1.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
2.Electroacupuncture Ameliorates NLRP3-mediated Pyroptosis in Spinal Cord Injury Rats by Reshaping The Gut Microbiota
Yin-Jie CUI ; Hong-Ru LI ; Jing-Yi LIU ; Hai-Lin DU ; Shu-Wen LIU ; Yuan YANG ; Chen-Guang ZHENG ; Jian-Qin XIANG ; Xiao-Juan SONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1132-1153
ObjectiveSpinal cord injury (SCI) directly impairs the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system, induces intestinal dysfunction, and significantly reduces patients’ quality of life. Preclinical studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) therapy can regulate the brain-gut axis and is used to treat central nervous system diseases such as major depressive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Recent research has established that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from EA-treated SCI rats restored intestinal motility and colonic morphology. However, it remains unclear whether the regulation of gut microbiota by EA therapy directly contributes to neural repair after SCI. This study aims to explore whether gut microbiota mediates the neuroprotective effect of EA in the treatment of SCI and its possible mechanism. MethodsThe study employed RNA transcriptome analysis of spinal cord tissue to characterize gene expression profiles and to identify key signaling pathways following EA treatment for SCI. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the morphological changes in spinal cord tissue. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were applied to detect the effects of EA on the expression of proteins related to nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3) -dependent pyroptosis. Using 16S rDNA sequencing, the study observed alterations in gut microbiota diversity and community composition in SCI rats. Prior to establishing SCI models, rats were pretreated with an antibiotic cocktail to induce gut dysbiosis, and the effects on intestinal function and spinal cord neural repair were evaluated. FMT was performed to investigate the regulatory effects of post-EA FMT on motor function, general status, liver and spleen indices, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in SCI rats. ResultsEA improved motor function and reduced regulated neuronal cell death in SCI rats. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the activation of immune- and inflammation-related pathways post-SCI, including NOD-like receptors, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), and Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways. EA primarily influenced intestinal inflammation and autoimmune functions. 16S rDNA sequencing illustrated that EA did not alter the diversity of gut microbiota. However, EA altered the gut microbiota composition in SCI rats, increasing Lactobacillus and Akkermansia genera while rebalancing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics disrupted the intestinal barrier, reduced the expression of intestinal barrier proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin, elevated serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) levels, exacerbated spinal cord tissue damage, and hindered motor function recovery in SCI rats. FMT from donors treated with EA reduced LBP levels in the intestine, blood, and spinal cord of rats, inhibited the TLR4 myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88)-NF‑κB pathway and NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis, and improved motor function. On the other hand, FMT treatment resulted in decreased body weight and food intake, whereas FMT using EA-treated donors effectively alleviated these alterations. ConclusionEA effectively alleviated neuroinflammatory responses in rats with SCI, primarily through regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing the NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis signaling pathway.
3.Concept,Organizational Structure,and Medical Model of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Myocardial Infarction Unit
Jun LI ; Jialiang GAO ; Jie WANG ; Zhenpeng ZHANG ; Xinyuan WU ; Ji WU ; Zicong XIE ; Jingrun CUI ; Haoqiang HE ; Yuqing TAN ; Chunkun YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):873-877
The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) myocardial infarction (MI) unit is a standardized, regulated, and continuous integrated care unit guided by TCM theory and built upon existing chest pain centers or emergency care units. This unit emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and forms a restructured clinical entity without altering current departmental settings, offering comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services with full participation of TCM in the treatment of MI. Its core medical model is patient-centered and disease-focused, providing horizontally integrated TCM-based care across multiple specialties and vertically constructing a full-cycle treatment unit for MI, delivering prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation during the acute, stable, and recovery phases. Additionally, the unit establishes a TCM-featured education and prevention mechanism for MI to guide patients in proactive health management, reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction, and improve quality of life.
4.Comparative study with propensity score matching of gastrectomy versus total gastrectomy for the safety and prognosis of Siewert types Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction
Bo WANG ; Rui YANG ; Yun QIAO ; Maojie ZHANG ; Yinhao YANG ; Jie WANG ; Nan WANG ; Jinjie ZHANG ; Xiaonan WEI ; Peng CUI ; Wei WEI ; Yongai LI ; Yu WANG ; Wenqing HU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025;28(2):169-177
Objective:To compare the safety, number of lymph nodes removed, rate of lymph node metastasis, and prognosis between proximal gastrectomy (PG) and total gastrectomy (TG) in patients with Siewert types II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, clinical data of patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction at Changzhi People's Hospital, affiliated with Changzhi Medical College, between December 2019 and November 2022, were collected. Patients who had received neoadjuvant therapy, had multiple malignant lesions in the stomach, had concomitant malignancies in other organs, had incomplete clinical data, or had been lost to follow-up were excluded. The study cohort comprised 308 patients, 99 in the PG group and 209 in the TG group. To reduce confounding bias, propensity score matching was performed, matching patients for age, sex, body mass index, tumor diameter, and pathological stage in a 1:1 ratio, resulting in 73 patients in each group. The primary outcomes assessed were operative details, number of lymph nodes dissected, rate of lymph node metastasis, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and follow-up and survival outcomes.Results:The PG group had a significantly shorter median operative time than did the TG group (250 vs. 280 minutes, Z = -4.970, P<0.001), with fewer cases of intraoperative blood loss >100 mL (30.1%[22/73] vs. 46.6%[34/73], χ2=4.171, P=0.041), and a smaller number of lymph nodes removed (median 33 vs. 46, Z =-4.774, P<0.001); all of these differences are statistically significant (all P<0.05). Differences between the two groups in postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found between the PG and TG groups in the number of lymph nodes dissected or the lymph node metastasis rates at stations No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4sa, No. 4sb, and No. 7 (all P> 0.05). Among the 209 patients in the TG group, analysis of risk factors for metastasis to distal perigastric lymph nodes (No.4d, No.5, and No.6) showed that patients with tumor diameters ≤4 cm and T1–T3 stage disease had significantly lower rates of metastasis to these lymph nodes than did patients with tumor diameters >4 cm and/or T4 stage disease (0/78 vs. 12/131 [9.2%]); these differences are statistically significant ( P=0.014). The median duration of follow-up for the entire cohort was 26 months. The 3-year overall survival rates for the PG and TG groups were 62.5% and 63.3%, respectively; this difference is not statistically significant (χ 2=0.330, P = 0.565). Multivariate analysis showed that older age ( P = 0.035) and advanced pathological stage ( P = 0.018) were significant independent risk factors that affected overall survival in patients with Siewert type II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Conclusions:PG is safe and feasible for patients with Siewert types II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. The number of lymph nodes dissected and metastasis status were similar in the TG and PG groups.
5.Application value of optimized mesenteric defect closure technique in laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy
Hengrui NIU ; Wenqing HU ; Peng CUI ; Yinhao YANG ; Jie WANG ; Dongyang SONG ; Weifeng LI ; Xiongxiong SONG ; Wei WEI
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2025;24(5):630-635
Objective:To investigate the application value of optimized mesenteric defect closure technique in laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 26 patients who underwent laparo-scopic-assisted right hemicolectomy at Changzhi People′s Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from May 2023 to June 2024 were collected. There were 11 males and 15 females, aged (65.7±1.8)years. All patients received optimized mesenteric defect closure using a combined extra-corporeal-laparoscopic suturing technique. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and intraoperative conditions; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical and intraoperative conditions. All 26 patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy with optimized mesenteric defect closure. The time of optimized mesenteric defect closure was 9.8(8.8,12.8)minutes, time of digestive tract reconstruction was 10.0(8.7,13.0)minutes, operation time was (164±4)minutes, volume of intraoperative blood loss was 50(50,100)mL. One of the 26 patients had intraoperative mesenteric hematoma, which required no specific intervention. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged from hospital. (2) Postoperative conditions. The visual analog scale pain score of 26 patients on postoperative day 1 and day 3 were 5(4,5) and 3(2,3), respectively. Time to postoperative first anal flatus and bowel movement were both 3(3, 4)days. Time to postoperative first intake of liquid diet was 2(2,3)days, duration of postoperative abdominal drainage was 4(3,5)days, and duration of postoperative hospital stay was 9(8,12)days. The number of lymph node dissected in 26 patients was 25(18,27) and the number of positive lymph node was 1(0,2). Cases in stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ of tumor TNM staging were 5, 6, 15. (3) Follow-up. All 26 patients were followed up for 15(range, 6?20)months. Of the 26 patients, one case had incom-plete intestinal obstruction on postoperative day 25, which was diagnosed as adhesive intestinal obstruction based on imaging examination and classified as Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱ. The patient recovered and was discharged after conservative treatment. None of the 26 patients had bleeding, infection of incision, anastomotic leakage, internal hernia, or delayed gastric emptying. There was no tumor recurrence, metastasis or death.Conclusion:The optimized mesenteric defect closure tech-nique in combined extracorporeal-laparoscopic suturing procedure can be used in laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy.
6.Cause analysis of joint limit interlock and parameter adjustment of treatment couch in CyberKnife
Jun-jie LI ; Rui ZHAO ; Jin LI ; Xiao-lei CUI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):114-117
The causes for CyberKnife joint limit interlock were analyzed,and the effects of the treatment couch parameters on the position of the linear accelerator were described.A method for adjusting treatment couch parameters was proposed when joint limit interlock occurred at five common restriction nodes(nodes 43,72,79,94 and 97).References were provided for solving the problem of CyberKnife joint limit interlock and ensuring the implementation of the treatment plan.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):114-117]
7.Whole genome sequencing and analysis of multidrug resistant ST314 Salmonella Kentucky from a broiler slaughterhouse
Jia-rui LI ; Rui-yuan SUN ; Pei-jie HE ; Hao-tian LIU ; Ru-yi KUANG ; Jing XIA ; Min CUI ; Yong HUANG ; Li-kou ZOU ; Xin-feng HAN
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(5):537-543
This study investigated the potential pathogenicity and genetic characteristics of ST314 Salmonella Kentucky(S.Ken-tucky)isolates from a broiler slaughterhouse.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing(WGS)were used to determine antimicrobial resistance,virulence factors,and the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes(ARGs)and mobile genetic elements(MGEs)among the isolates.The three multidrug resistant(MDR)isolates exhibited high resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents.The F4-2S strain exhibited resistance to 14 drugs across seven categories,whereas the F4T strain showed resistance to 13 drugs in the same number of categories.In contrast,the Y23 strain was resistant to nine drugs in six categories.Notably,F4-2S dem-onstrated high homology with F4T:both possessed 13 ARGs distributed across nine categories,in addition to a wide range of virulence factors,including secretion systems and effector proteins.The presence of IncR and IncX1 plasmids significantly enhanced both the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of the isolates.The genome map of Y23 revealed a chromosome alongside two plasmids.The chromosome containedonly one resistance gene but several virulence factors,including the type III secretion system(T3SS),which is crucial for bacterial invasion.The plasmid pY23-1 contained eight types of 19 ARGs.Comparative analysis indicated that pY23-1 ex-hibited high homology with pZ1323SSL0055 and pSAL-045,all of which contained multiple ARGs,thus suggesting critical roles of these genes in the evolution of bacterial resistance.In conclusion,ST314 S.Kentucky demonstrated a complex mechanism of resis-tance coupled with significant pathogenic potential.The ARGs and MGEs in the plasmid contributed to the emergence and dissemina-tion of antimicrobial resistance.The multiple virulence factors present in the chromosome may be key factors driving the increasing virulence of ST314 S.Kentucky.
8.Construction of a severe asthma animal model
Di YANG ; Zhenhui LU ; Yuwei JIANG ; Cui LI ; Zifeng MA ; Yu WANG ; Linjin CHEN ; Tianxun LU ; Jie CUI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(4):467-478
Objective To develop an animal model that replicates the clinical phenotype of severe asthma.Methods Ovalbumin(OVA)combined with IL-33 or varying doses of lipopolysaccharides(LPS)was used to explore the construction of a severe asthma mouse model.Established model animals were assessed for lung function,number of inflammatory cells,and lung tissue pathology were assessed.Expression of key genes associated with severe asthma identified from the GEO database were validated in the new model.Results Compared with OVA alone,OVA combined with IL-33 or 5 μg LPS significantly increased airway resistance and the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,and aggravated the pathological damage to lung tissues.The expression patterns of key genes in the newly constructed severe asthma models were consistent with those observed in clinical patients with severe asthma.Conclusions The modeling method of combining OVA with IL-33 or LPS(5 μg)can be used to construct experimentalanimal models of severe asthma.
9.Design and performance verification of high altitude adaptive oxygen generator
Bo WANG ; Xiao-feng LIU ; Wen-jia LIU ; Yi LI ; Ya-nan WU ; Shu-jie CUI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(4):29-34
Objective To design a high altitude adaptive oxygen generator for the crews to alleviate their high altitude reaction in high altitude environment and meet their requirements for oxygen supply.Methods A high altitude adaptive oxygen generator based on the mature pressure swing adsorption oxygen production method was designed with the key technologies of discharge capacity compensation of air compression pump and airway fusion of molecular sieve tower,which had the components of molecular sieve tower,air compression pump,controller,cooling fan,cooler,solenoid valve,regulator,flow meter and etc.Trials were carried out at the simulated altitude and field plateau environment so as to verify the high altitude adaptive performance of the oxygen generator developed.Results The trial results showed the oxygen generator met the desired objectives and the requirements for oxygen volume fraction in GJB 2799-1996 General specification for medical oxygen generator using molecular sieve method.Conclusion The oxygen generartor provides oxygen supply effectively for vehicle operators in plateau environments or the ones rushing into the plateau.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(4):29-34]
10.Consensus on informed consent for orthodontic treatment
Yang CAO ; Bing FANG ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Yuxing BAI ; Lin WANG ; Haiping LU ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Tianmin XU ; Weiran LI ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Jun WANG ; Fang JIN ; Ding BAI ; Xianglong HAN ; Yuehua LIU ; Bin YAN ; Jie GUO ; Jiejun SHI ; Yongming LI ; Zhihua LI ; Xiuping WU ; Jiangtian HU ; Linyu XU ; Lin LIU ; Yi LIU ; Yanqin LU ; Wensheng MA ; Shuixue MO ; Liling REN ; Shuxia CUI ; Yongjie FAN ; Jianguang XU ; Lulu XU ; Zhijun ZHENG ; Peijun WANG ; Rui ZOU ; Chufeng LIU ; Lunguo XIA ; Li HU ; Weicai WANG ; Liping WU ; Xiaoxing KOU ; Jiali TAN ; Yuanbo LIU ; Bowen MENG ; Yuantao HAO ; Lili CHEN
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2025;60(12):1327-1336
This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

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