1.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
2.Effect of Acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) on Improving Autism by Promoting Myelination Through The METTL14/m⁶A/PTEN Axis Based on “Xuanfu-Suiqiao” Theory
Wei-Li DANG ; Lü-Yuan LIANG ; Yu-Xin LI ; Zhi-Yao LI ; Sai-Dan LIU ; Jia-Lei CAO ; Rong-Ze MA ; Yun-Kai WANG ; Xiao-Qing YANG ; Bing-Qi WEI ; Bing-Xiang MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1165-1177
ObjectiveTo clarify whether METTL14 mediates the core role of acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) in promoting myelination and improving behavior in young autistic rats through gene intervention technology. MethodsThe ASD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA) in pregnant rats. Male offspring were intracerebroventricularly injected with adenovirus-packaged METTL14 shRNA (sh-METTL14) or its control (sh-NC) on postnatal day 1, with a model group set as well. Subsequently, the juvenile rats were divided into model group, acupuncture group, acupuncture+sh-NC group, and acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Neiguan (PC6) from postnatal day 7, once daily for 21 consecutive days. Neurobehavioral changes were evaluated by behavioral tests; METTL14 knockdown efficiency and the expression of METTL14, METTL3, and PTEN were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB); PTEN m6A levels were measured by RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR (RIP-qPCR); myelin ultrastructure, expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and neurofascin 155 (NF155), and dendritic spine density were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and primary neuron culture. ResultsBehaviorally, knockdown of METTL14 significantly counteracted the beneficial effects of acupuncture in improving self-grooming, open field exploration, three-chamber social interaction, and Morris water maze learning and memory (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the acupuncture+sh-NC group, the acupuncture+sh-METTL14 group showed significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of hippocampal METTL14 (P<0.01), and the upregulating effects of acupuncture on METTL3 and PTEN expression were reversed (P<0.01). Meanwhile, knockdown of METTL14 significantly inhibited the acupuncture-induced increase in PTEN m6A levels (P<0.01). Morphologically, knockdown of METTL14 attenuated the improvement of myelin structure by acupuncture, reversed the downregulation of MBP and upregulation of NF155 induced by acupuncture, and blocked the increase in dendritic spine density (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionMETTL14 is a key molecule mediating the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Neiguan. Acupuncture at Neiguan upregulates METTL14, thereby enhancing m6A methylation modification of PTEN mRNA to stabilize its expression, ultimately promoting myelin development and improving behavioral symptoms in ASD juvenile rats. This preliminarily reveals the modern biological connotation of “opening Xuanfu and dredging myelin”.
3.Engineering Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Diseases
Hsiu-Jung LIAO ; Kai-Hsiang SHU ; Wei-Che YU ; Yen-Ling CHIU
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2026;23(1):1-20
BACKGROUND:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disorder that leads to significant structural and functional changes in the kidneys, posing a major global health concern and contributing to high mortality rates.
METHODS:
The urgent need for innovative treatments is evident. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well-regarded in regenerative medicine for their ability to repair tissue and modulate immune responses. Emerging research indicates that the therapeutic benefits of MSCs are largely mediated by the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes (MSC-Exos), which replicate the effects of MSCs by delivering genetic materials and proteins to target cells.
RESULTS:
MSC-Exos are novel natural carriers for targeted gene or drug delivery, offering biocompatibility, intrinsic targeting capabilities, and bioactive cargo to modulate recipient cells. They represent a groundbreaking platform for precision medicine, enhancing therapeutic efficacy with minimal immunogenicity and off-target effects. Moreover, embedding exosomes within hydrogels has emerged as a promising strategy to maintain their biological activity and enable a controlled release.
CONCLUSION
This review explores the roles of MSC-Exos in CKD pathophysiology, highlights the renoprotective effects of MSC-Exos for various sources, and provides a comprehensive overview of how hydrogel biomaterials present a promising approach for integrating exosomes to enhance therapeutic outcomes. The use of hydrogels to encapsulate exosomes improves their sustained release and stability in diseased kidney tissues, providing an innovative strategy to enhance precision therapies.
4.Prolonged cerebral oxygenation surveillance with algorithm-based management: a neurocritical care bundle for extremely preterm infants
Kai-Hsiang HSU ; Wei-Hung WU ; Shu-Yu LIN ; Chih-Chen CHANG ; Mei-Yin LAI ; I-Hsyuan WU ; Shih-Ming CHU ; Ming-Chou CHIANG ; Reyin LIEN
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics 2026;69(4):304-312
Background:
Cerebral hypoxia-ischemia impairs brain development in extremely preterm infants and is associated with poor neurological outcomes. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive continuous monitoring method for regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2).Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical feasibility and neurological impact of a neurocritical care bundle that incorporates prolonged multidisciplinary hemodynamic monitoring and a stepwise management algorithm.
Methods:
Preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤28 weeks or birth weight (BW) ≤1,000 g were prospectively enrolled in a bundle group subjected to NIRS for rcSO2, electrical cardiometry for cardiac output, and daily brain and cardiac echography during the first 72 hours of life. Monitoring was repeated weekly in the first month and then monthly until discharge or the term-equivalent age (TEA) was reached. We implemented a stepwise management algorithm for treating cerebral hypoxia. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality and adverse neurological events (structural abnormalities or electroencephalogram-confirmed seizures) before discharge. The secondary outcomes were the physiological pattern of rcSO2 within the initial 72 hours and up to discharge or TEA.
Results:
Thirty preterm infants (GA, 27.1±2.0 weeks; BW, 830±225 g) were enrolled in the bundle group. The mean time-averaged rcSO2 (66.8%±10.3%) was not associated with GA or BW. However, postnatal age appeared to influence physiological rcSO2 changes, given that rcSO2 values were higher during the initial 72 hours than at subsequent intervals. Seven infants (23.3%) had poor outcomes and significantly lower time-averaged rcSO2 (51.1% [50.0%–65.2%] vs. 71.8% [67.1%–73.1%], P=0.002). Multivariate regression indicated that a lower rcSO2 was an independent risk factor, and a 65% threshold showed an optimal predictive value for poor outcomes.
Conclusion
The neurocritical care bundle helped identify preterm infants at risk of cerebral hypoxia, and lower rcSO2 was an independent risk factor for composite mortality and adverse neurological outcomes.
5.Expert consensus on integrated diagnosis and treatment techniques for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Wei SHANG ; Haoyue XU ; Zongxuan HE ; Xiaoying LI ; Haijun LU ; Xiaohong ZHAN ; Dapeng HAO ; Yan SUN ; Wei GUO ; Zhangui TANG ; Guoxin REN ; Zhijun SUN ; Jian MENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Jichen LI ; Yue HE ; Chunjie LI ; Jianhua WEI ; Lizheng QIN ; Yaowu YANG ; Qing XI ; Wei WU ; Kai YANG ; Bing HAN ; Lingxue BU ; Shuangyi WANG ; Kai SONG ; Jiaqi ZHU ; Hongyu HAN ; Yu KONG ; Jieying LI ; Man HU ; Mingjin XU ; Moyi SUN
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2025;41(6):725-736
In recent decades,the incidence of human papillomavirus(HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(OPSCC)has shown a marked increase.Significant changes have also occurred in the OPSCC diagnosis and treatment paradigm.Deter-mining HPV status prior to treatment is now essential,and radiotherapy/chemotherapy,immunotherapy,and minimally invasive surgical techniques have progressively emerged as key modalities for managing OPSCC.However,alongside these paradigm shifts,a comprehen-sive technical consensus guiding the entire diagnostic and therapeutic process for OPSCC patients is currently lacking.Given China's large population base and the rising incidence of OPSCC,an expert panel convened to develop a clinical technical consensus on OPSCC diagno-sis and management tailored to China's specific context.This consensus aims to further enhance and standardize understanding of OPSCC management techniques among relevant healthcare professionals.
6.Ultrasonic manifestations of local recurrence of breast cancer after surgery
Na ZHAO ; Shuai ZHENG ; Zhiguang CHEN ; Kai DU ; Liqian WANG ; Lijuan DU ; Tengfei YU ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(2):258-262
Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of local recurrence(LR)of breast cancer after surgery.Methods Totally 82 female breast cancer patients with local hypoechoic in surgical area who underwent ultrasound follow-up were enrolled and divided into LR group(n=18)and non LR group(n=64)according to the local hypoechoic was LR or not.Clinical data and ultrasonic manifestations of primary lesion before operation and postoperative local hypoechoic were observed and compared between groups.Results Significant differences of surgical resection type,molecular subtype,status of smooth muscle actin,Calponin status,Ki-67 status,clinical staging,the maximum diameter and posterior echo of the primary lesion,as well as of involved tissue layer,location,long axis parallel to the skin or not,edge,internal echo,posterior echo,skin change and Adler blood flow grading of local hypoechoic in resection area were found between groups(all P<0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonic manifestations of LR of breast cancer after surgery had certain characteristics.
7.Correlation of POSTN and NECTIN-3 expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis in urothelial carcinoma
Xiaodie ZHOU ; Kai CHENG ; Jianjun WANG ; Xuan WANG ; Bo YU ; Qunli SHI ; Qiu RAO ; Wei BAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(11):1485-1491
Purpose To investigate the relationship between the expression of POSTN and NECTIN-3 in urothelial carcinoma(UC)and its clinicopathologic features and prognosis.Methods Clinical data of 115 UC patients were col-lected.EnVision two-step method was used for immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of POSTN and NECTIN-3 in UC and their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis.Transcriptomic data from TCGA database were used to analyze the correlation between the expression of POSTN and NECTIN-3 in bladder cancer and the pathological stage and prognosis of bladder cancer.qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of POSTN and NECTIN-3 in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of patients.Results TCGA database analysis showed that the expression level of NECTIN-3 in urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma(UBUC)was significantly lower than that in paracancer tissues,and POSTN expression was positively correlated with pathological stage.Prognostic a-nalysis showed that POSTN expression was negatively correlated with the overall survival of UBUC(P>0.05),and NECTIN-3 expression was negatively correlated with disease-free survival of UBUC(P>0.05).The experimental re-suits showed that patients with positive POSTN expression were more prone to perineural invasion[25 cases(86.2%)vs 4 cases(13.8%),P=0.019],vascular invasion[36 cases(83.7%)vs 7 cases(16.3%),P=0.007],and lymph node metastasis[24 cases(88.9%)vs 3 cases(11.1%),P=0.033].Additionally,the positive expression rate of POSTN in UBUC was significantly higher than that in upper tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC)(75.0%vs 54.3%,P=0.028).Higher expression levels of POSTN and NECTIN-3 were associated with shorter overall survival,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion There is no significant correlation between NECTIN-3 and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of urothelial carcinoma,while the expression of POSTN is correlated with the invasive clinicopathological features of UC,which has certain suggestive significance for clinical stage and prognosis.
8.Key Quality Control Items and Testing Points of Sheet for Oral Solid Preparation in the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China
Xiaohui YU ; Wei XIONG ; Bin LIU ; Yiwei ZHAO ; Lei CHEN ; Kai XU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(7):1065-1069
To promote the understanding of the requirements of sheet for oral solid preparation in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(2025 edition)and improve the quality control level of related parties in production and use,the key quality control items specified in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and the testing points were analyzed and discussed combined with the current situation of sheet for oral solid preparation industry and relevant standards at home and abroad.Suggestion was given that quality control should be carried out according to product characteristics,application,production process,and risk assessment,and reasonable limits should be set.
9.Key Quality Control Items and Testing Points of Sheet for Oral Solid Preparation in the 2025 Edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China
Xiaohui YU ; Wei XIONG ; Bin LIU ; Yiwei ZHAO ; Lei CHEN ; Kai XU
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(7):1065-1069
To promote the understanding of the requirements of sheet for oral solid preparation in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(2025 edition)and improve the quality control level of related parties in production and use,the key quality control items specified in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and the testing points were analyzed and discussed combined with the current situation of sheet for oral solid preparation industry and relevant standards at home and abroad.Suggestion was given that quality control should be carried out according to product characteristics,application,production process,and risk assessment,and reasonable limits should be set.
10.Prognostic Significance of Endothelial Activation and Stress Index in Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Xin-Yue ZHOU ; Zhi-Qin YANG ; Jin HU ; Feng-Yi LU ; Qian-Nan HAN ; Huan-Huan ZHAO ; Wen-Xia GAO ; Yu-Han MA ; Hu-Jun LI ; Zhen-Yu LI ; Kai-Lin XU ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1051-1056
Objective:To investigate the predictive value of endothelial activation and stress index(EASIX)for the prognosis of patients with mantle cell lymphoma(MCL).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted to assess prognosis and compare the clinical features of patients diagnosed with MCL who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2010 to June 2023,had therapeutic indications and received standard treatment.Results:A total of 66 patients were included and divided into high EASIX group and low EASIX group,according to a cutoff value of 0.97 determined by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that prealbumin<0.2 g/L,high EASIX,and ECOG PS score ≥2 were independent risk factors influencing overall survival(OS)in MCL patients.The median OS of patients in the high and low EASIX group was 13.0 and 37.5 months,and the median progression-free survival was 8.8 and 26.0 months,respectively.The proportions of patients with ECOG PS score ≥2 and prealbumin<0.2 g/L at onset significantly increased in the high EASIX group compared to those in the low EASIX group.Conclusion:At the time of initial diagnosis,EASIX can serve as an independent prognostic indicator impacting OS in patients with MCL.Furthermore,patients in the high EASIX group experience a poorer prognosis and shorter survival duration compared with those in the low EASIX group.

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