.After 28 days of treatment in each group,X-rays were used to detect the degree of fracture healing in rats.The mechanical pain threshold(PWMT)and thermal pain threshold(PWTL)of rats were measured.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),and IL-10 in serum.Micro-CT method was applied to detect changes in femoral bone density(BMD),bone volume fraction(BV/TV),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),and trabecular quantity(Tb.N)in rats.HE staining was applied to observe the pathological changes of bone tissue at the fracture site in rats.Western blot was applied to detect the expression of TLR4/p38MAPK pathway related proteins in bone tissue at the fracture site.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the fracture lines of rats in the model group were obvious,with a small amount of callus growth,the PWMT,PWTL,femoral BMD,BV/TV,Tb.Th,and Tb.N decreased,while the levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-10,and the levels of TLR4 and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK proteins in the bone tissue at the fracture site increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the fracture lines in the TAK-242 group and the parecoxib sodium group were blurred,and there was an increase in callus growth,the PWMT,PWTL,femoral BMD,BV/TV,Tb.Th,and Tb.N,the serum IL-10 level increased,while the serum IL-6,TNF-αlevels,the TLR4 and p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK protein levels in bone tissue at the fracture site decreased(P<0.05).LPS could upregulate the phosphorylation levels of TLR4 and p38MAPK,and weaken the relieving effects on anti-inflammatory and pain of parecoxib sodium on fracture rats.Conclusion Paracoxib sodium may alleviate pain and accelerate fracture healing in rats with femoral fractures by inhibiting the TLR4/p38MAPK pathway and suppressing inflammatory responses.


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