1.Mitochondrial Quality Control Regulating Pathogenesis of Sarcopenia and Its Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Ting DAI ; Yan CHEN ; Changsheng GUO ; Jing GAO ; Xiaodong FENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):279-286
Sarcopenia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in skeletal muscle strength and quality, often accompanied by adverse outcomes such as falls, loss of function and weakness. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is complex, and studies have shown that dysfunction due to impaired mitochondrial quality control is an important pathological factor in the occurrence and development. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been widely favoured for regulating mitochondrial homeostasis and preventing sarcopenia by virtue of its multi-target and multi-pathway advantages. They can play a role in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia by regulating the mitochondrial quality control system to inhibit the occurrence of mitochondrial oxidative stress, regulate the balance of mitochondrial dynamics, inhibit mitochondrial autophagy, promote mitochondrial biosynthesis, resist the occurrence of mitochondrial apoptosis, and maintain the mitochondrial calcium and protein homeostasis. Based on this, the paper reviewed the relationship between mitochondrial quality control and sarcopenia, as well as the mechanism of TCM in intervening the mitochondrial quality control system to treat sarcopenia, in order to provide a new idea for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia by TCM and to a theoretical basis for the clinical research on TCM intervention in sarcopenia.
2.Prevalence, influencing factors, and fibrosis risk stratification of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in the health check-up population in Beijing, China
Haiqing GUO ; Mingliang LI ; Feng LIU ; Jing ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):643-649
ObjectiveTo identify the patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) among the health check-up population, and to perform stratified management of patients with the low, medium, and high risk of advanced fibrosis based on noninvasive fibrosis scores. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 125 individuals who underwent physical examination in Beijing Physical Examination Center from December 2017 to December 2019, and they were divided into MAFLD group with 1 068 individuals and non-MAFLD group with 2 057 individuals. According to BMI, the MAFLD group was further divided into lean MAFLD group (125 individuals with BMI<24 kg/m2) and non-lean MAFLD group (943 individuals with BMI≥24 kg/m2). Indicators including demographic data, past history, laboratory examination, and liver ultrasound were compared between groups. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and BARD score were calculated for the patients in the MAFLD group to assess the risk of advanced fibrosis. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of each indicator in MAFLD. ResultsCompared with the non-MAFLD group, the MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=-9.758, P<0.05), proportion of male patients (χ2=137.555, P<0.05), and levels of body weight (Z=-27.987, P<0.05), BMI (Z=-32.714, P<0.05), waist circumference (Z=-31.805, P<0.05), hip circumference (Z=-26.342, P<0.05), waist-hip ratio (Z=-28.554, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (Z=-25.820, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (Z=-16.894, P<0.05), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (Z=-25.069, P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (Z=-12.533, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=-27.559), total cholesterol (Z=-7.833, P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (Z=-8.222, P<0.05), and uric acid (UA) (Z=-20.024, P<0.05), as well as a significantly higher proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) (χ2=578.220, P<0.05), significantly higher prevalence rates of hypertension (χ2=241.694, P<0.05), type 2 diabetes (χ2=796.484, P<0.05), and dyslipidemia (χ2=369.843, P<0.05), and a significant reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (Z=23.153, P<0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio [OR]=1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.203 — 1.737), ALT (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.046 — 1.062), LDL-C (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.102 — 1.373), and comorbidity with MetS (OR=5.97, 95%CI: 4.876 — 7.316) were independently associated with MAFLD. Compared with the non-lean MAFLD group, the lean MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=3.736, P<0.05) and HDL-C (Z=2.679, P<0.05) and significant reductions in the proportion of male patients (χ2=28.970, P<0.05), body weight (Z=-14.230, P<0.05), BMI (Z=-18.188, P<0.05), waist circumference (Z=-13.451, P<0.05), hip circumference (Z=-13.317, P<0.05), ALT (Z=-4.519, P<0.05), AST (Z=-2.258, P<0.05), GGT (Z=-4.592, P<0.05), UA (Z=-4.415, P<0.05), the proportion of patients with moderate or severe fatty liver disease or MetS (χ2=42.564, P<0.05), and the prevalence rates of hypertension (χ2=12.057, P<0.05) and type 2 diabetes (χ2=3.174, P<0.05). Among the patients with MAFLD, 10 patients (0.9%) had an FIB-4 score of >2.67, 4 patients (0.4%) had an NFS score of >0.676, 8 patients (0.7%) had an APRI of >1, and 551 patients (51.6%) had a BARD score of ≥2. ConclusionThere is a relatively high prevalence rate of MAFLD among the health check-up population in Beijing, but with a relatively low number of patients with a high risk of advanced fibrosis, and such patients need to be referred to specialized hospitals for liver diseases.
3.Characteristics and lifestyles of patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on the physical examination population
Haiqing GUO ; Mingliang LI ; Feng LIU ; Yali LIU ; Jing ZHANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1090-1096
ObjectiveTo screen for the patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) among the physical examination population, to observe the characteristics of MAFLD patients, and to compare the differences in lifestyle between the MAFLD population and the non-MAFLD population. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 6 206 individuals who underwent physical examination in a physical examination institution in Beijing from December 2015 to December 2019, and according to the new diagnostic criteria for MAFLD, the examination population was divided into MAFLD group and non-MAFLD group. Based on body mass index (BMI), the MAFLD group was further divided into lean MAFLD group (BMI<24 kg/m2) and non-lean MAFLD group (BMI ≥24 kg/m2). Related data were compared between groups, including demographic indicators, education level, work pressure, physical measurement indicators, and lifestyles such as sleep, diet, and exercise. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsOf all individuals in this study, 1 926 (31.1%) had MAFLD and 4 280 (68.9%) did not have MAFLD. Compared with the non-MAFLD group, the MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=-14.459, P<0.001), proportion of male patients (χ2=72.004, P<0.001), work pressure (χ2=7.744, P=0.005), body weight (Z=-43.508, P<0.001), BMI (Z=-47.621, P<0.001), waist circumference (Z=-48.515, P<0.001), hip circumference (Z=-42.121, P<0.001), and waist-hip ratio (Z=-43.535, P<0.001), as well as a significantly lower education level (χ2=33.583, P<0.001). In terms of behavior, the MAFLD group had a significantly shorter sleep time (χ2=5.820, P=0.016) and a significantly faster eating speed (χ2=74.476, P<0.001). In terms of diet, the patients in the MAFLD group consumed more high-sodium, high-sugar, and high-calorie diets (χ2=42.667, P<0.001) and low-fiber diet (χ2=4.367, P=0.008). In terms of exercise, the MAFLD group had a significantly higher proportion of patients without exercise habits (χ2=10.278, P=0.001). Further analysis showed that there were 202 individuals (10.5%) in the lean MAFLD group and 1 724 (89.5%) in the non-lean MAFLD group. Compared with the non-lean MAFLD group, the lean MAFLD group had significantly higher age (Z=3.368, P=0.001) and education level (χ2=9.647, P=0.002) and significantly lower proportion of male patients (χ2=27.664, P<0.001), body weight (Z=-18.483, P<0.001), BMI (Z=-23.286, P<0.001), waist circumference (Z=-18.565, P<0.001), and hip circumference (Z=-18.097, P<0.001), and in terms of behavior, the non-lean MAFLD group had a significantly faster eating speed (χ2=4.549, P=0.033). ConclusionThere is a relatively high prevalence rate of MAFLD among the physical examination population in Beijing, with a higher number of people with unhealthy lifestyles compared with the non-MAFLD population.
4.The historical evolution of Chinese physiology textbooks.
Yan FENG ; Xiao ZHAI ; Xin WANG ; Feng YANG ; Liang ZHU ; Guo-Chao SUN ; Ning WANG ; Jun ZHANG ; Jing XIAO ; Wei-Wei LIU ; You-Fei GUAN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(1):1-12
This article systematically reviews the characteristics and trends of the writing, editing, publication and promotion of physiology textbooks in China from the late 19th century to the present, focusing on the introduction, development and innovation of Chinese physiology textbooks. The development of physiology textbooks in China is divided into four main stages: the introduction and initial development of physiology textbooks from the late 19th century to 1925; the localization and diversification of textbooks from 1926 to 1949, after the establishment of the Chinese Physiological Society; the exploratory phase of textbook construction after the founding of the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 1976; the formation and innovation of the textbook development process from 1977 to the present, following the restoration of the college entrance examination. For each phase, the article not only records the historical development of physiology textbooks, but also analyzes the evolution of their content, writing styles and the interaction with the social and political contexts. The article summarizes the characteristics and experiences of all these four phases. Special attention is given to the comprehensive statistical analysis of physiology textbooks published since the restoration of the college entrance examination and Economic Reform and Opening-up in 1977, revealing the changes in the number, publication trends and academic features of textbooks during this period. Finally, the article presets the future development of physiology textbooks in China, proposing that textbook writing should integrate aspects such as ideological and political education, medical humanities, basic and clinical medicine, health education, scientific research and international exchange and collaboration. The article also advocates for the application of new technologies and methods, such as artificial intelligence, virtual teaching models and knowledge graphs, to support "personalized learning". This research provides a systematic reference for the study of the history of medical education and offers theoretical support for the future innovation of physiology textbook in China.
Humans
;
China
;
History, 19th Century
;
History, 20th Century
;
History, 21st Century
;
Physiology/education*
;
Textbooks as Topic/history*
5.Digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum based on HPLC-QTOF-MS~E and Adaboost.
Xiao-Han GUO ; Xian-Rui WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Ming-Hua LI ; Wen-Guang JING ; Xian-Long CHENG ; Feng WEI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1172-1178
Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum is a precious animal-derived Chinese medicinal material, while there are often adulterants derived from animals not specified in the Chinese Pharmacopeia in the market, which disturbs the safety of medication. This study was conducted with the aim of strengthening the quality control of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum and standardizing the medication. To achieve digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum from different sources, a digital identification model was constructed based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E) combined with an adaptive boosting algorithm(Adaboost). The young furred antlers of sika deer, red deer, elk, and reindeer were processed and then subjected to polypeptide analysis by UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E. Then, the mass spectral data reflecting the polypeptide information were obtained by digital quantification. Next, the key data were obtained by feature screening based on Gini index, and the digital identification model was constructed by Adaboost. The model was evaluated based on the recall rate, F_1 composite score, and accuracy. Finally, the results of identification based on the constructed digital identification model were validated. The results showed that when the Gini index was used to screen the data of top 100 characteristic polypeptides, the digital identification model based on Adaboost had the best performance, with the recall rate, F_1 composite score, and accuracy not less than 0.953. The validation analysis showed that the accuracy of the identification of the 10 batches of samples was as high as 100.0%. Therefore, based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS~E and Adaboost algorithm, the digital identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum can be realized efficiently and accurately, which can provide reference for the quality control and original animal identification of Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum.
Animals
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Algorithms
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Antlers/chemistry*
;
Boosting Machine Learning Algorithms
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods*
;
Deer
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Quality Control
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Reindeer
;
Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods*
;
Tissue Extracts/analysis*
6.Identification of critical quality attributes related to property and flavor of Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets based on T1R2/T1R3/TRPV1-HEMT biosensor.
Dong-Hong LIU ; Yan-Yu HAN ; Jing WANG ; Hai-Yang LI ; Xin-Yu GUO ; Hui-Min FENG ; Han HE ; Shuo-Shuo XU ; Zhi-Jian ZHONG ; Zhi-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):3930-3937
The quality of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is a critical foundation for ensuring the stability of its efficacy, as well as the safety and effectiveness of its clinical use. The identification of critical quality attributes(CQAs) is one of the core components of TCM preparation quality control. This study focuses on Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets and explores their CQAs related to property and flavor from the perspective of taste receptor proteins. Three taste receptor proteins, T1R2, T1R3, and TRPV1, were selected, and a biosensor based on high-electron-mobility transistor(HEMT) was constructed to detect the interactions between Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets and taste receptor proteins. Simultaneously, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) technology was used to analyze the chemical composition of Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets. In examining the interaction strength, the results indicated that the interaction between Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets and TRPV1 protein was the strongest, followed by T1R3, with the interaction with T1R2 being relatively weaker. By combining biosensing technology with LC-MS, 16 chemical components were identified from Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets, among which six were selected as CQAs for sweetness and seven for pungency. Further validation experiments demonstrated that CQAs such as hesperidin and hesperetin had strong interactions with their corresponding taste receptor proteins. Through the combined use of multiple technological approaches, this study successfully determined the property and flavor-related CQAs of Jianwei Xiaoshi Tablets. It provides novel ideas and approach for the identification of CQAs in TCM preparations and offers comprehensive theoretical support for TCM quality control, contributing to the improvement and development of TCM preparation quality control systems.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
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Biosensing Techniques/methods*
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TRPV Cation Channels/chemistry*
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Tablets/chemistry*
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics*
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Quality Control
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Taste
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Humans
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Mass Spectrometry
7.Effect and mechanism of Xintong Granules in ameliorating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating gut microbiota.
Yun-Jia WANG ; Ji-Dong ZHOU ; Qiu-Yu SU ; Jing-Chun YAO ; Rui-Qiang SU ; Guo-Fei QIN ; Gui-Min ZHANG ; Hong-Bao LIANG ; Shuai FENG ; Jia-Cheng ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4003-4014
This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Rats
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Male
;
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Humans
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
;
Interleukin-6/genetics*
;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
8.Development of intelligent equipment for rapid microbial detection of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decoction pieces based on measurement technology for traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing.
Yang LIU ; Wu-Zhen QI ; Yu-Tong WU ; Shan-Xi ZHU ; Xiao-Jun ZHAO ; Qia-Tong XIE ; Yu-Feng GUO ; Jing ZHAO ; Nan LI ; Shi-Jun WANG ; Qi-Hui SUN ; Zhi-Sheng WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4610-4618
Microbial detection and control of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces are crucial for the quality control of TCM preparations. It is also a key area of research in the measurement technology and equipment development for TCM manufacturing. Guided by TCM manufacturing measurement methodologies, this study presented a design of a novel portable microbial detection device, using Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma decoction pieces as a demonstration. Immunomagnetic separation technology was employed for specific isolation and labeling of target microorganisms. Enzymatic signal amplification was utilized to convert weak biological signals into colorimetric signals, constructing an optical biosensor. A self-developed smartphone APP was further applied to analyze the colorimetric signals and quantify target concentrations. A portable and automated detection system based on Arduino microcontroller was developed to automatically perform target microbial separation/extraction, as well as mimetic enzyme labeling and catalytic reactions. The developed equipment specifically focuses on the rapid and quantitative microbial analysis of TCM active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates in TCM manufacturing, and final TCM products. Experimental results demonstrate that the equipment could detect Salmonella in samples within 2 h, with a detection limit as low as 5.1 × 10~3 CFU·mL~(-1). The equipment enables the rapid detection of microorganisms in TCM decoction pieces, providing a potential technical solution for on-site rapid screening of microbial contamination indicators in TCM. It has broad application prospects in measurement technology for TCM manufacturing and offers strong technical support for the modernization, industrialization, and intelligent development of TCM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
;
Atractylodes/microbiology*
;
Rhizome/microbiology*
;
Biosensing Techniques/methods*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Colorimetry/instrumentation*
;
Quality Control
9.Clinical study on the effectiveness of bone acupuncture for alleviating pain and improving function in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
Chang-Xiao HAN ; Min-Shan FENG ; Jing-Hua GAO ; Xun-Lu YIN ; Guang-Wei LIU ; Hai-Bao WEN ; Jing LI ; Bo-Chen PENG ; Li-Guo ZHU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(2):152-156
OBJECTIVE:
To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture.
METHODS:
From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared.
RESULTS:
Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans
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Female
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Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
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Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology*
;
Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*
;
Pain Management
10.A convenient research strategy for functional verification of epigenetic regulators during spermatogenesis.
Shan LI ; Ying YUAN ; Ke-Yu ZHANG ; Yi-Dan GUO ; Lu-Tong WANG ; Xiao-Yuan ZHANG ; Shu ZHANG ; Qi YAN ; Rong ZHANG ; Jie CHEN ; Feng-Tang YANG ; Jing-Rui LI
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(2):261-267
Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.
Spermatogenesis/physiology*
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Animals
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Male
;
Mice
;
Epigenesis, Genetic
;
Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism*
;
Histones/metabolism*
;
RNA Interference
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Methylation
;
Mice, Knockout
;
Histone Demethylases

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