1.Dynamic Interactions Between Hemispheres Reveal a Compensatory Pathway for Motor Recovery in Moderate-to-Severe Subcortical Stroke
Huaxin FAN ; Hewei WANG ; Zhengxu LIAN ; Qiurong YU ; Xinran WU ; Nanyu KUANG ; Benjamin BECKER ; Jianfeng FENG ; Mingxia FAN ; Lili SONG ; Limin SUN ; Jie ZHANG ; Craig S. ANDERSON
Journal of Stroke 2026;28(1):97-114
Background:
and Purpose Therapeutic target selection in noninvasive brain stimulation for poststroke motor recovery typically relies on the interhemispheric inhibition model, which is effective for mildly affected patients but offers limited benefits for severely affected individuals. The mechanisms governing recovery from moderate-to-severe stroke remain poorly understood, which hinders the development of targeted interventions.
Methods:
We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from patients with unilateral subcortical stroke and moderate-to-severe upper limb deficits, both pre- and postintervention, along with data from healthy controls. We developed a novel dynamic lag analysis method for identifying recovery-related homotopic sensorimotor regions with altered interhemispheric interactions. To further uncover the global reorganization pathway, we developed dynamic lateralization approaches to detect large-scale functional connectivity (FC) alterations associated with the identified regions in transient lateralization states.
Results:
Dynamic time-lag analysis revealed significantly reduced synchronized states in the homotopic dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, which correlated with motor recovery. Further dynamic lateralization analysis revealed a prolonged segregation state in patients, characterized by weakened interhemispheric and strengthened intrahemispheric interactions. In this state, patients showed decreased FC in the ipsilesional PMd and increased FC in the contralesional PMd with bilateral subcortical networks. These recoveryrelated alterations were absent in the traditional static analysis.
Conclusions
Dynamic analyses targeting interhemispheric interactions are valuable for understanding neural reorganization after stroke. The diminished interactions between the homotopic PMd indicate a compensatory mechanism. Importantly, a state-dependent compensatory pathway was identified, wherein the contralesional PMd assumes the functions of the ipsilesional PMd through enhanced interactions with subcortical structures, potentially guiding more effective interventions.
2.Targeting GYS1: From Metabolic Regulatory Mechanisms to Precision Therapeutic Strategies
Jia-Nan ZHAO ; Yu-Xuan LI ; Jie ZHU ; Hong LI ; Xiao-Feng JIN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1807-1825
Glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle, heart, brain, and other extrahepatic tissues, playing a central role in systemic energy homeostasis. The human GYS1 gene maps to chromosome 19q13.33, comprises 16 exons, and encodes a 737-amino-acid polypeptide that is highly conserved across mammals. GYS1 activity is subject to multilayered and precisely coordinated regulation. At the transcriptional level, the GYS1 promoter contains a hypoxia response element (HRE) that mediates HIF-1α-dependent induction under low-oxygen conditions, as well as a muscle-specific enhancer harboring MEF2 and MyoD binding sites that confers tissue-restricted expression. At the post-translational level, a hierarchical phosphorylation cascade serves as the primary activity switch: glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) sequentially phosphorylates four C-terminal serine residues following casein kinase II priming, while protein kinase A (PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) provide parallel inhibitory inputs at both N- and C-terminal sites. Dephosphorylation and reactivation are mediated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) through tissue-specific glycogen-targeting regulatory subunits such as PPP1R3A and PPP1R3B, which anchor PP1 to glycogen particles and direct its activity toward GYS1. The allosteric activator glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) binds at the dimer interface, simultaneously enhancing catalytic efficiency and promoting dephosphorylation susceptibility, thereby establishing a feed-forward activation loop that couples substrate availability to glycogen synthesis. Beyond phosphorylation, GYS1 is regulated by ubiquitination (mediated by the E3 ligase PJA1), acetylation, O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification, and SUMOylation, which collectively modulate protein stability, subcellular localization, and protein-protein interactions. Epigenetic mechanisms, including CpG island methylation and histone acetylation dynamics, govern chromatin accessibility at the GYS1 locus, while muscle-specific microRNAs such as miR-1 and miR-206 fine-tune GYS1 expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of GYS1 has been identified as a central pathogenic driver in a spectrum of human diseases. In inherited glycogen storage disorders—including Lafora disease, adult polyglucosan body disease (APBD), and Pompe disease—loss of upstream regulatory control leads to GYS1 hyperactivation and the accumulation of structurally abnormal or excessive glycogen, resulting in progressive neurodegeneration, myopathy, and multiorgan dysfunction. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), impaired insulin signaling through the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β axis maintains GYS1 in a hyperphosphorylated inactive state in skeletal muscle, compromising postprandial glucose disposal and exacerbating hyperglycemia. In oncology, GYS1 exhibits context-dependent roles across multiple cancer types. In hepatocellular carcinoma, FMO2+ cancer-associated fibroblasts stabilize GYS1 by competitively inhibiting PJA1-mediated ubiquitination, and stabilized GYS1 subsequently activates NF‑κB/CCL19 signaling to promote tertiary lymphoid structure formation and enhance anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responsiveness. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, GYS1 promotes tumor progression through non-canonical NF‑κB pathway activation via the scaffold protein RPS27A. In triple-negative breast cancer, GYS1 has been identified as a trigger of disulfidptosis and an activator of NF-κB signaling through non-enzymatic facilitation of IκBα degradation. In colorectal cancer, mitochondrial fission deficiency drives AMPK-dependent GYS1 upregulation and glycogen accumulation as a compensatory survival mechanism, while in cervical cancer, GYS1-maintained glycogen reserves fuel the pentose phosphate pathway to generate NADPH for ROS clearance, thereby conferring cisplatin resistance in cancer stem cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting GYS1 have gained substantial momentum across these disease contexts. For glycogen storage disorders, antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs (e.g., ABX1100), and small-molecule inhibitors (e.g., MZ-101) have demonstrated preclinical and early clinical efficacy in reducing pathological glycogen accumulation. For T2DM, pharmacological activation of GYS1 through GSK3β inhibition or enhancement of PP1-mediated dephosphorylation is being explored to restore insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis. In cancer, GYS1-directed interventions—including targeted silencing to sensitize tumors to chemotherapy and immune microenvironment modulation to enhance immunotherapy—represent emerging precision oncology approaches. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated account of GYS1 gene structure, tissue-specific distribution, regulatory networks, and pathogenic roles in metabolic disorders and malignancies, with the aim of establishing a theoretical framework for the development of GYS1-targeted precision therapies.
3.Expert consensus on basic public services for vision health management of primary and secondary school students
YANG Lihua , WU Xi, TAO Shuman, YAO Jun, WU Fengbo, LIU Fangli, MA Yinghua, FENG Zhanchun, SUN Renbiao, LIU Dongru, CHEN Qiusheng, CHEN Jie, YU Yizhen, ZHANG Mingchang, WU Xiaoyan, DU Yukai, LI Xiaoqing, LI Li, WU Xixi, JIN Xiaoqin, XU Ting, WU Mengjia, TANG Jia, Society of Student Vision Health Management of Chinese Health Association, Vision Health Branch of Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & ; Health Promotion
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(8):1069-1074
Abstract
To clarify the service targets, service contents, and safeguard mechanisms of the basic public service program for student vision health management, the study grounded in the current status of child and adolescent myopia prevention and control in China and integrated with the practical experience and innovative practices of Wuhan National Demonstration Area for Student Vision Health Management, takes education as the main thread and schools as the base, consolidating resources from multiple stakeholders including education administrative departments, schools, families, and professional technical service institutions. Centering on four core components—vision health education, monitoring and record keeping, risk prevention and control, and dynamic management, the study constructs a multi tiered basic public service system for vision health management of primary and secondary school students. It further proposes the use of an intelligent management platform and a "three tier color coded early warning" mechanism (red, yellow, blue) to prevent and control student myopia at the source, providing schools with replicable and operable implementation pathways to enhance the level of student vision health management.
4.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
5.Analysis of radiosensitivity indicators for radiation workers at a nuclear power plant
Nan MA ; Junchao FENG ; Yulong LIU ; Jie LI ; Yu GAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(2):264-269
Objective To analyze the health effects of long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation on radiation workers in a nuclear power plant, and to provide a scientific basis for their occupational health monitoring. Methods In 2023, 183 radiation workers in a nuclear power plant were subjected to the analysis of blood cell parameters such as mean red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin count, thyroid function indicators such as serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin, as well as the chromosomal aberration rate and micronucleus rate of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Results The blood cell parameters, thyroid function indicators, chromosomal aberration rate, and micronucleus rate of these radiation workers in the nuclear power plant were within normal reference ranges. Comparison among radiation workers with different ages showed statistically significant differences in triiodothyronine (H = 6.98, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 48.44, P < 0.05). Among the three groups of radiation workers with different working years, WBC was significantly different (χ2 = 3.87, P < 0.05), with the lowest WBC observed in radiation workers with ≥ 20 years of service. Thyroxine (χ2 = 4.01, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 40.95, P < 0.05) also varied significantly among these three groups. Conclusion Thyroid triiodothyronine level and micronucleus rate were affected by age, while WBC, thyroid thyroxine level, and micronucleus rate were related to working years. Targeted health management should be carried out for radiation workers in nuclear power plants to improve the awareness of radiation protection and continuously enhance their health status.
6.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
7.Expert consensus on prognostic evaluation of cochlear implantation in hereditary hearing loss.
Xinyu SHI ; Xianbao CAO ; Renjie CHAI ; Suijun CHEN ; Juan FENG ; Ningyu FENG ; Xia GAO ; Lulu GUO ; Yuhe LIU ; Ling LU ; Lingyun MEI ; Xiaoyun QIAN ; Dongdong REN ; Haibo SHI ; Duoduo TAO ; Qin WANG ; Zhaoyan WANG ; Shuo WANG ; Wei WANG ; Ming XIA ; Hao XIONG ; Baicheng XU ; Kai XU ; Lei XU ; Hua YANG ; Jun YANG ; Pingli YANG ; Wei YUAN ; Dingjun ZHA ; Chunming ZHANG ; Hongzheng ZHANG ; Juan ZHANG ; Tianhong ZHANG ; Wenqi ZUO ; Wenyan LI ; Yongyi YUAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Yu ZHAO ; Fang ZHENG ; Yu SUN
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(9):798-808
Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation(CI) serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system(Favorable, Marginal, Poor). The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss(such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1) and syndromic hereditary hearing loss(such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome), which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans
;
Cochlear Implantation
;
Prognosis
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Hearing Loss/surgery*
;
Consensus
;
Connexin 26
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Mutation
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Sulfate Transporters
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Connexins/genetics*
8.Effects of Different Modes in Hypoxic Training on Metabolic Improvements in Obese Individuals: a Systematic Review With Meta-analysis on Randomized Controlled Trail
Jie-Ping WANG ; Xiao-Shi LI ; Ru-Wen WANG ; Yi-Yin ZHANG ; Feng-Zhi YU ; Ru WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1587-1604
This paper aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of hypoxic training at different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) on body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism in obese individuals, and to determine the optimal oxygen concentration range to provide scientific evidence for personalized and precise hypoxic exercise prescriptions. A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials and pre-post intervention studies published up to March 31, 2025, involving hypoxic training interventions in obese populations. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software to assess the effects of different fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2≤14% vs. FiO2>14%) on BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with subgroup analyses based on oxygen concentration. A total of 22 studies involving 292 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that hypoxic training significantly reduced BMI (mean difference (MD)=-2.29,95%CI: -3.42 to -1.17, P<0.000 1), body fat percentage (MD=-2.32, 95%CI: -3.16 to -1.47, P<0.001), waist circumference (MD=-3.79, 95%CI: -6.73 to -0.85, P=0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD=-3.58, 95%CI: -6.23 to -0.93, P=0.008), insulin (MD=-1.60, 95%CI: -2.98 to -0.22, P=0.02), TG (MD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.25 to -0.12, P<0.001), and LDL-C (MD=-0.25, 95%CI: -0.39 to -0.11, P=0.000 3). Greater improvements were observed under moderate hypoxic conditions with FiO2>14%. Changes in HOMA-IR (MD=-0.74, 95%CI: -1.52 to 0.04,P=0.06) and HDL-C (MD=-0.09, 95%CI: -0.21 to 0.02, P=0.11) were not statistically significant. Hypoxic training can significantly improve body composition, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism indicators in obese individuals, with greater benefits observed under moderate hypoxia (FiO>14%). As a key parameter in hypoxic exercise interventions, the precise setting of oxygen concentration is crucial for optimizing intervention outcomes.
9.Feasibility study on automatic dicentric chromosome detection and dose estimation using an artificial intelligence-based chromosome image scanning and processing system
Junchao FENG ; Chang LIU ; Yulong LIU ; Jie LI ; Yu GAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):571-577
Objective To compare the results obtained from an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chromosome image scanning and processing system, the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system, and manual analysis of dicentric chromosomes, and to explore the feasibility of applying AI technology for dicentric chromosome detection and biological dose estimation. Methods Healthy human elbow vein blood was collected and subjected to 60Co in vitro irradiation. Chromosome samples were prepared using conventional methods. The slides were scanned and automatically analyzed using the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. The results were manually analyzed and confirmed. Results The number of cells was comparable between the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. However, the scanning speed of the AI-based system was 4.5 seconds per image, which was significantly faster than the 7.3 seconds per image of the Metafer 4 system (t = −6.19, P < 0.05). At a confidence level of 0.7, the AI-based system demonstrated a true positive rate of 96.7% and a false positive rate of 6.5%, which were significantly better than the true positive rate (45.4%-54.5%) and false positive rate (22.2%-29.2%) of the Metafer 4 system (all P < 0.05). In the biological dose estimation, the deviation of the dose-response curve was ≤ ± 10% in the automatic analysis using the Metafer 4 system. Due to the use of the manual dose-response curve, the deviation of the AI-based System was ≤ ± 15%. However, there were no significant differences in the estimated doses when the two systems were compared with the manual analysis (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both the AI-based chromosome image scanning and processing system and the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system greatly improved the analysis speed of chromosome aberrations. However, the scanning speed, true positive rate, and false positive rate of the AI-based system were superior to those of the Metafer 4 system. Therefore, the AI-based system is more suitable for rapid and high-throughput biological dose estimation in large-scale radiation accidents.
10.Protective effects of paeonol on human neuroblastoma cells in Parkinson's disease model and its underlying mechanism
Sheng-Nan SUN ; Lu-Lu HE ; Shao-Chen QIN ; Lei XU ; Li-Ran WANG ; Bao-Feng YU ; Cun-Gen MA ; Hui-Jie FAN ; Zhi CHAI
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(1):69-75
Objective To investigate the protective effects of paeonol(PAE)on autophagy in human neuroblastoma cells(SH-SY5Y)induced by overexpression of α-synuclein(α-Syn),and to explore its related mechanism.Methods SH-SY5Y cells served as control group,while those induced with A53T-α-Syn mutation were used as model group.Additional groups included PAE(150 μg/ml)group,3-MA(1 mmol/L)group,and PAE(150 μg/ml)+3-MA(1 mmol/L)group.Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 method,cell morphology was observed under an optical microscope,and protein expressions of α-Syn,LC3-Ⅱ,p62,Beclin-1,phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),and p-Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting.Results Compared with control group,model control exhibited decreased cell survival(P<0.01),increased α-Syn expression(P<0.001),reduced expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1(P<0.01,P<0.05),elevated autophagy substrate protein p62(P<0.05),and decreased expression of autophagy pathway-related proteins p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with model group,PAE group showed increased cell survival(P<0.01),decreased α-Syn and p62 protein expression(P<0.01,P<0.05),and increased expression of LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1,p-JNK and Bcl-2(P<0.05).Compared with PAE group,3-MA+PAE group demonstrated increased α-Syn expression(P<0.05).Conclusions PAE could attenuate the injury of SH-SY5Y cells induced by A53T-α-Syn and eliminate over-expressed α-Syn by activating autophagy pathway,which may be associated with the upregulation of JNK/Bcl-2 mediated autophagy pathway.


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