1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Analysis of the current status and influencing factors of attitudes and competence in hospice care among nursing interns
Shipeng SUN ; Yan JIA ; Wei ZHAO ; Rong WANG ; Xin GAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(5):663-668
ObjectiveTo investigate the attitudes and competence of nursing interns toward hospice care, analyze the key factors influencing their performance, and provide targeted improvement suggestions to enhance their comprehensive quality. MethodsA total of 273 undergraduate nursing interns were investigated. General demographic data were collected, and the Chinese version of the Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale, Form B (FATCOD-B) and the Hospice Care Competency Assessment Questionnaire were administered to evaluate their attitudes and competence in hospice care. A total of 270 valid questionnaires were recovered. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the influencing factors of hospice care attitudes and competence among nursing interns. ResultsThe total score of hospice care attitudes was (76.04±12.18) among these 270 nursing interns. Having cared for critically ill patients, receiving hospice care-related education, and experiencing the loss of relatives or friends in the past year were positive influencing factors for their hospice care attitudes, whereas avoidance of talking about death was a negative influencing factor. The total score of hospice care competence was (42.75±4.68). Having cared for critically ill patients and receiving hospice care-related education represented positive influencing factors for their hospice care competence. ConclusionThe hospice care attitudes and competence of nursing interns are all at moderate levels. It is necessary to strengthen education and training on hospice care for nursing interns, improve the ability of nurses, and provide assistance for the development of hospice care.
4.Effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides on improving mouse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via regulation of Akt/mTOR/SREBP-1c signaling pathway
Shi-yao HUANG ; Liang KONG ; Jia-hua WANG ; Li-yan WANG ; Chao-wei SUN ; Xin-cheng LIU ; Yu-he DONG ; Li-yan GU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):58-65
AIM To investigate the improvement effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides(PCPs)on mouse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS Forty-eight C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the simvastatin group(4 mg/kg)and the high,medium and low dose PCPs groups(200,100 and 50 mg/kg),with 8 mice in each group.The NAFLD model was reproduced by 16 weeks feeding of high-fat and high-cholesterol diet,followed by 8 weeks administration of corresponding drug by gavage.The mice had their body mass and liver coefficient assessed;their levels of hepatic free fatty acid(FFA),and serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GT)and malondialdehyde(MDA)detected;their hepatic pathological changes and lipid deposition observed using HE staining,NAFLD activity score(NAS)and oil red O staining;and their hepatic protein expressions of Akt,mTOR,p-Akt,p-mTOR and SREBP-1c detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group demonstrated all increased body weight,liver coefficient,hepatic FFA level,and serum TC,TG,LDL-C,AST,ALT,γ-GT,MDA,IL-1β and TNF-α.levels(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased HDL-C level and activities of SOD and GSH-Px(P<0.05,P<0.01);more obvious hepatic pathological damage as revealed by increased NAS score(P<0.01)and increased lipid deposition area(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with high or medium dose PCPs,or simvastatin displayed decreased body weight,liver coefficient,hepatic FFA level,and serum TC,TG,LDL-C,AST,ALT,γ-GT,MDA,IL-1β and TNF-α levels(P<0.05,P<0.01);increased HDL-C level and SOD,GSH-Px activities(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased hepatic pathological damage as revealed by the decreased NAS score and lipid deposition area(P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased hepatic protein expressions of p-Akt,p-mTOR and SREBP-1c protein(P<0.05)as well.CONCLUSION PCPs can improve mouse NAFLD,and its mechanism may lie in their function in reversing abnormal lipid metabolism via Akt/mTOR/SREBP-1c signaling pathway.
5.Benzoylaconine attenuates oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation induced cardiomyocytic injury through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Wuming ZHOU ; Shengkun LANG ; Xin GE ; Wei JIANG ; Di JIA ; Hao YAO ; Zhirong HUAN
Chinese Journal of Geriatric Heart Brain and Vessel Diseases 2025;27(2):211-216
Objective To investigate the protective effect of benzoylaconine(BAC)on H9c2 cardio-myocytes after oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxyenation(OGD/R)injury.Methods After an in vitro model of OGD/R injury was established in H9c2 cells,the cells were treated with BAC at different concentrations(0,25,50,75,100 μmol/L)to determine its optimal dose.Then,H9c2 cells were randomly divided into control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+BAC group(75 μmol),OGD/R+LY294002 group(PI3K/Akt inhibitor),and OGD/R+LY294002+BAC group.Corre-sponding reagent kits were used to determine cell viability and LDH level,as well as the expres-sion levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,MDA and GSH-Px in the cells.Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the PI3K/Akt pathway proteins,as well as autophagic proteins such as LC3,Beclin1,and P62.Results Compared to the control group,the cell viability was significantly decreased,and LDH level was obviously increased in the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC significantly increased the cell viability(0.87±0.06 vs 40.49±0.06,P<0.01)and decreased the LDH level(86.75±7.79 U/L vs 234.42±6.20 U/L,P<0.01)when compared to the levels of the OGD/R group.OGD/R injury induced notable increases in TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,and MDA expression levels,while decrease of GSH-Px expression level(P<0.01),and down-regulation of p-PI3K,p-Akt and P62 and up-regulation of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(P<0.01)when compared with the control group.Treatment of 75 μmol/L BAC increased the levels of p-PI3K,p-Akt,and P62 proteins(0.90±0.07 vs 0.58±0.04,1.02±0.02 vs 0.49±0.01,1.48±0.05 vs 0.87±0.04)and decreased those of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ and Beclin-1(0.52±0.01 vs 1.24±0.04,0.12±0.01 vs 0.32±0.02)when compared with the OGD/R group(P<0.01).Conclusions BAC attenu-ates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of myocardial cells after OGD/R injury,regu-lates autophagy homeostasis,and reduces myocardial cell damage.Its regulatory effect on myocar-dial autophagy homeostasis may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
6.Study on Zinc Oxide/Ferrous Sulfide Heterojunction Ethanol Gas Sensor
Ji-Jin SHI ; Sen-Rong YE ; Jin-Peng LUO ; Chi ZHANG ; Xin HE ; Wei-Jia YANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(3):375-386
Ethanol detection plays an important role in food industry,environmental monitoring,medical health monitoring,prevention of drunk driving,etc.The development of low-cost,high-performance ethanol sensors has important application value.In this study,a ZnO/FeS nano heterojunction ethanol sensor was prepared on commercial ceramic silver electrode substrate.The sensing characteristics of the sensor for ethanol gas were systematically studied.The results showed that ZnO had a nanowire structure,and the FeS was coated on the ZnO nanowire in the form of nanosheets.The sensor performed well for ethanol detection in environments with relative humidity ranging from 30%to 60%,with a detection range from 0.2 mg/m3 to 50 mg/m3.At the optimum operating temperature of 300℃,the response of ZnO/FeS nano heterojunction sensor to 50 mg/m3 ethanol was 15.6,the response time was 5.0 s,and the detection limit was as low as 0.101 mg/m3,which was obviously better than that of commercial ethanol sensor.This sensor was highly selective for ethanol compared to other gases such as CO,NH3,acetone,etc,and could steadily work for 30 days.The fabricated sensor had good development potential in the field of low-cost and high-performance ethanol gas detection.
7.Preparation and Characterization of Supramolecular Solvent and Its Extraction of Sulfonamide Antibiotics from Milk
Jun-Qiang HAO ; Zhi-Xin ZHANG ; Yu-Heng LI ; Fan-Di ZHAO ; Yang-Yang ZHOU ; Lei ZHAO ; Wei-Jian ZHANG ; Jia-Han XIE ; Zhi-Bing WANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(6):976-986
As a cheap and effective antibiotic,sulfonamides are often used in animal husbandry.However,their residues in animal-derived foodstuffs will threaten human health.Consequently,a high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)method integrated with supramolecular solvent microextraction was successfully established for simultaneous quantification of sulfonamide residues sulfachlorpyridazine,sulfamethoxazole,sulfamethoxypyridazine and sulfadimethoxine in milk matrices.This approach exhibited prominent characteristics of operational simplicity,environmental sustainability,and high extraction efficiency.The supramolecular solvents prepared by tributyl octylphosphine tetrafluoroborate and tetrahydrofuran were employed as extraction solvents.The analytes underwent isolation and concentration via dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction(DLLME)prior to quantitative determination using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The composition and microscopic morphology of the supramolecular solvent were characterized through a series of analytical techniques,including phase diagram,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and inverted fluorescence microscopy and so on.The density and pH value of supramolecular solvents were determined.The extraction conditions were optimized through the one-factor experiments.The experimental results demonstrated that under the optimal extraction conditions,the four kinds of sulfonamide antibiotics exhibited excellent linearity within respective detection range(R2 ≥ 0.9998)and the limits of detection(LOD)were 0.67-1.45 μg/L.Compared with literature methods,this approach offered some advantages such as simplicity of operation and less reagent consumption,and could be used for analysis and detection of sulfonamide antibiotic residues in milk samples.The present method provided technical support for food safety regulation and paved a new way for the application of supramolecular solvents in the field of extraction and separation.
8.Toxicokinetics of Chlorfenapyr and Its Metabolites in Rats
Wen-Yan LI ; Jin-Feng ZHAO ; Wei-Chen LIU ; Shi-Jing LÜ ; Jia-Xin ZHANG ; Xu-Dong ZHANG ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN ; Chao ZHANG
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(4):380-386
Objective To establish a chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood,and to investigate the toxicokinetics in rats.Methods Chlorfenapyr(8 mg/kg)was administered orally to rats,and blood samples were collected from rats'canthus vein at 5 min,15 min,30 min,1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after administration.The blood samples were extracted using 100 μL of 5%formic acid solution and 400 μL of acetonitrile.Chlorfena-pyr was qualitatively and quantitatively detected by triple quadrupole gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)and tralopyril was detected by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The DAS 3.0 software was used to fit the toxicokinetic equa-tions and calculate the toxicokinetic parameters.Results Chlorfenapyr was detectable from 5 min to 24 h with a peak time of 1 h.Tralopyril was detectable from 15 min to 48 h with a peak time of 3 h.The toxicokinetic process of chlorfenapyr in rat blood conformed to a first-order absorption one-compartment open model,with the toxicokinetic equation described as C=e-0.265t-e-0.175t.Tralopyril con-formed to the first-order absorption three-compartment model,and the toxicokinetic equation was C=47 361.069e-2.209t-35 404.962e-1.486t+11 956.363e-0.512t.In the equations,C stands for the concentration of the target substance in the blood,e is the natural constant(≈2.718 28),and t stands for time.Conclu-sion This study optimized the detection method for chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood.The toxicokinetic equations and parameters of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril can provide a reference for the estimation of oral intake time of chlorfenapyr.
9.Progress on exosomes in common diseases in children
Xin GUO ; Yiting JIA ; Wei DANG ; Hua ZHU ; Junli LI
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(10):689-693
Exosomes are a kind of nanovesicles with a wide range of chemical components,which are enriched in a variety of bioactive molecules,such as lipids,proteins,nucleic acids,etc. Exosomes carry biologically active molecules that transmit different messages between cells,and play a role in human physiological and pathological processes. Compared with synthetic carriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles,by virtue of their natural endogenous attributes and cell-specific targeting capabilities,exosomes have broad application prospects in the fields of early disease diagnosis marker screening and targeted therapy drug carriers. This article reviews the role of exosomes in common children's diseases and their research progress,providing new ideas for pediatric clinicians to explore disease diagnosis and treatment.
10.Bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury: Incidence and influencing factors.
Min JIANG ; Jun-Wei ZHANG ; He-Hu TANG ; Yu-Fei MENG ; Zhen-Rong ZHANG ; Fang-Yong WANG ; Jin-Zhu BAI ; Shu-Jia LIU ; Zhen LYU ; Shi-Zheng CHEN ; Jie-Sheng LIU ; Jia-Xin FU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(6):477-484
PURPOSE:
To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
METHODS:
A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Patients with SCI in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2023 were collected. According to the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites, the patients were divided into the lumbar spine group and the hip joint group. According to the BMD value, the patients were divided into the normal bone mass group (t > -1.0 standard deviation) and the osteopenia group (t ≤ -1.0 standard deviation). The influencing factors accumulated as follows: gender, age, height, weight, cause of injury, injury segment, injury degree, time after injury, start time of rehabilitation, motor score, sensory score, spasticity, serum value of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus. The trend chart was drawn and the influencing factors were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the BMD values of the lumbar spine and bilateral hips. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of osteoporosis after SCI. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS:
The incidence of bone loss in patients with SCI was 66.3%. There was a low concordance between bone loss in the lumbar spine and the hip, and the hip was particularly susceptible to bone loss after SCI, with an upward trend in incidence (36% - 82%). In this study, patients with SCI were divided into the lumbar spine group (n = 100) and the hip group (n = 185) according to the BMD values of different sites. Then, the lumbar spine group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 53) and the osteopenia group (n = 47); the hip joint group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 83) and the osteopenia group (n = 102). Of these, lumbar bone loss after SCI is correlated with gender and weight (p = 0.032 and < 0.001, respectively), and hip bone loss is correlated with gender, height, weight, and time since injury (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of bone loss after SCI was high, especially in the hip. The incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in the lumbar spine and hip were different. Patients with SCI who are male, low height, lightweight, and long time after injury were more likely to have bone loss.
Humans
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Spinal Cord Injuries/complications*
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Male
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Female
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Retrospective Studies
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Incidence
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Adult
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Bone Density
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Middle Aged
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Case-Control Studies
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Osteoporosis/etiology*
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Lumbar Vertebrae
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Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology*
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Aged
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Risk Factors

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