1.Mechanistic study of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal injury induced by maternal bone lead mobilization during pregnancy in rats
Ling LI ; Lin ZHANG ; Li LI ; Yuting WEI ; Man LYU ; Zeshi ZHANG ; Li MA ; Anxin LU ; Yin LIN ; Shaohua WANG ; Chonghuai YAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):286-292
Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.
2.Evolution and advances in clinical education of urology
Donghao LYU ; Yifan LIU ; Xiuwu PAN ; Xingang CUI
Journal of Modern Urology 2026;31(6):592-598
Objective To explore the research hotspots and developmental trends in urological education through a bibliometric analysis. Methods Relevant literature on urological education was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, covering all records up to Sep.16, 2025.A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed on the retrieved publications. Results A total of 303 Chinese and 290 English articles were collected.The annual number of publications demonstrated an overall upward trend.Harvard University in the United States was the most productive institution in this field. Conclusion Urological clinical education has attracted increasing attention from clinicians and medical trainees.Highly cited studies consistently highlight three actionable priorities for urological education:firstly, improving long-term knowledge retention through structured, spaced, and feedback-rich learning designs; secondly, standardizing simulation-based skills training with validated assessment and staged credentialing; thirdly, strengthening training system resilience while expanding non-technical skills training.These directions provide implementable pathways for optimizing urological teaching practices and the standardized residency training programs.
3.Hei Xiaoyaosan Reduces Neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 Mice via CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Signaling Axis
Yujie LYU ; Jiao YANG ; Yunyun HU ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(22):83-90
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Hei Xiaoyaosan on neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice and decipher the mechanism based on the C-X3-C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1)-CX3CL1 receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling axis. MethodsSixty 16-week-old male APP/PS1 mice were selected and acclimatized for one week, and they were then randomly allocated into a model group, a CX3CL1 group (bilateral hippocampal injection of CX3CL1 at 0.5 g·L-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (22.10, 11.05, and 5.53 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 12 mice in each group. Twelve age-matched male C57BL/6J mice served as the blank group (bilateral hippocampal injection of an equal volume of PBS). The high-, medium-, and low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups received corresponding drugs via gavage, while the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline, with an intervention period of 90 days. Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory abilities. Nissl staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to detect amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) deposition in the hippocampal CA1 region. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of M1 and M2 microglial markers, including cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86)/ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) and arginase-1 (Arg1)/Iba1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the hippocampal tissue. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CREB-binding protein (CBP), cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated (p)-CREB, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group exhibited prolonged escape latency on day 5 and a reduced swimming distance in the target quadrant (P<0.01), disarrangement of hippocampal neurons, with a reduced number of cells and uneven Nissl body staining, increased CD86/Iba1 expression, decreased Arg1/Iba1 expression (P<0.01), enhanced Aβ expression (P<0.01), an elevated IL-8 level and a declined IL-13 level (P<0.01), and downregulated protein levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, p-CREB, and BDNF (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed shortened escape latency on day 5 and an increased swimming distance in the target quadrant (P<0.05, P<0.01), regular arrangement of neurons with an increased number and increased Nissl bodies, reduced CD86/Iba1 expression, increased Arg1/Iba1 and decreased Aβ expression (P<0.01), and a declined IL-8 level and an elevated IL-13 level (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the CX3CL1 group and the high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, and p-CREB were upregulated (P<0.01). In the low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan group, the relative expression levels of CX3CL1, CX3CR1, CBP, p-CREB/CREB, and BDNF were upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can improve learning and cognitive abilities in APP/PS1 mice. Specifically, it may regulate the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling axis to activate the CREB/BDNF signaling pathway for the subsequent release of BDNF, modulation of microglial polarization, reduction of inflammatory cytokine levels, and attenuation of Aβ deposition.
4.Change trend of disease burden of chronic kidney disease mortality in Chongqing, 2012-2023
Xianbin DING ; Yan JIAO ; Jiashi TANG ; Xiaoyan LYU ; Rui DING ; Liling CHEN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):43-49
Objective:To analyze change trend of disease burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) mortality between 2012 and 2023 in Chongqing, and provide suggestion for CKD prevention.Methods:The mortality data of CKD were collected from Chongqing death registration between 2012 and 2023 according to International Classification of Diseases 10 th. The data were analyzed to calculate mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, age specific mortality rate, and the rate of years of life lost (YLL) and proportion by using software SPSS 26.0. The mortality rate of CKD between men and women, urban area and rural area were compared by χ2 test. The change trend was described by average annual percent of change (AAPC). Results:The mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of CKD were 7.94/100 000 and 4.63/100 000 respectively in 2012 and 6.70/100 000 and 2.79/100 000 respectively in 2023 in Chongqing. The difference in change of CKD mortality rate was not significant (AAPC=-0.79%, t=-1.60, P=0.273). However, the standardized mortality rate of CKD decreased by 3.59% ( t=-3.98, P=0.003) from 2012 to 2023. The mortality rate of CKD was higher in men than in women in 2014 and 2022, the differences were significant (all P<0.05). The standardized mortality rate of CKD in men and women decreased by 3.17% and 4.11% respectively between 2012 and 2023, the difference was significant (all P<0.05). The mortality rate of CKD had been higher in urban area than in rural area since 2016 (all P<0.05). During this period, the mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of CKD in urban area remained stable, but the mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of CKD in rural area showed average annual decreases of 2.21% and 4.90%, the differences were significant (all P<0.05). The proportion of CKD due to hypertension decreased, but the proportion of CKD due to diabetes and other causes increased. The rate of age standardized YLL of CKD showed an average annual decrease of 2.83%, the differences were significant ( P=0.011). Conclusions:The standardized mortality rate and age standardized YLL of CKD decreased from 2012 to 2023 in Chongqing. Men, urban residents and the elderly are key populations in CKD prevention.
5.Establishment of a rapid detection method for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant nucleic acid based on BMD-PCR technology
Yang JIAO ; Taoli HAN ; Jianhong ZHAO ; Shiyao ZHANG ; Zhi LYU ; Shaocheng WANG ; Lingli SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(1):109-114
Objective:The SARS-CoV-2 has a high natural mutation rate, and dynamic monitoring of virus variants remains a key focus in current COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.Methods:In this study, a sensitive and rapid method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant nucleic acid was established based on the BMD-PCR technology.Results:This method showed good specificity, and had no cross-reactivity with 11 common viruses transmitted via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and the limit of detection is 555 copies/ml. Compared with SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing result, among 50 samples with original Ct values ≤32 tested for the Omicron variant, 49 samples tested positive for the N679K mutation site using BMD-PCR Omicron variant detection, achieving a concordance rate of 98.00%. For 30 samples JN.1 lineage, 29 samples tested positive for the K356T mutation site using BMD-PCR JN.1 lineage detection, with a concordance rate of 96.67%. For 10 samples with original SARS-CoV-2 detection Ct values between 35 and 32, 7 samples tested positive for the N679K mutation site using BMD-PCR Omicron variant detection, Resultsing in a detection rate of 70.00%. For samples with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection Ct values>35, the detection rate for the N679K mutation site in the BMD-PCR Omicron variant was 20.00%.Conclusions:This method can serve as a high-throughput supplementary approach for the preliminary identification of SARS-CoV-2 variant genotypes.
6.Six cases of NPRL2-related epilepsy and literature review
Shimin ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Qiu LYU ; Qianru JIAO ; Yue NIU ; Zhao XU ; Zongpu ZHOU ; Jiong QIN ; Zhixian YANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(1):56-59
Objective:To summarize the clinical phenotypes, genotypes, and treatment outcomes of NPRL2-related epilepsy. Methods:This was a case summary.Clinical data of patients with NRPL2 variants admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People′s Hospital between October 1, 2013 and October 31, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Previous reports of patients with the same disease were reviewed. Results:Six cases of NPRL2-related epilepsy were collected, and 37 cases were reported in the previous literatures.The age of onset ranged from 3 days to 18 years with the median age of 24 months.There were 15 patients with onset in infancy.Among the 41 patients diagnosed with epilepsy, 73.1% (30/41) had focal seizures, 34.1% (14/41) had frontal lobe epilepsy, and 17.1% (7/41) had epileptic spasms.Among the patients with known cranial imaging, 58.6% (17/29) had cortical malformations. NPRL2 variants involved 11 nonsense mutations, 10 splice site mutations, 7 frameshift mutations, 1 large fragment deletion, and 14 missense mutations; among them, 39 mutations were pathogenic or likely pathogenic, while the rest 4 mutations had unclear pathogenicity.Among the 27 patients with known outcomes, 11 (40.7%) had no seizures after administration of 1 or 2 types of drugs, and 16 (59.2%) had drug-resistant epilepsy.Among the 16 patients, 1 had no seizures after treatment with 3 types of anti seizure medications, and 7 had no seizures after surgery.Most patients had varying degrees of delay in intellectual and motor development. Conclusions:Patients with NPRL2 variants usually present with frequent focal seizures and epileptic spasms, and the age of onset varies greatly.About half of the patients have drug-resistant epilepsy, half of whom have cortical malformations.For those with drug-resistant epilepsy and abnormal cranial imaging, surgery may be considered.
7.Two cases of leukoencephalopathy with calcifications and cysts and literature review
Shimin ZHANG ; Jing LIU ; Qiu LYU ; Qianru JIAO ; Yue NIU ; Zhao XU ; Zongpu ZHOU ; Jiong QIN ; Zhixian YANG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(9):685-689
Objective:To summarize the phenotype and genotype of leukoencephalopathy with calcifications and cysts(LCC).Methods:A case summary.Clinical, imaging, and genetic data of 2 patients with early-onset LCC admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University People′s Hospital between December 2023 and August 2024 were retrospectively summarized.A review of the literature was also conducted.Results:Case 1: a 19-month-old female infant presented with febrile seizures in infancy and mild developmental delay.Trio whole-exome sequencing (trio-WES) identified compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the SNORD118 gene: n.92C>T (paternally inherited) and n. 72A>G (maternally inherited). Case 2: an 11-year-and-4-month-old girl had non-specific encephalopathy in the neonatal period, developmental delay with regression, and seizures since early childhood.Trio-WES revealed compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in SNORD118: n.3C>T (paternally inherited) and n. 57G>C (maternally inherited). Both cases showed typical imaging findings of leukoencephalopathy, intracranial calcifications, and cysts.Case 2 has been treated with Bevacizumab for 3 months and remains under follow-up.Combining this 2 cases with previously reported genetically confirmed cases, a total of 97 LCC patients with identified SNORD118 variants were analyzed.The median age of onset was 5 years.Seventy-one cases had childhood onset, including 31 cases with onset at ≤1 year.The inaugural symptoms were: seizures in 40 patients (41.2%), motor disorders in 25 patients (25.8%), developmental delay or cognitive impairment in 19 patients (19.6%) and headaches or increased intracranial pressure in 13 patients (13.4%). Neurological dysfunctions progress during the course.All patients had typical leukoencephalopathy, intracranial calcifications and cysts, with varied imaging progress.A total of 61 variants of SNORD118 were reported and most were compound heterozygous variants.Treatment is primarily symptomatic.Three out of the 4 patients treated with Bevacizumab showed improvement. Conclusions:LCC is a rare autosomal recessive inherited cerebral microangiopathy, characterized by progressive neurological dysfunction and radiological triad of diffuse and asymmetric leukoencephalopathy, intracranial calcifications and cysts.Patients with pathogenic SNORD118 variants should definitely be diagnosed.Symptomatic treatment is the mainstay therapy and Bevacizumab may slow down the progression.
8.Chinese experts' consensus on principles of preoperative hair removal
Yiping MAO ; Jun ZHENG ; Lei LI ; Deyan YANG ; Bing ZHANG ; Lei YANG ; Wang JIA ; Peng KANG ; Hui JIAO ; Yun YANG ; Qi QI ; Shiqing FENG ; Xiao LONG ; Yuewei ZHANG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Lize WANG ; Yuan WEI ; Jichao ZHOU ; Minghui MAO ; Pengju XIN ; Hongyu TAN ; Dahong ZHANG ; Lianxin LIU ; Lei TAO ; Xietong WANG ; Xiaoning YUAN ; Mang CAI ; Li MU ; Fang DU ; Rongzhu CHEN ; Fengmao ZHAO ; Jiuzuo HUANG ; Mingzi ZHANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Baoguo WANG ; Kun WANG ; Fang LUO ; Jinhua ZHANG ; Nong HE ; Ling LYU ; Zhiyong ZONG
Chinese Journal of Nosocomiology 2025;35(10):1441-1449
To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.
9.Establishment of a rapid detection method for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant nucleic acid based on BMD-PCR technology
Yang JIAO ; Taoli HAN ; Jianhong ZHAO ; Shiyao ZHANG ; Zhi LYU ; Shaocheng WANG ; Lingli SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2025;39(1):109-114
Objective:The SARS-CoV-2 has a high natural mutation rate, and dynamic monitoring of virus variants remains a key focus in current COVID-19 prevention and control efforts.Methods:In this study, a sensitive and rapid method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant nucleic acid was established based on the BMD-PCR technology.Results:This method showed good specificity, and had no cross-reactivity with 11 common viruses transmitted via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and the limit of detection is 555 copies/ml. Compared with SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing result, among 50 samples with original Ct values ≤32 tested for the Omicron variant, 49 samples tested positive for the N679K mutation site using BMD-PCR Omicron variant detection, achieving a concordance rate of 98.00%. For 30 samples JN.1 lineage, 29 samples tested positive for the K356T mutation site using BMD-PCR JN.1 lineage detection, with a concordance rate of 96.67%. For 10 samples with original SARS-CoV-2 detection Ct values between 35 and 32, 7 samples tested positive for the N679K mutation site using BMD-PCR Omicron variant detection, Resultsing in a detection rate of 70.00%. For samples with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection Ct values>35, the detection rate for the N679K mutation site in the BMD-PCR Omicron variant was 20.00%.Conclusions:This method can serve as a high-throughput supplementary approach for the preliminary identification of SARS-CoV-2 variant genotypes.
10.Angiopoietin-like protein 8 promotes apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells through activating p53 signaling pathway
Huahui YU ; Zhiyong DU ; Xiaolu JIAO ; Qianwen LYU ; Yunyun YANG ; Lijie HAN ; Yanwen QIN
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(7):882-888
Objective To investigate the mechanism by which angiopoietin-like protein 8(ANGPTL8)regulates vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMCs)apoptosis.Methods An in vitro abdominal aortic aneurysm cell model was established by stimulating human VSMCs(HUSMCs)with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ).Stable ANGPTL8 knockdown and over-expression VSMC cell strains were generated using lentiviral transfection.TUNEL staining was used to de-tect apoptosis.Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression of ANGPTL8,caspase9,caspase3,Bcl-2,Bax,p53,and PUMA,while RT-qPCR was used to assess mRNA expression of ANGPTL8,Bcl-2 and Bax.Results AngⅡ significantly induced ANGPTL8 expression in HVSMCs in a time-and dose-de-pendent manner(P<0.05).ANGPTL8 knockdown significantly reduced the expression of apoptosis-related proteins caspase9,caspase3,and Bax,while increased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2(P<0.05).Con-versely,ANGPTL8 over-expression markedly induced HVSMCs apoptosis,which was significantly suppressed by treatment with the p53 pathway inhibitor pifithrin-α(PFT-α).Conclusions ANGPTL8 may promote VSMC apop-tosis by activation of p53 signaling pathway.

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