1.Application prospects of organoid-on-chips technology in xenotransplantation
Xilong LIN ; Yu WANG ; Jiang PENG ; Hongjiang WEI ; Shengkun SUN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):502-508
Xenotransplantation is an important approach to addressing the shortage of donor organs. However, it still faces numerous challenges, such as acute rejection and zoonotic diseases. Organoid-on-a-chip technology refers to a microcell culture device that simulates the physiological functions of human organs in vitro. In recent years, it has achieved a series of important results in the field of allotransplantation and has great application prospects in the field of xenotransplantation, bringing new opportunities for xenotransplantation research. Therefore, this article discusses the current research status and progress of organoid-on-a-chip technology, combined with the various problems faced by xenotransplantation, to explore the application of organoid-on-a-chip technology in solving the selection of immunosuppressive regimens, matching and viral reactivation in xenotransplantation. This aims to open up new avenues for solving the current problems in the field of xenotransplantation and promote its further development.
2.Clinical and Mechanistic Study of Modified Sinisan in Treating Precancerous Lesions of Digestive System Based on "Inflammation-to-Cancer Transformation"
Xuhang SUN ; Dandan WEI ; Xin PENG ; Shanshan LI ; Yihan ZHAO ; Fuke YAO ; Shiqing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):221-234
Tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis occur in the context of a persistent inflammatory microenvironment, and a variety of inflammatory factors can lead to the development of various tumors. Guided by the thought of "preventive treatment of disease" in TCM and the concept of tertiary prevention in modern medicine, it is of great significance to effectively intervene in the inflammatory stage of the disease, interrupt disease progression, prevent the occurrence of malignant tumors, and reverse the process of "inflammation-to-cancer transformation". Sinisan, a commonly used prescription in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases, has been widely applied in the treatment of precancerous lesions of the digestive system, demonstrating considerable advantages. This article reviewed literature from the past 20 years, summarizing the application of Sinisan in precancerous lesions of the digestive system from three aspects: the exploration of its prescription-syndrome relationship, clinical application, and mechanistic study. It is found that basic syndrome indications of Sinisan include harmonizing the Earth element to promote spleen-stomach transportation and transformation, soothing the liver and nourishing the Wood element to restore the smooth flow of Qi, and regulating Yin and Yang to relieve stagnation within the system. In clinical application, Sinisan has shown significant efficacy in atrophic gastritis and precancerous conditions such as intestinal metaplasia, gastric ulcer, ulcerative colitis, esophagitis, and pancreatitis. Mechanistic studies have revealed that Sinisan can inhibit inflammatory factors and improve the inflammatory microenvironment, inhibit cell proliferation and regulate apoptosis, exhibit anti-angiogenic and antitumorigenic effects, modulate immune function, and exert antioxidant effects. These mechanisms can be achieved by regulating pathways such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1), farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/Nrf2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5/cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (TGR5/cAMP/PKA), interleukin-4/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (IL-4/STAT6), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), RhoA/Rho-associated protein kinase (RhoA/ROCK), and transforming growth factor-β/Smad proteins (TGF-β/Smads), confirming Sinisan's role in reversing the inflammation-to-cancer transformation. The current research status of Sinisan in precancerous lesions of the digestive system was thoroughly examined through the above three aspects, along with the identification of limitations and areas for improvement in current research. The aim is to provide a basis and support for future in-depth research on Sinisan, promote the development of new integrated treatment models combining TCM and Western medicine for precancerous lesions, and aid in the research and development of drugs related to precancerous lesions.
3.Lower vs. standard starting dose oral roxadustat for treating anemia in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis: A prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Yan TU ; Yan XU ; Li YAO ; Beiru ZHANG ; Tiekun YAN ; Aiping YIN ; Xinzhou ZHANG ; Min YANG ; Jun LIU ; Caili WANG ; Xiaomei PENG ; Jianqin WANG ; Wei NIU ; Wenqing JIANG ; Bi-Cheng LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(19):2520-2522
4.Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects of Rubi Fructus and predictive analysis of its quality markers.
Bao-Song LIU ; Er-Wei YU ; Ying-Ying SUN ; Yao-Yu SONG ; Ke-Han JIANG ; Ya-Gang SONG ; Ming-San MIAO ; Meng-Fan PENG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):922-933
Rubi Fructus has a long history of medicinal and edible use in China. It contains chemical components such as terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and alkaloids, and possesses various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, anti-osteoporosis, and liver-protective effects. Rubi Fructus is widely applied in medical, health, and food fields. The quality of Rubi Fructus can directly affect the safety and effectiveness of clinical medication. Therefore, this article reviews the research progress on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Rubi Fructus. Based on the concept of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) quality markers(Q-markers), the article explores the screening and determination of Q-markers for Rubi Fructus from various aspects, including plant kinship, traditional efficacy, medicinal properties, measurability of chemical composition, different processing methods, producing areas, harvesting periods, and planting conditions. The components ellagic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, rutin, astragalin, tiliroside, and hyperoside are preliminarily proposed as Q-markers for Rubi Fructus, providing a reference for the quality control of Rubi Fructus.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Humans
;
Rubus/chemistry*
;
Fruit/chemistry*
;
Quality Control
;
Animals
5.Clinical effects of single Kirschner wire assisted reduction in children with Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humerus fractures.
Yong HE ; Wei-Ping LI ; Zhi-Long CHEN ; Guo-Peng JIANG ; Shi-Hai CHEN ; Jun ZHAO ; Hua-Ming WANG ; Chen ZHANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(10):1071-1075
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of single Kirschner wire assisted poking and closed reduction in the treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fractures in children.
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with Gravland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fractures between January 2022 and June 2023. A total of 46 patients were treated with closed reduction assisted by Kirschner wires and percutaneous Kirschner wire internal fixation.There were 25 males and 21 females. The age ranged from 5 to 10 years old, with an average of (5.8±1.8) years old. The left side was involved in 28 patients and the right side in 18 patients. Record the operative duration for patients, the number of fluoroscopic exposures, fracture healing time, postoperative carrying angle, Baumann angle, elbow joint function score at three months post-operation, and any associated complications.
RESULTS:
All 46 patients were followed up for a period of 12 to 16 weeks, with an average of (13.74±1.44 )weeks. The operation duration was (30.7±5.1) minutes, the fluoroscopy count was (10.2±2.7) times, the postoperative carrying angle of the elbow joint was (8.7±2.2) degrees, and the Baumann angle was (71.5±2.9) degrees. All fractures achieved successful union in all patients, with a mean healing time of (25.5±1.7) days.At the final follow-up, elbow joint function was assessed using the Flynn criteria, with 43 patients rated as excellent and 3 patients rated as good. No complications were observed, including cubitus varus, nerve injury, or local infection.
CONCLUSION
The use of a single Kirschner wire assisted prying reduction for treating Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fractures in children demonstrates excellent clinical efficacy and safety.
Humans
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Male
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Female
;
Child
;
Bone Wires
;
Child, Preschool
;
Humeral Fractures/physiopathology*
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Retrospective Studies
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*
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Treatment Outcome
;
Fracture Healing
6.Diagnosis of coronary artery lesions in children based on Z-score regression model.
Yong WANG ; Jia-Ying JIANG ; Yan DENG ; Bo LI ; Ping SHUAI ; Xiao-Ping HU ; Yin-Yan ZHANG ; Han WU ; Lu-Wei YE ; Qian PENG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(2):176-183
OBJECTIVES:
To construct a Z-score regression model for coronary artery diameter based on echocardiographic data from children in Sichuan Province and to establish a Z-score calculation formula.
METHODS:
A total of 744 healthy children who underwent physical examinations at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the modeling group, while 251 children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the same hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected as the validation group. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the relationships between coronary artery diameter values and age, height, weight, and body surface area. A regression model was constructed using function transformation to identify the optimal regression model and establish the Z-score calculation formula, which was then validated.
RESULTS:
The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients for the diameters of the left main coronary artery, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with body surface area were 0.815, 0.793, 0.704, and 0.802, respectively (P<0.05). Among the constructed regression models, the power function regression model demonstrated the best performance and was therefore chosen as the optimal model for establishing the Z-score calculation formula. Based on this Z-score calculation formula, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions was found to be 21.5% (54/251), which was higher than the detection rate based on absolute values of coronary artery diameter. Notably, in the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions using this Z-score calculation formula was higher than that of previous classic Z-score calculation formulas.
CONCLUSIONS
The Z-score calculation formula established based on the power function regression model has a higher detection rate for coronary artery lesions, providing a strong reference for clinicians, particularly in assessing coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease.
Humans
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Male
;
Female
;
Child, Preschool
;
Child
;
Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging*
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Infant
;
Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome
;
Regression Analysis
;
Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging*
;
Echocardiography
;
Adolescent
7.Brain function and connection in patients with refractory overactive bladder and healthy population: Analysis based on resting-state functional MRI.
Yu-Wei ZHANG ; Si-Yi FU ; Yu-Min LIU ; Hui-Hui SONG ; Peng JIANG ; Jia XU ; Bin HU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):39-44
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the characteristics of central nervous system regulation in patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and to analyze the differences in brain function and connection between the patients and healthy population.
METHODS:
From May 1 to November 30, 2024, we performed rs-fMRI for 47 rOAB patients and another 47 matched healthy controls, documented relevant clinical data from all the participants and obtained their Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-Q) scores. Based on rs-fMRI, we compared the results of Independent Component Analysis (ICA), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) between the rOAB patients and healthy controls.
RESULTS:
The rOAB patients, in comparison with the healthy controls, showed dramatically higher daytime urination frequency (11.64 ± 3.85) vs (5.76 ± 0.91), nighttime urination frequency (3.72 ± 1.64) vs (0.31 ± 0.47), OABSS (8.22 ± 2.21) vs (0.64±0.78), OAB-Q1 score (20.85 ± 5.28) vs (6.78 ± 1.04), and OAB-Q2 score (45.04 ± 12.11) vs (14.51 ± 1.66) (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the results of ICA and ALFF between the right superior frontal and right middle frontal regions in the rOAB patients (P>0.05), but fALFF, ReHo and DC were significantly decreased in the patients compared with those in the healthy controls (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Compared with healthy population, the functions and connection of the frontal superior right and frontal middle right brain regions in rOAB patients are significantly down-regulated, which may serve as new therapeutic targets.
Humans
;
Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology*
;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
;
Brain/physiopathology*
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Case-Control Studies
;
Middle Aged
;
Rest
;
Brain Mapping
8.Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Background of Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Potentials Coexist.
Chuan-Hui YAO ; Chi ZHANG ; Meng-Ge SONG ; Cong-Min XIA ; Tian CHANG ; Xie-Li MA ; Wei-Xiang LIU ; Zi-Xia LIU ; Jia-Meng LIU ; Xiao-Po TANG ; Ying LIU ; Jian LIU ; Jiang-Yun PENG ; Dong-Yi HE ; Qing-Chun HUANG ; Ming-Li GAO ; Jian-Ping YU ; Wei LIU ; Jian-Yong ZHANG ; Yue-Lan ZHU ; Xiu-Juan HOU ; Hai-Dong WANG ; Yong-Fei FANG ; Yue WANG ; Yin SU ; Xin-Ping TIAN ; Ai-Ping LYU ; Xun GONG ; Quan JIANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(7):581-589
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM).
METHODS:
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis.
RESULTS:
Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult
;
Aged
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy*
;
Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Retrospective Studies
9.Buzhong Yiqitang Regulates Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Skeletal Muscle via PINK1 Pathways to Resist Exercise-induced Fatigue
Huani WEI ; Ting JIANG ; Juan PENG ; Chunxiang JING ; Wei LIU ; Huashan PAN ; Daorui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):31-39
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank, model, low-, medium-, high-dose (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Buzhong Yiqitang, and vitamin C (0.04 g·kg-1) groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group, other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and the thymus, spleen, liver, and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid (LD), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure, with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), rises in serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.01), disarrangement of skeletal muscle, broken muscle fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps, abnormal morphological changes (increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae) of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells, and decreased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP, weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05), up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin), hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 (HEY1), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), sequestosome 1 (p62), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B (LC3B) (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time (P<0.01), increased the weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.05, P<0.01). The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement, reduced inflammatory cells, intact mitochondria with dense cristae, and increased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content, enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, HEY1, LC3B, and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated expression level of p62 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.
10.Buzhong Yiqitang Regulates Mitochondrial Homeostasis of Skeletal Muscle via PINK1 Pathways to Resist Exercise-induced Fatigue
Huani WEI ; Ting JIANG ; Juan PENG ; Chunxiang JING ; Wei LIU ; Huashan PAN ; Daorui CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):31-39
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Buzhong Yiqitang on exercise-induced fatigue and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomized into blank, model, low-, medium-, high-dose (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1, respectively) Buzhong Yiqitang, and vitamin C (0.04 g·kg-1) groups. The blank and model groups were administrated with normal saline. Each group was administrated with corresponding agents by gavage at a dose of 0.2 mL once a day. Except the blank group, other groups underwent a 6-weeks exhaustive swimming test under negative gravity. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and the thymus, spleen, liver, and kidney weights were measured. Serum levels of lactic acid (LD), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed by kits to evaluate fatigue. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe pathological changes in the skeletal muscle. Electron microscopy was used to examine the skeletal muscle cell ultrastructure, with a focus on mitochondrial morphological changes. The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ in skeletal muscle were determined by kits. The expression levels of key genes and proteins in the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated via Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed reductions in weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), rises in serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.01), disarrangement of skeletal muscle, broken muscle fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle fiber gaps, abnormal morphological changes (increased vacuolated mitochondria and disappearance of cristae) of mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells, and decreased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the model group showed reduced content of ATP, weakened activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05), up-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin), hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 (HEY1), dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), sequestosome 1 (p62), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) (P<0.05), and down-regulated protein level of microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3B (LC3B) (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Buzhong Yiqitang prolonged the swimming exhaustion time (P<0.01), increased the weight gain rate (P<0.01) and thymus index (P<0.01), lowered the serum levels of LD, BUN, MDA, and CK (P<0.05, P<0.01). The skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showed neat arrangement, reduced inflammatory cells, intact mitochondria with dense cristae, and increased mitochondria. In addition, the skeletal muscle in the Buzhong Yiqitang groups showcased increased ATP content, enhanced activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ (P<0.05, P<0.01), up-regulated protein levels of PINK1, Parkin, HEY1, LC3B, and Drp1 and mRNA level of HIF-1α (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated expression level of p62 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionBuzhong Yiqitang can prevent and treat exercise-induced fatigue by regulating the mitochondrial homeostasis of skeletal muscle via the HIF-1α/PINK1/Parkin and HIF-1α/HEY1/PINK1 signaling pathways.

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