1.Longitudinal cohort study on pubertal development trajectories of testicular and breast development among children
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(3):408-412
Objective:
To characterize longitudinal trajectories of testicular development in boys and breast development in girls, so as to provide reference data for understanding patterns of pubertal sexual maturation.
Methods:
Based on the Shanghai Pudong New Area Cohort Study on Growth, Development and Health in Children and Adolescents, a baseline survey was conducted in 2020 using a mult stage cluster random sampling method. A total of 2 184 children who completed all follow ups during the primary school period from 13 elementary schools in Pudong New Area,Shanghai,with annual follow ups during 2021-2025. Testicular volume and Tanner stage of breast development were assessed by professional physicians using standardized visual inspection and palpation. The age distribution of testicular volume and breast development was fitted by using cumulative link mixed models and Turnbull s nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation method.
Results:
Median ages for testicular volumes of 2, 3, 4 and 5 mL in boys were 7.07, 9.24, 10.29, and 11.57 years old, respectively. Median ages for Tanner breast stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ in girls were 8.55 , 10.17, 11.18, and 13.78 years old, respectively. Based on overweight and obesity, stratified analysis showed that earlier pubertal onset among overweight/obesity children, and the key milestones for pubertal initiation were testicular volume reaching 4 mL in boys and breast Tanner II in girls for 10.29, 10.83; 8.18, 9.00 years.
Conclusion
Overweight and obesity are associated with earlier pubertal initiation,but there are certain gender and developmental stage specific patterns.
2.Mechanism of Embryo Implantation Promotion via Exosomal miRNA-mediated Communication Network at Maternal-fetal Interface Based on Bushen Huoxue Therapy
Pei GUO ; Jiajun LIU ; Hang ZHOU ; Zeyi GUO ; Yili WANG ; Linwen DENG ; Qian ZENG ; Jinzhu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):317-327
ObjectiveTo investigate whether Bushen Huoxue prescription improves embryo implantation through regulating exosomal miRNA to enhance maternal-fetal interface communication based on Bushen Huoxue therapy. MethodsIn the animal experiment, all the rats (except for the blank group) were administered hydroxyurea (450 mg·kg-1) via gavage for 10 d, as well as epinephrine (0.3 mg·kg-1) and mifepristone (5.5 mg·kg-1) via subcutaneous injection for 7 d to establish an implantation disorder model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type. The Bushen Huoxue prescription (BSHX) groups were administered the prescription at different doses (7.30 g·kg-1 for the high-dose group, 3.65 g·kg-1 for the medium-dose group, and 1.83 g·kg-1 for the low-dose group) via gavage. The dydrogesterone group was administered the corresponding medicine (2.63 mg·kg-1) via gavage. After intervention for 10 days, uterine histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Mucin (MUC1), forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), and homeobox A10 (HoxA10) expression levels were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. Cell experiment selected primary endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) and trophoblast cells (TC) as research subjects. Exosome-free medicated serum was prepared by ultracentrifugation and cultured in complete medium. Exosomes were isolated from cell supernatants by ultracentrifugation for cross-co-culture. After 48 h, migration and invasion abilities were assessed by scratch and Transwell assays. Sequencing was then performed on EEC-origin exosomal miRNA. ResultsThe model rats exhibited thin endometrium, along with reduced blood vessels, glandules, and pinopode numbers. BSHX improved endometrial morphology and increased pinopode numbers. MUC1, FoxO1, and HoxA10 expressions were downregulated in the model rats, while these parameters were upregulated after BSHX medium- and high-dose intervention. In the cell experiment, after exosome-free medicated serum intervention for 24 h, migration and invasion abilities were enhanced in the BSHX groups (P<0.01). In EEC-origin exosomal miRNA sequencing, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed enrichment in biological processes (gastrulation, neuronal differentiation, alongside cell development and regeneration), involving the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), FoxO1, Wnt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways. ConclusionBSHX promotes embryo implantation by improving endometrial receptivity via regulating exosomal miRNA. These findings provide potential targets for exosomal miRNA-based assisted reproductive strategies and a novel theoretical basis for infertility treatment by traditional Chinese medicine.
3.The Biomechanical Implications and Applications of Yin-Yang Balance in Human Anatomy and Functional Regulation under the Perspective of Holistic Force-Line
Jiajun XU ; Meng WU ; Daopeng ZHOU ; Rui WANG ; Jinyan TENG ; Zhigang LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1809-1815
Drawing on recent advances in modern fascial anatomy and biomechanics, this paper interprets the biomechanical implications of yin-yang balance at the physical level from the perspective of holistic force lines. It posits that holistic force lines represent the functional expression of mechanical load transmission and integration within the myofascial network; the channel sinews system and myofascial chains exhibit significant similarities in terms of their distribution, functional attributes, and principles of holistic regulation, and can thus be understood as structural-functional carriers of yin-yang balance. Accordingly, this paper provides a biomechanical interpretation of the yin-yang relationship from four aspects, including interdependence, mutual restriction, dynamic balance through waxing and waning, and mutual transformation, proposing that in a healthy state, the body relies on the continuous integration, distribution, and readjustment of the myofascial tension network to maintain overall coordination, whereas disease states are often associated with compensatory transmission of local tension abnormalities along holistic force lines, the accumulation of imbalances, and structural rigidity. The holistic force-line perspective provides a biomechanical explanatory framework for the theory of yin-yang balance and offers a new theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment to shift from empirical holistic balancing toward holistic force-line balancing based on posture, function, and tension transmission pathways.
4.Assessing distribution characteristics and clinical significance of vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis based on whole spine MRI
Jiajun ZHOU ; Fei MA ; Yebo LENG ; Shicai XU ; Baoqiang HE ; Yang LI ; Yehui LIAO ; Qiang TANG ; Chao TANG ; Qing WANG ; Dejun ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(9):1883-1889
BACKGROUND:Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are the most common complication in patients with osteoporosis.As a new imaging technique,spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)is much more sensitive than X-ray film in the diagnosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.However,total spine MRI is costly and takes a long time to scan.Therefore,there is no consensus on whether all patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures need to undergo total spine MRI scan and which patients need to undergo total spine MRI. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the distribution characteristics of vertebral fractures and explore their clinical significance by observing the whole spine MRI data of osteoporotic vertebral fractures patients. METHODS:Data of cases and MRI images of all patients diagnosed with fresh osteoporotic vertebral fractures who visited the Department of Orthopedics,Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from August 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.903 patients were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.General information(age,gender,and body mass index),medical history characteristics(duration of illness,history of trauma surgery,percussion pain area,and pain score)were collected.The characteristics of vertebral fractures were analyzed through whole spine magnetic resonance imaging.Firstly,based on the number of vertebral fractures in patients,they were divided into the single vertebral fracture group(484 cases)and the multi-vertebral fracture group(419 cases),and the differences were analyzed between the two groups.Then,based on whether the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was greater than or equal to 5,the multi vertebral fracture group was further divided into two subgroups.Among them,Group A(the farthest interval between the fractured vertebrae was less than 5)contained 306 cases;Group B(with the farthest interval between fractured vertebral bodies greater than 5)included 113 cases.The differences were analyzed between two subgroups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Among 903 patients,419 patients(46.4%)had more than two fractured vertebrae.There were 654 patients(72.4%)with thoracolumbar fractures,and 54 patients(6%)with fractures in the thoracic plus lumbar region and the entire thoracic to lumbar region.In group B,96.5%of patients had multiregional percussion pain.(2)Compared with the patients in the single vertebral fracture group and the multi-vertebral fracture group,there were significant differences in bone mineral density,whether the medical history was greater than or equal to 1 month,the history of low energy injury,and the distribution and number of axial percussion pain areas in the spine during physical examination between the two groups(P<0.05).Age,gender,body mass index,whether there was underlying disease,pain visual analog scale score,whether there was a history of elderly thoracolumbar fracture,and whether there was a history of thoracolumbar surgery,and the number of fractured vertebrae had no statistical significance(P>0.05).(3)There were statistically significant differences between the Groups A and B in bone mineral density,the distribution and quantity of percussion pain area,and the history of low energy injury(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in age,gender,history of old fractures,visual analog scale score,body mass index,whether the medical history was longer than or equal to 1 month,history of underlying diseases,and history of thoracolumbar surgery between the two groups(P>0.05).(4)Patients with multiple low-energy trauma history,history of more than 1 month,multiple percussion pain,and the lower bone mineral density should be alert to the occurrence of multiple vertebral fracture and jump fracture.We recommend the whole spinal MRI for these patients.
5.Treatment Strategies for Postoperative Complications of Lung Cancer from Protecting Healthy Qi and Treating Qi
Jiajun SONG ; Yichao WANG ; Xueqi TIAN ; Yi LIU ; Lijing JIAO ; Ling XU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):94-105
Pulmonary complications, the most common postoperative complications of lung cancer, not only affect the quality of life of the patients after surgery but also increase the prognostic risks of postoperative recurrence and metastasis, threatening the life safety. At present, a multidisciplinary model of diagnosis and rehabilitation with integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine has been initially formed under the guidance of the concept of rapid rehabilitation post operation for lung cancer. However, the treatment that only aims at shortening hospital stay and reducing the incidence of postoperative complications does not pay enough attention to the postoperative functional rehabilitation of the lung and the impact of follow-up adjuvant therapy, which affects the completeness of rehabilitation. This paper classifies the typical postoperative symptoms and manifestations of lung cancer into five groups: Lung system, emotion, digestive tract, pain, and nerve. On this basis, this paper summarizes the three core pathogeneses of postoperative complications of lung cancer as failure of Qi to ascend and descend leading to insecurity of defensive exterior, vessel block leading to Qi stagnation and fluid retention, and lung Qi deficiency leading to spleen and kidney deficiency. Accordingly, this paper proposes the treatment principle of protecting healthy Qi and treating Qi with the core of descending-tonifying-ascending-dispersing Qi and puts forward three treatment methods. The first is replenishing Qi and consolidating exterior, and expelling phlegm and regulating lung. The second is replenishing Qi and promoting blood flow to resolve stasis and relieving pain. The third is replenishing Qi and tonifying lung, and invigorating spleen and tonifying kidney. Furthermore, this paper elaborates on the pathogenesis and treatment principles of four common postoperative complications: Lung infection, pleural effusion, atelectasis, and bronchopleural fistula. On the basis of Western medical treatment, the TCM treatment characteristics of treating symptoms in the acute phase and eradicating the root cause in the chronic phase should be played. While dispelling the pathogen, measures should be taken to protect the healthy Qi, including tonifying lung Qi, regulating spleen Qi, and replenishing kidney Qi. This study summarizes the pathogenesis and treatment strategy of common postoperative complications of lung cancer according to the principle of protecting healthy Qi and treating Qi, aiming to provide guidance for the future treatment of postoperative complications of lung cancer.
6.Relationship between traditional Chinese postpartum practices and postpartum depression
Shan CAO ; Jiajun XU ; Yukun KANG ; Peng WANG ; Min JIN
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(4):321-326
BackgroundPostpartum depression can affect the physical and mental health of mothers and the quality of parenting. Most Chinese women perform traditional postpartum practices (commonly known as "doing the month") after giving birth, while the existing findings are inconsistent and inconclusive regarding the potential of traditional Chinese postpartum practices to alleviate or exacerbate postpartum depression. ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between traditional Chinese postpartum practices and postpartum depression, so as to provide references for reducing the risk of postpartum depression. MethodsA total of 240 consecutive women who gave birth in the obstetrics department of the Mianyang Central Hospital and the Third Hospital of Mianyang from January to May 2024 were selected. Data were collected using Self-designed General Information Questionnaire, Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), the Adherence to Doing-the-Month Practices questionnaire (ADP), and the Self-compiled Questionnaire on the Cognition of Doing-the-Month. The absolute value (A value) of the difference between scores of ADP and Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire was calculated to evaluate the degree of cognitive behavioral conflict of postpartum women. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations of EPDS score with SSRS score, PHQ-15 score, ADP total and dimensional scores, Cognition of Doing-the-Month Questionnaire total and dimensional scores, and A value. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the protective and risk factors for developing postpartum depression. ResultsThe postpartum depression was detected in 22.50% of women. The postpartum women had a EPDS score of (6.21±5.00), ADP score of (70.05±20.57), SSRS score of (41.96±6.96), PHQ-15 score of (4.63±3.77), and Cognition of Doing-the-Month questionnaire score of (40.30±10.13). The A value was (0.65±0.58). Correlation analysis revealed that EPDS score was negatively correlated with the total ADP score and the four dimensional scores of the restrictions on social activities, diet, housework, and personal hygiene (r=-0.228, -0.146, -0.184, -0.275, -0.168, P<0.05 or 0.01), and positively correlated with the A value (r=0.161, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that restriction on housework dimension in ADP was entered into the model (OR=0.930, 95% CI: 0.885~0.978). ConclusionThe restriction on housework dimension in traditional Chinese postpartum practices may be a protective factor against postpartum depression.
7.Experience and insights from sexuality education curriculum in Ireland
WANG Yanfang, JIANG Jiajun, LI Mengwei, YIN Zhihua
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(11):1526-1529
Abstract
To promote the development of sexuality education for Chinese adolescents, the study analyses Ireland s relationships and sexuality education (RSE) curriculum and concludes that it centers on student development in terms of curriculum philosophy and objectives, emphasizing its educational value. At the content level, it employs a staged teaching approach to achieve comprehensive coverage based on students physical and mental development characteristics. In terms of implementation, it adopts a spiral organization to ensure the scientific integrity of the curriculum. In addition, it utilizes diverse evaluation methods to strengthen the systematic nature of the curriculum. Based on these insights, China could collaborate with multiple stakeholders to advance the development of RSE, establish a scientific and systematic framework for RSE, and constructing a comprehensive implementation and teacher support system, thereby promoting the refinement and innovation of RSE programs.
8.Collagen-based micro/nanogel delivery systems: Manufacturing, release mechanisms, and biomedical applications.
Bowei DU ; Shuhan FENG ; Jiajun WANG ; Keyi CAO ; Zhiheng SHI ; Cuicui MEN ; Tengfei YU ; Shiqi WANG ; Yaqin HUANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(10):1135-1152
Collagen-based materials, renowned for their biocompatibility and minimal immunogenicity, serve as exemplary substrates in a myriad of biomedical applications. Collagen-based micro/nanogels, in particular, are valued for their increased surface area, tunable degradation rates, and ability to facilitate targeted drug delivery, making them instrumental in advanced therapeutics and tissue engineering endeavors. Although extensive reviews on micro/nanogels exist, they tend to cover a wide range of biomaterials and lack a specific focus on collagen-based materials. The current review offers an in-depth look into the manufacturing technologies, drug release mechanisms, and biomedical applications of collagen-based micro/nanogels to address this gap. First, we provide an overview of the synthetic strategies that allow the precise control of the size, shape, and mechanical strength of these collagen-based micro/nanogels by controlling the degree of cross-linking of the materials. These properties are crucial for their performance in biomedical applications. We then highlight the environmental responsiveness of these collagen-based micro/nanogels, particularly their sensitivity to enzymes and pH, which enables controlled drug release under various pathological conditions. The discussion then expands to include their applications in cancer therapy, antimicrobial treatments, bone tissue repair, and imaging diagnosis, emphasizing their versatility and potential in these critical areas. The challenges and future perspectives of collagen-based micro/nanogels in the field are discussed at the end of the review, with an emphasis on the translation to clinical practice. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and scientists alike, providing insights into the current state and future directions of collagen-based micro/nanogel research and development.
Collagen/chemistry*
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Drug Delivery Systems/methods*
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Humans
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Tissue Engineering/methods*
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Animals
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Biocompatible Materials/chemistry*
9.Effect modification of amino acid levels in association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and metabolic syndrome: A nested case-control study among coking workers
Jinyu WU ; Jiajun WEI ; Shugang GUO ; Huixia XIONG ; Yong WANG ; Hongyue KONG ; Liuquan JIANG ; Baolong PAN ; Gaisheng LIU ; Fan YANG ; Jisheng NIE ; Jin YANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(3):325-333
Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnvOHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P50), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P75) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.
10.MAFLD or MASLD: Which better represents the prognosis of the steatotic liver population: Letter to the editor on “Evolutionary changes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study”
Ying WANG ; Shengfeng WANG ; Xiude FAN ; Jiajun ZHAO ; Yongfeng SONG
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):e128-e133


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